When your child receives an autism diagnosis, it can feel like stepping into an entirely new world—one that’s full of potential, but also a bit overwhelming. In Wisconsin, we are fortunate to have a wealth of resources to support families, but knowing where to start can still feel daunting.

In this episode, Woodzick and Ruby explore hypothetical scenarios about downloading knowledge directly into the brain, touching on topics like mastering Excel and learning to fly an airplane.

Ruby then engages in an insightful conversation with Maeve and Harvey, two neurodivergent creatives who use dance and crafting as vehicles for self-expression, emotional discovery, and regulation.

Sometimes, you find answers to tough questions, and sometimes you realize you're already figuring them out on your own. A couple of weeks ago, I visited Adobe’s world headquarters.

On this episode of the Brilliant Voices podcast, Ruby and Woodzick chat with Mrinal Gokhale and Ranjit Singh.

Ruby and Woodzick talk with Hannah Sallmann and August Carlson, who currently facilitate one of IOB’s newest programs, The Fellowship, in Eau Claire.

For May’s blog post, the Islands of Brilliance Creative Technology Team (aka C-tech Team), wanted to interview the newest C-techie, Shayne Mack. We asked him what he thought about his new title as a Junior Creative Technologist and the contributions he feels like he’s making to the team! Shayne has been involved with the IOB community since he joined as a participant in 2018.

In December, with the full support of our Board of Directors, Islands of Brilliance chose to change our mission statement with the intention of opening our doors to the broader community of neurodiversity.

Joyful moments…seeing Pirate Ships…at Islands of Brilliance

Working at Islands of Brilliance (IOB), I get to see pirate ships built and enjoyed nearly every day. I would like to share a few of my favorite joyful moments from 2023.

Providing some daily structure can help your autistic student have a happier transition to summer. Here are some ideas to get you started.

New students are often surprised by the welcoming community that they find in a Foundation Workshop. What is it like to start at Islands of Brilliance?

As Co-Founder and Chief Education Officer, Margaret Fairbanks explains how autism is defined. It comes down to defining “difference” and “difficulty.” “Words matter. And the words we have used throughout the years to diagnose and describe autism have been changing almost as quickly as the prevalence rate.”

Belonging. Community. Acceptance. These are things that many, if not all of us, crave. Even those of us who proudly wave our introvert flag still desire to be seen, heard, and loved. It is in our DNA to find “our people…our place.”

At Islands of Brilliance, we’ve provided a space for our participants who are 18 years or older to form their own community, the Brilliant Breakfast Club.

“He’s always on the computer! It drives me crazy! He needs to go outside and play with his friends.”

“She’s always looking at her phone. How will she ever engage with humans in real situations?”

These quotes are all echoed by parents. Whether your child is neurotypical or neurodiverse–if you are a parent–you have likely said one of these things to your spouse or a friend. Today’s children are digital natives, growing up in the information age. We can’t go backwards from this trend of technology being at the forefront of everything that happens at school, work, and home. Of course, the global pandemic has accelerated this trend!

We all know the drill, the new year rolls around and everyone starts focusing on what they want to change in their lives. We set lofty goals for “a better us.” What does that even mean? We often take a look at ourselves or our families and decide this is the year we will change it all! And we quickly overwhelm ourselves with too many goals, plans, and systems. We probably drive ourselves and everyone around us crazy in the process. And before we know it, probably right around now…a few weeks into the new year…we burn out and return to our regular routines. Are you there? Does this feel a little too familiar? Don’t worry! You’re not alone!

Mornings in our home always start with coffee and conversation—which often revolves around how lucky we are to do what we do. The joy, the sense of community, the self confidence and advocacy, and the sense of pride that has blossomed over the past eight years really is something we are incredibly honored to be part of.

It goes without saying, this has been a year like no other. As we head towards what will definitely be a unique holiday season, it seems clear we will need to shift expectations on our old traditions. There is no better time than now to reflect on ways to stay positive, hopeful, and ideally be more inclusive!

What does the word accessibility mean to you?

Wheelchair ramps, automatically opening doors, and braille on elevators, I imagine you would say. Yes, that is what accessibility means in the world of architecture and physical environments, but what does accessibility mean for learning environments?

“Thank you - I am so glad we found you!”

“My daughter absolutely loved joining in yesterday, when is the next one?”

“What is all this Juice Talk?”

I am really lucky, I get to hear lots of happy stories. We here at IOB call it, "Juice." Juice is representative of all the good stories we get to share—stuff that makes us happy, proud, and know we are doing important and meaningful work.

Students thriving in a distance learning environment.

Until March of this year, I had not truly given thought to what it means to pivot. Being part of an organization with a mission that targets changing perceptions around autism, I thought I understood the nature and value of change - and then everything changed.

Students thriving in a distance learning environment.

Until March of this year, I had not truly given thought to what it means to pivot. Being part of an organization with a mission that targets changing perceptions around autism, I thought I understood the nature and value of change - and then everything changed.