Apr 30, 2026
In this issue
- Dear Camas
- From Acceptance to Neuro Affirming
- Doc Harris Unified Soccer Game
- Upcoming events
Dear Camas CSD Special Ed PTSO Community,
As many of you my know, April is Autism Awareness month. Though it has been around since 1970, over time awareness has evolved to Acceptance. For many years awareness alone has not been enough. Thanks to the work of families, advocates, and autistic voices it will continue to evolve – recognizing that inclusion and support are essential to the wellbeing of neurodiverse individuals. Listening to Autistic voices helps us understand where we are falling short and what we are doing right. As a society understanding that acceptance isn’t just about how we feel but access to the world for our loved ones. Acceptance impacts inclusion in things like school, employment, medical care, and more. In this issue I would like to discuss the latest approach in supporting neurodiversity, Neuro Affirming care and how it benefits our loved ones by addressing issues like Masking.
Warmly,
Camas CSD Special Ed PTSO Team
From Acceptance to Neuro Affirming
What is Neuro Affirming care and support? It’s about providing support that embraces the diversity of different neurotypes like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, etc, while also respecting the struggles such differences can bring. When we understand that neurodiverse brains process and learn differently – that their cognitive, sensory, and social experiences likely differ from the majority – we stop expecting them to change for our benefit, instead we begin to accommodate them. That is an essential part of acceptance.
When we provide Neuro Affirming support we help reduce the stigma associated with autism and other neurodiversities. We respect that things like communication and self regulation can look differently. We are more open to listening to their perspective and need for autonomy. We reduce Masking – a common, often involuntary, survival strategy where neurodivergent individuals conceal their natural traits to appear neurotypical. Masking can also involve suppressing behaviors like stimming and mimicking social interactions to avoid stigma, bullying, or to fit into work and social environments. This suppression often leads to severe burnout, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, a loss of identity, and exhaustion. When there is acceptance for neurodiversity, individuals are more likely to self advocate and get the support they need. When families advocate for Neuro Affirming care and support their loved ones have better outcomes.
There are amazing books on everything from Neuro Affirming support to sensory processing disorder at the Camas Library. Below is a list of books available to check out on various topics that can help shed light on some questions you might have. Recently our PTSO purchased a few books and donated them to the library with the hope every family will have free access to the information they need on their journey.
Doc Harris Unified Soccer Game
I would like to give a Shout out to Coach Erin Kennedy – she advocated to have a Camas High School Unified Soccer Game at Doc Harris Stadium. It was the first year The Camas School District hosted a Unified Soccer Game. Hopefully it’s the first of many.
Upcoming events
Important links
Would you like to provide anonymous feedback regarding your IEP/504 meeting experience? What worked and what didn’t? We will continue to get data from this survey throughout the year to share with the district – IEP/504 Feedback Survey
