National Autism Association of North Texas

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Love this!!🩵

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Please share with anyone who may have concerns about their child's development. The toolkit can be downloaded at http://nationalautismassociation.org/first-signs-next-steps/

Our 2026 Summer Camp Scholarships are open!

How to Apply:
👇🏼 Check out the checklist in our flyer

📩 Email all documents to: [email protected]

🗓️ Deadline: May 24, 2026

Huge shoutout to our three Youth Ambassadors honored at this year’s Appreciation Dinner! 🏆

Congratulations to Mikael H, Aidan P, and Madeline P for their outstanding service and leadership. Your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed—keep shining! 🌟

The dictionary says "Mom," but we know the definition goes much deeper. 🤍💐

Happy Mother’s Day to the advocates, the masters of the "unspoken," and the women who see the world through a more vibrant lens. You are the heartbeat of this community.

Hey We Rockers! Let's all welcome our new owners Natalie, Cole, Pam, & John to the We Rock Family! 🎉

Hi, I'm Natalie Waldrop, a mom to two daughters, ages 10 and 4, and wife to my husband, Cole. We live in Plano, Texas, and like many families, our journey took an unexpected turn when our oldest daughter was diagnosed with autism. That experience opened the door to a whole new world for our family—one that challenged us, helped us grow, and ultimately shaped the path we're on today.

For the past several years, I've worked alongside my dad, helping families navigate special-needs financial planning, and I've seen how important it is to have the right support and guidance. I've also been involved with the National Autism Association of North Texas for the past four years, recently stepping into the role of President, and have met so many incredible families and advocates who continue to inspire me.

Opening We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym is the combination of both my personal and professional journey, a place where kids can be kids and families can feel comfortable, supported, and understood. I'm especially passionate about supporting parents and creating a strong sense of community, because having people around you who truly get it can make all the difference.

Pam is a retired Interior Designer, and I (John) have been a Financial Advisor for 42 years. I have been honored many times by recognition of my accomplishments from my industry including the Five Star Wealth Manager award for the last 7 years in a row. I am a Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant, and a Chartered Special Needs Consultant. I added this designation after my oldest granddaughter, Belle, was diagnosed on the spectrum at age 2. Natalie is my one and only child and she will be the Operations Manager for our franchise location. I have 2 granddaughters, Belle (10) and Sky (4).

Depression in children does not always look like sadness—and in children with autism, distress can be even easier to miss.

Today is Childhood Depression Awareness Day, a reminder that mental health, communication, co-occurring medical needs, and safety must all be part of the conversation.

Depression or emotional distress may show up as irritability, withdrawal, sleep changes, increased anxiety, aggression, self-injury, school refusal, loss of interest, or a child who simply seems “not like themselves.”

Research suggests autistic youth and adults have higher rates of suicidal thoughts, plans, and behaviors than the general population, with some studies estimating su***de risk to be two to seven times higher. A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that suicidal thoughts and behaviors can appear in autistic children as young as age 8 or younger.

Changes in mood, behavior, sleep, communication, and safety should be taken seriously—not dismissed as “just autism,”.

If you are concerned about a child’s mental health, reach out to their doctor or therapist. If you believe a child may harm themselves or is in immediate danger, call or text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline, or go to the emergency room.

More from NAA’s Autism & Safety resources in the comments.

Our last performer spotlight is Sam Carter! ✨ What a way to light up the room. Performances like this remind us exactly why we gather to celebrate—to honor the unique gifts that make our community so special!!🪩🎧💃🏽🕺🏽