As 2021 comes to a close, I thought I’d take some time to reflect on and share some of our highlights from this past year.
And in looking ahead to 2022, let’s all just be grateful that it’s not pronounced “twenty-twenty, too”.
**fingers crossed**
Let’s just get into it, shall we?
January
I partnered with Tosha Rollins from Rollins Counseling, LLC and began co-hosting the Autism in Action podcast.
February
Hmm, I celebrated my 38th birthday… Does that count?
March
Tosha and I interviewed Dr. Temple Grandin & Dr. Debra Moore for the Autism in Action Podcast. Listen to the episode by clicking here.
May
After a year-and-a-half of coaching neurodiverse teens, adults and families on my own, I hired our first coach, Jeff Mitchell. Jeff sees clients both in-person in the Seattle area and virtually. Click here to learn more about Jeff.
In collaboration with Social Skills Laboratory, we also started in-person friendship groups here in the Seattle area.
June
Launched the Real-Life Social Skills Academy with my good friend and colleague, John Williamson, SLP and founder of Social Skills Laboratory. Our first course on conversation skills is available for purchase, and the first lesson of that course on finding good conversation candidates, is available for free.
July
We wrapped up our Executive Functioning 101 blog series and began our new Daily Living Skills series.
August
We launched the Executive Functioning 101 Hub, a thoughtful collection of articles designed to help you and your learner take meaningful action to improve executive functioning. Probably the best kept secret on the internet on the topic of executive functioning.
September
We hired our second coach, Katie Roskilly. Like Jeff and myself, Katie sees clients both in-person in the Seattle area and virtually. Click here to learn more about Katie.
October
I spent some thinking hard about the Life Skills Advocate brand and what we’re all about. As a result, I created 5 key pages on the site in an attempt clearly communicate what exactly it is we do and what we stand for as a team and company.
Here are the company pages I created:
- Meet Our Team
- Discover the Life Skills Advocate Difference
- Our Coaching Process
- Our Core Values
- FAQs
November
Friend and colleague, John Williamson and I attended the ASHA 2021 Convention in Washington D.C. to promote our Real-Life Social Skills Academy.
We launched our Free Executive Functioning Assessment & Real-Life Executive Functioning Workbook (coupon code LSA20 for 20% off at checkout).
December
In an attempt to engage with our audience in new ways, we opened both Pinterest & Twitter accounts.
We hired our third coach, Karrissa Doree, who I’m excited to announce, will be starting on January 3, 2022.
Looking Ahead to 2022
2021 was very exciting for sure, but we’re just getting started. There’s a lot to look forward to in 2022. Here’s a sneak peak of what’s on the horizon:
- Season 4 of the Autism in Action Podcast.
- Amy & I have 2 really BIG and exciting projects in the works. Both aimed at drastically helping neurodiverse learners build independence.
- John & I will be launching the next 2 Real-Life Social Skills Academy courses, which will be all about building friendships and dating.
- I will be collecting feedback and implementing improvements to the the EF assessment and Real-Life EF Workbook.
- And a few more surprises!
A Big Thank You to You, Our Readers
In 2021 we had over 140,000 readers visit our blog, a large chunk of whom came back week after week. That’s a lot of people!
I’m incredibly grateful for all the love, support and feedback we receive. We couldn’t make any of this happen without you!
Thank You to The Life Skills Advocate Team
Another group of people I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without is our amazing team!
Thank You to Our Partners & Referral Networking Contacts
- John Williamson from Social Skills Laboratory, PLLC
- Tosha Rollins from Rollins Counseling, LLC
- Dr. Jennifer Tininenko and team from Evidence-Based Treatment Center of Seattle (EBTCS)
- Tracy & Chris from Eaton Arrowsmith Academy
- Reza & Ruth from The Polytech
- Jennifer Strahle & team from Bellevue School District Evergreen Transition Program
- Dr. Skye Camphouse from Ryther
- Dr. Ilyse Rosenberg from Mountain Mental Health, PLLC
- Dr. Julie Osterling, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
- Erin Manhardt from Kaizen Counseling
- Stephanie Cole & team from Fusion Academy Seattle
- Dr. Frank Hewins from Spring Academy
- Ryan & Christy from Enigma
- Lisa Latchford from Fox & Associates, LLC
- Nicole & Peggy from empowerED Learning
- Dr. Samantha Jimenez from Milestone Psychology, PLLC
- Dr. John Whitehead, Licenses Clinical Psychologist
- Alexandra Dunnison, Cognitive Consultant
- Aimee Martin from King County Defender Association Division