July seems to be flying by. ☀️ I’m curious…what have you been immersed in this summer? For me, it’s been a keynote I’m preparing for September. I expected to spend most of my time writing. Instead, I’ve spent much of it thinking, rereading, sketching ideas, recording drafts, taking notes, and sitting with questions that don’t have quick answers. I’ve been reading Resonate by Nancy Duarte, learning more about storytelling, and reflecting on what makes an idea meaningful enough to stay with people after a presentation ends. It’s been an interesting season of slowing down. As I’ve looked back across years of teaching, parenting, learning, and building Visually Speaking, I keep returning to one question: What does it take for a learner to thrive? But another question has gradually emerged: What have all of those experiences been teaching me about that question? I’ve realized this keynote isn’t really about telling my story. It’s about trying to understand what those experiences have been pointing toward all along, and then translating that learning into something others can see, question, and build on together. That’s been the most challenging part—and, I think, the most meaningful. There have been plenty of moments where I’ve found myself deep in hyper-focus, rearranging ideas, drafting another version, or suddenly seeing a connection I hadn’t noticed before. It’s amazing how much thinking can happen in the quiet spaces between everyday life. I’d love to hear from you. What have you been immersed in this summer? Is there a question you’ve been sitting with, a project that’s changed shape as you’ve worked on it, or something that’s teaching you more than you expected?

One thing I’ve noticed is that travel looks different now than it did before I understood myself and my family through a neurodiversity-affirming lens. I still love exploring new places. I still want to wander beautiful streets, discover museums, try local food, and fit in as much as possible. But I also know that every choice has a cost, and my nervous system keeps the score. There were moments when we chose to do less so we could enjoy more. We built in extra time. We paid attention to what our bodies were telling us. We mixed busy sightseeing with experiences that felt calming and sensory-rich. We accepted that after a day of walking and navigating a busy city, everyone might need extra comfort, patience, or simply rest. I also found myself making different choices than I might have years ago. Not because I couldn’t do everything, but because I wanted to finish the trip feeling well rather than pushing until I crashed. Sometimes that meant saying no to one more stop, one more treat, or one more activity. Something else I’ve learned is that coming home is part of the trip too. For me, the days afterward aren’t just about unpacking luggage—they’re about unpacking experiences. Processing conversations. Sorting through ideas. Letting my nervous system settle. Giving myself permission to recover instead of expecting to jump straight back into normal life. None of this made the trip feel smaller. If anything, it made it richer. I’m grateful for the family who welcomed us, for the experiences we shared, and for how much more compassionate we’ve become with ourselves. Our vacations don’t have to look like anyone else’s. They just have to work for the people taking them. I’d love to hear from others in this community. Has learning more about yourself changed the way you travel, recover, or plan family experiences?

I’ve been spending some time putting the thinking behind Visually Speaking into writing. The first article explores a question we occasionally get asked: Why don’t our learning resources include recommended age ranges? It’s a question that has shaped many of our design decisions and over-arching philosophy. In the article, I talk about why chronological age and developmental milestones are valuable, while also exploring why we begin with a different question when choosing or designing a learning resource: What is this learner (client, child, self) working toward right now? I’d love to know what you think. After you’ve had a chance to read it, feel free to come back here and share your reflections. - What resonated with you? - What challenged your thinking? - What questions did it leave you with? https://visuallyspeakinginc.com/why-dont-visually-speaking-resources-include-age-ranges/

Hello, community! 👋 I’d love your input as we continue building Thriving Together. This community is still new, which means we have a wonderful opportunity to shape it together. Rather than guessing what would be most helpful, I’d love to hear from you. What would make this community most valuable for you over the summer? Vote below, and if you have other ideas, I’d love to hear them in the comments. Every bit of feedback helps shape what we create together. Summer gives us a chance to experiment and build this community together.