Heather’s story

I was identified as autistic at age 41, gifted at age 9, and a born entertainer at age 5, when I stood up spontaneously at dinner with my dad’s boss (and wife) to recite the entire two-page Shel Silverstein poem, “Hungry Mungry,” from memory. Here I am at 3 protesting the injustice of having to wear a shirt just because I was a girl, when all of the boys could roam free in the heat.

Now, with 3 neurodivergent kids & a fellow autistic spouse, I’m on a mission to break down barriers for ND folks in an neuro-normative world, challenge ND stereotypes, & illuminate the untapped talents of ND students & employees. We’re a goldmine of hidden superpowers, & it’s way passed time we harnessed that fire.

My background

I’m a credentialed elementary school teacher, with both public and private school experience, and I’ve previously been the Education Coordinator for the Washington Youth Garden at the National Arboretum, a lecturer at the University of Maryland, College Park, and a board member for a progressive school in Oakland, CA.

I have a B.S. in Environmental Biology from UC Davis and an MFA in Creative Writing from UMD. My short fiction has been nationally recognized, including being chosen as a Longform Fiction Pick of the Year. I’m currently a local journalist and a mother to three ND kids with all kinds of strengths and challenges. Welcome!

Note: For my family’s privacy, I conduct my neurodiversity work under my maiden name.

Also, I sing & compose music now (after not playing for 25 years! 🤯)

Yeah, that’s weird. I was classically trained and not very good at it. Turns out I’m a rock girl and play with chord charts and by ear. I never knew. As soon as I learned I was autistic, the first thing I did was head to my piano as if summoned by a homing beacon. It’s wild.

My first Christmas song! A little hoarse from bronchitis, but you get the gist ;)

Here’s one of my latest songs, “Sale at the Cemetary,” — not inspired by my life, but from a sign I drove by at an actual cemetery, lol. (Also, f-bombs)

Most of my songs aren’t about being autistic, but this one is. Watch out for some f-bombs…this was at a bar!

A love song about marriage — harder than you might think!