🎙️ NEW EPISODE: Autism Acceptance Month Special — Meet Our First Guest!

In this special episode of What's Happening Inside Me?, we're celebrating Autism Acceptance Month with our very first guest interview!

Join us as we chat with Jill Calkins, a first-grade teacher and proud mom of an autistic son, who helps us understand what autism is and how we can be great friends to people whose brains work a little differently.

Perfect for kids ages 4–12 (and their grown-ups!), this episode explores:

• What autism means in a kid-friendly way
• How to be kind, inclusive, and curious
• Real questions from real kids—answered!

If you're a parent, teacher, school nurse, or caregiver looking for resources to talk to children about autism, this episode is a great place to start.

👂 Tune in and learn how curiosity and kindness can help us build a more accepting world—one question at a time!

💙 Be sure to like, follow, and subscribe so you never miss an episode—and if you loved this one, share it with a friend or family member who has an autistic child or knows someone who does (which is probably just about everyone!). The more we share, the more kindness we spread.

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Jill Calkins, a married mother of two, resides in Upper St. Clair, PA. For the past fifteen years, Jill has been a first-grade teacher in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. Before her teaching career, Jill worked at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in various roles including researcher, therapist, and case manager.

Jill's 8-year-old son, Benny, is autistic, and Jill serves on the board of the Autism Caring Center, a local organization focused on enhancing the lives of autistic individuals and their families. She is dedicated to fostering a kinder, more inclusive, and more accepting world for autistic people.

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We are excited to be partnering with the Birthday Toy Drive! Join the Birthday Toy Drive in making a difference! Since 2016, the Birthday Toy Drive has collected over 1,550 toys, books, and art supplies for children and families, while also raising funds for The Children's Home of Pittsburgh. The 8th Annual Birthday Toy Drive runs from May 1st to July 19th, culminating in a celebration at Trace Brewing in Bloomfield on July 19th at 2 PM. Enjoy FREE ice cream, music, activities, and more! Bring the family, give back, and be part of something special. Learn more at BirthdayToyDrive.Fun!