Stages Connect
Tori Lehinger
ContributorTori Lehinger is from Spokane, WA and an autistic mom of twins who are in the process of getting diagnosed. She is a content creator for Stages Learning. After graduating on the presidential honor roll as an undergraduate she is working on her masters in clinical psychology on the National Honors Society. She’s indigenous and uses nature based therapeutic techniques in her education practices and everyday life. This style addresses the dissociation between humans and their environment, encourages sensory awareness, fosters wonderment for education, and helps navigate risks in play.
Articles by Tori
Classroom Strategies How Autism and/or ADHD Can Destroy Motivation
Why Is Motivation Different for Autistic Individuals? Motivation is something we all struggle with, occasionally. Most people can eventually pull through and do what they need to do. For some autistic and/or ADHD kids, motivation affects them differently. At a younger age, autis
Tori Lehinger
Jan 13, 2023 · 5 min read
Autism Resources How the Growth Mindset and Multiple Intelligence Theories Can Help Autistic Students Grow
People have always viewed intelligence as a fixed inherent trait. You’re born smart, or average, or you’re doomed to a failed life. Not only that but we use it as a measurable trait to be compared with others. Intelligence is often used in conjunction with academic ability. But
Tori Lehinger
Dec 30, 2022 · 5 min read
Autism Resources Autistic Vs. Having Autism:* The Importance of Labels
Meanings we attach to words can have a huge impact, influence, and change the attitudes and tones of conversations. “Autistic person” and “person with autism” may have the same definition theoretically, but their meanings are significantly different. Self-advocates and allies of
Tori Lehinger
Oct 23, 2022 · 6 min read
Language & Communication Why Autistic/ADHD People Are Drawn to Other Autistic/ADHD People
I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends I was diagnosed when I was 28. Being late diagnosed, I started to read more about autism and ADHD and suddenly realized so many people I know fit these descriptions. Some old friends, coworkers, and family had these traits! My partner
Tori Lehinger
Sep 11, 2022 · 5 min read
Behavior & Sensory Ask an Autistic*: What Do Meltdowns Feel Like?
And How Can I Help? When I was young I would lose all control if I accidentally touched a seat belt strap, if I heard certain sounds, if someone entered my room, or if my mom put sweaters on me. And tights? Completely out of the question. Meltdowns are not tantrums. An autistic
Tori Lehinger
Sep 5, 2022 · 6 min read
Autism Resources Romaine Calm: Getting Picky Eaters to Eat the Rainbow
How the Magic of Gardening Can Help Picky Eaters I’ll never forget my first garden. I was five and had just finished reading The Gardener by Sarah Stewart. It left me with this lasting impression of a romantic vision of giant beautiful gardens on rooftops in the city. My mom and
Tori Lehinger
Aug 21, 2022 · 5 min read