We aim to have a space where our children find joy with their peers and are validated, and where their families learn from and with each other.

Embrace Play started as a way for the Easton family to find community.  As first time parents during pandemic shut downs, raising an autistic toddler was isolating.  We were privileged to have in-home and virtual service providers supporting our child and we learned a great deal from them about supporting our son, Ellis. But as we began to open Ellis’ world, we too often found that he was the only, the exception.  As Black parents, we both had far too much experience with being “the only”, and it was not an experience we wanted our child to have to experience.  As we began seeking out other families with similar stories, we found how much we had been missing.  Those conversations about sleep training, or pre-schools, or toddler soccer leagues our other parent friends were having had little to offer us compared to conversations about where to find the most supportive swim classes for autistic kids, or the best dentist to go to for a child with sensory processing challenges, and even supports for people with “invisible” disabilities at airports.

This journey we are on with so many others has brought laughter, joy, challenge, and growth to every single moment and milestone. Most of all, it has brought us pride and passion.

We are following Ellis' bright light as we embrace his brilliance (with force matching an Ellis hug, if it is even possible).  We are building a community that embraces each other, and helps the world to embrace us.  

For members, Embrace Play offers monthly meet-ups in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area, a newsletter, blog, and a social media community.  We know that too many opportunities for meaningful play for neurodivergent children are embedded in healthcare and other programs that have endless waitlists and sometimes high fees.  Our goal is to provide a reliable and accessible space for connection, or even just a buddy-family for your next outing.

For supporters, we hope you see yourselves as part of this community too. Our children and families share the world with you.  Too often it is our responsibility to do the work to get along in a world not currently built for us.  As supporters, we ask that you see our blog as a window into our world so that you can learn to embrace us.

There is nothing better than Ellis' embrace. We invite you to join us in it.