Hi Reader!

One of the most meaningful reminders of why I do this work arrived in my inbox recently.

It was a message from a former student—now a college-bound young adult—thanking me for a lesson they hadn’t fully appreciated at the time. Not a worksheet. Not a goal we tracked. But a moment that quietly reshaped how they understood themselves and their ability to grow. It was a full circle moment, from being told I would never succeed (read the article here), to empowering others to do just that.

When I first met this student, OT had been recommended to support “life skills.” But their parent had a deeper hope: they wanted their child to feel confident, explore interests, and develop a strong sense of self.

During our work together, the student shared a dream of performing stand-up comedy in their school’s talent show. So OT became about participation, confidence, and identity—not fixing a deficit, but supporting something meaningful to them.

In the end, they weren’t selected to perform. What stayed with me wasn’t the disappointment—it was their confusion. They wanted to understand why.

That moment became a turning point. We talked about feedback as information, not rejection. We practiced how to ask for clarity. How to advocate respectfully. How to listen, reflect, and decide what to do next.

Years later, that’s what they thanked me for.
As an autistic student, they had often been told “no” without explanation. This experience taught them something different: that they were allowed to ask questions, seek clarity, and advocate for themselves.

That lesson mattered far more than the talent show.

This is occupational therapy.

It’s not always linear. Progress doesn’t always show up right away. Sometimes it appears years later, quietly, in an email reminding us that advocacy is a skill worth teaching.

✨ If you’re navigating how to support your child’s confidence, voice, and self-advocacy, I’d be honored to walk alongside you.

Want more insight? Schedule a call or connect with me on LinkedIn, ​Instagram​, and ​Facebook. Don't forget to share this article with fellow parents. Till next time.

Warmly,

Aya Porté

Occupational Therapist & Founder, Koi Wellness