Center for Family Involvement

Center for Family Involvement The staff at the Center for Family Involvement is made up of parents, family members and professionals.

The Center for Family Involvement works with families to increase their skills as advocates, mentors and leaders so that families, children and adults with disabilities can lead the lives they want. All of us have worked with or as family members, advocating, mentoring and taking leadership roles in support of people with disabilities leading the lives they want for themselves.

06/24/2026

MASKING 🎭 “I’m just sensitive.”🥺

How many times have you told yourself that after a minor critique felt like an actual physical blow?

What feels like a personal flaw is often a heavy psychological load: Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD).

For neurodivergent folks, masking isn’t just about trying to “fit in.” It is a survival mechanism designed to shield us from the crushing, agonizing pain of perceived rejection.

We script conversations, police our tone, and hyper-analyze every facial expression just to stay safe.

But hiding who you are to avoid rejection is a trap. The mask protects you, but it also isolates you.Listen to how she breaks down the exhausting link between masking and RSD in the video. 👇

Has RSD ever forced you to put on a mask? Let’s talk about it in the comments.

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: Partnership for People with Disabilities VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities

06/23/2026

🎭THE WEIGHT OF THE MASK
- MASKING — WHAT YOU DON’T SEE

To start: ❓What is masking? It is when neurodivergent people consciously or unconsciously suppress their natural traits, behaviors, or sensory needs to fit into a neurotypical world.

It’s the exhausting effort of hiding sensory overload, anxiety, or neurodivergent traits just to “blend in” at school or work.

It takes a massive amount of energy, leading directly to the dreaded “masking hangover.”

THE “UNMASKING” PROCESS

Practicing “micro-unmasking”

• Wear earplugs in public spaces
• Dim lights without apology
• Stim while watching TV
• Decline social plans when drained
• Say, “I need a processing moment”
• Allow yourself to stim, fidget, or pace
• Allow shoulder watching vs. eye contact

When the mask drops, the genius appears!

When you mask, you aren’t showing your authentic self; you’re performing.

Unmasking is a slow process of discovery. It’s not about suddenly acting “weird” in public; it’s about reclaiming your authentic identity.

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Partnership for People with Disabilities Association of University Centers on Disabilities

06/19/2026

Let’s Celebrate, Liberate, and Educate! ❤️ Happy Juneteenth from the Center for Family Involvement! 🎉

Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19th, commemorates the true end of enslavement in the United States.

In 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with federal troops to deliver the news that all enslaved people were free.

Today, we celebrate African American history, culture, and progress while reflecting on the journey toward freedom and justice for all.

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Partnership for People with Disabilities Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)





Let's Celebrate, Liberate, and Educate! ❤️ Happy Juneteenth from the Center for Family Involvement! 🎉Juneteenth, celebra...
06/19/2026

Let's Celebrate, Liberate, and Educate! ❤️ Happy Juneteenth from the Center for Family Involvement! 🎉

Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19th, commemorates the true end of enslavement in the United States.

In 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with federal troops to deliver the news that all enslaved people were free.

Today, we celebrate African American history, culture, and progress while reflecting on the journey toward freedom and justice for all.

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Partnership for People with Disabilities





06/18/2026

Virtual Special Education Parent Chat Group 💬
🗓️ June 25 | ⏰ 6:30–8 pm
Connect with parents who get it — share, vent & support each other.

👉 Register: https://tinyurl.com/sped-group

🎭THE WEIGHT OF THE MASK- MASKING — WHAT YOU DON'T SEE … ‘The "Unmasking" Process’To start: ❓What is masking? It is when ...
06/18/2026

🎭THE WEIGHT OF THE MASK
- MASKING — WHAT YOU DON'T SEE … ‘The "Unmasking" Process’

To start: ❓What is masking? It is when neurodivergent people consciously or unconsciously suppress their natural traits, behaviors, or sensory needs to fit into a neurotypical world.

It’s the exhausting effort of hiding sensory overload, anxiety, or neurodivergent traits just to "blend in" at school or work.

It takes a massive amount of energy, leading directly to the dreaded "masking hangover."

THE "UNMASKING" PROCESS

Practicing "micro-unmasking"

• Wear earplugs in public spaces
• Dim lights without apology
• Stim while watching TV
• Decline social plans when drained
• Say, "I need a processing moment"
• Allow yourself to stim, fidget, or pace
• Allow shoulder watching vs. eye contact

When the mask drops, the genius appears!

When you mask, you aren't showing your authentic self; you're performing.

Unmasking is a slow process of discovery. It's not about suddenly acting "weird" in public; it's about reclaiming your authentic identity.

Who are we?
tinyurl.com/CFI-PPD-VCU

1 ON 1 SUPPORT | ALWAYS FREE

Find us on Instagram: center4familyinvolvement

The Center for Family Involvement is affiliated with: VCU School of Education Association of University Centers on Disabilities Partnership for People with Disabilities

06/18/2026

FREE Webinar 👉 Puberty in Down Syndrome

Puberty is a normal part of growth and maturation that comes with its own challenges. People with Down syndrome experience many of the same challenges as individuals without Down syndrome but may require additional supports to understand and accept the changes that puberty brings.

In this webinar, Hannah Graham, MD, and Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L, will describe how puberty in people with Down syndrome is similar and different to puberty in people without Down syndrome and share resources to support individuals with Down syndrome during this time of transition.

Date: Tuesday, June 30
Time: 11:30 a.m. CDT
Location: Zoom

Learn more and register ➡ https://adultdownsyndrome.org/events/puberty-in-down-syndrome-webinar

Can't attend live? Register to receive a link to the recording!

06/17/2026

A new federal rule requires airlines to take steps to ensure that they are prepared to assist passengers with disabilities and carriers have just a few more days to comply.

06/17/2026

📅Save the Date! Our annual Parent and Youth Empowerment (PYE) Summit for Virginia high school students (ages 14-22) receiving special education IEP services and their parent(s) will be held on August 29, 2026.

Registration for first time attendees opens on July 7! If there are remaining tickets, registration will open to all starting July 21.

For more information, visit go.peatc.org/PYE26Reg

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