Rabbit Hole
4 March 2024
During his spelling session at the Growing Kids Therapy Center (GKTC), Katlyn asked Jason what his thoughts were about writing for In Words We Trust, the GKTC Tribe’s literary magazine featuring the work of neurodiverse and neurotypical writers and artists. Jason spelled, “I’d love to write about my experience.”
Jason started to write his story and finished it in the next session. Here is the article that was published in the In Words We Trust, Volume 5: Wellness, Issue 1: Mental and Emotional, in the Summer 2024 Edition.
Rabbit Hole
By Jason
Real struggles sums up my life with apraxia and OCD. Being locked inside with compulsions that overwhelm my nervous system makes it difficult to not fall into the anxiety rabbit hole. Since meeting more people like me and the brilliant spelling world, I feel like I don’t get lost in that rabbit hole for as long. I am being heard and understood in a way that is novel to me.
It gets my dopamine levels up to temporarily overcome my fight or flight response. Those glimpses of regulation and reprieve have boosted my morale. My advice to every family of a non-speaker is to open opportunities for your non-speaker to get those glimpses. I can speak from experience that it will help their mental health.
Jason added a short biography about himself which was included in the submission. Here is what he spelled, “I live in Virginia and have been spelling at GKTC for about two years. I was honored to write my first published piece on such an important topic. We all deserve the chance to be heard.”
The Glue
8 August 2025
Jason spelled with Katlyn at the Growing Kids Therapy Center (GKTC). During the check in, he spelled, “I am happy.”
Katlyn asked him what he wanted to work on today? Some of the option included writing a piece for the upcoming In Words We Trust literary magazine of the GKTC. The next issue would focus on kindness matters. Jason could also write another song for the upcoming Neurolyrical Café or something else. Jason spelled, “Entry for the magazine.”
Jason spelled/composed the following piece.
Title: The Glue
Kindness is the glue to humanity. It’s the beginnings of relationships and love. It’s the foundation of respect. It’s the basis of joy. It’s a reason to live. It’s more than a word. It’s a necessary aspect and action of life. It’s a building block of communities. It’s a purpose that we are meant to carry out. It’s the quiet smiles and enthusiastic wave, an uplifting word, a consoling hug, a donation of time, a just-because gift or sharing of a favorite food. Kindness comes in many forms. Kindness sharing should be innately easy and quite honestly effortless.
I have the best role models that showed me the ease of kindness and the difference it makes. My parents are two of the most empathetic and kind and caring people in existence. They taught me that kindness is a free gift that combats the darkness of the world. Kindness isn’t a single act. It’s a way of life. Kindness is the root of good. I am a better person because I have them to lead me.
At the end of the session and spelling the piece, Jason spelled, “I appreciate this topic because kindness seems to be disappearing before our eyes.”
Jason’s piece was featured in the Winter 2025 Volume 6 Issue 1 of the In Words We Trust, the GKTC Tribe’s literary magazine featuring the work of neurodiverse and neurotypical writers and artists. Jason's parent's, Geoff and Nomy, couldn't be prouder of him and are so grateful for the incredible human being that he is.
