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Connection Therapy Clinic I Speech & Occupational Therapy

@connectiontherapyclinic

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Helping your child communicate, connect, and feel understood
Speech & OT | Play-based therapy | 📍Laguna Niguel
⬇️ Start your child’s journey here

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2 years ago this was just an idea I couldn’t shake.

Now it’s a monthly ritual: good trails, fresh air, and people who show up for themselves and each other.

To everyone who has hiked with us, thank you. Truly.

Next one is Friday, Nov 20th. Come hike with us!

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#therapy #physicaltherapy #sportstherapy #ᴠɪʀᴀʟᴘᴏsᴛ #viralreels

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Replying and using a reply from @connectiontherapyclinic because it’s such a truth we all need to remember! 💙🩵💜

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To the parent sitting in their car right now, staring at the steering wheel just trying to catch their breath: I see you. 🫂

When you are in the thick of navigating a complex parenting path, an unexpected diagnosis, or the everyday overwhelm of caregiving, it can feel like you are completely underwater.

In this clip, Stephanie delivers a beautiful, urgent reminder for any caregiver who feels stuck in survival mode right now. It is a gentle permission slip to stop trying to do it all, stop forcing the unachievable "Pinterest mom" aesthetic, and just focus on the very next breath.

One breath can lead to two. Two can lead to three. You can do this. And most importantly, you do not have to do it alone.

🎧 Tune into the full episode of Quiet Connection on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform today.

#momlife #autismmom #youarenotalone #mentalhealth #podcast

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"How are you today?" "Still kicking!" 🥱 Sound familiar?

For a long time, that was Stephanie’s default answer. Before becoming a parent, she was a self-described "Type A" perfectionist who masked her stress by keeping up a flawless exterior.

But running on autopilot through survival mode isn't sustainable for any birthing individual, especially when navigating a new neurodivergent landscape.

In this clip, Stephanie shares the exact moment she realized she needed a better route. Today, she doesn't just wait for a good day; she actively chooses happiness as a daily practice.

If you are a parent feeling weighed down by the heavy expectations of what motherhood "should" look like, this conversation is for you. You are allowed to set boundaries, protect your peace, and claim your joy.

🎧 Season 7, Episode 9 of Quiet Connection is officially LIVE! Click the 🔗 in our bio to listen to the full episode.

#motherhood #podcast #typeA #youarenotalone #mentalhealth

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No one prepares you for the moment you realize your parenting journey looks absolutely nothing like the squares on your Pinterest feed.

When you’re navigating special needs parenting, the daily reality can feel incredibly heavy.

Between managing appointments, decoding a new diagnosis, and constantly advocating for your child, it’s so easy to lose pieces of yourself along the way.

Parental burnout isn’t just being tired. It’s a deep, soul-level exhaustion that leaves you wondering where YOU went.

In our latest episode of Quiet Connection Podcast, I sat down with the wonderful Stephanie Fulger.

Stephanie opens up with incredible vulnerability about her own emotional journey.

She shares what it’s really been like navigating her son’s autism and ARFID diagnosis, dealing with severe burnout, and the messy, beautiful process of reclaiming her identity through it all.

If you’re a mom, parent, or caregiver feeling isolated by the unique challenges of neurodivergent parenting, please know this: your identity matters, your journey matters, and you don’t have to carry this weight alone.

🎧 Listen & Read More: Click the 🔗 in my bio to read the full Substack post and listen to Stephanie’s story on Quiet Connection Podcast.

#youarenotalone #burnout #autismmom #neurodiversity #blog

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Autism moms connecting with other autism moms is the best medicine for our souls.

2 years ago I launched Situation Mama ONLINE and had the opportunity to share it with Southern California on @ktlaweekendam within our very first month.

As a mama of a non speaker, I know how isolating this kind of motherhood can feel. I know the devastation. The desperation. The lifelong what ifs. The consuming therapy schedules. I know that grueling on-all-day, up-all-night exhaustion that only other autism moms can understand.

Over the course of two years, the Situation Mama Community has had about 100 weekly ONLINE Zoom calls, 5 in person retreats, and countless random meetups among moms.

We meet online each week sharing the raw truths about the hard while also celebrating the wins. Together, we have created an honest space of support, love, validation, and inspiration.

We have shared conversations about our relationship with our families, our children, ourselves, and Hope. We have examined the small things that keep us going, the habits we want to improve, what we wish the world knew about our children, and all that we might be able to accomplish if we are willing to set aside our resistance.

Our in person retreats have offered transformation and healing through connection to ourselves and each other. Moms have described a single day of inner work together as “better than years of therapy.” We have normalized prioritizing ourselves as the best way to help our children. And we’ve realized the value of having our own dreams, and believing deeply in what’s possible for ourselves, our children, and each other.

One mom said recently that she didn’t know joy was an option on this journey until she found this community!

I’m grateful for everything about Situation Mama. I’m proud of what we have created together, and I’m honored to be a leader among some of the greatest and strongest women I’ve ever met.

If you are an autism mama, you don’t have to do this alone. Comment “Situation” and I will add you to our community.

#autism #autismmom #specialneedsmom #autismfamily #autismcommunity

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#occupationaltherapy #softskills #communication #attitude #autism

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✨ April is Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month

Meet Stephanie Fluger — the visionary behind Connection Therapy Clinic in Laguna Niguel. @connectiontherapyclinic

What began as a deeply personal journey following her son’s autism diagnosis became something far greater—a mission to redefine how neurodivergent families are seen, supported, and empowered.

At Connection Therapy Clinic, the philosophy is simple yet profound:
Not to “fix” children—but to honor and empower them.

Through a child-led, play-based approach, Stephanie has created a space where children thrive and families feel truly understood—without judgment, without pressure, and with genuine care.

Her impact reaches far beyond the clinic—collaborating with local schools, guiding families, and advocating for a more inclusive, compassionate community.

Her message resonates deeply:
✨ You are allowed to take up space.

This April, we are proud to spotlight leaders like Stephanie who are shaping a more thoughtful and inclusive future for our community. Read the full article in our April issue, link in bio.

📍 Laguna Niguel
🤍 Connection Therapy Clinic

#SaddlebackCityLifestyle #AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance #LagunaNiguel #SouthOC

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✨ SAY HELLO TO OUR APRIL ISSUE✨

Our annual Investment Issue is here—exploring the many meaningful ways we invest in our lives, our families, and our future across South Orange County.

Our cover story shines a light on local business owner Stephanie Fluger, founder of Connection Therapy Clinics in Laguna Niguel. In recognition of Autism Acceptance & Awareness Month, we are honored to share her story and the incredible impact she’s making within our community 🤍 @connectiontherapyclinic

This issue also features:

✨ Letitia Berbaum, founder and wealth advisor of Blue Sands Wealth—financial expert, author, and Forbes Finance Council contributor—sharing insights on wealth planning, legacy strategies, and business exits @bluesandswealth @letitiaberbaum

🦷 Dentistry 4 Kids with Dr. Ruben Sandu in Mission Viejo—investing in your child’s health and confidence through exceptional pediatric dental care @dentistry4kidsmv

📚 Russian School of Math—where students are empowered to become confident, critical thinkers. We spotlight Regional Director Olga Voronel and her inspiring journey, bringing a depth of experience and passion to math education across Southern California @rsmsouthoc

Because the most meaningful investments aren’t just financial—they’re the moments, traditions, and community we build along the way.

Enjoy the issue 🤍 link in our bio

#SaddlebackCityLifestyle #SouthOrangeCounty #LuxuryLiving #CommunityConnections #AutismAwareness

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Disclaimer: Not all of our mealtimes look like this 🩶 Intake can vary day to day — and that’s normal for toddlers.

Despite being an OT, mealtimes with my own child can still feel really hard — and I don’t always get it “right.” That’s when I try to slow down, reset expectations, and meet her where she is.

Messy hands, playing with food, and switching between hands and utensils are all part of learning — not signs of failure.

If mealtimes feel heavy right now, you’re not doing anything wrong.
You’re learning your child, one meal at a time 💛

#OTmom #ToddlerMealtime #OT #FeedingWithoutPressure #MessyEating

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