From Fireworks to Forward Motion

October’s stigma-busting moments + November sessions on finance, trust-building, and celebrating community.

Author

Spectrum Speaks
November 20, 2025

Upcoming Events

Financial Literacy and Neurodiversity

Collaborative Initiatives for Community Awareness

October Recap → November Action

October reminded us of the importance of building relationships, community, and collective action. Together we sparked conversations, built partnerships, and turned ideas into action.

In case you missed it (October)

  • FIREWORKS @ Florida Studio Theatre: A stigma-busting conversation with Maj. Gen. Gregg F. Martin (Ret.)—benefiting Dragonfly.

  • Partnerships in motion: Program design with Easterseals, creative inclusion touchpoints with Ringling College, and inclusive arts collabs with Dynasty Dance.

    What’s next (November):

  • Nov 22 — Financial Literacy & Neurodiversity: Practical strategies for families and self-advocates.

  • Dec 20 — Beyond Compliance: Trust-Building & Assent in modern behavior analysis.

Jump in:

  • See the October recap (photos + highlights), click here

  • RSVP for Nov 22 • Save Dec 20

  • Partner with BTS to bring assent-based, constructional coaching to your team

  • Refer your neurodivergent friends to join our group coaching sessions.

Let’s keep the momentum - learn, connect, and create change together.

Click the button below, scroll down to the Upcoming events portion, and register for your desired event.

Attitude of Gratitude (Quote by Ret. Gen. Gregg Martin)

Building relationships, community, and collaboration are the driving forces behind everything we do. When we connect first, collaborate, and share the work, we create a measurable impact for the community. Thank you for practicing resilience and gratitude with us this month.

We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, supporters, donors, volunteers, partners, and the GCLI family. Your belief in our mission truly keeps us going and inspires all we do.

October highlights

Fireworks: Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health Issues with the Bipolar General at Florida Studio Theatre

A standing-room, stigma-busting conversation with Maj. Gen. Gregg F. Martin (Ret.) and Greg Stikeleather on mental health, leadership, and hope—benefiting Dragonfly.

  • On-stage Q&A and book signing drew families, clinicians, and leaders.

  • Coverage shared with Sarasota Scene and the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.

  • Watch the vibe: 60-second highlights 

Belle Stikeleather with two neurodivergent team members, Aaron Freed and Alex Skykes

With Wendy Ingram (Dragonfly Mental Health), Belle Stikeleather, Asha Campbell (Jrpreneur Branch), Greg Stikeleather, and Gregg Martin

The team is deeply grateful to Beaver Shriver, founder of Inclusion Revolution, and his team, whose volunteer support helped make this event even more meaningful. We proudly stand behind their projects and advocacy, which align strongly with the mission of Spectrum Speaks.

Click here to know more about Inclusion Revolution

This collaborative project benefits Dragonfly Mental Health.

Click the link to learn more about Dragonfly Mental Health.

Signed books remain available for purchase. Proceeds go to support Dragonfly’s project.

Partnerships and Projects (in motion)

Grace, sophistication, professionalism, and commitment with Malika Apple

Together Grace in Leadership: Honoring Malika Apple

Who is Malika Apple?

Malika Apple, born in France, is an entrepreneur who owned women’s fashion stores in Luxembourg and co-founded the Luxembourg Fashion Federation. “I’ve always been passionate about empowering women and supporting humanitarian causes. After moving to Sarasota, I became active in the community through events like the Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open, the Sarasota Art Museum’s Art Bash, and the Circus Arts Conservatory’s Wonderball. Joining Women in Philanthropy allows me to continue serving and to pass on the values of generosity to my children.”

What is your definition of leadership?

To Malika, leadership is inspiring others through action, integrity, and support while helping people work together toward a shared goal.

What is your leadership style?

Her leadership style is collaborative and people-focused. “I lead by example, empower others, and build trust through clear communication and empathy.”

Note from the Executive Director of Behavioral Teaching Solutions:

As Executive Director of Behavioral Teaching Solutions, I’ve had the joy of getting to know and working alongside Malika Apple. She consistently shows grace, sophistication, and professionalism.

Malika’s journey from building fashion enterprises in Luxembourg to championing the arts and humanitarian causes in Sarasota reflects a leadership style rooted in integrity, collaboration, and service.

Her commitment to empowering women and modeling generosity for her children beautifully aligns with how I experience collaborating and serving the community with her. We believe authentic leadership is lived through action, empathy, and the lifting up of others.

It’s an honor to stand with her in Women in Philanthropy and in our shared hope for a more inclusive, compassionate community.

#LeadershipWithGrace #BTS #SpectrumSpeaks #Neurodiversity #Collaboration #InclusiveLeadership #CommunityImpact #Professionalism

Men supporting women during the Women in Philanthropy Grande Soirée

🇵🇹 Global Note

Belle represented Behavioral Teaching Solutions (BTS) in Lisbon, Portugal, presenting “Ensuring Assent in Educational Programs Using the Competent Learner Model (CLM) Program: A Constructional Approach.” The session highlighted compassionate, assent-based practice; how the constructional lens (building repertoires accessing alternatives rather than suppressing behavior) improves learning; and practical tools educators can use immediately. A clear opt-in/opt-out signal, preference assessments, choice-rich routines, and simple data sheets for classroom teams.

Key takeaways

  • Assent is a teachable, observable repertoire that students learn to say yes/no safely and be heard.

  • A constructional approach creates durable skills and better social validity.

  • Small system changes (visual choices, predictable routines, collaborative checklists) yield significant gains.

What’s next: BTS is sharing a mini-toolkit and inviting schools and nonprofit organizations to pilot CLM-aligned, assent-based supports this year. Read more here.

Interested in slides or a virtual briefing for your team? Email [email protected]

Christina Loovas (Tucci, Learning Solutions), Belle Stikeleather (Behavioral Teaching Solutions), and Adam Hockman (MGH Institute of Health Professions & ABA Technologies)

Upcoming Activities:

  • Nov 22 – Financial Literacy & Neurodiversity (Asha Campbell & Belle)

  • Dec 20 – Beyond Compliance: Trust-Building & Assent (Jess Blagdon & Belle)

Take Action

Register, Sponsor, Volunteer for our upcoming collaborative projects. Share the press release. Follow @spectrumspeaksfl. Partner with BTS to bring assent-based, constructive coaching to your team.

The Art of Showing Up: Why Belonging Begins with Presence (and Not Perfection)

By Belle Stikeleather

What weekly reflections with neurodivergent adults taught me about presence, courage, and the beauty of belonging.

When I first started hosting weekly coaching sessions for autistic and neurodivergent adults, I thought I was creating a space to teach skills — independence, persistence, self-confidence. What I didn’t expect was how much I would be taught in return. Week after week, I’ve been inspired by the courage, creativity, and resilience of the people who choose to show up.

These sessions began with something simple: a structured way to connect, share updates, and set small goals. But over time, they have evolved into something far richer. We talk about challenges — like health concerns, academic struggles, or the stress of job searching. We also celebrate victories — securing interviews, finishing a project, or even just making it through a difficult week. And in between, we find joy in the ordinary: karaoke nights, creative writing exercises, or brainstorming ideas for upcoming presentations.

What makes these gatherings extraordinary isn’t the agenda. It’s the act of showing up. Even on the hardest days, when pain, exhaustion, or doubt could keep someone away, people arrive. They listen. They share. They support each other. That simple consistency has become the foundation of something powerful: belonging.

As a certified resilience coach, I use a constructional approach that I learned from Dr. Joe Layng and my colleagues in behavioral science — focusing not just on what needs to change, but on building new skills, new opportunities, and new ways to thrive. But what I’ve learned is that the most important skill of all is presence. Growth doesn’t always come in big leaps. Often, it’s built in the quiet rhythm of showing up — again and again — for yourself and for others.

Three Takeaways from Showing Up:

  1. Presence is Powerful

  2. Small Wins Add Up

  3. Community Creates Courage

This series will share weekly reflections from our team coaching sessions: the insights, stories, and sparks of inspiration that emerge when people gather with openness and courage. My hope is that these glimpses encourage you to reflect on the power of presence in your own life.

In Case You Missed Our Previous Events

  • If you missed it, you can click this link to view the highlights.

 Healthy & Simple Recipes

Share the Buzz Now!

 Mushroom Risotto (Vegan)

By: Belle Stikeleather

This recipe collection was created during the quiet moments of the pandemic, when creativity flourished and behavior analysis found its place in the kitchen.

It’s personal. It’s experimental. And it’s yours to enjoy.

Ingredients

  • Garlic, onions, and freshly crushed black pepper. Vegan Worcestershire sauce and vegetable bouillon. Celery, carrots, and Baby Bella mushrooms. Sun-dried tomatoes and capers, Flax seeds and chia seeds, 1 cup of brown rice, Almond milk, mushroom stocks, and a splash of red wine, Basil for toppings

By: Belle Stike 1/19/2020

Procedure: Sauté garlic and onions, etc., add all ingredients, add almond milk and mushroom broth (or veggie broth), and simmer until rice is cooked.

Duration of cooking: 15 minutes

Your kitchen has stories, and we want to hear them!

Share your favorite recipe so we can highlight your culinary creativity and celebrate our community’s flavor.

Subscribe to unlock the complimentary culinary journey.

Think of this newsletter as your launchpad to a healthier, more joyful season…any season. Begin with small steps, stay consistent, and let tiny actions add up to year-round wellness.

Try one tip this week, share your progress, and invite a friend to join you.

Remember: “Attitude of Gratitude”

Until next time :)