Tony Mantor: Why Not Me the World

Christina Collura: A Mother's Vision: From Personal Project to Worldwide Impact

• Tony Mantor

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Join us for a fascinating conversation with Christina Collura, a passionate teacher, entrepreneur, and autism advocate. 
Discover how Christina's journey began with a simple yet powerful idea—creating a customized name puzzle for her son Luca, who was diagnosed with autism at age three. 
This innovative tool, featuring indented chalkboard spaces, transformed Luca's ability to recognize and write his name in just four weeks. 
Christina's story is one of creativity and determination, as she integrates these tools into her kindergarten classroom, helping students with diverse learning needs. 
Her focus on celebrating strengths and fostering a kind and inclusive environment offers valuable insights for preventing bullying and supporting children like Luca as they transition to new school settings.

Our episode further explores the remarkable growth of Christina's brand, Creative Beginning, which has evolved from a personal project into a global force for autism advocacy. 
By expanding into international markets and collaborating with nonprofits, Creative Beginning not only provides innovative tools for children but also raises awareness about autism. 
We delve into how building connections and sharing powerful narratives can create a supportive network for kids with special needs worldwide. 
Tune in to hear how Christina's story exemplifies the impact of storytelling and inspires us all to spread the word about our podcast, "Why Not Me," and the incredible guests who grace our show.

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intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild
Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)

Speaker 1:

Welcome to why Not Me, the World Podcast, hosted by Tony Mantor, broadcasting from Music City, usa, nashville, tennessee. Join us as our guests tell us their stories. Some will make you laugh, some will make you cry. Tell us their stories. Some will make you laugh, some will make you cry. Real life people who will inspire and show that you are not alone in this world. Hopefully, you gain more awareness, acceptance and a better understanding for autism around the world. Hi, I'm Tony Mantor. Welcome to why Not Me? The World. Today, Christina Collura, joins me to share her inspiring story. Christina developed a customized name puzzle for her son which enabled him to learn writing and recognizing his name within four weeks using a chalkboard base. She successfully integrated this innovative tool into her kindergarten classroom, catering to students with diverse learning needs and challenges, and witnessed its remarkable effectiveness. This one-of-a-kind resource is now making a global impact, empowering children worldwide. So welcome to the show.

Speaker 2:

Good morning.

Speaker 1:

So I see I've caught you while you're still at school.

Speaker 2:

I know I'm in my classroom.

Speaker 1:

So I believe right now you wear several different hats.

Speaker 2:

So I'm a full-time teacher, turned full-time entrepreneur, turned autism advocate, child book writer, soon to be retired teacher.

Speaker 1:

Wow, that's really impressive. You've got a lot going.

Speaker 2:

It's been a whirlwind of a ride from creating a concept for my son with his autism diagnosis to launching into major stores.

Speaker 1:

That's pretty impressive. So you started this all because your son was diagnosed autistic.

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 1:

Okay, that's great. We're going to address that a little later on Before we do. What age was he diagnosed autistic?

Speaker 2:

So Luca was diagnosed at the age of three. Being an educator and being special ed qualified, I decided to take a different approach and I knew the diagnosis was coming. So I decided to consider his learning not as a barrier but as a learning curve for everybody that was going to come in contact with him.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, that's a great approach.

Speaker 2:

So I created a name puzzle for him and if you can picture the indented spaces underneath the puzzle, under the letters, I painted chalk to it. So he learned to write with chalk in the indented spaces in just four weeks.

Speaker 1:

Wow, that's impressive. What were some of the things that you noticed that he was doing that made you realize that you needed to get a diagnosis?

Speaker 2:

So Luca was all about numbers, letters and shapes but could not put a sentence together. Expressive oral language was very difficult for him, fine motor difficulties. He would line up his toys in a specific way and you would not dare to move those toys unless he was finished with them. He used to rock on a couch and it was just. Transitions were always a challenge for him. The simple act of going to the grocery store visiting a friend was, unless you prepared him, would cause him a lot of stress. So working in education and knowing those what we like to call symptoms or red flags I wouldn't even use it sort of put my mind in a different direction. At the age of 18 months he identified the number 156 and I will never forget it and I was like, oh okay, my mom was thinking genius, genius and I was red flag, red flag. So those were some of the symptoms.

Speaker 1:

How old is he now?

Speaker 2:

He's going to be 12.

Speaker 1:

Wow, 12 years old.

Speaker 2:

Yep.

Speaker 1:

So you've basically dealt with this for approximately nine years.

Speaker 2:

Yep.

Speaker 1:

How have you seen him evolve? Of course you've had to learn his ins and outs, his little idiosyncrasies, the things he likes, his dislikes, just overall how he's grown. What kind of change have you seen from the early years?

Speaker 2:

So as soon as I was able to recognize what it was that he needed help with, my whole mindset changed. So occupational therapy kicked in, got him speech and language, got him an official diagnosis through the school board and then I was able to look at the strengths that he had and then be able to adapt to his learning and work with the people in his life to to adapt to that learning, and that totally changed the game. Being able to recognize the strengths and building on those strengths allowed him to progress significantly. Even just identifying how he was going to transition from one space to the next and figuring out using a timer worked for him. The progression came naturally and I think we're so focused on what they can't do versus what they can, and it makes a world of difference.

Speaker 1:

So when he was ready to go to school, did you have any issues with bullying or did he feel out of place in any way? What was his school years like?

Speaker 2:

So I think the best way to describe it is the mama bear kind of came out. I sort of enlisted in my own teaching practices to let the teachers know that if you're going to address your class from a place of kindness, you're going to see a lot less of what you just described the bullying a place of kindness, you're going to see a lot less of what you just described the bullying. I'm so lucky that from our school is K-6 and his teachers and even his friends are so inclusive with him.

Speaker 2:

I think we've avoided the bullying because we've approached it from a place of kindness and understanding that every child learns in a different way and I'm super grateful that he's in a position where everyone is on board and they understand. We have students that are cheering for him when he goes up and does a little presentation in front of the class.

Speaker 1:

Oh, that's so good.

Speaker 2:

It's above and beyond what I ever expected, but we never really had to deal with that.

Speaker 1:

Good.

Speaker 2:

So it's been really helpful. My nervousness is coming when he changes schools.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I get that.

Speaker 2:

But again, I'm his advocate. I do this on the daily and I'm going to be the one that's going to stand behind him and educate people that are around.

Speaker 1:

So that's great. Education is really where it's at. Everyone, or just about everyone that I speak with will tell me that autism is their superpower. What is his superpower?

Speaker 2:

is their superpower? What is his superpower? Luca is the kindest kid. He literally will light up a room when he walks in. And the funny part is is we were battling a lot of social dysregulation at the beginning, where our focus shifted to how he's going to interact with other kids and how he's going to understand emotions. And now, all of a sudden, we're in a position where he understands it so much that he doesn't want to make you sad or mad, so like, if you can picture, hey, luca, let's go get ready for bed. Mom, are you mad at me? Don't be mad, I'm going upstairs now. Like it's a total shift in his understanding.

Speaker 2:

So his superpower literally is his kindness. He is so kind to other kids. It's almost like he's beginning to recognize their abilities and their needs, which is something that I never expected. And I kind of congratulate the people that are in his life, like even his speech and language therapist, his EA, like they're all, they all understand him. So I feel like it's rubbed off on him. And now suddenly he's the kid that is having conversations. And are you feeling okay today? Don't be mad. Like it's just. It's very hard to explain, but I feel like I get the idea.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, that's great. I mean, that's a great superpower. Kindness is always good. As kids grow, lots of times they'll get stressed and then, unfortunately, we have the meltdowns. So has he had meltdowns where you say, wow, this is not him. Or has he been pretty consistent throughout his life?

Speaker 2:

He's developed significantly and my older son, who's 15 now, I used to say to him now let's not poke the bear. So we know what his triggers are. And if Luca will now say I need a break or I need some time, like, he'll go off on his own. He has a sensory swing or he'll sit and watch his favorite video. But we've taught him how to self-regulate himself.

Speaker 1:

Nice.

Speaker 2:

So, again, if he knows he's going to, he's having a moment that's the way I like to describe it he will take it upon himself to take his space, and I think it's really important to be able to teach children that way, whether it's physically showing them what to do or, in Luca's case, being verbal and saying mom, I need a break.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, sure. Now you mentioned you have a 15 year old, so I'm assuming that he's not autistic, right? So what's the dynamic between the two of them?

Speaker 2:

He's his best friend.

Speaker 1:

Oh, that's good.

Speaker 2:

Joseph, my older son, is a very athletic oriented child. He's got significant goals and the other day we were just chatting. I'm like I go, joe. I said Luca is looking at you because you have a football game next week and Luca's doing cross country the day before. So all of a sudden it became Luca was like hey, joseph, I have cross country and you have football, like he's such a huge role model for him.

Speaker 1:

Wow, that's great.

Speaker 2:

And it was a position that he never thought that I think he would ever be in. But he's an amazing role model for his brother and the dynamic is the cutest, not to say that Joseph doesn't bug the heck out of Luca every once in a while. But we have that communication where I'm like dude, like let's not poke the bear today, like just build on the positive.

Speaker 1:

So, yeah, that's great. So earlier on you mentioned about your mother.

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 1:

How has the family dynamic been since he was diagnosed as autistic? Because, as you well know, a lot of people out there do not understand autism, how it affects people and, ultimately, how it affects the families.

Speaker 2:

So in the beginning, I'll be honest it was more of a there's nothing wrong with him and I'm like no, you're right, there is nothing wrong with him, there's nothing wrong with any child that's diagnosed. But it's more of realizing that we just are adapting to a new way of learning.

Speaker 1:

Absolutely.

Speaker 2:

I don't look and even teaching for 20 years, I don't look at every child in my classroom the same.

Speaker 1:

Sure.

Speaker 2:

Diagnosis or not. Every child learns in a different way. So for our family it was more of yeah, you know what he. Every child learns in a different way. So for our family it was more of yeah, you know what. He's got some little quirks that we have to work on, but we're treating him the same way we would any other child.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, that's awesome.

Speaker 2:

And we're adapting to his strengths and how he needs to learn and be in a different environment.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, that's right. So now the different environment is when he goes to the next step of school. Yeah, requirement is when he goes to the next step of school. Yeah, do you think that he will have a lot of the same classmates and friends, or is this going to be a completely different dynamic where it'll be a little more of a challenge for him?

Speaker 2:

It's a catch-22, because I do know of some students that are his friends right now that are transitioning to that same school. I also know that there is an EA that he had from kindergarten to grade five. That's also going to be there. So I'm so happy about that. But I think, because I've helped him develop his social skills, I really don't feel like it's going to be a tough transition. We've been preparing him now. I've already got a meeting scheduled for the open house for next month to prepare him for next year, and it's all about being ahead of the game and I think it's taking the negative away from the connotation of autism, like it's. We have to steer away from that in order to bring the positive out.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I think that's a great perspective. It's just a very nice way to work with your son to help him through his life. When I first started this podcast, I didn't know anything about autism at all. Now that I've been in it for almost two years, I'm learning steadily, growing on what it takes in differences in autistic people and their families and how they integrate. That leads me to my next question. You said that you are getting ready to retire as a teacher, so I believe that you have a charity or a business that you're going to be working, and is that going to be your main focus to bring more knowledge around the world?

Speaker 2:

That's the idea. Creative Beginning is the name of the company, the brand, and it's taken me to a place I never imagined, but also in a place of advocacy as well. So I've been lucky enough to work with, connect with a lot of people that are passionate about autism as well, and to be able to use my brand to advocate for children of special needs is something that I'm super proud of, but I feel like teaching will never disappear. That's great, because I'm super proud of, but I feel like teaching will never disappear.

Speaker 1:

That's great.

Speaker 2:

Because I'm literally teaching people on a daily basis about it. So I might be supply teaching, but I will never be done with teaching.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, that's great. So I scroll through your website and I see in the news that you're all over the place. So, number one how does it feel that you get to be an advocate for autistic people other than just your son, and how do you see that working and expanding for you to be that voice?

Speaker 2:

I try not to get emotional when I get involved with the media and the news, but sometimes it's really hard because not only have I seen the success that Luca has been having with the advocacy, but also the amount of people that it touches in the process. So, for example, after that you probably saw on the website the breakfast television segment where I had an influx of people that messaged me and I was like overwhelmed and excited at the same time. But to be able to be someone else's voice and share in my knowledge is very liberating, I would say, even as a female entrepreneur. There's just so many pieces to the puzzle no pun intended that I'm super, super proud of.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, you should be. So let's dig in a little bit more about the puzzle, because that's the main focus of what your charity is. So how does it actually work and how are you marketing it so that it can get out there and help other people?

Speaker 2:

so we have our story on the back of each puzzle. So it's got lucas face on. It tells us how it started and really dive into the chalkboard-based concept and the idea of building on fine motor skills in children. We've got our puzzle and with the indented space is a child building their fine motor skills, not being able to go out of the lines and really sharing in that concept but also making sure we recognize that it's not just for a child that's on the spectrum. With that we are building and bridging the gap between children of special needs and mainstream. So Creative Beginning turned into this piece that was started with One Child with Autism but is now is reaching so many kids of so many different needs and abilities and with that touching on different developmental skills, numbers, letters, shapes, colors and just really adding another piece to the puzzle itself.

Speaker 1:

Okay, so you're based in Canada. What part of Canada are you reaching? Or are you reaching all of Canada? And I've noticed that you do have the US market there as well, and you've mentioned worldwide. So what are the steps you're taking?

Speaker 2:

So again, it started in Toronto, ontario, a little town in Stouffville, which is just north of the city, and then slowly branched off. Actually, we branched off quicker in the US, right away, with major educational spaces taking them on, and we're into Australia as well. We've got Creative Beginning, australia Plus. We are launching into the UK. They're presenting into the new nursery show in the UK, which is pretty exciting, and we have mass distribution with Everest toys. We just continue just to reach, like it's every time I talk to someone, and branch off into someone onto LinkedIn, either send them a product or tell our story. Everyone is just so interested and I do believe it's the inclusive factor that comes with the brand itself.

Speaker 1:

That's a great story. Where do you see this going in the next few years? You've really developed it. You're seeing it grow. It's expanding across the world. So much interest. What do you see coming for you?

Speaker 2:

In a perfect world, A million dollar company. We haven't hit the million dollar mark but we're pretty close, so hopefully that'll just continue. But also I want to make sure that the advocacy piece sticks with it.

Speaker 1:

Right.

Speaker 2:

Without it, creative beginning is just another puzzle. Realistically, and as long as we advocate for and push for the understanding that it is a chalkboard based puzzle and how successful this concept has been, the sky is the limit at this point.

Speaker 1:

So do you put on any functions or do you work with charities? What's your outreach look like, especially now that you have this? You have something that is very visible, something that everybody can see what you're doing, and your outreach of the network that you're developing can be just so huge because, unfortunately, some people, they just have their single voice, but now you're creating this network that could be global and you can affect so many people and help so many people. How do you see this working?

Speaker 2:

I am always looking for people to connect with and build a relationship with. So, case in point, there's a company, a brand, a nonprofit called Four Little Monkeys. There's a mom of two boys who both have autism and she started a nonprofit where she's getting sponsors to build sensory rooms and I was so excited to partner with her because I have a product that can fit in her sensory rooms. So that was one example of where we connected with another nonprofit. But also even on the lines of public speaking, I was doing a Starbucks event where it was all about special needs and we had our showcase, our products there. But I also did a public speaking opportunity to speak with a bunch of parents that were there. So again, it's about like I'm not a quiet person, I don't mind speaking up and speaking out and just really reaching out to people to make those connections that are not just business-based but advocacy and speaking up about autism and it not being linear.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, that's just so good. This question, I think, fits you because you're expanding with your business. You've been in the teaching most of your life, so from the beginnings of autism that came into your life, how do you see that it's changed and do you see it getting better for the autistic community as we move forward? I just did an interview and that question was asked of me, so I think that I would be very interested to see what you think from your perspective.

Speaker 2:

You know what? I think the main positive that has happened so far is the ability of the diagnosis to come out. Gone are the days where we're I wish I wouldn't say it's fully gone, but people were so worried to hear my child is autistic. You know what I mean Like there was a fear of that label where now I feel like we're getting a shift in more of understanding, because the reality is that not every child learns the same way. Whether a child has a special need or not, there are still different learning styles. So I do feel like I don't like to say it's going to get better. I feel like autistic people are not people that need to be fixed.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, 100%. I agree with that. There are those people out there that think they're raising money to help fix autistic people when in reality they don't need to be fixed at all. It's just a difference in the way their brain works and they move forward.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it's a shift in how we approach children with special needs autism, but also the way that we teach them Right.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, exactly, I believe that education is getting out there. Understanding is getting out there. It might be slower than what we'd like it at times, but more people are starting to adapt and learn.

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 1:

There are theme parks now that have quiet rooms. I believe Dubai has a airport now that's autism friendly, so I was just interested to see and get your perspective on what you think about this.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, and I do feel like it's an adaptation to not only children on the spectrum or adults on the spectrum, but an adaptation to the way people react to different environments. Yeah, period, exactly, you know so and we talk to the way people react to different environments.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, period Exactly.

Speaker 2:

You know so, and we talk about those rooms that you were just mentioning. Are those rooms just for people on the spectrum, or is it for anyone that needs it?

Speaker 1:

Good point.

Speaker 2:

Right.

Speaker 1:

I mean there's times when I get frustrated and stressed and need a little quiet myself.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I need a minute In the words of Luca. I need a break.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, and I'm glad that you use the word understanding, because when I first got into doing this podcast, I didn't know anything about it. They told me that April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, but I thought they missed one word. So my slogan for my podcast is Autism Awareness, accept, acceptance and understanding.

Speaker 2:

Love that.

Speaker 1:

I think it's a very important word because a lot of people around that do not understand autism, have this concept of what it is and they really don't have a clue.

Speaker 2:

Yep.

Speaker 1:

Perfect example of that is so many people that do not understand autism. They really do not know the difference between a meltdown and someone that's just having a tantrum.

Speaker 2:

Yes.

Speaker 1:

So if you was out there and you saw someone that didn't understand autism and they were witnessing a meltdown they don't understand what's going on. How would you, as a parent, handle that?

Speaker 2:

I think it's again going back to that understanding factor, right, I always use it as a description of sensory overload, like something's dysregulated. For someone who's not on the spectrum, it might be easier for them to just kind of curl in and take a moment, but for someone who doesn't know how to, we need to be able to be understanding of that. And I use the example of Luca. When he would have it at the beginning, I would say, for example, to Joseph I'd say hey, buddy, he's having a moment, let's give him a second right. And then turn my focus to how we can help Luca to figure out how to regulate himself back.

Speaker 2:

And I had an episode where Luca was about three years old and I had a parent come up to me and he was having a moment in a pumpkin patch where everything was so loud, there was so much around and he just had a breakdown and I took it upon myself to do what I needed to do for him. And a parent came up to me and said that's how you parent your child. So I took a step back and I looked at him and I gave him a few choice words about understanding and realizing that this is what was going on and took a second to teach him that this is what was happening and in the end, his wife was standing beside him and he came back and apologized because he didn't realize that this was okay and it was different than probably what he had seen before. But this is not a way to address a parent.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, absolutely, and unfortunately we're in a world now that's a little more aggressive and outspoken, and because they don't understand, the filters sometimes aren't there. But at least what you did was give an opportunity to educate someone that didn't understand and helped the understanding part of that. I think that's the best way to handle it, in my opinion.

Speaker 2:

And I get asked all the time why do I tell people that Luca has autism? And I say, why not, why not?

Speaker 1:

Exactly. That's how more information gets out there, that's how people talk, that's how people get to understand better. Plus, I remember talking with different people and they said that in the old days, of course, if they had a son or daughter that was diagnosed autistic, that they looked at it as a death sentence. And it's really not so. You've gotten past a lot of things because of the way that you've raised your son. What's your biggest fear now for him?

Speaker 2:

I think the biggest fear for me right now is when he gets into high school, because now it seems like there's a big divide between the IEPs and the modifications that happen in elementary school to what is happening in high school. Luke is in sixth grade grade six this year, but I'm already chatting with grade nine schools that are like they have a modification on an IEP, they are not going into mainstream courses. And I'm sitting here thinking we do all this work with our children on the spectrum in elementary school to get them to a place of confidence and independence, and then you're telling me that when they get to grade nine, if they're modified, they can't be in mainstream courses. So you're essentially limiting them to build on those strengths and you're basically it's a one size fit all approach and we are so far past that that there has to be some change in order to allow children to be successful in their own way, even in high school.

Speaker 1:

Exactly, that's so true. So how do people get in touch with you?

Speaker 2:

Creativebeginningca is probably the easiest way and there's a direct chat link there that will email me, but I always encourage people please reach out if you have any questions or if you need any advice. I mean, I'm an old expert, but I do work in the field in many different avenues, whether it be education or business-wise, and so it's important to just keep the communication lines open if they do need, even just for support.

Speaker 1:

Absolutely. Sometimes, just someone to talk to can make all the difference. So what's one last thing that you'd like to put out there?

Speaker 2:

Just a basic statement of be your own child's best advocate. There are a lot of things that happen in schools outside of schools that need your voice. You know your child best and I think the biggest recommendation I ever gave a parent was, when your child starts school, write their teacher a dear teacher letter from the perspective of the child, to let the teacher know exactly how they work, how their mind works, and you might just see a lot of positivity come out of that. I know as a teacher perspective. I would love it.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, absolutely. That's the one thing I think that's common with everyone that I talk with is definitely be your child's advocate, because you know them better than just about anyone else around, and your child will thank you for it, that's for sure yeah, yeah, exactly, I really appreciate you coming on.

Speaker 2:

It's been great oh, I love it. I love chatting about it. Hopefully you can use some of it.

Speaker 1:

Oh, absolutely, it's been a great conversation.

Speaker 2:

Oh yeah, it's all about the conversation. Absolutely Awesome, thank you.

Speaker 1:

Oh, it's been my pleasure. Thanks again. Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to listen to our show today. We hope that you enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you. If you know anyone that would like to tell us their story, send them to TonyMantorcom Contact then they can give us their information so one day they may be a guest on our show. One more thing we ask tell everyone everywhere about why Not Me, the world, the conversations we're having and the inspiration our guests give to everyone everywhere that you are not alone in this world.