Our Mission

Mustard Seed Academy is a nonprofit dedicated to creating safe, nurturing spaces where neurodivergent children, young adults, and their families can truly belong. We are proudly neurodivergent-affirming and deeply committed to inclusion—believing that every person deserves to be welcomed, valued, and supported for exactly who they are. We welcome individuals with autism, as well as those with a Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile—an experience that calls for its own unique understanding and care.

Born from our own son’s need for a flexible and respectful environment that honors autonomy, Mustard Seed is not a clinic-based center. Instead, we offer a warm, home-like setting where children and families feel truly welcomed, understood, and safe. Relationships come first—because trust builds the foundation for nervous system safety, and safety is the soil where growth can take root.

Our low-demand, strengths-based approach allows space for genuine connection, natural engagement, and learning at each person’s own pace. We offer enrichment and nature-based programs that foster connection, educational workshops for parents and caregivers, and art and creative classes that bring the whole family together for joy, expression, and community building.

Our mission is to plant and nurture seeds of trust, belonging, and possibility—offering a truly inclusive space where every person is safe, accepted, and celebrated exactly as they are.


Values

Gently Rooted in Nature:

At Mustard Seed, we believe nature has a quiet way of calming the nervous system and opening the heart. That’s why our spaces are soft, cozy, and inspired by the natural world.

Whether it’s time outside under the trees or simply working with natural materials indoors, we invite children to slow down and settle in. Gentle lighting, earthy textures, and an unhurried pace create an environment where kids can breathe deeply, feel safe, and reconnect with themselves.

Here, nature isn’t just a backdrop—it’s part of the healing.

A Shared Journey:

Mustard Seed is more than a space for children—it’s a space for families. We know the path of parenting a neurodivergent child can feel isolating at times. That’s why we’re building something different.

Here, parents and caregivers find connection, understanding, and a sense of belonging. Whether you’re sharing a laugh, a challenge, or a quiet moment over coffee, you’re not alone. We walk this path together.

This is a place where families are seen, supported, and celebrated—just as they are.

Led by Connection:

At Mustard Seed, we believe every child deserves to be truly seen and gently supported. We focus on understanding, not expectations—on relationship, not results.

For children with PDA and other neurodivergent profiles, connection is where it all begins. We lead with presence, trust, and a deep respect for each child’s rhythm.

Here, being yourself is enough—and from that safe place, growth unfolds naturally.