The Longmont Realtor Creating Community for Autism

For Libby Earthman, a Longmont-based realtor, autism wasn’t always something she understood. Growing up in the 1990s, Earthman was surrounded by stereotypes that framed autism as a condition primarily affecting males with high support needs. When her daughter was finally diagnosed at age 6, it felt confusing. “The struggles were there that you would expect of any child with autism,” Libby offered,”but the specifics around the presentation just weren’t.” 

What followed was years of learning to understand her daughter’s triggers and crafting a safe environment around her needs, not to change who she was, but to help her thrive as herself. Libby is quick to point out that there is nothing wrong with the autistic brain. “It is simply a different way of experiencing the world, one where certain channels are turned up.”

The Earthmans embraced this, transforming their living room into a sensory gym, complete with a yoga swing, a small cave-like retreat and an art station, so their daughter can be a part of the action while maintaining agency over her needs. Visual checklists help make daily transitions more predictable. And Longmont, she says, has been a gift. She pointed to small but meaningful moments, like discovering that a local movie theater stocks multiple sizes of noise-canceling headphones to borrow. “We’re not alone,” she said. “This community gets that there are different experiences, and we all deserve to be here.”

That perspective shapes her work with families navigating moves with sensory-sensitive children. She’s attuned to how an environment affects the nervous system, noticing the subtle discomfort of a home too close to a busy road, or the relief of an outdoor space that feels enclosed rather than exposed. She recommends making things as concrete and visual as possible for children well in advance, an applicable strategy for daily transitions as well. She’s also created a Sensory Moves Guide to help families think through their unique needs in a new home.

For Libby, navigating these situations ignited a desire to connect with families who’ve had similar experiences. Everyone knows it takes a village to raise a child, but it can be challenging to find that village when your child’s behavior doesn’t fit the mold.

Enter Inclusive Acres, a farm and local 501(c)(3) dedicated to building a neurodiversity-affirming community through free events for young children, tweens and their caregivers. Nicole Perelman founded the organization in 2022 with and for her family. She was inspired to give her  son, Bert, more opportunities to socialize, with the goal of creating an environment where differences are celebrated rather than managed. Since discovering Inclusive Acres, Libby has been grateful to participate in events with her daughter, and is now on the organization’s board.

During a recent farm tour, 10-year-old Bert led me through the property with ease, introducing each chicken, goat and horse by name and answering questions with a confidence that belied his age. He has played a part in building Inclusive Acres since he was 6, and the freedom, agency and support he’s been given along the way have shaped him into a natural leader.

Bert described the farm as a place where kids can “fully unmask and be themselves,” and be treated like “their own person.” He spoke warmly about the next generation of kids coming up through the organization’s events. “When they get to be our age, they can run Inclusive Acres, and we can be the board members,” he imagined. 

“This is a special place,” he said simply. Standing in the sunshine among the animals, it was hard to disagree.

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