Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Castro.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The journey started when I was three years old when my sister got her Autism diagnosis. There are a lot of events that I remember, but the one that stood out the most was the feeling of thinking my sister hated me. She was non-verbal, aggressive, and didn’t like to play with me. I was so confused. Until I was 8 years old and my sister’s Speech-Language Pathologist asked my parents for permission to involve me in her therapy session. She taught me how Angie communicated, why it was difficult for Angie to play with me, and the ways she was helping to find her voice. This is where everything shifted for me and I became curious about how I could learn to help Angie too. This moment impacted the rest of my life.
I volunteered with children living with Autism since I was 14. While volunteering, I was able to observe therapy sessions for other children with Autism that I not only became intrigued about learning how Autism affected Angie, but how it affected other children as well.
At 19, I got my first official job as a teacher’s assistant for a preschool for Autism. At 22, I started my former company called Pieces of Inspiration. At 26 years old, I became my sister’s co-guardian with my mom shortly after our father’s abandonment. I picked up my life in Florida and moved it cross country to Utah where I followed my intuition in feeling like the next part of my chapter belonged there. At 28, I got my real estate license to specialize in Autism Homes and Design. Throughout the years I have consulted on Autism projects throughout the community such as in parks, hospitals, schools, and medical offices.
My mission is to design Autism friendly homes and community settings that create opportunities for inclusion.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Autism is nothing short of a smooth road, but it is a road full of potential and opportunity. I feel the journey is what you make of it and the mindset you have. Our family worked as a team to care for Angie, and that is when I learned the value of a team.
At 26 years old, my father abandoned the family. This was a pivotal point in our lives. This is where my coaching passion started.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Natalie’s Real Estate and Design?
Natalie’s Real Estate and Design Co.’s mission is to provide a specialized real estate service to families of children with special needs. Through real estate and design, a child’s development can thrive through the support of their family and community.
We offer real estate and design services along with an online coaching platform, Autism Friendly Homes, that provides resources for families to create an Autism Friendly Home.
For every three homes I sell, a sensory room is designed and funded in a school or community center for children living with Autism.
To give back to our community, I train local law enforcement, first responders and ER nurses.
Autism Friendly Homes is meant to provide families guidance, support and inspiration through their Autism journey to help their children thrive throughout their development while impacting their home and community.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I do not define success with money, I define success with the amount of lives you impact along your journey. I am also deathly afraid of clowns!
I ran for Miss Utah for America Strong in 2022 and received the Miss Congeniality award.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: natalie.e.castro
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natalie.castro.589
- Other: https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-p5m4d-1248eda?utm_campaign=i_share_ep&utm_medium=dlink&utm_source=i_share
Image Credits
Whitney Faith Media Management (@whitney.faith.lambert)
