Hello, I’m Dianne Zaccheo.

For more than thirty years I have worked as a licensed clinical social worker, family therapist,

and specialist coach in hospitals, schools, mental health clinics, special education facilities,

and private therapy practice. Yet what has defined my journey most deeply is walking alongside educators, families, and caregivers — supporting them through life’s most challenging and beautiful moments with neurodiverse children.

I saw firsthand how overwhelming it had become for teachers to manage classrooms with

widely diverse abilities. With limited training, little time, and almost no specialist support in neurodiversity — plus the growing pressure they faced — many dedicated educators were leaving the profession.

That’s when I became deeply passionate about giving educators the best of my accumulated knowledge for no fee. The same high-quality training and support that I had given to hundreds of facilities across the US and Europe. In 2018, I founded ‘Gift for Educators, Inc. — a 501(c)3 nonprofit — as a fully accessible resource hub with state of the art programs, something I wished had existed for teachers when they really needed it most.

What began as a heartfelt mission to support and celebrate educators has grown into Brevard County’s only Autism Community Thrift Store — and unique Sensory Room experience – and Training Room- where compassion, practical help, and community come together under one roof like nowhere else in our area.

Located at 2006 Vernon Place in Downtown Melbourne, our welcoming space is thoughtfully divided into four connected areas designed to support educators, families, and individuals on the autism journey:

Curated Gift Baskets — Our signature offering. Each basket is lovingly handcrafted and filled with meaningful items, making them perfect, ready-to-give gifts for teachers, families, or anyone deserving appreciation.

Autism Community Thrift Store — Discover gently used treasures for your home, classroom, and sensory needs — clothing, household goods, educational materials, fidget tools, weighted items, and more — all at affordable prices.

Free Sensory Room experience — An extraordinary sanctuary unlike anything else in Brevard. Visitors experience profound relaxation, powerful self-regulation, and dramatic reductions in stress /anxiety. In the heart of downtown, this safe, calming space offers peaceful moments of calm and restoration for children and adults alike.

Education Center — We have a schedule of free training workshops and ongoing support groups for classroom teachers, homeschool educators, and grandparents raising neurodiverse children. These welcoming spaces help participants gain practical tools, share experiences, build confidence, and find the encouragement they need to thrive in their important roles.

Every donation of gently used items and autism-friendly materials are thoughtfully sorted and sold in the thrift store. Proceeds fund our free sensory room, workshops, parent group, and community programs — turning your kindness into real, lasting connection and support for local families and educators.

If you’ve been searching for a place that truly understands this journey, we invite you to visit. Come explore our gift baskets, the thrift store, experience the sensory room, or simply say hello. You will be warmly welcomed.

Together, we’re building something truly special in Brevard — one kind connection, one meaningful gift, and one supported family at a time.

Autism Community Thrift Store

2006 Vernon Place, Downtown Melbourne, FL 32901