At Tiny Dragon’s Treasure Trove™, everything begins with empathy. Our mission is rooted in emotional understanding, gentle support, and creating tools that help both neurodivergent and neurotypical children express their feelings in safe, magical ways. Behind this mission is David Donaldson — a patient advocate, creator, and mental health champion whose journey shows how compassion and creativity can spark meaningful change.
🟣 A Career Built on Protecting Others
Many people know David as the warm, welcoming face at the front entrance desk of his local hospital. As one of the first people patients see, he greets thousands of families every year with a steady presence and a reassuring smile. But David’s work goes far deeper than directions and check-ins.
He also serves part-time as a Patient Safety Attendant in the Central Staffing Office, supporting children and adults during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. His patients may be experiencing suicidal thoughts, homicidal behavior, severe mental health crises, or an inability to advocate for themselves. In these critical situations, David provides calm, patient, eyes-on care — listening without judgment, de-escalating fear, speaking up for their needs, and protecting them from harm.
In rooms filled with uncertainty, he is often the quiet strength that makes someone feel safe.
These experiences didn’t just shape how David works — they shaped why he creates.
🟣 From Childhood Challenges to Lifelong Advocacy
David’s dedication to emotional wellness and autism acceptance began long before his hospital work. As a child, he faced academic challenges due to ADD and a reading eye-tracking disorder. School was not always easy. Social situations were sometimes harder. But through support, perseverance, and resilience, he learned how to adapt and thrive.
According to an autobiographical article, David’s life has included family hardships, caregiving responsibilities, meaningful volunteer work, personal losses, and deep connections with autistic and neurodivergent individuals. These experiences helped him develop a rare kind of empathy — the ability to see people where they are and understand what they need, even when words fall short.
🟣 The Spark That Became Tiny Dragon’s Treasure Trove™
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, David witnessed an emotional crisis unfolding all around him. Children and adults felt more isolated than ever. Families struggled. Anxiety soared. Loneliness grew heavy.
Seeing this, David asked himself a simple yet life-changing question:
“How can I bring comfort and connection to people who feel alone?”
His answer became the foundation of Tiny Dragon’s Treasure Trove™.
He began designing comforting characters, emotional communication tools, fantasy-inspired imagery, and creative resources that help children express themselves — even when speaking is difficult. He envisioned dragons that could help kids describe their feelings, stories that could make heavy moments feel lighter, and visual tools that could help caregivers understand what a child is trying to say.
And so, the Tiny Dragons were born.
🟣 Why Dragons? Why Creativity?
In his patient safety work, David saw something powerful:
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People open up when they feel safe.
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Creativity breaks emotional barriers.
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Visual communication helps when words don’t come easily.
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A small tool — the right tool — can change the entire tone of a moment.
For autistic and neurodivergent children especially, emotional expression can be overwhelming. Dragons, symbols, stories, and color-coded cards become gentle bridges between:
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thought and expression
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overwhelm and understanding
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child and caregiver
These Tiny Dragons aren’t just characters.
They’re connection tools.
🟣 From Hospital Hallways to Hearts Everywhere
Today, Tiny Dragon’s Treasure Trove offers a growing collection of:
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neurodivergent toys and fidgets
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hand-selected sensory-safe resources
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whimsical children’s books written by David Donaldson
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signature Tiny Dragon products inspired by his characters
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merchandise and accessories for fans of the series and mission
These tools are used in homes, classrooms, calm-down corners, therapy settings, and hospital units as gentle companions for emotional expression. Each product carries the same intention:
To give children a safe way to understand their feelings
and help caregivers understand them, too.
Just as David does every day in his hospital work.
🟣 A Mission Born From Lived Experience
David’s advocacy is also shaped by loss. After losing a close friend to depression, he made a lifelong promise to speak up for those who feel voiceless. Tiny Dragon’s Treasure Trove reflects that promise through tools that support:
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autism acceptance
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emotional literacy
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mental health awareness
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sensory-friendly communication
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early intervention through kindness
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the normalization of “big feelings.”
His life, his work, and his creative projects all share the same message: