The book
Make Sure It’s Meaningful
A parent’s guide to asking for the right things — and knowing why you’re right to ask.
What this book is
Most books written for parents of children with autism are about the early years — getting a diagnosis, getting services, getting through. This one starts from a different question: what is all of this building toward?
It walks you through how to look at your child’s Treatment Plan or IEP and tell whether it is actually pointed at adult life. Which skills matter most and why. What good goals look like, in plain language. How to ask for what your child needs in a way that gets heard. And what to do when the answer is still no.
It is written to be read by someone who is tired. Short chapters, real examples, and a Reflect & Plan section at the end of each one so you finish with something you can take to a meeting.
What it covers
Three parts.
- Where this is going — what adult outcomes actually look like, why the numbers are what they are, and why the years you are in right now are the ones that move them
- The skills that actually matter — independence over perfection, leisure and social skills as real targets, work that means something, and your role at home
- Becoming an empowered advocate — how to prepare, what to say, how school and insurance differ, and the four steps from collaborating to escalating
Who it’s for
If you have ever left a meeting feeling like something was off, this is for you.
Parents and caregivers of children with autism and related disorders — whether your child is three or nineteen, whether their services come through school, through insurance, or both.
The book isn’t out yet. Here’s where to start.
I’ll email you the day it’s ready. In the meantime, take the Quick Audit — fourteen questions, about four minutes, and a score that tells you where your child’s plan stands right now. Same list for both, so you only need to sign up once.