​Parents know their children best! But, many parents wish they knew more to help them better advocate for their child at school. Learn tips from the experts in this episode of Thriving Special Families.

Robin Driver
Is a Special Education Advocate and Autism mom. After Robin's son was diagnosed with Autism, she dove deep into all things Autism, including underlying medical issues that her son was going through. Out of everything she was learning, Special Education Law and Advocacy excited Robin the most, because it was a real tangible way to make changes that would lead to progress. She went on to learn more about Special Education Law, by attending the University of San Diego for their Special Education Law Advocacy program, receiving her first Advocacy Certificate in 2012. Robin later went back in 2019 to USD for their updated Special Education Law Advocacy program, and her second Advocacy Certificate. Now, she assists families in Southern California and remotely in Utah currently.

As a parent of a special needs child, Robin knows all too well how it feels when districts try to put your child in a cookie cutter program that is not suited for their individual needs. When working with families, it’s always her goal to teach families their rights, best practices, how to research, etc- as much as possible -during the process, so that if they ever need advocacy again, and don’t have immediate access, they will know where to start on their own. Advocacy is a roadmap to progress, and it is Robin’s biggest passion to share this with other parents. You can contact Robin at rdriveradvocacy@gmail.com


Crystal Sanford, M.Ed., M.A. CCC-SLP
Crystal Sanford is the owner and director of Sanford Autism Consulting (https://www.sdautismhelp.com​), a consulting practice offering IEP advocacy and parent empowerment classes for fellow special needs families throughout the U.S. Crystal specializes in supporting fellow families impacted by Autism, as well as other unique challenges such as learning disabilities and ADHD. To learn more about IEP assistance and help advocating for the special education your child deserves, contact Crystal at info@sdautismhelp.com.

Want to work with Crystal? Here's how: Monthly Conference: California Regional Center families can attend our Crystal Clear IEP Conference, offered monthly on Saturdays. Typically there is no cost to families. Please contact your service coordinator to confirm and register here.

1-1 with Crystal: Schedule a strategic IEP Action Planning meeting with Crystal. Bring your top 1-2 IEP concerns and leave with a comprehensive plan for your success! Mention "TSF show" and receive the special guest rate of only $67. Click here.

IEP Advocacy: Crystal can serve as your personal powerhouse as an advocate in your IEP meetings. Learn more by clicking here.

​Does your child with special needs have health issues? Have you ever considered naturopathic care or alternative medicine? Join us to learn more in an insightful conversation with Dr. Laura.

Dr. Rada West is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with formal training in clinical neuropsychology. She specializes in developmental, neuropsychological, psychological and independent psychoeducational evaluations from infancy through young adults.

Dr. West is passionate about working with children and families to ensure they meet their greatest potential.  As part of her great work, she founded West Neurobehavioral Services in 2018 to collaborate with families and professionals in ensuring that each person gets the highest quality and continuity of care.

Crystal Sanford, M.Ed., M.A. CCC-SLP
Crystal Sanford is the owner and director of Sanford Autism Consulting (https://www.sdautismhelp.com​), a consulting practice offering IEP advocacy and parent empowerment classes for fellow special needs families throughout the U.S. Crystal specializes in supporting fellow families impacted by Autism, as well as other unique challenges such as learning disabilities and ADHD. To learn more about IEP assistance and help advocating for the special education your child deserves, contact Crystal at info@sdautismhelp.com.

Want to work with Crystal? Here's how:
Monthly Conference: California Regional Center families can attend our Crystal Clear IEP Conference, offered monthly on Saturdays. Typically there is no cost to families. Please contact your service coordinator to confirm and register: https://www.sdautismhelp.com/crystal-clear-iep.html.

1-1 with Crystal: Schedule a strategic IEP Action Planning meeting with Crystal. Bring your top 1-2 IEP concerns and leave with a comprehensive plan for your success! Mention "TSF show" and receive the special guest rate of only $67: https://sanfordautismconsulting.as.me/schedule.php?appointmentType=8196569.

IEP Advocacy: Crystal can serve as your personal powerhouse as an advocate in your IEP meetings. Learn more: https://www.sdautismhelp.com/autism-advocacy-support.html.

April Tribe Giauque
In a nutshell, April is a ghostwriter, editor, amplifying speaker, and podcaster. She is a victor of domestic violence, and she walks a healing journey. April brings the stories of others to light through her coaching, editing, and writing for income, impact, and influence as the result.

As a keynote speaker, April addresses parents' educational needs, autism, deafness, inclusion, social-emotional Learning, domestic violence supports, writer's needs, and so much more. Sprinkle in nine children, five with special needs (deaf and autism), an amazing husband, and a teacher, and you’ve got the picture.

Crystal Sanford, M.Ed., M.A. CCC-SLP
Crystal Sanford is the owner and director of Sanford Autism Consulting (https://www.sdautismhelp.com​), a consulting practice offering IEP advocacy and parent empowerment classes for fellow special needs families throughout the U.S. Crystal specializes in supporting fellow families impacted by Autism, as well as other unique challenges such as learning disabilities and ADHD. To learn more about IEP assistance and help advocating for the special education your child deserves, contact Crystal at info@sdautismhelp.com.

Want to work with Crystal? Here's how:
Monthly Conference: California Regional Center families can attend our Crystal Clear IEP Conference, offered monthly on Saturdays. Typically there is no cost to families. Please contact your service coordinator to confirm and register: https://www.sdautismhelp.com/crystal-clear-iep.html.

1-1 with Crystal: Schedule a strategic IEP Action Planning meeting with Crystal. Bring your top 1-2 IEP concerns and leave with a comprehensive plan for your success! Mention "TSF show" and receive the special guest rate of only $67: https://sanfordautismconsulting.as.me/schedule.php?appointmentType=8196569.

IEP Advocacy: Crystal can serve as your personal powerhouse as an advocate in your IEP meetings. Learn more: https://www.sdautismhelp.com/autism-advocacy-support.html.

Thomas Murray, Esq.
Thomas Murray was born in New York City. He grew up in New Jersey until moving to San Diego after his first year of college stalled out. After some life experiences, he continued college and then finished paralegal school and then Law School.

After working in a few law offices during and after law school, Thomas created his business, Murray Law, in the image of how he likes things done. If you are upfront with people and treat them fairly, they will tell their friends about you. With that business model, it has not been necessary to advertise, as there are plenty of people that need help. 

Crystal Sanford, M.Ed., M.A. CCC-SLP
Crystal Sanford is the owner and director of Sanford Autism Consulting (https://www.sdautismhelp.com​), a consulting practice offering IEP advocacy and parent empowerment classes for fellow special needs families throughout the U.S. Crystal specializes in supporting fellow families impacted by Autism, as well as other unique challenges such as learning disabilities and ADHD. To learn more about IEP assistance and help advocating for the special education your child deserves, contact Crystal at info@sdautismhelp.com.

Want to work with Crystal? Here's how:
Monthly Conference: California Regional Center families can attend our Crystal Clear IEP Conference, offered monthly on Saturdays. Typically there is no cost to families. Please contact your service coordinator to confirm and register: https://www.sdautismhelp.com/crystal-clear-iep.html.

1-1 with Crystal: Schedule a strategic IEP Action Planning meeting with Crystal. Bring your top 1-2 IEP concerns and leave with a comprehensive plan for your success! Mention "TSF show" and receive the special guest rate of only $67: https://sanfordautismconsulting.as.me/schedule.php?appointmentType=8196569.

IEP Advocacy: Crystal can serve as your personal powerhouse as an advocate in your IEP meetings. Learn more: https://www.sdautismhelp.com/autism-advocacy-support.html.

Sometimes as parents we may disagree with our school's IEP evaluation for our child with unique needs. What can we do? Requesting an IEE (Independent Educational Evaluation) is an option. Join us with our guest, special education attorney Matthew Storey, Esq., as he helps to "unmask" IEEs for special needs families. Know your rights and help your child access the education they deserve! ​

Matthew Storey is a special education and civil rights attorney, and owner of the Law Office of Matthew Storey, APC (https://calsped.com/). His practice focuses on representing children with disabilities and their access to education. Matt has represented clients in administrative hearings, the United States District Court, and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. After serving in the United States Air Force, he received a B.A. in Political Science and International Relations from the University of California at San Diego and his Juris Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

Crystal Sanford, M.Ed., M.A. CCC-SLP
Crystal Sanford is the owner and director of Sanford Autism Consulting (https://www.sdautismhelp.com​), a consulting practice offering IEP advocacy and parent empowerment classes for fellow special needs families throughout the U.S. Crystal specializes in supporting fellow families impacted by Autism, as well as other unique challenges such as learning disabilities and ADHD. To learn more about IEP assistance and help advocating for the special education your child deserves, contact Crystal at info@sdautismhelp.com.

Want to work with Crystal? Here's how:
Monthly Conference: California Regional Center families can attend our Crystal Clear IEP Conference, offered monthly on Saturdays. Typically there is no cost to families. Please contact your service coordinator to confirm and register by clicking HERE.

1-1 with Crystal: Schedule a strategic IEP Action Planning meeting with Crystal. Bring your top 1-2 IEP concerns and leave with a comprehensive plan for your success! Mention "TSF show" and receive the special guest rate of only $67: Click HERE.

IEP Advocacy: Crystal can serve as your personal powerhouse as an advocate in your IEP meetings. Learn more by clicking HERE.

Angela West-Brown ("Angie B") is an Individualized Education Program Transition Coach, Consultant, Author, special needs sibling, wife, mother of four and an Educational Empowerment Speaker. Her passion for America’s intellectually disabled youth is driven by first-hand experience covered in her book, "Lost and Found" of what happens when effective adult transition planning before high school graduation is not set in place. Lost and Found was written to provide resources, tools and support to help families advocate for their loved ones with special needs, while supporting the entire family in the process.

Crystal Sanford, M.Ed.. M.A. CCC-SLP is the owner and director of Sanford Autism Consulting (https://www.sdautismhelp.com​), a consulting practice offering IEP advocacy and parent empowerment classes for fellow special needs families throughout the U.S. Crystal specializes in supporting fellow families impacted by Autism, as well as other unique challenges such as learning disabilities and ADHD. To learn more about IEP assistance and help advocating for the special education your child deserves, contact Crystal at info@sdautismhelp.com.

Want to schedule a 20-minute FREE consultation with Crystal? Get empowered! ​

Some children with special needs may benefit from medicine as part of the plan to support their mood, sleep, behavior, etc. 

​Learn more from our special guest, Dr. Aneita High, dually certified pediatric and adult psychiatrist.

Autism is now one of the most prevalent diagnosis for children in the US. But, what about 20 years ago, before "Autism was a thing"? 
​
Join us with guest J.R. Reed and learn about one mans extraordinary journey with Autism. 

J.R Reed
Is a late-diagnosed autism and neurodiversity self-advocate with Asperger's. He was out of high school for a decade before autism began being diagnosed in children, and, as he likes to say, he, "Grew Up Without a Spectrum To Be On." Now, J.R. advocates for others with autism and developmental disabilities along with his service dog and faithful companion, Tye.

J.R. Reed  preaches Neurodiversity and does it all from a log cabin in the Missouri Ozarks.  J.R. blogs, speaks, and writes on a wide variety of topics affecting adults with developmental disabilities.  He’s spoken to groups, companies and at the Missouri State Capitol.  You can find out more about J.R., see some of his writing, and what he has in the works at NotWeirdJustAutistic.com.
​
Crystal Sanford, M.Ed.. M.A. CCC-SLP
Is the owner and director of Sanford Autism Consulting (https://www.sdautismhelp.com​), a consulting practice offering IEP advocacy and parent empowerment classes for fellow special needs families throughout the U.S. Crystal specializes in supporting fellow families impacted by Autism, as well as other unique challenges such as learning disabilities and ADHD. To learn more about IEP assistance and help advocating for the special education your child deserves, contact Crystal at info@sdautismhelp.com.

Want to schedule a 20-minute FREE consultation with Crystal? Get empowered!

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