What questions do you have about Autism? Should you say "Person with autism" or "Autistic"? Why the puzzle piece to represent Autism? Join us LIVE to get your questions answered by J.R. Reed, public speaker, author, and neurodiversity advocate.
​

J.R. Reed
J.R is a self-advocate with Asperger's diagnosed late in life. 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
(https://www.NotWeirdJustAutistic.com).

Crystal Sanford, M.Ed.. M.A. CCC-SLP
Crystal 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.

Download your freebie! Special education parent rights as easy as 1...2...3:
https://iep.sdautismhelp.com/know-your-iep-rights

Want to work with Crystal? Here's how:

Become your child’s IEP hero by taking Crystal’s online video class on demand, at your convenience:
https://iep.sdautismhelp.com/CrystalClearIEPCourse

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.

Get inside tips and more in Crystal’s monthly newsletter: ​
 https://www.sdautismhelp.com/contact.html

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

​Subscribe. Like. Share. Comment

​Laughter is good for the soul. Join us in a fun-filled show with standup comedian Lisa Gilbert. She will share with us about how humor has helped her as an older mom of 9-year old triplets....and more. Get ready to LOL!

Lisa Gilbert
(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGVtJg3lb2YCRAxp8cipSgw), is both an inspirational and instant crowd-favorite with her clean comedy style and family friendly jokes. She has opened for internationally known comic Michael Jr., has performed for the American Troops, and just filmed a Dry Bar Comedy Special. Lisa travels nationally speaking for churches and corporate events.

Crystal Sanford, M.Ed.. M.A. CCC-SLP
Crystal 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.

Download your freebie! Special education parent rights as easy as 1...2...3:
https://iep.sdautismhelp.com/know-your-iep-rights

Want to work with Crystal? Here's how:

Become your child’s IEP hero by taking Crystal’s online video class on demand, at your convenience:
https://iep.sdautismhelp.com/CrystalClearIEPCourse

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.

Get inside tips and more in Crystal’s monthly newsletter: ​
 https://www.sdautismhelp.com/contact.html

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

​What happens when your child is identified with special needs? How does life change? Learn more about one mom's story while parenting neurodiverse children. Gain insight, humor, and hope for your special needs parenting journey!

​Lorna Rose
Lorna is a Pacific Northwest writer and speaker. Her work has been recognized by PNWA and the Oregon Poetry Association, and has appeared in several magazines and anthologies. She is former president of Write On The River, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting writers in North Central Washington and beyond, as well as on the board of the Oregon Poetry Association. Lorna is also a certified ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) speaker, and has spoken publicly and written about finding resilience, raising neurodiverse children, motherhood and writing, and her experience in AmeriCorps.
For more on Lorna, check out www.lornarose.com.

Crystal Sanford, M.Ed.. M.A. CCC-SLP
Crystal 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.

Download your freebie! Special education parent rights as easy as 1...2...3: HERE

Want to work with Crystal? Here's how:
-Become your child’s IEP hero by taking Crystal’s online video class on demand, at your convenience: HERE

-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
​
Get inside tips and more in Crystal’s monthly newsletter: HERE

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

Sarah Tira
Sarah is a special education advocate here in San Diego. She began her career in special education by substituting as a paraprofessional in special education classes. She then became a moderate/severe special education teacher in the high school setting. Sarah has experience teaching in a separate specialized school, charter school, and comprehensive high school campus. For the last sixteen years, Sarah has also volunteered her time at a sleepaway camp for children and adults with disabilities through Easter Seals. She now serves on the directing staff for this camp. Sarah graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration in mathematics. She also received her level 1 education specialist credential from USD and her level 2 education specialist credential from National University. As an advocate, Sarah serves families throughout San Diego County. Her clients have children ages 3-22 ranging across all ability levels.

Crystal Sanford, M.Ed.. M.A. CCC-SLP
Crystal 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.

Download your freebie! Special education parent rights as easy as 1...2...3: HERE

Want to work with Crystal? Here's how:
-Become your child’s IEP hero by taking Crystal’s online video class on demand, at your convenience: HERE

-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
​
Get inside tips and more in Crystal’s monthly newsletter: HERE

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

​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.