Sanford Autism Advocacy Group
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      • Thriving Autism Families (2022)
      • Thriving Special Families (2021)
  • Events
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  • Home
  • About
    • Meet the Owner/Director
    • Meet the Team
  • Testimonials
  • SERVICES
    • Advocacy
    • IEP Conference
    • Speech IEEs
    • Family Resources
    • Community Partner Resources
    • School Staff Resources
  • Store
    • Digital Downloads
    • Self-Guided Crystal Clear IEP Course
    • Sour Lemons Book
    • My Autism Family Care Planner
  • Resources
    • SAAG Gives Back!
    • Local & National Resources
    • Community
    • Blog
    • Videos
    • Podcast >
      • Thriving Autism Families (2022)
      • Thriving Special Families (2021)
  • Events
  • Contact Us
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YOUR CART

9/15/2021 0 Comments

How To Dissolve Your Worries And Stress

Has stress and anxiety got you down? What will happen to my child this school year...will the IEP team ever listen to my concerns??? These are the thoughts of many parents/caregivers just like you. Learn how to dissolve your worries and stress with our guest Katie Nall, Ph.D.
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Listen to our podcast through iTunes or your favorite player!

Katie Nall, Ph.D
Dr Nall is a Florida mathematician, a TEDx speaker, a professional member of National Speakers Association, and an Accredited Master Trainer and Practitioner in Emotional Freedom Technique, also known as EFT or Tapping. Dr. Nall shows how to dissolve WAFFLES – worries, anxiety, fear, frustration, lethargy, exhaustion, and STRESS! As a mother of three grown children, she experienced one child with chronic illness on 27 different medications – and gave over the medications to her child with an unsettling ending. In in a long-term institution of marriage, she has maintained her miserable skills in housekeeping and cooking with no desire for rehabilitation, and yet he stays (https://www.nalledgeco.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
[email protected].

Need help parents/caregivers? Access our free IEP guide and much more:
https://www.sdautismhelp.com/resources

Want to schedule a 20-minute FREE consultation with Crystal? Get
empowered!
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9/8/2021 0 Comments

Superhero Siblings

Your family is diverse. Maybe you have a child with unique needs as well as "neurotypical" kiddos. How do you maintain balance in your parenting?

Learn tips from a superhero sibling! Karishma Bali is a consultant, author, and successful entrepreneur (https://pulseathleticapparel.com). But, most importantly she shares her insight as a typical sibling of a sister with unique needs.
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Listen to our podcast through iTunes or your favorite player!

Karishma Bali
Karishma was born and raised in Chicago, IL USA. Karishma has lived in Europe and Asia for her studies, has completed several startup internships nationally and internationally, has consulted, developed and led many research projects, been a professor of entrepreneurship and is a published author in her series on academic strategy. Karishma is bilingual, completed her undergraduate studies from Loyola University Chicago, a tri-city Master’s in Global Entrepreneurship from the University of San Francisco , Master’s in Biology/Medical Physiology from Case Western Reserve University and is currently a consultant, the founder of Pulse Athletic Apparel, an athletic apparel company and co-founder of Onedrus, a company commercializing an air filtration technology developed by NASA.

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 [email protected].

Need help parents/caregivers? Access our free IEP guide and much more:
https://www.sdautismhelp.com/resources

Want to schedule a 20-minute FREE consultation with Crystal? Get Empowered!
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9/1/2021 0 Comments

Becoming Yours Child's Best Advocate (Part 3): Mental Health Needs

​You are your child's best advocate parents/caregivers. Learn more about how to support them in their mental health care at school.
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Dena Tibsherany
Dena is the host of the Empower 2 Heal Podcast and founder of One World Empowered (Empower2heal.com) . She is a Licensed Masters Level Social Worker with 10 years of experience in the mental health field, working specifically with children with complex mental health diagnoses. Dena not only provided direct care to children and their families but also trained and lead hundreds of employees and lead/developed multiple programs in doing the same. Since leaving the mental health system, she spends her time empowering people on their own healing journeys through podcasting, leading interactive courses and coaching for parents of children with unique needs and mothers in their postpartum journey. Her passion in this field is to honor each individual person’s journey and story while providing education, insight, and inspiration for them to harness their power within and experience the joy and happiness they desire in life.

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 [email protected].
Need help parents/caregivers? Access our free IEP guide and much more: https://www.sdautismhelp.com/resources
Want to work with Crystal? Here's how:
Get started by scheduling your 20-minute FREE consultation with Crystal: Get empowered! 
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8/31/2021 0 Comments

Mental Health Matters: Secondary Trauma

When our kiddos hurt, we hurt. Learn more about the secondary trauma experienced by some parents/caregivers of children with unique needs.
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Michael F. Barnes, Ph.D., MAC, LAC, LPC
Dr. Michael Barnes is a Master Addiction Counselor, Licensed Addiction Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Diplomate in the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. He serves as the Chief Clinical Officer at the Foundry Treatment Center in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.  Dr. Barnes has developed trauma integrated clinical models for the treatment of individuals with co-occurring addiction and trauma and he speaks nationally on Families, Trauma, and Addiction, Trauma Integrated Addiction Treatment, and Compassion Fatigue. https://www.drmikebarnes.com/familiestraumaaddiction
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
[email protected].

Need help parents/caregivers? Access our free IEP guide and much more:
https://www.sdautismhelp.com/resources

Want to work with Crystal? Here's how:
Want to schedule a 20-minute FREE consultation with Crystal? Get empowered! 
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8/18/2021 0 Comments

What Autism Means To ME

​Did you know that 1% of the world is identified with autism? Did you know that 1 in 54 children in the U.S. will be identified with autism by age 8? Let’s share and learn about autism with our host Crystal Sanford, autism mom, Speech Pathologist, and Special Education Advocate.
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Listen to our podcast through iTunes or your favorite player!

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 [email protected].

Need help parents/caregivers? Access our free IEP guide and much more: https://www.sdautismhelp.com/resources
​

Want to work with Crystal? Here's how:
Get started by scheduling your 20-minute FREE consultation with Crystal: Get empowered! 
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8/12/2021 0 Comments

YOU Matter: Care For Caregivers (Part 4)

​Caregivers need care, too. Learn how to refocus and refuel with our special guest, Sabrina Thomas.
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Sabrina Thomas
Sabrina is an empowerment coach, author, special needs mom, and advocate who loves her work with families. She has become a strong voice in her field and will provide many helpful tips for prioritizing yourself along your parenting journey. Hoping to broaden the scope of her work and in line with her vision--she has started an empowerment community called “Girl Don't Count Yourself Out”.
This inclusive community of mothers, businesswomen, entrepreneurs--and more--was built around the hope of providing an opportunity to empower, support and uplift every woman. https://www.sabrinatspeaks.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 [email protected].

Need help parents/caregivers? Access our free IEP guide and much more: https://www.sdautismhelp.com/resources

Want to work with Crystal? Here's how: 
​Get started by scheduling your 20-minute FREE consultation with Crystal: Get empowered! 
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8/10/2021 0 Comments

Autism and TSC

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a rare genetic disease that causes tumors to form across the entire body. As the leading genetic cause of autism and epilepsy, TSC impacts 1 million people nationwide. But, in addition to the lasting health problems the complex creates, what's most troubling is the lack of understanding of the disease ... and its relation to autism.
​
Join us to learn more from the TSC Alliance CEO, Kari Rosbeck and the Alliance's Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Steve Roberds. https://www.tscalliance.org/
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Kari Luther Rosbeck, President & Chief Executive Officer
Kari joined the TSC Alliance in June 2001 and became President and CEO in November 2007. She is responsible for the overall management and administration of the organization. This includes strategic planning, implementation of organizational strategies and evaluation of results, in conjunction with the board of directors, to ensure the organization meets its mission to find a cure for tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) while improving the lives of those affected. During Kari’s tenure as President and CEO, the TSC Alliance established a comprehensive research program fostering collaboration with industry and academia to move treatments for TSC forward in a more expedited way.

Steven L. Roberds, PhD Chief Scientific Officer
Steve joined the TSC Alliance staff in 2011 as Chief Scientific Officer. In this role, Steve leads the development and execution of the TSC Alliance’s research strategy through partnerships and conversations with all stakeholders, including individuals and families affected by TSC, basic and clinical researchers in academia and industry, healthcare providers, government agencies involved in medical research, and other non-profit organizations. Steve led the implementation of the 2012 TSC Clinical Consensus Conference and an update to the consensus guidelines in 2021.  

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 [email protected].

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! 
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8/2/2021 0 Comments

Middle School Student Success

​Is your child with unique needs entering middle school this year? Are you concerned about their ability to navigate this transition? Get the help you need with our expert, ADHD Specialist and Coach, Dr. Cindi Britton.
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Dr. Cindi Britton

Personal Coaching is her second career. Her first career, of over 38 years, was in K-8 public education serving as a School Principal and Teacher.  Throughout her career she served as a “coach” to parents, teachers and students. She has met the challenge of raising a son with ADHD, and participating in numerous parent/teacher conferences in various roles - parent, teacher and principal.

Feel free to contact Dr Britton at:
Website: http://coachbrittonadhd.com
Email: [email protected]

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 [email protected].

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!
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7/27/2021 0 Comments

Discover Your Unlikely Guru

Do you know how to tap into your gut instinct? Do you know how this can positively impact your parenting? Do you believe that beneath all the layers of armor we’ve built up from all that life throws at us, there is an UNLIKELY GURU patiently waiting. Well join us to learn more from our special guest Jaime Mazza.
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Listen to our podcast through iTunes or your favorite player!

Jaime Mazza
Jaime is an Early Intervention Speech-Language Pathologist, Instructor of Neuroscience and Communication, boy mom, and mindful parenting blogger. Jaime is also an expert at helping parents discover their UNLIKELY GURU.

Follow Jaime on her BLOG www.theunlikelyguru.com and check out her UNLIKELY GURU posts on her IG account @the_unlikelygurus.

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 [email protected].

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. 

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

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7/14/2021 0 Comments

Help For The Dinner Table

The emotional burden of feeding your family is real. But, there is a way to make weeknight dinner a little easier in your home. Even with selective eaters, special diets, etc. Join me and our special guest, Marie Fiebach, business owner, podcaster, and weekly cooking show host (https://feedyourfamilytonight.com) to find out how.
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Listen to our podcast through iTunes or your favorite player!

Marie Fiebach
Marie Fiebach, the founder of Feed Your Family Tonight, has successfully reverse engineered mealtime! As a busy mom of four teenagers, Marie knows how crazy mealtime can get.

"Weeknight dinnertime is not about the recipes. It is about managing your time, managing your energy, and setting appropriate expectations. It is about making dinner work in your home.”

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 [email protected].

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
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    About the Thriving Special Families Podcast...

    Thriving Special Families is the perfect podcast for special needs families...especially those impacted by Autism. Join us for insight, humor, and hope along your special needs journey. Our host, Crystal Sanford, M.Ed., M.A. CCC-SLP, ASDCS interviews experts, community members, caregivers, and other special needs allies. She also shares from her experiences as an Autism parent, speech pathologist, and educational advocate. This is our podcast special needs families...let's thrive!!
    ​

    Join the Family!
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