When a parent first calls ABSpectrum, I can often hear it in their voice before they even say a word. It’s a mix of exhaustion, hope, and an overwhelming sense of being lost in a maze of medical lingo. They are looking for answers about diagnostics, Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), and clinic schedules.
As the Enrollment Experience Director, my job description is to guide families through that initial, hesitant phone call, through the enrollment process, and into our clinics. I remain their point of contact while they are here—offering resources or just a steady shoulder to cry on. And eventually, I get to help celebrate their child’s graduation and transition to the next big chapter.
The View from Both Sides of the Desk
What many of our families don’t know right away is that I am not just a guide on this journey. I am walking it myself. I am an autism mom.
I know firsthand that this world can feel incredibly isolating and terrifying. I know the unique ache of wondering what the future holds for your child, and the frustration of trying to navigate a world that isn’t always built for them.
If it weren’t for my time at ABSpectrum, the knowledge I’ve gained, and the community I’ve found here, I know I would feel completely lost and helpless in my own personal journey.
Because I know how dark those isolated moments can be, it has become my life’s passion to ensure that no family at ABSpectrum feels they are walking through that darkness alone.
I will never forget answering the phone to another lost mom. She was exhausted, and admitting to the quiet fears she felt guilty for even thinking. In that moment, I didn’t look at her as a director; I looked at her as a sister in this fight. I told her, “I know. I’ve been in that exact same dark room.”
There is a profound shift that happens when a parent realizes they don’t have to mask their grief or anxiety around me. We have bonded over those heavy, unspoken truths—the grief of a lost milestone, the fear of the unknown, the exhaustion of constant advocacy. But the beautiful thing about bonding over the darkness is that it makes the light we find together so much brighter. Once we acknowledge the hard stuff, we can roll up our sleeves and start building a path forward.
Building Bonds That Matter
The relationships I get to build with our families are the absolute heartbeat of my work. I don’t just want to be the person who checks the boxes on an enrollment form; I want to be the constant, reassuring presence in their corner.
The Early Days: We tackle the daunting diagnostic and FBA process together, turning a scary medical hurdle into a clear step forward.
The In-Between: When the daily struggles of life happen, my door is always open for a listening ear, a vent session, or a shared triumph.
The Next Chapter: When graduation day comes, it is a bittersweet, beautiful moment where we look back at how far their kiddo has come and hand them the resources they need to conquer their next adventure.
Being the Light
Autism spectrum services can feel like a maze, but it doesn’t have to be a lonely one. My goal for every single family that crosses our threshold is to impact them in a way that outlasts their time in our clinics.
I want to be that helping hand. I want to be that guiding light through what can feel like a scary, unpredictable journey. To all of my current, past, and future ABSpectrum families: thank you for trusting me with your stories, your fears, and your beautiful children. We are in this together, every single step of the way.