Dr. Sarah Hardy, an autism psychologist at the Hospital for Special Care's Autism Center in New Britain, Connecticut, joins host Steve Norton for a wide-ranging look at what an autism diagnosis really involves, and what comes after it.

Dr. Hardy explains how diagnostic tools and criteria have evolved, why the diagnostic umbrella for autism has broadened so significantly since the DSM-5, and why catching a diagnosis early can compound into real, lasting benefit for a child's development. She and Steve tour the full continuum of care the Autism Center offers — from outpatient therapy and parent coaching to one of the only behaviorally focused inpatient units in the country — and talk candidly about what happens once a young person ages out of the school system, the long waits families face for state support, and the kinds of outcomes Dr. Hardy sees regularly when families get connected to the right care early.

Guest:

Dr. Sarah Hardy, Autism Psychologist, Hospital for Special Care Autism Center, New Britain, CT.

Topics covered:

• How autism diagnostic criteria have changed since the DSM-5
• Why prevalence looks like it's rising, and what's actually driving that
• Why early diagnosis and early intervention matter so much
• The Hospital for Special Care's full continuum of autism services
• Navigating care and funding after a young adult ages out of school supports
• Building independence through life skills and driving simulation training
• Common mistakes families make, and how to find hope going forward

Learn more about special needs financial and educational planning at Able Planning. If this episode resonated with you, we'd love to hear your story in the comments — subscribe so you don't miss what's next.

AblePlanning, founded by Stephen Norton, is a financial planning service dedicated to helping families of individuals with special needs build secure financial futures. The firm provides personalized guidance on special needs trusts, government benefits, estate planning, investments, and long-term financial security, helping families plan with confidence and peace of mind.

About Remarkable Futures
The Remarkable Futures Podcast is designed to help families make informed decisions about special needs planning, financial security, and long-term care.

🎯 Start planning with confidence:
AblePlanning.com

📺 Watch and subscribe on YouTube:
@AblePlanning-u9j

📩 Have questions or need guidance? Reach out:
https://ableplanning.com/contact/

REMARKABLE FUTURES PODCAST

IEP Secrets Every Parent Should Know

A conversation with Julie Swanson, Special Education Advocate & Author

Episode Notes & Transcript Highlights

EPISODE OVERVIEW

This episode of Remarkable Futures features Julie Swanson — a special education advocate and co-author of Your Special Education Rights: What Your School District Isn't Telling You and the IEP guide for parents and teachers. Julie shares the personal story that led her from a career in television production into special education advocacy, and offers guidance for parents navigating an autism diagnosis, IEP disputes, and the choice between hiring an advocate versus an attorney.

ABOUT THE GUEST

• Julie Swanson is a special education advocate and author based in Connecticut.
• Her advocacy career began in 1997 after her son was diagnosed with autism and she prevailed in a due process hearing against her school district.
• She previously worked in television production before pivoting to full-time special education advocacy.
• Co-author, with special education attorney Jennifer Luciano, of two books: Your Special Education Rights: What Your School District Isn't Telling You, and a newer guide on IEPs for parents and teachers.

KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED

1. Julie's Personal Journey Into Advocacy

Julie's son was diagnosed with autism around age two, in what she describes as the “dinosaur days” of autism awareness — before the internet, support communities, or widespread public understanding existed. She built an in-home ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) program for her son, then encountered resistance from her school district, which did not recognize ABA and questioned the diagnosis itself. This conflict led her to hire an attorney, enter a due process hearing, and ultimately prevail — an experience that became the foundation of her advocacy career.

"It's going to be okay. Take one day at a time. Learn as much as you possibly can. Find your tribe of people, your support network."

2. Processing the Diagnosis

Julie speaks candidly about the grief and isolation of receiving her son's diagnosis, including weeks of depression before she “got busy” and began building a plan. She contrasts her experience — researching autism from outdated encyclopedias with no internet or community support — with the resources available to parents today, including online support groups and established organizations.

3. Navigating the School District

Julie recounts her family's due process hearing, which was resolved not by a hearing officer's ruling but because a school employee publicly disclosed private, identifying information about her family at a staff meeting — a privacy violation that led directly to a settlement in her favor.

4. Advocate vs. Attorney: Where They Overlap and Differ

A significant portion of the conversation addresses how special education advocates and attorneys complement each other:

• Advocates are not licensed and do not belong to a governing board, though training programs exist (e.g., COPAA — Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates).
• A good advocate can do nearly everything an attorney can do except formally represent a family in a due process hearing or legal settlement proceedings.
• Advocates often handle manifestation determination reviews and can lay the groundwork — data, school records, documentation — that reduces legal costs if a case eventually requires an attorney.
• Julie estimates she resolves 90–95% of cases without escalation to a formal hearing.

5. Addressing Cost Concerns

Julie acknowledges that cost is a common barrier for families and points to free resources such as state-mandated parent resource centers and nonprofit grant programs (she cites the Connecticut-based Special Education Legal Fund, “SELF,” as one example). She frames working with an advocate or attorney as an investment in a child's future rather than an optional expense.

"I don't want to be in your life forever... If an advocate is doing what they need to do, they should come in and resolve the situation."

6. On the Books

Julie describes co-writing both books with attorney Jennifer Luciano, whom she met when Jennifer's father (Julie's original attorney) sent his newly graduated daughter to cover a hearing date. The books intentionally avoid restating the law itself, focusing instead on practical, “behind the scenes” information for parents and school staff alike.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Your Special Education Rights: What Your School District Isn't Telling You — Julie Swanson & Jennifer Luciano
• IEP guide for parents and teachers — Julie Swanson & Jennifer Luciano
• COPAA — Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
• Special Education Legal Fund (SELF) — Connecticut-based nonprofit grant program
• State parent resource centers (mandated by IDEA in every state)
• Yale Child Study Center

CLOSING NOTE

The episode closes with a preview of a follow-up conversation that will go deeper into the IEP process itself.

AblePlanning, founded by Stephen Norton, is a financial planning service dedicated to helping families of individuals with special needs build secure financial futures. The firm provides personalized guidance on special needs trusts, government benefits, estate planning, investments, and long-term financial security, helping families plan with confidence and peace of mind.

About Remarkable Futures
The Remarkable Futures Podcast is designed to help families make informed decisions about special needs planning, financial security, and long-term care.

🎯 Start planning with confidence:
AblePlanning.com

📺 Watch and subscribe on YouTube:
@AblePlanning-u9j

📩 Have questions or need guidance? Reach out:
https://ableplanning.com/contact/

In Episode 6 of Remarkable Futures, Steve Norton speaks with Rachel Malloy Jasiczek—mother, writer, and advocate—about her journey raising a child with a rare genetic disorder.

Rachel shares the moment of diagnosis, the uncertainty that followed, and how it reshaped her identity as both a parent and a professional. What began as fear and confusion evolved into a powerful commitment to advocacy—not just for her daughter, but for families navigating similar challenges.

This episode explores:

•  The emotional impact of a rare diagnosis 
•  Why genetic testing can be a critical turning point 
•  The realities of navigating fragmented support systems 
•  The role of advocacy in creating better outcomes 
•  How personal stories can drive awareness and change 

This is a deeply personal conversation that highlights both the challenges and the strength that come with raising a child with special needs.

About Remarkable Futures
The Remarkable Futures Podcast helps families navigate the real-world challenges of special needs planning through expert conversations, practical strategies, and honest stories.

Learn more:
AblePlanning.com

Watch on YouTube:
@AblePlanning-u9j

AblePlanning, founded by Stephen Norton, is a financial planning service dedicated to helping families of individuals with special needs build secure financial futures. The firm provides personalized guidance on special needs trusts, government benefits, estate planning, investments, and long-term financial security, helping families plan with confidence and peace of mind.

About Remarkable Futures
The Remarkable Futures Podcast is designed to help families make informed decisions about special needs planning, financial security, and long-term care.

🎯 Start planning with confidence:
AblePlanning.com

📺 Watch and subscribe on YouTube:
@AblePlanning-u9j

📩 Have questions or need guidance? Reach out:
https://ableplanning.com/contact/

Transitioning from school-based services to adulthood is one of the most critical—and often misunderstood—phases for individuals with special needs and their families.

In Episode 5 of Remarkable Futures, Steve Norton is joined by leaders from CCARC and the Bristol Adult Resource Center to explore what really happens when individuals “age out” of the school system.

This conversation covers:

•  The reality behind the “age 22 cliff” 
•  How adult service systems differ from school-based supports 
•  Why early planning and collaboration are essential 
•  The emotional impact on families—and how to navigate it 
•  Real-world insights from professionals and parents 

This episode offers both practical guidance and reassurance: the transition to adulthood isn’t the end of support—it’s a shift toward independence, opportunity, and long-term stability.

AblePlanning, founded by Stephen Norton, is a financial planning service dedicated to helping families of individuals with special needs build secure financial futures. The firm provides personalized guidance on special needs trusts, government benefits, estate planning, investments, and long-term financial security, helping families plan with confidence and peace of mind.

About Remarkable Futures
The Remarkable Futures Podcast is designed to help families make informed decisions about special needs planning, financial security, and long-term care.

🎯 Start planning with confidence:
AblePlanning.com

📺 Watch and subscribe on YouTube:
@AblePlanning-u9j

📩 Have questions or need guidance? Reach out:
https://ableplanning.com/contact/

00:00 – The Day Everything Changed

Steve and Cheryl share the deeply personal story of the autism diagnosis that changed their family forever.

05:00 – The Early Signs

What they noticed before the diagnosis — and the subtle indicators that something wasn’t quite right.

10:00 – Keeping It Inside

The internal struggle, fear, and hesitation to voice concerns out loud.

15:00 – “Have You Heard of Autism Spectrum Disorder?”

The doctor’s words that marked a turning point — and the shock that followed.

20:00 – Processing the Diagnosis

The emotional impact of hearing the word “autism” and what that meant for their future.

25:00 – Every Autism Journey Is Different

Why comparison is dangerous — and how understanding the spectrum changed their perspective.

30:00 – Public Misunderstanding & Judgment

Facing outside criticism and the emotional strength required to protect your child.

35:00 – The Decision That Changed Everything

A critical choice that shaped Harry’s long-term development and outcome.

40:00 – Legal Guardianship & Future Planning

Why long-term planning matters — and how guardianship plays a role in protecting your child.

45:00 – Growing as Parents

How the journey reshaped them as individuals and strengthened their resolve.

50:00 – Lessons for Other Parents

What they would tell families walking through a new diagnosis today.

55:00 – A Difficult Journey — With Hope

Reflection, resilience, and encouragement for parents navigating autism.

In Episode 4 of Remarkable Futures, Stephen and Cheryl Norton share the story of the day everything changed — the day they received their child’s autism diagnosis.

They open up about the emotions, uncertainty, and pivotal decisions that followed, offering insight into what families experience in those early stages of special needs parenting.

This episode explores:
 • Processing a new autism diagnosis
 • Navigating fear and uncertainty
 • The importance of early planning
 • Finding strength as a family
 • Taking the first steps toward a secure future

For parents, caregivers, and professionals working with special needs families, this conversation offers honesty, clarity, and encouragement.

Because while a diagnosis changes everything, it can also become the beginning of a remarkable future.

AblePlanning, founded by Stephen Norton, is a financial planning service dedicated to helping families of individuals with special needs build secure financial futures. The firm provides personalized guidance on special needs trusts, government benefits, estate planning, investments, and long-term financial security, helping families plan with confidence and peace of mind.

About Remarkable Futures
The Remarkable Futures Podcast is designed to help families make informed decisions about special needs planning, financial security, and long-term care.

🎯 Start planning with confidence:
AblePlanning.com

📺 Watch and subscribe on YouTube:
@AblePlanning-u9j

📩 Have questions or need guidance? Reach out:
https://ableplanning.com/contact/

In Episode 3 of Remarkable Futures, we answer a critical question for special needs families: When do you hire an advocate, and when do you need an attorney?

Andrew Feinstein and Terry Bedard explain the differences, discuss navigating IEP meetings, and outline how families can protect their child’s educational rights.

This episode offers clarity for parents facing school-related challenges and difficult educational decisions.

AblePlanning, founded by Stephen Norton, is a financial planning service dedicated to helping families of individuals with special needs build secure financial futures. The firm provides personalized guidance on special needs trusts, government benefits, estate planning, investments, and long-term financial security, helping families plan with confidence and peace of mind.

About Remarkable Futures
The Remarkable Futures Podcast is designed to help families make informed decisions about special needs planning, financial security, and long-term care.

🎯 Start planning with confidence:
AblePlanning.com

📺 Watch and subscribe on YouTube:
@AblePlanning-u9j

📩 Have questions or need guidance? Reach out:
https://ableplanning.com/contact/

00:00 IEP Meeting Mistakes Parents Don’t Realize They’re Making

04:30 What Schools Are Required to Provide Under IDEA Law

09:15 How to Prepare for an IEP Meeting the Right Way

14:20 Understanding IEP Goals and Measurable Progress

19:10 When to Push Back in an IEP Meeting

24:05 The Role of an IEP Advocate Explained

29:00 Warning Signs Your Child’s IEP Isn’t Working

34:10 Parent Rights in Special Education

39:20 How to Document Concerns Before the Meeting

44:00 What to Do After the IEP Meeting Ends

48:30 Final Advice for Parents Navigating Special Education

In Episode 2 of Remarkable Futures, Terry Bedard discusses the critical steps families must take when planning for a child with special needs.

This conversation explores common mistakes, guardianship decisions, protecting benefits like SSI and Medicaid, and why early planning provides long-term security.

Designed for parents seeking clarity and direction, this episode offers practical insight into building a stable future.

AblePlanning, founded by Stephen Norton, is a financial planning service dedicated to helping families of individuals with special needs build secure financial futures. The firm provides personalized guidance on special needs trusts, government benefits, estate planning, investments, and long-term financial security, helping families plan with confidence and peace of mind.

About Remarkable Futures
The Remarkable Futures Podcast is designed to help families make informed decisions about special needs planning, financial security, and long-term care.

🎯 Start planning with confidence:
AblePlanning.com

📺 Watch and subscribe on YouTube:
@AblePlanning-u9j

📩 Have questions or need guidance? Reach out:
https://ableplanning.com/contact/

Remarkable Futures is a podcast for families navigating the financial, emotional, and practical realities of planning for a loved one with special needs.
Hosted by Stephen Norton of Able Planning, the show brings real conversations to the forefront—about long-term care, independence, advocacy, and peace of mind.
In this first episode, Stephen is joined by Helen Bosch and Marty Schwartz, parents who share their personal journey navigating life and planning for a loved one with special needs. They speak candidly about the questions they didn’t know to ask, the challenges they faced along the way, and the lessons they wish they had learned sooner.
Their story reflects what so many families experience—uncertainty, resilience, and the deep responsibility of wanting to do the right thing for someone you love.
This episode sets the foundation for the Remark(able) Futures podcast. It’s not about products or quick answers. It’s about listening, learning, and planning with intention.
If you’re a parent, caregiver, or professional supporting individuals with disabilities, this podcast is here to inform, encourage, and remind you: you are not alone—and your story matters.

AblePlanning, founded by Stephen Norton, is a financial planning service dedicated to helping families of individuals with special needs build secure financial futures. The firm provides personalized guidance on special needs trusts, government benefits, estate planning, investments, and long-term financial security, helping families plan with confidence and peace of mind.

About Remarkable Futures
The Remarkable Futures Podcast is designed to help families make informed decisions about special needs planning, financial security, and long-term care.

🎯 Start planning with confidence:
AblePlanning.com

📺 Watch and subscribe on YouTube:
@AblePlanning-u9j

📩 Have questions or need guidance? Reach out:
https://ableplanning.com/contact/