Frequently Asked Questions

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Dr. Emily explains her background and therapeutic approach when providing Autism Family Coach's Services, during a radio interview on 96.5 WSLR Sarasota. Listen here! (start at minute 19:28)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/september-11th-2024-a-conversation-between-dr-tara/id1727362658?i=1000669191192

An Autism Family Coach works with parents, guardians, and/or autistic self-advocates to help them to learn about the autism (or broader neurodivergent) brain type, as well as to teach the facts and skills needed to better support their unique child, or themselves! Autism Coaches also help to support families as they navigate new and different challenges over time, as well as to continue learning useful survival skills and strategies. Our practice provides knowledgeable and research-based advice, emotional support and encouragement, as well as additional supports in the form of autism advocacy, special education, and social services coaching.

While special education (and/or broader social services) "advocacy" is usually utilized when a serious dispute has already occurred, special education "coaching" focuses on preventing educational planning issues from arising or worsening. For example, at Autism Family Coach, we can use our comprehensive knowledge of Special Education/Speech-Language Services/and ABA-Behavioral Practices to help assist families in working collaboratively with schools and providers, while also teaching families how to ask the right questions to get their child's needs met.

Special Education coaching typically involves helping parents with specialized IEP (Individualized Education Program) instruction, explanation, and resource awareness. Special Education coaching may also include coaching on how parents may be active participants in the IEP meetings, what their rights are under the federal law of IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), and who to contact when discrepancies arise. Furthermore, our coaches can attend special education meetings, in support of the family, upon request. Lastly, IEP coaching can include initial or follow-up interpretation of special education documents and recommendations, as well as clarification and suggest additional questions that may be asked during the next, important educational planning meetings. 

Autism Family Coach uses a non-clinical, psychoeducational approach to teach parents autism-based (and social-emotional) skills for the home, community, and school-based settings. Additionally, the strategies that will be taught are Evidence-Based strategies, which means that they are strategies which are backed by peer-reviewed research in the field of autism and behavioral sciences.  The goal of our Parent/Family Training is to help families become more skilled at integrating these evidence-based strategies, more frequently and consistently, into their daily life. 

At Autism Family Coach, we use a non-clinical, psychoeducational approach to teaching families about Evidence-Based Interventions/Practices that are proven to work for autism (and other social-emotional challenges) through peer-reviewed research.  These interventions are recommended by the National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence & Practice.

What is an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)?

As stated  in Missouri State's Overview of Evidence-Based Interventions, EBPs are:

• Practices that have clear evidence of positive effects with autistic children and youth. 
• Evidence-based practices that are encouraged in the practice and teaching of individuals with autism due to their strong research and data backing.  EBPs can be utilized across all settings including the home, clinic, other therapy sessions, and, most importantly, in schools.

See  https://projectaccess.missouristate.edu/Resources/EBP.htm for a list of encouraged evidence-based strategies with definitions and evidence base for each intervention.  This list reflects the strategies used by Autism Family Coach.

Yes! Our practice has an Autism Family Coach Facebook Page. This page is appropriate and available for all families, regardless of where they live. The purpose of the page is to create discussion between families and to share learning and community with anyone who has autism in their life! Feel free to message in the comments, and you will likely get a response from one of our providers too!

At Autism Family Coach, we take confidentiality and privacy very seriously. All information shared during coaching sessions is strictly confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone without the client's written consent, except in cases where there is a legal obligation to report abuse, neglect, or harm to oneself or others.

To avoid a full missed session fee, contact Autism Family Coach at least 24 hours in advance to cancel or reschedule an appointment. No-show cancellations will be charged the full session fee.

For circumstances of a declined service session after booking, a surcharge of  2.7% + 30¢ (GoDaddy's Platform Payment Charge) plus Tax is still required, as the provider will still be responsible for these fees after the declined booking.  (Example: A declined $50 session after booking will have a service charge of $5.15, for a total refund of $44.85). Refunds will be made payable by Check, Zelle, or Venmo, based on customer preference.  

To avoid a service charge, exchanges for alternative session types or times are welcome.

At the moment, Autism Family Coach accepts payment by credit card or debit card. In-person events and session will begin also accepting payments by Zelle or Venmo, if needed.