The Lived Experience · Honoring every story through support and advocacy
The Lived Experience with Carmen Singleton
If you’re navigating the autism diagnosis process, school evaluations, or IEP meetings, you don’t have to figure it out alone.With both lived experience and more than 20 years in education, I help parents understand what’s happening, ask the right questions, and move forward with clarity. forward with clarity.
Advocacy Support
The Clarity Session
A 45-minute parent support session for navigating the autism diagnosis process, school evaluations, and IEP meetings.
45-minute session | $197
In this session, we focus on your specific situation. We’ll talk through where you are in the autism diagnosis process, what you’re hearing from schools or providers, and what your next steps should be so you can move forward with clarity.
This session is based on lived experience navigating diagnosis and school systems and is not a substitute for medical or therapeutic advice.
Clarity on what to do next in your child’s diagnosis or school journey
A personalized set of questions to take into evaluations or IEP meetings
Confidence navigating conversations with schools and providers
Meet Carmen
Support for Parents Navigating Autism Diagnosis, IEP Meetings, and School Systems
I am an educator with over 20 years of experience and a parent of an autistic child. I support families navigating the autism diagnosis process, school evaluations, and IEP meetings so they can make informed decisions and advocate for their child with confidence.Before becoming a parent navigating this system, I spent years working inside schools and supporting high-need communities. I understood how decisions were made, how support systems were structured, and how schools approached student needs.Then I became the parent sitting on the other side of the table.Navigating the autism diagnosis process, evaluations, and school-based decisions shifted everything. What once felt clear as an educator became overwhelming as a parent.That experience is what shapes my work today.What I Help Parents Navigate-Autism diagnosis and what to do next
-School evaluations and eligibility processes
-IEP meetings and special education planning
-Communication with schools and service providers
-Understanding your rights in the special education process
20+ years of experience inside education systems
Professional insight combined with lived parent experience
Clear guidance for autism advocacy, IEP meetings, and school navigation
The Podcast
The Lived Experience Podcast with Carmen Singleton
Conversations about parenting, advocacy, and navigating the systems that shape our children’s lives.This podcast shares real stories, hard truths, and practical insight for families walking this path.
Honest conversations about parenting and advocacy
Insight from lived experience navigating systems
Tools and perspective for families seeking clarity
Resources for Families and Caregivers
5 Questions to Ask Before Your Child’s Evaluation
A quick guide to help families and caregivers prepare for evaluation appointments and ask the right questions with confidence.
The Advocate Stages Framework
Not sure where you are in the advocacy journey? This free guide helps you identify your current stage and feel less alone as you navigate diagnosis, school meetings, and support systems.
Walk In Ready: The IEP Meeting Mini Kit
Walk into your child’s IEP meeting knowing what you want to discuss. This short guide helps you organize concerns, choose your top three priorities, and prepare questions, with practical phrases for finding the words when you need them.
After the IEP Meeting: Your Next Steps Guide
Turn the meeting conversation into clear next steps. Track decisions, who is responsible, and important dates. Use the follow-up email template and focused prompts to ask unanswered questions and notice how your child’s supports are working.
The IEP Meeting Companion Bundle
Support for both sides of the meeting. Get both guides to prepare your priorities beforehand and organize your follow-through afterward. Use the pages you need, whenever you need them.
Recommended Resources for Families
Understood | understood.org
Practical plain language guides for families navigating autism and learning differences.
Autism Society of America | autismsociety.org
Trusted national organization with resources for families at every stage of the journey.
Autistic Self Advocacy Network | autisticadvocacy.org
Run by autistic people for autistic people and their families.
Child Mind Institute | childmind.org
Research backed guides on autism, diagnosis, and school support written for parents.
Wrightslaw | wrightslaw.com
The most comprehensive free resource for understanding IEP rights and school advocacy.
Autism Speaks | autismspeaks.org
Toolkits and practical information for families navigating diagnosis, school, and transitions. Its Autism Response Team helps connect families with services and supports in their community.