Fierce and Unconditional: A Conversation on Autism and Advocacy

Zach interviews Sarah of Inch Stones by Sarah, a mom, advocate, and educator supporting families navigating autism, IEPs, and celebrating “inches” of progress. In rapid-fire questions, Sarah shares self-care practices, challenges the myth that a diagnosis defines a child’s humanity, and offers hope that things will be “more than okay.” She describes shifting from trying to “fix” her daughter Millie to embracing unconditional, expectation-free hope, and explains how grief is non-linear and intensifies with the permanence of long-term support needs, including impacts on siblings and future caregiving fears. Sarah emphasizes action over rumination, faith over fear, and “find a way.” She discusses presuming competence, citing her children’s progress with spell-to-communicate and AAC. Sarah explains Inchstones as rejecting deficit-focused milestones and outlines her IEP Power Plan, which helps parents prepare strong parent statements to change the dynamics of IEP meetings, and notes her Substack, podcast, and upcoming National Council of Severe Autism speaking engagement.website: www.unspecialllc.com#specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: / unspecialllc👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-F...