If Not Me, Then Who?

In 2016, the words I had feared—and somehow expected—finally came. My body went still as the doctor explained that my almost‑three‑year‑old daughter had been diagnosed with what was then called “moderate” autism. The ride home was silent. My husband understood the weight of what had just shifted in our world.

Sitting in the car line later that afternoon, waiting to pick up my four other children, my mind raced. What would our future look like? How would autism shape their lives? Where would we even begin? I had no idea that we had just stepped onto a roller coaster that would redefine every part of who I was.

That same day, I called our insurance company—only to learn that because our plan was self‑funded, they had chosen not to cover autism treatment. No ABA. No OT. No Speech. No PT. Nothing.

Shock. Dismay. Heartbreak. Anger. All of it hit at once. My face flushed, and I cried—not out of sadness, but out of fury. In that moment, something in me hardened into resolve. If my child couldn’t access the services she needed, then I would fight. And if I was going to fight, I wasn’t going to fight just for her—I was going to fight for every child like her.

So, I began. I traveled across New Jersey, meeting with local and state lawmakers, sharing a presentation I built piece by piece, story by story. October 29, 2020, we received the news: the company would now cover ABA, OT, Speech, and PT for children with an autism diagnosis.

All the miles. All the frustration. All the late nights. It mattered. Maybe it was the advocacy. Maybe it was the news article. Maybe it was both. But that decision changed everything—not only for my child, but for countless families who would never have to fight the same battle.

During those years, we grew in other ways too. We learned to navigate the school system, to advocate effectively, and to build a foundation of knowledge through programs like Partners in Policymaking in New Jersey. And through it all, one truth remained—the same truth I whispered through tears the day this journey began:

“If our journey can make someone else’s easier, then the journey is worth it.”

If you’re looking for an advocate who believes in collaboration, compassion, and fighting for the needs of each individual child, you’re in the right place. I look forward to learning about your child, understanding your goals, and helping you secure the support they need to reach their fullest potential.