Empowering Autistic Voices in Education: Dismantling Barriers and Building Bridges toward Authentic Inclusion
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Dr. Stephanie’s Newest Book! Available June 2, 2026!
For Parents, Educators, Administrators, and Educational Professionals!
Empowering Autistic Voices in Education is a groundbreaking, research-informed, and deeply human guide to dismantling systemic barriers and fostering authentic inclusion for autistic students, particularly those pushed to the margins. Unique in its approach, this book amplifies the lived experiences of neurodivergent individuals alongside insights from professionals and researchers, creating a powerful dialogue between evidence, empathy, and action. In this thoughtful and accessible resource, editor and contributor Dr. Stephanie C. Holmes, a certified autism specialist and inclusion advocate, leads a diverse group of autistic self-advocates, educators, clinicians, and parents. Together, they explore what authentic inclusion means and how to achieve it through four interconnected sections:
Learning from our past to inform our future: examining muted voices and inequities in education, including IEP challenges, systemic barriers, and the overlooked intersections of race and disability.
From theory & research to practice: offering actionable strategies for accommodations, collaboration, and social-emotional support.
Centering autistic voices and those who support them: sharing firsthand narratives from autistic students and adults about being misunderstood, silenced, and what helped them finally belong.
The importance of robust transitions: exploring how schools can prepare students not just to graduate, but to thrive—in employment, independent living, and beyond.
Featuring a powerful foreword by Dr. Temple Grandin, candid contributions from neurodivergent authors and self-advocates, and practical wisdom from professionals, this book does more than identify problems — it builds bridges toward real solutions.
Whether you are an educator, administrator, parent, advocate, or ally, Empowering Autistic Voices in Education offers the tools, stories, and inspiration to move beyond compliance and toward authentic, equitable inclusion for all.
What is in the Table of Contents?
Foreword: Dr. Temple Grandin
Introduction: Dr. Stephanie C. Holmes
Section 1: Learning From Our Past to Inform Our Future: Including Voices
From the Margins & Muted Experience
Chapter 1
Listening to the Muted Voices: Inclusion and Experiences of Students on the Autism Spectrum in Public Schools, Stephanie C. Holmes, Ed.D, M.A., Certified Autism Specialist (CAS)
Chapter 2
Looking Back, Moving Forward: The Journey Toward Educational Inclusion for Autistic
Students, Stephanie C. Holmes, Ed.D, M.A., CAS
Chapter 3
IEPS: Barrier or Bridge? Navigating Conflict and Collaboration in the IEP Process: Perspectives
on Inclusion for Students on the Autism Spectrum, Stephanie C. Holmes, Ed.D, M.A., CAS
Chapter 4
Barriers to Authentic Inclusion: From the Parents of Autistic Children’s Perspective, Stephanie
C. Holmes, Ed.D, M.A., CAS
Chapter 5
Barriers to Authentic Inclusion From The School’s Perspective, Stephanie C. Holmes, Ed.D,
M.A., CAS
Chapter 6
Arguments For and Against Authentic Inclusive Education: Peer Education Is Often Missing,
Stephanie C. Holmes, Ed.D, M.A., CAS
Section 1 Conclusion: Beyond the Margins - Overlooked Within the
Overlooked: Confronting Racial and Disability Inequities in Autistic
Advocacy and Access BIPOC- Call to Action!
Section 2: From Theory & Research to Practical Application
Chapter 7
Accommodations: The Need for Collaboration and a Path Forward for Students, Robin Tate,
M.A., M.S., BCC, ACC- Certified Autism Specialist (CAS)
Chapter 8
Supporting & Empowering Autistic Voices: Building Social Language Skills That Foster
Connection, Carol Reller, M.S., Retired School SLP
Chapter 9
Individual Education Program: Navigating Socio-Emotional Development Through Effective
Social Skills for Authentic Inclusion, David Glick, EdM, LCSW, CEAP, CASDCS
Section 3: The Importance of Hearing Autistic Voices and Those Who
Support Them For Authentic Inclusion in the Education System
Chapter 10
Misunderstood, Unseen, Unheard: I Wanted to Belong! By Sydney (Holmes) Roberts, M.A.,
Lived Experience Expert, Self-Advocate
Chapter 11
My Voice Looks Different, But It’s Still Mine: Journey Toward Being Heard Through Tools
That Fit Me, Noah Seback, Nonspeaking Autistic, Lived Experience Expert, Self Advocate &
Peer Support Specialist
Chapter 12
When I Spoke Up for My Autistic Child: Conflict vs Collaboration in a System That Didn’t
Always Know How to Listen, Stephanie Holmes, Autism Inclusion Advocate
Chapter 13
Empathy & Compassion Build Bridges of Community, John Fela, M.Ed.
Chapter 14
The Best-Case Scenario: Our Journey Through the IEP Process with Advocacy, Preparation, and Collaboration By Jeremy Rochford, B.S., TI-CLC, C-MHC, C-YMHC & Charity Rochford,
B.S., TI-CLC
Section 4: The importance of Robust Transition Plans & Further
Chapter 15
From Margins to Meaningful Work: Empowering Students with Autism for Employment &
Transition, Ron Sandison, M.Div.
Empowering Autistic Students to Meaningful Work and Independent Living Skills
Q& A with Dr. Temple Grandin: Interviews with Dr. Temple Grandin with Dr. Stephanie
Holmes & Sydney (Holmes) Roberts
Order here!
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