Empowering Autistic Voices in Education - by Stephanie C Holmes (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

As Dr. Holmes' former dissertation chair, I witnessed the integrity and depth of the research that forms the foundation of Empowering Autistic Voices in Education. This book reflects rigorous scholarship, ethical care, and a profound respect for autistic individuals and their experiences. It is an essential resource for all teachers in training, equipping them to create classrooms that truly include and empower autistic students. I highly recommend it as both a scholarly and practical guide for educators. -- Jennifer Butcher, Ph.D, Educational Leadership, Vice Provost for Research, Writing, and Special Initiatives

Dr. Stephanie C. Holmes

and the contributing authors have created an essential resource for parents and educators seeking to foster authentic inclusion for students with autism. What sets this book apart is its rich tapestry of perspectives - from parents and school professionals to, most importantly, the students themselves. Their voices bring powerful insight into the real experiences of navigating school life on the spectrum. This book is a must-read for teachers, administrators, and parents who are committed to creating truly inclusive educational environments. -- Amy Penn, Ed.S., Special Education Director, GA

As a sibling of someone on the autism spectrum, I've seen firsthand how the support, or lack of it, at school deeply shaped our home life. That lived experience inspired my path into education, driven by a shared passion for true inclusion. As a new teacher graduating in 2024, I was struck by how much of the depth and insight in this book was missing from my teacher preparation. Every educator--general ed and exceptional ed alike--should read this. As a teacher of English language learners, I especially value the urgent call for more research in this area, recognizing how language barriers further complicate access to the support our students deserve. -- Erica Dorr, B.A., TN, Educator

As a Black pediatrician, autism specialist, and mother in a neurodiverse family, I saw myself and my community in these pages. This book speaks to the questions we carry, the

silence we've endured, and the strength we've always had. It doesn't just inform--it affirms. It honors our cultural lens while giving us the tools to advocate,
understand, and thrive. For families of color walking this journey, this book is a lifeline. There is more to be researched to better understand the margins within the margins, which speaks directly to the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color navigating autism. -- Dr. Mary Jones, Pediatrician, Autism Advocate, and Neurodiverse Mom

Encouraging a growth mindset is foundational for all students, and it starts with the teachers who model it. As a life skills educator, meeting students at their level and building on prior knowledge is important to long-term success. In order to empower our students with differing abilities, we need to invest time in understanding their needs and perspectives so that deeper learning can occur. This book contains valuable insights from specialists to help educators teach skills at multiple stages of development. Whether you are a new or seasoned teacher, there are easy-to-follow methods that will help you make lasting impacts in the classroom. This is a must-read for every teacher! -- Lindsey Rice, Pharm.D., VA, Educator

What a gift this book is to educators! I am realizing that, while my intentions are good, and I follow the experts' recommendations when supporting students on the spectrum, I am missing a critical piece to inform my student support. This book offers a window into the world of those on the autism spectrum and their families, allowing us to understand how to best support them. This will

challenge us as educators. Quite frankly, without this understanding, this bridge into the actual world of those on the autism spectrum, I believe that some of our best-intended supports and interventions may be causing harm. I challenge not only special education teachers to read this, but also administrators, counselors, teachers, and anyone who supports students on the autism spectrum. -- Karen Smith, Ed.S, MA, School Counselor, GA

This book stirred both my curiosity and my conscience. The lived-experience stories, especially from self-advocates and parents, bring theory to life in an insightful and compelling way. I found the chapter on the Rochford family's journey through the IEP process to be both practical and immediately useful. Voices from non-speaking autistic individuals challenged me to rethink old assumptions about behavior, communication, and connection. Empowering Autistic Voices in Education belongs in the hands of every teacher, administrator, college education major, and parent of an autistic child. It's a tool, a guide, and a call to action. -- Teresa Grosboll, Certified Teacher, TX

As the daughter of a retired public-school teacher, I was a believer in public education when my children began school, but after several years of constant challenges, I was ultimately forced to homeschool. Our education system could not respond appropriately to the needs of my autistic daughter - her genuinely dedicated teachers were simply not equipped. My family's experience in the public schools was shattering and has left a lasting impact. To that end, I cannot adequately emphasize the importance of this book! Dr. Stephanie C. Holmes and her collaborating authors have paired professional insights with first-hand accounts that shine a vital spotlight on the struggles being faced by autistic children, parents, and educators. Moreover, the book includes practical, actionable strategies that foster inclusion, empathy, and tangible solutions in the classroom. Empowering Autistic Voices in Education is an ESSENTIAL GUIDE for administrators, teachers, and parents navigating the public education system - it will be life-altering for many families! -- Jodi Carlton, M.Ed., Neurodiverse Relationship Expert

Too many neurodivergent young people are not given the supports and accommodations they need to thrive in school. This book shows where our educational system needs improvements and how we can create strength-based learning environments where all neurodivergent children and youth can succeed. Every parent with a school-age neurodivergent child needs this book, as do the educators and professionals in every school system. Too many neurodivergent children are misunderstood, ostracized and bullied in environments where they should be supported and treated with compassion. I am hopeful that this book will help us do a better job of creating truly inclusive environments where all

neurotypes are understood, valued, accepted, and supported. -- Mona Kay, MSW, Ph.D.

Developing a mutual mind state with other people, using both their brain and ours, is a learned human skill. Through mutual mind states, we come to understand other minds, as well as our own. Successful use and expansion of our interpersonal mental states requires understanding and training younger minds inside their parameters. As a program developer who improves interpersonal neurobiology through training, I highly recommend Empowering Autistic Voices in Education. Teaching and encouraging can fit the ways we each learn and grow. --

Jim Wilder, Ph.D., Clinical Psychology

As a clinical psychologist, I have worked for two decades with students on the autism spectrum. I can attest to the frustration and loneliness, even trauma, that these individuals have experienced in school settings. As an expert in Attachment Theory, I know that children flourish emotionally and academically when they have places of safety and belonging. I love Dr. Holmes' emphasis on co-created pathways for social connection in school, where educators and neurotypical students are educated in ways to be more informed and understanding, while autistic students are given every opportunity to

participate in groups that focus on authentic social connection. Listen to Autistic Voices with your heart to increase your compassion for the needs of students who have been muted and neglected! Listen with your mind to become a resourceful and empowered advocate for informed inclusion practices in your education setting! --

W. Jesse Gill, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist, Author, Autism Advocate

This book is a much-needed breath of fresh air! In a world that is often so focused on fixes and cures, the lived experiences of those who suffer are often missed. This book provides a perspective that can lead towards relationship and emotional connection, two powerful components that support emotional health and self-strength. For too long, well-meaning neurotypicals have ignored or stifled

the voices of the neurodivergent. This book reminds us that the pathway to inclusion cannot happen without first hearing their stories. -- Kevin B. Hull, Ph.D., LMHC, RPT, CGP, ​Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Dr. Stephanie C. Holmes has created a unique and valuable volume for families advocating for their autistic kids in a public school setting and the educators and professionals who serve them. Dr. Holmes includes insightful perspectives from everyone involved in the special education process, with a unique and critically important focus on the voices of autistic adults whose experiences in the education system have been a theme in her research. -- Stephen Grcevich, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry

It is my absolute honor to endorse Dr. Stephanie C. Holmes' upcoming book--a powerful and timely resource that champions evidence-based and inclusive practices for students with autism. With authenticity and compassion, Dr. Holmes amplifies the voices of neurodivergent educators, social workers, therapists, and students themselves. Their insights and lived experiences are not only eye-opening but urgently needed in today's classrooms. This work goes beyond academic insight--it reveals the real impact of exclusion and bullying, while equipping educators with practical strategies and a deeper understanding. Dr. Holmes continues to be a courageous and trusted advocate for the autism community, and this work will undoubtedly serve as a transformative guide for schools nationwide. -- Jeanetta Bryant, Founder of Abilities Workshop, CEO of Bright Feats

Bravo! As a colleague of

Dr. Stephanie C. Holmes for over a decade, I am confident that her book Empowering Autistic Voices in Education will provide educators with the inclusive and
evidence-based practices necessary for today's autistic students. All tips and strategies are shared by neurodivergent educators, social workers and therapists, and some students share their stories of bullying and exclusion. This book offers educators a broad perspective that enables them to address the needs of today's students directly. I know Empowering Autistic Voices in Education will enhance the classroom and learning experience. -- Amy KD Tobik, Founder, Exceptional Needs Today Magazine, CEO, Lone Heron Publishing