Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Dawson.
Wendy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey began when I married my husband over 20 years ago and became a proud stepmother to a child diagnosed with autism at two years old; my journey into the world of autism has been an eye-opening and transformative experience. Over the years, I’ve been privileged to meet countless inspiring mothers who walked the autism path before me. Their invaluable insights, tales of determination to get through school and daily life and create a future for their child, and lessons on harnessing the immense potential of children with autism – even in the face of limited resources – opened up a new universe to me. I wholeheartedly hope that my personal journey and the experience I’ve gained can light others’ paths on a similar special journey. When my stepson received his diagnosis almost a quarter-century ago, the autism rate was about 1 in 1000 children. (It is now 1 in 36) The lack of resources in our area was unacceptable, which motivated me to create Social Motion Skills, a non-profit with a mission to equip children and young adults in our community with vital social skills.
The growing demand for what Social Motion Skills offered led to its merger with The Center for Pursuit in 2022, ensuring sustained and invaluable services. Over the decades, I’ve been part of numerous research endeavors concerning the social skills development of neurodiverse individuals. Additionally, I offer consultation services and present on varied topics, from special needs journey maps and the importance of creating your “village” and transition to independence to non-profit management and strategic planning as a way to give back and share the knowledge I have accumulated.
With Spectrum Linx, our ambition is to present our amazing team’s collective knowledge in a digestible, affordable manner and within everyone’s reach. We are determined to “democratize” autism expertise and make resources available to rural and underserved populations. We aspire to be the go-to for families, offering them the wisdom of those who’ve gone before combined with a sense of community to alleviate the feelings of overwhelm and aloneness.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, the journey has not been without challenges. We faced the steep learning curve of understanding behavior and communication challenges, as well as identifying effective teaching strategies and family (sibling) balance. Constantly re-evaluating what strategies were effective and what supports needed to be added or changed increased the complexity. Finding available services and therapies, understanding their locations and costs, and logistics is not for the faint of heart. Without a roadmap to guide us or predict future needs, we forged our own path built on love and what we thought best, letting our son’s goals and personal motivation guide us. We built a “village” with other families who had similar issues. Advocacy became a significant part of our journey as we continuously sought more services, support, and long-term solutions, including employment and housing. Guardianship and financial planning is not to be overlooked, nor the efforts to build independence along the journey to ensure the most fulfilling life possible for our son.
We’ve been impressed with Spectrum Linx, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Thanks for the opportunity to introduce Spectrum Linx – genuine understanding and empathetic support are more than just buzzwords—they’re the core of who we are. Our team consists of moms, educators, and self-advocates who have been diagnosed on the autism spectrum, so we’ve quite literally walked in your shoes. Driven by our own years of trial and error, our constantly evolving platform offers the collective wisdom and resources we’ve gathered over decades. Here, you’ll find everything you need to confidently navigate your own journey: from our carefully crafted journey maps to a thriving community of individuals who share your experiences. Whether you’re a parent seeking guidance or an individual navigating life with a spectrum diagnosis, you’re not alone. We advocate for inclusivity across a range of diagnoses, operating on the principle of ‘Not about us, without us.’ We invite you to leverage our years of experience to benefit your family and your child.
Spectrum Linx – why we are different;
One main difference lies in our authentic and deeply personal connection to the autism community. Co-founded by a stepmother to a son with autism and a dedicated educator, the company’s mission and approach are rooted in firsthand experience and genuine understanding of the challenges and needs faced by caregivers and families. This personal insight enables Spectrum Linx to offer a comprehensive suite of products, including microlearning courses, journey maps, live virtual coaching, and community support. Spectrum Linx equips families with practical tools that align with the day-to-day realities of raising a child with special needs.
Unlike other providers who may approach this field from a purely clinical or business perspective, Spectrum Linx’s unique foundation provides a compassionate and nuanced perspective, creating a trustful relationship with the families we serve.
We are also proud to be unique in these ways;
Spectrum Linx is a woman-owned and certified business.
AND WE HAVE AN APP that makes tapping into our program really easy!
Search SpectrumLinx in the Apple / Google stores and you’ll find our free app where you can access all the courses and private community.
Lastly, we offer skills and interest assessments to young adults on the spectrum to help them figure out “what’s next.” One such assessment is a specialized version of the Birkman assessment (which our team created with Birkman International) called the BirkmaND (where the ND stands for Neurodiversity!). Here is a link for more details. https://www.hrdive.com/press-release/20220411-birkman-international-announces-the-launch-of-birkmand-designed-for-neurodi/
We regularly offer free webinars, host free moderated panel events, and can be found at many local school and special needs fairs.
We live it, breathe it, and love to share!
What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, Spectrum Linx envisions a future where we enhance autism understanding among families and communities, fostering greater awareness and acceptance and action. Our mission extends to supporting working caregivers, ensuring they can maintain their employment and insurance while also benefiting from supportive communities. Plans are in motion to translate our resources into Spanish and expand our reach to other countries, aiming to provide affordable and accessible autism expertise, especially in rural and underserved areas where families lack access to services. Additionally, we are committed to further research, with the goal of developing evidence-based products and services that offer meaningful support.
Pricing:
- FREE: resources (journey maps and blogs and DIY Courses)
- $9.99/ mo Subscription membership to the EXPERT moderated community
- Email wendy@spectrumlinx.com and mention the Voyage article and I’ll send you a coupon for a free three month membership!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.spectrumlinx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spectrumlinx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spectrumlinx
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spectrum-linx
