Amanda graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine and served as a U.S. Navy Public Affairs Officer for 5 years.  She separated from active duty to support her family when her own children were diagnosed with Autism.  In the years that followed, she educated herself about autism, special education regulations, inclusive education, and effective collaboration with IEP teams, eventually considering herself an effective parent advocate for the last 20 years.  She attended the Institute of Special Education Law & Advocacy at the College of William & Mary in 2016 and 2017, which steered her towards professional advocacy.  She has served on her division’s SEAC and presented at state and national conferences like the Arc of Virginia and TASH.  She understands the challenges that families face and hopes her perspective can help others in their own journey.  She currently serves families as an IEP Family Support Specialist at PEATC to educate and empower families to be more involved in their children’s education and futures.