Voices Beyond the Spectrum

Welcome to Part 1 of our special three part series of Voices Beyond the Spectrum: Resource Hub Edition.
In this episode, host Karla Chinen sits down with Donald Ghrist, LEP, Licensed Educational Psychologist, to take a deeper look at Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Extended School Year (ESY) services.
For many families, receiving an IEP can feel overwhelming. Present levels, goals, services, accommodations, placement, progress monitoring, and all of the terminology can be a lot to understand.
In this conversation, we break it down into practical, everyday language.
We discuss the different sections of an IEP, how assessments and identified needs connect to goals and services, the importance of parent participation, accommodations and supports, progress monitoring, placement, and what families should pay attention to when reviewing their child's educational program.
We also discuss Extended School Year (ESY), what it is, how it differs from traditional summer school, and what families should understand when ESY is being considered for their child.
The goal of this conversation is to help families move beyond simply receiving an IEP and instead better understand what is inside of it, why each section matters, and how they can participate more confidently in educational decision making.
And this is only Part 1.
In Part 2, we dive into Assessments, Reports, and Understanding Data, including scores, percentiles, strengths, areas of need, and what evaluation results actually mean.
In Part 3, we discuss Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs), including what they are, when families may request one, selecting an evaluator, and what families should understand about the process.
🎙️ Voices Beyond the Spectrum: Resource Hub Edition is brought to you by Empathy for Autism California, Inc.
Listen on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
Listen. Learn. Ask questions. Use your voice.
For more information of Donald Ghrist or CAS Evaluations:
Website: https://casevals.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580467331579&sfnsn=mo&mibextid=RUbZ
 

In this Resource Hub Edition of Voices Beyond the Spectrum, host Karla Chinen speaks with Carol Larkin, Director of Client Relations, and Carmen Bowen, Executive Director of Proxy Parent Foundation.
Together, they discuss special needs trusts, personal support services, public benefits, and practical steps families can take to prepare for their loved one’s future. The conversation also addresses eligibility, common misconceptions, how to begin planning, crisis-support examples, and how thoughtful preparation can provide families with greater stability and peace of mind.
Learn more about Proxy Parent Foundation at www.proxyparentfoundation.org.
Voices Beyond the Spectrum is brought to you by Empathy for Autism California, Inc. Listen, follow, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Podbean.

What does fatherhood look like when every family's journey is different?
In this special episode of Voices Beyond the Spectrum, four fathers come together to share their honest experiences of raising children with disabilities, navigating diagnoses, advocating for their families, and redefining what it means to lead with love.
From the emotions that come with receiving a diagnosis to celebrating milestones, overcoming challenges, and finding strength in community, this conversation offers a powerful look at fatherhood through the lens of resilience, compassion, and unwavering commitment. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, professional, or someone who wants to better understand the disability community, these stories remind us that every family's path is unique, but no one has to walk it alone.
Join host Karla Chinen as she sits down with William Argueta, Anthony Chinen, KJ Johnson, and Michael Mason for an authentic conversation about love, advocacy, vulnerability, and the many ways fathers show up for their children beyond the diagnosis.
Because every diagnosis tells a story, but love is what defines the journey.

In this episode of Voices Beyond the Spectrum Resource Hub Edition, host Karla Chinen speaks with Melissa Cardona and Dr. Fanny Cisneros from Autism Society Inland Empire about the organization’s mission, programs, and practical resources for autistic and neurodivergent children, teens, and adults.
They share personal experiences, upcoming events, and tips for finding community and support. Encouraging listeners to give themselves grace, hold onto hope, and connect via ieautism.org or the organization’s newsletter.  
https://ieautism.org/
 
Sign Up for our Newsletter
 
Calendar of Events
 
Community Resources
 
HCBS Training; The Latest On Regional Center Services
 
Starting Strong ages 0-5

In this episode of Voices Beyond the Spectrum, Karla Chinen sits down with four incredible mothers to discuss the realities of raising children with disabilities and neurodivergence.
Jennifer Fernandez, Carina Guzman, Xochitl Gallegos, and Teiyana Muse share their personal journeys through diagnosis, advocacy, faith, resilience, caregiving, and community building.
From navigating autism and Down syndrome to balancing careers, family life, and the emotional challenges that often come with parenting children with unique needs, these mothers offer honest conversations, practical insights, and heartfelt encouragement for families walking similar paths.
This episode is a reminder that no parent should have to navigate this journey alone. Through shared experiences, we find connection, strength, and hope.
In this episode, we discuss:
Receiving and processing a diagnosis
The realities of caregiving and advocacy
Finding support and building community
Balancing family, work, and personal identity
Faith, resilience, and overcoming challenges
Advice for parents beginning their journey
Guests:
Jennifer Fernandez
Carina Guzman
Xochitl Gallegos, Co-Owner of J&J Catering
Teiyana Muse, Parent Advocate
About Voices Beyond the Spectrum: Resource Hub Edition
Voices Beyond the Spectrum is a podcast dedicated to educating, empowering, and connecting families navigating disability and neurodiversity. Through conversations with parents, caregivers, neurodivergent individuals, siblings, advocates, and professionals, we bring together lived experiences and valuable resources that help families thrive.
Hosted by: Karla ChinenPresented by: Empathy for Autism California
Listen on: Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
Lead with empathy. Always.

In this episode of Voices Beyond the Spectrum Resource Hub Edition, host Karla Chinen speaks with Melanee A. Stovall — mother, author of The Life Heist, and founder of Legacy Bridges Foundation — about navigating her daughter's epilepsy, the emotional toll of caregiving, and the faith and resilience that inspired her advocacy work.
Melanie discusses building community through support groups, resource navigation, seizure first-aid education, and programs like Snoop Special Stars, and she shares how listeners can connect, volunteer, or support families affected by epilepsy.
Melanee A. Stovall, MBA
Executive Director 
Legacy Bridges Foundation, Inc.
951-374-0933
www.legacybridgesfoundation.org
LinkTree link: https://linktr.ee/Legacybridges
Snoop Special Stars is kicking off their 2026 Flag Football and Cheer season on June 1st, creating an inclusive and empowering space for athletes of all abilities across OC, LA, and the Inland Empire. Registration opens March 9, so families are encouraged to sign up early and be part of this incredible community focused on inclusion, teamwork, and fun. For more information or to register, you can email SpecialStars20@gmail.com.

In this episode of Voices Beyond the Spectrum, Resource Hub Edition, we bring together powerful voices from systems, community advocacy, and law enforcement to discuss an initiative that is helping bridge a critical gap between individuals with autism and first responders.
Joined by Dr. C.J. Cook from Inland Regional Center, Audrey Maqueira from the Autism Society Inland Empire, and Corporal Ermes Maqueira from the Ontario Police Department, this conversation explores the purpose, impact, and real life application of the Blue Envelope initiative.
The Blue Envelope is not a mental health program. It is a safety and communication tool designed to support individuals with autism and other developmental differences during interactions with law enforcement. It helps provide immediate awareness, reduce misunderstandings, and create safer, more informed exchanges for everyone involved.
Through both professional expertise and lived experience, our guests share how this initiative came to life, why it is so needed, and how collaboration across communities is making a difference.
This episode includes a powerful and important conversation around real world challenges, the importance of training, and the role we all play in creating safer and more inclusive communities.
To learn more, access resources, and connect with the organizations featured in this episode, visit Empathy for Autism California or explore the links provided.
OPD Blue Envelope Page
Blue Envelope Program | City of Ontario, California
 
Blue Envelope Trainings: IRC Blue Envelope Training – Ontario | Inland Regional Center and IRC Blue Envelope Training – Riverside | Inland Regional Center. No RSVP required.
Inland Regional Center
Autism Society Inland Empire: 2026 Autism Acceptance Walk
Autism Society Inland Empire
City of Ontario Southern California Police
 

In this episode of Voices Beyond the Spectrum Resource Hub Edition, Karla Chinen invites Devon Rios, Special Education and Civil Rights Attorney, into the conversation to break down ADR and due process in special education.
Together, they walk through what happens when disagreements arise between families and schools, what each option looks like, and how families can navigate these moments with clarity and confidence.
Blending professional insight with lived experience, this conversation offers practical guidance, honest reflection, and empowering strategies for families advocating for their children.
https://www.devonriosapc.com/

Host Karla Chinen interviews TeiYana Muse from Family Resource Network about the organizations family-centered services that guide caregivers of autistic and neurodivergent children through early intervention, special education (IEPs), community navigation, and Spanish-language supports.
The episode highlights Early Start (03), the Family Empowerment Center (ages 322), trainings, and practical resources—showing how lived experience and peer support help families access services, build trust, and find community.
Find links to FRN trainings, events, and support resources in the episode link tree.
https://www.esfrn.org/

Host Karla Chinen speaks with Vicky Murillo of Family Resource Network about the programs that support families of children and adults with disabilities, including Early Start, the Family Empowerment Center, community navigation, and IEP workshops.
The episode highlights bilingual, culturally sensitive services, practical guidance for accessing resources like IHSS and Social Security, and the importance of community, training, and emotional support so families know they are not alone.
https://www.esfrn.org/