Remarkable Futures

The Life Skills Lady: Julie Swanson on Life Skills & the IEP Life skills rarely make it into the IEP conversation — but they should. In this episode of Remarkable Futures, host Stephen Norton sits down with Julie Swanson, founder of Life Skills Lady, to talk about why functional life skills are just as critical to a child’s future as academic goals, especially for students with autism and othe...

In this episode, special education advocate Kit Savage shares the story that launched her career — the summer a district employee flagged her family's IEPs and said, "I'm going to teach them a lesson," followed by the sudden loss of her children's reading services and, eventually, a formal due process complaint. Host Steve Norton and Kit trace her path from concerned paren...

What if the biggest hiring mistake employers make is overlooking one of the most motivated, reliable segments of the workforce? On this episode of Remarkable Futures, host Steve Norton sits down with David Betters, Business & Partner Developer at CW Resources, to talk about what it really takes to get people with disabilities into meaningful jobs — and why so many employers don't realize...

Dr. Sarah Hardy, an autism psychologist at the Hospital for Special Care's Autism Center in New Britain, Connecticut, joins host Steve Norton for a wide-ranging look at what an autism diagnosis really involves, and what comes after it. Dr. Hardy explains how diagnostic tools and criteria have evolved, why the diagnostic umbrella for autism has broadened so significantly since the DSM-5, and w...

REMARKABLE FUTURES PODCAST IEP Secrets Every Parent Should Know A conversation with Julie Swanson, Special Education Advocate & Author Episode Notes & Transcript Highlights EPISODE OVERVIEW This episode of Remarkable Futures features Julie Swanson — a special education advocate and co-author of Your Special Education Rights: What Your School District Isn't Telling You and the IEP guid...

In Episode 6 of Remarkable Futures , Steve Norton speaks with Rachel Malloy Jasiczek—mother, writer, and advocate—about her journey raising a child with a rare genetic disorder. Rachel shares the moment of diagnosis, the uncertainty that followed, and how it reshaped her identity as both a parent and a professional. What began as fear and confusion evolved into a powerful commitment to advocacy—no...

Transitioning from school-based services to adulthood is one of the most critical—and often misunderstood—phases for individuals with special needs and their families. In Episode 5 of Remarkable Futures , Steve Norton is joined by leaders from CCARC and the Bristol Adult Resource Center to explore what really happens when individuals “age out” of the school system. This conversation covers:  The r...

00:00 – The Day Everything Changed Steve and Cheryl share the deeply personal story of the autism diagnosis that changed their family forever. 05:00 – The Early Signs What they noticed before the diagnosis — and the subtle indicators that something wasn’t quite right. 10:00 – Keeping It Inside The internal struggle, fear, and hesitation to voice concerns out loud. 15:00 – “Have You Heard of Autism...

In Episode 3 of Remarkable Futures, we answer a critical question for special needs families: When do you hire an advocate, and when do you need an attorney? Andrew Feinstein and Terry Bedard explain the differences, discuss navigating IEP meetings, and outline how families can protect their child’s educational rights. This episode offers clarity for parents facing school-related challenges and di...

00:00 IEP Meeting Mistakes Parents Don’t Realize They’re Making 04:30 What Schools Are Required to Provide Under IDEA Law 09:15 How to Prepare for an IEP Meeting the Right Way 14:20 Understanding IEP Goals and Measurable Progress 19:10 When to Push Back in an IEP Meeting 24:05 The Role of an IEP Advocate Explained 29:00 Warning Signs Your Child’s IEP Isn’t Working 34:10 Parent Rights in Special Ed...

Remarkable Futures is a podcast for families navigating the financial, emotional, and practical realities of planning for a loved one with special needs. Hosted by Stephen Norton of Able Planning, the show brings real conversations to the forefront—about long-term care, independence, advocacy, and peace of mind. In this first episode, Stephen is joined by Helen Bosch and Marty Schwartz, parents wh...