Episode 9: Aaron Wright on the IEP process

I’m thrilled and honored to host this week’s guest, Aaron Wright.  Aaron comes to the show today via a connection on Facebook.  Aaron’s family dealt with a big topic right in front of my face - navigating the public school system in an attempt to get an IEP for his autistic daughter.  Aaron is a hospital administrator turned author.  What started off as a sort of carthartic writing of his family’s experience with the Davis public education system turned into a creative non-fiction novel being released on January 26th called Thirteen Doors.  

 It is a gut-wrenching read, both honest and heartbreaking, but it enlightened me as I have two neurotypical children - I’ve never had to go through the process of trying to get an IEP so I didn’t understand what all it entailed.  I just had no idea that so many people close to me had gone through this hell trying to get their kids the services they so desperately need.

Aaron will explain what happened, but ultimately, reading this book allowed for an empathy I didn’t know I needed.  His honest story has allowed me to be more brave in my support of parents of kids with special needs and for that I am so grateful.  Introducing, Aaron Wright.

This book highlights that not only do parents have to now learn how to raise a child with a disability, but now also have to figure out how to navigate systems that are rigged against their child’s success.  Aaron wants the reader to know the systems they will deal with are not normal and not ok.  And that there is a community who will support them.   

Aaron’s story in Thirteen Doors is not one about autism - it’s about activism.  It’s more a rallying cry to parents to encouraging them and helping them understand what they’re potentially facing when and if a school district actively trying to block their efforts in getting an IEP.  

To me, more than anything, this story uncovers the truth about some districts in a way that might make people really uncomfortable.  I certainly was an am because I feel so ignorant to the struggles so many parents I know have gone through.  Armed with this book and this interview, I now hope I can be more supportive to my fellow parents who have to navigate this process.  Please buy Aaron’s book wherever you can - his lyrical prose is beautiful to read and this story absolutely starts a conversation that has got to happen with all parents, not just ones with neurodiverse children.  Aaron’s ultimate hope is to engage a national audience in a deep and meaningful conversation about our most vulnerable students and Aaron’s ultimate hope is to engage a national audience in a deep and meaningful conversation about our most vulnerable students and how they are losing their access to a suitable education and what can be done to change the system that is traumatizing children and their parents.

Find him on social media: https://www.instagram.com/authoraaronwright/

Aaron’s website: https://www.authoraaronwright.com/

Buy Thirteen Doors on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Thirteen-Doors-Aaron-Wright/dp/1735072648/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24L9QV43YVBB5&dchild=1&keywords=thirteen+doors+aaron+wright&qid=1609960858&sprefix=thirteen+doors%2Caps%2C255&sr=8-1