Parents Helping Parents: ASA – GPC’s
Parent Mentors
"Because no one understands the issues involved with raising a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder better than other parents."
At the ASA-Greater Phoenix Chapter, we know what it’s like raising a child with autism
or Asperger’s because every member of our Board of Directors is the parent of a child on
the spectrum. That’s why we are so proud to announce our new Parent Mentors. Each
of our Parent Mentors has unique experiences and specializes in a different area of
need.
Cynthia Macluskie: (480) 940-1093 or cynthia@phxautism.org
Cynthia Macluskie has been an active member of the autism community for seven years. She has a little boy who, through biomedical and therapeutic means, lost his diagnosis of autism and is a typical 10 year old. Cynthia founded and continues to run the parent support group ROK (Recovering Our Kids) in conjunction with ASA-GPC. She currently sits on the APIPA (Medicaid provider) Parent Advisory Committee, the Department of Economic Security Autism Workgroup, is a board member of ACT Today and ASA-GPC. Her interest is medical treatment of co-morbid factors of autism, DAN protocols and how to navigate the state Medicaid system. Cynthia has experience both in writing an IEP and also in transitioning a child to home school and successful homeschooling thereafter.
Susan Sunseri: (602) 312-4997 or susan@phxautism.org
Susan Sunseri has a seven year old child on the spectrum. Susan currently
sits on the APIPA Parent Advisory Committee, Phoenix Children's Family
Advisory Council, and is a board member for Autism Society of America-GPC.
Her interest is in helping parents work with their in-network pediatricians
to obtain out-of-network benefits including Habilitation, Hab M and cutting edge medical treatments. She has experience in delaying her child's formal education so that intense early intervention can be achieved in the home.
Katie Wride: (602) 295-8062 or katie@phxautism.org
Katie Wride is the mother of four children, her oldest son, who is ten, is
on the Autism Spectrum. Katie has been active online and in the Autism
support community over the past five years. She co-founded with two other
moms a support group called East Valley Autism Network (E.V.A.N.) which
helps provide information and support to families and is a partner with
ASA-GPC. Katie also serves on the ACT Today board, is an advisory committee
member of the Arizona Autism Coalition, and is on the Gilbert Public Schools
Special Education Parent Council. As a former educator, Katie's interests
are in making positive changes throughout our education system, supporting
families in all areas of need, and being a resource to share information to
both families affected by Autism and throughout our communities.