Don't Be Silenced: Advocating for Our Children with Special Needs
- Deyona Kirk
- Aug 28
- 3 min read
When I first met Mikilia Carroll, I knew her story would resonate with so many of our families. She’s not just the founder and CEO of Aid for Autism — she’s a mother who has walked the trenches with her son Logan and come out the other side with wisdom, grit, and an unshakable calling to advocate for children with disabilities.
This conversation was about so much more than systems or services. It was about instinct, perseverance, and the power of a parent’s voice. Mikilia said something that hit me deeply: you know your child best. Doctors, teachers, and professionals may write reports, but at the end of the day, you are the expert of your child’s life.
She told us about Logan’s first diagnosis — how he shut down in front of the doctor, refusing to respond, and was immediately labeled “severely mentally retarded” and “possibly deaf.” But Mikilia knew better. She knew he understood more than he was letting on. So she challenged it. She asked questions. She recorded him at home doing things he wouldn’t do in the doctor’s office. She refused to accept one person’s limited view of her son. And because of that, Logan’s journey looks entirely different today.
We also talked about IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) and how intimidating those meetings can feel for parents — especially Black parents, who often enter already feeling unheard in other systems. Mikilia’s advice was practical and bold: don’t go alone. Bring a friend, a church member, another parent, or an advocate. Document everything. And don’t let schools tell you “we’re short-staffed” as an excuse not to fulfill what’s legally required.
Transitions were another theme — moving from elementary to middle school, from high school to adulthood. Mikilia reminded us that transitions are hard for all children, but for kids with disabilities they can feel overwhelming. Repetition, preparation, and planning are key. And she stressed the importance of starting guardianship paperwork at 17, because once your child turns 18, the law sees them as fully independent, whether or not they can advocate for themselves.
What touched me most were the personal stories. Mikilia spoke about preparing Logan for encounters with police, practicing with him how to keep his hands visible and say, “My name is Logan Carroll, and I have autism.” She shared the story of a Black caregiver wrongfully shot while playing tag with a white autistic child — a sobering reminder of the dangers our kids and caregivers face because of race and disability bias.
Through all of this, Mikilia’s message was clear: you are not alone. Parenting a child with disabilities can feel isolating, exhausting, and overwhelming, but there are resources, communities, and advocates ready to walk with you. And sometimes, the most radical act of love is simply refusing to give up.
“You know your child best. Don’t be silenced.”
⏱ Chapter Markers
00:00 – Introducing Mikilia Carroll, founder of Aid for Autism
02:00 – Why parents must trust their instincts after a diagnosis
04:00 – Recording your child to advocate with doctors
06:00 – How to approach IEP meetings with confidence
08:00 – COVID, short-staffing, and schools failing to meet IEPs
09:00 – Preparing for big transitions (school, adulthood, independent living)
12:00 – Guardianship: why parents need to start at 17
14:00 – Caregiver burnout and finding community support
18:00 – Sensory behaviors, discipline, and parenting strategies
21:00 – Tough conversations: police interactions & safety for Black autistic children
25:00 – Systemic racism: the caregiver story that shook a community
27:00 – Resources parents don’t know they can ask for
29:00 – How the wider community can support families with disabled children
31:00 – Final encouragement: you are not alone
Weekly Reflection
Where in your life are you being called to speak up, even if it feels like no one is listening?
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