LINX Community - you're not alone on this journey!

Parents, caregivers, specialty providers, educators, self-advocates welcome!
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If you're wondering about it, chances are someone else is too. Ask away—after all, we're all in this family bus together, and there's no such thing as a silly question here.

Life is hard enough! Let's keep our comments as supportive as a pair of comfy shoes. Cheer, encourage, and uplift—because every parent here is a superhero in their own right.

Got a tip that's as good as finding the last piece of a puzzle? Share it! But let's leave the gossip for reality TV shows—our group is all about the positive.

What's shared in our group is as treasured as a secret handshake. Let's keep personal stories and information within our community walls.

Like the best box of crayons, we come in all shades and opinions. Let's respect each color and remember that together, we make a masterpiece. Knowing other opinions are out there helps you plan around corners on the journey!

They say laughter is the best medicine, and sometimes, it's also the best comfort. Don't hold back on sharing those funny stories—we could all use the giggle!

Please refrain from self-promotion. If you have a product recommendation, feel free to share your positive experience and explain why you appreciate it, but ensure it's not for the purpose of promoting personal interests.

Parents, caregivers, autistic adults, specialty providers, educators, and similar supporters are all welcome! This is a space for those whose interests resonate with uplifting and embracing this amazing community. Please note, we maintain a positive atmosphere, and mean or abusive language will not be tolerated. The village elders, with the community's well-being in mind, may gently part ways with anyone they believe is not aligning with our collective best interests.

WENDY DAWSON - FOUNDER & CEO
Hi! As an award winning business leader and a proud stepmother to a young adult diagnosed with autism at two years old, my journey into the world of autism has been an eye-opening and transformative experience. Over the years, I've had the privilege of meeting countless inspiring mothers who walked the autism path before me. Their invaluable insights, tales of determination, and lessons on harnessing the immense potential of children with autism - even in the face of limited resources - opened up a new universe to me.

I wholeheartedly hope that my personal journey and the experience I've gained can light your path if you're on a similar special journey. When my stepson received his diagnosis almost a quarter-century ago, the autism rate was about 1 in 1000 children. The lack of resources in our area was unacceptable, which motivated me to create Social Motion Skills, a non-profit with a mission to equip children and young adults in our community with vital social skills.

The growing demand for what Social Motion Skills offered led to its merger with The Center for Pursuit in 2022, ensuring sustained and invaluable services. Over the decades, I've been part of numerous research endeavors concerning the social skills development of neurodiverse individuals. Additionally, I offer consultation services and present talks on varied topics, from special needs journey maps, the importance of creating your "village" and transition to independence, to non-profit management and strategic planning.

With Spectrum Linx, our ambition is to present our amazing team's collective knowledge in a manner that's digestible, affordable, and within everyone's reach. We aspire to be the go-to for families offering them the wisdom of those who've gone before. I sincerely hope Spectrum Linx can be your guiding light, ensuring you find the much-needed support and love on your path.

I invite you to connect with me directly at wendy@spectrumlinx.com or touch base on LinkedIn.

Achievements and Recognitions
NEEDS program : Safe School Award, Crime Stoppers Heroes Luncheon 2024
Woman of Substance, Mission of Yahweh, 2022
Community Icon Award, Swoon Magazine, 2019
Community Partner Recognition, Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office, 2018
Harvard Business School Executive Education, American Express Scholarship, 2018
Senate Proclamation 926, Texas Senate, 2016
City of Houston Commendation, 2016
Women on the Move, Texas Executive Women, 2016
50 Most Influential Women, Houston Woman Magazine, 2016
Community Contribution Award, Easter Seals, 2013

Professional Affiliations and Speaking Engagements
I am a proud member of the Women Presidents Organization and an active participant in Educators in VR, reflecting my commitment to leadership and continuous learning. My speaking engagements have covered a range of topics, from disability etiquette and inclusion in the workplace to managing ADA compliance and supporting Texans with special needs.

Career Highlights
Co- Founder and Sole Member, Incuentro LLC, 2019-Present
Founder and Executive Director, Social Motion, Inc., 2010-2021

Contributions to Science
Over the past 12 years, I have been dedicated to creating programs and services for autistic individuals and their families. As the founder of the nonprofit Social Motion Skills, our team provides services to over 200 autistic students weekly. In collaboration with the University of Houston, led by Dr. Sarah Mire (now at Baylor University), we have conducted a thorough evaluation of the Social Motion program's curriculum. This evaluation spurred several research projects:

Evaluating Community-Based Social Skills Intervention for High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: Tan, S., Timmons, B., Dawson, W., Gonzalez, J.E., Kim, H., Mire, S.S. (Presented at the American Psychological Association Convention, August 2020; virtual).
Perspectives on Building a Community-Academic Partnership to Evaluate a Social Skills Intervention: Tan, S., Garcia, A., Hut, A.R., Sanchez, B., Timmons, B., Dawson, W., Gonzalez, J.E., Mire, S.S. (Presented at the American Psychological Association Convention, August 2021; virtual).
Evaluating a Community-Based Social Skills Intervention Program for Youth with Autism during COVID-19: Tan, S., Timmons, B., Dawson, W., Gonzalez, J.E., Kim, H., Mire, S.S. (Presented at the American Psychological Association Convention, August 2021; virtual).
Teaching ADLs to Adolescents and Young Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Gardner, S.M., Sakyi, G., Mire, S.S., Timmons, B., Dawson, W., Ragan, K. (Presented at the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, June 2023).
Cost Analysis of a Social Skills Training Program for Autistic Youth: Tan, S., Keller-Margulis, M., Mire, S., Timmons, B., Dawson, W., Gonzalez, J., Kim, H., Hassett, K. (Department of Psychology, University of Houston, 2023).

Edutech Innovation
In addition to my nonprofit work, I co-founded Incuentro LLC, an edutech company designed to deliver autism expertise to families lacking access to resources. Through Incuentro, we launched Spectrum Linx, a platform offering microlearning courses and parent coaching through a website and app (iOS/Google), making it accessible worldwide. Spectrum Linx is a comprehensive tool involving extensive research and development, including the creation of journey maps for parent guidance and over 80 microlearning courses.

LINX Community - you're not alone on this journey!

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