Advocacy makes a difference -- The Call to Advocacy -- Facing facts: getting a diagnosis -- A new perspective: stepping up -- Advocacy 101: the principles of advocacy -- Personal Advocacy: New Ways of Adapting -- Family challenges: advocating to your family -- Family challenges: advocating to your growing child -- Empowerment circles: avoiding isolation -- Balancing a career and autism: making your life work -- Public Advocacy: Getting Results -- Navigating the therapy maze: educating yourself -- Legal consultation: making decisions about your child's education -- Legal consultation: our family's choice for inclusion -- Legal consultation: planning your child's education -- In the community: integrating your child -- It begins with hope -- Sample advocacy letters -- Student self-monitoring IEP sheet.