Autism Services & Advocacy
Connecting the Dots, Outside the BoxThe mission of Gr8 Expectations is to help individuals identify and develop career and life skills according to their unique abilities and talents.
Gr8 Expectations envisions a community that fosters career and life opportunities which are unconstrained by traditional ideas and settings, and considers a full range of options for people of all abilities.
SERVICES
Unique to each individual and his or her support system.
Individual living skills both in home and in lab settings.
College success/support service.
PATH Planning, a visual and meaningful long term planning tool that includes both long and short term goals.
Unique to each individual and his or her support system.
Training for education, transition and college advocacy.
Direct advocacy support in multiple settings.
Group and one on one sessions.
All sessions will include the Social Thinking curriculum bibliography.
ARD Review and IEP Planning.
Accommodation development.
Brandy is an integral part of my nephew’s and my family’s life. He is 26 and has Asperger’s with an emotional response level of a 13 year old. Brandy structures detailed programs and tasks to help him achieve the highest quality of life possible in academic achievement, social skills development, personal life skills, job search and training, and spiritual development. She follows thru on every aspect with a firm and patient hand to guide him and our family thru every step of his development. Her knowledge of the autistic individual constantly amazes me and everyone I come across that works with her. Our family has come to understand (as much as anyone can) autism and Asperger’s because of her patient guidance. She is working with me in setting up a place for my nephew to live the rest of his life within the boundaries of his capabilities, including assisting with applying for and following thru on getting disability benefits. I attribute Brandy to being the most important asset for Sam and our family. In my opinion, any individual with autism, no matter the severity, or any family who wants their adult/child to have the very best care will choose Brandy Abel-Clark.
ABOUT US
Brandy Abel-Clark
Executive Director
Brandy’s journey began with advocating for her own children. She was a very young mother and, at first, did not really understand what her children needed when it came to education. Through learning her first son had a hearing impairment which delayed his reading and then discovering her second son was struggling with dyslexia, Brandy became an advocate for children who needed more structure and assistance. She went back to school and earned her Bachelor’s in Social Work, then worked for Waco ISD for 6 years both as a direct teacher in the class and as a Vocational/Transition Coordinator. She found it came natural for her to develop accommodations and modifications that could make work and daily living easier for the young adults her in her vocational classes. Brandy hopes to help people empower themselves and reach their personal, academic, and professional goals.
“After working in transition and vocational services with Waco Independent School District for 5 years, I realized there was a gap in services for young adults, who with the proper transition planning and support, could and would joyfully give back to their community. The situations and the plans are unique to each family and individual, which requires a team and a support system sensitive to their needs and challenges. Goal development with clear benchmarks, schedules and technology becomes an integral part to their success.
I hope to use my skills and my training to fill some of the gaps while connecting the dots outside of the box for families and individuals.
I specialize in direct service, utilizing planning and team development to insure long-term success.”
Geri Orman
Geri Orman has been a mother for 32 years. She graduated from Iowa School of Beauty, in cosmetology in 1992. Since coming to Texas, she moved into the daycare field (2yr. olds being her favorite) where she met Brandy, who introduced her to, what she considers, her life’s work. She knew within a few weeks of meeting these young people that this is what God meant for her to do. She considers teaching young adults who fall on the Autism spectrum how to be independent and how to to everyday things a joy and she wakes up thankful everyday knowing that she gets to be around these wonderful young people.
Shantia King
Shantia lives in Marlin, Texas, which is 30 minute outside of Waco, Texas. She currently works at The Opportunity Center as a Social Media and Social life/skills coach has started contracting with Gr8 Expectations to assist young adult clients with transit training, community skills, and proper social media posting for personal and professional purposes.
Shantia was born with Mild Cerebral Palsy and her mission is to teach clients like herself how to live and be as independent as possible in their unique way. She believes that everyone deserve to live an independent life and she wants to use her life skills to inspire and empower her clients’ independence.