Season 2 Episode 11: The Relatable School Psych on Autism Eligibility, Parent-Friendly Reports, and Building Trust in the Evaluation Process
In this episode, Colleen Ashford talks with Amber Moore, school psychologist of ten years and creator behind @TheRelatableSchoolPsych account on Instagram. They dig into the often misunderstood world of autism evaluations in schools — what the process actually looks like, why it differs from a medical diagnosis, and how school psychologists can make the whole experience less overwhelming for families. Amber brings a decade of experience across PreK through 12th grade and a genuine commitment to showing up honestly, both in her work and online.
Amber and Colleen explore what it really means to evaluate a child — beyond the scripts and the scores — and why writing reports that actual humans can understand is a form of advocacy in itself. They talk about the power of sharing results with families before the IEP meeting, the emotional weight diagnostic paperwork can carry for parents, and why building trust is the foundation of any good evaluation. They also zoom out to look at how shifts in general education are shaping the landscape for neurodivergent students, and where the bright spots are.
Key Takeaways:
The distinction between educational eligibility for autism and a medical diagnosis — and why that difference matters for families navigating both systems
Why parent accessibility in evaluation reports isn't just a courtesy, it's a collaboration strategy — and practical ways to make reports less clinical and more human
How Amber approaches assessments differently depending on a child's communication style and needs, and what tools she reaches for
The case for reviewing assessment results with families before the IEP meeting to reduce fear, build trust, and make the meeting itself more productive
How changes to general education classrooms are affecting neurodivergent students — and what a more neurodiversity-affirming approach could look like
The importance of mentorship and professional community for early-career school psychologists, and how Amber is building that through her resources and online presence
You can find Amber on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/therelatableschoolpsych/
and if you’re a school psych wanting to join her cohort- dm her the keyword COHORT
You can browse her parent guides, assessment tips, and family engagement tools in her TPT store:https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/the-relatable-school-psych
DISCLAIMER: Colleen is a licensed SLP and special education advocate. Nothing stated in the Unfiltered IEPs Podcast should be taken as medical or legal advice and is her expressed opinion.
