
April 2025
History of Autism
Crystal Jordan & Zachariah Heard featured on the Auesomely You Magazine cover.
Stories at the intersection of autism, motherhood, media, publishing, representation and rebuilding — transformed into books, conversations, programs and platforms built to move people from awareness to action.
These covers mark the evolution of Auesomely You Magazine and the personal story behind the platform. From advocacy rooted in motherhood to building a growing media ecosystem, each issue documents a different chapter of the journey.


I am an Atlanta-born author, autism advocate, speaker, publisher, media founder and mother who transformed lived experience into a platform for representation, access and change.
My advocacy journey became deeply personal after my son Zachariah was diagnosed with autism. As I learned to navigate education, therapy, communication and the realities families face when systems do not always make access easy, I began building the resources and platforms I wished more families could find.
What started with children’s books grew into publishing, media, speaking, parent advocacy, community programming and nonprofit work. I use storytelling to create representation for Black autistic children, elevate conversations about nonspeaking communication, encourage AAC access and help families advocate more confidently.
Today, my work includes 23+ published books, magazine brands, the Auesomely You Podcast, professional speaking, literacy and publishing programs, advocacy initiatives and Auesomely You Cares. In 2026, I received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in recognition of my impact and service.
Choose a year to explore the journey.
My son’s autism diagnosis becomes a catalyst for learning, advocacy and representation.
The work has grown from one mother learning how to advocate into books, media, communication-access initiatives, community programs and platforms designed to help families feel seen, supported and equipped to move forward.
My goal is to turn advocacy into something families can actually feel: a child seeing themselves represented in a book, a parent walking into an IEP meeting more prepared, a nonspeaking person gaining greater access to communication, a caregiver finding community, or a young person realizing they can become an author too.
Across publishing, media, speaking and community initiatives, the mission stays the same: advocate, educate and empower while creating more room for Black autistic children, nonspeaking individuals, caregivers and purpose-driven storytellers to be seen and heard.
Partner With Dr. CrystalChildren’s books, affirmations and learning resources created to expand representation, especially for Black autistic children and families.
Advocacy for communication access, AAC tools, tablets and technology that support nonspeaking and nonverbal individuals.
Magazine publishing, podcasting, interviews and public conversations that move autism advocacy and lived experience into wider spaces.
Auesomely You Cares, Young Authors University, Sisterhood and signature events create spaces for learning, connection and action.
Watch my own videos and Auesomely You Podcast here, then explore the Authority Archive below for my guest podcast appearances, interviews and press features.
Browse My Guest Interviews ↓
A strong introduction to the mission, media platform and conversations behind the work.
Watch on YouTube ↗

Auesomely You Magazine is your owned media brand, while Auesomely Her Magazine™, Connected Woman Magazine and Impact Atlanta International Magazine reflect the broader media and publishing journey.
Autism, neurodiversity, disability, caregiver support, advocacy and community stories created so people feel seen, heard and celebrated.
Read Auesomely You Magazine Current Issues ↗A women-centered media brand elevating entrepreneurship, leadership, purpose and personal growth.
Read issues ↗“Meet Crystal Jordan: Author, Autism Advocate and Amplifier of Voices.”
Read the feature ↗Meet Crystal Jordan Autism Advocate.
Read Impact Atlanta feature ↗Book Dr. Crystal for conversations on autism advocacy, nonspeaking communication, IEP advocacy, publishing, entrepreneurship, resilience after betrayal and turning lived experience into impact.
Impact Atlanta International Magazine
Read Impact Atlanta ↗Audio and video interviews are grouped here separately from magazine and press coverage.
Diagnosis, motherhood, acceptance and advocacy.
Listen ↗Autism awareness, advocacy and community education.
View ↗Empowerment, advocacy and purpose.
Listen / View ↗Representation, motherhood and building an autism advocacy platform from lived experience.
Listen ↗Entrepreneurship, authorship, autism advocacy and representation.
Listen ↗Legacy, inclusion, publishing and advocacy.
Listen ↗Jobs, education, IEP advocacy, policy and practical inclusion.
Listen ↗Advocacy, writing, inclusion and challenging autism misconceptions.
Listen / View ↗Autism advocacy, family voice and inclusion.
Listen ↗Advocacy, philanthropy and founding Auesomely You Magazine.
Listen ↗Purpose, courage, advocacy and lived experience.
View ↗Parent advocacy, confidence, special education and family support.
Listen ↗Finding your voice, building legacy and creating impact.
Listen ↗Resilience, autism advocacy and navigating systems.
Listen ↗Autism advocacy, parenting, inclusion and representation.
Listen ↗Motherhood, resilience and advocacy.
View / Listen ↗A mother’s lived journey into autism advocacy, awareness and family support.
Watch ↗Autism advocacy, family experience and purpose.
View ↗The personal journey behind becoming an autism advocate.
View ↗IEP strategy, autism parenting and confident advocacy.
View ↗Entrepreneurship, resilience, advocacy and building after challenges.
Listen / View ↗Turning adversity into advocacy, purpose and impact.
Listen / View ↗Purpose, resilience, advocacy and entrepreneurship.
View ↗Parent advocacy, autism services and fighting for a child’s future.
Listen / View ↗Acceptance, advocacy, inclusion, entrepreneurship and purpose.
View ↗Autism awareness, empowerment and personal advocacy journey.
Listen ↗Autism advocacy, motherhood, business and balancing multiple roles.
View ↗Mental health, resilience and advocacy.
Listen ↗Advocacy, publishing, resilience and turning experience into guidance.
View ↗Autism, empowerment, stigma and representation.
View ↗Empowerment, advocacy, purpose and family experience.
View ↗A candid conversation about becoming an advocate because the situation demanded it.
Archive listing • original link unavailableCulturally relevant autism parenting, advocacy and support.
View ↗Advocacy, voice, identity and lived experience.
Archive listing • original link unavailablePurpose, personal growth, resilience and using lived experience to inspire others.
Watch / Listen ↗Autism acceptance, family empowerment and advocacy.
Listen ↗Advocacy, empowerment and leadership.
View ↗Early autism advocacy, family story and representation.
Listen ↗A podcast interview about creating a coloring book to normalize autism and increase representation in children’s publishing.
Watch / Listen ↗Magazine interviews, digital profiles and press features are grouped together here.
Purpose, advocacy, community impact and the Black & Gold Affair.
Read interview ↗Magazine feature and media appearance.
View publication ↗Author, advocate, publisher and media founder profile.
Read feature ↗Personal story, leadership, growth and purpose.
Read article ↗Autism advocacy, publishing and representation.
Read interview ↗Life journey, resilience, business and advocacy.
Read article ↗Entrepreneurship, creativity, advocacy and building a personal mission.
Read feature ↗A digital feature from the early advocacy and publishing journey.
Read feature ↗Autism advocacy, entrepreneurship and early media work.
Read interview ↗Early autism advocacy story and purpose.
Read interview ↗Zachariah’s World, representation, autism awareness and early advocacy.
Read article ↗Magazine profile highlighting autism advocacy and community impact.
Read article ↗“Crystal’s authenticity, determination, and commitment to making a difference are truly inspiring.”
“Crystal brings immense value wherever she shares her story.”
“Her ability to combine empathy with actionable advice made her a standout guest.”
Explore the visual catalog of published books and resources across autism acceptance, communication, positive affirmations, early learning, creativity and caregiver support. Upcoming titles are included where available, and purchase links are listed for published books.
Turn your story, expertise or idea into a professionally published book with Auesomely You Publishing. Explore support for book development, design, publishing and launch strategy while keeping your vision at the center.
I also speak openly about what it takes to rebuild when trust breaks in business or life. The conversation is not about staying stuck in what happened. It is about protecting your vision, learning the red flags, documenting your work, rebuilding confidence and continuing forward with your purpose intact.
Available for keynotes, panels, conferences, professional development, parent events, corporate conversations, school programs and media interviews.
Nonspeaking communication, AAC, representation, inclusion and what families need beyond awareness.
Preparing for meetings, asking better questions and advocating with clarity without losing the human side of the process.
Turning lived experience into books, magazines and media platforms that create impact and opportunity.
Rebuilding after betrayal, protecting your vision and intellectual property, recognizing red flags, reclaiming confidence, and continuing to lead when the path changes.
Corporate keynotes, full trainings, larger conferences and international engagements are custom quoted based on scope.
Every platform below links directly to its home, issues, program page or campaign.
Autism and neurodiversity-focused media created so individuals and families feel seen, heard and celebrated.
Read Auesomely You Magazine Current Issues ↗A women-centered media platform elevating entrepreneurship, leadership, purpose and personal growth.
Read Auesomely Her Issues ↗Advocacy, caregiver support, communication access and resources for autistic individuals and families.
Visit Auesomely You Cares ↗Literacy, writing and publishing experiences helping young people build creative confidence and become authors.
Visit Young Authors University ↗A support community created to connect, support and empower autism and special-needs moms and caregivers.
Join the Sisterhood ↗Inclusive children’s books, educational resources and purpose-driven publishing rooted in representation and ownership.
Visit Auesomely You Publishing ↗A flagship autism-advocacy event celebrating families, advocates, community leadership and giving back.
Visit Black & Gold Affair ↗Expanding access to tablets, AAC tools and communication technology for nonspeaking individuals and families.
Support Give A Voice ↗Two signature initiatives turn the message of inclusion and communication access into direct community impact.
The Black & Gold Affair is a celebration of autism advocacy, community leadership and the families turning lived experience into action. The event brings together parents, advocates, partners and community leaders while supporting the work of Auesomely You Cares.
Communication is a right, not a privilege. Through Auesomely You Cares, the Give A Voice campaign helps expand access to tablets, AAC tools, communication technology and resources for nonspeaking individuals and their families.
Practical perspectives from lived experience, advocacy, publishing, parent leadership and rebuilding when the path changes.
Autism advocacy should not stop when April ends. Explore practical ways families, schools, workplaces and communities can move from awareness to acceptance and action.
Read article →An Atlanta-focused guide for families building an autism support team across school, therapy, communication, community and parent advocacy.
Read article →A practical IEP meeting preparation checklist for parents who want to organize concerns, ask better questions and advocate with clarity.
Read article →AAC can be a bridge to choice, safety, participation and independence. Explore why communication technology must be treated as access, not an extra.
Read article →Learn why nonspeaking autistic people need communication access, patience and presumption of competence across home, school and community settings.
Read article →AAC can expand communication for autistic children. Learn how families and teams can support device access, modeling and meaningful communication.
Read article →Representation matters for Black autistic children. Explore how inclusive books can support belonging, empathy and autism acceptance in schools and homes.
Read article →For paid speaking engagements, keynotes, panels, workshops, podcast and press interviews, literacy partnerships and aligned professional opportunities.
crystaljordantheadvocate@gmail.com