When I get 10 minutes with Linda McMahon
- {sb}
- Mar 23
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 24
“Would you like me to introduce you?”
For those of you who don’t know, Lisa Davenport, CEO of LDD Interiors, is honest-to-goodness, never fucking around. Ever.
“Linda is a friend. Are you comfortable with me sharing this with her and making a connection?”
Good old Lisa—honest to goodness, dead serious, with a 100% success rate of manifesting things true—Davenport.
“I’d love that, Lisa. Thank you,” I said, as a frisson of intuition lit up my spine, igniting goosebumps and my rosacea.
The ride home from that meeting was one long, continuous exhale of: FUUUUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKKKK.
I’d better figure out what I’m going to share with Linda, because this is going to happen. I need to suppress my inner Melissa McCarthy Karen and be prepared to deliver concise, polished words—articulately (in nude heels)—like Karoline Leavitt.
Good thing I was born for this.
(is what I tell myself to keep laughing)
What I appreci8te most about our new administration is the transparency. What I want to share with Linda is what I want to share with all my fellow Americans. And in the spirit of fully transparent cre8tivity, here are my prepared notes for when I get 10 minutes with Linda McMahon.
When I Get 10 Minutes with Linda McMahon
Upon introduction, I would immediately thank her for her time. We’d both agree Lisa is a national treasure—and that President Trump should put her to work designing America’s next new cities using only homegrown talent, American manufacturing, and quality craftsmanship.
Then, I’d start with something empathetic and relatable, like: “I’ve been in special education for my child’s entire life and I still don’t know all the acronyms.”
I’d acknowledge that I’m the parent of a profoundly Autistic child. While I represent a small (but rapidly growing) segment of American families with a Level 3 Autistic child in special education, we are not alone in our experience—and our children are worthy.
Many of the points I’d like to address apply to all school-age American children. If she feels my insights would be most helpful to RFK Jr. and his team, I’d welcome an introduction.
And then I’d get right down to brass tacks.
The idea of CT taking over education feels terrifying.
For my child’s entire life (15 years), Connecticut has consistently put the needs of working-class citizen children LAST—especially Autistic citizens. Lawmakers created an Autism Waitlist (aka Blacklist) that prevents Autistic children and their tax-contributing families from accessing vital services. Over 2,000 children are on this list—many for more than 10 years.
Worse, local school districts often treat our kids as throwaway children. We are consistently denied all IEP requests—even those backed by medical recommendations and data—citing NO FUNDS.
(Seriously… WTF is all that legal sports gambling and recreational weed money going toward?)
Health & Human Services feels scary too—but I’m hopeful.
I’m hopeful RFK Jr. will hold CT accountable. Connecticut lawmakers are ruled by Big Pharma, who seem determined to prevent Autistics from thriving.
If this transition is going to work in CT, Actually Autistic humans, Autism families, and at the very least Disability Rights CT must be part of the process and decision-making. This cannot be left up to lawmakers alone.
THE ISSUES + SOLUTIONS
ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) is ABUSE. It must be OUTLAWED & ABOLISHED.
In education, healthcare, and federally & state funded social services.
The ABA industry is composed mostly of non-Autistic individuals making billions. They are the Big Pharma of Autism, getting away with systemic abuse—often because they are among the media’s biggest advertisers and nobody is hearing about it in the "news".
Institutional abuse is thriving in our schools under the guise of “reasonable force.”
ABA involves physical/mechanical restraints, traumatic isolations, and solitary confinement—in our schools.
It’s often compared to Gay Conversion Therapy for its goal of forcing Autistic people to be something they’re not in deeply dehumanizing ways.
Ask any Actually Autistic person—even Elon—and they’ll likely tell you how ABA destroyed their life.
ABA professionals will tell you their ABA is “different.” They rebrand with calming colors, push lobbyist and PR fueled fake success stories, and tell desperate parents it’s what their child needs. It’s still abuse. It’s still violating. And they have a lot to lose when the truth gets out.
All American parents fear for their children’s safety at school. For some, the threat is external. For others, it’s inside the building. Children with disabilities are being pushed beyond their ability to cope and parents are being silenced. This can’t continue.
The Solution:
COMMUNICATION OVER COMPLIANCE.
40% of Autistic children are non-verbal. The focus needs to be on speech therapy, ASL, assistive tech, compassion, and understanding—not cruel punishment and restraints.
Video cameras in all special education schools.
Especially schools found in violation for abuse. Cameras should be in classrooms, therapy rooms, bathrooms, and outdoor spaces. The removal of student cell phones makes this more urgent than ever.
I would ask if she’d like me to send my latest testimony to the CT Special Education Listening Committee, which touches on our experiences with our local school district, an out of district compliance school, CT DCF, Disability Rights CT, and the OHA CT State’s Attorney.
American education needs Autism-Affirming Evaluations.
Let’s measure abilities, not just disabilities.
Einstein said, “If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
Special ed evaluations are outdated, non-Autism affirming, and tell us nothing new. They were designed in the 1970s by non-Autistic people. We need tools that reveal our kids’ strengths—especially during critical teenage vocational years because the Autistic community has much to offer the American workforce.
I’d ask if she’d like me to send her the transcript from my March IEP meeting, where I proposed a list of modern, affirming evaluations to help determine how best to support my son, Jake. If she asks, I'll share a photo of Jake.
Bigger picture: Low test scores in reading and math are not a full reflection of America's children’s intelligence. We need modern, Neurodiversity-Affirming evaluations across the board.
We need accessible bathrooms in Special Education schools.
Yes, Linda, you heard me right. Most schools skirt ADA compliance, and nobody’s holding them accountable.
Developmentally delayed students often need bathroom assistance. The lack of proper facilities strips them of their dignity—before they even understand what’s happening in their own bodies.
I’d reference the Oklahoma mom arrested at a school board meeting for simply asking for an accessible bathroom for her wheelchair-bound child.
And I’d offer to send Linda my most recent email to our school administrator, which outlines exactly what a fully accessible bathroom should look like, and share the response I received.
In-District vs. Out-of-District
As you’re likely aware, Linda, Connecticut sends more students out-of-district than any other state—children of all types, not just those in special education. For profoundly Autistic students, out-of-district placements are often safer, more effective, and more cost-efficient. Specialized schools operate like year-round businesses, offering teachers flexible schedules, built-in childcare support, and that ability allows them to attract and retain a higher-quality staff than many public schools.
But: (and this is a big one) once a child is placed out of district, families are told by their district that their child no longer qualifies for local school or community events and extracurriculars. It’s not just isolating, it's blatant segregation and discrimination.
Solution: A hybrid approach that aligns students with the right school and keeps them connected to their local community.
Mental health must become an education priority.
If we want kids to excel at reading and math, their mental health has to come first.
This applies to all students—neurotypical and neurodivergent—but especially to Autistic children who are living in a world not designed for them.
Profoundly Autistic kids are being ignored, abused, and traumatized. They are 4x more likely to experience loneliness and depression. Yet they’re denied access to mental health professionals in a school setting because they’re deemed “not intelligent enough ” by the local school districts.
They are human beings—with feelings, with emotions, with complexity. They deserve support. Just like every other American student.
Final Thought
We the People, cannot make inclusion a bad word. Especially in education. Inclusion isn’t an accommodation or a reward.
It means every student feels valued, respected, and welcomed—regardless of ability or disability.
I'd ask if she had any questions and do my best to answer them. *If she does, I'll update this post with a recap.
And, if there’s any time left...
I’ll ask if she’s heard of The Teletherapy Tapes Podcast—and share the link if she hasn’t. I’ll tell her how this podcast proves we must start valuing non-speaking and Autistic children for their tremendous abilities.
I'll thank her again for her time and give her my number. "Please consider me a resource. You, RFK Jr., and President Trump can call or text me anytime.
Special thanks to Lisa Davenport for always inspiring me to take those leaps of faith and exercise my rights as an American.
Goddess Bless America!
If you had 10 minutes with someone in power, what truth would you share?
Have you ever felt let down by a system meant to support your family?
What did you do next?
Are you part of an Autism family or community?
I’d love to hear your story.
Hey, I’m {sb}—a cre8tive soul, small business owner, and parent to an incredible, profoundly Autistic teen. Life hasn’t followed a conventional path, and I’ve stopped trying to make it fit inside someone else’s box.
Cre8tive Notes is where I share what I’ve learned along the way—about entrepreneurship, navigating autism parenting, and sharing truths that often go unheard. Welcome to the Cre8tive Journey.
For inquiries, please email: sb@sbcre8tive.com
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