For many individuals and families navigating the Self-Determination Program (SDP), the process can feel overwhelming. But with the right guidance, it can also be life-changing. This is the story of Phillip, a 16-year-old whose life has been transformed by SDP through personalized support and the expertise of NeuroNav and his dedicated Independent Facilitator.
Phillip is curious, social, and full of energy. He loves basketball, swimming, horseback riding, and spending time with friends. Like many teens on the autism spectrum, he experiences sensory challenges, ADHD, and language delays—but that hasn’t stopped him from wanting to explore the world and connect with others.
“He really loves socializing in groups – especially outdoor activities. He’s always ready to try something new,” says Anna, his mom.
Before SDP, Phillip’s opportunities were limited. Traditional services provided some support, but navigating them was often overwhelming. Accessing summer camps, social play groups, and personal assistants felt complicated, and the administrative workload left little time for real community engagement.
“I was juggling PA hours, trying to find the right vendors, and figuring out how to make everything work financially. It was exhausting, and I didn’t know how other parents were doing it,” Anna recalls.
NeuroNav became a turning point. With Andrea, their Independent Facilitator guiding them, Phillip and Anna finally had the support they needed to enroll in and thrive in SDP. NeuroNav helped them:
Andrea’s guidance allowed Anna to focus on her son’s growth, rather than getting lost in bureaucracy:
“Andrea knew exactly who to contact, when to follow up, and how to get approvals. I couldn’t have done this alone. She is knowledgeable and trustworthy and never fatigued with the frequent communication,” says Anna.
“When I first started working with Phillip and Anna, it felt like a puzzle with a hundred moving pieces to navigate SDP. It’s incredibly rewarding to see Phillip now receiving the services Anna has been advocating for. They had a challenging experience with traditional services, but SDP has allowed them to access supports that truly benefit Philip—helping him gain independence and explore his interests. Seeing him thrive in ways that weren’t possible before makes all the hard work worth it.”
With NeuroNav’s support, Phillip’s life changed dramatically:
“Now he can go out for a full day—trampoline parks, arcades, bowling—and I don’t have to be there every moment. He’s experiencing life with other kids his age,” says Anna.
“The cooking classes are huge. He’s learning skills and independence at the same time.”
“He really loves his social playgroups. It’s not just one-on-one anymore—he’s with friends and learning to interact in a group,” says Anna.
“The big change is independence and self-advocacy... the exposure to other peers. He's having shared experiences. He has an assistant but he's in a group. He's got friends and a life. Every weekend he has somewhere to go, someone to see, something to do.”
For Anna, navigating SDP would have been overwhelming by herself. “There were so many moving pieces—vendors, personal assistants, budgets, approvals. Paying by the hour just wouldn’t have been possible. Getting into the program I needed someone who could see the big picture and handle the details and I still need that support ongoing,” she recalls.
With NeuroNav’s all-inclusive subscription model, Anna has consistent, predictable support — from the initial transition into SDP to ongoing guidance as Phillip’s needs and opportunities evolved.
“Random issues still come up and renewals can take two months. Knowing that help is always there makes all the difference. I can focus on Phillip — his growth, his activities, his independence — while Andrea and NeuroNav handles the rest,” she says.
By combining technical expertise, hands-on support, and person-centered planning, NeuroNav helped (and continues to help) Anna and Phillip in turning a complicated SDP process into real-life outcomes: independence, social connections, and opportunities to thrive in the community.
“Knowledgeable. Compassionate. Empowering,” says Anna
If you or your family is navigating the Self-Determination Program (SDP) and want to explore how personalized support can create independence and growth, contact NeuroNav today to learn how we can help.