This week on Stress-Free IEP, Frances sat down with Lauren Gilbert—VP of Operations by title, educator at heart, and mom to Ella (autistic, ADHD). Lauren’s new picture book, Ella and Her Neurosparkly Brain, grew from a tender family project into a luminous resource for classrooms and homes. She finished the manuscript while in treatment for stage 4 colon cancer, transforming a hard season into a story of hope.
Why “Neurosparkly”—and Why It Matters
As a new autism mom, Lauren kept bumping into the pop term “neurospicy.” Cute, but not quite right for a five-year-old. In conversation with other parents, “neurosparkly” surfaced—and it stuck. At home, the word became a bridge: a way to tell Ella, “Your brain is different—and beautifully so.” Now Ella proudly tells people her brain is sparkly.
Frances connected immediately. When her own daughter received an autism diagnosis later in childhood, the most empowering shift was realizing, “Everyone’s brain works differently.” Labels help some kids; for others, a gentler metaphor is the first door to self-understanding.
Bottom line: language can reduce shame and increase agency. “Neurosparkly” gives kids (and adults) a way to talk about difference with dignity.
From Classroom to Corporate—and Back Again
Lauren spent 12 years in education—teaching middle school math, coordinating curriculum, and coaching teachers—before moving into corporate learning and development. She loved growing people at scale: onboarding, leadership pipelines, and seeing new hires blossom into leaders. The educator’s impulse never left; it just changed venues.
That impulse is back in full force. Through the book, school visits, and parent outreach, Lauren is again teaching, this time about inclusion, strengths, and compassionate support.
Frances echoed the journey: once a teacher, always a teacher. Even in law practice and advocacy, the work is still fundamentally teaching families and teams how to collaborate.
IEPs That Actually Feel Collaborative
Ella began in a private (Catholic) setting but moved to public school for services. Lauren’s recent 30-day IEP review was—refreshingly—excellent: team-oriented, data-informed, and unhurried. Ella is low-support needs, highly social, and currently impacted more by ADHD than autism. With modest pull-out for phonics and strong gen-ed inclusion, the fit is working.
Frances nodded hard here. When IEPs stay child-centered—special ed, gen ed, parents, and related services all bringing their expertise—the process works. It falters when teams predetermine placements or resist evaluation. Frances reminded listeners: IDEA is federal law; states can be stricter on timelines/supports but not looser. Parents’ concerns warrant action, not “wait and see.”
Takeaway: True collaboration needs time, curiosity, and respect—and parents’ lived knowledge of their child is indispensable.
Reading, Motivation, and Meeting Kids Where They Are
Kindergarten reading at Lauren’s house looks relatable: a child who can blend sounds… and would sometimes rather play princesses. Frances offered a veteran tip—follow interest and format. Graphic novels jump-started her daughter’s reading life; any reading is reading when you’re building stamina and joy.
Principle for educators and parents: build on strengths to grow skills. If a child loves stories, storytelling can scaffold writing; if visuals click, use them. Motivation is an intervention.
Representation Changes Everything
Ella’s not yet at the “I have a role model” stage, but Frances has seen the spark when kids spot a creator they love who shares their profile (e.g., Pokémon’s creator being on the spectrum). It’s validating, normalizing, and possibility-expanding. Lauren’s book aims to place that mirror right in kids’ hands.
Beyond the Book: Honest Windows into Real Life
The book intentionally doesn’t say “autism” in the story text; it’s for any child who’s ever felt different. A letter from Ella at the back mentions her autism and ADHD, and invites families to follow @neurosparklyella on Instagram—where Lauren posts the real stories behind the photos (the loud carnival ride that looks joyful but took brave steps and big feelings to reach).
Why that matters: inclusion isn’t snapshots; it’s supports, strategies, and recovery between the snapshots.
What’s Next: A Series—and a Brother’s Turn
Lumi the Lion and the Jungle Ball Giants (in illustrations): a playful, sports-field story about teamwork, kindness, and letting everyone shine. Inspired by Lauren’s son, Austin, and a real-life moment where he handed his sister the baseball so she could make the play.
More Neurosparkly titles: Ella’s Neurosparkly Day at the Movies, at the Carnival, at the Dentist, and more—each weaving sensory-aware strategies into everyday adventures (ear protection, visual schedules, co-regulation, choice-making).
Vision: picture books as practice-grounds for regulation and inclusion.
The Hard Thing—and the Good That’s Come With It
Lauren is in second-line chemo (FOLFIRI) after her first regimen stopped working. If scans show stability or response, a more adventurous surgical team is ready to try resection. She’s candid: she didn’t choose this. Yet the illness forced a full stop, creating time for kids, purpose, and this book. She’s meeting families, visiting schools, and transforming pain into something generative.
Frances offered what many listeners felt: solidarity, prayer, and deep appreciation for Lauren’s courage and clarity.
Parent Power: Trust Your Gut, Then Advocate
Both Frances and Lauren urged parents to trust their instincts. Lauren once challenged a confusing diagnostic report; the chief medical officer reviewed it, agreed, and reassessed Ella. That confidence mattered. Frances’ mantra: if “no” doesn’t answer the question your gut is asking, go one level higher and keep asking.
Early action beats early worry. Kids don’t need perfect answers—they need responsive adults.
A Bigger Dream: Schools That Fit the Kids We Have
Frances shared a project in motion: families and professionals exploring a new school model for bright learners who need low-demand, small-group environments without sacrificing rigorous content. It’s the kind of structural flexibility many IEPs try (and struggle) to mimic. Lauren’s response: sign me up to visit.
Words shape worlds. Try language that honors dignity (e.g., “neurosparkly”).
Collaboration is a practice. Great IEPs happen when teams slow down and center the child.
Strengths first. Use interests and formats kids love to build skills.
Representation matters. Show kids people who share their profiles doing big things.
Advocate early, advocate kindly. Trust your gut; escalate when needed.
Inclusion is everyday life. Prepare kids for loud rides, bright theaters, long car trips—with tools, not just pep talks.
Purpose can bloom in hard soil. Lauren’s story is proof.
If this episode helped you, share it with someone in your village—and if you’re a teacher or librarian, consider adding Ella and Her Neurosparkly Brain to your read-aloud rotation. It’s a gentle on-ramp to conversations every classroom needs
Lauren Gilbert on Ella and Her Neurosparkly Brain: A Mother’s Story of Hope and Neurodiversity
Meet the Guest
This week on Stress-Free IEP, Frances sat down with Lauren Gilbert—VP of Operations by title, educator at heart, and mom to Ella (autistic, ADHD). Lauren’s new picture book, Ella and Her Neurosparkly Brain, grew from a tender family project into a luminous resource for classrooms and homes. She finished the manuscript while in treatment for stage 4 colon cancer, transforming a hard season into a story of hope.
Why “Neurosparkly”—and Why It Matters
As a new autism mom, Lauren kept bumping into the pop term “neurospicy.” Cute, but not quite right for a five-year-old. In conversation with other parents, “neurosparkly” surfaced—and it stuck. At home, the word became a bridge: a way to tell Ella, “Your brain is different—and beautifully so.” Now Ella proudly tells people her brain is sparkly.
Frances connected immediately. When her own daughter received an autism diagnosis later in childhood, the most empowering shift was realizing, “Everyone’s brain works differently.” Labels help some kids; for others, a gentler metaphor is the first door to self-understanding.
Bottom line: language can reduce shame and increase agency. “Neurosparkly” gives kids (and adults) a way to talk about difference with dignity.
From Classroom to Corporate—and Back Again
Lauren spent 12 years in education—teaching middle school math, coordinating curriculum, and coaching teachers—before moving into corporate learning and development. She loved growing people at scale: onboarding, leadership pipelines, and seeing new hires blossom into leaders. The educator’s impulse never left; it just changed venues.
That impulse is back in full force. Through the book, school visits, and parent outreach, Lauren is again teaching, this time about inclusion, strengths, and compassionate support.
Frances echoed the journey: once a teacher, always a teacher. Even in law practice and advocacy, the work is still fundamentally teaching families and teams how to collaborate.
IEPs That Actually Feel Collaborative
Ella began in a private (Catholic) setting but moved to public school for services. Lauren’s recent 30-day IEP review was—refreshingly—excellent: team-oriented, data-informed, and unhurried. Ella is low-support needs, highly social, and currently impacted more by ADHD than autism. With modest pull-out for phonics and strong gen-ed inclusion, the fit is working.
Frances nodded hard here. When IEPs stay child-centered—special ed, gen ed, parents, and related services all bringing their expertise—the process works. It falters when teams predetermine placements or resist evaluation. Frances reminded listeners: IDEA is federal law; states can be stricter on timelines/supports but not looser. Parents’ concerns warrant action, not “wait and see.”
Takeaway: True collaboration needs time, curiosity, and respect—and parents’ lived knowledge of their child is indispensable.
Reading, Motivation, and Meeting Kids Where They Are
Kindergarten reading at Lauren’s house looks relatable: a child who can blend sounds… and would sometimes rather play princesses. Frances offered a veteran tip—follow interest and format. Graphic novels jump-started her daughter’s reading life; any reading is reading when you’re building stamina and joy.
Principle for educators and parents: build on strengths to grow skills. If a child loves stories, storytelling can scaffold writing; if visuals click, use them. Motivation is an intervention.
Representation Changes Everything
Ella’s not yet at the “I have a role model” stage, but Frances has seen the spark when kids spot a creator they love who shares their profile (e.g., Pokémon’s creator being on the spectrum). It’s validating, normalizing, and possibility-expanding. Lauren’s book aims to place that mirror right in kids’ hands.
Beyond the Book: Honest Windows into Real Life
The book intentionally doesn’t say “autism” in the story text; it’s for any child who’s ever felt different. A letter from Ella at the back mentions her autism and ADHD, and invites families to follow @neurosparklyella on Instagram—where Lauren posts the real stories behind the photos (the loud carnival ride that looks joyful but took brave steps and big feelings to reach).
Why that matters: inclusion isn’t snapshots; it’s supports, strategies, and recovery between the snapshots.
What’s Next: A Series—and a Brother’s Turn
Vision: picture books as practice-grounds for regulation and inclusion.
The Hard Thing—and the Good That’s Come With It
Lauren is in second-line chemo (FOLFIRI) after her first regimen stopped working. If scans show stability or response, a more adventurous surgical team is ready to try resection. She’s candid: she didn’t choose this. Yet the illness forced a full stop, creating time for kids, purpose, and this book. She’s meeting families, visiting schools, and transforming pain into something generative.
Frances offered what many listeners felt: solidarity, prayer, and deep appreciation for Lauren’s courage and clarity.
Parent Power: Trust Your Gut, Then Advocate
Both Frances and Lauren urged parents to trust their instincts. Lauren once challenged a confusing diagnostic report; the chief medical officer reviewed it, agreed, and reassessed Ella. That confidence mattered. Frances’ mantra: if “no” doesn’t answer the question your gut is asking, go one level higher and keep asking.
Early action beats early worry. Kids don’t need perfect answers—they need responsive adults.
A Bigger Dream: Schools That Fit the Kids We Have
Frances shared a project in motion: families and professionals exploring a new school model for bright learners who need low-demand, small-group environments without sacrificing rigorous content. It’s the kind of structural flexibility many IEPs try (and struggle) to mimic. Lauren’s response: sign me up to visit.
Where to Find Lauren (and Ella)
Ella and Her Neurosparkly Brain – Book Ordering:
https://www.laurengilbertbooks.com (use promo code SPARKLE at checkout for 10% off all orders!)
or order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or any other major online bookstore
Social Media Links:
Lauren Gilbert Books on IG: https://www.instagram.com/laurengilbertbooks (@laurengilbertbooks)
Neurosparkly Ella on IG: https://www.instagram.com/neurosparklyella (@neurosparklyella)
Lauren’sTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@momhoodchronicles (@momhoodchronicles)
Key Takeaways for Your Village
If this episode helped you, share it with someone in your village—and if you’re a teacher or librarian, consider adding Ella and Her Neurosparkly Brain to your read-aloud rotation. It’s a gentle on-ramp to conversations every classroom needs
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