Hi, I’m Heather Mac. Welcome.
When my child was little, we noticed things that didn’t fit the stories other parents were sharing. Playdates were confusing, routines were hard, and we were constantly told to “wait and see”. I was thinking “Wait for what?! I see my child is not behaving like other peers”. My spouse and I didn’t feel like anyone truly understood what was happening, and the more we tried to find answers, the more lost we felt.
Pretty soon our weeks were filled with appointments. Pediatricians. Specialists. Therapists. Every visit came with new words, new advice, and new paperwork. I used to spend my evenings reading Explanation of Benefits forms, Googling medical terms, and scrolling through Yelp reviews for clinics I’d never heard of. It felt like a full-time job.
I remember the shame that crept in quietly, the feeling that maybe we were doing something wrong. There were days I felt hopeless. I just wanted someone to tell me my child was okay.
That’s why I created Beyond ABA Care. This space isn’t about perfection or quick fixes. It’s about families trying to understand and support their children while navigating a system that often feels impossible and was not built for their true benefit. Here, you’ll find books, podcasts, articles, and tools that helped us along the way. They’re not meant to replace professional advice, but to give you something many of us didn’t have at the start: clarity.
We now have 2 neurodiverse children and are happier than ever!
If you’ve been there, you’re not alone. I hope what you find here helps you feel a little more grounded, a little more hopeful, and a lot more understood.
What I am, and what I’m not
I’m a parent, not a professional. I am not a BCBA, an occupational therapist, a speech pathologist, a psychologist, or a physician, and I hold no clinical license. Beyond ABA Care is not affiliated with any clinic, therapy company, insurer, or professional organization, and nobody pays me to take a position.
Nothing on this site is medical advice. What you’ll find here is one family’s experience plus the research and resources I wish someone had handed me at the start. Your child’s care decisions belong to you and the people who actually know your child.
How I write these posts
When I write about our family, I say so. When I make a claim about research, I link to the source. When the evidence is genuinely unsettled, I say that instead of pretending otherwise. If I get something wrong, I fix it on the page. You can read the full editorial policy and disclaimer, and how this site is paid for on the affiliate disclosure page.
Get in touch
If something here helped, or if you think I’ve got something wrong, I’d like to hear it. You can reach me on the contact page.