In Loving Memory of Sue Simmons 1961-2023
Her Legacy lives on through families she’s helped and the one’s she will impact with the programs she built.
“I understood the stress of being a parent to a child on the spectrum because I was one!”
Hi, Meet Sue Simmons. For decades. Sue helped Moms who were overwhelmed by autism to take back their power, so they can feel confident as parents and joyfully connect with their child.
Many years ago, ASD robbed Sue of her ability to parent her child. With skilled and compassionate support, She turned things around.
Here’s Sue’s story.
Sue’s son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when he was 5, after a long and difficult search for answers. Her daughter was just days away from her first birthday. At that time she felt powerless, guilty, dazed-and-confused, and yet ever-in-love with her child.
She went on a mission to learn how to “manage autism.” She read books, attended courses, researched solutions, learned “strategies” and so on — only to feel overwhelmed and exhausted. Can you relate?
The frustration of chronically putting out fires, and the guilt of losing her patience eroded her soul. Sge was angry at herself and the situation. As a “good” mom, She put her children first and ignored her own needs and desires.
She felt guilty, sad and exhausted. It was all too much – physically, mentally and emotionally.
Then one day a conversation with a close, “no-bull” friend took her to the mat. She saw beneath the story, and called Sue on it.
How a No-bull Friend Changed Sue’s Life
She pointed out how bitterly unhappy Sue was, and reminded her that her kids felt the negative emotions each and every day. She made Sue realize that her mental state wasn’t conducive to being a good parent.
It didn’t make her a bad mom – She did tons of great things for and with her kids. It meant that her stress, overwhelm and difficulty managing were robbing Sue of her ability to really help him.
She asked Sue if she’d put her son in the care of someone who didn’t have it together. If she’d jeopardize his future by putting him on a plane with a strung-out, over-reactive pilot at risk of crashing.
Ouch.
She was absolutely right. Sue had been walking on eggshells daily. Unhealthy patterns had developed between Sue and her kids. She couldn’t parent him, because she was always reacting. It made her feel awful. Sue thought she was doing her part by paying for therapy, lessons, “stuff to stave off meltdowns” and camps, because she didn’t know how to help him herself.
Sue had heard about an ASD parenting program, but in her mind she was “surviving” and there was no way to fit parent coaching into life!
Sue knew she couldn’t do this on her own
Her friends words hit her like a punch to the gut. She realized that she didn’t have the skills to do this “autism parenting” thing alone. Good intentions aside, she was the strung-out pilot who was about to crash and burn — and bring her family down with her!
She learned the hard way that these skills aren’t “innate.” They have to be learned.
Sue couldn’t be expected to know how to do this, but if she was committed to giving her son the best life possible, she’d have to learn how – and that was her responsibility. No one could parent her child for her!
Finally, Sue had connected the dots between getting support for herself — her ASD parenting challenges — and her son’s future!
She found a wonderful Certified RDI® Program Consultant, and got started. It was amazing to have ongoing support and a plan!!
There was no way she could have done it on her own. She needed someone objective and skilled to be a guide. She was a sounding board, cheerleader and coach.
In a step-by-step fashion, she helped change the way Sue parented her son – dramatically. It felt great!
As Sue became more competent and learned to involve him in simple, ’round the house things, he felt more successful, and she began to feel empowered! Sue had conquered her ASD parenting challenges.
Her stress was manageable, and most importantly she had her son back! Even better, a great deal of what she learned was applicable to her daughter.
“I used to think that getting help for myself was selfish.
I can’t imagine where we’d be now if I hadn’t. I grew as much as he did. I learned how to be an effective Captain on the Good Ship ASD, and we made it!”
~Sue Simmons~
Becoming an Autism Parent Coaching Specialist
Sue’s journey ignited a desire to help others experience for themselves what is truly possible for their children with ASD. So she embarked on yet another adventure, and trained under the founders of the RDI Program in Houston, TX. She practiced as a Certified RDI Program Consultant for many years.
For over a decade she amassed a wealth of experience, along with earning her Certified Professional Coach designation through the International Coach Academy. Her highly unique approach is flexible, practical, and transformative. It’s entirely based on research in child development and neuro-development.
More recently – Sue became certified internationally as an Emotional Freedom Techniques Practitioner, the fastest growing energy medicine modality in the world – also called EFT, or “tapping.” EFT is a powerful tool to reduce stress, build resilience, and release emotional or traumatic energies our body experiences.
With that designation, she also earned an Emotional Success Coach Certification and achieved her Master Conscious EFT Certification.
The Legacy Continues
Sue began working with Karen Hilts in Late 2016 to bring her programs online. They had almost completed updates in her Advanced program “Better Behaviour & Beyond” when Sadly, we lost our dear colleague, mentor, coach, sister and friend – Sue Simmons – December 2023.
It’s taken some time to save, sort and heal from this deep loss. We’ve been busy weaving Sue’s legacy into this next expanded chapter so you could continue to benefit. A portion of every parent membership will go to Sue’s surviving children.
So, what’s it like to work together?
Here’s a testimonial from one of Sue’s amazing clients:
“Working with Sue Simmons is the single most important thing I have done for my family’s well-being. Sue knows how easy it is to lose yourself in your family’s and children’s needs. Without her guidance, I don’t think I would have made it this far. Every mother deserves a support and a resource like Sue Simmons!”
~ Beth, Toronto, Ontario
Ready for Change too?
Our signature programs give you everything you need to truly understand autism and behavior — so you can help your child grow, thrive, and feel understood, all from the comfort of your home. No appointments, no waiting rooms — just proven guidance, real results, and lasting change for your whole family.
Positive Parenting: A New Approach for Raising Neurodiverse Children
Feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or unsure how to best support your autistic or neurodiverse child? Positive Parenting is a 12 week transformative program that shifts the focus from fixing behaviors to building connection and supporting long-term emotional development. Through six powerful lessons and powerful, actional steps, you’ll discover how small changes in your mindset, communication, and self-care can lead to big breakthroughs in your child’s developmental growth and your family’s well-being. Reclaim your confidence, deepen your bond with your child, and create a more peaceful, sustainable path forward.
Better Behaviour and Beyond: A 6-Month Deep Dive for Empowered Parenting
Positive Parenting opened your eyes, Better Behaviour and Beyond will transform your entire approach. This intensive 6-month program is designed for parents ready to go deeper—into understanding the true roots of behavior, building emotional connection, and creating lasting calm at home. You’ll gain powerful tools to reduce power struggles, support emotional regulation, and respond to your child’s needs with confidence and clarity. With step-by-step guidance, a private community for support, and a proven roadmap to long-term change, this program is your next step toward a more connected, peaceful, and resilient family life.
