Story & Lesson Highlights with Amanda Steele

Amanda Steele shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Amanda, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I am chasing equity in opportunity, making sure neurodivergent individuals have spaces where they are not only included but truly empowered. EmpowerU® started as a passion project that felt like building the plane while flying it. We launched two cohorts back-to-back and later added an advisory committee, all fueled by love and commitment.

If I stopped, something important would be missing. Participants tell us they feel more independent and confident, and they show up with a level of engagement that is rare to see. That is what keeps me moving forward and why I believe this work has to continue.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Amanda Steele, a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, a neurodivergent mom, and a community leader. I serve as the Board President and Director of Communications at EPIC Disability Advocacy and as Vice President of the Tempe Union High School District Governing Board.

My personal journey has shaped everything I do. As someone diagnosed with Autism and ADHD, and as the mother of an adult with autism and intellectual and developmental disability, I understand the challenges that come with being neurodivergent as well as the incredible strengths. Those experiences have fueled my passion to create spaces where people are seen, valued, and supported.

Out of that passion came EmpowerU®, EPIC’s signature program dedicated to helping neurodivergent teens and adults build life skills, self-determination, and advocacy. What makes EmpowerU® special is that it was designed with the voices of participants at the center. From the beginning they showed us how capable they were of engaging deeply, building confidence, and stepping into leadership roles.

Right now, our focus is on making EmpowerU® sustainable and scalable. We are developing a curriculum and facilitator guide that will allow schools, organizations, and communities to bring this work forward. For me, EmpowerU® is more than a program. It is a movement rooted in inclusion, empowerment, and possibility. With current systems of support for people with disabilities under threat, it has become more crucial than ever to educate and equip neurodivergent voices to advocate for themselves.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that has most shaped how I see myself is the one I have with myself. From my childhood self who struggled quietly to make sense of the world, to the teen mother who had to grow up quickly, to the advocate who found her voice fighting for her child, each version of me has left an imprint on the woman I am today.

The biggest shift came when I finally unmasked and accepted myself as neurodivergent. That moment of honesty gave me the freedom to stop trying to fit into someone else’s mold and instead embrace who I truly am. Every step along the way, the child, the mother, the advocate, and the woman, has shaped my perspective, my empathy, and my determination to make sure others are also seen and valued for who they are.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self that she is enough exactly as she is. She does not need to work so hard to blend in or to carry the weight of proving herself to everyone around her. Her differences are not flaws to hide, but strengths that will shape her purpose and her path.

I would remind her that the very things she questions and struggles with now are the same things that will one day allow her to connect deeply with others, to advocate fiercely, and to create spaces where people feel seen. The road ahead is not easy, but it is meaningful. And she will get to a place where she can unmask, breathe, and know that her true self is more than enough.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am committed to the belief that neurodivergent voices must be heard, valued, and centered in shaping the systems that impact their lives. Too often, decisions are made for people with disabilities rather than with them. I believe in a future where self-advocacy is not just taught but lived, where individuals can confidently speak for themselves and lead change.

That belief is at the heart of EmpowerU®. This program was created because I know firsthand the strength and resilience it takes to navigate a world that wasn’t built for you. EmpowerU® provides tools, community, and support so that participants don’t just learn skills, but also discover their voice and recognize their worth. No matter how long it takes, I will stay committed to expanding opportunities like this because every person deserves to live authentically, advocate boldly, and be part of shaping the future.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I understand that the world was never truly taught to recognize or support neurodivergent minds. We have built systems and expectations around a narrow idea of “normal,” and in doing so, we have left behind countless people whose brains simply work differently. With ongoing trauma, stress from family and community life, the pressures of modern society, and more, brain development itself is shifting. More people are dealing with challenges around learning, communication, and connection, which means more people are neurodivergent than we often realize.

That is why EmpowerU® is more important than ever. This personal development program was created for neurodivergent teens and adults using a scaffolded approach, building confidence and self-identity through core series in self determination and self advocacy. EmpowerU® is more than teaching skills, it is about unlocking independence, self awareness, and leadership. Embedding this kind of programming into our schools and communities means we are not just supporting individuals, we are preparing society to truly understand, include, and value all kinds of minds.

I know this because it is also my story. From being a child who struggled to fit expectations, to becoming a teen mom navigating systems that were not built for me or my son, to finally unmasking and embracing myself as neurodivergent, reflecting everything EmpowerU® stands for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://epicdisability.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicdisability/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epic-disability-advocacy-153641222/
• Twitter: https://x.com/EPICDisability
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EPICdisability/
• Other: Personal/Professional Facebook, Linked In & Instagram
  https://www.facebook.com/Nanda23
  https://www.instagram.com/amandasteele2382/