Novato mom’s startup aids special needs families

After a long search for the right educational mix to help her daughter, Julie Walters found a private school in San Rafael that fit the bill.

In 2019, she worked through scores of dead-ends to transfer daughter Violet McManus, who is now 16, to The Helix School, which caters to children with neurodivergent conditions such as autism, epilepsy or other nervous-system-related conditions. Walters’ daughter is autistic and also has PCDH19 epilepsy, a rare disease.

Finding the school was a big relief, Walters said. But the frustration lingered.

“We almost didn’t find it,” said Walters, a Novato mother of two. She had the same experience later trying to find Violet a summer camp. After a long search, she finally found a camp — in Pennsylvania.

“I shouldn’t be able to get a mortgage online faster than I can find a camp for my kid,” Walters said.

In late 2022, Walters launched TheConnectedParent.net, a free Yelp-type online resource for families with disabled children, including neurodivergent conditions. The site, which allows families to write reviews, is also meant to link parents with others in their community who are in a similar situation.

“TCP is a free resource for local families who have children with disabilities or who are neurodivergent to find and connect with the resources they need, all in one place,” Walters said.

Walters also hands out stickers featuring “The Connected Parent” at stores or cafes, after vetting reviews on the website or personal experiences. Frozen yogurt shop Wicked Slush in Novato — a favorite of her daughter — has a sticker on the door, for example.

“If it’s a restaurant, I don’t want to know how good their food was,” Walters said. “I want to know, were they acceptable when my child had a meltdown? Did they ask us to leave?”

Now Walters, who has since attracted thousands of users on the site from all over the country, is ready to grow her business, while keeping membership free.

Last week, Walters competed on YouTube for a $5,000 investment from venture capitalist Arlan Hamilton. The winner is expected to be announced on Sept. 1, Walters said.

“There’s a market for our families,” Walters said.

Alicia Ncho-Oguie, co-chair of the Marin advocacy group Dedication to Special Education, said the website is a “game changer” for parents.

“The Connected Parent is such an amazing resource for parents of children with disabilities here in Marin County and all over,” she said. “I wish this was available around 10 years ago when my daughter was diagnosed with autism.”

Ncho-Oguie said the website “allows parents to search for things like inclusive playgrounds, dentist offices that are sensory friendly, adult day programs, adaptive dance classes, specialized schools for students who aren’t able to be served appropriately through their school district and so much more.”

Ncho-Oguie, who in 2021 successfully lobbied Marin schools for adaptive physical education classes for her daughter, added that she liked the reviews feature.

“Parents can check reviews on the website before trying things out themselves,” she said.

Pioneer Park in Novato is one local resource that received five stars on The Connected Parent. The park in April debuted a new series of disabled-accessible playground spaces, said Katie Gauntlett, recreation director.

“The new inclusive playgrounds are the first in Marin County,” Gauntlett said in an email. “They serve as a shining example of the Novato community’s commitment to creating a welcoming and accessible environment for all children and families.”

Walters said the website, which employs four part-time workers, is self-funded. She also runs a part-time staffing business to bring in some added cash.

“We put all our life savings into this,” Walters said. “Instead of buying a house, we built this.”