Interview Video
Watch the La Toya Shante Interview
Guest Information
La Toya Shanté Scott is a faith-driven autism advocate, nonprofit founder, author, and certified neurodiversity life coach based in the Chicago area. As the proud mother of her 10-year-old son Julian, who is autistic, she transformed her personal journey through therapies, financial strain, advocacy battles, and sleepless nights into a powerful calling to serve other families navigating autism and neurodiversity.
She is the Founder and CEO of JuSco’s Special Abilities Recreation Center, a nonprofit created from lived experience to bridge gaps in services and provide scholarships for therapies such as ABA and speech therapy. Through virtual support groups, coaching, and community partnerships, La Toya works tirelessly to ensure that no family feels unseen, unsupported, or financially burdened in their journey.
A contract analyst in the IT field by profession, La Toya balances full-time corporate work with homeschooling, nonprofit leadership, and coaching. Her heart, however, is fully devoted to expanding her organization into a brick-and-mortar community center and, ultimately, supportive living spaces for neurodivergent individuals.
She is also the author of The Beauty Within Autism: A 30-Day Journal of Faith and Hope, a devotional born from her own prayers and perseverance. Through her writing and advocacy, La Toya challenges society’s definition of “normal,” reminding families that autism is not something to fix—but something to understand, support, and celebrate.
At her core, La Toya Shanté Scott is building a legacy of inclusion, empowerment, and unwavering love—serving families with faith, resilience, and bold leadership.
Testimonial
La Toya Shante
Inside the You Are Worthy Network, I had the privilege of sitting down with the incredible La Toya Shante — autism advocate 🧩, neurodiversity life coach 💼, homeschool mom 📚, nonprofit CEO 👑, author 📖, and bold woman of faith ✝️. LaToya’s journey began in the space so many caregivers know well — therapy appointments 🏥, IEP meetings 📝, sensory challenges 🎧, financial strain 💳, and long, sleepless nights 🌙. But what looked overwhelming at first became something sacred. When her son Julian was diagnosed with autism, motherhood didn’t just stretch her — it called her higher. She realized she wasn’t simply raising a child with autism… she was raising a leader. And in the process, God was raising her too. 🔥 Instead of waiting for systems to improve, she built solutions. As Founder and CEO of JuSco’s Special Abilities Recreation Center 🏢💙, LaToya created a nonprofit rooted in lived experience and compassion. Through scholarships 💵, life-skills programming 🛠️, inclusive recreation ⚽, and caregiver support 🤝, her mission is clear: No Need Left Behind. As a certified neurodiversity and autism life coach, she equips exhausted caregivers with faith-based strategy 🙏🏾, resilience 💪🏾, and real community 🫶. She understands what it means to advocate while tired… homeschool while working… and carry responsibility while still choosing grace. We also talked about her powerful book, The Beauty Within Autism: A Caregiver’s 30-Day Journal of Faith and Hope 📖💙 — a devotional born from tears, prayers, and victories. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of challenge, there is beauty, growth, and divine purpose woven into the journey. LaToya believes: ✨ Autism is not something to fix — it’s something to understand and celebrate ✨ Advocacy isn’t loud anger — it’s consistent love in action ✨ Inclusion isn’t charity — it’s justice ✨ Caregiving is holy work This conversation is for every parent, caregiver, educator, and leader who has ever felt stretched but still called. Because sometimes the assignment you didn’t ask for becomes the legacy you were born to build. 💙🔥
Question & Answer
La Toya, how did your journey into autism advocacy begin?
My journey began with my son, Julian. What started as a path filled with therapies, IEP meetings, sensory challenges, and sleepless nights became something much deeper—it became my assignment. I realized I wasn’t just raising a child with autism; I was raising a leader. And in the process, God was raising me. Walking through financial strain and searching for resources showed me the gaps families face, and instead of waiting for change, I felt called to become part of the solution.
What inspired you to start JuSco’s Special Abilities Recreation Center?
JuSco’s Special Abilities Recreation Center was born from lived experience. My son’s nickname in ABA therapy was “Juice,” and that name stayed with me. It represents both Julian and our journey. I started the nonprofit because I personally experienced how expensive therapies like ABA and speech therapy can be—even with insurance. Families can pay thousands out of pocket each year. I wanted to provide scholarships, grants, support groups, and coaching so families wouldn’t feel financially or emotionally alone. Our mission is simple: no need left behind.
You work full-time in corporate America while running a nonprofit and raising your son. How do you manage it all?
It takes organization, faith, and a lot of grace. I work as a contract analyst in the IT field during the day, and in between breaks, lunch hours, and evenings, I focus on the nonprofit. I make calls, support families, and coordinate services—all while homeschooling and parenting. It’s not easy. There are many nights without eight hours of sleep. But I believe when you’re walking in purpose, God gives you the strength to keep going. Still, I’ve learned I’m not superwoman—I need help and community too.
Tell us about your book, The Beauty Within Autism. What message do you hope readers receive?
The Beauty Within Autism is a 30-day journal of faith and reflection for caregivers, but it’s really for anyone willing to see people the way God sees them. Society often labels neurodivergent individuals as “different” or “not normal.” But what is normal? Through this book, I share how God showed me the beauty, purity, and uniqueness in neurodivergent minds. My prayer is that readers walk away with a renewed perspective—that autism isn’t something to fix, but something to understand, support, and celebrate.
What is your long-term vision for the future of your nonprofit?
Within the next five years, I hope to open a brick-and-mortar community center that houses therapies like ABA, speech, sensory support, and life-skills programming—all in one place. Beyond that, I would love to create a safe assisted-living home specifically designed for neurodivergent adults, where they are truly understood and cared for with dignity. My heart is to build systems that protect and empower this community. It’s not about income for me—it’s about impact. I want to see families served, supported, and strengthened for generations to come.
