Welcome to my blog! I’m Raquel Cicini, but you can call me Rocky. As a stay-at-home mom, I feel incredibly blessed to have two amazing children: my wonderful son, Joey, and our remarkable daughter, Gaby. Gaby’s journey began with the challenges of being born prematurely at just 25 weeks, shaping her unique experiences. Despite facing a visual disability and being diagnosed with non-verbal autism at 2½ years old, her introduction to the education system and the use of PECS has empowered her to find her voice.
Navigating Gaby’s challenges has equipped me with invaluable knowledge in autism, behavior, vision, and special education. From preschool to high school, Gaby has demonstrated that with the right services, support, and accommodations, she can truly succeed. As I became more familiar with the processes, I stepped into the role of my daughter’s advocate, fostering positive relationships with her educators and the ESE team. This ignited my passion for helping other families with special needs.
Over the years, the stress of advocating for Gaby and managing her needs took a toll on my health. However, I learned the importance of self-care and how to balance the challenges we faced. Prioritizing my well-being not only saved my health but also brought newfound balance to our home life. This journey has inspired me to coach families toward positive change, helping them navigate their own challenges with a focus on well-being and balance.
We are immensely proud of Gaby’s accomplishments, but what matters most is her pride in herself. She has transformed from a visually impaired, non-verbal child into a thriving student who advocates for her own needs—thanks to the right supports and accommodations.
Before embracing my role as a stay-at-home mom, I spent 24 years in law enforcement, including 13 years as a police officer and 11 years as a Special Agent with the FBI in Miami. My extensive training in crisis negotiation and human behavior has greatly informed my approach to Applied Behavior Therapy, which I’ve applied with Gaby since 2010 to address her most challenging behaviors. After leaving law enforcement, I worked as a substitute teacher for five years, and during this time, I discovered my true calling: to serve the special needs community as an Education Consultant, a role I have cherished since 2015. Although I have retired from being a direct advocate, I continue to support others in navigating the complexities of special education, understanding that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. I’ve faced many of the same challenges that parents encounter in advocating for their children.
With the knowledge gained from my experiences, I remain committed to supporting families in the special needs community, eager to continue this vital work in the years to come.