WRAL.com

When Hollee Ferrara went to her son, Xion’s school for a three-year review of his individualized educational plan, often referred to as an IEP, she came prepared with a 19-page medical review and expected everything to go smoothly. What she didn’t expect was the uphill battle with the administration at Pittsboro Elementary, where she often felt like she was the only advocate for her son. Xion, who is now in second grade, was diagnosed with autism when he was very young. Throughout school, his IEP has focused on supportive tools to help navigate stress, regulate his emotions and be successful in the classroom. Hollee was taken aback when the school psychologist told her that he was no longer a candidate for special education. “I was very blindsided when they said he was too intelligent for autism to affect his academics,” Hollie Ferrara said.

After his parents appealed the school’s decision, Xion was granted a new IEP. During a class assignment, Xion created a book on an online app called “Crazy Maisey and Xion”, inspired to write about his grandma’s new puppy, Maisey. He excitedly told his mom about it when he came home from school. Hollie quickly realized the story was something more, it was how Xion was making sense of everything he was feeling. She encouraged him to expand the project and together they created, “Crazy Maisey and the boy who understood” – a story about a dog who is trying her best but is constantly misunderstood and gets into trouble. In the story, Maisey is a stir-crazy pup, who needs attention and toys to help her stay focused. When she loses her toys, she struggles, just like Xion did when he lost his IEP.