Building skills to intentionally respond
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Every journey has a defining moment, an experience that shifts perspective, fuels purpose, and brings clarity to what truly matters. For me, that moment came through Cooper.
In one of life’s most physically and emotionally brutal moments, I witnessed something extraordinary: Cooper navigating adversity not with panic, but with presence. Not with fear, but with focus.
What allowed him to do that wasn’t luck, it was preparation. It was the result of intentionally built skills, a supportive environment, and a mindset I call Response - ABILITY, the ability to intentionally respond rather than simply react.
That moment became the spark for this book.
Why do some people shift more easily than others when it comes to helping someone else build skills?
For over a decade, I’ve explored this question with people from a wide range of lived experiences, both neurotypical and neurodivergent, to understand what drives the willingness to shift for someone else’s growth.
Here's what I learned
100% believed they could help another person grow through their actions.
When asked if they'd be willing to shift their behavior or approach to support someone else's growth
When asked if they'd be willing to shift their behavior or approach to support someone else's growth
When asked if they'd be willing to shift their behavior or approach to support someone else's growth
Only 43% said yes, and only on their terms
When asked if they'd be willing to shift their behavior or approach to support someone else's growth
When asked if they'd be willing to shift their behavior or approach to support someone else's growth
The gap between belief and behavior is real. And it’s in that gap where this work lives.
When asked if they'd be willing to shift their behavior or approach to support someone else's growth
The gap between belief and behavior is real. And it’s in that gap where this work lives.
This book offers more than strategies, it offers a framework for transformation. You’ll discover:
- Practical tools and language to support emotional regulation, skill building, and communication
- Real-life stories, including Cooper’s, that demonstrate the power of preparation and mindset
- Research-backed insights into behavior, advocacy, and the adult-child dynamic
- A shift from reactive support to intentional, relational Response-ABILITY
It’s about equipping ourselves with the tools and understanding we need, so we can more effectively support the children we serve.
It’s an Invitation
It’s an Invitation
It’s an Invitation
Cooper’s story is a testament to what’s possible when we lead with purpose, prepare with intention, and respond with clarity. His strength didn’t emerge in the crisis—it was cultivated long before it.
It’s an Invitation
It’s an Invitation
This book is an invitation to:
- Reimagine how we advocate, motivate, and participate
- Rethink how we support
- Reaffirm our belief in the boundless potential of the children we serve
It’s an Invitation
Let’s move beyond reacting to life, and start building lives equipped to respond.
Let’s embark on this journey together.
AMP'd Response
Insights to help you intentionally Advocate, Motivate, and Participate, because how we show up matters.
Rachel Estes Leyk + Response - ABILITY
Copyright © 2025 Response - ABILITY - All Rights Reserved.
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