Following instincts and taking a proactive approach helped the Goodluck family set their daughter Camilla on a path to success.
By Ginger Scott
Photos by Jaron Quach
There were a lot of unique things about the world when Camilla Goodluck was born. Most notably, COVID-19 sent many communities into lockdown, creating an environment with little social interaction. And at first, it seemed the likely reason for some of the distinctive behaviors Jackie Goodluck was noticing in her then six-month-old daughter.
“She has always been such a sweet kid. She likes to play by herself. She doesn’t cry much. She’s always smiling. I just thought she was a good baby,” Jackie says. “The words came, she was saying mom and dad. But then around 12 months, it just stopped. She was only making sounds suddenly, and they were more in her belly and throat.”
Jackie, a social worker, and her husband, Jhaon, who works in the semiconductor industry, wondered if perhaps they just hadn’t been around an infant in a while, as their two other children were nearly adults. When the Chandler couple, who are Navajo, asked family and friends their opinions, most chalked it up to a phase, something that the Goodluck’s pediatrician reaffirmed. But that answer didn’t sit right with Jackie.
A Rollercoaster of Emotions
Jackie says her gut told her there was more going on. So, the family began the often laborious process involved with securing speech therapy and an IEP (Individualized Education Plan). Prior to receiving the IEP, Camilla attended a daycare that was incredibly structured, and that environment really seemed to suit her.
“She was hitting the milestones and picking things up so fast – she even did baby sign language. She was brilliant and unique in her own little way. The only thing missing was her speech,” Jackie recalls.
This is when they began to consider autism. It took nearly a year to get the official diagnosis, and the months in between were emotionally trying. But the Goodlucks were determined. And in January 2023, Camilla was officially diagnosed.
“Receiving an autism diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but the most important thing to remember is that you are not alone,” says Rachel Anderson, chief clinical officer at SARRC. “As a parent or family member, your advocacy begins with trusting your instincts — no one knows your child better than you do. Listen to your gut when making decisions, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek second opinions.”
Finding Camilla’s Voice
Camilla started at SARRC’s Community School in Tempe, Ariz., soon after her diagnosis. With limited vocabulary, finding a way to help her communicate was key.
“Initially, we worked with Camilla on early communication methods, nonverbal gestures such as pointing and head nodding to indicate preference and communicating with eye contact,” says Elyse LaFarelle, a SARRC clinician who worked closely with the Goodlucks in Camilla’s journey. “The focus was on common items and activities, building Camilla’s vocabulary by targeting words she would need most often, then branching into her advocacy words, such as “no” or “help.”
“Camilla’s language was starting to build, but slowly,” LaFarelle says.
In late 2023, with the collaboration of her speech provider, the Community School team began transitioning Camilla to using an augmentative communication device, modeling the language for her on her device and letting Camilla choose how she wanted to communicate — vocally, using her device, or non-verbally or through sign language. Each week during caregiver meetings, while reviewing progress in her communication, Anderson and Camilla’s mom noticed her confidence was building. When she struggled to vocalize a word, she would turn to her machine, which they labeled her “talker helper.”
“This was another turning point for Camilla,” LaFarelle says. “We saw her language continue to flourish. She was confident in her communication abilities and knew that if she needed back up, where she could find it.”
After two years at the Community School, Camilla is now in Pre-K at a private school and is gradually transitioning away from her augmented device. She is also spelling and learning math. It’s progress Jackie knew her daughter could achieve if she had the right tools, and she credits her success now to the dedication and individualized approach Camilla received at the Community School.
“I can’t imagine her life without SARRC,” Jackie says. “She wouldn’t be where she is now if we stayed on the reservation. She would have had an IEP and that’s it.”
A Focus on Advocacy
Propelling advocacy for children on the spectrum is something Jackie has become passionate about. And addressing the lack of resources and education about autism in indigenous and rural communities is a mission-critical target.
My family and members of the community’s hesitation in receiving a diagnosis wasn’t out of malice – it’s simply because they don’t fully understand what autism means,” Jackie says. “I share Camilla’s story with everyone to inspire early detection, and I’m encouraged by the reaction of people taking an interest. Knowledge is a spectrum, and in the journey toward it, that’s where resilience is found.
Advocating for children with autism is a crucial and empowering role for parents, and one SARRC aims to equip parents to take on.
“It allows them to ensure their children have access to the right services and equal opportunities,” says Beatriz Orr, director of clinical services at SARRC. “Children with autism often require specialized support to thrive, but without effective advocacy, these needs may go unmet. Parents, who know their children best, are often the ones who must navigate complex systems — such as education, healthcare and social services — to secure appropriate interventions, accommodations and resources.”
Advocacy also goes beyond just seeking services.
“For many parents, advocacy becomes an important coping strategy that allows them to channel their emotions into purposeful action,” Orr adds. “Instead of feeling helpless or overwhelmed, they can take proactive steps to improve their child’s quality of life. This redirection of emotions into positive action not only benefits the child but also provides a sense of agency and control to parents.”
“Ultimately, the role of parents as advocates is vital for achieving the best possible outcomes for children with autism,” she says. “It is through these efforts that children can access the resources, support and opportunities they deserve to reach their fullest potential.”
Jackie Goodluck wears her advocate role like a badge of honor. And she says the rewards have been watching her daughter thrive. She’s made friends, loves soccer and golf, and has become a Swifty. Now, when Jackie looks to what the future holds for Camilla, she sees no limitations — only possibilities.
“She’s going to move mountains and change the world.” – Jackie Goodluck