

Why This Book Matters
Real Journey of Hope
A first‑hand account of a family who refused to give up when autism was barely understood.
Practical Inspiration
Encouragement and insights for parents, educators, and caregivers who want to nurture independence and dignity.
Advocacy & Change
Lessons from decades of national advocacy and community leadership in autism services.


Meet Jo Anne
Jo Anne Jeffries, a North Carolina native, is a graduate of Duke University where she majored in English and minored in history. She taught junior high school English and history before becoming a teacher in all subjects to homebound students in the third through the twelfth grades. At the community college level, she also taught adults who were learning disabled, and foreign students who were learning English as a second language.

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Sunward: Our Zigzag Path to High-Functioning Autism
In Sunward: Our Zigzag Path to High-Functioning Autism, Jo Anne Jeffries shares the raw, inspiring journey of parenting her son through an era when autism was deeply misunderstood and often misdiagnosed. Told with honesty and heart, this personal memoir traces decades of trials and triumphs, from painful early diagnoses to breakthroughs that defied professional predictions.
Media & Events

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