Christy kneels to the right of her autistic son. They are outside during autumn, on a paved path. Fallen leaves surround them.

Meet Christy Russell

The mom who reads the fine print so you don’t have to.

Let’s be real.

You didn’t plan to become an expert in Medicaid rules, school meetings, and “just one more form.”

But here you are, raising a neurodivergent kid in a world not designed for them.

Hi. I’m Christy. I’ve been there.

Actually, I'm still there...

But now I’ve got friends in high places, a penchant for research, and a whole lotta will to make it all easier for us.

I’m the founder of Experiential Life, the community for families like ours…

The kind of people who:

✔️ Believe behavior is communication.

✔️ Have cried in a variety of public spaces — not because of our kids, but because of how people treat our kids.

✔️ Are too tired for sugarcoating, but too stubborn to give up.

I didn’t create Experiential Life because I had spare time lying around (ha!). I built it because the system isn’t user-friendly – and rather than complain about it, I wanted to fix it – for us.

Learn More
Christy, parent of an autistic 14 year old, wears a beige sweater, and her long, brown, curly hair falls over her shoulders.

13

years of disability advocacy experience

100+

resources created

1000+

Families Supported

Christy stands in front of large butterfly wings made of flowers.
Christy and her son, "C" sit at a round table with a yellow table cloth and bouquet of bright flowers. They attended the Sunshine Ball together, a dance for people with developmental disabilities.
Christy stands with her son, "A" on the far left, "O" in the middle, and husband in the back, at a charity event for a local nonprofit theater that offers inclusive musical theater programs.
Christy hangs from a zip line and is centered in a large red heart, hanging high from the sky.

Want To Know More?

01

My Biggest Professional Accomplishment

When my youngest son received his autism diagnosis, I founded a nonprofit to enhance the quality of life for children with special healthcare needs and their families across the lifespan. I wanted to make sure that families like mine have access to the resources and services they need within the region they live. The nonprofit is still supporting families today.

02

What I Truly Believe IN

I believe that access to information, resources, and support empowers parents and caregivers to be better advocates for their neurodivergent kids. I want to meet you where you are today and help you navigate this journey with confidence.

03

What I'm Not About

You won’t find me pushing gimmicks or promising cures. I am not about making my son’s diagnosis my tragedy. Instead, I am all about empowering people who support neurodivergent kids so they have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to empower the people they support. 

04

Fun Facts

In the winter, my favorite place to be is in front of the fireplace with a cup of coffee, snuggled under a fluffy blanket, and reading a book. In the summer, I am most often found by the pool with a book in my hand. In between, you can find me volunteering for my favorite nonprofit, taking a walk in the woods, or baking snacks for my three teenage boys with insatiable appetites. 

What People are saying

I am profoundly grateful for the incredible support Christy has provided in navigating the complex landscape of services.

Experiential Life App

One Place.
Less Overwhelm.
More Support.

If you’re tired of feeling like you’re stuck reading the MapQuest directions on cheap printer paper while everyone else is getting turn-by-turn navigation in their ear  – you’re in the right place.

Join the Community
A cell phone sits on a desk just under a white keyboard with a cup of coffee and a notebook and pen sitting to the right of it. On the cell phone screen is the Experiential Life App dashboard.