FOUNDER OF THE MONTH
ANTOINETTE BANKS
EXPERT IEP
BY Russell Nichols
Eight years ago , Antoinette Banks was in Los Angeles trying to get the education her daughter with autism spectrum disorder lawfully deserved . Doctors said she would need 24 / 7 care forever , but Banks refused to let that prognosis dictate her daughter ’ s life .
Typically , schools create federally protected individualized education plans for students identified with “ exceptionalities .” The IEP is based on assessments from various developmental , behavioral and academic specialists .
“ All these experts pick apart your child ,” Banks says . “ They focus on what is lacking instead of celebrating neurodiversity and the positive contribution to the classroom these students can bring .”
Banks left LA to study cognitive science at UC Davis . She learned about predictive-based artificial intelligence tools , which could elevate IEP models with more accurate management and tracking . In February 2021 , she launched Expert IEP , a Davis-based tech company that uses predictive analytics to tailor education plans for IEP-classified students .
In January the company ’ s first product , Expert Parent , will launch as an app that optimizes academic , behavioral , occupational and speech goals for quality and measurability to help parents of neurodivergent students . Currently raising preseed funds of $ 500,000 , Expert IEP won the Social Entrepreneurship Award at the 2021 UC Davis Big Bang ! Competition , the Social Impact Award at the 2021 Spark Venture Competition , and first place at PLASMA , a 12-week bootcamp for early-stage companies with UC Davis undergraduate founders .
none . I love what I ’ m If I could have any other job , I ’ d be ............................................. doing and feel like I am pursuing my calling . .....................................................................................................
vision , humor and faith . A startup can ’ t be successful without ..................................................
The books that best represent my approach to business would be .......... “ Daring Greatly ” by Brené Brown ; “ Thinking , Fast .........................................................................................................
and Slow ” by Daniel Kahneman ; and “ The Shepherd ..........................................................................................................
Trilogy ” by W . Phillip Keller . ..........................................................................................................
a gift that unfolds after we ’ ve let go of I believe life is ..................................................................................
controlling it . .......................................................................................................... everything If I could give my younger self advice , it would be ..............................
you need is already living inside of you . .........................................................................................................
WHAT MADE YOU WRITE YOUR FIRST BOOK (“ BETTER THAN A DIAGNOSIS : A SINGLE PARENT ’ S GUIDE TO AUTISM ”)? “ I wrote my book to help families navigate the autism diagnosis and get support before I came to Davis .”
HOW IS YOUR DAUGHTER DOING ? “ My daughter was initially diagnosed as ‘ mentally retarded ’ with an intellectual disability and a 0 percent probability of hand / eye coordination and independence . The initial report indicated she would need round-the-clock care for the rest of her life . … I still remember picking her up and running out of the diagnostic center , holding her close while whispering , ‘ You are perfect !’ … She learned determination , grit and perseverance . She ’ s now a verbal , straight ‘ A ’ student , shining athlete and advocate for Black neurodivergent voices .”
90 comstocksmag . com | January 2022
For more on Expert IEP , read Russell Nichols ’ Startup of the Month column at comstocksmag . com .