StoriesWith Heart: The Dual Passions of Lisa Jacovsky

Lisa Jacovsky has always believed that stories can change the way people see the world. With a background deeply rooted in psychology and applied behavior analysis (ABA), she has spent more than a decade working with individuals on the autism spectrum and those with mental health challenges. Since 2014, her career in ABA has given her not only professional expertise but also the purpose and passion that now fuel her life as an author. Every book she writes is influenced by real experiences, crafted to show a side of autism that most people rarely see. This unique foundation has given her stories both authenticity and heart, allowing her to highlight the small but powerful moments of growth, understanding, and acceptance that shape the lives of the individuals she has supported.

For Lisa, writing has always carried a sense of freedom. She compares the creative process to the spirit she so often witnesses in the children she works with—especially those with autism. To her, writing is a release from the rules, boundaries, and expectations that come with adulthood. It is a space where she can follow her passion and write what feels meaningful, without restriction. In many ways, she sees a parallel between that freedom and the way individuals with autism embrace life on their own terms. While their choices may not always align with societal expectations, they pursue joy authentically, and that sense of liberation inspires Lisa to write with the same honesty and spirit.

Her voice as a writer has been shaped by the diversity of her professional experiences. Over the past eleven years, she has worked in residential group homes, schools, and clinical settings, supporting both children and adults with autism. This range of experiences has given her a rich understanding of the spectrum—its challenges, its beauty, and its complexity. In her writing, she often imagines her characters’ voices, drawing on personalities she has encountered along the way. Whether she is writing from the perspective of a curious child or exploring the unique lens of someone with sensory sensitivities, she relies on her professional insights to bring authenticity to her characters. To Lisa, autism is not a single story but a mosaic of many, and her books reflect that truth with care and empathy.

Though she began her professional journey with a focus on ABA and later moved into school psychology, Lisa always carried the dream of writing with her. From childhood, she envisioned herself as an author, yet she also wanted stability, purpose, and a career where she could make a meaningful difference. Psychology gave her that foundation, but it also led her back to her first love—storytelling. What began as a part-time pursuit has blossomed into a second career, one she never imagined would grow as much as it has. For Lisa, the paths of psychology and writing are not separate but intertwined. Each informs the other, and together they allow her to create stories that inspire, educate, and encourage understanding.

Balancing her many roles has not always been simple. Today, Lisa wears several hats: author, professor, podcaster, and doctoral student. The demands of her schedule are considerable, but she has learned to prioritize self-care and structure to maintain her creativity. For her, fitness is more than a routine—it is a vital tool for focus and stress relief. She also leans on practical strategies like calendar planning and digital reminders to stay on track, while granting herself grace when life doesn’t go as planned. Lisa believes that true balance isn’t about perfection but about flexibility, resilience, and the ability to accept that each week looks different. By approaching her responsibilities with that mindset, she continues to thrive across her many endeavors.

Among her recent works, Lisa holds a special affection for her book Happy Thoughts: Going to the Beach. Inspired by both her professional experiences and her personal love of the shore, the story tackles the challenges of patience, communication, and sensory sensitivities. In the book, young Emma, who has autism, rushes eagerly toward the water, unable to control her excitement. Her mother intervenes, using waterproof picture cards to help Emma understand the danger, while Emma later communicates her discomfort with hand-holding through written notes. These moments, though small, highlight the very real difficulties individuals with autism face and the strategies that can help them navigate daily life. Lisa designed the story not only to reflect those realities but also to encourage empathy and awareness among readers. For her, weaving personal memories of summers at the shore with professional insights into autism created a story that feels deeply meaningful, both as a writer and as someone committed to advocacy.

Lisa’s writing career extends far beyond children’s books. She has contributed to psychology-based resources, wellness-focused collaborations, and even co-authored works addressing important social issues like bullying. Each genre demands a different approach. Writing children’s books comes naturally, fueled by her playful imagination and ability to connect with a childlike sense of wonder. Academic and psychology-based writing, however, requires research, evidence, and structure to support her professional insights. Collaborations, meanwhile, bring the joy of shared creativity, and Lisa has found those projects particularly rewarding. Each form stretches her skills in new ways, and though some have been more challenging than others, she embraces the growth that comes from mastering different styles of writing.

Her creativity has also extended into podcasting. For three years, Lisa hosted No Limits with Lisa Jacovsky, a show dedicated to highlighting individuals and organizations making a positive impact in the autism community. Though currently on hiatus, the podcast was one of the most fulfilling projects of her career.

Through it, she connected with incredible people and initiatives she might never have encountered otherwise, each conversation expanding her vision of what is possible. For Lisa, those interviews were more than discussions; they were sources of hope, collaboration, and inspiration that reinforced her commitment to advocacy.

Recognition has followed Lisa throughout her journey, but one honor holds particular significance: the Firebird International Book Award. The award not only validated her work as an author—especially meaningful given her lack of formal training in creative writing—but also allowed her to give back. Each submission required donating a book to Enchanted Makeovers, a nonprofit that transforms women’s and children’s shelters. Knowing her stories were reaching those in need, combined with the fact that children themselves were among the judges, made the recognition especially impactful. For Lisa, awards are less about personal achievement and more about the connections they foster and the opportunities they create to share her message with a wider audience.

Through it all, Lisa remains committed to mentoring the next generation, whether aspiring writers or psychology students. Her advice is simple but profound: never let obstacles stop you. She reminds her students that “no is not forever” and “a zero is not permanent.” Challenges, she believes, are fuel for growth, pushing us outside our comfort zones and encouraging resilience. Her own career has been anything but linear, marked by setbacks, long nights of self-doubt, and countless obstacles.

Yet through determination and adaptability, she has built a multifaceted career that allows her to do meaningful work while pursuing her creative passions. Her message is clear: persistence, flexibility, and the courage to keep moving forward will open doors, even when the path is uncertain.

Today, Lisa Jacovsky stands at the intersection of psychology, advocacy, and storytelling. Her books continue to shine a light on the realities of autism while fostering empathy and inclusion. Her teaching, writing, and creative projects inspire others to pursue their dreams, even in the face of obstacles. Above all, her work reflects a deep belief in the power of stories—not only to entertain, but to connect, educate, and transform lives. In every role she takes on, Lisa embodies the idea that passion and purpose can coexist, and that when they do, the result is work that touches hearts and changes perspectives.

Connect With Lisa

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