Source: CMSA Today
BY JENNY QUIGLEY-STICKNEY, RN, MSN, MHA, MA, CCM, ACM-RN CPHM FCM
The power of professional organizations in case management lies in their ability to provide personal and professional development, support disease management, and enhance knowledge of legislative issues that help evolve our profession. Over the past 35 years as a professional case manager, I have continually been reminded of the transformative impact of advocacy. Recently, I had the opportunity to once again witness the importance of our standards of practice in action.
Advocacy is defined as the case manager’s ability to creatively and persistently seek out ways to support a client’s best interests. This summer, I was presented with a new personal challenge when my young grandchild was diagnosed as a highly functioning autistic child. Naturally, I offered my skills as a case manager to support my daughter through this journey. I immediately went into action and focused on what came next—a philosophy I apply both professionally and personally.
In a short period of time, I was tasked to help my daughter in securing essential services, including neuropsychological testing, (IEP) individualized education plan and evaluation, and Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy. Neuropsychological testing for a child is a specialized comprehensive evaluation by a clinical psychologist. It involves observing the child and running through a series of tests suitable for that child’s age group. In addition to this testing, parents and caregivers fill out questionnaires before the psychologist meeting. IEP individual evaluation plan is a personalized legally mandated plan for students with disabilities that outlines their specific educational goals, services and accommodations to ensure they receive a free and appropriate public education. Applied behavioral analysis is a data-driven therapy that uses techniques like Positive Reinforcement and basic needs cards to teach socialization and different techniques of communication with their peers or caregivers.
These resources are fundamentally important in building relationships and supporting the growth and development of a young child on the autism spectrum. These experiences reinforced my understanding that it truly “takes a village” to create a supportive environment in which a child with autism can thrive. Family members must learn new ways of communicating, adapt their behaviors, and embrace change not only in the child’s world but also in their own.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents unique challenges due to its wide range of presentations. Defined as a group of conditions characterized by difficulties with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication, ASD currently affects an estimated 1 in 31 children and 1 in 45 adults in the United States (Autism Speaks, 2025). Signs often appear as soon as 18 months, with an average diagnosis around age of five. The DSM-5-TR outlines three levels of ASD, categorized by the level of support required.
As I navigated my grandchild’s diagnosis, I quickly developed questions about home routines, kindergarten transition, and socialization. One of the best steps I took was contacting the resource advocacy team at Autism Speaks. These professionals, who essentially serve as case managers within their organization, provide families with critical tools: educational resources, support groups, and access to specialized medical professionals. Most importantly, they reinforced the lifelong value of advocacy—not just for the individual with autism but for the entire family system.
The Case Management Society of America’s (CMSA) 2020 Standards of Practice highlight advocacy as an essential responsibility for case managers. Advocacy requires continual education, skill development, and the ability to provide clients and families with the most current, evidence-based information to support health and quality of life.
Through this experience, I reconnected with organizations I had engaged with years ago. Autism Speaks, in particular, became an essential partner in our family’s daily life. I appreciated how their programs not only addressed parenting skills but also grandparenting strategies—an often-overlooked component in multigenerational households. Their guidance has been instrumental in helping us adapt, communicate, and ensure my grandchild has the resources to flourish.
In closing this message, I invite you to explore this edition of CMSA Today. The editorial board has worked diligently to bring forward articles that explore topics such as the social determinants of health, the “Power of 9” lifestyle principles, and nutrition as medicine. These contributions align closely with the challenges I faced this summer, and I found many of the resources particularly valuable. I encourage you to read, reflect, and share these insights with your colleagues as we continue to strengthen the profession of case management.
Jenny Quigley-Stickney, RN, MSN, MHA, MA, CCM, ACM-RN CPHM FCM, Professional case manager, Cape Cod Healthcare, has been active with CMSA/CMSNE for over 25 years serving currently as CMSA President-Elect 2025-2026 and prior to this role, served as CMSA Treasure, Board of Director for CMSA from 2021-2023. Prior to working for CMSA National she served as the President of CMSNE & Chair for both CMSA and CMSNE Public Policy Committees.
Jenny is active in the CMSNE New England states serving as co-chair for Public Policy promoting the advancement of the Nurse Licensure Compact, and Telehealth legislation for health care professionals. She has a passion for public policy and believes that legislation helps advance the field of professional case management. Jenny expanded her role, working on the National Board to becoming a member of CMSA Editorial Board 2021-current, CMSA Strategic planning committee for organizational development, Chair CMSA Finance Committee 2023-2026 and CMSA Sponsorship Committee 2022-current.
Jenny has been employed at all levels of the transitions of care, working with traumatic brain Injury, stroke and spinal cord for over 25 years in acute rehabilitation hospitals, hospital at home program and Outpatient Program Director for traumatic brain injury. She recently has shifted her work in professional case management back to her first love, acute care, focusing on vascular and trauma care in ICU and step-down unit for Cape Cod Healthcare.
Image credit: ANDREI ASKIRKA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
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