Sacramento Autistic Spectrum and Special Needs Alliance - Sacramento, California

Emily F.

SASSNA is a committed organization, and it has been incredibly helpful to work with them. I recommend their high quality, professional services. They’re great at what they do.

jason S.

Thank you Dave for your support and guidance regarding our daughters IEP. You helped us get her the appropriate services and we’re grateful. We really appreciate the impact your organization has as an advocate in our community.

jorge O.

I must admit, Mr. Gaines is truly remarkable in his field. His assistance has been incredibly helpful to my family in obtaining custody of my son, who is on the autism spectrum. Without his expertise, the court wouldn’t have been able to get a better understanding of the autism spectrum as they did. He was exceptional during court. You can immediately notice his determination to help those with special needs and their families, as he did mine. Overall, he did an outstanding job by helping us with his knowledge of the autism spectrum. I urge you to consider supporting his cause and donating, if possible, so that he can continue to provide services to autistic individuals and their families. The work that he and his team do is truly priceless.

Ifeoma O.

Very unprofessional in which Dave the owner works with clients and manages his business. I contacted this business with help in advocacy for my son who is in grade school with autism. I spoke with Dave and he spent the majority of our 30 min conversation talking without allowing me, the client, to hardly get a word in. I let this slide as I really wanted the services.

However he firmly made mention that although their policy was to serve ALL clients regardless of whether or not they could pay, and that they were donation based, he made strong reference that payment would be needed for services. I did not mind this as I would have been happy to pay for helping my son. I received a couple of emails thereafter specifically urging I pay the "donation" fee. I felt uneasy about paying for something before services were rendered and did not understand how something non-obligatory as a donation required firm request for payment, but I eventually paid.

Fast forward 1 month as we near the IEP meeting for my son, and I receive an email from Dave directly after 12am MIDNIGHT that stated specifically that their organization has not received my payment. This was the second email in the last 2 days. This is very unprofessional behavior to email a client after midnight asking for "donations".

Maybe they do great work according to their "reviews" but be very leery of a company who is not upfront about their expectations for payment before services. If you are going to require payment, then require it rather than seem that you are performing a benevolent act for the greater good of those with autism.

Thao T.

The client, Ifeoma, wrote an accurate testimonial about Dave’s work. This is a highly egotistical man who thinks he is highly intelligent and has no regard for cultural values of the family. My entire IEP team witnessed Dave Gaines belittled me in front of the IEP team. He did not allow me to talk. The district’s lawyer was not expecting that this was how unprofessional an advocate behaved. His role was to advocate on behalf of the child and support mom. Instead of supporting mom, he arrived at these assumptions about me. If mom doesn’t know, show mom! He complained about me sending him emails . Intention of me sending him emails was to keep him in the loop of what is going on. Then he said I did not inform him that I brought an advocate. That’s because he did not want me to send him any more emails! There are people in my circle who know my child and their say is just as important as what I share with the IEP team. Well, THAT’S BECAUSE HE DOESN’T WANT MY INPUT. He does not want to collaborate with my lawyer. He doesn’t care what others say. He’s very selfish. Given his poor emotional intelligence towards my administrator, my parent advocates, and especially my lawyer, I give a 0/100. If anyone wants to see the actual insolent language he said to my IEP team member and my lawyer, I will be happy to share the truth on social media. It is because of his rude comments that my district invited an attorney. This came straight from his mouth and he offered no apology for his words. I warn parents about this man’s advocacy style and use of insolent insolent language. You are better off hiring another person but it is not Dave Gaines and his team!

Below are the remarks from CEO Dave Gaines: "The 21st was agreed upon by the team at the last meeting. And numerous people can confirm that. I'm sorry you are experiencing memory issues. The 15th is not available for Thao. Federal law requires that all meeting times are scheduled in mutual agreement between parent and district.

Since you are reneging on the 21st, provide us another date and we will see if it works for us.

We'll go ahead and file a CDE complaint for your previous failure to hold an IEP meeting within thirty days when Thao requested one in writing at the beginning of the school year. I guess another memory issue.

I would advise having memory issues looked at by a medical professional but I can't compel that, so we'll do all discussions by writing going forward and we will audio record all IEP meetings going forward.

Thank you."
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Here is the response from the administrator who was attacked by Dave Gaines. This is the type of relationship he created with my IEP. It became so uncomfortable that this was what was reported to me: "Good Evening Thao-
It is my understanding from Theresa’s last email this morning that we are “standing by” to hear from you. Once you indicate who will be representing you we will determine if the district attorney will be in attendance on Friday.

It is unfortunate that this where we are as we have worked very hard to build a collaborative relationship. I do however, do not excuse Mr. Gaines remarks. Adults with autism are capable of maintaining respect and treating others kindly. When he chose to personally attack me, he stepped over the line. I will not be treated that way and I will not allow for any of our team members to be treated that way either. Our team is going above and beyond to teach, develop and support your child's skill development. Our team is also working diligently to development this IEP with your input at the forefront of their mind. Our team will continue to work with your child's best interest in mind, as developing a good plan to support your child's learning is what is important.

Per your request, I will look into enabling transcription and get back to you with my findings.

Thank you,
Heather Guffey, Program Specialist

Note this advocate just lied when he was very abusive to my IEP team members. More than once, he insulted me. His verbal abuse will not be tolerated.

Adriann B.

I attended a group meeting and Dave Gaines shared valuable information about sassna. I look forward to receiving services for my Adult son with a disability.Thanks for sharing knowledge that will help in this journey.
Adriann Black

Corruption S.

This is the best help I have gotten in my life he has helped more in 1 In person meeting and 2 phone meeting then anything has in my life in my eyes Dave is an angel and way over qualified for his job he has reconnected me with life and is the best person I could have ever talked to

michael H.

SASSNA did a great job of case management for my son. IEP assistance, social skills and ABA supervisions. Thank you.