Embracing Autism

Tune in as we expose the raw reality of the intense exhaustion of parenting an autistic child that can feel all-consuming. We dive into the common experiences of feeling overwhelmed, depleted, and "running on fumes," with a reminder that it's okay to simply be present with your child without trying to immediately strategize. Support our mission, become a member today: patreon.com/autismwish

Today we’re happy to connect with Estates, Trusts, and Probate Attorney Adam Abramowitz. A sincere desire to help people protect their loved ones inspired Adam to focus his legal career on estate planning. He believes estate planning is an ongoing, lifelong process and he works with clients to see how each decision they make will fit into the overall picture of their long-term plan and goals. Adam is dedicated to assisting clients with all aspects of estate and trust planning, including the use of trusts for the next generation, charitable gift planning, special needs planning, disability coverage and estate and trust administration. Website: www.steinsperling.com Facebook @Steinsperling

In this Halloween-themed episode, we’re excited to share practical tips for creating a fun, sensory-friendly Halloween experience for autistic kids, and a special guest appearance from the newest member of our family! We’ll also talk about how Halloween might look a little different this year as we embrace these changes. Support our mission, become a member today: patreon.com/autismwish

Today we sit down and chat with Amy McCoy, an autism parent, award winning children’s author, and disability educator. Her debut children’s novel, Little Big Sister, shares the sibling perspective of growing up with a brother who has autism. Amy combines her expertise as a former elementary school teacher with her experience of parenting a child with autism as she visits elementary schools, libraries, bookstores, and parenting groups offering interactive presentations highlighting disability acceptance. Amy lives in New York with her husband, Greg, and their children, Matthew and Kathryn, who are the inspiration for her books and her work. Follow Amy on Facebook @AmyMcCoyChildrensAuthor and Instagram @amymccoyauthor Snag your copy of her book at www.littlebigsisterbook.com This episode is sponsored by Little Big Sister and Amy McCoy.

Join us as we dive into strategies for navigating hurricanes and other natural disasters with autistic children. We’ll share tips on preparing ahead, creating safety, managing sensory overload, and returning to routine, while revealing how we create a sense of adventure to bring comfort and joy during the storm. Support our mission, become a member today: patreon.com/autismwish

Today we chat with Guy Stephens! Guy is a passionate advocate and nationally recognized expert on restraint and seclusion. In 2019, he founded the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint (AASR), a respected nonprofit aimed at reforming policies and practices to eliminate punitive discipline and the school-to-prison pipeline. Guy promotes trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming approaches and has spoken at numerous conferences and educational courses across North America. He also serves on the boards of The Arc of Maryland and PDA North America. Guy is committed to creating inclusive, safe environments by embracing neurodiversity and neuroscience to ensure equal rights for all. Follow Guy's work at AASR at: Facebook, TikTok, X and YouTube @endseclusion and Instagram @endseclusionorg Visit the AASR website at: www.endseclusion.org

Join us as we discuss the pros and cons of homeschooling an autistic child. We’ll cover the benefits of personalized learning, socialization challenges, and tips for creating routines and incorporating therapies to help you decide if homeschooling is right for your family. Support our mission, become a member today: patreon.com/autismwish

Today we’re sitting down with Occupational Therapist and Pediatric Feeding Specialist Cuyler Romeo. Her extensive leadership and clinical experience are instrumental in the execution and management of Feeding Matters’ strategic initiatives. In partnership with the CEO, Jaclyn Pederson, Cuyler collaborates with constituents to identify, track, and assess innovative approaches to the PFD system of care. Cuyler also facilitates strategic partnerships with select professional associations including the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). She is currently a treating clinician in Banner-University Medical Center’s NICU and works to advance the feeding skill domain by facilitating AOTA’s mealtime Occupations: Feeding, Eating, and Swallowing Community of Practice. Follow Cuyler and FeedingMatters on Instagram and Facebook @FeedingMatters or visit the website at www.feedingmatters.org Take this quiz to determine if your child's feeding has any areas of concern: https://questionnaire.feedingmatters.org

On Sept. 4th a gunman who shall not be named entered Apalachee High School and ended the lives of 4 people in our community, two 14 year old students and 2 teachers. One of the two students, whose name was Mason, was autistic. Today we will discuss the incident that has put our community in national headlines and how we are processing the impact it has had on our children and the autism community. Due to the nature of the topic being discussed, this episode may not be appropriate for children. Support Mason's Family: https://tinyurl.com/apalacheestrong

Today we discuss hyper-empathy in autism—a condition where individuals feel others' emotions intensely, making it challenging to regulate their own feelings. We’ll explore what hyper-empathy looks like, its potential causes, its impact on daily life, and provide practical tips for managing it. Support our mission, become a member today: patreon.com/autismwish

Today’s special guest is Meg Raby Klinghoffer, an autistic writer and author of the beloved My Brother Otto series. As a speech-language pathologist at KultureCity, Meg is at the forefront of their latest innovation, Koji—a free AI tool designed to empower nonspeakers and minimally speaking individuals. Join us as Meg shares insights about Koji and her mission to create inclusive communities where everyone feels seen and connected. Follow KultureCity on Facebook & Instagram @KultureCity and X @KultureC Visit their website www.kulturecity.org Follow Meg on Instagram @author.meg.raby

Join us as we share our children’s experience with Play Therapy and how these approaches are helping our girls manage anxiety, particularly around performance and fear of failure. We also discuss how Autplay, an autism-tailored play therapy, is teaching them new skills to help express emotions and build confidence. Support our mission, become a member: patreon.com/autismwish

Today we explore how to help your autistic child use their natural honesty more tactfully, turning their bluntness into a strength without causing social conflict. We discuss practical strategies to help your child express themselves while considering others' feelings. Tune in for tips on nurturing their honesty while fostering empathy and social awareness. Support our mission, Become A Member: patreon.com/autismwish

Tune in as we tackle the topic of autistic vulnerability, focusing on the challenges of social communication and how they can lead to bullying, harassment, social isolation, and even job loss. We'll discuss practical strategies for parents to support their children and safeguard their well-being. Support our mission, Become A Member: patreon.com/autismwish

In this special milestone episode, we are thrilled to celebrate reaching 100,000 listeners! To mark this momentous occasion, we are dedicating this episode to you, our amazing audience, with a Q&A session. We’ll be answering your most burning questions about parenting autistic children, sharing personal insights, and reflecting on the journey so far. Thank you for being part of the Embracing Autism community! Support our mission, Become A Member: patreon.com/autismwish

In today's episode, we sit down with Dr. Vladimir Barayev, a board-certified pediatrician and autism specialist, to discuss the importance of good sleep habits for autistic children. Dr. Vlad, who runs a holistic pediatric practice in Staten Island, New York, will share insights on common sleep issues and effective strategies for improving sleep. Join us as we explore practical advice to enhance the well-being of autistic children through better sleep routines. Follow Dr. Vlad on Facebook & YouTube @barayevpeds and visit his website at www.thebdpc.com for more information. Support our mission, Become a Member today: patreon.com/AutismWish

As the new school year approaches, we’ll share advice and practical strategies to help parents prepare their autistic children for a successful return to school. By fostering a supportive environment and implementing effective preparation techniques, you can make the transition smoother for your child. Support our mission, Become a Member: patreon.com/autismwish

Today we’ll explore how decision fatigue uniquely affects individuals with autism. We’ll show you how to identify signs, understand its impact, and discover practical strategies for managing daily choices. Support our mission, become a member today: patreon.com/autismwish

Amazon’s yearly Prime event is around the corner and we have some great suggestions on what we’ve personally used that has helped our girls with sensory regulation, elopement, transitions and more. Items discussed in this episode can be found below (we may earn a small commission on purchases made from these links at no additional cost to you): SimpliSafe 12 Piece Wireless Home Security System: https://amzn.to/4cs3xjL Echo Glow - Multicolor Smart Lamp: https://amzn.to/4eTnTDZ 4 Pack Home Security Door Reinforcement Lock: https://amzn.to/4cs3Efb Govee Floor Lamp 2 with Matter: https://amzn.to/4eSX7Mi Ativafit 36” Trampoline for Kids Foldable: https://amzn.to/4bw37HP Hug Sleep Pod: https://amzn.to/3XSUu6S CordaRoy’s Chenille Bean Bag Chair Convertible: https://amzn.to/3Y9gU4b Loop Engage Kids Earplugs: https://amzn.to/4cIKotm Ankle Weights: https://amzn.to/4cuPYzS

We dive into the ups and downs of sibling rivalry when both kids are on the autism spectrum. We'll chat about how to help them understand each other, deal with jealousy, and break through communication barriers. Support our mission, become a member: patreon.com/autismwish

An inability to judge social situations often accompanies autism. Unfortunately, this can result in our children making poor choices when it comes to strangers. Today we dive into the topic of Stranger Danger, how we have seen it manifest in our children, and some ideas on tackling it. Support our mission, Become A Member today: patreon.com/AutismWish

You've heard it said before, Autism is a superpower! But is it really? Today we'll chat about the well-meaning but potentially harmful notion of Autism being viewed as a superpower and why this opinion may vary among autistic individuals. Support our mission, become a member today: patreon.com/autismwish

Today we discuss the unique challenges faced by those of us diagnosed with high-functioning or level 1 autism and why it's problematic to perceive this category of individuals as requiring fewer supports than are actually needed. Support our mission, Become a Member today: patreon.com/AutismWish

Does it feel sometimes like everything is going wrong and at the worst possible moment? Today we discuss how parenting an autistic child can lower your mental and emotional threshold for dealing with hard times, what this looks like in our family, and how we continue learning healthier ways to manage the stress. Support our mission, become a member today: patreon.com/autismwish

It's that time again when our kids are graduating, extracurriculars are wrapping up, and it seems as though everything is reminding you of what progress (or lack thereof) your child has made over the past year. Today we discuss the highs and lows of end-of-school-year celebrations, how grief can often sneak up on you unexpectedly, and the importance of embracing beauty in the unconventional. Support our mission, become a member: patreon.com/autismwish

Is it just us, or are parents of autistic kiddos constantly blamed for their child's diagnosis? From the refrigerator mom theory to the helicopter parent theory, we can't even tell you how many times we've heard accusations hurled towards parents blaming them for their child's autism diagnosis. Are they all bogus? How should we respond? We'll dive into this and more in today's episode. Support our mission, Become a member: patreon.com/autismwish

Summer is just around the corner and we are so ready! Are you? Today we discuss how we prepare for summer and the complications it can bring such as a disruption of routine, learning loss, behavioral challenges, and more. We also share how taking certain precautionary steps can help create a smoother summer transition. Support our mission, become a member: patreon.com/autismwish

Birthdays can be tricky to navigate with autistic kiddos. From sensory overload, to sudden changes in routine, these celebrations often result in meltdowns and overwhelm. Today we'll chat about how we create an autism-conscious birthday experience for our girls and share our tips on how to reduce the overwhelm and enhance the fun. Support our mission, Become a Member: patreon.com/autismwish

She's here! We're dedicating this episode to a family update as we share our experience welcoming our newest member of the McCabe clan, how our girls reacted, and what we have done to help with the transition. Support our mission, Become A Member: patreon.com/AutismWish

As parents of autistic children and as autistic individuals, we are often faced with additional stressors, challenges, and overwhelming circumstances while lacking support and resources to navigate them. Today we will discuss the importance of empathy in action, and what it means to be an autism ally. This episode aims to provide those outside of the autism community an inside glimpse and 'how-to' guideon what you can do to make it easier on autistic individuals and their parents this autism acceptance month-- and year round. Support our mission, Become a Member today: patreon.com/AutismWish

It's April and you know what that means, it's officially Autism Acceptance Month! This time of year is intended to spread awareness and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder while organizations like AutismWish work hard towards fundraising and charitable missions, but it's not all sunshine and roses. Today we chat about the good, the bad, and the ugly surrounding this time of year and share our thoughts on the current social discussions. Support our mission, become a member: patreon.com/autismwish

Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dani Bowman, best known for her starring role in the docuseries "Love on the Spectrum, US". Dani is a young and talented animator, artist, and entrepreneur on the Autism Spectrum who is passionate about using her skills to help others and dedicated to inclusion and diversity. Despite being diagnosed with autism at age 3 and nonverbal until 6, Dani has overcome these challenges to become an accomplished artist, animator, mentor and inspiring speaker. Today she shares her story as well as tips and advice for parents raising autistic children. Where to find Dani: https://linktr.ee/DaniMationENT Support our mission, Become a Member Today: patreon.com/autismwish

In this episode, we explore valuable insights and tips for navigating screen time in the context of autism. We discuss the potential benefits, such as skill development and communication support, as well as the challenges, including sensory overload and addiction risks. Join us as we share practical strategies for striking a healthy balance and maximizing the positive impact of screen time on autistic children's development and well-being. Show your support, Become A Member: patreon.com/autismwish

Today we welcome Ron Sandison. Ron works full time in the medical field and is a professor of theology at Destiny School of Ministry. Sandison has a Master of Divinity from Oral Roberts University and is the author of "A Parent’s Guide to Autism: Practical Advice, Biblical Wisdom". Join us as we discuss the intersection of faith, autism, and personal identity as well as the importance of inclusion and acceptance of autism within religious communities. You can Follow Ron on the following: Website: https://www.spectruminclusion.com/ Facebook: @SpectrumRonSandison TikTok: @TheAutisticHoneyBadger

One of the biggest challenges we have faced as parents of autistic children is finding people we trust to care for them when we cannot. Whether it be a medical emergency, a sleepover, or a simple date night, it's hard to trust others with the care of our children. Today we will share how this impacts our family and things to consider when deciding whether or not someone is trustworthy. Become a member and support our mission today: patreon.com/autismwish

Dr. Temple Grandin is an acclaimed animal behaviorist and animal science professor at Colorado State University. She is the subject of the 2010 film, Temple Grandin, which focuses on her start in animal agriculture. Dr. Grandin has become a prominent author and speaker both on autism and animal behavior. Diagnosed with autism as a child, Dr. Grandin credits her mother and mentors for helping her overcome her difficulties and pursue her interests. Today we discuss the importance of early intervention, developing independence and social skills, teachable moments, self-regulation techniques, inclusive learning environments and more! Support our mission and Become A Member today: patreon.com/AutismWish You can find Temple at www.templegrandin.com

It's time for a hard reality check. Our kids get bullied and rejected by their peers - often. As a parent, it hurts to see your child treated poorly and we can get caught up in the 'what do I do?' spiral. Due to their autism, our girls can't always tell when they're being bullied, but they sure can tell when they're being pushed away. Today we'll talk about the truth behind the impact of peer rejection and bullying of autistic children. Support our mission: Become a Member at patreon.com/autismwish

Heather Chauvin is a parent of neurodivergent children and leadership coach who helps ambitious, overwhelmed women break free from their fears to courageously and authentically live, work, and parent on their own terms. Today she shares her expertise on tackling lack of parenting confidence, specific strategies to gain self-trust, managing energy during parental burnout, self-care, emotional regulation tips and more! Support our podcast, become a member today: patreon.com/autismwish You can find Heather at: IG - heatherchauvin_ Freebies - https://heatherchauvin.com/freegifts

Join us as we dive into a topic close to many parents' hearts: the journey of hearing those precious words, "I Love You," from our kids and what happens when that moment doesn't quite happen as expected? We're here to share our experiences of exploring love languages with our girls and how we've learned to give and receive love in different ways. Support the show and Become a Member today: patreon.com/autismwish

Today we sit down with Author and Advocate, Kelley Coleman, to discuss the ins and outs on filing autism related paperwork, navigating therapies, understanding insurance, government benefits, advocating for your child in school, financial planning and more! Kelley Coleman is a feature film development executive turned author and advocate for parent caregivers and individuals with disabilities. You can find Kelley on the following social media platforms: Support the Podcast, Become a Member: patreon.com/autismwish

Embark on a thoughtful journey with us as we discuss the complex choice of expanding a family after raising two autistic children. In this episode, we navigate the intricacies of parenting within the spectrum, exploring both the joys and challenges that come with adding another member to the fold. From fostering sibling bonds to managing the increased demands, we weigh the pros and cons, offering a candid exploration of the unique dynamics that shape the decision to grow a family amidst the diverse landscape of autism. Show your support and become a member today patreon.com/autismwish

Today we bring to you a fellow autism advocate and CEO of autism consulting business SJ Childs LLC, Sara Bradford. We'll touch on subjects including the challenges of parenting an autistic child and what you can do to create a closer connection. Sara is an autistic adult with a goal to support autism impacted families. She is also a member of the Autism Council of Utah and the owner of the Autism Advocate Support Group on Facebook. Sara is a mother of two, with both her husband and kids on the autism spectrum. You can follow Sara on Facebook, Instagram and more here: https://linkfly.to/30124nzS2q5 You can also visit her website at https://www.sjchilds.org for more resources and access to her podcast!

This one's gonna be a doozy! Join us as we dive into the controversial world of what it means to be #ActuallyInclusive in the autistic community. Is it okay to like the puzzle piece symbol? How should we respond with those who disagree with our views? And why is it so hard to get along? Today, we'll revisit the debate and share new insights. Join the after-show discussion by becoming a member of the Embracing Autism Community today at patreon.com/autismwish.

After a several month hiatus, we're ready to share our story. We'll dive into what's been going on with our family, future plans, and exciting AutismWish updates. We'd love to hear from you, so feel free to share your family updates with us by commenting on youtube.com/@autismwish or chatting with us directly in our exclusive Embracing Autism Community by becoming a member today! Become a Member: patreon.com/autismwish

A personal update from our family. If you've enjoyed the Embracing Autism Podcast, please consider showing your support by leaving us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Sasha Long, BCBA, M.A., is the founder and president of The Autism Helper, Inc. She is a board certified behavior analyst and former special education teacher. In Today's episode, Sasha shares strategies and best practices for parents tackling challenging IEP discussions at school, executive dysfunction accommodations, easing back to school transitions, and more! You can follow Sasha Long on social media @theautismhelper (facebook, instagram, tiktok, threads). You can also visit her website at www.theautismhelpernetwork.com for more resources and freebies!

Is Autism Speaks a hate group? Should autistics and autism allies embrace or turn away from the organization? Today I have with me a name that should be very familiar to you all, Eileen Lamb. Eileen is the author of "All Across The Spectrum" and “Be The One,” and is well-known as the founder of The Autism Cafe, an autism advocacy blog. She’s also a writer, photographer, and host of the Autism Speaks Podcast—Adulting on the Spectrum. Born in France, Eileen now lives in Austin, Texas, with her two sons, Charlie, Jude, and their baby sister, Billie. On her blog, she shares the ups and downs of raising a severely autistic child while being on the autism spectrum herself. We discuss Autism Speaks from an autistic perspective and address the most notable controversies surrounding the organization. You can follow Eileen at @theautismcafe on Instagram and Facebook as well as @eileen.lamb on TikTok

It's tough being a parent, even tougher when your child is autistic. But we have learned through the last years that it's often better to laugh than cry or scream. Today we will share how our sense of humor has been the saving grace in our marriage and parenting journeys and why we encourage other parents to embrace the funny side of things to help restore your hope. Join our private Embracing Autism Community on Guilded.gg by Becoming a Member at Autismwish.org today! For as little as $5 a month, your membership will grant you exclusive access to behind-the-scenes content, voice-only and video chat rooms, a book club, discounts, autism resources by state, free printables, direct access to Lia & Matt and much more with the added bonus of supporting our mission and advocacy work!

Our kids are heading back to school for the second year. This time, we're prepared and sharing our best tips and resources to help your autistic child start school on the right foot! Join our private Embracing Autism Community on Guilded.gg and support our charitable programs by Becoming a Member at Autismwish.org today! For as little as $5 a month, your membership will grant you exclusive access to behind-the-scenes content, voice-only and video chat rooms, a book club, and direct access to Lia & Matt with the added bonus of supporting our mission and advocacy work!

Community outings can often seem impossible to manage with an autistic child, but sometimes the key to success can really be quite simple. Today we will chat about our experience at the Georgia Aquarium and why visiting a Certified Autism Center can make all the difference in a successful outing. Join our private Embracing Autism Community on Guilded.gg and support our charitable programs by Becoming a Member at Autismwish.org today! For as little as $5 a month, your membership will grant you exclusive access to behind-the-scenes content, text, voice-only, and video chat rooms, a book club, autism resources/freebies, printables, and direct access to Lia & Matt with the added bonus of supporting our mission and advocacy work!