Embracing Autism (Lia & Matt McCabe)

Considering Occupational Therapy (OT)? Learn more about what you can expect in OT and some common reasons your child may be referred. We discuss examples of activities your child may work on during sessions to include heavy work, feeding therapy, and sensory regulation while sharing our personal insights and experiences with OT.

Tune in as we explore Physical Therapy (PT) and what you can expect during sessions as we discuss common activities, potential benefits, and how Physical Therapy can help your child work on balance, core strength, or coordination among other key areas. We also explore how you can recreate physical therapy at home.

We take a deeper look into what you can expect at your child’s Speech Therapy (ST) sessions, what target areas Speech Therapy can help with, and some tools that may be provided to your child to include the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), sign language, and electronic communication devices (i.e. Augmentative and alternative communication/AACs).

Unsure about ABA? In this episode, we review what's considered the 'Golden Standard' therapy for Autism, Applied Behavioral Analysis, also known as ABA and discuss common goals for this form of therapy, how it is used to improve a child's quality of life and what makes it so controversial.

In this episode, we will tackle contentious topics in the autistic community and talk about why topics such as the puzzle piece symbol, person-first language among others are controversial and hotly debated.

We conclude Season One with final thoughts on how to go from 'Weathering the Storm' to 'Embracing Autism' and how to transform negative perceptions of autism to one of positivity and acceptance.

Welcome to Season 2 of the Embracing Autism Podcast! In the premiering episode, we introduce this season's theme of Senses & Sensibilities and tease some of the topics we will be covering in the next few episodes with a fun, lighthearted tone.

We'll be right back! Sneak a peek into Season 2: Senses & Sensibilities launching Friday, September 10, 2021, everywhere you stream podcasts.

Join us as we focus on the sense of sight and how it may be impacted by Autism. We discuss visual sensory symptoms, stimming behaviors, and related visual impairments.

We review the sense of taste and how autistic individuals may experience this sense differently than their neurotypical peers. We discuss feeding therapy, as well as pica, oral stimming, and transitioning to self-feeding.

Today we will talk about the sense of touch and how differences in this area can impact certain behaviors such as toe-walking, pressure-seeking, and headbanging. We will also touch on research surrounding the relationships between the vagal nerve, synesthesia, and therapies that may help.

Today we chat about the sense of smell and its newfound relationship with autism.  We discuss interesting findings from recent studies linking the sense of smell to social ability in autism as well as some activities you can do at home to help your child adjust to overwhelming smells.

Today we tackle our final sense, the sense of hearing, and how autistic children may react differently to sound than their neurotypical peers. We discuss the importance of completing a hearing evaluation as well as some adjustments or accommodations you can make to help your child cope.

We explore what it means to have Aphantasia, how it relates to autism, and how it may overlap with the other senses. 

We will walk you through how to identify the differences between a meltdown, tantrum, and shutdown as well as tips on how to work through meltdowns and how to prevent them in the future.

We share insights on how to make transitions easier for your child to include tips on making holidays more autism-friendly as well as how to prepare your child for road trips, travel and more.

Tune in as we discuss proprioception, or the body’s sense of balance and spatial awareness and its relationship with autism as well as what you can do to help your child if they struggle with balance, movement, and body awareness.

Tune in as we chat about the dangers of elopement, steps you can take to minimize this risk, and where to find supportive community resources.

We discuss ADHD and how it may impact your child’s ability to focus and stay on task as well as some tips to help your child manage their inattentiveness or hyperactivity while sharing our firsthand accounts of growing up with ADHD.

Surprise! We've got a bonus episode for you as we near the holidays. We are often asked 'what's a good holiday gift for my autistic child'? Well look no further, we've got 8 gift ideas ranging from higher-priced to lower-priced, from sensory to fine motor, yet all equally valuable.

We've got a very special bonus episode for you today as we introduce our girls! You will hear a little from them as well as gain some direct insight into how our girls communicate with us in this episode. Disclaimer: Due to the challenges of recording with autistic toddlers in the studio, the audio of this episode is raw and may not be the best quality, but the content is great!

We touch on the importance of treating autistic individuals with empathy and kindness as well as keeping assumptions in check and learning to let go of self placed limitations.

This episode is sponsored by KindTheory.org

We cover how to work with your child to establish levels of independence, regardless of where they fall on the spectrum. This episode is sponsored by BehavioralFoundation.org

Season 3 launches on Friday, January 7, 2021, with the theme "Hearth & Home". While you wait, feel free to send us your questions by visiting our website or leave us a voicemail on speakpipe.com/embracingautism for a chance to have your voice heard on an upcoming episode.  If you’d like to support us and our mission, please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @AutismWish.

We discuss the importance of protecting your marriage or co-parenting relationship in order to build a stable foundation for your autistic child.

Tune in as we chat about the impact of mindfulness and how to change your child’s negative self-talk into self-love.

We discuss sibling dynamics, building family bonds, and why it’s important not to forget to create special moments with your neurotypical children.

Today we will chat about expanding your family after an autism diagnosis and help you weigh the pros and cons.

We discuss why self-care should not be neglected and how making time for yourself can ultimately have a positive impact on your autistic child.

Join us as we discuss the power of making memories as a family and why we as parents should remember that there’s more to life than autism.

Today we touch on how to navigate formal settings with your autistic child, such as going to church, attending weddings, and beyond.

In the Hearth & Home season three finale, we chat about how to determine if or when it’s the appropriate time to disclose your child’s autism diagnosis as well as with whom that information should and should not be shared.

We are excited to share with you audio from the premiering episode of the Embracing Autism IRL (in real life) spinoff companion.  In this video series, we interview guests from a variety of backgrounds who are all linked together through Autism discussing controversial yet critical topics in the autism community. In today’s episode, we interview Samar Waqar, Founder of Kind Theory on the topic of neurodiversity and autism acceptance.

Season 4: Work To Be Done launches Friday, April 1, 2022, everywhere you stream podcasts! Keep yourself up to date with all things Embracing Autism by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @AutismWish to stay up-to-date with live events, giveaways, monthly support group access, and more! Want to show your support? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and drop us a voice message at speakepipe.com/embracingautism.

In the Season 4 premier, we discuss the importance of advocacy in the autism community and practical steps you can take as a parent to help create a more autism inclusive world for your child.

Tune in as we discuss prepping our kids for school, IEPs, and transitions. We answer questions such as, how can I make the transition to school easier for my autistic child? What are some things I should advocate for in my child’s IEP? And how can I help my child’s teacher see them as more than a diagnosis?

In this episode, we speak on the struggles of making friends as parents of autistic children as well as the unique challenges our kids face when building friendships.

In today’s episode, we discuss the role of dads in autism and why they tend to be less vocal in the autism community.

Today we talk about potty training an autistic child and how we suddenly found success after a year plus of trying.

Join us today as we touch on the topic of parental self-awareness and how it may impact our children.

We explore the role of community and how to approach autism with your neighbors.

Tune in as we chat about the difference between disinformation and misinformation in the autism world and why intent matters.

We re-examine ABA therapy and the diversity of the autistic perspective.

Join us as we discuss the debate surrounding the proposed designation of the term “Profound Autism” in the DSM and its potential impact on the autistic community. 

We bring you the audio from another episode of our new video series, Embracing Autism IRL.  In this episode, we meet with Kate Sallade, an Autistic adult, ABA practitioner, and the owner of Behavioral Foundation Centers to discuss her unique perspective on this controversial topic. Video available on YouTube by searching the key term "Embracing Autism IRL Kate Sallade".

Welcome to Season 5! This trailer introduces the theme of "Wounds to Heal" and highlights a few topics to be covered this season. Season 5 premiers Friday, June 24th, 2022, on your favorite podcasting platforms.

We delve into the challenging topic of judgment and shame, both as parents of autistic children but also from the perspective of growing up neurodivergent.

We chat about caregiver burnout and how to recognize the signs.

In this episode, we reflect on the challenges of seeking an autism-inclusive Church and discuss how to advocate for simple changes at free or low-cost to your place of worship.

Today we look into the debate over the use of the term “disability” to refer to autism and whether or not it's considered appropriate.

In this episode, we discuss the challenging topic of what happens to our children after we’re gone and how we can best prepare.

Today we reflect on the social rejection and isolation autistic children face, which often accompanies them into adulthood.

Join us as we discuss the hostility towards parents of autistic children from the online autism community and how we can continue embracing autism without losing ourselves in the process.

Join us as we talk about the frustration we experience as parents when others deny our child’s autism diagnosis and assume it is misbehavior.

Tune into the conversation as we talk about the very real guilt many parents feel when we first receive our child’s autism diagnosis.

Join us as we wrap up season 5 and discuss our family’s most recent and shocking autism development.

We share audio from our third episode of the Embracing Autism IRL video series where we sit down with Andrew Komarow, Autistic Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and founder of Planning Across the Spectrum. In this episode, we chat about the importance of Financial independence for individuals with disabilities and how to address the controversy in the autism community.

Tune in for a sneak peek of Season 6 as we share what you can expect from next season's theme.

Do you see a lot of yourself in your autistic child? Today we detail where to go if you suspect you or your spouse may be autistic and what to expect in the diagnostic process.

Autism is often associated with literal or black-and-white thinking. Today we discuss examples of this kind of thinking from an autistic perspective and how to communicate more effectively with your literal thinking child.

Do you ever wonder how your autistic child may sense the world? Today, we discuss what it feels like to experience sensory overload and how the sensory system differs for our children from an autistic perspective.

What exactly is stimming? What does it feel like to stim? And how does stimming impact my autistic child? Join us as we define stimming and share insights on its benefits and disadvantages from an autistic perspective.

What exactly is a sensory diet and how can it help prevent sensory overload? Tune in as we share how to meet your child’s sensory needs through this stress-reducing technique. [Use bonus promo code AutismWish15 for 15% off of sensory merch at Lakikid.com]

Today we tackle the topic of autistic communication, how challenges in this area can cause miscommunications or misperceptions, and what you as a parent can do to ease the frustration for your child. 

We peer behind the mask and explore what it means to disguise one’s authentic self and discuss how masking can negatively impact your autistic child.

Today we discuss the unique challenges autistic individuals face within the workforce and education system.  We share insights as to what your child may experience as well as what they can do to make this transition easier.

Today we touch on the surprising relationship between sleep and autism and discuss why your child may be struggling to fall or stay asleep at night and how to help them get some rest.

Many autistic children become attached to so-called “childish interests” that remain in adulthood and are often stigmatized for them. We explore these interests and share why it’s okay to embrace one’s inner child.

In this episode of Embracing Autism IRL, we sit down with Adelle Starin, Owner of Baby’s on Broadway – a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Center providing parents of autistic children with pediatric ambulatory devices, the Wonderfold Wagons. Join us as Adelle answers all our questions on how to apply for a medically necessary wagon through your insurance provider as well as alternative options if your request is denied. To watch this video interview and others like it, subscribe to youtube.com/@AutismWish.

Our goal has always been to provide parents of autistic children with value, whether that be support, information, a few minutes of comic relief, or a familiar comforting voice. As caregivers, our needs can change over time, so we are committed to evolving the podcast to meet those needs. We have received a lot of feedback from our listeners, and we hear you loud and clear! Changes are coming.

Self-Diagnosis is often debated in the autism community. Today we speak with Nate Hallquist a budding neurodivergent advocate. Nate has gone through a journey of self-discovery, recently learning that he is both ADHD and Autistic. As part of this process, he is learning about the barriers to receiving an Autism diagnosis. Join us today to learn more about his experience of self-discovery thus far and why he supports self-diagnosis of Autism.

Today we sit down with Thomas A. McKean. Thomas is an autistic adult and co-creator of Autism Awareness month and the current autism puzzle piece awareness ribbon. We discuss the official meaning behind the puzzle piece ribbon, thoughts on autism self-diagnosis, and challenges the autism community (including parents) currently face.

Join us as we chat about how to provide your child with an autism-friendly holiday and lessons we've learned from past Christmases.

Join us as we discuss how the Embracing Autism Podcast is evolving in the new year.

Today Lia goes solo as Matt recovers from Covid-19 and chats about Our Year in Review for 2022 and goals for 2023!

Check out the Sensory Theraplay Box while also supporting our programs by using our special link: https://shrsl.com/3tqle

Why is apologizing so difficult for autistics? Today we talk about the challenges autistic children (and adults) face when asked to say "I'm Sorry", how inappropriately labeling your child as "proud" may do more harm than good, and what alternatives you can use for a successful apology.

For a comforting sensory experience, check out Galaxy Lamps while also supporting our programs by using our special link: https://galaxylamps.co/?ref=AutismWish

Join us as we talk about interoception and how the mind-body signals get disrupted in autistics. We chat about how this disconnect can result in bathroom accidents, fecal smearing, as well as poor awareness of sickness, hunger, thirst, emotional states, and beyond.

This episode is sponsored by Kawaii Slime Company. Get 15% off your order while also supporting our channel by using the code AutismWish15 at kawaiislimecompany.com.

Tune in as we get personal and share our family's struggles with the public education system, thoughts on how the current system often fails the special needs community, and how we plan to tackle it.

This episode is sponsored by The Exceptional Learning Institute (E.L.I.), learn more about their customized academic programs for autistic children at exceptionalinstitute.org.

Dr. Wegner is the Neurodivergent author of the Brody The Lion Children’s Book Series. She holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education, a PhD in Clinical Psychology and has worked with special needs kids for over 30 years. Join us as we discuss autism red flags, beating the waitlist, autism acceptance, the pros and cons of ABA and much more!

Listeners can also take advantage of the special discount code BRODYSBUDDIES to get 10% off at www.brodythelion.com

Should a child be identified primarily by their autism? Today we discuss the topic of identity as it relates to autism, and the potential impact of boxing our children into a label.

Check out the AngelSense GPS tracking device while also supporting our programs by using our special link: https://www.angelsense.com?ref=autismwish

Autistic individuals often struggle with social anxiety due to a variety of compounding factors. Today we will share an autistic perspective on why this happens, how your child may be feeling during these moments, and what you can do to help.

Check out the Sensory Theraplay Box while also supporting our programs by using our special link: https://shrsl.com/3tqle

Did you know video games can help your child learn social skills? Join us as we chat about how gamifying social interactions can help your child better engage with their peers while also providing them with safe testing grounds to better hone their skills.

For a comforting sensory experience, check out Galaxy Lamps while also supporting our programs by using our special link: https://galaxylamps.co/?ref=AutismWish

Today we dive into the many benefits that art expression can bring to autistic children and parents alike as we sit down with fine artist, and art instructor Anthony Galati. Anthony shares years of experience working with special needs students and the neurodiverse community, including respite work, regular volunteerism at a special education school, and meaningful relationships with special needs members of his community.

Does your child meltdown at the slight mention of a doctor's appointment? Today we will discuss implications of medical and dental phobias commonly associated with autism. We will chat about our children's most recent dental appointment and how incorporating some techniques helped us create a smoother experience for everyone.

Check out the Kawaii Slime Company and get 15% off your order while also supporting our channel by using the code AutismWish15 at kawaiislimecompany.com

Have you struggled with addressing your child's meltdowns? Does it feel like none of the typical techniques are working? Today we discuss how co-regulation may be the key to success and why using this method has brought us closer to our girls.

Check out the AngelSense GPS tracking device while also supporting our programs by using our special link: https://www.angelsense.com?ref=autismwish

Join us as for a special AMA (Ask Me Anything - or rather Ask "Us" Anything) session where we answer your questions! Questions were submitted in advance via email at podcast@autismwish.org and during a livestream that aired on March 17, 2023.

Why do some autistic children struggle with severe behavioral challenges? What does the brain have to do with it and can anything be done? Today we sit down with Lulu Mahne, an autistic adult whose dangerous and aggressive outbursts as a child led him to learn more about his neurology, and ultimately revealed the surprising cause to his troubling behavior.

Is there a cure for Autism, and if so, should there be? Today we discuss the ethical and moral questions surrounding the topic of "curing" Autism. We also share personal and community insights from this ongoing debate.

Our listeners get a FREE AngelSense GPS tracker during Autism Acceptance Month April 2023 by visiting our special link: https://bit.ly/AngelSense-AutismWish

"Aren't we all a little on the spectrum?" I'm sure you've heard it said before! Today we touch on what it means to be autistic and how dismissive it can be to claim that everyone is "a little autistic". We'll also make suggestions on alternative ways to state your support!

Our listeners get a FREE AngelSense GPS tracker during Autism Acceptance Month April 2023 by visiting our special link: https://bit.ly/AngelSense-AutismWish

Snag your Autism Awareness Tee today: https://bit.ly/starsoul4autism-- 100% of the proceeds from every shirt sold will go directly back toward supporting our programs at AutismWish.

Oftentimes autistic individuals and their family members face blame, shame, and rejection typically from those who are misinformed about the nature of Autism. Today we focus on how to spot the stigma and the importance of stopping it.

Our listeners get a FREE AngelSense GPS tracker during Autism Acceptance Month April 2023 by visiting our special link: https://bit.ly/AngelSense-AutismWish

We have joined forces with @officialstarsoul to bring you Autism Acceptance Tees. 100% of the proceeds from every shirt sold will go directly back toward supporting our programs at AutismWish. Snag your Autism Awareness Tee today: https://bit.ly/starsoul4autism

Kate Swenson, the founder of Finding Cooper's Voice and nonprofit, The More Than Project, is a mother, a wife, and a proud Minnesotan. She writes and creates videos regularly about her life as a mother and an autism advocate for Facebook, Instagram, and her website, Finding Cooper's Voice. Her book, Forever Boy, A Mother's Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy, is available now and highlights the transformation that she went through after her son's diagnosis. Note: As this is a pre-recorded episode, the book give-away mentioned has since ended.

We made it to our 100th episode of the Embracing Autism Podcast! Today we will share reflections on our journey thus far and what we've learned along the way. We will also be sharing our favorite listener reviews and emails we've received.

Please consider supporting us at autismwish.org/give to help keep our studio lights on.

In today's episode, we discuss how to advocate for your child in school, important 'buzzwords' you should know, your child's rights, and what parents can do to make sure their voices are heard during those critical IEP meetings.

Laura Hales is a Mother of two autistic children, autism advocate, and author who recently began writing true stories about her autistic children. She was inspired to promote autism acceptance when she discovered the current literature available was severely lacking. Laura’s mission is to create a more inclusive world for her sons and neurodivergent children like him.

Please consider supporting our podcast by making a donation at www.autismwish.org/give

We talk about autism A LOT, but the truth of the matter is - most of us are dealing with other pressures, stressors, and relationship conflicts that often enhance an already challenging situation. Today we discuss what some of these challenges have been for our family and share the lessons we've learned along the way.

Like our content? Please consider supporting our work by giving via Cash.app $AutismWish or Venmo - AutismWish to help keep our programs running.

It's that time of year again when schools start to wrap up with exciting end-of-year celebrations, bouncy houses, snow cones, and games galore! It'll be fun, right? As parents of autistic children, something as simple as a Field Day can quickly turn dangerous or even life-threatening. Tune in this Friday as we share our experience with Family Field Day at our girls' school, what dangers to look out for, and what you can do to prevent them.

If you like what you hear, please consider supporting our channel via Cash.App at $AutismWish or Venmo at AutismWish. Your donation will help us keep our studio lights on and programs running.

Tune in as we sit down with Dawn M. Barclay, an award-winning author who has spent a career working in different aspects of the travel industry. Her book, "Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse" tackles the challenges parents of autistic and neurodivergent children face when going on short trips and vacations. Join us as we discuss how to create an autism-friendly and stress-free travel experience.

Individuals on the autism spectrum tend to have a particularly strong affinity toward certain items, shows, movies, activities, etc. This is often referred to as an autistic "special interest", but what makes a special interest different than a neurotypical hobby? Today we will discuss this difference and shed light on why these interests may bring your child intense joy.

If you like what you hear, please consider supporting our channel via Cash.App at $AutismWish or Venmo at AutismWish. Your donation will help us keep our studio lights on and programs running.

Regression, or the loss of a skill previously acquired, is a common characteristic of autism. From potty training to PICA - today will share our family's struggles with regressions and what steps we are taking to help our girls continue to make progress.

If you like what you hear, please consider supporting our channel via Cash.App at $AutismWish or Venmo at AutismWish. Your donation will help us keep our studio lights on and programs running.

This one's for the dads! We don't often hear about fathers of autistic children, so this Father's Day we're honoring you by highlighting the "Autism Dad" experience. In this intimate 1-on-1 conversation, Matt will share his personal struggles, gains, and lessons learned along his journey as a father to autistic children (and husband to an autistic wife).

If you like what you hear, please consider supporting our channel via Cash.App at $AutismWish or Venmo at AutismWish. Your donation will help us keep our studio lights on and programs running.

Aggression in autistic children is often the most reported challenge by parents. Today we will dive into our experiences with aggression and violent outbursts, illustrate how we decode the reason behind them, and explain how we have both succeeded and failed in addressing these behaviors.

If you like what you hear, please consider supporting our channel via Cash.App at $AutismWish or Venmo at AutismWish. Your donation will help us keep our studio lights on and programs running.