Moms Talk Autism Podcast (Shannon Korza, Brittney Crabtree, Tash Dillmon, and Jean Mayer)

An autism diagnosis can be life chaning for your child. It can also greatly impact your family and what the future holds for family planning. In this episode, we tell our personal stories of when we decided to have or not have more children after diagnosis. It's a very personal decision and we hope hearing our stories will help you along your family's autism journey.

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com
 

Today you get Jean, Brit & Tash, and we are talking all about the importance of allowing our kids to struggle, finding a balance between support and independence, AND teaching them coping skills & resilience! We share some of our personal experiences and how we adapt our parenting styles. Come and chat with us!

Jan Stewart is a Hope ambassador and a prestigious guest on this episode.  She is a highly regarded autism, neurodiversity and mental health advocate, author, and recipient of the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award®.  Her best-selling memoir Hold on Tight:  A Parent’s Journey Raising Children with Mental Illness describes her emotional roller coaster story of parenting two children with multiple, complex mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders.  Her mission is to inspire and empower readers to persevere, have hope, and know they are not alone, as well as to better educate families, friends, healthcare professionals, educators, and employers.  Her professional accomplishments and current efforts in this arena continue to supersede what is described here as she has many roles in governance. The work is never done! As a mom to two who are now adults, she shares with us vulnerably what her struggles were, the toll it took and what it looks like being on the other side, a new side, so hold on tight!

Instagram and Facebook:  janstewartauthor

Website:  www.janstewartauthor.com

Jean missed our Winter Break episode, so Tash and Britt got to interview her about the move to a new house, holiday celebrations and transitions back to school. We don’t know how she did it, but she’s here to tell the tale! Fun, upcoming weekend plans for all…which means chauffeuring kids from one activity to the next. We know you can relate!

Dr. Alisa Elliot, founder, owner and operator of the Chrysalis Spectrum Foundation,  www.chrysalisspectrum.com, is back to tell us about her latest venture. Which was a glowing success, Check out www.disabilitycomiccon.com, the theme was "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility"

It was an exciting and inclusive event celebrating the power of diversity in the world of comics! At Disability Comic Con, they believe that representation matters. The event aimed to showcase the talents and creativity of artists, writers, and cosplayers with a disability. Join us as we dive into a world where people with disabilities are celebrated, and superheroes come in all shapes and sizes.

Today we had the pleasure of chatting with Jessica Patay, the founder/executive director of We Are Brave Together. We talked about her personal story of her son’s diagnosis with Prader-Willi Syndrome and how she was able to create an amazing community locally, and then duplicate that to support groups all over the United States. You can learn all about We Are Brave Together and the many services that they provide (including affordable retreats for moms!) at their website: https://www.wearebravetogether.org/

We also discussed the book that Jessica spearheaded and co-authored, Becoming Brave Together: Heroic, Extraordinary Caregiving Stories from Mothers Hidden in Plain Sight. You can find that book on her website or HERE on Amazon!

Looking for more ways to connect with Jessica?! Here you go!

Instagram

Facebook

Website

Podcast

Today we had the pleasure of sitting down and chatting with Stuart Butler and Peter Prokop, two gentlemen who were instrumental in creating and directing a new series called Traveling The Spectrum. Both advocate and share a personal connection to the disability community. They believe all families deserve to vacation and create quality memories together. Traveling the Spectrum is a 6 part series that offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of three families living with autism, showcasing their heartfelt journeys toward understanding, acceptance, and the joy of creating memories and discovering the world together. We are so excited about the launch of this series and feel blessed to have had an opportunity to speak with the creators. 

Please watch the trailer here: https://travelingthespectrumshow.com/

Links referenced in the episode:

Visit Myrtle Beach:

https://www.facebook.com/VisitMyrtleBeachSC/

https://www.instagram.com/mymyrtlebeach/?hl=en

Traveling The Spectrum:

https://www.facebook.com/travelingthespectrumshow

https://www.instagram.com/travelingthespectrumshow/?hl=en

Personal:

https://www.facebook.com/stuartbutler

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-butler-50aaa45/

It's hard enough to care for our children in the comfort of our own homes, surrounded by familiar objects, food, and routines. It's asking way too much to expect us to take our kids on vacation. Traveling...no way! 

It is really difficult, and not every experience out in the great, big world is going to go well. It is vitally important for our families to go out on excursions and experience the good, the bad, and the ugly. In the end, it is worth it. Safe travels everyone, we'll see you out there!

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

We can’t wait to dive in with our guest today, Kelley Coleman, author of “Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child”. No joke, this is one of the best books on autism and parenting disabled kids we’ve ever read! We talk about the book and venture into other topics including: 

1. The “Go Home, Google, and Cry” method isn’t the only option anymore
2. Invisible vs. NOT visible vs. visible disabilities. Say that three times fast.
3. The cost of “Cognitive Labor”, this is a big one
4. “Parent” and “Caregiver” are two different jobs. You didn’t know you were doubly employed, did you?

Buy Kelley’s book: Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child

It’s going to be available as an audiobook too, read by Kelley!

Kelley’s Instagram

Kelley’s Website

Sharon Peddie is an occupational therapist that works in her local school district and private practice. Her experience in both of these fields offers her a unique perspective on the importance of OT in all aspects of a person’s life. Different strategies and techniques are used depending on the environment. Seems obvious, but not everyone views therapy that way.

Favorite takeaway from this episode: You are a co-regulator with your child!

 Some links that Sharon mentions in this episode:

Ukeru website

Floor Time Model

Universal Design for Learning

Take a listen and connect with Sharon here:

Website: https://www.therapy2grow.com/

Email: sharon@therapy2grow.com

Another Mom Talk Moms! How do we get to know one another better?! By asking questions that friends would ask friends as they’re getting to know one another! So, tackling some of those today! Dream vacations, biggest inspirations, free time activities (what's that?!), and more! Let’s chat, friends!

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

brittney@momstalkautism.com

jean@momstalkautism.com

shannon@momstalkautism.com

tash@momstalkautism.com

It’s summertime, aren’t you excited? Or are you wondering how to fill all of those hours of unstructured time at home?

We go into depth on each of our summer plans and talk about camps and programs that are offered in our areas. We also touch on sports and vacations. Camping with autistic kids, it’s possible as long as you're flexible…and know where the nearest fast food drive-thru is located.

Have a great summer, we’ll still be publishing episodes, so put on some headphones to drown out the cartoons and snack requests. We’ll spend a little time with you each week and help you through this!

Doug is Brittney's husband and father to their four children. Austin and Ruby are autistic and have very different challenges and needs. 

Doug is one of the most easy going personalities out there, he's a go with the flow kinda guy, and we love him for it. He offers his perspective on fatherhood and raising children with a wide range of needs and abilities. He tells the story of diagnosis of both children and offers some great advice for newly minted special needs parents. We hope you enjoy hearing from Doug!

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

Welcome to our three-part series on asking for and receiving help from others. Brittney and Tash are starting this conversation by diving deep into some of the challenges of parenthood and why we DON’T ask for help. What stops us from letting others in? Is it a purely external, logistical issue or are we getting in our own way at times? We break it down into four main areas of resistance when asking for help as moms:

1. Fear of missing out
2. Struggle for control
3. The weight of responsibility
4. Judgment from others and ourselves

Today we learn and discuss how people and institutions hold their own definition of what real inclusion means. We brought on Bre Gestaldi, an Inclusion Education Consultant & Educator, to break down the “What” + “Why” of what inclusive education REALLY is.

Facts + links provided in the episode:

Research reasons - No studies conducted since the late 1970s have shown an academic advantage for students with intellectual and other developmental disabilities educated in separate settings (Falvey, 2004):

• https://iod.unh.edu/sites/default/files/media/InclusiveEd/research_on_inclusive_education.categories_fall_2011.pdf

• https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2017.00046

Join us today as we discuss marriage and parenting kids with diverse needs. We talk about our own experiences and stories, but also marriage in general and how autism can affect a relationship in postive, and sometimes, negative ways. 

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

brittney@momstalkautism.com

jean@momstalkautism.com

shannon@momstalkautism.com

tash@momstalkautism.com

It’s a GRAB BAGGGGG! Questions we discuss today are:

1. What is your Patronus? Please geek out with us.
2. Our thoughts on ABA vs School in early diagnosis.
3. How do I help support a friend who is also going through a diagnosis with her child?
4. How do you balance staying informed vs protecting your mental health?
5. We discuss laundry and how much we loathe it and how to get through it.
6. If you could hire someone to do one thing at your house, what would it be?
7. Have we listened to the Telepathy Tapes?

Depression is an appropriate response to processing any grief. It is often portrayed as unnatural, something to be fixed, or to get rid of as quickly as possible. The truth is, it would be unusual NOT to feel it. There are times and circumstances when a longer period of depression may be part of your life and having discernment to recognize and know when you are depressed is essential to your grief journey. This episode explores the many sides of depression and how it has shown up in our lives. We would love to hear your thoughts and experiences as well.

Instagram: @momstalkautism
Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

Some great questions from our listeners today, focusing on speech therapy and communication. We deep dive into our kids’ speech and language development over the years and also discuss some of our favorite therapies. Not every therapy is available or appropriate for every child, so do your research and see what’s best for your family.

Want to learn more about one of our favorite speech therapists? Go check out Katja from @bohospeechie and listen to our interview with here HERE

Have a great topic or possible future guest for our show? We’d love to hear from you!

This stage usually involves feelings of guilt, whether or not those feelings are well founded. A frequent thought in this stage is the "if only" statement: "If only I would have done THIS, then THAT would have never happened," etc.

Bargaining can last a while as we sort through our emotions. It can also be fleeting thoughts that come and go as we begin to process our child's diagnosis. Moving in and out of bargaining quickly or being in this stage while simultaneously in another is common.

We can think of bargaining as our mind trying to restore or find our way back to the way things were before diagnosis. Knowing that can help us identify when we are stuck in these thoughts and hopefully propel us toward acceptance and progress.

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

Today we have an amazing conversation with Dr. Taylor Day. She is a child psychologist and parent coach specializing in autism and neurodivergent care and today joins Jean & Shannon for  a special episode. In this episode we cover a lot and it may even double as an actual therapy session for all three ladies, as we have a very powerful discussion. Join us as we discuss: 

• Some comorbidities of autism in the DSM-V

• Being a sibling growing up in the home, 

• Naming PTSD + CPTSD in parents of children with autism,  

• Learning what the indicators are

• How to cope

Here's ALL the ways you can find Dr Tay:

Dr. Tay’s Podcast, Evolve, HERE

Dr. Tay on Instagram HERE

Dr. Tay's Website HERE

You can also find her Facebook Community to continue discussions from the podcast HERE

As parents to autistic children, we only want what is best for our kids. Making decisions on what therapy, diets, or supplements to give them can quickly become confusing. There are so many people, companies, and professionals with differing ideas. How do we decide what information is helpful and what  can be potentially harmful? 

We will share a little insight on what to keep in mind when doing your own research. Our biggest takaway is, ultimately as parents, we should always listen to our intuition.

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

brittney@momstalkautism.com

jean@momstalkautism.com

shannon@momstalkautism.com

tash@momstalkautism.com

Stacie Sherman is a journalist from New Jersey and the mother of two adult children on opposite ends of the spectrum. She recently published a book about raising her two autistic kids while juggling a full-time career as a single mom. Stacie shares openly about both the blessings and the hardships of being a mother of autistic children in many different areas of her journey, including the most recent one of acquiring the conservatorship of her daughter.

Instagram: @stashermie

Book: My broken road: the tangled and twisted musings of an autism mama 

We are thrilled to have Dr. Kristin Wegner on today, discussing ABA and other behavioral therapies. Kristin talks about her background working with neurodivergent children and the educational and professional journey that has brought her where she is today. We dive into the history of ABA and how it has evolved over time. We discuss both the positive and negative sides of behavior therapies and always want to emphasize the importance of finding what is best for your child- it’s not going to be the same thing for every autistic individual!

Check out Dr. Wegner’s children's book series HERE

Check out Dr. Wegner’s website and contact info HERE

Follow Dr. Wegner HERE

Another year has come and gone…

2023 has had many ups and downs for each of us personally. We touch on the highs and lows, as well as talk about our favorite podcast memories over the last 12 months. 

Most importantly of all, we are so grateful to have YOU here with us this year. We hope this podcast continues to be an avenue to feel connected, maybe learn a thing or two, and laugh at our ridiculous banter and lame jokes. What can we say…we’re in our Mom Era.

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Brittney, Jean, Tash, and Shannon

Shanny Shan Shan...first responder's wife, Jill of all trades, and mother of all mothers! 

This lady truly is extraordinary at all things, but she truly shines as a mom. She loves her girls more than anything and is fierce in her advocacy for them.

Shannon is all about self-care, especially in the form of moving your body daily. She believes that when we fill our cups first, we can adequately pour into our kiddos.

Run over and listen to Shannon's story: where it all began and how it's currently going.

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

This is the final installment on our version of the stages of grief. We bring it all together and discuss what happens during and after the process of grieving an autism diagnosis. You've reached a level of acceptance and peace...now what? 

There is a wheel of adaptation in relation to grief, broken down into four hemispheres, all intersecting and overlapping. This concept was first presented in the book "Nobody's Perfect" by Dr. Nancy B. Miller. We hope you find her research and our discussion insightful. 

You can purchase Dr. Miller's book HERE

Tell us what you think:

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

brittney@momstalkautism.com

jean@momstalkautism.com

shannon@momstalkautism.com

tash@momstalkautism.com

It's another grab bag, your questions answered! This episode we will touch on five different topics:

*vocal stimming and how we handle volume in a public space

*anxiety in our kids and how we approach it

*ABA vs. Preschool

*extracurricular activities tips/tricks/ideas for our ND kids

*cultivating adult relationships especially with those who do not have ND kids

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

brittney@momstalkautism.com

jean@momstalkautism.com

shannon@momstalkautism.com

tash@momstalkautism.com

To medicate or not to medicate...that is the question! Brittney, Jean, and Tash talk about  looking into over the counter and perscription medications for their autistic children. What works for one child won't necessarily work for another, but hearing our experiences will hopefully shed some light if you are considering medications now or in the future. 

Disclaimer: we are not doctors or trained medical professionals. ALWAYS consult your doctor if you are thinking of starting or stopping medications.

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

In this next installment with Bre Gastaldi, Inclusive Education Consultant & Educator, we learn about the actionable steps that need to be taken at large as well as day-to-day. The goal is to make huge systemic shifts in education and it takes all of us adopting a core set of beliefs and values.

Our very own Natasha had the honor and privilege to attend this year’s Super Bowl as a volunteer for KultureCity! We talk about the who, what, why, and how it all came about as Tash talks about her amazing weekend in Phoenix. 

The best part? Tash got to see and experience what KultureCity is all about firsthand. She was able to tour the Sensory Activation Vehicle (SAV), pass out Sensory Bags to ticket holders attending the many events during the week of the Super Bowl, and meet so many amazing people along the way. We hope you take a listen and hear all about Tash’s experience and look for KultureCity locations near you. We aren’t affiliated or compensated by KultureCity in any way, we just think it’s an amazing program and want to spread the word far and wide.

Check out KultureCity HERE

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

brittney@momstalkautism.com

jean@momstalkautism.com

shannon@momstalkautism.com

tash@momstalkautism.com

Today Brittney shares her personal journey through the legal process of establishing conservatorship for Austin. We also discuss parents' emotional and logistical challenges, the necessary legal documentation, and the court proceedings involved. Brit also shares insights about the courtroom experience, the emotional weight of legal decisions, and the responsibilities of being a conservator.

Today we talk with Dr. Alisa Elliot, who is the owner and creator of Chrysalis Spectrum in Houston, Texas. Her company provides in-home care for a variety of people in need, including those with disabilities. Today we’re chatting about why it’s important to have respite and in-home care. We also discuss what to look for in a provider, what to expect, and what to do if it doesn’t work out. Dr. Elliot has over 25 years of experience in direct one-on-one care with individuals and is a special needs sibling herself. Take a listen and let us know what you think, this is an important discussion for so many families out there!

http://www.chrysalisspectrum.com/

http://www.chrysalisspectrumfoundation.org/

It is of no mystery to most of us, or so it seems, that feeding and diets are significant touchstones in having a kid on the spectrum. No matter where they fall, that is the very thing that became apparent in all of her work. Join us for this expert guest, Elizabeth Klein, BCBA, LBA + M.Ed., who shares her professional experience in the field and is currently the clinical supervisor over an ABA program. Proper nutrition is a passion of her and her husband, as they own a nutrition business as well, which then inspired her to create this groundbreaking tool that is available to ALL, simply called, The Feeding Assessment Tool. The Feeding Assessment Tool is a virtual, comprehensive, systematic tool that can help quantify and measure food selectivity (picky eating) and other mealtime issues in kids with autism spectrum disorder. The tool can be used by parents, SLPs, OTs, BCBAs, and nutritionists. The purpose of the tool is to help the team better understand the eating patterns of children with autism.

Website: feedingassessmenttool.com 

Purchase page: feedingassessmenttool.com/purchase 

Facebook: Feeding Assessment Tool https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554779536729

Email: contact@feedingassessmenttool.com

Megan Champion, mother of three, and creator of Mothers Together is sharing her story and the ins and outs of what Mothers Together can do to help change your life. Megan opens up about her  family and their neurodivergence, her isolation and disconnection she felt from her friends, family and community. She bravely set out to find validation and connection with other moms and families like hers. Megan found what she was looking for and invites you all to find it for yourself.

Mothers Together is an online community for you and me and all other moms of disabled families out there who feel disconnected, discouraged, and alone. 

Mothers Together Website

On the Hard Days- Megan’s Instagram

On the Hard Days podcast

How do you get to a point where you can leave your special needs child with another adult? How do we feel comfortable doing so? What steps can we take to help our kids, and let's be honest, ourselves, feel like we can trust others to care for our kids? 

Today, we have Doug Crabtree (Brittney's husband) on to discuss some of these questions and more. Trusting others is a daunting task and can take time and extra preparation in order to establish good relationships between caregiver and a special needs child. In the end, even if it doesn't always work out perfectly, it is worth it. We're hear to talk about the highs, lows, and everything in between when it comes to TRUST.

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

We have a special guest on the show with us this week! Brittney and Jane have been friends for over a decade, their autistic boys have been in the same preschool and elementary special eduation classrooms through the years. The moms get together often to check up on each other and the boys' progress. We hope you enjoy learning more about Jane's journey with her son, Alex, and how both she and Brittney are learning to care for their autistic teenagers.

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

This week is all about how we connect with our neurodivergent children through play. We will talk about our four individual experiences, but also some ideas we've heard from experts. Remember, each ND person is different and the way we engage with them should be considered through their cues and interests. With time and experience, we can fine tune and explore great options for play and connection. 

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

brittney@momstalkautism.com

jean@momstalkautism.com

shannon@momstalkautism.com

tash@momstalkautism.com

Life updates and our usual chaotic conversations. Ya know, just another MTA day. Brittney doesn’t like the sound of birds and offers some sage medical advice. Tash needs a break from social media and we are all on board. Jean is literally on the move. Our kids are growing up, so we are all trying to figure out the early parenting stages and puberty stages. Fun. Advice on IEPs, Title 9, and teen angst. Let us know if any of these subjects resonate with you!

Topics:

• Chaos in Our Lives
• Personal Reflections and Updates
• Health and Wellness Insights
• Navigating Life Changes
• Balancing Ambition and Reality
• Navigating Growth and Change in Children
• Understanding Puberty and Emotional Development
• The Challenges of Communication and Boundaries
• Reintegration After Absence: Emotional Responses
• Finding Balance in Parenting Chaos

Why would you want to see a neuropsychologist for your child? Today, we had an amazing (& positive) conversation with Drs. Fredriksen and Rothman, pediatric neuropsychologists, who run a practice in Maryland. We discussed many amazing topics, including one we are asked ALL the time: How do we discuss our child’s diagnosis with them? How do we have conversations with them, teaching them about their brains and why they work the way that they do? 

Their first book is available for purchase, which teaches about ADHD and they have another book about Autism in the works! The books also include interactive activities that you can do alongside your child. You can check them out below!

"Different Thinkers: ADHD" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3XxmQ66

Website: https://www.neuropsychmoms.com/aboutus

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neuropsychmoms/

Part 2 of 2! Today Tash and Shannon welcome back Stephen and Nick from the On the Spectrum podcast. We deep into personal experiences with autism, ADHD, and other co-occurring diagnoses. Steve & Nick share their journeys of diagnosis, parenting neurodiverse children, and the complexities of mental health diagnoses. We also explore the unique experiences of parenting neurodiverse children, emphasizing the need for understanding and self-reflection in the parenting journey. The conversation also touches on the societal pressures parents face and the significance of self-love in effective parenting. Sounds serious.. But don’t worry.. There’s plenty of laughs and LOTS of entertainment!

This week's episode is all about those uncomfortable remarks, questions, and advice offered to you from strangers and friends alike. We all receive unwanted parenting advice from time to time, but there is another layer added when it comes to the special needs aspect to our families' dynamics. Comments and confrontations can range from rude, to ignornant, to genuinely asking hearfelt questions. We've heard it all, and if you haven't, it's only a matter of time. We try to laugh about it and, most importantly, look for opportunities to educate. It's a tricky line to walk sometimes. Listen and tell us some of your awkward stories too!

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism

Discussing a new year ahead of us: new goals, new experiences, and more time together with YOU!

2023 is filled with possibilities, let's talk about.

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

brittney@momstalkautism.com

jean@momstalkautism.com

shannon@momstalkautism.com

tash@momstalkautism.com

We recommend you watch the documentary first, but it is not required to enjoy this conversation. Links below.

We are honored to talk with Beth today, the co-star of the documentary, “You Have No Idea”. Beth and her son, Evan, are featured in this amazing film, giving us a real glimpse into autism life for their family and community. Beth opens up about the struggles, joys, and challenges they faced over the years and how she continues to forge a path for Evan. We dive into the origin of the film and Beth shares some wise and life-altering truths that she came to realize over the years. This is one to remember and share. 

APPLE TV

AMAZON PRIME

TUBI

Learn more about the documentary HERE

It’s so easy to spiral down in the “what if” game and second-guess ourselves. When it comes to our exceptional children and their care, it can feel even more stressful, like if you screw up this one therapy, medication, opportunity, etc then I’ve failed as a parent.

We are here to tell you that’s NOT TRUE!

Today we look back and discuss what we wish we would have known. If you don’t remember anything else from this episode, remember Shannon’s advice: NEVER SAY NEVER. Because, if you do, you will definitely “never” sooner than you think. 😉

Instagram: @momstalkautism
Email: hello@momstalkautism.com
brittney@momstalkautism.com
jean@momstalkautism.com
shannon@momstalkautism.com
tash@momstalkautism.com

Today we chat with Joni Brown about her family’s journey with not only autism but also PCDH19, a rare epilepsy disorder. Today Allie is 20 years old, and Joni discusses their diagnosis story. We dive into the heartache of the life-changing diagnosis, Joni’s tenacity in finding answers, and the triumphs they have made as a family.  We also discuss Joni’s book, Don’t Sing Happy Birthday, which has quickly become one of our favorites! We shed some tears, but there is also laughter. Come and join us in the convo!

Find Joni on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dontsinghappybirthday/

Find “Don’t Sing Happy Birthday”: https://a.co/d/1i3HHZ6

We want to start by giving you a trigger warning; this episode could be hard to listen to and may evoke some big emotions. We ask that you listen to this episode with an open heart and mind. There is a percentage of our community who have children with what may be considered more profound autism. In this journey, these parents may have to make decisions for the safety of not only themselves but also their child, in order for them to flourish in this life.

Today we get personal with a beautiful mother from our very own community. Emely Zavala opens up and shares about her journey with her son, Justin. She shares this story in hopes that the decisions families like hers have had to make are not taboo or a hush-hush subject. She shares to bring awareness and education to other families who might be in a similar situation and also to those of us with autistic children who will never have to make the decisions she’s made.

Please listen to this episode with the realization that you're only hearing a very small part of a very big story. Remember that we are a judgment-free community and we come to learn, grow, and support one another to ultimately educate this world on our beautiful community bringing acceptance and love to our children.

“This was one of the darkest moments in my life. I felt like a terrible person, the one person who should be protecting him and I couldn't even do that.” ~ Emely Zavala

Denial: It’s the first stage of grief and it can be a sneaky, tricky thing. Most people think of denial as being bad, but truthfully, denial can fill an important role as protector. Denial can give a semblance of control when confronted with situations that are unknown or overwhelming. It allows us time to adjust and grow while grieving. Listen in as we dive into all things denial and our personal experiences with it!

Don’t forget to give us a 5 star review if you love the show!

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

We are halfway through school this semester and wanted to do a little check-in. We discuss each of our kids’ progress and the challenges that we are facing this year in school. Overall, we are all doing pretty well, but that doesn’t negate the fact that we still worry. It’s a lot and we know you get it too.

We mentioned a book and documentary that has come out recently and is available in the US and internationally, go check it out.

The Reason I Jump

We are thrilled to bring you a community story from a fellow working mama, Britta Merwin. Britta is a meteorologist by day (and by day, we mean EARLY morning) and a mom, wife, and autism advocate every minute of every day! Britta has three children, one diagnosed with autism. You can find her on FoxWeather.com, keeping us all updated on the latest weather, storm warnings, etc.

We get to know about Britta and some of the triumphs and challenges she faces as a member of her neurodiverse family. She is uniquely qualified to speak on natural disasters, what to look for, and scenarios for neurodivergent and/or disabled families to consider. We may have to prepare and plan for extreme weather in a different way from our friends and neighbors. Having to think outside the box is not a new concept for any of us, I know, but just another layer to keep in mind, considering what natural disasters most often occur in your area.

Reach out to Britta:

@brittamerwinwx on FB, Twitter, and Instagram 

What!? Wait?! We are talking about one of our very own. It’s a long story but it’s all about the journey, in this case, Jean’s Journey to advocacy, and blossoming into the public education advocate, specifically at the cause of reimagining Special Education. You might want to listen to this in sections.

Understandably, Jean, while compelling in facts and passions she shares, distilling it down to simpler form, is a real weakness. However, weak she is not, the hope is you see yourself in her story, feel inspired by her curiosity, and carve out your own path to advocacy. Create your legacy inside of the pathway of advocacy you do for your child. It is possible. Change the world for one, and you have changed the world as we speak.  Stay curious my friends!

Today Tash & Shannon sit down with Eileen Youngberg, an Assistant Program Manager from Trillium Employment Services. Trillium is a non-profit organization based in Washington State. We dive deep into not only the work Eileen does but also the importance of why we need to be advocating and pushing for our kids as they are leaving the transition programs from high school to finding a place in the workforce, however that may look for them. Also, we discuss why it's important as a society to see the value in having truly inclusive workspaces and equal opportunities for everyone.

Today we had a great discussion with Rachael Farkas at Mindful Voices about therapies and services available to autistic families in a “one-stop shop” style company. There are places out there that can provide speech, OT, potty training, ABA, etc all from one location and team. Everyone works together and has access to your kids’ data and information…amazing! Honestly, this is how it should be. We love that Rachael and Chrissy are creating such a great resource for parents in the Nashville area and we hope they continue to expand across the country. We love the idea of family and babysitting training too, take a listen and let us know what you think.

Website: minfulvoicesautismconsulting.com

Instagram: @minfulvoices_autism  

FB: mindful voices autism consulting

Life is tough, but so are YOU!

Shannon and Britt here to talk about current struggles with our autistic kids. Dentists, ER visits, soccer practice, and the struggle to get on a literal bus. No one says this life is boring, am I right?

Things happen to us, that’s life. How we react and process and move forward? Well, that’s where it’s really up to us. The more we practice and learn and stumble and pick ourselves up and try again, the stronger we become. Cliche, but true.

Surprise! It’s a bonus episode this week! We are so excited to introduce you to one of our favorite podcasts FOR KIDS! 

Who Smarted? is a fun and educational podcast specifically for kids and their families. There are episodes and topics for everyone’s interests and the recordings are really entertaining with lots of cool sound effects, voices, trivia games, and music. It’s a great way to learn or discover a new interest! 

We thought an episode about a faraway time and place would be perfect for this week, paired with our interview and talk about traveling and autism. Go check out this bonus episode and head over to Who Smarted? to see the whole catalog of topics and podcast episodes. Next week, we will have the show's creator on for a chat, so stay tuned!

Want to be a “smarty pants”?

Listen to more Who Smarted? HERE

Check out their social media HERE

Welcome to the first of our Merry-Go-Round Episodes! We needed a fun way to revisit episode topics that we'd already done, but as you all know, certain topics are ever-changing. Much like a merry-go-round we just circle right back around. Today’s episode we touch on SLEEP! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like for us to revisit and update and we'll get on it!

The Tash and Brittney episode is here!

This week is all about FAITH and the blessing of believing. We are Christians and speak of our own experiences, perspectives, and faith. We would never presume or try to speak for any other faiths or churches, but know that we think this topic, and our approach, can be applied to any belief system, Christian or not. This is about believing in a higher power, whatever that may be, and how that belief can help aid you in your day to day life caring for and providing a meaningful life for your child with exceptional needs.

If this isn't your thing, we totally understand. We hope you can see our intent and purpose behind such a personal discussion. This topic is a very big part of our lives and we want to respectfully share it with all of you. Thanks for listening.

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

brittney@momstalkautism.com

jean@momstalkautism.com

shannon@momstalkautism.com

tash@momstalkautism.com

Welcome to our three-part series on asking for and receiving help from others. Brittney and Jean are having this week's conversation, diving deep into some of the challenges of parenthood and why we DON’T ask for help. What stops us from letting others in? Is it a purely external, logistical issue or are we getting in our own way at times? We break it down into four main areas of resistance when asking for help as moms:

1. Fear of missing out
2. Struggle for control
3. The weight of responsibility
4. Judgment from others and ourselves

We are ALL about inclusion over here at Moms Talk Autism. We want to include our kids in everything we can and we want others to do the same.

There are times, however hard it is to make that call, where it just may not be best to to bring our kids. Whether it's due to environmental factors, safety concerns, upsetting others around us, or you know they just wouldn't enjoy the event, we have to make that tough call and exclude from time to time.

We'll talk about our personal experiences in this realm. Do you have to exclude your kids from certain events or experiences? Let us know about it!

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

In today's episode, we bring you another incredible community member. We had the pleasure of sitting down and chatting with June Bunn or as I've been calling her, “Mama June”! June shares all about her journey in raising Adrienne, her daughter who is on the autism spectrum. With a diagnosis that was given or more “fought for” in the year 2008 a time where there truly was no support medically or educationally through a public school district. With the barriers overcome and a mom who would not give up, Adrienne is now 18 years old and the youngest autistic female to compete in the Hawaiian Iron Man. Never say never!

How to contact June: Instagram is @jmbunn1

Follow Adrienne’s tri-athlete journey on Instagram @trigirl_16

Also, you can look up Special Olympics to find out what's offered in your area at www.specialolympics.org

Denial. It’s the first stage of grief and a sneaky, tricky thing. Most people think of denial as being a bad thing, but the truth is... Denial is there to protect you. To give you a semblance of control you’re craving in an overwhelming situation. Today we dive into all things denial and our personal experiences with it!

Don’t forget to give us a 5-star review if you love the show and give us a follow on IG @momstalkautism! 

Tyler, husband to Tash, father to Jack, Sloan, and Jameson (their angel baby).

The Dillmons lead an extraordinary life as a first responder family, working as a Fire Captain in their community. Tyler tells the remarkable story of overcoming the grief of the loss of one child and stepping in as a father, parenting their autistic son and surviving twin, Jack. He also shares a heartwarming story about how autism touched his life before Jack was diagnosed.

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

You have all heard the cliches about comparing ourselves to others and we know it can be quite harmful if not in check. In this episode, we have a raw conversation, just scratching the surface really, about contrast in the autism community. There are so many different ways to compare: families, abilities, parenting styles, behaviors, the list goes on and on. We've all done it and we're hear to talk about it and share. We want to hear your stories and experiences too! Let us know what kind of comparison traps you are falling into and how you battle against it.

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

Dad's Talk Autism Final Bonus Eposide!

In our final April Dad installment, we will hear from Jay: husband to Shannon and father to Gracie and Maya.

Jay gives another view of our interesting, and sometimes challenging, parent life. He's honest and you'll never have to wonder where he stands on any topic. Jay also dives into a subject that Shannon hasn't shared on the podcast: his adult autism diagnosis. Tune in and get a look from his perspective!

Instagram: @momstalkautism
Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

On to the next phase of grief: Anger! Remember that grief is not linear, and just because we talk about it in stages does not mean that you will go through it stage-by-stage or even every stage. In this episode, we share all about anger and how we dealt with it. Don’t forget that anger does not necessarily mean raging on others but possibly having a level of anger towards yourself. This is an important part of the process, but we should not stay in for long.

It is thought that experiencing joy and experiencing grief are two mutually exclusive emotions or houses of emotions. In this episode, through an authentic conversation, we debunk that isn’t the case and prove the two can coexist and WHY it's important to embrace joy with grief.

Welcome to the Tashie and Shannon show! Totally kidding, but today’s episode IS just the two of us and we’re answering some specific questions y’all have. Per usual, we are no experts, but we will always share openly about where we are in our journey and what has or is (or isn't) working for us. Some of the topics we cover today are:

*High pain tolerances in our kids

*Knowing when our non-speaking kids are sick

*What supports we use for our kids with ADHD in relation to their IEP

*Transitions with more ease particularly in the car between therapy sessions

*Therapy dogs or having a dog for companionship for our kids

*What summer will look like for us

These are some of our favorite episodes to record, so keep the questions coming! Remember no question is too silly and we probably have some advice between the four of us!

We are thrilled to bring you our interview with Meg Raby, author of the children's book series, "My Brother Otto". Meg is autistic herself and discusses many relevant topics on the website "Scary Mommy".    You will feel inspired and walk away learning things you didn't know about, not just Otto, the beloved character in her childrens' literature series, but so much about Meg, her additional advocacy, her work as an SLP, and many more life-changing endeavors to come.    Sites + Platforms mentioned in the episode:    Learn more about Kulture City and how they make nevers possible here   Neuroclastic + Matthew Rushin 

Follow Meg here: @author.meg.raby

Read her articles here on Scary Mommy

Buy her book series "My Brother Otto"

Follow and contact Moms Talk Autism:

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

brittney@momstalkautism.com

jean@momstalkautism.com

shannon@momstalkautism.com

tash@momstalkautism.com

In this episode, we are interviewing a fantastic guest. William Wherli is an incredible voice in this community who shares powerful knowledge and insight into living as an autistic adult. He covers many subjects, including what it was like growing up as a child.

William shares excellent advice to everyone about what he wants the world to know, some insight for parents raising autistic children, and some inspiration to all of us to be and do better for our disabled communities.

Follow William:
@williamshapingautism

Instagram: @momstalkautism
Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

Moms talk.. Moms?! Whatttttt? That’s right. Today, we are talking about the moms. The idea and hope for this episode is that you’ll get to know each of us a little better. Yes, as moms to exceptional kids, but also as you know... regular humans. Think of this as a fun conversation with your girlfriends at the coffee shop! Let’s build community. Get to know one another a little better. Time to chat, friends!

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

brittney@momstalkautism.com

jean@momstalkautism.com

shannon@momstalkautism.com

tash@momstalkautism.com

Shannon and Brittney get to chat with their IRL friend today! Rachel shares her journey with her daughter, Audrey, who has a rare genetic disorder known as CASK. We discuss the challenges of navigating the diagnosis process, the impact of early intervention therapies, and the importance of finding the right educational fit for Audrey. Rachel is a member and regional leader of “We Are Brave Together”, the non-profit  group that connects moms worldwide. Rachel’s work and passion highlight the significance of connecting with other parents and advocates, sharing valuable resources, and advice for those new to the special needs community.

Rachel’s Instagram

We Are Brave Together Instagram

We Are Brave Together Website

It’s finally time. Today, Shannon and Britt tackle menstruation (aka period problems) with the help of our friend Ashley Lewis! You guys have been asking for this one for so long, and we haven’t been able to speak from experience. Ashley shares about her family, and her daughter’s diagnosis, and then gives us some REAL TALK about our kids and their periods based on her experience! 

Ashley and her family are SO fun, you need to check them out! You can find them HERE on Instagram! She also shares life on on TikTok!

Ashley and her husband also just launched a new podcast on Spotify that you can listen to HERE!

It’s a new year and exciting new content for Moms Talk Autism! This is going to be a big year for our families as some of our kids transition from elementary to middle school. Scary, exciting, and most likely a few bumps along the way.

Big changes for the podcast as well: a brand new merch collection is almost ready. We are NOW also offering ad-free VIDEO recordings of every episode via Patreon! We can’t wait to connect with you on this platform! We can comment along with you and create chats.. Come and join the fun!!! You can find us HERE on Patreon! 

Exciting collaborations, professionals, guests, community member interviews, guest hosts, and new topics coming our way this year. As always, we’ll have honest, real conversations about caregiving and disability. Connecting, commiserating, crying, and laughing at ourselves are all included, we wouldn’t have it any other way. Thanks for being here.

You don’t want to miss our last segment on this episode. We read some of your funniest “I’m That Mom” story submissions. Send us more, they are our favorite emails!

Today we sat down with our friend, Ashley Lewis, to discuss the sibling dynamic in our homes. How do we foster positive relationships with our kids? How can we help our families function as a team? Come chat with us!

Questions Answered:

1. Creating a family team
2. Explaining autism to siblings
3. Responsibility vs. being a kid
4. Later Care for autistic sibling
5. Presley’s friends

We have an AMAZING one for you today! Little warning.. the tears start early, at the 6 minute mark!

It’s not sad, it's heartwarming. Its emotion evoking. And so thoughtful. 

Today we talk about what it's like to be a sibling to an autistic individual. We had the pleasure of speaking with Mollie Garre, who is the daughter of previous guest, Monica Meyers (amongst many other things, she’s also an incredibly talented artist, mother and wife to name only a few!)  She discusses growing up with her brother, Michael, and what life and the future look like now that she is one of his legal guardians. 

 And a surprise guest, Maya, joined us today! She is Shannon’s 18 year old daughter who talks about what it's like to be a sister to Gracie and how she feels about it all.

Get ready for a genuine conversation full of love and emotion. We are so happy to share this one with you all! 

You can find Mollie on Instagram HERE!

This is the final installment of our version of the stages of grief. We bring it all together and discuss what happens during and after the process of grieving an autism diagnosis. You've reached a level of acceptance and peace...now what?

There is a wheel of adaptation with grief, broken down into four hemispheres, all intersecting and overlapping. Dr. Nancy B. Miller first presented this concept in the book, Nobody's Perfect: Living and Growing with Children Who Have Special Needs. We hope you find her research and our discussion insightful.

You can purchase Dr. Miller's book HERE

Tell us what you think:
Instagram: @momstalkautism
Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

This episode is ALL about our recent trip to visit Tash in Washington! We reflect on the trip and how meeting on Instagram has changed our lives so much. Come chat with us!

Today is another Moms Talk Moms! Sometimes you just need something a little lighthearted. You get Tash, Shannon and Jean today and we are discussing MANY important things like:

• If you had unlimited funds, what business would you start?
• Are avocados overrated?
• Is it ever okay to lie?
• Is a hotdog a sandwich?
• What's your favorite sandwich and where did you eat it?
• Do you think our dreams have hidden meanings?
• Were Ross and Rachel really on a break?
• What physical traits do you share with your relatives?
• Which family member do you most confide in?

We holiday OUR way. Join us for a discussion on the many ways the holidays can look, but mostly feel, and how we have navigated that. There is a build-up of hyperintense emotions and activities around these times, no matter the holiday or culture; nuances that don’t become apparent until you are faced with the realities of having an autistic or neurodivergent child. We talk about the different sets of expectations and the comparison trap! 

This episode is brought to you by Fun and Function, check out their website and listen for the exclusive discount code in the podcast!

https://funandfunction.com/

AND.. we added. a fun HOLIDAY shirt to the SWAG shop for kiddos and parents! You can check it out HERE!!

 https://moms-talk-autism.myspreadshop.com/

*Important note! The swag shop will have a 25% off promo on October 24th, 25th and 26th!!*

Today Jen shares her story with our community. From having two boys in 13 months to having her youngest diagnosed as deaf shortly after birth, to then having her oldest diagnosed as autistic, Jen shares how this has changed the dynamic in her family. She shares how they have to balance the wants, needs, and sensitivities of both children as well as how they approach life adapting to both of their kids sometimes opposing needs. 

Thank you Jen for sharing your story and giving us perspective. 

We do want to note that the sound quality on this episode isn't amazing, but the story is most definitely worth sticking around for. As always, please be kind, withhold judgment, and be accepting, as our community should be. This is our safe place. 

YOUR questions answered on the podcast today. Topics included are:

Best therapy or therapists that we have experienced in our own families

1. How we work through our cycles of grief: what have we learned for our own personal healing and benefit
2. Cleaning products and practices that help us tidy and disinfect our homes daily

Check out our webinar with Action Behavior Centers HERE!!

Dads Talk Autism Bonus Episode!

Brad, husband to Jean, father to Rory and McKenna, is our very first dad to be interviewed in this series.

He doesn’t mince words; a black and white, no grey area kind of guy. Incredibly smart and witty, Brad is never absent of humor or sarcasm, casting him as the cynic in their relationship.

Brad and Jean experienced Rory's initial autism diagnosis very differently, but both are important stories and perspectives to hear. Stay tuned, 3 more Dad episodes coming at you this month!

Today we had the opportunity to sit down with Katja Piscitelli and chat all things gestalt language processing! Katja, also known as @BohoSpeechie on Instagram, is a pediatric speech-language pathologist. She owns her own practice called Total Spectrum Speech. We talked about what gestalt language processing even MEANS, how it applies to our kiddos, and ways that we as parents, teachers, and providers can help our exceptional children. This was such a great episode and we are so excited to share it with you! If you don't already follow Katja on IG, be sure you go find her! Her content is so helpful!

In addition, we mentioned a few apps: TD Snap, Proloquo2go, Touch Chat, and Nova Chat.

We also mentioned a few other notable items/people/websites:

Katja Piscitelli - www.totalspectrumtherapy.org - @bohospeechie

Marg Blanc - www.communicationdevelopmentcenter.com

Lisa Baskin Wright (@lisabaskinwright)

Meaningful Speech (@meaningfulspeech) - Meaningful Speech Course

We're talking all things siblings in this episode! We offer our perspectives on our kiddo's sibling relationships. How do our neurotypical and neurodivergent kids interact and live in the same space?  We'll also share some ideas on how we as parents can tend relationships with each of our children, making sure they feel special in their connection to us.

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

A little bonus gift for you this week, courtesy of our friend, Danielle Bettmann, of Failing Motherhood Podcast. Danielle interviewed Shannon and Brittney on her show and was kind enough to share it with our audience too. We dive deep into the early years of diagnosis and what that looked like for each of our families: the process, the feelings, the grief, and the realizations we all came to learn as we parent neurodivergent kids. Check out this real and raw episode and don’t forget to head over to Failing Motherhood Podcast and check it out... lots of great topics and guests for all families!

Failing Motherhood Podcast

Failing Motherhood Instagram

Danielle’s website

It’s another Grab Bag today! We polled you guys this week on Instagram to get your questions! (Another reason to chat with us on IG, wink wink…) Here’s what we tackle:

1. Spreading awareness vs being protective of our children’s diagnosis, how do we handle this?

2. How do you handle punishment in your home with your kids?

3. How do we personally handle aggressive behaviors directed towards you?

Come and chat with us! We love hanging out with you!

This week, we welcome Nicholas and Stephen from On The Spectrum podcast. We had such a great time learning more about their backgrounds, origins of their podcast, and the dynamics of their improv comedy and other performing arts. Steve and Nick share their personal experiences growing up undiagnosed with autism, discuss the challenges they faced in the education system and the misunderstandings that arose from their behaviors. They reflect on their journeys towards diagnosis, the impact it had on their lives, and how it helped them make sense of their past struggles. Great laughs, new insights, and unique perspectives from autistic adults, what more can you ask for? Listen here and then go check out their podcast. 

Warning: there’s some swearing in this episode, so if you don’t want the kids hearing/repeating, go grab those headphones. 

Part 1 of 2! Today Tash and Shannon welcome back Stephen and Nick from the On the Spectrum podcast. We deep into personal experiences with autism, ADHD, and other co-occurring diagnoses. Steve & Nick share their journeys of diagnosis, parenting neurodiverse children, and the complexities of mental health diagnoses. We also explore the unique experiences of parenting neurodiverse children, emphasizing the need for understanding and self-reflection in the parenting journey. The conversation also touches on the societal pressures parents face and the significance of self-love in effective parenting. Sounds serious.. But don’t worry.. There’s plenty of laughs and LOTS of entertainment!

Recovery is necessary after going through periods of Decision and Emotional and Physical Fatigue from being a caregiver (caregiver burnout syndrome).

In this episode, our “downloading” continues but we cover and wrap up the topic of the Mental Load by hitting on these few points:

• Personal actions you can take
• How Friends, Family + Community can help 
• Importance of Systems, processes can save and hold us up, as one of our faves states in her book, Kelley Coleman, “Systems are our Self Care!”

The idea of acceptance can give the false impression that everything is ok or that you are not struggling anymore. A better way to look at acceptance is that you have reached a certain level of resolve or can see the reality of your life for what it is now.

In this episode, we talk about the first time we reached a level of acceptance with our autistic children and how we strive to come back to that place over and over in a variety of ways. It's a great discussion, real and raw, about the difficulty of the journey and the goodness and growth that can come from it. We'd love to hear about your take on this discussion:

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

We are back again today with Joni Brown! We are talking ALL about her family’s decision to uproot and move from Minnesota to Colorado for more health/medical options for their daughter, Allie. (If you missed Joni’s first episode, it launched 6/17/24, go check it out HERE)

We talk about the move and how she found and created a support group around her in a new state, how Allie acclimated to her new home and schools, and how they found their place in their new home. 

We also talk about what life is like now with Allie, who is almost 21 years old. We discussed routine and what it’s like traveling with Allie now. We dive into “vacations” and what it looks like to pivot when things don’t go how you hoped they would. 

Meg Raby Klinghoffer, SLP, Author of the “My Brother Otto” series, Inclusion Ambassador, and staff member at Kulture City, is back in the studio with us. This time to catch up on current developments, celebrations, and what is coming in the future. We talk Kulture Ball + the new AI speak-generated assistance feature in Kulture City’s app, called Koji. Guess what!? It is FREE!

Get connected here for all things referenced in this week's episode: 

Kulture City

Meg Raby Klinghoffer Instagram

Kulture City Instagram

Today we were able to chat with Tara Clark from Modern Mom Probs! If you haven’t found Tara online, you definitely should; her links are below! Today we had a great conversation about her son’s diagnosis. Jack was diagnosed in 4th grade with Developmental Coordination Disorder, also known as Dyspraxia. We discussed the ins and outs of their story, but it morphed into even more; a discussion about how one size doesn’t fit all and why we must follow our instincts.

Tara on IG

Tara's Podcast

Modern Mom Probs Website

We're talking about our friendships with adults who have neurotypical kids. We'll be chatting about when other kids struggle to understand our neurodivergent children and how we navigate peer interactions. We also touch on educating neurotypical peers and when we know it's time to protect ourselves and our kids from toxic relationships.

Depression is an appropriate response to processing any kind of grief. It is often portrayed as unnatural, something to be fixed, or to get rid of as quickly as possible. The truth is, it would be unusual NOT feel it. There are times and circumstances when a longer period of depression may be part of your life and having discernment to recognize and know when you are depressed is essential to your grief journey. This episode explores the many sides of depression and how it has shown up in our lives. We would love to hear your thoughts and experiences as well.

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

We started this episode with a certain goal and topic in mind. Like so many things in life, it quickly pivoted in an unexpected direction, turning into an interview of Brittney and her perspective as a caregiver of Austin and his profound needs.

We always intended to have an episode like this on Moms Talk Autism. Some of the extremes of Austin’s life are not often spoken of or even acknowledged, even within the autistic community. It’s not a desired place to be: the outlier of the outliers. 

Have a listen and reach out if you have more questions or want similar episode topics on the show. It’s important that all autistic voices are heard, even those who cannot speak for themselves.

Jean: a simple name, complex in nature.

Many of us walk into parenthood with our "stuff". It shades and colors our lens when seeing our child’s diagnosis.

Jean wanted an exceptional child and the universe delivered an extraordinary, beautiful, autistic son. 

Gone were the days of the fast-paced, creative life in hospitality.  She carried her intensity and advocacy into a new life; one focused on slowing down and experiencing a deeper, richer side to humanity. Her story is about transformation through loss, on repeat. 

Instagram: @momstalkautism

Email: hello@momstalkautism.com