Mon, April 28, 2025

Autism and Travel w/ Becky Large of Champion Autism Network

Today, we enjoyed speaking with Becky Large from Champion Autism Network (CAN)! We often discuss how difficult it can be for our families to travel. Becky fills us in on how CAN and Autism Travel Club help families like ours go on vacations that we may not normally be able to enjoy!  You can find Becky on her site at: https://beckylarge.com  

Mon, April 21, 2025

Functional Neurology Pt 2 w/ Dr. Brandon Crawford

So many of you loved the last episode with Dr. Brandon Crawford, so we brought him back! This time around, we discussed the difference between standard neurology and functional neurology. We also discussed not just stopping at the symptom but digging deeper. Also touched on were reflexes and bedwetting, the importance of co-activation, and what to look for if you are looking for a functional neurologist in your area! You can find Dr Brandon on his site: https://www.drbrandoncrawford.com/ Also, his medical practice site: https://www.neurosolutionatx.com/ Another mentioned resource: https://www.iafnr.org/ As always, please do your own research and due diligence. Find out what is best for your family. We are not medical providers; we are just always hungry for knowledge and a great conversation!

Bonus · Wed, April 16, 2025

Rapid Fire Q&A w/ Ashley Lewis

Rapid Fire Q&A with our friend, Ashley Lewis, today! Questions we tackled in this bonus episode are: Building Confidence with your kids Daily Routines Childhood memories Stimming triggers

Mon, April 14, 2025

Autism & Sibling Relationships w/ Ashley Lewis

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: Creating a family team Explaining autism to siblings Responsibility vs. being a kid Later Care for autistic sibling Presley’s friends

Mon, April 07, 2025

Mental Health w/ Dr. Arielle Rubin

Today Tash and Shannon chatted with Dr. Ariel Rubin. She's a child psychiatrist who has a personal connection to autism through her brother. Dr. Rubin shares her journey into psychiatry and explores the dynamics of growing up with a sibling with autism. Today we focus on autism and ADHD, how these conditions intersect with mental health, the importance of late diagnoses, and the emotional challenges faced by children and their families. We also talk about the need for self-awareness and understanding within families, as well as the significance of seeking professional help when necessary.

Mon, March 31, 2025

Kicking CASK with Rachel Alves

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

Mon, March 24, 2025

Grab Bag #12

It’s a GRAB BAGGGGG! Questions we discuss today are: What is your Patronus? Please geek out with us. Our thoughts on ABA vs School in early diagnosis. How do I help support a friend who is also going through a diagnosis with her child? How do you balance staying informed vs protecting your mental health? We discuss laundry and how much we loathe it and how to get through it. If you could hire someone to do one thing at your house, what would it be? Have we listened to the Telepathy Tapes? Also, don't forget to visit us on PATREON for video AND bonus episodes!

Mon, March 17, 2025

Talking with Jeffe Boats, Autistic Author and Father

Today Tash & Shannon had the pleasure of speaking with Jeffe Boats, an autistic father and professor, who shares his journey of self-discovery and parenting an autistic son. We explore Jeffe's early life, the challenges of understanding autism, and the importance of representation in literature. Jeff discusses his debut novel, which features an autistic protagonist and emphasizes the need for diverse voices in storytelling. Jeffe also shares his perspective on parenting neurodiverse children with patience and understanding, highlighting the unique experiences and perspectives of being neurodiverse. **Jeffe was kind enough to share a discount code with our listeners for his book on his website where you can get a SIGNED COPY for less than you can find it anywhere else! Use code "6MOMS" here! ** You can find Jeff’s debut novel on his website HERE!

Mon, March 10, 2025

Mental Health w/ Nicholas & Stephen Pt 2

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!

Mon, March 03, 2025

Mental Health w/ Nicholas & Stephen Pt 1

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!

Mon, February 24, 2025

Moving Day w/ Jean & Shannon

Today Jean & Shannon discuss Jean’s recent move and the chaos that can ensue with families like ours during such a big transition. We also share some tips that helped with our moves!  

Mon, February 17, 2025

Megan Champion with Mothers Together

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  

Mon, February 10, 2025

Jean's Winter Break Catch Up

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!

Mon, February 03, 2025

On the Spectrum with Nicholas & Stephen

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.   

Mon, January 27, 2025

Moms Talk Winter Break

Holiday reflections, winter break highs and lows, and everyone’s favorite: back-to-school transitions, hooray! (insert sarcasm here) There are some good things happening, we promise. We’ve got some updates on trying new foods, small victories with holiday gatherings, and some routine breakthroughs. 2025, here we come! We are so happy to offer video for ALL of our 2025 episodes! Join us on Patreon HERE . Sign up and enjoy all of our episodes: Exclusive early access to episodes 24 hours in advance Ad Free- no skipping ahead required Unedited (real life, real swears, extra sassy banter) Our “messy hair, don’t care” smiling selves Extra bonus content, episodes, and ways to connect ONLY on Patreon  

Mon, January 20, 2025

Allowing Struggle: The Loving Push

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!

Mon, January 13, 2025

Neurodivergent Water Safety with Dayna Harvey

"Where there is water, I will wait!" Dayna Harvey is a water safety educator and swim instructor, specializing in teaching neurodivergent swimmers the importance of safe water play and exposure. She breaks down her program and gives real, tangible examples of things we can all do with our kids today to start teaching about water safety in all scenarios, not just around pools.  Check out the links below and please email her directly if you have further questions or concerns. She genuinely cares about the neurodivergent community and wants to help everyone be safe and have fun around water in appropriate ways. http://www.watersafetywithmissdayna.com

Mon, January 06, 2025

Functional Neurology and Autism with Dr. Brandon Crawford

What is Functional Neurology and how does it apply to autism and other neurodivergence?  On this week’s episode, Dr. Brandon Crawford discusses his journey into functional neurology, emphasizing the importance of understanding neurodivergence, particularly in children with autism. He explains how sensory processing affects motor skills and cognition, and how neuroplasticity can be harnessed to create positive changes in the brain. We all agree that tailored treatment plans for our kids is so important, along with our role as caregivers in supporting our neurodivergent children. Website: https://www.drbrandoncrawford.com/         Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/bcrawforddc/ Dr. Crawford’s podcast: https://www.drbrandoncrawford.com/podcast/the-longevity-formula   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Functional Neurology and Dr. Crawford 10:41 Understanding Neurodivergence and Autism 20:53 The Role of Sensory Processing in Neurodivergent Children 29:11 Neuroplasticity and Treatment Plans for Autism 31:10 Understanding Brain Function and Neuroplasticity 34:14 The Role of Care Plans in Autism Treatment 37:30 The Importance of Caregiver Well-being 40:36 Self-Care Strategies for Caregivers 44:46 The Impact of Light on Neurochemistry 51:01 Grounding and Its Benefits 55:39 Grounding Techniques and Cold Plunge Benefits 58:44 Managing Stress and Cold Exposure 01:01:05 Post-Cold Plunge Recovery Strategies 01:05:06 Starting Small: The Importance of Gradual Change 01:11:58 Never Accept Never: A Call to Action for Caregivers

Wed, January 01, 2025

2025 Forecast: Moms Look Ahead

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!  

Mon, December 30, 2024

RE-Launch: Having Another Child After Diagnosis

An autism diagnosis can be life-changing 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

Wed, December 25, 2024

RE-Launch: Gestalt Language Processing with @BohoSpeechie!

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

Mon, December 23, 2024

2024 Recap with the Moms!

You have a limited offer you can use now for Magic Mind, that gets you up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one-time purchases with code MOMSTALKK20 at checkout! You can claim it at: https://www.magicmind.com/MOMSTALKK20 Take a walk with us back through our 2024 year, what a ride! We talk about our favorite kid/family moments, along with some funny stories that have happened to us lately. We just all hope the giant fish at Bass Pro Shop are okay. If you’re looking to listen to some of our older episodes, we each give our recommendations from this past year, highlighting some of our favorite guests of 2024. Happy holidays and onto a new year! We’ve got some fun guests, topics, and more ways to connect with us in 2025. Let’s go!

Wed, December 18, 2024

RE-Launch: We Wish We Would Have Known

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

Mon, December 16, 2024

Brittney's Experience with Establishing Conservatorship

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.

Wed, December 11, 2024

Moms Talk Moms #8

Tash, Britt, and Shannon ask each other the tough questions today. Actually, we all came up with some funny scenarios, laughed, and got to know each other a little better. We all need a break sometimes and we hope this episode can be that for you too. What would you do if you got stuck in an elevator with your besties? Hopefully not what Tash does!  

Mon, December 09, 2024

Books for Siblings w/ author Amy McCoy

In today's episode, Jean and Tash welcome Amy McCoy, an autism parent, award-winning children's author, and disability educator. We discuss the unique challenges faced by siblings of children with autism, the importance of literature in fostering understanding, and the need for community support. Amy shares her experiences as a parent and educator, emphasizing the significance of creating connections and providing resources for families navigating the complexities of autism. Amy also discusses the importance of community connections for families with children with disabilities, the struggles faced by siblings, and the positive traits that can develop from these experiences. She emphasizes the need for advocacy and planning for lifelong services as children transition into adulthood. Lastly, she shares her journey as an author, creating literature that supports understanding and acceptance of autism in educational settings.

Wed, December 04, 2024

I'm That Mom...

Today we explore the humorous and chaotic realities of mothering kids on the spectrum. We highlight the challenges and absurdities of parenting, from creative messes in the home to toilet troubles. Let's not forget food preferences, social skills, and the management of medication. Look, sometimes you just have to laugh. Let's talk about some things that ONLY parents in our community will fully understand!

Mon, December 02, 2024

Community Story: Stephanie Debnath

It's another community story! Today, Shannon and Jean talk with Stephanie, a psychiatric nurse practitioner who shares her unique perspective as both a medical professional and a mother of a child on the spectrum. We discuss early signs of autism, the emotional challenges of diagnosis, the importance of finding the right support, and the ongoing journey of parenting a child with special needs. Come with us as we talk about the significance of community, connection, and understanding in the lives of families affected by autism.

Wed, November 27, 2024

Moms Talk Moms #7

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?

Mon, November 25, 2024

Divorce and Disability w/ Lisa Zeiderman

Lisa Zeiderman is a Managing Partner at Miller Zeiderman LLP in New York State and specializes in divorce cases involving disability. She is a wealth of knowledge and offers some important points about divorce and disabled dependents. We covered disagreements about diagnoses, special needs care, custody, and child support, as well as some free and valuable resources for women who may be considering and/or in the process of divorce. DISCLAIMER: Lisa’s commentary is not meant to be a substitute for legal or mental health advice. Please contact professionals in your area to ensure you get the proper guidance for your particular situation.   https://lisazeiderman.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisazeiderman/ https://www.instagram.com/lisazeiderman/ www.savvyladies.org   lz@mzw-law.com 914-455-1000

Wed, November 20, 2024

Chaos Catch Up: Moms Talk Everything

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

Mon, November 18, 2024

Harry Psaros: A dad's fight for acceptance

Today Tash & Doug chat with Harry Psaros, a father and autism advocate. Harry shares his journey as a parent of a child on the autism spectrum, discussing the early signs of autism in his son Gus, the challenges of the diagnosis process, and the importance of community and support for parents. The conversation emphasizes the need for fathers to be involved in advocacy, the significance of self-care, and the hope of seeing children thrive in their journeys. Harry's insights and experiences provide valuable lessons for parents navigating the complexities of raising children with autism. We discuss the story behind his book, "From Struggle to Strength: A Father's Journey with Autism and the Power of Hope and Positivity" and how important it is for the fathers of autistic kids to have support and community as well as the mothers.  website: HarryPsaros.com Facebook: Harry Psaros Instagram: Harry Psaros Twitter: @PittGuru LinkedIn: Harry Psaros

Wed, November 13, 2024

RE-Launch: Can Grief & Joy Co-Exist?

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.

Mon, November 11, 2024

Stacie Sherman: Career Journalist & Working Mom

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     

Wed, November 06, 2024

RE-Launch: Adapting & Grief

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

Mon, November 04, 2024

Why Title IX? w/ Kristina Supler & Susan Stone

Why Title IX? What is an IEP or 504? In this episode, we ask our specially informed and expert guests and attorneys about those uber-critical things. Let's meet our guests, shall we: Susan Stone, Student & Athlete Defense, Co-Chair Susan Stone co-chairs KJK’s Student & Athlete Defense/Title IX Practice Group. Recognizing the need for legal services to protect students, professors and individuals with disabilities, Susan handles matters ranging from special education issues to student disciplinary matters and Title IX investigations. Kristina Supler Student & Athlete Defense, Co-Chair Kristina Supler is co-chair of KJK’s Student & Athlete Defense / Title IX Practice Group. Her experience is regularly enlisted for complex cases involving allegations of sexual assault, and she has worked on national defense teams representing students and executives facing prosecution in the United States and abroad.  Enjoy the mini tool kit on Understanding IEP’s & 504 Plans here!

Wed, October 30, 2024

RE-Launch: Acceptance & Grief

The idea of acceptance can give a 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 discuss the first time we reached a level of acceptance with our autistic children and how we strive to return to that place in various 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

Mon, October 28, 2024

"Doing Great" with Emily O'Laughlin

Today, we are joined by Emily O’Laughlin, one of our community members. We discuss her family’s story, trials, and triumphs. We also discuss how they helped their son create a T-shirt company and sparked his entrepreneurial spirit! You can reach Emily here: Instagram Website

Wed, October 23, 2024

RE-Launch: Depression & Grief

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

Mon, October 21, 2024

Spellers with Dawnmarie Gaivin & Dr. Dana Johnson

Calling all families of non-speakers or minimal speakers! Dawnmarie Gaivian and Dr. Dana Johnson discuss the amazing breakthroughs they and others have been experiencing using spelling to communicate. Is communication a motor skill or cognitive? Both? What is apraxia, and how does it affect a person? How does vision and reflex integration affect communication for nonspeakers? Biggest takeaway: Always presume competence with nonspeakers. We had a great chat about what that exactly means for you and your family. Want to learn more? Here’s ALL the links: https://spellers.com/ Instagram Facebook Facebook Group Spellers San Diego LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-johnson-phd-66056a2b/ YouTube: Spellers The Movie Docuseries Episodes: https://www.underestimated.tv/ Underestimated Book Ido in Autismland Book

Wed, October 16, 2024

RE-Launch : Bargaining & Grief

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

Mon, October 14, 2024

Parenting Neurotypical Siblings w/ Amanda Owen

The topic of “siblings” is well-requested on the podcast and today we have an amazing, heartfelt episode for you! Shannon has a conversation with Amanda Owen about her relationship with her brother, Nick, who was born with a rare chromosomal abnormality. As a keynote speaker, Amanda often speaks to parents about the sibling dynamic. She shares her SEEDS acronym that she developed to help parents reflect on their relationships with their neurotypical kids. She also shares about her non-profit, Puzzle Pieces, a Kentucky-based nonprofit that serves individuals with disabilities, offering them targeted autism services, residential living, vocational training, supported employment, behavior services, and more. SO many great nuggets in this episode! You can find Amanda here:  Instagram Website & Book

Wed, October 09, 2024

RE-Launch: Anger & Grief

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.

Mon, October 07, 2024

Community Story: Sonya Bell

Today’s episode is with a special guest, a community member, and a fellow autism mom. Sonya Bell is a mother to four children, two of those are young Neurodivergent adults. Today she shares her story as a mother in a time where advocating was much different than it is now. Sonya shares about the beginning days of her son’s autism diagnosis and how her faith was instrumental in being hopeful. She also shares about the obstacles her son has overcome to be where he is today living independently at University. She sheds light on how diet change for the whole family was crucial and how that continues to be a major part of her life as a health coach. A message of hope and encouragement to keep going as none of us know what the future holds. You can find Sonya at the links below! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondradiant422/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/BeyondRadiantHC Website: https://www.beyondradianthc.com/ Buy the book here: https://www.beyondradianthc.com/product-page/moving-forward-details-of-an-autism-journey-by-sonya-a-bell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondradiant

Wed, October 02, 2024

RE-Launch: Denial & Grief

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! 

Mon, September 30, 2024

Relocating for Services w/ Joni Brown

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. 

Bonus · Wed, September 25, 2024

Podcast Recommendation: In It- "Advocating for your Special Ed Child"

We’ve partnered up with a fellow podcast! Listen to the bonus episode of IN IT: Raising Kids Who Learn Differently. This show is for parents of children who have challenges with reading, math, focus, and other learning differences, like ADHD, autism, and dyslexia. In the following episode, Gretchen and Rachel talk with their guest about what to do when the classroom experience isn’t going well for your kid. As a parent, what should I do to support or change things at school? Check out this and other episodes at IN IT: Raising Kids Who Learn Differently. Follow them on your favorite podcast player. https://www.understood.org/en/podcasts/in-it https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-it-raising-kids-who-learn-differently/id1447018742

Mon, September 23, 2024

We are Brave Together w/ Jessica Patay

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

Wed, September 18, 2024

Moms Talk: Holiday & Special Occasion Prep

Mon, September 16, 2024

Making the "Nevers" Possible w/ Meg Raby

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

Wed, September 11, 2024

Grab Bag #11

YOUR questions answered on the podcast today. Topics included are: Best therapy or therapists that we have experienced in our own families How we work through our cycles of grief: what have we learned for our own personal healing and benefit Cleaning products and practices that help us tidy and disinfect our homes daily Want a list with links to some of our favorite cleaning products? Email us or send us a DM and we’ll get it over to you! Check out our webinar with Action Behavior Centers HERE !!  

Mon, September 09, 2024

Discussing the Diagnosis with our Child w/ Drs. Katia Fredriksen & Yael Rothman

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/

Wed, September 04, 2024

Moms Talk Moms #6: Summer Edition

Something light and easy breezy today, we all need a break and some laughs! Topics covered in today’s episode: Favorite boxed cereals and the proper way to eat them, see also: don’t be gross Car trip snacks- the sweet, the sour, and the savory Game show nostalgia- RIP Bob Barker, we love you forever Cellphone wallpapers- they can tell you a lot about a person Our favorite podcasts and TV shows that we are into right now Have any recommendations? Email us at hello@momstalkautism.com or send us a DM

Mon, September 02, 2024

For the Love of the Game: Michael Gold w/ Future Fans

Today we talk to Michael Gold, co-founder of Future Fans, a toolkit that focuses on teaching kids and families the fundamentals of team sports in a fun and interactive way through stories, games, and toys. This method is great for all abilities, including those who learn differently than typical peers. They even won an Autism Toy Award ! We go in-depth on how the boxes work and the benefits for kids and families: shared interests, new skills, and knowledge of a sport that can lead to connections with peers and the community. Go Team! Website with Purchase Links Future Fans Instagram

Wed, August 28, 2024

IEP Refresh w/ Lisa Baskin Wright

Today we sat down with Lisa Baskin-Wright, our favorite IEP Coach to do a refresh on some IEP tips and tricks as we roll into a new school year. If you haven’t heard the first episode we did with Lisa, make sure to listen, but this will be a quick reminder for you to get you going and not create more mental load than we already have. PLEASE be sure to check out how you can work with Lisa at the links below! IEP Community: https://www.lisabaskinwright.com/iep-community Coaching & Products: https://www.lisabaskinwright.com/products

Mon, August 26, 2024

Cultivating Hope w/ Jan Stewart

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

Bonus · Wed, August 21, 2024

BONUS: Shannon and Brittney Talk Failing Motherhood

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

Mon, August 19, 2024

Failing Motherhood w/ Danielle Bettmann

Fellow podcaster and Parenting Coach, Danielle Bettmann, is our guest in this week’s episode. Danielle helps parents of strong-willed children meet their kids’ deepest core needs, improve behavior, and find new levels of patience. As a mom of two, Danielle is passionate about eliminating shame from parents’ vocabulary, solving power struggles, and transitioning from school to home and back again. Danielle specializes in helping families who are struggling but don’t have a diagnosis yet or whose child does not meet the criteria for a specific diagnosis. We loved chatting with Danielle and hope this conversation is a helpful stepping stone to finding solutions for your family. Connect with Danielle and her podcast, “Failing Motherhood”: www.Instagram.com/parent_wholeheartedly     www.Facebook.com/wholeheartedlyomaha  www.failingmotherhood.com www.parentingwholeheartedly.com/unapologetic www.parentingwholeheartedly.com

Wed, August 14, 2024

Moms Talk the Mental Load: Part 2

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!”

Mon, August 12, 2024

Dyslexia & Learning in 3D w/ Jess Arce

Today we chat with special guest and dyslexia expert Jess Arce, managing director of 3D Learning Experts, which provides virtual tutoring services tailored to children facing brain-based learning challenges. The tutors help bridge the gap with their peers who are struggling with reading, writing, spelling, and math.  Jess also opens up about her journey and experience with her and her children’s multiple neurodivergent diagnoses, once again, dyslexia being the mainstay diagnosis in her story. Website: www.3dlearningexperts.com Facebook: facebook.com/3DLearningExpert Instagram: instagram.com/3dlearningexperts TikTok: tiktok.com/@3dlearningexperts

Wed, August 07, 2024

Moms Talk the Mental Load: Part 1

In this episode, we unpack two of three prongs to what encapsulates the “Mental Load”: Planning, Organizing + Anticipating = Cost of Cognitive Labor, Time Currency Spent + Decision Fatigue Honest Mom Moments: “I don’t like myself right now.” Reporting the moments when people around you, no matter the circumstance, don’t understand what is at play and you not even liking yourself! In “Moms Talk Autism” fashion we “download” about our lives on this episode, past and current events. There are many definitions and research around this topic, that we tie into the discussion or keep in mind. This is essential and we urge you to do your own deep dives to become more acquainted to what we are actually experiencing. 

Mon, August 05, 2024

Weathering the Storms w/ Britta Merwin, Fox Weather Meteorologist

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 

Mon, July 29, 2024

The Moms Summer Check In!

All four of us in one episode? In the summer? It’s a hot, sweaty, sticky miracle! We had a great time filling you all in on our summer experiences so far. There’s been highs and lows and lots of transitions. We cover everything from staying home to chill, selling homes and big family changes, family trips, and summer camps. Between the four of us, we’ve just about done it all. So, grab yourself an ice cream or a cold drink, and listen in to all of our summer shenanigans!

Mon, July 22, 2024

Entertainment for ALL kids w/ Jerry Kolber

Calling ALL parents and kids, this episode is for YOU! We are thrilled to have Jerry Kolber on this week’s episode, creator and advocate for some of the most successful and beloved children’s “edutainment” programming in the world. We chat with Jerry about his own struggles growing up within the traditional public education system, his interest and journey towards TV and other visual media, and to all his latest projects. Jerry has worked with HBO, E!, Bravo, Disney/ABC, Nat Geo, Discovery ID, MTV, Animal Planet, and A&E…wow! His current passions involve programs to help children around the world develop a love for curiosity and learning, especially in the fields of science, technology, and mathematics. Check out his shows on Disney + and Netflix, and don’t forget his, not one, but two podcasts FOR KIDS! We’ve got a bonus episode of “Who Smarted?” on our podcast feed, go check it out.  We have loved watching and listening to Jerry’s shows with our own families and hope you will listen to our conversation and then go check them out for yourself. Nat Geo on Disney +: Brain Games Netflix: Brain Child  Podcasts- “Who Smarted?” and “Mysteries About True Histories” Links: Jerry’s BIO Linked In for Jerry FB: Who Smarted? Website: whosmarted.com Instagram: Who Smarted? Who Smarted? podcast Mysteries About True Histories podcast

Wed, July 17, 2024

You May Also Like: Who Smarted? The Funniest Podcast for KIDS!

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

Mon, July 15, 2024

Traveling the Spectrum w/ Stuart Butler & Peter Prokop

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/

Mon, July 08, 2024

Disability ComicCon w/ Dr Alisa Elliot

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.

Mon, July 01, 2024

You Have No Idea w/ Beth James Burns

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

Mon, June 24, 2024

Grab Bag #11 w/ Tash & Shannon

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!

Mon, June 17, 2024

Don't Sing Happy Birthday with Joni Brown

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

Mon, June 10, 2024

SOS: Asking for Help (Pt 3 with Britt & Jean)

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: Fear of missing out Struggle for control The weight of responsibility Judgment from others and ourselves Jean and Britt touch on what it is like to ask for help in their own lives, how it was as young mothers and the evolution of that skill over time. It’s a muscle we all have to develop, so let’s get to work!

Mon, June 03, 2024

Finding Confidence as a Parent with Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe and Shahla Ala’i-Rosales

Today we welcome authors Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe and Shahla Alai-Rosales to the podcast to discuss navigating therapies and feeling confident as a parent. Long-time friends and colleagues, they have worked together to bring important insights and knowledge to families all over the world. We are the keystone to our child’s growth and development. We are the guides on their expansion of life, in whatever form and path we end up traveling. Lots of great takeaways and tidbits for you to think about, we know we did! And don’t forget to grab a copy of their co-authored book. It’s a wonderful guide and resource for a parent in any stage of autism caregiving.  Book: Responsible and Responsive Parenting in Autism: Between Now and Dreams Leave a review for the book too! Book Resource Page Peggy’s website Article Link

Mon, May 27, 2024

SOS: Asking for Help (Pt 2 with Britt & Shannon)

Welcome to the Brit and Shan show, in part two of our three-part series on asking for and receiving help from others. We are 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: Fear of missing out Struggle for control The weight of responsibility Judgment from others and ourselves Join us as we touch on what it is like to ask for help in their own lives, how it was as young mothers and the evolution of that skill over time. It’s a muscle we all have to develop, so let’s get to work!

Mon, May 20, 2024

#PeriodProblems w/ Ashley Lewis

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!

Mon, May 13, 2024

SOS: Asking for Help (Pt 1 with Britt & Tash)

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: Fear of missing out Struggle for control The weight of responsibility Judgment from others and ourselves Tash and Britt touch on what it's like to ask for help in their own lives, how it was as young mothers and the evolution of that skill over time. It’s a muscle we all have to develop, so let’s get to work!

Mon, May 06, 2024

Modern Mom Probs w/ Tara Clark!

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

Mon, April 29, 2024

Moms Talk Moms #5

This one is a bit wild, y’all. Just like Tash’s favorite chunky sweater.  We talk about pet peeves, our favorite outfits and clothing, ways to unwind and relax, and our apps that we just can’t quit! This is exactly what it’s like when we are all in the same room. Lots of giggles, maybe a couple of swears. Just giving you a heads-up. 😉

Mon, April 22, 2024

Jonathan Alderson Pt. 3: Consequences and our Kids

WHAT DO I DO ABOUT THE OREOS?!?! :D (Inside joke… listen and you’ll understand!) For a discussion on consequences, this one has a lot of laughs. It's important to laugh at ourselves, right?  How do we teach our kids consequences that empower them to make better choices? What is the framework around this? AND.. if we haven’t been the best with consequences in our home, how do we start now? Great convo all about this but we also touched on: 6 Rules in Creating Consequences. Teaching our kids rights versus privileges. 3 things that will mess it ALL up. This one is meaty... Let’s discuss it! Take a listen and meet us on IG! Jonathan's website is HERE . ThriveGuide is HERE . Jonathan's book is HERE . AND... Jonathan was awesome enough to give our listeners a discount on the Thrive Guide if you want to try it out! Use code TEN4MTA for a 10% discount on the monthly OR annual subscription offer on top of the current 30-day free trial!!  

Mon, April 15, 2024

Merry Go Round: Sleep

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!  

Mon, April 08, 2024

Learning to Speak Up with Katie Gallardo

We love it when DM chats lead to podcast guests. Katie shares her personal story about her son’s diagnosis and therapy journey, specifically ABA. This led to her finding her voice, speaking up, and helping others in her area and state to receive more coverage for autism services. We all have to start somewhere! Connect with Katie on Instagram @7luckyleaps

Mon, April 01, 2024

Mindful Voices: A One-Stop Shop for Therapy?!

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

Mon, March 25, 2024

Tough Times w/ Britt & Shannon

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.

Mon, March 18, 2024

Jonathan Alderson Pt. 2 : Receptivity & Communicating With Our Kids

Another amazing conversation with Jonathan Alderson today! We dive into the topic of feeling frustrated when our kids “just won’t listen” to us and how we can find our way back to the joys of parenting again, even with kids who may have more challenging behaviors.   How can we adjust our expectations? What are the changes that we can make in our intentions and our attitude that will yield better results for ourselves and our kids? We also discuss the topic of dating our kids and how that can help!   Grab your coffee (or wine, no judgment) and come chat with us! Jonathan's website is HERE . ThriveGuide is HERE . Jonathan's book is HERE . AND... Jonathan was awesome enough to give our listeners a discount on the Thrive Guide if you want to try it out! Use code TEN4MTA for a 10% discount on the monthly OR annual subscription offer on top of the current 30-day free trial!!

Mon, March 11, 2024

Jonathan Alderson Pt. 1: Why All Therapy May Not Work for All Kids

Today we had the pleasure of talking with Jonathan Alderson. Jonathan has a Master's of Education from Harvard and also completed a three-year intensive certification training in autism treatment at the Autism Treatment Center of America. While we could go on and on about his BIO , what we discuss is even MORE important. After working directly with autistic children, Jonathan started to see that so many of the beliefs that we have been sold were not actually the case. Inspired to debunk these myths, Jonathan wrote his book, Challenging the Myths of Autism, where he discusses some of the common myths and how they are incorrect using personal experiences and studies. Today we discuss how we can find what will work best for our child as an individual, as one size does NOT fit all in our lives.  Not only that but in WHAT ORDER should we apply the ideal treatments? That is the key and the purpose of ThriveGuide, developed by Jonathan, which we will dive into more in part 2 of this episode. Also touched on in this episode, which is critical, is the intention and the attitude in which we approach therapy and our children. We discuss how the relationship between the teacher/therapist/parent and the child is the CATALYST to learning. Jonathan was kind enough to provide our listeners with a discount code on Thrive Guide! Use code TEN4MTA for a 10% discount on the monthly or annual subscription on top of the current 30-day free trial offer! Jonathan's website is HERE . ThriveGuide is HERE .  Jonathan's book is HERE . 

Mon, March 04, 2024

The Moms' Current Fav Book w/ author Kelley Coleman

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:  The “Go Home, Google, and Cry” method isn’t the only option anymore Invisible vs. NOT visible vs. visible disabilities. Say that three times fast. The cost of “Cognitive Labor”, this is a big one “Parent” and “Caregiver” are two different jobs. You didn’t know you were doubly employed, did you? Best takeaway: Find a place for a victory, no matter how small. It makes a difference! 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

Mon, February 26, 2024

Feeding our Kids: The Feeding Assessment Tool w/ Elizabeth Klein, BCBA, LBA, M.Ed.

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

Mon, February 19, 2024

School Based Speech Therapy w/ Sarah Anzalone, SLP

In today's episode, we had the pleasure of chatting with Sarah Anzalone, Speech Language Pathologist. Sarah works in the Camas School District as an SLP working specifically with elementary-age children. Sarah shares with us about coming from a large district in Las Vegas to a much smaller district in Camas and how different that looks. She also gives some insight on the direction of pre-entering a district to receiving your child's IEP and what that can involve as well as how you, as the parent, can be the best advocate for your child. There is some red tape that happens in the public education system versus private therapy, but we discuss how you can be the best and most insightful version of yourself for your child's team. Sarah is a wealth of knowledge and has given us a deeper understanding of what speech therapy might look like in our children's plan.

Mon, February 12, 2024

Grab Bag #10

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: Spreading awareness vs being protective of our children’s diagnosis, how do we handle this? How do you handle punishment in your home with your kids? How do we personally handle aggressive behaviors directed towards you? Come and chat with us! We love hanging out with you!  

Mon, February 05, 2024

Mean Jean the Legislative Machine

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!

Mon, January 29, 2024

Sister, Advocate, and Psychologist : Dr. Taylor Day

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  

Mon, January 22, 2024

School Based Occupational Therapy w/ Sharon Peddie, OT

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  

Mon, January 15, 2024

HomeSchooling: A Discussion with Manisha Snoyer

Today’s show is all about homeschooling! We chat with Manisha Snoyer of Teach your Kids about the different ways that you can educate your children while thinking outside of the box. We discuss curriculum, what a day in the life of homeschool can look like, and where you can find more support and information if it’s something that you are considering for your kiddos! While the four of us don’t homeschool, we know that a chunk of our community does and this was a great conversation as friends about choices! You can find Manisha at the links below! Manisha on IG Teach your Kids on YouTube Teach Your Kids Pod on Apple  

Mon, January 08, 2024

Siblings: A Lifetime Dedication w/ Mollie Garre and Maya LaBate

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!

Mon, January 01, 2024

2024 Vision

Can you believe it?! We are officially in 2024. Today we got together to discuss our vision for the upcoming year, personal, professional, and podcast! 2023 was quite the year for the 4 of us; many lessons learned. We are taking those lessons into this year and want to share with you what that means for us! From growing in our advocacy, to growing through a divorce, to learning to SLOW DOWN.. we talk about it all with YOU! Join us on the pod and IG , and let us know what your vision for 2024 is!

Mon, December 25, 2023

2023 Year In Review

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  

Mon, December 18, 2023

Keeping our Kids Safe at Home w/ Jay Korza

It can feel like keeping our kids safe is a moving target. Just when we think we have it figured out, something new pops up that we have to problem-solve. If you’re anything like us, it’s one of your biggest worries. Today, Jay and Shannon discuss all of the safety precautions they have taken in and around their home to keep Gracie safe and help limit the stress that we feel on a daily basis.  Take some notes. What works for us may not work for everyone, but you’re bound to hear something that will help your family! You can find some of the items that we linked here on Amazon, but please shop around! You can likely find them on sale!  LINK: https://www.amazon.com/shop/fit.for.the.fight/list/1158T7IA8S0X3?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_aipsffit.for.the.fight_W0A7T313W5PCYMTRAC2H  

Mon, December 11, 2023

Breaking Barriers: Diagnosis to IronMan Athlete

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  

Mon, December 04, 2023

"Are You Sure?" : Colleen Johnson's Story

From meeting her husband on the Fiddler on the Roof national tour to starting their family together and having two amazing boys, Colleen discusses her journey through Autism and Down Syndrome diagnoses. We talk about the feeling of being blindsided by multiple health issues with her sons Eli and Luke.  Colleen walks us through their journey and discusses all that she’s learning, including the seemingly difficult skill of learning to be okay with asking for help.  You can find Colleen on Instagram at @ourlifewithluke Moms Talk Autism Website MTA Merch Shop

Mon, November 27, 2023

Suicide and the Signs: AnneMoss Rogers' Story

This episode is about suicide and suicide prevention. We feel strongly this is a topic we all need to be aware of and educated about, particularly as it relates to parenting neurodivergent children. If you or someone you love needs to seek help, the US Suicide Hotline for calling and texting is 988, available 24/7. A quick Google Search will bring up any other country’s hotline as well as multiple language preferences and options. AnneMoss Rogers is a mental health and suicide education expert, professional speaker, trainer, and consultant. After her 20-year-old son, Charles died by suicide in 2015, Anne Moss chronicled her family’s tragedy in a newspaper article that went viral, and her blog, Emotionally Naked , has reached millions.  She is the author of the award-winning memoir, Diary of a Broken Mind and the best seller, Emotionally Naked: A Teacher’s Guide to Preventing Suicide and Recognizing Students at Risk with co-writer Dr. Kimberly O’Brien. She has been a TEDx speaker, was featured in the New York Times, Variety Magazine , and was the first non-clinician invited to speak on youth suicide at the National Institute of Mental Health.    AnneMoss’ website:  https://mentalhealthawarenesseducation.com/ AnneMoss’ Emotionally Naked © blog: http://emotionallynaked.com AnneMoss’ TEDx – Can a Blog Save Lives?  

Mon, November 20, 2023

Adulting with Mama Fry

All of us girls on the pod follow Mama Fry! This was such a great conversation about the ins and outs of raising an adult son with autism. We talked a little about her journey with her son as he grew up, but really focused on what the transition to adulthood looks like. What does it look like when our kiddos turn 18? If you’re concerned about what adulthood looks like, conservatorship, etc., tune in this week and listen to this convo! It’s a serious topic, but it comes along with a good deal of laughs too.  You can find Eileen (aka Mama Fry) on Instagram !  You can find her blog HERE!

Mon, November 13, 2023

Grab Bag #9

Lots of great questions from our listeners this week. These are some of our favorite episodes to record, we love hearing from and talking about the subjects that are most important to you. This week, we touched on a wide variety of topics: Puberty and Hygiene Medical-grade strollers and equipment Chiropractic care Aggression Friendships with Typical Families Potty Training Supporting Friends Emotionally   As always, you can reach out to us anytime if you have any grab-bag questions or episode subjects you would like us to cover on the podcast. Keep those questions coming!  

Mon, November 06, 2023

Raising My Son Before Services: Monica Meyers Part 2

In this episode, we continue with part two of Monica’s story. This episode details a little more of what the future planning for Michael looks like along with Monica and what she is moving into career-wise.

Mon, October 30, 2023

Raising My Son Before Services: Monica Meyers Part 1

Today's episode starts us with part one of this two-part series. We sat down to chat with the lovely Monica Meyers, a community member, advocate, and trailblazer to this community in the state of Washington. Monica shares her experience not only with her son's diagnosis that came in a time of no internet but also the courageous amount of advocacy she's done for not only her son but the autistic community as a whole. You can find Monica on her website HERE!  

Mon, October 23, 2023

We Holiday OUR Way!

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!!*  

Mon, October 16, 2023

Talking Our Kids: Back To School Updates

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  

Mon, October 09, 2023

Employing Autistic Adults w/ Eileen Youngberg

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.

Mon, October 02, 2023

The Importance of Peer-to-Peer Support

Come join us! Today we are talking about our community and defining the very pillar of why we exist as a podcast and community. Peer-to-Peer support can be defined as a person who belongs to the same group or shares the same lived experience. In contrast to mentorship where help is provided by an expert, in peer-to-peer support ALL peers are equally qualified. 3 Key Principles of Peer Support: respect, shared responsibility, and mutual agreement on what is helpful.  Much evidence support that peer support is a critical and effective strategy for ongoing healthcare + sustaining behavior changes for people living with chronic situations or healthcare needs. Its benefits can be extended to the community, organizational & structural levels.   

Mon, September 25, 2023

How to Achieve Inclusive Education w/ Bre Gastaldi (Part 2)

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.

Mon, September 18, 2023

What Inclusive Education REALLY Is w/ Bre Gastaldi (Part 1)

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 Learn what happens to a childs brain when they are excluded: https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2017.00046

Mon, September 11, 2023

Creating Your Community with Sarah Watkins from AUsomesauce

Making connections with others can be very daunting, especially for special needs families. Where do you even start? We are so pleased to share our chat with Sarah Watkins, from AUsome Sauce, a non-profit organization based in Southern California, who saw a problem in her area and decided to do something about it. Sarah shares about her own family, what AUsome Sauce is all about, and ways that you can find or create a similar community where you live. Do it for your kids and do it for yourself, it’s worth it! Check out AUsome Sauce HERE Follow them on Instagram HERE  

Mon, September 04, 2023

Talking Tics

Today, we’re talking tics, involuntary movements, stimming, and other repetitive behaviors. What are they and how do we experience them in our own households, it’s quite the ride.  Tics and other stimming behaviors are very common among autistic individuals. Sometimes they are very self-soothing and can really help someone feel grounded and regulated. We fully support this for our kids and others. Other times, it can be very disruptive and unsafe, or the person can get stuck in a loop, unable to control their actions or vocalizations. They want to stop, but just can’t! It’s complicated and hard to discern sometimes. We encourage you to check with medical professionals if you have concerns about your own child.   

Mon, August 28, 2023

Moms Talk Moms #4

This episode is all about us ladies and some random facts! We love to have these episodes to not only share some personal stuff about us crazy girls but to also bring some fun lighthearted laughter to your week once in a while!

Mon, August 21, 2023

Can Grief and Joy Coexist?

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.  

Mon, August 14, 2023

Coming Together In Camas

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!

Mon, August 07, 2023

Grab Bag #8

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!  

Mon, July 31, 2023

How Distrust Can Affect the Way You Advocate

Join us today as we discuss how our perception of trust and distrust in medical professionals has shaped our behavior as both a parent and advocate for our exceptional children.   

Mon, July 24, 2023

Adaptive Diving : Discover Diveheart w/ Jim Elliot and Tinamarie Hernandez

You don’t want to miss this one! Such an amazing chat today with Jim Elliot and Tinamarie Hernandez of Diveheart. Diveheart is a non-profit organization that specializes in adaptive scuba diving to any child, adult, or veteran with a disability, in hopes of providing physical and psychological therapeutic value to that person.  In their words, “Diveheart works with individuals who have a variety of disabilities, including physical and developmental disabilities, vision and hearing impairments, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and more. Diveheart seeks to help its participants ‘Imagine the Possibilities’ in their lives.” You can hear more stories about all of the amazing things they are doing on their YouTube channel and their links below! We highly recommend watching some of their inspiring videos!  YouTube Channel Donate Here  

Mon, July 17, 2023

Finding the Right Caregiver with Dr. Alisa Elliot

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/

Mon, July 10, 2023

Mom Guilt 2.0

Step inside our brains for the second installment of Mom Guilt. Why because Mom Guilt is inevitable and provides endless amounts of opportunities to discuss. This time it is about the actual inner dialogue that takes place. “I am a failure.” “I am the worst mom.” Why are we like this?!  

Mon, July 03, 2023

Halfway There : A Summer Break Update

Insert Bon Jovi song lyrics...  Today we sat down and recapped the summer so far. The good, the bad and the ugly. Come hang with us as we chat summer. And then hop on IG and let us know how it's going for YOU!

Mon, June 26, 2023

Let's Get Physical : Movement & Our Kids

Today’s episode we sat down with guest and author ,Sheena Leedham, to talk all about movement and the benefits it provides for our exceptional needs children. We do a dive into how this movement can not only help on a physical level but also bring confidence and inclusion with their Neurotypical peers.  Links:  Follow this link to learn more about The Power of a Note, and I Can Jump Rope! Both books can be found on Amazon, Bookbaby, and elitefts.com . She's even providing four weeks of her 12-Week I Can Jump Rope Program for FREE. https://linktr.ee/SHEENAinc Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/SHEENAfreedom/  More articles written by Sheena: https://www.elitefts.com/author/sheena-leedham/  

Mon, June 19, 2023

The Different Parenting Styles

On this episode we identify, breakdown and apply the four traditional styles of parenting: Authoritative, Authoritarian, Permissive and Uninvolved/Neglectful. We dive into the newer developed parenting styles such as Tiger, Attachment, Positive/Gentle, Outsource and Helicopter. Why we may operate mainly with only one or two of these styles, at any point in our lifetime as parents, we can presume any of these styles depending on the season or situation.  Additionally the rub comes when our individual styles clash or need to align with the other parent, whether they are your spouse or co-parent.  Diagram link: https://sustainingcommunity.wordpress.com/2015/02/04/what-are-parenting-styles/  

Mon, June 12, 2023

Participating in Therapy While Allowing Our Kids to be Their Authentic Selves with Dr. Kristin Wegner

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  

Mon, June 05, 2023

Grab Bag #7

It’s a grab bag of your most asked questions this week! Here's what you've been asking about: 1. Eating habits and sensory-related food aversions @8theplate SOS Approach to Feeding   2. Driving and riding in the car: safety and car seat alternatives Buckle Up For Life   3. Making friends: peer support and maintaining friendships Special Olympics  

Mon, May 29, 2023

Life with my Boys, One Autistic and the other Deaf : Jen Haase's Story

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. 

Mon, May 22, 2023

Slipping & Sliding Into Summer: Handling the Transition

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!  

Mon, May 15, 2023

They Said It Would Get Easier...

"They" said it would get easier.. but does it really? Let's have some real talk about this.  There isn't this magical, easy place that we are searching for or journeying to. If that's what you're looking for you had better pack some serious bags. Lots of clean undies.    But what we can say is that while it doesn't get easier, we DO get stronger. We learn new tools to deal with each new challenge. Meet us on the pod today and let's talk about it all. 

Mon, May 08, 2023

Profound Autism : A Day With Austin

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.  

Mon, May 01, 2023

Moms Talk Moms #3

Time for another Moms Talk Moms episode! This week we have Tash, Brittney, and Shannon on the mics. We have some fun ones but tossed in a few deeper ones for you too. Let’s get to know one another better! Today we talked about anything from our first celebrity crushes and favorite concerts to things like tasks that we secretly despise and some of our greatest regrets.  Join us! And because we don’t want to forget…  here’s the deep Hair Conditioner link that Brittney talked about: https://a.co/d/7giaziU

Mon, April 24, 2023

Living Apart From My Son: Emely Zavala's Story

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  

Mon, April 17, 2023

Medical Insurance with Chris Olmanson of Beaming Health

It may not be a fun or exciting topic to cover, but it is so very important! We are thrilled to have our special guest, Chris Olmanson, on to discuss his experiences working for a large health insurance company. Chris shares practical tips and tricks (takes notes, it's worth it) as well as some personal stories of the special needs families he has worked with over the years. Chris is now co-founder of Beaming Health, one of our most favorite websites and resources to recommend to families, especially if you are just starting out with your child's autism diagnosis. We cannot speak highly enough of the information provided for families there, go check it out! Beaming Health Instagram: Beaming Health (@beaming.health) A big thanks to Chris and the Beaming Health team to make this episode happen. If you have questions or want to hear more about this topic, send us a message: Instagram:  @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com brittney@momstalkautism.com jean@momstalkautism.com shannon@momstalkautism.com tash@momstalkautism.com      

Mon, April 10, 2023

Gestalt Language Processing with @BohoSpeechie!

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  

Mon, April 03, 2023

We Wish We Would Have Known...

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  

Mon, March 27, 2023

Moms Talk Moms #2

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        

Mon, March 20, 2023

Rage Against the Machine: Navigating Insurance

What a rude awakening it can be to get your first "NO" after the journey of getting a diagnosis, what gives?!   This conversation covers the scope of the many nuances of the private marketplace, medicare, Medicaid healthcare, and other state programs that may provide specific needs. It's just the tip of the iceberg packed with some helpful nuggets! We share a little bit of what we wish we knew, especially out of the gate.  Instagram:  @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com brittney@momstalkautism.com jean@momstalkautism.com shannon@momstalkautism.com tash@momstalkautism.com      

Mon, March 13, 2023

Grab Bag #6

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        

Mon, March 06, 2023

Connecting and Joining with your Child

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      

Mon, February 27, 2023

Moms Talk Moms

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      

Mon, February 20, 2023

KultureCity, The Super Bowl, and Tash

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      

Mon, February 13, 2023

Interview with author Meg Raby

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    

Mon, February 06, 2023

Kulture City Interview with Renae Ingles

Today's episode is all about our favorite non profit, KultureCity! We had the incredible privledge of sitting down with board member Renae Ingles to chat about her family’s autism journey for their son Jacob. That experience brought them to their advocacy and work with KultureCity. Renae tells us all about the influential and important work of this amazing organization and how all of us can be involved. We hope you enjoy this interview as much as we did! Check out KultureCity here: https://www.kulturecity.org/ Instagram: @kulturecity Moms Talk Autism contact info: Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com brittney@momstalkautism.com jean@momstalkautism.com shannon@momstalkautism.com tash@momstalkautism.com        

Mon, January 30, 2023

Our Experience With Specialists

The doctor will see you now... If your child has an autism diagnosis, there's a good chance you are also seeing some medical or therapy specialists. Everyone has a different path and will respond to treatments in different ways. We hope you can gain some insight from our experiences with specialists to figure out your own therapy and medical plan.  Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com brittney@momstalkautism.com jean@momstalkautism.com shannon@momstalkautism.com tash@momstalkautism.com    

Mon, January 23, 2023

Regression vs. Refusal

Regression can happen in many different areas of our kids' lives: language, functional skills, physical abilities, academics, etc. Refusal can also manifest itself in many ways. Join us as we discuss these differences and share some of our own struggles in trying to distinguish between these two parenting challenges. Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com brittney@momstalkautism.com jean@momstalkautism.com shannon@momstalkautism.com tash@momstalkautism.com    

Mon, January 16, 2023

Grab Bag #5

It’s time for another grab bag episode baby! We’re answering your questions and diving deeper into what you want to know. Join us as we discuss relevant topics, share stories, and just spend some good old fashioned quality time together. Topics for this episode include birthday parties for our autistic children, mood swings/changes and their possible triggers, packing school lunches (no judgment here), and more. As always, if you have any questions for us, please reach out. We are always adding to our list of topics and wanting to discuss what is important and relevant to not only ourselves but YOU! Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com brittney@momstalkautism.com jean@momstalkautism.com shannon@momstalkautism.com tash@momstalkautism.com    

Mon, January 09, 2023

The Care Map: What I Wish My Teacher Knew

What did you wish your teacher knew?!?! I think that answer changes over time. It's static. And our experience and engagement with our educators can feel one or two-dimensional at most times.  I will tell you what helps, though; it's drawing out your care map. Who freakin’ knew?!?! If you don’t know what that is, Google it. There is not one website I recommend over another, but knowing how to make a care map can serve as one of the foundational documents for parenting a child with any disability. 

Mon, January 02, 2023

2023 Focus with Moms Talk Autism

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    

Bonus · Mon, December 26, 2022

2022: Year in Review

It's here, the 2022 Year in Review! We have a year much like many of you, filled with ups and downs and everything in between. Thank you for letting us be a small part of your lives. Enjoy our last episode of this year and we'll see you in 2023! Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com brittney@momstalkautism.com jean@momstalkautism.com shannon@momstalkautism.com tash@momstalkautism.com    

Mon, December 19, 2022

Best Practices with guest Lisa Baskin Wright, IEP and Special Education Coach

Join us as we chat with one of our favorite returning guests, IEP Coach Lisa Baskin Wright! We love to pick Lisa's brain with all of our (and your) special education and IEP questions. Lisa is a fountain of knowledge and experience. Dive in and don't forget to contact her directly if you have further questions or thoughts.  Lisa mentions two of her favorite speech therapy Instagram accounts on this episode. We've provided the links for you if you want to check them out: @meaningfulspeech @bohospeechie Lisa's Instagram: @lisabaskinwright Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com brittney@momstalkautism.com jean@momstalkautism.com shannon@momstalkautism.com tash@momstalkautism.com    

Mon, December 12, 2022

Sorting Through Misinformation: How to Decide

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    

Mon, December 05, 2022

Marriage and Autism

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      

Mon, November 28, 2022

Finding Faith and Perspective with Tash and Brittney

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    

Mon, November 21, 2022

Grab Bag #4

Topics and questions discussed in today's episdoe: Working outside of the home Finding friends and community support Regression/breaks from therapy Bonus: potty training and who's the best cleaner/stain remover in the group. Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com brittney@momstalkautism.com jean@momstalkautism.com shannon@momstalkautism.com tash@momstalkautism.com        

Mon, November 14, 2022

Dynamics of First Responders Families

That first responder family life, though... you know? And if you don’t, we'll talk all about it today. What does life look like when you layer first responder life with special needs parenting? Tash and Shannon talk about it from their personal experiences. Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com brittney@momstalkautism.com jean@momstalkautism.com shannon@momstalkautism.com tash@momstalkautism.com    

Mon, November 07, 2022

Additional Diagnoses and Testing

In today's episode we'll talk all about those extra diagnoses that our kids have in addition to autism. We have different experiences: some receiving other diagnoses before or after the autism diagnosis. For others, it was all at the same time. Either way, it can be a lot to take in. We will share what those diagnoses are, how they present for our kids, and the specialists and/or medications we use to treat certain behaviors or medical concerns. Though our kids may have similar or the same autism diagnosis, they are very different in their presentation... guess that's why it's called a spectrum! Hope you can learn and take some nuggets from our chat. Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com brittney@momstalkautism.com jean@momstalkautism.com shannon@momstalkautism.com tash@momstalkautism.com    

Mon, October 31, 2022

Separation Anxiety

Come join in the conversation as we discuss separation anxiety and autism. Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com brittney@momstalkautism.com jean@momstalkautism.com shannon@momstalkautism.com tash@momstalkautism.com    

Mon, October 24, 2022

Holiday Expectations

Do the holidays bring you feelings of happiness and joy OR is it a time of stress and anxiety? Maybe a combination of both? For our kids, there are added layers of sensory awareness and accommodations that need to be considered, prepared for, and executed.  If the upcoming hoildays fill you with dread, specifically because of these extra layers that are added to our plate, this is the episode for you! Let us know what you think and if there additional related topics that we can chat about. Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com brittney@momstalkautism.com jean@momstalkautism.com shannon@momstalkautism.com tash@momstalkautism.com    

Mon, October 17, 2022

Grab Bag #3

Today, we answered a few of the behavior-related questions you've been asking about. Here’s a breakdown of the chat: How do you handle self-harming behaviors? What obsessive behaviors do you experience with your kiddos? Any advice on how to handle certain sensory behaviors? How do you talk to siblings about behaviors? Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com brittney@momstalkautism.com jean@momstalkautism.com shannon@momstalkautism.com tash@momstalkautism.com    

Mon, October 10, 2022

All About Halloween

Tricks, treats, and an honest conversation about Halloween and all the extra variables to consider during this holiday with our neurodivergent kids. Let us know what you think and if you have anything to add to our chat. We'd love to hear from you! Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com brittney@momstalkautism.com jean@momstalkautism.com shannon@momstalkautism.com tash@momstalkautism.com

Mon, October 03, 2022

ADHD with Beth Gardner

Tash and Jean talk all things ADHD with our special guest this week, Beth Gardner. Beth was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 13. She is now raising her son with the same diagnosis and strives to help other families with similiar situations and challenges. In 2019, Beth started an online support group, "Driven to Connection". We are so thrilled to learn and talk with Beth and we hope you enjoy it too. You can learn more about Beth and her organization here: Instagram: @bethg_driventoconnection Tell us what you think about this episode: Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com brittney@momstalkautism.com jean@momstalkautism.com shannon@momstalkautism.com tash@momstalkautism.com    

Mon, September 26, 2022

Caring for an Autistic Adult with Tami Mayne

Join us as Brittney talks with her friend Tami, a mom of six, living in California. Tami and her husband care for their adult autistic son, Jaron. We talk about Jaron’s initial diagnosis, growing up, and what it’s like to care for him now. There are programs available for autistic adults (although not as many as we would like), listen and find out how you can find programs in your area. We also touch on the subject of conservatorship, wills, and trusts. Tami is an amazing person and wonderful mom, we know you’ll fall in love with her too. Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com brittney@momstalkautism.com jean@momstalkautism.com shannon@momstalkautism.com tash@momstalkautism.com    

Mon, September 19, 2022

Grab Bag #2

Answering YOUR questions again! One of our FAV things to do! Here is what we talked about today! How do we handle tantrums/meltdowns? How do we differentiate them? (2:10) Physical strength. Worrying about our kids being too fast or too strong. (21:40) How do you deal with the real (or imagined) judgment when your kids have meltdowns in public? (31:50) How do you manage public restrooms with our kids, particularly mother & son pairs? (40:15) How do you fit in healthy meal options? (45:48) Hop on IG this week and let's talk all about these things! Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com brittney@momstalkautism.com jean@momstalkautism.com shannon@momstalkautism.com tash@momstalkautism.com    

Mon, September 12, 2022

Future Planning with Jeffrey Stephens, Partner at GVM Law, LLP

What can we do as parents to help plan for the future of our children? Just like everything else in life, there are additional layers and concerns when it comes to future planning for our children with special needs. What kind of legal options are available to me? What should I do to ensure the well-being of my child? Jeff Stephens is a lawyer in Northern California who focuses on tax and estate planning. He has three young children, one with autism. Jeff answers our questions and gets us starting off in the right direction when it comes to future planning. This is an episode you are going to want to revisit again and again. Take notes and start thinking ahead. If you're not ready for this stage, that's ok. Save this info for a later date and enjoy learning about Jeff and his wonderful family. Tell us what you think: Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com brittney@momstalkautism.com jean@momstalkautism.com shannon@momstalkautism.com tash@momstalkautism.com      

Mon, September 05, 2022

The Mindset Around Grief: A Wheel of Adaptation

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        

Mon, August 29, 2022

Acceptance and Grief: Learning to Move Forward

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  

Mon, August 22, 2022

Depression and Grief: Allowing yourself to feel

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  

Mon, August 15, 2022

Bargaining and Grief: Let's Make a Deal...

This stage usually goes hand and hand with feelings of guilt, whether or not those feelings are well founded or not. A frequent thought in this stage is the "if only" statement: "If only I would have done THIS, than 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 diagonsis. Knowing that can help us identify when we are stuck in these thoughts and hopefully propel us forward towards acceptance and progress. Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com  

Mon, August 08, 2022

Anger and Grief: It's a Mad, Mad World!

On to the next phase of grief: ANGER! When we think of anger, we tend to associate it with being vexed or upset with others. The closer we are to someone emotionally, the more anger we can feel towards them. It's also important to remember that anger can be directed towards ourselves. This is an important part of grief, allowing time for us to feel, acknowledge, and process. It's not the best place to stay sitting in for long though, as we tend to stall in this stage, not making much progress. It's exhausting!  Remember that grief is not linear and just because we talk about them in stages doesn't mean that you will go through it in any particular order. You may even skip some stages altogether, and that's ok. Join us as we share all about anger, how each of us first confronted it, and how we can find ourselves back here again.  Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com  

Mon, August 01, 2022

Denial & Grief: When you're too scared to face your child's diagnosis

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  

Mon, July 25, 2022

Back to School Transitions

Let's talk all about back to school transitions! We'll discuss how we prepare not only the little things, like school supplies and clothes, but some of the bigger tasks like IEP reviews, transportation services, and working with new teachers. It's hard to get our kiddos back into the routine of early bedtimes and morning wake ups. Hopefully this will give you some great ideas and time to get your own lists started. We would love to hear about your school transitions and experiences: Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com  

Mon, July 18, 2022

The Comparison Trap

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  

Mon, July 11, 2022

Special Education and Advocacy with Catherine Michael

Join us and our guest, Catherine Michael, as we continue the conversation of educating our kids and the barriers we face. Catherine Michael JD, has spent more than twenty years working with thousands of families, behavior therapists, psychologists, parents, and teachers on designing success for children with special needs.  She is the managing partner of the Connell Michael Kerr, LLP law firm and the founder of Coffee with Catherine, LLC.   Catherine is a well-known speaker, and has been featured in national and local media for educational and parenting advice, as well as her advocacy of special needs families and children. She has been a guest on the Montel Williams Show, Sterling on Sundays, Forbes, Fortune, Tilt Parenting podcast, ABC, CBS, and NBC news and many other national media venues. Catherine has represented hundreds of special needs children in educational due process actions and other disability-related legal actions.  Over the past two decades, she has attended and assisted in the development of IEPs, Section 504 plans, Functional Behavioral Assessments, and Behavior Intervention Plans, and assisted parents in understanding what services are available to their children.  She has trained parent advocates, teachers, parents, and attorneys as they enter the area of special education. Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com  

Mon, July 04, 2022

Trusting Others with our Children with Doug Crabtree

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  

Mon, June 27, 2022

Living Abroad and Fragile X Syndrome with Charley Qaqa

Special Guest Alert! We are thrilled to have Charley Qaqa on the podcast with Brittney today. Charley has three children, two diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome, a genetic disorder closely related to autism. She and her family have also lived outside the United States and experienced special needs services abroad. Charley talks about the early years, life in Fiji, and the decision to move back to the United States. She explains Fragile X Sydrome so well, we really appreciate her insights and willingness to open us and share her story. Learn more about Fragile X Syndrome: https://fragilex.org/ Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com    

Mon, June 20, 2022

Will I Ever Sleep Again?

Proper sleep is elusive to so many special needs families! Join us as we chat about our own kids' sleep histories (thus far) and what we have done to try to not only help them sleep better, but help ourselves catch a few more zzzz's. There isn't a one size fits all perfect answer, but there are a few things we have learned along the way. How's your sleep schedule going right now?  Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com  

Mon, June 13, 2022

Autism and the Teen Years with Jane Merrill

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  

Mon, June 06, 2022

All About Siblings

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  

Mon, May 30, 2022

Excluding Our Neurodivergent Children

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  

Bonus · Thu, May 26, 2022

Brittney's Story

The last of our Mom Bonus series this month. Come listen to Brittney's story. Mom of four, two with autism. Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com  

Mon, May 23, 2022

Traveling and New Environments

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  

Bonus · Thu, May 19, 2022

Tash's Story

A bonus episode all about our girl Tash! She is fiesty, loyal, warm, loving, and ready to have real talk about anything and everything. Tash is married to her husband, Tyler, and they have two amazing kids, Jack and Sloan, along with their angel baby, Jameson.  Tash's energy is infectious. Her love of life, Christ, and plant care is strong and very inspiring to all of us. Have a listen and learn more about one of our favorite people. She has some really great insights to share. Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com  

Mon, May 16, 2022

Grab Bag

We're answering listener questions today! Over the last few weeks, we've been collecting your questions through emails and social media. We can't wait to dive and discuss, let's go! If you have a question or topic you'd like to hear us talk about in a future episode, contact us here: Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com  

Bonus · Thu, May 12, 2022

Shannon's Story

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  

Mon, May 09, 2022

The Medication Question

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  

Bonus · Thu, May 05, 2022

Jean's Story

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  

Mon, May 02, 2022

Mom Mental Health

How do we manage our child's exceptional needs AND our own health, specifically mental health? It's a question we strive to answer in this episode. We share our own personal experiences, struggles, and successes in this area of our lives. We would love to hear your thoughts on this VERY important topic. Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com  

Thu, April 28, 2022

Dad Interview #4 with Jay

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

Sun, April 24, 2022

Having Another Child After Diagnosis

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  

Thu, April 21, 2022

Dad Interview #3 with Tyler

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

Sun, April 17, 2022

Interview with William Wherli

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

Thu, April 14, 2022

Dad Interview #2 with Doug

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

Sun, April 10, 2022

Where are they now: Updates on the kids

One of our most requested topics! We get asked often what our children are up to with their current struggles/victories. So, let's talk where the kids are NOW! Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

Thu, April 07, 2022

Dad Interview #1 with Brad

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!

Sun, April 03, 2022

Interview with Tiffany Hammond

Autistic people aren’t two dimensional creatures. Being a member of the community as a caregiver or parent isn’t either. In this episode, we talk with our very special guest, Tiffany Hammond, from Fidgets and Fries. We discuss how she navigates life as an autistic, black female, as well as a parent to two autistic boys. Tiffany draws the distinction of being autistic and parenting autistic children and how they can be vastly different experiences. We hope you find her insights as profound as we did. You can find Tiffany on Instagram: @fidgets.and.fries MTA Instagram: @momstalkautism MTA Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

Sun, March 27, 2022

Autism Acceptance Month Introduction

April is Autism Acceptance Month! Join us as we discuss the history and share some of our insight on what this month means to each of us. However you decide to acknowledge and bring awareness is a personal choice and we honor that. We also discuss how we can better advocate and educate ourselves through listening to the autistic community. We hope no matter where you are on this journey, you will find joy in this month and a community to support you and your child. Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

Sun, March 20, 2022

Stimming and Repetitive Behaviors

This episode is all about stimming and other repetitive behaviors that our kids do or have done throughout the years. There's a delicate balance when it comes to stimming, each behavior needs to be individually assessed. A lot of times they can really help regulate and calm an individual, autistic or not. They can also be unsafe and disruptive to a person or others around them. Lots to discuss and talk about, join in and let us know what you think. Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

Sun, March 13, 2022

Mom Guilt: Battling the Inner Judge

Do you ever feel guilty as a mom for not "doing enough" or "being everything" for your kids? Mom Guilt is a real problem! Although we can laugh about certain situations in hindsight, we hope you find comfort and maybe some helpful tips in battling the judgement in your own head. You're doing great, we know it, hope you can realize it too. Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

Sun, March 06, 2022

IEP Meeting Crash Course with Lisa Baskin Wright

"Oh CRAP.. Our IEP meeting is in FIVE DAYS." Today, we discuss this situation with our guest and IEP Master Coach, Lisa Baskin Wright! If you are down to the wire prepping for your meeting, Lisa gives us all the advice on what to focus on. It's a longer episode, so here is a breakdown of times stamps. We have something for everyone in this episode! 2:00 - Who is Lisa? What is an IEP coach? 5:30 - Struggles faced when it comes to IEP's. 13:17 - Loud dog bark. Sorry, real life! 13:30 - Rights at the IEP table 34:00 - 5 Days out. What do you prep? 60:00 - After the meeting. Now what? 61:00 - Q&A session from our community! Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

Mon, February 28, 2022

Medical and Other Appointments: What to do and how to prepare

There is nothing worse than trying to get a child to an exact place and time when they do not want to go. Dentist, doctor, therapist, haircut appointments, etc can become huge struggles and points of stress and anxiety not only for your child, but for you as the parent. We've talked to other neurodivergent families and have learned a few things along the way ourselves. We want to share them all with you today. If you have some tips to help with medical or other appointments with kids, please contact us. We would love to hear more! Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

Mon, February 21, 2022

Potty Training: What Do We Know?

We wish we had the magic formula or all the perfect steps for potty training special needs kiddos. We don't, not even close. You can, however, listen in as we tell our stories of trying to teach independence in the bathroom. There are successes, works in progress, briberies, and lots of messes to clean up along the way. One of the most important things to do is laugh about it whenever you can, it's a lot more fun than crying. Ready or not, here it comes! We'd love to hear from you, contact us! Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

Mon, February 14, 2022

Unsupportive vs. Supportive Family Members

It all looks different for each of us: different intersectionalities, cultural beliefs, gender, age, biased ideas regarding how each of us was raised all play a contributing factor in navigating the landscape of our family dynamics. It is a lot to the field and can be entirely all-consuming.

Mon, February 07, 2022

Navigating Friendships with Neurotypical Kids

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.

Mon, January 31, 2022

Awkward Conversations: How to Field Unwelcome Remarks and Unsolicited Advice

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

Sat, January 22, 2022

Self Care and Caregiver Burnout

Self Care! Yes, it's totally a buzzword these days, but we talk about it in conjunction with Caregiver Burnout and how imperative it is to not just recognize when we’re in that phase, but also how we can truly start making ourselves a priority. Self care can look luxurious but it's also very much about setting personal boundaries in our lives. Mental health should always be a priority for us as special needs parents. We truly hope that you will find something relatable from this episode, maybe even an “ah ha” moment, some insight on how you can better care for yourself in this marathon of Special Needs Parenting. We all fail at some point in caring for ourselves, but recognize that it's ok to ask for help. Caring for you is never selfish! *What are some ways in which you carve out time for yourself? And what are some of those self care routines? *How do you recognize you're getting to the burnout phase? And how do you advocate for yourself? *Make a list of small, simple things that you can implement into your daily routine that's just for you. Consider making a list of things that might be a little more “luxurious” and adding that into your monthly or bi-yearly routine. We'd love to hear from you, contact us! Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com