Seasons of Change
Our goal has always been to provide parents of autistic children with value, whether that be support, information, a few minutes of comic relief, or a familiar comforting voice. As caregivers, our needs can change over time, so we are committed to evolving the podcast to meet those needs. We have received a lot of feedback from our listeners, and we hear you loud and clear! Changes are coming.
Live Every Friday at 8pm ET on Youtube.com/@AutismWish
Audio released every Friday after Live Show on a 1 week Delay
Bonus EP – Embracing Autism IRL – Meet Dani Bowman
Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dani Bowman, best known for her starring role in the docuseries “Love on the Spectrum, US”. Dani is a young and talented animator, artist, and entrepreneur on the Autism Spectrum who is passionate about using her skills to help others and dedicated […]
EP 732 – Digital Dilemma: Screen Smart Parenting
In this episode, we explore valuable insights and tips for navigating screen time in the context of autism. We discuss the potential benefits, such as skill development and communication support, as well as the challenges, including sensory overload and addiction risks. Join us as we share practical strategies for striking […]
Bonus EP – Embracing Autism IRL -Meet Ron Sandison
Today we welcome Ron Sandison. Ron works full time in the medical field and is a professor of theology at Destiny School of Ministry. Sandison has a Master of Divinity from Oral Roberts University and is the author of “A Parent’s Guide to Autism: Practical Advice, Biblical Wisdom”. Join us […]
EP 731 – The Trust Challenge
One of the biggest challenges we have faced as parents of autistic children is finding people we trust to care for them when we cannot. Whether it be a medical emergency, a sleepover, or a simple date night, it’s hard to trust others with the care of our children. Today […]
Bonus EP – Embracing Autism IRL – Meet Dr. Temple Grandin
Dr. Temple Grandin is an acclaimed animal behaviorist and animal science professor at Colorado State University. She is the subject of the 2010 film, Temple Grandin, which focuses on her start in animal agriculture. Dr. Grandin has become a prominent author and speaker both on autism and animal behavior. Diagnosed […]
EP 730 – The Impact of Peer Rejection & Bullying
It’s time for a hard reality check. Our kids get bullied and rejected by their peers – often. As a parent, it hurts to see your child treated poorly and we can get caught up in the ‘what do I do?’ spiral. Due to their autism, our girls can’t always tell when they’re […]
Bonus EP – Embracing Autism IRL – Meet Heather Chauvin
Heather Chauvin is a parent of neurodivergent children and leadership coach who helps ambitious, overwhelmed women break free from their fears to courageously and authentically live, work, and parent on their own terms. Today she shares her expertise on tackling lack of parenting confidence, specific strategies to gain self-trust, managing […]
EP 729 – You Can’t Hurry Love
Join us as we dive into a topic close to many parents’ hearts: the journey of hearing those precious words, “I Love You,” from our kids and what happens when that moment doesn’t quite happen as expected? We’re here to share our experiences of exploring love languages with our girls […]
Bonus EP – Embracing Autism IRL – Meet Kelley Coleman
Today we sit down with Author and Advocate, Kelley Coleman, to discuss the ins and outs on filing autism related paperwork, navigating therapies, understanding insurance, government benefits, advocating for your child in school, financial planning and more! Kelley Coleman is a feature film development executive turned author and advocate for […]
EP 728 – Good News, Or Baby Blues?
Embark on a thoughtful journey with us as we discuss the complex choice of expanding a family after raising two autistic children. In this episode, we navigate the intricacies of parenting within the spectrum, exploring both the joys and challenges that come with adding another member to the fold. From […]
Bonus Episode – Embracing Autism IRL – Meet Sara Bradford
Today we bring to you a fellow autism advocate and CEO of autism consulting business SJ Childs LLC, Sara Bradford. We’ll touch on subjects including the challenges of parenting an autistic child and what you can do to create a closer connection. Sara is an autistic adult with a goal […]
EP 727 – What It Means To Be #ActuallyInclusive
This one’s gonna be a doozy! Join us as we dive into the controversial world of what it means to be #ActuallyInclusive in the autistic community. Is it okay to like the puzzle piece symbol? How should we respond with those who disagree with our views? And why is it so hard to get […]
EP 726 – We’re Back: Revelations & Resilience
After a several month hiatus, we’re ready to share our story. We’ll dive into what’s been going on with our family, future plans, and exciting AutismWish updates. We’d love to hear from you, so feel free to share your family updates with us by commenting on youtube.com/@autismwish or chatting with […]
We Have a Family Announcement
A personal update from our family. If you’ve enjoyed the Embracing Autism Podcast, please consider showing your support by leaving us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Bonus EP – Embracing Autism IRL – Meet Sasha Long
Sasha Long, BCBA, M.A., is the founder and president of The Autism Helper, Inc. She is a board certified behavior analyst and former special education teacher. In Today’s episode, Sasha shares strategies and best practices for parents tackling challenging IEP discussions at school, executive dysfunction accommodations, easing back to school […]
Bonus EP – Embracing Autism IRL – Meet Eileen Lamb
Is Autism Speaks a hate group? Should autistics and autism allies embrace or turn away from the organization? Today I have with me a name that should be very familiar to you all, Eileen Lamb. Eileen is the author of “All Across The Spectrum” and “Be The One,” and is […]
EP 725 – Hope Through Humor
It’s tough being a parent, even tougher when your child is autistic. But we have learned through the last years that it’s often better to laugh than cry or scream. Today we will share how our sense of humor has been the saving grace in our marriage and parenting journeys […]
EP 724 – Back To School
Our kids are heading back to school for the second year. This time, we’re prepared and sharing our best tips and resources to help your autistic child start school on the right foot! Join our private Embracing Autism Community on Guilded.gg and support our charitable programs by Becoming a Member […]
EP 723 – Under the Sea
Community outings can often seem impossible to manage with an autistic child, but sometimes the key to success can really be quite simple. Today we will chat about our experience at the Georgia Aquarium and why visiting a Certified Autism Center can make all the difference in a successful outing. […]
Bonus EP – Embracing Autism IRL – Meet Dr. Rick Solomon
Seeking a more child-centered approach to therapy for your autistic child? Today we sit down with Dr. Rick Solomon, Founder of The PLAY Project, an evidence-based intervention complementary to ABA, with a parent-implemented autism intervention model, and take a closer look at this innovative therapy. Over the last 25 years, […]
EP 722 – Just Keep Swimming
Did you know that drowning is the leading cause of death for autistic children? Today we will chat about the importance of water safety for autistic individuals and share our experience with special needs swimming lessons with our girls. Join our private Embracing Autism Community and support our charitable programs […]
EP 722 – Just Keep Swimming
Did you know that drowning is the leading cause of death for autistic children? Today we will chat about the importance of water safety for autistic individuals and share our experience with special needs swimming lessons with our girls. Join our private Embracing Autism Community and support our charitable programs […]
EP 721 – Movie Mayhem
When was the last time you went out to the movies as a family? Today we will share how we were able to share the movie magic of Super Mario Bros with our girls, the hiccups along the way, and what we did to ensure a positive outcome. If you […]
EP 720 – We Try the 4th of July
The 4th of July is one of the biggest celebrations in the United States, unfortunately, it’s often marked by loud and bright fireworks displays, large crowds, and booming music. This year marks our family’s first attempt to view fireworks, join us as we share tips on how to create an […]
EP 719 – Agression & Violent Outbursts
Aggression in autistic children is often the most reported challenge by parents. Today we will dive into our experiences with aggression and violent outbursts, illustrate how we decode the reason behind them, and explain how we have both succeeded and failed in addressing these behaviors. If you like what you […]
Bonus EP – Embracing Autism IRL – Meet Matt McCabe
This one’s for the dads! We don’t often hear about fathers of autistic children, so this Father’s Day we’re honoring you by highlighting the “Autism Dad” experience. In this intimate 1-on-1 conversation, Matt will share his personal struggles, gains, and lessons learned along his journey as a father to autistic […]
EP 718 – Regressions: 1 Step Forward, 2 Steps Back
Regression, or the loss of a skill previously acquired, is a common characteristic of autism. From potty training to PICA – today will share our family’s struggles with regressions and what steps we are taking to help our girls continue to make progress. If you like what you hear, please […]
EP 717 – Special Interests Vs. Hobbies
Individuals on the autism spectrum tend to have a particularly strong affinity toward certain items, shows, movies, activities, etc. This is often referred to as an autistic “special interest”, but what makes a special interest different than a neurotypical hobby? Today we will discuss this difference and shed light on […]
Bonus EP – Embracing Autism IRL – Meet Dawn M. Barclay
Tune in as we sit down with Dawn M. Barclay, an award-winning author who has spent a career working in different aspects of the travel industry. Her book, “Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse” tackles the challenges parents of autistic and neurodivergent […]
EP 716 – Having a Field Day
It’s that time of year again when schools start to wrap up with exciting end-of-year celebrations, bouncy houses, snow cones, and games galore! It’ll be fun, right? As parents of autistic children, something as simple as a Field Day can quickly turn dangerous or even life-threatening. Tune in this Friday […]
EP 715 – Parenting Through Chaos
We talk about autism A LOT, but the truth of the matter is – most of us are dealing with other pressures, stressors, and relationship conflicts that often enhance an already challenging situation. Today we discuss what some of these challenges have been for our family and share the lessons […]
Bonus EP – Embracing Autism IRL – Meet Laura Hales
In today’s episode, we discuss how to advocate for your child in school, important ‘buzzwords’ you should know, your child’s rights, and what parents can do to make sure their voices are heard during those critical IEP meetings. Laura Hales is a Mother of two autistic children, autism advocate, and […]
EP 714 – 100th Episode Celebration
We made it to our 100th episode of the Embracing Autism Podcast! Today we will share reflections on our journey thus far and what we’ve learned along the way. We will also be sharing our favorite listener reviews and emails we’ve received. Please consider supporting us at autismwish.org/give to help […]
Bonus EP – Embracing Autism IRL – Meet Kate Swenson
Kate Swenson, the founder of Finding Cooper’s Voice and nonprofit, The More Than Project, is a mother, a wife, and a proud Minnesotan. She writes and creates videos regularly about her life as a mother and an autism advocate for Facebook, Instagram, and her website, Finding Cooper’s Voice. Her book, […]
EP 713 – Stopping the Stigma
Oftentimes autistic individuals and their family members face blame, shame, and rejection typically from those who are misinformed about the nature of Autism. Today we focus on how to spot the stigma and the importance of stopping it. Our listeners get a FREE AngelSense GPS tracker during Autism Acceptance Month […]
EP 712 – A “Little” On The Spectrum
“Aren’t we all a little on the spectrum?” I’m sure you’ve heard it said before! Today we touch on what it means to be autistic and how dismissive it can be to claim that everyone is “a little autistic”. We’ll also make suggestions on alternative ways to state your support! […]
EP 711 – Curing Autism: Understanding the Debate
Is there a cure for Autism, and if so, should there be? Today we discuss the ethical and moral questions surrounding the topic of “curing” Autism. We also share personal and community insights from this ongoing debate. Our listeners get a FREE AngelSense GPS tracker during Autism Acceptance Month April […]
Bonus EP – Embracing Autism IRL – Meet Lulu Mahne
Why do some autistic children struggle with severe behavioral challenges? What does the brain have to do with it and can anything be done? Today we sit down with Lulu Mahne, an autistic adult whose dangerous and aggressive outbursts as a child led him to learn more about his neurology, […]
EP 710- Ask Us Anything!
Join us as for a special AMA (Ask Me Anything – or rather Ask “Us” Anything) session where we answer your questions! Questions were submitted in advance via email at podcast@autismwish.org and during a livestream that aired on March 17, 2023.
EP 709 – Co-regulating Through Meltdowns
Have you struggled with addressing your child’s meltdowns? Does it feel like none of the typical techniques are working? Today we discuss how co-regulation may be the key to success and why using this method has brought us closer to our girls. Check out the AngelSense GPS tracking device while […]
EP 708 – Accommodating Medical & Dental Anxiety
Does your child meltdown at the slight mention of a doctor’s appointment? Today we will discuss implications of medical and dental phobias commonly associated with autism. We will chat about our children’s most recent dental appointment and how incorporating some techniques helped us create a smoother experience for everyone. Check […]
Bonus EP – Embracing Autism IRL – Meet Anthony Galati
Today we dive into the many benefits that art expression can bring to autistic children and parents alike as we sit down with fine artist, and art instructor Anthony Galati. Anthony shares years of experience working with special needs students and the neurodiverse community, including respite work, regular volunteerism at […]
EP 707 – Social Gamification
Did you know video games can help your child learn social skills? Join us as we chat about how gamifying social interactions can help your child better engage with their peers while also providing them with safe testing grounds to better hone their skills. For a comforting sensory experience, check […]
EP 706 – Social Anxiety & Autism
Autistic individuals often struggle with social anxiety due to a variety of compounding factors. Today we will share an autistic perspective on why this happens, how your child may be feeling during these moments, and what you can do to help. Check out the Sensory Theraplay Box while also supporting […]
Bonus EP – Embracing Autism IRL – Meet Dr. Kristin Wegner
Dr. Wegner is the Neurodivergent author of the Brody The Lion Children’s Book Series. She holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education, a PhD in Clinical Psychology and has worked with special needs kids for over 30 years. Join us as we discuss autism red flags, beating the […]
EP 705 – Beyond The Label
Should a child be identified primarily by their autism? Today we discuss the topic of identity as it relates to autism, and the potential impact of boxing our children into a label. Check out the AngelSense GPS tracking device while also supporting our programs by using our special link: https://www.angelsense.com?ref=autismwish
EP 704 – Failure to Thrive
Tune in as we get personal and share our family’s struggles with the public education system, thoughts on how the current system often fails the special needs community, and how we plan to tackle it. This episode is sponsored by The Exceptional Learning Institute (E.L.I.), learn more about their customized […]
EP 703 – The Mind-Body Disconnect
Join us as we talk about interoception and how the mind-body signals get disrupted in autistics. We chat about how this disconnect can result in bathroom accidents, fecal smearing, as well as poor awareness of sickness, hunger, thirst, emotional states, and beyond. This episode is sponsored by Kawaii Slime Company. […]
EP 702 – Too Late To Apologize
Why is apologizing so difficult for autistics? Today we talk about the challenges autistic children (and adults) face when asked to say “I’m Sorry”, how inappropriately labeling your child as “proud” may do more harm than good, and what alternatives you can use for a successful apology. For a comforting […]
EP 701 – Our Year In Review
Today Lia goes solo as Matt recovers from Covid-19 and chats about Our Year in Review for 2022 and goals for 2023! Check out the Sensory Theraplay Box while also supporting our programs by using our special link: https://shrsl.com/3tqle
EP 700 – Seasons of Change
Join us as we discuss how the Embracing Autism Podcast is evolving in the new year.
Bonus EP – Transforming Christmas
Join us as we chat about how to provide your child with an autism-friendly holiday and lessons we’ve learned from past Christmases.
Bonus EP – Embracing Autism IRL – Meet Thomas A. McKean
Today we sit down with Thomas A. McKean. Thomas is an autistic adult and co-creator of Autism Awareness month and the current autism puzzle piece awareness ribbon. We discuss the official meaning behind the puzzle piece ribbon, thoughts on autism self-diagnosis, and challenges the autism community (including parents) currently face.
Bonus EP – Embracing Autism IRL – Meet Nate Hallquist
Self-Diagnosis is often debated in the autism community. Today we speak with Nate Hallquist a budding neurodivergent advocate. Nate has gone through a journey of self-discovery, recently learning that he is both ADHD and Autistic. As part of this process, he is learning about the barriers to receiving an Autism […]
Season 7 Tailer: Seasons of Change
Our goal has always been to provide parents of autistic children with value, whether that be support, information, a few minutes of comic relief, or a familiar comforting voice. As caregivers, our needs can change over time, so we are committed to evolving the podcast to meet those needs. We […]