Moms Talk Autism Podcast

When does helping actually stop helping?

This week, we’re talking about the very blurry line between supporting our kids and accidentally doing too much for them.

As parents of autistic and neurodivergent kids, it can be hard to know when to step in, when to wait, and when to let them struggle a little so they can build confidence and independence.

We get into self-care skills, hygiene, sibling dynamics, puberty, patience, and the importance of presuming competence - even when our instinct is screaming at us to just do it for them.

And sometimes the bigger challenge is looking at ourselves and asking the uncomfortable question: are we helping… or are we getting in the way?

It’s a balancing act - guiding them, supporting them, protecting them, and still giving them room to grow.

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What if some of the things we’ve been taught about autism aren’t actually the whole story?

This week, we’re joined by Jonathan Alderson, author of Challenging the Myths of Autism, to talk about the beliefs and assumptions that can shape the way we approach autistic children—and what happens when we start questioning them.

We get into why there is no one-size-fits-all approach, how to figure out what may actually be helpful for your individual child, and why the order in which therapies and supports are introduced can matter.

But one of the biggest takeaways from this conversation has less to do with a specific therapy and more to do with the relationship itself.

The way we approach our kids matters. The trust, connection, attitude, and intention between a child and the adults supporting them can become the foundation for everything else.

This is part one of our conversation with Jonathan. In part two, we dig deeper into ThriveGuide and how families can begin building a more individualized roadmap for support.

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What happens to our kids when we’re not here anymore?

It’s one of those questions most of us would rather shove into a drawer and deal with… never. But eventually, we have to talk about it.

This week, Tash and Shannon sit down with licensed financial advisor Mary McDirmid, who specializes in helping families raising children with disabilities. Mary is also a mom herself, and her own family’s experience with a rare disease is what led her into this work.

We talk about planning for long-term care, understanding benefits, protecting eligibility, sibling roles, building a support network, and creating a roadmap that doesn’t leave everyone scrambling later.

And maybe most importantly, we talk about how to start.

Because financial planning for a child with disabilities can feel overwhelming, emotional, and ridiculously complicated—but doing something is better than avoiding it altogether.

You do not need to have the next 40 years figured out today. You just need a place to begin.

Find Mary here: https://allneedsplanning.com/

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Nobody prepared us for periods.

Not the hygiene. Not the sensory challenges. Not the school logistics. Not the mood changes. Definitely not the trial-and-error involved in figuring out what actually works for your child.

This week, Shannon and Brittney sit down with Ashley Lewis to talk honestly about what puberty has looked like with her autistic daughter, Presley.

We get into the practical stuff—period management, showers, bedding, bras, school support, gynecological care, and the little tricks that can make this stage feel more manageable.

But we also talk about the bigger picture: helping our daughters through huge physical and emotional changes while giving them grace, respecting their boundaries, and figuring it out right alongside them.

There is no perfect way to do this. Sometimes it’s just patience, extra mattress protectors, and a whole lot of learning as you go.

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Six kids. All six on the autism spectrum.

Yeah… we had questions too.

This week, Brittney and Tash sit down with Laura Wampler to talk about what it has really looked like raising a house full of neurodivergent kids—from searching for the right diagnoses and fighting for support at school to navigating therapies, crisis moments, and figuring out what actually works for each individual child.

But Laura’s story didn’t stop with her own family.

Those years of learning, advocating, and building the right team eventually led her to help other families walking the same road. We talk about that transition, why lived experience matters, and the importance of finding people who truly understand this life.

Laura also shares the story behind Unite & Uplift, a grassroots conference created specifically to give moms of neurodivergent kids something we desperately need: connection, support, and a little room to breathe.

Because sometimes finding your people changes everything.

Mothers Together Website: http://mothers-together.com

Unite and Uplift Conference: http://uniteuplift.com

Laura’s IEP Coaching Website: https://laurawampler.com/

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What if some of the behaviors we’re constantly trying to manage are actually clues?

This week, Brittney and Shannon sit down with Dr. Brandon Crawford to talk about functional neurology, neuroplasticity, sensory regulation, and what may be happening underneath some of the behaviors we see in our autistic kids.

We also get into a conversation that matters a lot to us: helping our kids function more comfortably in the world is not the same thing as trying to “cure” who they are.

And then, naturally, we turn the spotlight on ourselves. Because apparently running at 99% capacity while drinking coffee and calling it self-care is not an actual nervous-system regulation strategy. Rude.

We talk caregiver stress, sunlight, sleep, cold exposure, slowing down, and why taking care of ourselves may matter more than we’d like to admit.

There’s a LOT in this one. Take what feels useful, stay curious, and—as Brittney reminds us—please do not leave this episode believing you have to change seventeen things about your life by tomorrow.

Note: This episode is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. We’re sharing one professional’s perspective and encourage you to do your own research and consult with your child’s healthcare team before making changes to care or treatment.

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This week, Brittney shares a family update: one son is finding his independence, while another’s cancer diagnosis has brought a whole new set of decisions and emotions.

We talk about what it’s like to get hard news, care for a child with complex needs, and accept help when you’re used to holding everything together. It’s an honest conversation about fear, support, and figuring out the next step as you go.

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Twenty-five years ago, Daniella Mini moved to the United States with her young family searching for answers and support for her son, Diego.

Now Diego is an adult, and Daniella joins us to talk about what life looks like on the other side of childhood—the transitions, the hard work, the acceptance, and the ongoing process of helping an autistic adult build as much independence as possible.

Because parenting doesn’t magically stop at 18. It just changes.

Daniella’s story is full of honesty, humor, hope, and a reminder that this journey really is a marathon, not a sprint.

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This week, there’s no guest and apparently no boundaries either.

We’re asking each other the invasive questions—from bad habits we’d absolutely do again and things we have no business being good at, to questionable Google searches, personality traits we may be interpreting a little generously, and the people or places that bring out our worst selves.

We also get into weird compliments, things we’re proud to have quit, and somehow attempt to sum up our entire week in three words.

Basically: oversharing, laughing at ourselves, and finding out just how well we really know each other.

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This week, we’re joined by Morgan and Sadie from the Mildly Crushing It podcast! We talk about the kids behind the diagnoses, finding your people, and the mix of joy and grief that can come with raising children with special needs.

We also get into friendships, ABA therapy, the extra hurdles families face when resources are far away, and why advocating for your child can feel like a full-time job. There are plenty of laughs along the way, because sometimes you just have to laugh with people who get it.

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This week, we’re hearing from the dads! Shannon and Tash sit down with Joel Sheagren and Carl Young for an honest conversation about fatherhood, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), and its overlap with autism.

Joel and Carl share what they’ve learned while raising children with complex needs, how they’ve adjusted their parenting along the way, and why support and community matter so much. We also talk about the differences between FASD and autism—and why more families need to understand FASD.

Website: http://embracing-neurodiversity.com

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In this episode, Andrea Moriarty shares her inspiring journey as a mother of twins, one of whom has autism, and how she navigated the challenges of early diagnosis, therapy, and supported living. Her story highlights the importance of family roles, resilience, and the power of community and self-care. In this episode, Andrea Moriarty shares her inspiring journey as an autism mom, highlighting the power of community, humor, and adaptive strategies. Discover how her family creates meaningful experiences and advocates for inclusion, all while maintaining joy and resilience.

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Back-to-school season is here, and apparently none of us are allowed to ease gently into a new chapter. In this episode, we’re catching up on all the transitions happening in our families—from Gracie and Ruby heading back to school to preparing older kids for college and life outside our homes. (We’re fine. Everything is fine.)

We talk about balancing school, ABA therapy, and downtime—and how hard it can be to know when to push for more support and when to let our kids simply be kids. We also get into parent involvement, communicating with teachers and therapy teams, and the ongoing challenge of making sure everyone is actually on the same page.

And because school transitions are never the only transitions, we also chat about sleep struggles, the emotional reality of an approaching empty nest, planning for the holidays, and even how our grocery-shopping habits are changing as our families grow.

Basically, everyone is growing up, everything is changing, and we have some feelings about it. Come catch up with us as we talk through the exciting, exhausting, and unexpectedly emotional parts of entering a new season.

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Erin Clarelli is back for round two! Erin is an occupational therapist specializing in whole-body apraxia, and this conversation had us looking at behavior—and ourselves—a little differently.

We talk about learning to respond instead of react, navigating disagreements with your spouse about behaviors and teaching skills, potty training, and observing what the body is communicating without automatically assigning intention.

Erin also challenges us to examine our own beliefs, reactions, and motivations. Because supporting our kids requires patience, teamwork, and the ongoing challenge of regulating ourselves while helping our kids regulate too. Because apparently, we’re all a work in progress.

Find Erin here:

https://erinclarelli.myflodesk.com/blueprint

https://www.sunrisetherapiesinc.com/sunrise-membership

https://www.sunrisetherapiesinc.com/

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This week, we’re all over the place—in the best way. Shannon is trying to figure out where behavior ends and anxiety begins, Tash is getting ready for her big England adventure, Jean is talking women’s heart health, and Brittney is bracing for the wild world of middle school.

Basically: parenting, travel, health, transitions, and the usual “are we doing this right?” conversations. Come hang out with us.

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In this episode, Bonnie Nofsinger shares expert insights on planning and executing vacations for families with neurodivergent members. We discuss challenges, strategies, and tips to create enjoyable, inclusive travel experiences.

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In this lighthearted episode, we’re talking all things summer—favorite foods, travel plans, bucket-list adventures, beach days, concerts, festivals, and the vacations we still can’t stop thinking about.

We share some of our best summer memories, talk about the sensory chaos that can come with a day at the beach, and dream about future adventures—including whether we could actually survive something like Coachella. We also check in on what summer really looks like for families, especially caregivers and anyone living somewhere that feels approximately seven inches from the sun.

It’s a fun, nostalgic, very real conversation about making the most of summer, staying connected, and finding joy wherever we can.

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In this episode, Jean and Tash sit down with Kendra Davenport, President and CEO of Easterseals, to talk about the work the organization is doing to support individuals with disabilities and their families. Kendra shares how she found her way into the nonprofit world, why advocacy and collaboration matter so much, and the personal stories that continue to drive her work. It’s a hopeful and heartfelt conversation about creating stronger support systems—and the real difference they can make for families.

IG: eastersealshq

Linkedin: Easterseals, Kendra Davenport

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1UUHOmhQ7JclckXif11pwRTtWO60_yYSS

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In this episode, Shannon and Brittney talk about one of those feelings no one really wants to admit out loud: jealousy.

After reading a listener email about feeling jealous of families with neurotypical kids, they unpack what is often underneath it all—grief. Grief for the conversations you wish you could have, the experiences you pictured, and the version of parenting you thought you were going to get.

They also share their own experiences with acceptance, mental health, supportive friendships, and the way grief can sneak back in when you least expect it. This is an honest conversation about giving yourself grace, finding people who truly get it, and knowing that having hard feelings does not make you a bad parent.

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In this episode, we’re joined by Erin Clarelli, a neurodiversity-affirming occupational therapist, to rethink the way we understand behavior, communication, and motor challenges in autistic and disabled children.

Erin explains why behavior is often a form of communication—especially for nonspeaking individuals—and why interpreting that behavior can feel so complicated for parents. We discuss the power of connection, narration, and slowing down long enough to understand what a child may be communicating through their body.

We also explore apraxia and the misconception that it only affects speech. Erin explains how motor-planning differences can impact the entire body, including a child’s ability to begin, stop, or complete an action—even when they understand exactly what is being asked of them.

The conversation also takes an honest look at the limitations of the insurance-driven therapy model and why progress cannot always be measured through checkboxes, compliance, or isolated skills. Erin shares how scaffolding, individualized support, parent coaching, and a more holistic approach can help children participate without placing unnecessary pressure on them.

Most importantly, we talk about empowering parents to trust what they see, ask better questions, and become active partners in their child’s care. Therapy should not be about fixing a child. It should be about understanding their needs, supporting their autonomy, and helping them feel safe and successful in their own body.

Find Erin at:

Website: https://www.sunrisetherapiesinc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunrise.therapies

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