They discuss autism travel tips, sensory considerations, preparation strategies, and how community support can make travel more accessible. This conversation is grounded in real experience and offers practical guidance for families raising children with autism, including those with nonspeaking autism.

Travel may look different, but with the right preparation and mindset, it can still be meaningful.

Find Jen & Caleb and their travels on INSTAGRAM: @calebscourageoustravels

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Caleb's Courageous Travels: On Autism Moms
• (00:03:08) - How to Prepare for a Trip With a Neurotypical Child
• (00:05:37) - How Have You Been Affected by Autism Travel?
• (00:10:17) - How to travel with an Autism Child on an Airplane
• (00:16:05) - Traveling with autism is a challenge
• (00:18:35) - Caleb's courageous travels inspire autism moms
• (00:21:47) - Believing in Your Child
• (00:25:47) - This Mom's Journey to the World With Autism

At the center of the discussion is self-regulation. The nervous system of the parent becomes part of the environment the child experiences, shaping engagement, connection, and communication. Rather than focusing only on external interventions, this conversation reframes change as something that begins within the caregiver.

Sara shares her journey parenting her son Rocco, highlighting the role of community support, the emotional discomfort that often accompanies growth, and the moment parents realize they cannot return to previous assumptions. The dialogue also explores the tension between accepting “that’s just autism” and remaining open to possibility—without losing grounding or discernment.

This episode positions autism parenting as both an external and internal process: one where advocacy, communication, and personal growth intersect. Through caregiver stories and lived experience, it emphasizes that parents are not passive participants—they are active change makers in shaping their child’s environment and future.

JOIN AUTISM CHANGEMAKERS WITH SARA INTONATO HERE: https://www.skool.com/autismchangemakers/about

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Sarah Antonato on Autism Change Makers
• (00:00:43) - Sarah Antonado on Healing for Autism Parents
• (00:05:47) - Autism Change makers: The Journey
• (00:11:40) - Nervous System Awareness
• (00:18:11) - Sarah on Parenting with Autism
• (00:21:55) - The Surprising Truth of Healing Your
• (00:25:31) - Open Spellers: The Work of Parents
• (00:29:43) - Autism Changemakers: Thank You!

At the center of the discussion is orientation: the lens through which parents interpret reality. When a child’s development diverges from expected paths, preconceived models of parenting no longer hold. What replaces them is a continuous process of adaptation, where feedback, engagement, and lived experience reshape how decisions are made.

The conversation connects complexity theory with motherhood, highlighting how incremental progress—inchstones—becomes the true measure of growth. Radical acceptance emerges not as resignation, but as a strategic shift that allows parents to update their orientation and move forward with clarity.

Drawing from military strategy and real-life caregiving, this episode reframes autism parenting as an adaptive system—one that requires constant engagement, flexibility, and the willingness to evolve.

SPEED KILLS (Amazon)

SPEED KILLS (Digital)

Alex Vohr is a retired United States Marine Corps veteran who served 25 years, including multiple combat campaigns and humanitarian relief operations. Since retiring from the Marine Corps, Alex has worked in commercial industry as the Assistant Vice President of Operations at the Florida East Coast Railway, the Vice President of Logistics at New Fortress Energy, Vice President for Government Affairs at Trailer Bridge and is currently the President of OneLNG. In addition to his primary logistics specialty, Alex is a defense acquisition professional, a military planner, and an educator. He served as the Director for the School of Advanced Warfighting, a graduate-level curriculum focused on planning and decision-making in war.
Alex holds three advanced degrees, his most recent in strategic studies from the Marine Corps War College. He has authored articles on Leadership, Disaster Relief, and decision-making in the Marine Corps Gazette and in Military Review. Alex resides in Florida with his wife, Susan, and they have three children.

Drawing from both personal experience and national advocacy work, Jackie outlines how caregiving for children with severe and nonspeaking autism places sustained pressure on families—emotionally, financially, and physically. The conversation explores how current systems frequently respond only in moments of crisis rather than building proactive, comprehensive support.

Central to the discussion is the concept of crisis planning: not as a last resort, but as a necessary framework for families navigating autism parenting at high levels of need. They also examine the mental health risks faced by caregivers and the importance of building support systems that extend beyond the individual to include the entire family unit.

This conversation calls for a shift in autism advocacy—one that centers the realities of severe autism, listens to caregivers, and prioritizes sustainable, systemic change. J

About Jackie: Jackie Kancir is the Executive Director of the National Council on Severe Autism
(NCSA) and Patient Advocacy Director for Cure SynGAP1. She writes and speaks at the intersection of disability policy, moral philosophy, and authentic experience — arguing from first principles that a just society is measured by how it treats the people it finds most inconvenient to serve. Her advocacy work occupies contested ground. The severe autism community she represents — nonverbal, intellectually disabled, and dependent on lifelong supports — is frequently sidelined even within mainstream disability spaces. Jackie'ss response to that erasure is to write her way through it: op-eds, testimony, public statements, and
personal essays that translate policy failure into something a family sitting in a crisis at 2 a.m. can recognize as true. She is a former military spouse and brings to her work the particular clarity that comes from rebuilding a life after the structures you relied on stop holding. She is a brain tumor survivor and the single mother of a 22-year-old with severe autism, profound intellectual disability, and the rare genetic disorder SynGAP1-RD. She brings to her advocacy work the same thing most parents do: no other option.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Jackie Cancer on Autism and the Challenges
• (00:00:51) - Jill's fight for severe autism families
• (00:12:14) - On Veteran Mothers and their PTSD
• (00:18:15) - Crisis planning for severe autism parents
• (00:26:26) - Why False Narratives Are So Inviting
• (00:27:18) - How to Get Involved in Autism Advocacy

The dialogue centers the lived realities of families raising children with profound autism and nonspeaking autism—where caregiving is intensive, victories arrive in inchstones, and advocacy often requires navigating competing narratives of acceptance and prevention.

Together, they explore the emotional terrain that accompanies autism parenting: the quiet grief parents carry, the societal discomfort surrounding severe disability, and the political language that can sometimes obscure the needs of those requiring the highest levels of support.

The conversation challenges listeners to expand their understanding of autism advocacy by centering caregivers and profoundly autistic individuals whose experiences are often marginalized in public discourse. Through personal reflections and thoughtful debate, they call for a more honest conversation about support, prevention, and the future of autism care.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Tyler Hudson on Activism for Autism
• (00:01:24) - Celebrations of Autism Parenting
• (00:03:31) - The role of fathers in profound autism parenting
• (00:10:03) - The Grief Response to Autism
• (00:16:21) - Grief for a profoundly autistic child
• (00:21:48) - On The Politics of Autism
• (00:25:28) - Autism and the Second Voice
• (00:26:29) - Understanding the OODA loop
• (00:29:32) - Autism's Identity First
• (00:34:49) - Separation of the DSM-5
• (00:35:10) - Autism and the DSM 5
• (00:42:03) - Blaze on the Autism Spectrum
• (00:48:07) - profoundly autistic speakers on identity politics
• (00:53:12) - Tell Him, Not Me
• (00:58:33) - A father's voice for profound autism
• (01:03:37) - Headstones: The End

Jess’s journey into motherhood began unexpectedly through foster care and evolved into advocacy and deep personal transformation. Drawing from both professional experience in consulting and her lived reality as an autism parent, she shares how intentional boundaries, nervous system regulation, and community support can help caregivers move beyond survival mode.

Together they discuss the delicate balance between career, caregiving, and self-preservation, as well as the importance of slowing down enough to recognize the small moments that define parenting children with complex needs.

At the heart of the conversation is a simple but powerful truth: autism parenting is not a journey meant to be navigated alone. When mothers connect, reflect, and support one another, resilience becomes something shared rather than carried in isolation.

Jess Daily is a personal and professional coach, podcast co-host, and special needs parent who knows firsthand what it means to live at full capacity. After 15 years in business consulting and HR tech, she co-founded SBF Studio, where she helps people move from survival mode to sustainable living through her Space. Boundaries. Forward. framework. As a parent to a child with profound autism and a rare genetic condition, she brings lived experience to her work around rest, nervous system regulation, and building a life that actually fits. She coaches, she writes, and she keeps it real.

You can find her Substack JXTPSTN here: https://jessicadaily.substack.com/

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Inchtones: A Mother's Story With Special Needs
• (00:00:45) - What is Your Story of Parenthood?
• (00:04:38) - Why I Slow Down in My Career
• (00:11:26) - A Special Needs Parent's Need for Space
• (00:17:24) - Reorienting to Normal after a Child's Cancer Diagnosis
• (00:24:44) - Jess Daly on Her Special Needs Mom Journey

Through the lens of inchstones—the small, cumulative shifts that create meaningful progress—they discuss how developmental delays are often rooted in incomplete neurological integration. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, NeuroFit Connections examines the interconnected systems of child development, including vestibular and proprioceptive pathways, and designs individualized therapy plans tailored to each child’s profile.

The discussion centers autism parenting not as passive observation but as active participation. Parental involvement is not optional in their model—it is essential. By equipping families with understanding and tools, they aim to remove barriers so children can move toward independence and confidence at their own pace.

For families navigating autism, especially nonspeaking autism, this episode offers a perspective that reframes progress as neurological bridging rather than behavioral compliance. It highlights the power of belief, the importance of holistic assessment, and the hope found in incremental, observable change.

Coach Jackie and Dr. Tim are the founders of NeuroFiT Connections, Eastern North Carolina’s only Melillo Method™ center. They specialize in helping children with learning, behavioral, social, and developmental challenges by addressing the root causes—often underactive areas of the brain—rather than just managing symptoms. Blending neuroscience, holistic health, and targeted brain-based fitness, their program is grounded in leading research and designed to strengthen brain function and improve quality of life. Their mission is simple but powerful: clear the path for every child to thrive, succeed, and become who they were meant to be.  www.neurofitconnections.com

Chapters

• (00:00:01) - NeuroFit Connections
• (00:00:52) - NeuroFit Connections
• (00:03:11) - Primordial Reflexes
• (00:07:05) - What is an ASD one-on-one therapy?
• (00:08:20) - Vestibular and auditory neuropsychology, part 1
• (00:14:13) - Asperger's and Adhd: The Bridge
• (00:18:53) - The Importance of the Work of the CoVID Team
• (00:21:19) - NeuroFit Connections: How to Find a Neurodiversity

Rose’s work lives at the overlap of two fields that are often siloed: speech therapy and applied behavior analysis. Rather than competing frameworks, she presents them as collaborative tools that, when aligned, can accelerate communication growth for autistic students. The discussion highlights joint attention, engagement, device trust-building, and the slow—but meaningful—progress that defines real communication development.

They address a tension many autism parents recognize: practitioners frequently receive limited training in AAC, leaving families to navigate gaps in implementation. Rose shares her mission through the ABA Speech Connection to empower both practitioners and parents with practical tools and shared learning.

This conversation centers one core truth: communication changes outcomes. When professionals collaborate and families are equipped, students with autism gain access—not just to language—but to agency.

Rose Griffin, MA, CCC-SLP, BCBA, is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a passion for helping SLPs, BCBAs, and RBTs work together to support all autistic learners.

She is the founder of ABA SPEECH, an organization dedicated to professional development that unites your team—and transforms communication through customized consultations, engaging trainings, and the ABA SPEECH Connection CEU Membership.

Rosemarie is also the host of the popular ABA SPEECH Podcast, where she shares practical strategies. A highly sought-after speaker, she enjoys connecting with professionals at the local, state, and national levels. Her book "Say It With Me" is scheduled to come out in July of 2026. She can't wait to share easy to use strategies to encourage communication with professionals and parents alike! At the heart of Rosemarie’s work is the mission of ABA SPEECH: Keeping therapy fun and functional and collaborating along the way.

All of Rose's work and her ABA Speech Connection Membership can be found here: www.abaspeech.org

Chapters

• (00:00:01) - ABA Speech Guest
• (00:00:56) - BCBA and Speech Therapist: The Intersect
• (00:05:28) - Speech Therapy for the Rest of us
• (00:12:48) - Autistic Students Need Two iPads
• (00:14:46) - Communication targets for profoundly autistic students
• (00:19:25) - ABA Speech Connection: Growing Membership
• (00:23:28) - ABA Speech Connection

Rather than defending or dismissing, this dialogue focuses on nuance. Autism education is not one-size-fits-all. Individualized education plans must reflect the child—not ideology, not fear, not trend. Together, they explore how ABA has changed over time, how collaboration among therapists and educators strengthens outcomes, and how communication and independence develop through structured, loving environments.

Susan shares her personal journey parenting her son into adulthood, grounding theory in lived experience. The conversation emphasizes open-mindedness, parent empowerment, and the importance of gathering information rather than reacting from fear.

For families navigating autism support decisions, this episode reframes the question from “Is ABA good or bad?” to “What does my child need—and who is collaborating to provide it?”

Information on HAND OVER HAND ABA Services can be found here: https://handoverhandllc.com/

Chapters

• (00:00:01) - ABA for Autism Parents
• (00:03:53) - The Fear of Choosing the Right Thing for Your Child
• (00:06:11) - What's ABA and Its Impact on Kids?
• (00:06:45) - Autism and ABA education
• (00:11:08) - Having a son on the Autism Spectrum
• (00:15:40) - What are some of the best questions that you get as a provider
• (00:23:53) - Autism Moms on Driving School
• (00:29:21) - ABA and the autism education debate
• (00:34:46) - Susan on ABA for Autism

This conversation refuses simplification. Trauma is not just discomfort—it is the accumulation of moments where expectations collapse, systems fail, and identity must recalibrate. For many navigating profound autism and special needs parenting, resilience is not innate; it is constructed over time through repeated decisions to rise, recalibrate, and remain present.

Together, they explore how perception shapes suffering, how recognizing choice restores agency, and how discomfort—when processed rather than avoided—becomes a catalyst for growth. The dialogue centers on caregiver mental health without bypassing the reality of exhaustion. It honors community support while emphasizing that empowerment begins internally.

This is not a narrative of toxic positivity. It is a grounded exploration of how autism parenting can fracture old identities—and forge new ones built on self-awareness, perspective, and strength.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Kit Perez at Inch Stones
• (00:00:49) - How to Process a Tough Life Event
• (00:01:47) - Post-traumatic stress for special needs moms
• (00:10:25) - The Loss of Choices in Life
• (00:12:56) - The Need for Comfort in Motherhood
• (00:17:43) - "I Get to Do This"
• (00:23:06) - On Choice and Sexual Assault
• (00:31:13) - Turning On My Own Faucet
• (00:35:42) - Kit Flannery on The Complicity of Work

The dialogue centers on non-speaking autistic individuals and the families who live daily with the consequences of being underestimated. It challenges the reflex to equate speech with competence and invites a reexamination of behavior as communication—an insight deeply familiar to autism parents navigating profound autism and neurodiversity.

Together, they explore why assuming competence is not naïve optimism but an ethical stance, how caregiver stories often precede scientific recognition, and what responsibilities communities carry when engaging with new frameworks for communication. Woven throughout is a caregiver truth echoed across autism parent spaces: belief changes advocacy, advocacy changes access, and access changes lives.

By grounding The Telepathy Tapes within the lived realities of autism parenting, this conversation ensures that curiosity is matched with care—and that non-speakers are centered not as mysteries to solve, but as people to understand.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - The Telepathy Tapes
• (00:03:26) - Asha Mossbridge on Assuming Competency
• (00:11:44) - What is fueling a non-Speaker's Spell?
• (00:19:05) - telepathy: Science needs to evolve
• (00:26:15) - The Energy It Takes to Meet the Non-Speakers

Through shared caregiver stories, they reflect on how structure can create space for joy, why routines support emotional regulation, and how letting go of autopilot allows mothers to reconnect with themselves. The conversation acknowledges the unique challenges caregivers face while affirming that struggle is not a competition—hardship is personal, and all experiences deserve validation.

This episode is about resilience without performative positivity. It’s about humor as survival, self-care as necessity, and connection as the thread that helps mothers—especially those parenting autism—keep going with intention and grace.

Meaghan is the Editor of Women's Day Magazine and author of Your Fully Charged Life.  All her work can be found here: https://meaghanbmurphy.com/

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Interviewing Megan Murphy
• (00:01:09) - Mothers of profoundly autistic children talk
• (00:03:52) - Your 'Vulnerability' in '
• (00:07:27) - On Carving Out Your Joy
• (00:12:41) - Sarah and Megan on Their Personal
• (00:16:08) - What is the #1 gift your family of origin gave you?
• (00:21:03) - "This Is What I Was Like As A Parent"
• (00:22:35) - Meg on Her Cancer Challenge

In this episode, Sarah Kernion explores how caregiver stories create meaning when shared, even when experiences differ. From Facebook groups to text chains, autism moms discuss how community provides grounding, validation, and perspective—without erasing the deeply individual realities each family lives.

This conversation centers on disability inclusion at its root: caregivers supporting caregivers. It sets the tone for Season 2 as a space where honesty matters more than perfection, and where being understood can change everything.

Moms Talk Autism Podcast can be found here, available on all listening platforms.

Moms Talk Autism Instagram: @momstalkautism

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - In the Zone: Moms Talk Autism Podcast
• (00:00:39) - Moms Talk Autism on Facebook
• (00:04:39) - How Special Needs Moms Get Together
• (00:07:25) - Brittney on Support Groups
• (00:13:12) - The Need for Three-Dimensional Connection
• (00:14:27) - On Identity and Parenting
• (00:16:28) - Neurotypians: Diverse Friendships
• (00:21:23) - The Importance of Talking About Sexual Health
• (00:22:39) - Inchtones: When Support Groups Are Inviting
• (00:27:47) - Autism and the Special Needs Parent
• (00:30:05) - Mom's Autism: A Discussion

Jeff shares how his unexpected path into autism advocacy led to building a community where autistic children and children with special needs are valued for who they are—not asked to conform. Through real caregiver stories, shared joy, and intentional inclusion, Wolves Basketball Academy demonstrates how sports can foster empathy, socialization, and belonging for children of all abilities.

This conversation highlights the ripple effect of disability inclusion: when autistic children are supported, caregivers feel seen, families connect, and communities grow stronger. It’s a reminder that meaningful change doesn’t require perfection—just the willingness to show up and say, you belong here.

You can also find Wolves Basketball on Instagram @wolvesbballacademy 

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - The Inch Jones Podcast: profoundly autistic people
• (00:01:30) - Coaching for Autism
• (00:06:45) - Clinic for Special Needs Kids in the NBA
• (00:13:08) - A Special Needs Girl's Basketball
• (00:21:27) - The Help for Kids program
• (00:27:28) - The support of parents with a special needs child
• (00:29:33) - Jeff Towns on Impact of His Special Needs Kids
• (00:35:10) - Jeff Greene on Autism Basketball
• (00:35:48) - Jeff's One Inch Zone Clinic

Deisare shares her lived experience navigating the IEP process, managing behavioral challenges, building community, and trusting the sharp instinct that mothers develop when professionals overlook or minimize their child’s struggles. Together, they reveal how knowledge, persistence, and community support empower parents to claim their place at the table—and rewrite what support should actually look like for autistic children.

This episode is a validation of every parent who has ever felt dismissed, overwhelmed, or alone. It’s a reminder that advocacy is not optional—it's survival. And every small win counts.

You can find Desiree on Instagram @delawaresavealife 

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Autism Mom on Social Media
• (00:01:42) - Autistic moms on IEPs
• (00:07:30) - On the IEP Meeting
• (00:09:09) - Sarah on Restraint for Sensory Kids
• (00:12:46) - Kate Swenson on Autism Advocates
• (00:18:24) - Autism moms on the autism issues in PA vs Delaware
• (00:22:41) - Autism and the IEP
• (00:27:04) - The Real World of Parenting
• (00:29:35) - What is a Win for You?
• (00:30:28) - Inch Jones PODCAST

Jamie’s story is one of unimaginable intensity: her son hit himself (once counted at 40,000 times a month),  lives with constant neurological distress, and struggles to communicate even the most basic needs. She shares not just the clinical realities, but the emotional ones—what it feels like to love a child whose body is at risk every day, and to parent in a world that does not understand or support families facing profound autism.

This episode is not meant to shock; it is meant to validate, humanize, and bear witness. It honors Jamie’s courage and the countless caregivers who live in crisis-level conditions with little acknowledgment or help.

For families walking similar paths, this conversation says: You are not imagining how hard this is. You are not alone.
For those outside this reality, it offers a rare chance to understand the truth of profound autism—and why meaningful support must begin with seeing these families clearly.

This is Jamie’s story. And it is the story of so many others who deserve to be heard.

Jaime Hrobar is a writer, autism mom, and advocate who shares hope, humor, and authenticity, through her Facebook page Homebound and Healing—a blog about autism, family, recovery, and spirituality that explores finding peace, joy, and perspective through life’s hardest moments.

A mother of two children on the spectrum, including a twenty-one-year-old son with profound non-speaking autism, Jaime draws on over two decades of firsthand experience with IEPs, disability rights, therapies, and complex behavioral challenges. She uses her experience to guide others through education systems, therapeutic supports, and the emotional realities of parenting, making her a trusted advocate and source of encouragement for families navigating similar journeys.

You can find all of her work here:

https://www.facebook.com/HomeboundandHealing

https://www.jaimehrobar.com

https://www.instagram.com/jaimehrobar/

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - One child's extreme self-injury
• (00:00:53) - Jamie Robar on the Special Needs Mom Community
• (00:02:02) - Autistic Moms on Motherhood
• (00:06:35) - Seeking the Autism Experts
• (00:10:56) - Sarah on the Battle
• (00:14:35) - Jamie on her Autism Facebook Page
• (00:19:55) - Hurricane Florence parallels New Jersey family's life
• (00:21:02) - Jim's autism mom on the current political climate
• (00:26:34) - Autism mom on the search for a residential placement
• (00:31:45) - On the Fear of a Caretaker
• (00:38:04) - A caregiver's message about her husband's illness

Their exchange moves through discomfort and into understanding, showing how sharing raw experiences builds a bridge between isolation and belonging. Together, they unpack how community, authenticity, and empathy can transform the weight of parenting into something lighter—something shared.

At its heart, this conversation is a portrait of modern motherhood in the age of social media: imperfect, interconnected, and beautifully real.

Jess Caraway is a mom of two, an ever-evolving advocate for her autistic daughter, a passionate supporter of all forms of communication, gestalt language detective, and founder of the If You Know One Project. She dreams of a world that understands autism, and accepts accessibility, inclusion, and presuming competence as beneficial for everyone.

Jess strives to connect with her Instagram community by sharing a glimpse into her family’s journey with an autistic daughter/sister in a way that inspires others to embrace the perspective shift that just because your experiences look different does not mean they are not still good.

Instagram: @jess_ifyouknowone

Etsy shop: ifyouknowone.etsy.com

Sarah is the writer and host of INCHSTONES: The #1 voice of autism mothers & caregivers of children with profound nonspeaking autism.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Jess Caraway on Her Autism Project
• (00:03:30) - "It's Okay to Be Unhappy on Social Media"
• (00:07:52) - Open Minded: The Importance of Diversity
• (00:17:00) - The Ripple Effect of Parenting
• (00:25:23) - Melissa on her son's autism
• (00:30:48) - Insurance Parlance

This dialogue invites autism parents to trade anxiety for awareness, performance for presence, and pressure for patience. It’s about conscious parenting that honors both the child’s nervous system and the parent’s emotional bandwidth. The result is a gentler rhythm—where profound autism, neurodiversity, and deep connection can finally breathe.

Kathleen's Book Barely Visible can be purchased here.

Kathleen Somers, a debut author, holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art, and works as a freelance graphic designer. She is a passionate observer of humanity who believes in the power of connection that comes from each of us sharing our individual stories. When Kathleen isn’t busy with her career as a creative, she is out on her bike finding new roads to explore, or spending time with her son, opening his eyes to everything the world has to offer. She lives with her family in the suburbs of Philadelphia.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Barely Visible: An Autism Mom's Journey
• (00:00:59) - On Writing My Autism Memoir
• (00:05:32) - Looking Back: Learning From Our Elders
• (00:11:58) - How to Love Your Child's Emotions
• (00:14:35) - Autistic Parents: Their Differences Are Not the Default
• (00:21:15) - Autistic Mothers Slow Down Their Child's Development
• (00:26:13) - My Son's Car Caught on Fire
• (00:29:50) - Kathleen's Story of Mothering an Autism Child
• (00:32:53) - A Parent's Love of routine

With equal parts humor and honesty, Sarah and Kit talk about the friction between old expectations and new realities, and why dismantling outdated beliefs isn’t failure—it’s growth. They explore how healing your own past pain changes the way you show up as a parent, why joy is a deliberate choice (not a lucky accident), and how asking, “What is true today?” can keep you grounded when everything feels like too much. Above all, this conversation reminds you that your situation doesn’t define you, your child is not a project to “fix,” and some of the deepest bonding moments are found in the small, weird, wonderfully simple joys of everyday life.

Chapters

• (00:00:01) - Substack: The Hierarchy of Autism and the Autism Spectrum
• (00:01:23) - Reorienting the System for Autism
• (00:08:59) - How Having a Child Will Change Your Life
• (00:12:14) - The Process of Healing From Trauma
• (00:19:40) - How to Talk About Your Autistic Child
• (00:24:28) - What do you think creates the fear of doing the work
• (00:29:35) - Autism and the Power of Running

Dr. Anderson offers a compassionate, autism-informed lens on behavior and performance, reminding us that people do well when they can. We talk about why it’s not only okay—but often essential—to step back, drop certain expectations, and honor real limits so that both caregivers and autistic children can thrive.  

✨ Find your stride with strength-based autism care.
Visit Avela Health to get started and see how personalized, compassionate support can help your child and your family thrive.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - In the Know: The Inch Zones Podcast
• (00:01:00) - An autism parent's personal connection
• (00:06:40) - On the Fear of Autism
• (00:10:31) - Autism and the Aviela Health Community
• (00:16:02) - What does my involvement in my child's care look like?
• (00:22:21) - What do you think the impact of emotional growth and regulation is on
• (00:29:18) - Autism and the pause
• (00:29:56) - One mom's battle for early intervention for her child's autism
• (00:34:04) - The Least Restrictive School for Kids

Dr. Mossbridge's new book "have a nice disclosure" can be purchased here on Amazon!

Click here to find all of Dr. Mossbridge's work.

Chapters

• (00:00:01) - Julia Mossbridge on Her Book
• (00:01:09) - What it's Like to Work With Non-Speakers
• (00:05:06) - Book Launch: What Are We Ethically Required to Do
• (00:08:58) - When I Was in the gifted IQ Program
• (00:14:10) - Autistic Non-Speakers in the Intelligence Community
• (00:19:34) - Mixed emotions on the issue of mothers
• (00:23:40) - What Non-Speakers Have to Offer Us
• (00:26:18) - On Autism and Daughter's Development
• (00:33:09) - Right hemisphere gifted: A Parent
• (00:37:18) - How to Win at Life
• (00:38:33) - The Work I Plan to Do on Telepathy
• (00:44:58) - Anxiety and the Right Place for Kids
• (00:50:04) - Unlimited Love

Together, they explore how collaboration and communication between parents and therapists shape meaningful progress for children on the autism spectrum. The conversation dives deep into the emotional realities of therapy—navigating transitions, building consistent teams, and ensuring that every intervention is grounded in empathy and love.

Brittany and Jada also share how positive reinforcement, small daily changes, and partnership with parents can strengthen confidence, independence, and growth at home and in therapy sessions.

Key Takeaways:

• Therapeutic AND respite care provide essential relief and support for families.
• Building trust between parents and therapists enhances outcomes.
• Effective communication ensures consistency across home and therapy.
• ABA therapy can be transformative when done ethically and with compassion.
• Transitions in therapy teams can affect children’s emotional security.
• Collaboration and feedback loops foster stronger relationships.
• Positive reinforcement and small steps lead to lasting growth.
• Parents and therapists thrive when united in purpose and care.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - ABA Care Workers on Inchtones Podcast
• (00:01:28) - What Really Makes Me Happy to Work As a BCBA Therapist
• (00:04:39) - Therapist on Working With Special Needs Families
• (00:09:08) - How to Talk to an Autistic Parent
• (00:14:40) - How to Talk to Your Autistic Child About Therapy
• (00:19:28) - What Good ABA is?
• (00:26:57) - The Home Effect of Parenting

Peter shares his personal journey from the tech world to health advocacy, uncovering the links between electromagnetic fields (EMFs), chemical exposure, and neurological health. He explains how disruptions in calcium channels may affect brain function and why creating safe home environments can make a meaningful difference for families navigating autism parenting.

The conversation blends science, compassion, and hope—showing parents that small, consistent actions can support healing, reduce toxic load, and help their children thrive.

Peter is the founder of Clear Light Ventures.

Chapters

• (00:00:01) - Peter Sullivan on Environmental Factors for Autism
• (00:05:58) - The EMF and autism
• (00:12:26) - The Healing of Electric Stress
• (00:14:20) - Ca calcium channels, their role in our body
• (00:20:45) - The Problem With Our Smartphones
• (00:21:14) - Autism and Chronic Illness
• (00:23:39) - The electrical load to reduce
• (00:27:22) - Toxic chemicals in the United States
• (00:30:48) - These are the chemicals in the environment
• (00:33:54) - Autism and the First Aid
• (00:38:43) - Sleep disruption due to electromagnetic interference
• (00:46:26) - How to Raise a Brain with a Balanced Environment
• (00:50:34) - The Good Elements of Nature

Together, Sarah and Shahriar discuss the emotional layers of parenting a child with autism—from grief and resilience to acceptance and hope. They unpack the gendered differences in how mothers and fathers process their child’s diagnosis, the growing role of AI in autism care, and how innovation can help families better navigate the daily realities of profound autism and caregiving.

This conversation blends empathy with forward-thinking solutions, revealing how collaboration between parents, technologists, and advocates can create a more inclusive autism community rooted in understanding, connection, and love.

Key Takeaways:

• The emotional journey of autism parenting is complex yet deeply human.
• Fathers and mothers often process challenges and grief differently.
• Community support is essential for parents and caregivers.
• Innovation and AI can enhance autism education and caregiving.
• Technology can improve independence and quality of life for autistic individuals.
• Unconditional love and acceptance remain the most powerful supports.
• Collaboration between parents and innovators fosters autism advocacy stories worth sharing.
• Hope and resilience are at the heart of every special needs family story.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - How to Manage a 16-Year-Old with Autism
• (00:06:50) - What Would You Have Done If You Had An Autistic Brother?
• (00:07:44) - William Shrey's Autism Innovation Lab
• (00:14:00) - In the Elevator With an Autistic Parent
• (00:19:19) - Autism and the Real World
• (00:24:42) - In the Elevator With Autism Parents
• (00:28:13) - How to Give Back to the Autism Community
• (00:34:21) - Autistic Caregiver's Challenges
• (00:41:05) - Autism Caregiver on the World
• (00:43:31) - Inchtones: If You Could Not Fail

Olivia shares what it means to be both mother and caregiver—to fight for inclusion, navigate systemic challenges, and still find beauty in small moments of connection. Together, she and Sarah explore how believing mothers is a crucial act of respect within the neurodiversity movement and the broader disability conversation.

The discussion highlights the importance of community, the necessity of self-care, and the quiet strength found in honesty. This episode is both a love letter to caregivers and a rallying cry for visibility—because every story of autism deserves to be heard and believed.

Key Takeaways:

• Believing mothers and caregivers is inclusion in action.
• The truth about profound autism must be told, not softened.
• Community and autism support networks ease the weight of caregiving.
• Self-care sustains caregivers and strengthens family bonds.
• Every act of honesty deepens understanding of autism parenting.
• Hope and beauty coexist with challenge in daily caregiving life.
• Advocacy rooted in truth leads to justice in disability care

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Praying Through Autism
• (00:05:47) - Beyond Autism: The Terms We Use
• (00:11:28) - Beyond Autism: The neurodiversity movement
• (00:17:21) - Autism mom on her own journey
• (00:23:55) - Kat on Autism and Self-Care
• (00:28:54) - Why I Fight For My Daughter's Autism

Through this conversation, listeners will gain insight into autism awareness, the emotional evolution parents undergo, and the importance of community support in the disability and neurodiverse parenting journey. Jenny discusses how siblings thrive when empathy and inclusion are prioritized, and how seeking help opens new paths toward healing. Her book, Watching Sarah Rise, offers a poignant testament to the transformative power of love as a cornerstone of therapy and personal growth.

Join us as we explore how flexibility, patience, and human connection redefine autism parenting and advocate for a more inclusive and understanding world.

Jennifer Celeste Briggs has a BA in English Literature from Swarthmore college. She lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and two daughters. Her daughter Sarah has a genetic anomaly and autism. When Sarah was four, Jenny decided to run a Son-Rise Program for her, calling it Sarah-Rise, and training at the Autism Treatment Center of America. The Son-Rise Program is a loving child-centered approach to helping those with autism and other challenges connect socially, verbally, and through increased eye contact. Organizing hundreds of hours of therapeutic play time for Sarah, Jenny trained and coordinated multiple volunteers who contributed their love and creativity to the venture. Jenny started a blog to share the experience of Sarah-Rise and has heard multiple times that her words were helpful to others dealing with life struggles. Jenny wants to help parents feel understood and to spread the word about The Son-Rise Program. She hopes that her words bring comfort, joy, and inspiration to readers whatever their challenges and journeys may be.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Interview
• (00:00:44) - How a mom with autism navigated the autism diagnosis and treatment
• (00:08:21) - The Secret to Helping People With Autism
• (00:12:55) - Sarah's autism and Amy's typical family
• (00:19:45) - The Importance of Shared Orientation
• (00:23:40) - Watching Sarah Rise: An Autism Family's Journey

Fellow autism mom and advocate, Kat Riojas, shares how movement, mindful routines, and healthy habits have transformed her ability to stay present and emotionally steady for her family. Together, they explore how modeling wellness teaches children balance, why community matters as much as therapy, and how letting go of comparison opens the door to peace.

This is a grounded, hopeful reminder that caring for yourself is caring for your child—and that every act of self-preservation is an act of love.

Key Takeaways

• Conscious self-care sustains long-term autism parenting.
• Movement and nutrition directly affect emotional regulation.
• Alcohol and poor habits quietly drain parental capacity.
• Community is a protective factor against burnout.
• Modeling health benefits the entire family system.
• Each parent’s path is unique—comparison steals joy.
• Growth often comes from hardship and honesty.

Find and follow Kat on Instagram here!

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Kat's Talk About Self-Care on Inshones
• (00:01:16) - How an autism mom got to the gym
• (00:04:26) - On Choosing Self-Care
• (00:10:44) - Autism and Taking Back Your Own Life
• (00:15:32) - The Secret to Your Hero's Journey
• (00:16:41) - Autism Moms on the Family
• (00:20:14) - "One piece of advice for moms with autism..."
• (00:24:21) - Alcoholics on Their Journey
• (00:28:40) - The Importance of Vocalization Around 40
• (00:33:58) - Kat's Entire Episodes

Erica shares how her experience as a special-needs parent inspired her to design accessible playgrounds equipped with communication boards, created in collaboration with local high school students. Together, Sarah and Erica discuss how inclusion is built through community, creativity, and conscious design.

This episode is a story of hope, practical innovation, and maternal leadership, showing that when parents model advocacy, they shape a more inclusive world for future generations.

Key Takeaways:

• Project Playground was founded to make play accessible for every child.
• Inclusive design builds empathy, confidence, and social skills.
• Community collaboration drives sustainable change.
• Communication boards improve access for non-speaking children.
• Advocacy modeled by parents inspires lifelong inclusion values.
• Empowering youth through design fosters connection and creativity.
• Awareness of accessibility is growing thanks to grassroots efforts.
• Emotional purpose often fuels the most impactful local projects.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Inchtones: Erica Witte on Project Playground
• (00:01:13) - What is Project Playground?
• (00:04:28) - The Imagination Tour of the School
• (00:09:37) - The Special Needs Mom Network
• (00:13:52) - Project Playground: Communication Boards for Non-Verbally Speaking
• (00:21:37) - What would be an inch stone win of yours currently as these projects

Together, they unpack the gut-brain connection, the role of healthy fats, and how probiotics influence behavior and mood. Delia shares simple, science-based steps parents can take to create calm, balanced, and nourishing routines—without overwhelm or guilt.

This conversation reframes nutrition as an act of connection: by modeling curiosity, patience, and healthy habits, parents can help their children thrive from the inside out—one inchstone at a time.

Key Takeaways:

The gut-brain axis plays a key role in emotional and sensory regulation.
Healthy fats are crucial for brain growth and focus.
Probiotics can support mood stability and digestion.
Change works best when modeled with patience and curiosity.
Small, consistent shifts in nutrition make lasting impact for children with autism.

Together, they explore how real change happens when we tell stories with honesty, presence, and heart. Chelsea shares how vulnerability behind the camera creates deeper human connection—and how curiosity can uncover the truth within every story.

This episode challenges the “fix-it” mindset so often applied to disability and celebrates the beauty, strength, and individuality within the autism community. It’s a moving reminder that storytelling can reshape perception, build empathy, and reveal what truly connects us all.

Key Takeaways:

• Vulnerability is the foundation of powerful storytelling.
• Presence reveals truth and builds authentic connection.
• Every person’s story adds depth to our understanding of neurodiversity.
• Filmmakers and advocates share a mission: to humanize, not to fix.
• Authentic narratives challenge stereotypes and celebrate autism as part of human diversity.
• Whether you’re an autism parent, creative storyteller, or advocate for inclusion, this episode will inspire you to see every “inchstone” as a moment of connection and growth.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Inch Jones: Chelsea Casabona on Neurodiversity
• (00:01:16) - What Makes Documentary Film So Powerful
• (00:07:43) - Documentary Filmmaking: The Presence

Sarah and Nicola dive deep into the heart of autism parenting, reflecting on the joys and challenges mothers face while raising neurodiverse children. They highlight the importance of witnessing and honoring each child’s unique perspective, recognizing that all behavior is communication, and celebrating humor as a powerful tool for storytelling and connection.

For autism moms, this conversation is both validating and uplifting...a reminder that raising a neurodiverse child is not only about challenges but also about deep transformation, empathy, and unconditional love.

Key Takeaways

• The film explores neurodiversity and synesthesia through the perspective of a teen girl.
• Personal experiences with autism and neurodiverse identities inspire creative projects.
• Autism parenting means learning to witness children’s unique perspectives.
• Adolescence is a transformative stage for both parents and children.
• Autism moms face unique challenges that foster resilience and advocacy.
• Representation in media is essential for building empathy and understanding.
• Humor brings lightness to serious conversations.
• Every behavior communicates something meaningful.
  
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Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Interviewing Nicola Rose of Magnetosphere
• (00:05:47) - A Dog Plays With Her House Rocks
• (00:06:12) - The Importance of Magnetosphere
• (00:12:20) - Autism and the Caregiving Process
• (00:15:40) - The film's theme of synesthesia
• (00:21:31) - Neurotypian on 'The Good Girl'
• (00:25:08) - "The Dark Knight" Review

From the gut instinct that something was different, to the rollercoaster of diagnosis, advocacy, and redefined expectations, Marie’s story captures the emotional landscape of parenting through the lens of neurodiversity. Together, she and Sarah explore how inchstones—not milestones—become the markers of growth, strength, and survival for autism families.

This conversation is equal parts real talk, hard truth, and soft place to land—for any parent navigating the beautifully chaotic world of autism.

Top Takeaways:

• Inchstones are the new milestones for autism parents.
• Mother’s intuition matters—more than any textbook.
• You will grieve, grow, and get stronger.
• Support systems make survival possible.
• Social media can connect isolated autism caregivers.
• Special needs parenting forces a rewrite of motherhood’s script.
• There’s no perfect outcome—just powerful love and persistence.

About the Guest:
Marie Watkinson is the founder of Spa Chicks On The Go, a luxury mobile spa business based in NYC. She’s also the proud mom of Ryan, her 16-year-old son with profound autism. Marie and her husband Chris live in Port Jefferson, NY, where they fiercely advocate for inclusive education, dignity, and a future where every neurodiverse child has a place to thrive.

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Chapters

• (00:00:01) - Marie Watkinson on Special Needs Parenting
• (00:01:07) - Ryan's Mother's Journey as a Mother
• (00:05:39) - One mother's experience with autism
• (00:10:04) - No guidebook for special needs parents
• (00:12:46) - One Mother's Experience with Special Ed School
• (00:18:25) - On the Loss of Autism
• (00:22:51) - Sarah on her autism diagnosis
• (00:26:45) - One mother's story of her autistic son
• (00:31:15) - One parent's struggle with her son's autism
• (00:36:19) - How a Parent's Issues Affect His Business
• (00:41:46) - Marie O'Brien on Parenting With a Big Man

They cover everything from early intervention to IEPs, puberty panic to post-high school plans—with brutal honesty, well-earned wisdom, and a few laughs along the way.

This isn’t just about autism. It’s about parenting in the unknown—and learning to celebrate the inchstones that quietly change everything.

Key Takeaways for Parents of Autistic Children:

• Early intervention helps—but the journey doesn't end with a diagnosis.
  Adulthood transitions in autism parenting can be emotional and unpredictable.
  Anticipatory anxiety is common—especially when imagining the future.
  Curiosity about your child's needs often leads to deeper connection.
  Community support is not optional—it's essential.
  Celebrating inchstones can sustain parents through burnout and uncertainty.
  Communication breakthroughs—verbal or nonverbal—are major emotional wins.
  There is no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting in the world of neurodiversity.
  You deserve to feel peace and joy, even in the hard seasons.
  Autism parenting is a marathon—find joy in the pace that fits your child.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Back to the Inch Stones With Jenna Mann
• (00:00:54) - Autism Mom's Reflections on the Years After Diagnosis
• (00:07:47) - Stay Curious: The Process of Autism School Choices
• (00:15:19) - Jenna on Emotionally Processing Her Son's Transition
• (00:19:39) - Mac and Millie's First Period
• (00:22:45) - How To Get Out Of the House
• (00:27:41) - In the Elevation: Victorious Wins for Your Family

Takeaways:

Raw Truth Drives Change: Rob Gorski underscores that unfiltered storytelling is the engine of real autism advocacy.

Hidden Emotional Labor: Parents of profoundly autistic, nonspeaking children shoulder unique emotional and logistical challenges rarely acknowledged by society.

Neurodiversity ≠ One Size Fits All: The autism community spans from low to high support needs, demanding nuanced understanding and tailored support.

Systemic Barriers Require Disruption: Families face institutional red tape and fragmented systems, calling for parent-led reform and policy influence.

Self-Care as Strategic Survival: Caring for yourself is not indulgence—it’s the foundation of sustainable advocacy and family stability.

Normalize Asking for Help: Courage in seeking support should be celebrated, not stigmatized, to reduce isolation and burnout.

Bridge the Divide: Open dialogue between families, professionals, and policymakers can dismantle harmful stereotypes and improve outcomes.

Respect the Inchstones: Progress in profound or nonspeaking autism isn’t always linear—inchstones matter more than milestones.

Compassion as a Competitive Advantage: Building a culture of empathy within the autism community strengthens resilience and collective impact.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Autism Dad on Inchtones Podcast
• (00:01:42) - Autism Moms on Medium
• (00:07:21) - Rosie on the Autism Community
• (00:13:44) - Rosie on the Autism Community
• (00:19:51) - On the High Support Need for Autism Parents
• (00:26:50) - Autism Parents on the Wait List
• (00:30:54) - On Autism and the Need for Help
• (00:34:00) - Robyn on the Autistic Community
• (00:41:41) - On Autism Parenting
• (00:46:11) - Ask for Support
• (00:47:29) - A Few Words for Rob

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - What Real Support Looks Like For Parents of Autistic Children
• (00:01:01) - Special Needs Healthcare Coverage and Access
• (00:10:58) - On Autism and Special Needs Coverage
• (00:15:44) - Choosing the right healthcare plan for your family
• (00:20:58) - Employers: Taking the Employer Out of Healthcare
• (00:23:27) - Choosing a healthcare plan for a medically complex family

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Interview With Kyle Shepherd
• (00:00:30) - Cognitive Resilience in the Military
• (00:06:21) - On Autism and the Spectrum
• (00:12:17) - On the Concept of Typical Parents
• (00:16:06) - Anger and Control of My Feelings
• (00:23:16) - How to Manage Your Emotions
• (00:28:56) - The Importance of Self-Care for Parents
• (00:36:54) - Your Wife's Mother Intuition
• (00:42:16) - How Were You Raised?
• (00:49:05) - The Importance of Interactivity
• (00:53:00) - How do you become a more flexible person?
• (00:54:33) - The Power of Consistent Care
• (00:59:20) - One Autism Child's Speech Breakthrough
• (01:04:52) - Coming soon: The Byproduct of Writing

You can find and follow Kate's work on her Substack: Atypical Kids, Mindful Parents.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Inch Zones: The Neurodiversity Community
• (00:06:12) - What Would Be the Level of Support for a profoundly autistic Child?
• (00:13:33) - One parent's story of autism and advocacy
• (00:18:13) - "They Won't Pay Taxes"
• (00:19:56) - Steve Ford on His Autism Comments
• (00:24:31) - Sarah on Being a Parent With a Different Child
• (00:29:17) - On Autism and the Teacher
• (00:34:15) - Autism and the support it needs
• (00:35:03) - Autism and the Struggle

Chapters

• (00:00:01) - Sam Alaimo on What Then?
• (00:02:10) - How Do You Get Back From the SEAL
• (00:04:26) - In the Elevator With a Marine
• (00:07:32) - In the Elevator With Motherhood
• (00:11:51) - The Need for a Team
• (00:16:55) - On the Importance of Freedom
• (00:21:49) - The Science of Knowing Your Child
• (00:23:48) - In the Elevator With Autism on
• (00:26:28) - How I Learned To Love My SEAL Experience
• (00:30:36) - What is something now that you can, you know, even the
• (00:32:52) - In the Land of Loss
• (00:35:43) - The Caregiver Mother

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - A Mother and Her Special Needs Advocate
• (00:01:12) - Phil's Self-Advocacy at School
• (00:09:53) - One mother's experience with working memory impairment
• (00:16:28) - Taking notes in the workplace
• (00:21:57) - Why We Have Such Anxiety About Asking for Help
• (00:28:16) - Philip's battle to become an engineer
• (00:34:50) - A Mother's Advice For Her Child

In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with Special Needs Dentist, Dr. Sydnee Chavis, for a raw and real conversation about raising children with profound autism and apraxia. Together, they explore how personal experience with neurodiversity has shaped their work—one through dentistry, the other through financial strategy—and how every inchstone, from brushing teeth to building a care team, is a major milestone.

They unpack what it means to advocate for children who are non-speaking, the emotional labor of showing up daily for kids with complex needs, and why accessible care—especially dental care—is often out of reach for families like ours. This episode also dives into the power of choice for disabled patients, the overlooked value of trauma-informed dentistry, and how to approach long-term financial planning without getting overwhelmed.

Whether you're deep in the world of profound autism or just beginning to understand what apraxia looks like day-to-day, this conversation holds space for the mess, the magic, and the meaning behind the inchstones that define our families.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Dental Care for Special Needs People
• (00:07:19) - How to keep a healthy mouth after a dental surgery?
• (00:10:35) - What would be the best directive as a parent to share with an
• (00:17:47) - Autistic Dentist: Counting in the Mouth
• (00:22:32) - Dental Care for Special Needs Families

They talk about how asking for help isn’t weakness—it’s survival. And how platforms like Support Now are reshaping how we view community support, especially in the autism and neurodiversity spaces. Whether you're raising a child with complex needs or trying to show up for someone who is, this episode offers a new framework for what real, meaningful support can look like—inch by inch.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Coming Soon: Jordan Arighetti on Inch Stones
• (00:00:54) - How SupportNow Is Changing the Way Families Get Support
• (00:03:35) - Moms Are More Burnout Than Ever
• (00:09:45) - How to Support Yourself After Having a Child
• (00:14:23) - What Moms Need Most Postpartum
• (00:17:26) - A Special Needs Child's Joy List
• (00:23:01) - Millie Chipped Her Tooth at Camp
• (00:24:18) - On The Creation of a Support Now
• (00:27:09) - "Lend a Hand" to the World
• (00:28:32) - Lend a Hand: A Community of Support
• (00:30:29) - The End of Community Support

From sensory overwhelm to communication challenges, Dr. Willie shares what truly helps when it comes to medical care for neurodivergent kids—and how parents can advocate for what their child needs without burning out.

Together, they talk about the small wins (INCHSTONES) that make a huge difference, the importance of trust between families and providers, and why it’s time to shift how medicine shows up for the autism community.

Whether you're parenting a child with profound autism, navigating apraxia, or just starting your neurodiversity journey, this episode is packed with wisdom, validation, and practical strategies you can use today.

Dr. Chelsea Willie is a Pediatric Anesthesiologist and Pediatric Intensivist at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Pediatric Anesthesiologist on Neurodivergent Procedures
• (00:05:44) - Dental Surgeon on Neurodivergent Surgery
• (00:11:09) - Pediatrics: The Care of Neurodivergers
• (00:13:44) - Autistic Dr. Phil on Safety and Care

Traci opens up about the back-to-back tragedies that changed everything for her: losing her husband and nearly losing her daughter.

She talks honestly about the messy, painful, and ultimately transformative process of grief, and how those experiences pushed her toward becoming not just a financial advisor, but an advocate for families navigating life after loss. Together, Sarah and Traci explore the intersection of motherhood, mental health, and the way we rebuild ourselves when the life we imagined disappears.

This isn’t just a story of loss—it’s a story about finding love, purpose, and strength in the wreckage. And it’s a reminder that even in our hardest seasons, we still have the power to choose how we show up.

Julie brings both professional expertise and personal insight to the table as she and Sarah discuss the myth of meritocracy, the real challenges marginalized communities face in traditional work environments, and how generational shifts are reshaping our understanding of diversity. She shares practical steps leaders can take right now to foster more inclusive cultures—beyond just policies or performative gestures.

This episode is for anyone who wants to do better, be better, and make space for everyone—whether at work, at home, or in the world at large. It’s a powerful reminder that inclusion begins with curiosity, empathy, and the courage to lead differently.

Her new book We Want You: An Allyship Guide for People with Power is out this Friday, Aug 8th: Order Here!

Julie's work can all be found online on her website Next Pivot Point

Jill shares her powerful advocacy work and calls for a more curious, compassionate, and courageous conversation in the autism community—one that welcomes uncomfortable truths and asks better questions.

This episode is for anyone ready to look at autism with clear eyes and an open heart.

Jill's work can be found on her website : https://www.jillescher.com/

Together, they open up about the long arc of grief that can come with a diagnosis, the resilience required to keep going, and the unexpected ways siblings are shaped by these experiences. They talk candidly about letting go of the life you imagined, and learning to embrace the one unfolding in front of you—with love, humor, and hard-won wisdom.

This episode is a heartfelt reminder that acceptance isn’t a moment—it’s a process. It’s about holding both the sorrow and the beauty, and choosing connection through it all. If you’ve ever felt the weight of unmet expectations or the ache of wanting to do it all, this conversation will meet you right where you are.

Donna's work and writing can be found on her Substack

Dr. Kerry Burnight—gerontologist and author of JOYSPAN: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life's Second Half(coming out August 5!)—joins Inchstones host Sarah Kernion for an open, honest, and uplifting dialogue about what it really means to care. Together, they unpack the raw and often complicated emotions that come with being a caregiver—especially when you're navigating both autism and aging.

They explore how to support someone while honoring their independence and dignity, reflect on the power of spiritual freedom, and share the kind of hard-earned wisdom that only comes from lived experience. There’s vulnerability, laughter, and a whole lot of truth.

This episode is a beautiful reminder that caregiving isn’t just a role—it’s a relationship. It’s challenging, transformative, and full of meaning. Whether you’re knee-deep in it or just stepping in, this conversation offers insight, companionship, and maybe even a little (a LOT) of joy.

In this heartfelt episode, Sarah Kernion sits down with fellow autism Mom and friend, KC Artemenko to talk honestly about what it's really like to raise children with autism. Together, they open up about the deep emotional shifts that happen inside families, how hard (and beautiful) sibling relationships can be, and the power of following your gut as a parent. They don’t shy away from the hard stuff—like how isolating it can feel or how much pressure parents carry—but they also show how connection, vulnerability, and community support can be life-changing. It’s a raw, real, and ultimately hopeful conversation that every parent navigating neurodiversity will feel seen by.

Together, they unpack the messy beauty of motherhood, laugh at the myth of bubble baths fixing everything, and explore how tiny moments of joy can ripple out to create calmer homes and happier hearts. Jenna shares the soul behind her Substack, Mama Well, and gets candid about overstimulation, the magic of mindfulness, and why modeling self-care for our kids might just be one of the most powerful parenting moves we can make.

This conversation is equal parts cozy, candid, and quietly revolutionary for every mom who’s ever put herself dead last—and is ready to change that, one inchstone at a time.

You can find Jenna's Substack and all of her work here: https://themamawell.substack.com/

They talk about the emotional rollercoaster of parenting children with autism, how powerful it is to find your people, and why showing up vulnerably (especially online) can make all the difference. It's a reminder that behind every story is a mom who just wants to be seen, heard, and believed and that there’s magic in walking this road TOGETHER.

Kathy Riojas is a Dallas, TX-based Licensed Professional Counselor and mom to three, including an energetic non-speaking autistic boy.  Instagram @withlove.kat

Erica Fortune is a former mental health counselor for children. She is currently a stay-at-home mom supporting her two autistic boys (ages 5 and 3) and 18-month-old daughter. Instagram @autistic_wild.and.free

What unfolds is an honest, emotional, and deeply thoughtful reflection on what it means to grow up alongside a sibling with autism. Lyla shares how being the oldest has shaped her in ways most kids her age wouldn’t understand. How she’s learned to be patient, protective, and tuned in to the unspoken. She talks about moments of confusion, loneliness, and fierce love all woven into the fabric of her everyday life.

Laurie opens up about parenting both her neurodivergent and neurotypical children, and the tightrope walk of meeting everyone's needs while holding space for their different experiences. Together, they reflect on how their family has grown stronger because of them.

They also share the impact of social media, highlighting how it can both isolate and educate. Through their stories, they remind us of the crucial importance of listening to the voices of siblings, the quiet heroes of many autism families.

The episode ends on a note of hope ... that by sharing real stories, families can find healing, connection, and the courage to keep showing up for each other.

Click HERE find Laurie's Instagram, Everyday Autism Essentials

Together, they dive into what it really feels like to co-parent when your child needs more. From navigating different parenting styles post-divorce to dealing with grief, guilt, and resilience, this conversation doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. Michelle opens up about her own healing journey and the role self-compassion plays in showing up for your child.

They also explore the importance of perspective, how shifting the way you look at your situation can ease pressure and create more peace for both you and your child. Most importantly, they discuss celebrating the inchstones—the tiny, hard-fought moments of progress that matter more than traditional milestones when parenting through the lens of neurodiversity.

Whether you’re in the thick of divorce, parenting a child with autism or apraxia, or just need to feel seen, this episode offers real talk, hope, and solidarity.

 All of the links to Michelle's courses, social media and work can be found HERE

Andrea shares her perspective on leading with curiosity, the values that shape inclusive teams, and how the next generation is pushing workplaces to evolve. It’s a real look at what happens when companies prioritize people over policies—and why that makes all the difference.

Together, Sarah and Sunita discuss the realities that most people don’t see: late diagnoses, guilt, learning curves, and the tiny wins that mean the world. They reflect on what it really takes to advocate for your child—and yourself—while also holding space for growth, grief, and grace.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re carrying more than they can name—and doing it anyway.

You can find Sunita on Instagram @sunitatheiss

You can find Greg's work on Substack and X:

https://substack.com/@gregcscaduto

https://x.com/GregoryScaduto

In this episode, Sarah, Kristin, and Kasi dive into the messy, beautiful world of parenting kids with autism and developmental delays — but with a twist: the role friendship plays in survival. Kristin opens up about how being that one friend who showed up made all the difference. She became the bridge — connecting hearts, calming fears, and reminding moms like Kasi and Sarah that they’re not alone in this wild ride.

They talk about those early gut instincts, the emotional rollercoaster of seeking a diagnosis, and the comfort that comes from having someone who simply sits beside you when words fail. Whether you're a parent walking this road or a friend who wants to better support someone you love — this episode is your blueprint for what real support looks like.

Because sometimes, the most powerful intervention isn’t a therapy session — it’s a friend who says: I’m here. I’ve got you.

They dive into Bridgett’s real-talk journey — grief, body image battles, and the exhausting (and sometimes hilarious) work of figuring out who you are while raising tiny humans who don’t care about your personal growth schedule. From motherhood meltdowns to finding your own reflection behind the Goldfish crumbs, this conversation hits home for any mom who's ever thought: "I did not have THIS on my Pinterest board."

Bridgett and Sarah serve up radical honesty about why motherhood feels like a daily resilience bootcamp, how self-reflection sometimes happens in the minivan, what it means to survive criticism when you're already out of coffee, and how the beautiful, messy connections in our lives keep us all (mostly) sane.

Come for the relatability, stay for the radical honesty.

 Find all of Bridgett's work at www.beyondbeautyproject.com 

Host Sarah Kernion sits down with writer and intuitive communicator Demi Pietchell of "The Starfire Codes" to explore what it truly means to listen with all our senses. Through stories of raising non-speaking autistic children and deep reflections on energy, perception, and maternal knowing, they unravel the kind of communication that transcends spoken language.

From quantum mechanics to telepathy, from the unseen threads that bind mother and child to the electric intuition shared between souls, this conversation reveals that children like Milly and Mack may be operating on frequencies the rest of the world has forgotten how to hear.

This is not just a podcast about parenting. It’s a portal into expanded consciousness. A meditation on stillness. A radical call to believe what you feel—even if no one else sees it.

Because inchstones aren’t always spoken. Sometimes, they’re sensed.

Find all of Demi's work on her Substack and Starfire Codes website for daily insight and to book 1:1 readings. 

You can find Lena and her work and services at: The Light Collective & Co 

Click here to purchase Heidi's Book, "You Just Have to Love Me" 

More info on Heidi's work can be found on www.HeidiRome.com

Together, Sarah and Trish unpack what it means to unlearn societal expectations, reclaim your identity as a mom, and redefine self-care beyond bubble baths and checklists. From navigating public meltdowns to the science behind your triggered nervous system, this episode is a crash course in learning to parent yourself while raising tiny humans.

Expect laughter, vulnerability, and aha moments as they explore co-parenting challenges, the healing power of curiosity, and why asking for help is the bravest thing a mom can do. If you've ever felt like you're losing yourself in motherhood, this one's for you.

To follow and find Trish's work, visit all her fabulous socials:

Substack: https://triciafell.substack.com/
Coaching: https://www.tglcoaching.com/
Instagram: @thegratefullifecoach

Host Sarah Kernion teams up with outdoor education favorite human - Amy Giannotti - to dive deep into the magic of nature for neurodivergent kids. From sensory-soothing streams to water therapy disguised as puddle jumping, this episode explores how the great outdoors can calm chaos, spark curiosity, and teach empathy better than any classroom can.

Expect real talk, laughs, and a refreshing reminder that letting your kid roll in dirt might actually be a genius parenting move.

Follow Chelsea on Instagram @adventuresdownautismavenue & @chelseabray_

To purchase Adventures Down Autism Avenue: CLICK HERE

To find a Cortica Care ABA Center, visit: https://www.corticacare.com/locations

Link to my favorite book of Dr. Goh's: Magnificent Minds, The New Whole-Child Approach to Autism : Amazon

You can find all of Jammin' Jen's work on her website: https://jamminjenn.com/

 To find out more information on the school, The Uncommon Thread, visit: https://theuncommonthread.org/

To learn more of Sara's work, visit her work: www.saraintonato.com and follow on Instagram: @saraintonato

Kevin shares how his partner Erin's unwavering support helped him navigate life’s transitions and how modeling empathy, love, and emotional presence is foundational to his parenting philosophy. This episode is a moving reminder of how small wins build lasting impact—and why creating spaces where every child feels seen and supported is a mission worth pursuing.

Instagram: @grillguy 

The conversation delves into the impact on siblings, the value of online communities and support networks, and how social media can serve as both a lifeline and a storytelling space for autism families. Sarah and Casey share lessons learned, personal growth moments, and the power of finding connection through shared experience.

Their message is clear: you are not alone, and even in the chaos, you are still the expert on your child’s life.

Key Takeaways:
✅ The emotional and identity shifts in autism parenting
✅ How to navigate sibling dynamics in neurodiverse families
✅ Finding community and support through social media
✅ Using humor to cope with daily parenting challenges
✅ Empowerment for new parents facing an autism diagnosis

Memorable Quotes:
️ “You’re still in charge. An autism diagnosis doesn’t take that from you.”
️ “There’s laughter in the hard moments—it’s how we survive.”

✨ Why Listen?
If you’re a newly diagnosed autism parent, a caregiver feeling isolated, or someone searching for real talk and reassurance, this episode is an open-hearted invitation into the kind of community, honesty, and encouragement every special needs parent deserves.

Take Action:
✅ Listen & Subscribe: Inchstones.Castos.Com
✅ Follow Us for More on Instagram: @saturdaysstory

Glenna shares her powerful journey from her early days working in schools to shaping policy at the national level, offering a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how the IEP system was born and why it continues to evolve. She dives into the importance of understanding learning differences, the role of sensory environments, and how teachers and caregivers can become more effective advocates for neurodivergent students.

The conversation also explores how parents can build stronger support networks, navigate the special education system, and become more present, aware, and empowered in their advocacy journey.

Key Takeaways:
✅ The origin story of the IEP from its original architect
✅ How to support diverse learning styles in the classroom
✅ The influence of sensory environments and teacher awareness
✅ Building effective support networks for neurodivergent children
✅ Why parent presence and advocacy drive long-term success

Memorable Quotes:
️ “The IEP was always meant to be a tool for empowerment—not a piece of red tape.”
️ “Awareness and presence are the foundation of effective advocacy.”

✨ Why Listen?
If you're a parent, educator, or therapist involved in special education or raising a neurodivergent child, this episode offers historical insight, practical guidance, and empowering tools from one of the original voices behind the IEP movement.

Take Action:
✅ Connect with Glenna Crooks: www.glennacrooks.com

Bhakti shares expert strategies on navigating IEP meetings, advocating for your child’s needs, and fostering collaboration in special education. She emphasizes the importance of pausing, reflecting, and balancing inquiry with advocacy, allowing parents to approach challenging discussions with clarity and confidence.

Key Takeaways:
✅ How to facilitate productive IEP meetings and school discussions
✅ The role of emotional intelligence in communication
✅ Why curiosity and active listening create stronger partnerships
✅ Balancing advocacy and collaboration in special education
✅ Strategies for engaging therapists and educators effectively

Memorable Quotes:
️ “Parents are their child’s first and most important advocate—learning to communicate effectively is key.”
️ “Successful IEP meetings start with curiosity, not confrontation.”

✨ Why Listen?
If you're a parent navigating special education, IEPs, or therapy discussions, this episode provides practical tools to help you communicate more effectively, advocate with confidence, and foster a strong support system for your child’s growth.

Take Action:

✅ Connect with Bhakti:

Paige shares how her early experiences caring for children, including Sarah’s own family, deeply influenced her teaching philosophy. Together, they explore how educators can create inclusive, empathetic, and empowering classrooms where neurodivergent children are celebrated and supported.

The conversation dives into the impact of language, representation, and curiosity in shaping young minds, and how parents and teachers can work together to advocate for individualized education plans (IEPs) and foster a love of learning. Paige also highlights the unexpected joy, creativity, and brilliance she sees daily in neurodivergent students.

In this inspiring episode of Inchstones Podcast, host Sarah Kernion sits down with Shane Woods, CEO of Girlstart, to discuss how to ignite a passion for STEM education in young girls. Shane shares her experiences in fostering inclusive learning environments, the importance of female role models in STEM, and how curiosity and community can drive lasting change.

The conversation also explores the role of neurodiversity in education, highlighting the need for adaptive teaching methods that embrace different learning styles. Shane emphasizes how early mentorship, encouragement, and representation can help young women break barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Sarah and Heather dive into the importance of a holistic approach to therapy, blending education, family involvement, and individualized strategies. Heather provides an inside look at daily life at Cortica, highlighting how their multidisciplinary approach is making a difference for autistic children and their families.

Throughout the conversation, they explore the complexities of autism diagnosis, the power of community, and why laughter and connection are essential tools for parents navigating this journey.

Memorable Quotes:
️ “Therapy isn’t just about progress—it’s about helping families build a life that works for them.”
️ “The best support system for an autistic child is a supported, empowered parent.”

✨ Why Listen?
If you’re a parent, caregiver, or educator looking for insights on therapy, advocacy, and real-life support, Heather’s expertise and experience make this a must-listen. Whether you’re navigating an autism diagnosis or looking for ways to strengthen your support system, this episode offers both practical advice and heartfelt encouragement.

✅ Learn More About Getting Into a Cortica Care Center: Cortica Care Information

Throughout the conversation, Cait shares practical self-care strategies, including how acupuncture and emotional regulation techniques can help parents reduce stress and regain balance. She emphasizes that foundational self-care isn’t selfish—caregivers must show up as their best selves for their children.

QUOTE OF THE SEASON: "PEE WHEN YOU NEED TO PEE."  

To find more on Cait's work, visit FRIED: The Burnout Podcast.

Harry discusses the unique struggles fathers face in parenting a child on the spectrum, highlighting the need for community support, advocacy, and emotional resilience. He encourages parents, especially fathers, to step into their roles with love, understanding, and a proactive mindset, emphasizing that empowerment comes from connection and support.

This heartfelt conversation explores:
✅ The emotional journey of fatherhood and autism
✅ How parents can shift from fear to empowerment
✅ The importance of community and support networks
✅ Celebrating the small victories in parenting
✅ How fathers can embrace advocacy and personal growth

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or advocate, this episode is a reminder that every child’s journey is unique—and acceptance and love are the greatest tools in parenting.

To learn more about Harry's story please visit his website: www.harrypsaros.com 

To purchase his book: From Struggle To Strength on Amazon !

Kerri and Christina share powerful insights on the unique emotional challenges these children face, from feeling overlooked to struggling with big emotions and expectations. They discuss the importance of acknowledging grief and loss in parenting, why failure is an essential part of growth, and how parents can create a balanced, nurturing environment for all their children.

This conversation is a must-listen for parents seeking guidance, validation, and tools to help their neurotypical children feel seen, heard, and supported while navigating a neurodiverse family dynamic.

To learn more about Christina & Kerri's practice in NJ, visit their website at www.loveplaygrownj.com

Dr. Ardell shares her journey as a champion for bilingual and multilingual education, highlighting how humor, curiosity, and mindset shifts play a crucial role in creating inclusive learning environments. Together, they dive into the importance of breaking down language barriers, fostering cultural connection, and supporting children’s unique language journeys.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or advocate, this episode will challenge how you think about language, communication, and the role of linguistic diversity in shaping the future.

Find Lilian and her work at : https://www.languagematters.org/

This week on Inchstones, host Sarah Kernion sits down with Love on the Spectrum’s Kaelynn Partlow—author, influencer, and autism therapist—for a deeply insightful and heartfelt conversation.

Kaelynn opens up about her childhood, her passions, and the unique experiences that shaped her journey as a neurodivergent woman. She shares her path through education, her advocacy work at Project HOPE, and her mission to improve autism services.

Together, Kaelynn and Sarah dive into the beauty of embracing individuality, the struggles neurodiverse children often face, and the unexpected joys of new experiences. For parents walking a similar path with their children, this episode offers invaluable wisdom, encouragement, and hope.

Together, they open up about the emotional highs and lows of parenting a neurodivergent child, the power of family support, and the mindset shifts that have helped them embrace the unexpected path.

They discuss what it means to celebrate *inchstones* instead of milestones, share advice for parents navigating a new diagnosis, and reflect on the beauty of seeing the world through Tucker’s eyes.

If you're looking for hope, resilience, and a reminder that joy is found in the smallest victories, this conversation is for you.

He discusses the highs and lows of navigating an autism diagnosis, the importance of building a supportive environment, and the role of community in fostering acceptance and understanding. Clain’s insights offer encouragement and practical takeaways for parents of children with special needs, inspiring them to reframe challenges into opportunities for growth.

Clain Udy is the Founder and President of First Ascent: Autism Career Development, a program dedicated to helping young adults on the autism spectrum find meaningful careers. He is also the author of Rebranding Autism: A Guide to Seeing Strength on the Spectrum, where he aims to reshape the way society perceives autism by shifting from a perspective of limitation and deficit to one of strength.

Memorable Quotes:

“When I stopped looking for what was ‘missing’ and started seeing my child’s strengths, everything changed.”
“Autism isn’t something to ‘fix’—it’s something to understand, support, and celebrate.”

Why Listen?
This episode is a must-listen for parents, caregivers, and advocates seeking hope, perspective, and practical advice on raising a child with autism. Clain’s journey is a powerful reminder that small shifts in mindset can lead to profound changes in parenting.

Connect with Clain and the First Ascent Program @ https://autismcareerdevelopment.com/

But Lindsey’s role didn’t stop there. She was also a built-in big sis to Sarah's oldest neurotypical daughter Morgan, giving advice, sharing laughs, and being a steady presence in her life. Now, after one semester at Penn State, she reflects on how that year shaped her—the challenges, the love, and the unexpected lessons that still stay with her.

More than a paycheck. More than a babysitter. This is what real caregiving looks like. #BuiltInBigSis #Neurodiversity #LessonsInLove

If you’ve ever felt like you're one meltdown away from losing it, this episode is your permission slip to embrace the chaos, take the damn risk, and find yourself in the process.

Hit play and get ready for some serious inspo (and maybe a laugh-cry moment or two).

Together, they unpack the societal expectations and shame that prevent parents from seeking support, the role of community in emotional well-being, and how technology is bridging the gaps in caregiving. From meal trains to childcare registries, Support Now is redefining the way families navigate difficult transitions, reminding moms everywhere that they don’t have to do it all alone.

Memorable Quotes:

“Motherhood isn’t meant to be done in isolation. The more we normalize asking for help, the healthier we become.” – Jordan Arogeti
“Support Now is about making sure no family feels overwhelmed and alone in life’s biggest transitions.” – Jordan Arogeti
✨ Why Listen?
If you’ve ever struggled with asking for help, felt the pressure of doing it all, or wondered how to build a strong support system, this episode is for you. Whether you’re a new mom, a seasoned parent, or someone looking to better support loved ones, this conversation will inspire you to embrace the power of community and rethink what it means to be a “strong” parent.

Take Action:

Explore Support Now: https://www.supportnow.org/
Follow Sarah & Inchstones Podcast for more real-life parenting insights:
Instagram: @saturdaysstory
Website: www.inchstones.castos.com or www.saturdaysstory.com for all info!
Join the Conversation: Have you ever struggled with asking for help? Share your thoughts on social media and tag us!

Dad's Night Out is a night dedicated to fostering meaningful connections and authentic discussions among fathers. Step into a community where every dad’s voice is heard. For details about Dad's Night Out (Philadelphia), visit https://robertzeitlin.com/.

In this episode of the Inchstones podcast, host Sarah Kernion engages with Len Morris and Bob Miller to discuss the transformative impact of the Pit Crew, a team of individuals with disabilities at Viewrail. They explore themes of quality abilities, the journey of building a diverse workforce, recruitment strategies, and the emotional connections formed within the team. The conversation emphasizes the importance of redefining disability in the workplace, measuring success through purpose, and celebrating individual potential.

Intersted in more of Henna's work or to hear her speak visit www.pryoritygroup.com, follow her @HennaPryor on Instagram!

In this heartfelt conversation, Sarah Kernion, the autism Mom and creator of Saturday's Story, and her best friend Kristin Simonetta, explore their experiences as mothers navigating the complexities of autism diagnosis and parenting. They reflect on their friendship, the challenges they faced, and the lessons learned about acceptance, understanding, and support. The discussion emphasizes the importance of being present for one another, advocating for their children, and finding beauty in the journey of motherhood, regardless of the challenges that arise.