Living the Sky Life - Our Autism Journey
A podcast hosted by an autism mom sharing her family's journey caring for an adult son with profound special needs. The show aims to connect caregivers of special needs children and educate others about the challenges and triumphs they face. Through personal stories and experiences, it seeks to build a supportive and inclusive community. Each episode offers a heartfelt perspective from someone who lives this reality daily.
Episodes
S6: Ep. 188 - Chatting with Karen Kelly (mom of The Big Dude) about transitioning her adult son to assisted living
Karen is the mother and guardian of Eric, the Big Dude. He is a 52 year old gentleman who is nonverbal, profoundly autistic, and 6 feet, 5 inches tall. He was diagnosed as autistic in 1977. Karen has been a registered nurse for over 50 years. She has worked in many areas of nursing, including hospital administration, clinical practice, and higher education. Her undergraduate and graduate programs
S6: Episode 187 - Jerry & Jo-Ann Turning (Part 2)
I was so thrilled to sit down for another discussion with my friends the Turnings - who many of you know as the hearts and voices of the social media account 'Bacon & Juiceboxes.' It's been a few years since they were on my show so we had plenty to catch up on regarding all things parenting autism ... navigating adulthood with our sons, Spelling to Communicate (S2C), bridging the gap between first
S6: Episode 186 - Jerry & Jo-Ann Turning (aka Bacon & Juiceboxes)
I was so thrilled to sit down for another discussion with my friends the Turnings - who many of you know as the hearts and voices of the social media account 'Bacon & Juiceboxes.' It's been a few years since they were on my show so we had plenty to catch up on regarding all things parenting autism ... navigating adulthood with our sons, Spelling to Communicate (S2C), bridging the gap between first
S6: Episode 185 - Mother's Day and Keeping the Faith
Mother's Day can amplify comparison. Let's try to release the idea of what motherhood 'should' look like and embrace our version of motherhood as valid, meaningful and enough! Similarly, caregiving often forces us into a place where control is an illusion. Faith becomes less about having answers and more about trusting without them. Remember... faith isn't always loud- it's often just choosing to
S6: Episode 184 - Ashley Gillespie owner/director of Bloom Developmental Center
Ashley Gillespie, M.A., is a child development specialist and the owner and clinical director of Bloom Developmental Center in League City, Texas. She specializes in working exclusively with autistic children, using a relational, play-based approach that integrates emotional development, sensory regulation, and movement. Her work is deeply personal. Growing up alongside her profoundly autistic cou
S6: Ep. 183 - I'm BACK!!
After a longer than expected hiatus, Living the Sky Life podcast is BACK!! I'm looking forward to an impactful Season 6 filled with phenomenal guests, more solo episodes and frequent 'couples' episodes with my husband, Josh!
S5: Episode 182 - Through his new book, this autism dad shares practical advice & hopes to be a voice for other fathers who may be struggling.
A devoted family man, Harry Psaros has been happily married to his wife Michelle for 24 years and is a proud father of two sons, Costa "Gus" and Maximos "Max." With a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as minors in physics and philosophy, Harry has a strong educational foundation. Further expanding his expertise, he obtained a certifica
S5: Episode 181 - Preparing but not stressing for adulthood & never losing hope that our kids will determine their own incredible future
Jo-Ann Turning also known as "Mrs. Bacon" is one half of the married, blogging couple from Bacon and Juice Boxes: Our Life with Autism. She's mom to Eric (age 19 on the autism spectrum) and Anna Kate (age 22, recent college graduate who is now working in NYC.) When her son, Eric, was first diagnosed with autism 18 years ago, she couldn't say the word "autism" without crying. After many years, a
S5: Episode 180 - Uncovering GI issues with a nonverbal teen and beginning to plan for adulthood
Kentucky mom & former ICU nurse, Rachel Moldoveanu shares her experience navigating through the world of Autism with her almost 15-year-old son Frankie while also parenting her two neurotypical daughters, Livi age 16 and Ellie age 6. Rachel's love of Diet Coke, Jesus and Kentucky basketball get her through the tough days! You can reach out to Rachel on FB: @Rachel Moldoveanu Rachel's first appe
S5: Episode 179 - Keeping hope alive... and the power of 'yet'
On this solo episode, I outline our 20 year journey to uncovering and resolving Skyler's GI issues. It finally feels like we are making significant progress! Through his smiles, laughter and decreased frustration (and subsequent hitting), it appears Skyler is becoming less uncomfortable in his own body! I provide a more detailed account of our experiences in my book 'Welcome to My Life - A Persona
S5: Episode 178 - Turning those labeled as "low functioning" into higher functioning individuals through a successful life & job skills training program
Mike Stuart is a 74 year old retired educator who lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He and his wife Harriet and their 32 year old autistic son, Aaron, moved from Florida 16 months ago to be closer to their daughter and her family. In 2015, Mike created a life and job skills program for the more significantly-challenged autistic and other developmentally-disabled individuals called Operation
S5: Episode 177 - The importance of improving GI health to eliminate additional neurological effects caused by IBD/Crohn's/ Colitis
Josh Dech is an ex-paramedic and Holistic Nutritionist, specializing in Crohn's and Colitis, and other related gut issues. It was the successes his clients have had with complex digestive diseases, previously thought to be impossible to fix, that got him connected to some of the world's most renowned doctors. Since then, he's been recruited to the Priority Health Academy as a medical lecturer, hel
S5: Episode 176 - Diving deep into the methods of toilet training
Dr. Mary Barbera "fell" into the autism world in 1999 when her first-born son, Lucas was diagnosed with autism. Since then, Mary transformed from a confused and overwhelmed parent to a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and best-selling author. After earning a PhD, Mary launched her first online course in early 2015 and later built additional courses and a membership program to help both parents an
S5: Episode 175 - Chatting with an OG of the Spelling Method for Communication and why it's important to always presume competence
Dawnmarie Gaivin is the Founder & Executive Director at Spellers Center San Diego, located in Oceanside, CA. Before her career moved into the world of nonspeaking autism, Dawnmarie worked for over 11 years as a trauma & transplant RN. In 2005 her first son regressed and was diagnosed with autism. A year later, her second son followed the same path. Today her eldest, Evan (20) is a nonspeaker and
S5: Episode 174 - Sharing a love of the outdoors & spending quality time with each other has created an unbreakable bond between these sisters
Claire Thomas is 15-years-old and has a 12-year-old sister named Leah, who was diagnosed with autism as a toddler. Claire enjoys spending time outside whether it's hunting with her dad or fulfilling her passion for photography by capturing the beauty around her. When she's not doing either of those hobbies, Claire is quite busy in high school as a member of the swim team. According to her mom, Cl
S5: Episode 173 - Appreciating her brother for his authenticity, ability to find enjoyment in the little things and naivety to negativity in the world
Chelsea Waxler lives in Columbus, Indiana with her fiancé, Chris. She is the older sister to brother, Braxton who is 20-years-old and on the autism spectrum. After being able to witness firsthand the success her brother has had with his therapies, she found herself being drawn to autism therapy and wanted to provide high quality services to families in her own community. As a Board Certified Behav
S5: Episode 172 - Declaring that her brother is amazing, this little sister loves that he constantly tries to make everyone laugh
Lee is 13 years old and in the 7th grade. She lives at home with her mom, dad, brother, grandmother and two beloved cats, Leo and Max. Her older brother Jack (age 16) has autism, cerebral palsy and developmental delay. Lee enjoys creating video animation, writing, gaming and playing Dungeons and Dragons with her friends. She wants to be a videographer when she grows up. You can follow their family
S5: Episode 171 - A tremendous bond between brothers within a loving and supportive large family
Charlie Cariello is a senior at Bedford High School in New Hampshire. He resides with his parents, three brothers, one sister, and a dog named Wolfie. An avid sports aficionado, Charlie is captain of the varsity baseball team, as well as the Christian Youth Organization's basketball team. He performs leadership duties for Student Council and works part-time in an Italian restaurant. In his spare t
S5: Episode 170 - Now an adult, this younger sister reflects on the many ways her relationship with her autistic brother has grown and become stronger
Madison Urquiola is 25-years-old and currently works as the assistant athletics director for external operations/ sports communications at her alma matter Young Harris College. Her brother, Jordan Urquiola is 27-year-old brother and has autism. Madison loves spending time with her family, boyfriend, and dog. She enjoys the peace of the North Georgia Mountains and every year looks forward to the
S5: Episode 169 - Today's guest takes her role as big sister & protector seriously as she shares with me all the ways she appreciates her autistic brother
Natalie is in the 8th grade and loves the theater. She has been in several performances at her school and in local community theater. She loves animals, especially her cat, Willie and dog, Yogi. Natalie attends numerous Special Olympics events to support her little brother, Quinn, who has autism. Natalie is kind, loving and loyal. She is a fierce protector of her brother!
S5: Episode 168 - Two brothers join me for a discussion about life as an autism sibling
Aaron Long is a 15-year-old sophomore who enjoys soccer, lacrosse, and ice skating. He also loves Christmas! According to his family, he consumes copious amounts of Kit Kats; would have a house full of cats and dogs if he could and when he's not in school or at a sport practice or game, like hanging out at the arcade. Justin Long is an 18-year-old senior who is looking forward to graduation in Ma
S5: Episode 167 - My daughter shares her honest feelings about growing up with an autistic brother who has profound needs
Kendall is an 18-year-old college freshman majoring in BioChemistry with her career goal set on being either a veterinarian or pathologist. Kendall has always assumed the role of 'little, big sister' to her brother Skyler who is 20-years-old. Due to Skyler being nonverbal and his profound need for support in all other areas of life, Kendall has navigated childhood inside our home on her own. She's
S5: Episode 166 - Both a sibling and a mom to loved ones on the autism spectrum, Kylie has spent her life advocating for less ignorance & bullying and more inclusion & resources
Kylie and her husband Ray live in rural west central Minnesota close to Hutchinson, MN. Together they are the parents of their 12-year- old son Griffin and 5-year-old identical twin girls Greta and Ganessa. Kylie's younger brother Dwayne is on the autism spectrum so her perspective and understanding as an autism sibling came in handy when her twin girls were both diagnosed with autism at the age
S5: Episode 165 - Chatting with a special education teacher, who is also on the autism spectrum, about her new children's book 'Call Me Mosely'
Shelby Jones is 31 years old and lives in Kentucky. She has been a special educator in moderate to severe disabilities for the last three years and was an ECE assistant for 4 years prior. She also has experience as a mental health professional. Shelby was diagnosed with autism as an adult and recently wrote a children's book on autism. Her journey with sharing her life on the spectrum and advocat
S5: Episode 164 - The importance of identifying the good moments in each day and finding happiness within yourself. Choose your hard!
Shannon is the proud mom of two children, now young adults. Her son Jordan is 27 and her daughter Madison is 25 years old. Jordan was diagnosed with autism when he was 5 years old. She is his primary caregiver and guardian. Shannon founded Not Your Average Autism Mom out of a desire to create what she wished she would have had available earlier in her journey raising Jordan. There are many th
S5: Episode 163 - Choosing to put yourself first and having the strength to end an unhealthy relationship
Rachel Flanagan lives in Minnesota with her daughter Seeley. Rachel is creative, motivated and is more than willing to learn – she is sleepless, funny and is always found with a cup of coffee. Rachel explores her own strengths and struggles as well as Seeley's complexities and magic in a blog and page called FlanaVille. She writes as she speaks, real, raw and from the heart. Rachel is also a co-ho
S5: Episode 162 - Learning to communicate more clearly and overcome our natural instinct as autism parents to live in 'fight or flight' mode in our marriage
Kate Swenson, founder of Finding Cooper's Voice and the nonprofit, The More Than Project, is a mother to four kids, a wife, and a proud Minnesotan. She writes and creates videos about her life as a mother and an autism advocate for Facebook, Instagram, and her website, Finding Cooper's Voice. Kate became a published author in 2022 with her book, Forever Boy, A Mother's Memoir of Autism and Findin
S5: Episode 161 - The importance of prioritizing your spouse and many other things a 33 year marriage has taught them
Corey and Andrea Landreth are the parents of 4 grown children, and their 3rd born son, Trent is 25 years old and on the autism spectrum. They moved to El Dorado, Kansas to begin Real Life Christian Church in 2006 where Corey is the lead pastor. Andrea is a school psychologist in the public school system. They began the Drawings by Trent business in 2015 for their son with the goals of encouraging
S5: Episode 160 - Keeping laughter, communication and teamwork at the forefront of our marriage
At long last... my husband Josh sits down with me for a discussion about parenting and keeping the foundation of our marriage strong even through the most stressful and challenging times.
S5: Episode 159 - Navigating the minimal options available when our loved ones age out of traditional services
Malinda Dalton-Cook resides in the San Diego area with her husband Chad and their 21-year-old daughter Paige, who is on the autism spectrum. Malinda is the CEO/Founder of Paige's Pantry, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is also the host of the Autism Mastermind Podcast. You can connect with Melinda on IG/FB: @autismmastermind
S5: Episode 158 - Empowering your vision of 'home' and helping families coordinate future housing options for their loved ones
Pam founded Partners4Housing to provide a better way for families of people with IDD to find roommates and set up shared housing solutions. Her career has spanned 30 years in special needs housing, and she is an acknowledged expert in her field and a Friends of Housing Award Honoree. As housing coordinator in Seattle, she assisted 450 people with IDD with their move into housing over a 5-year peri
S5: Episode 157 - Living by the motto 'what is standing in your way might just become the way' while enjoying and learning to navigate adulthood with her sons one day at a time
Molly is the mom to adult quadruplet men (they turned 21 this year). Her son, Benjamin is impacted greatly by Autism and Epilepsy and her son, Issaac is also impacted by Autism but it presents differently than with his brother Ben. The 'typical' boys, Max & Caleb, have been incredible siblings and role models. Molly started her small business, 'No Label Knits' a few years ago with the hopes of in
S5: Episode 156 - An overview of the various housing alternatives for autistic adults
Betsy Hicks-Russ is a leading expert with over 25 years of experience in holistic health as the former CEO of Green Health Wellness as well author of Picky Eating Solutions (2010) that evolved into an online course. Betsy is also the Director of Autism Odyssey and creator of the Be Kind Vest. Betsy has delivered lectures around the world about meal planning, special diets, and holistic health for
S5: Episode 155 - Chatting with a Kentucky mom who decided to create a solution for adults with disabilities who have no options due to aging out
Karen South has worked in healthcare her entire life, starting with her first job in the kitchen of a nursing home at age 15 to being a dental tech while she was serving in the Navy, to being an EMT, nursing assistant and a radiation therapist. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati, she worked many years with teenagers that were in state's custody living in a residential facility. Sh
S4: Episode 154 (Solo Episode) - Neurotypical milestones and managing emotions
I will be taking a summer break from the podcast to enjoy the few months I'll have with my daughter before she heads off to college. When I return for Season 5, I'd like to discuss a few key topics that come up often and would love for you to be a part of those discussions!! I'm looking for guests to talk about: *Challenge of maintaining relationships when parenting a neurodiverse child - marital
S4: Episode 153 - Sparked by a desire to encourage valuable conversations around kindness & inclusion, this incredible mom created a company to assist with her mission of Raising Rebels
Lauren Emmett is a proud mom of two adorable kids, her son Wilson and daughter Charlie. Her oldest, Wilson, was diagnosed with autism when he was three years old. After those first few years of motherhood, especially the long, isolating road to a diagnosis, she was determined to try and help others who were beginning a similar journey. She knew the more understanding and acceptance of differences
S4: Episode 152 - Catching up with the Educated Debutante
Adrian H. Wood, PhD, is a rural Eastern NC mother of four, one with extra special needs. Past preschool teacher, nanny, children's ski instructor, early interventionist, college professor, early childhood researcher, wife and full-time mama. In writing after a 20-year hiatus, she offers personal glimpses where satire meets truth, faith meets irony, despair meets joy and this educated debutante esc
S4: Episode 151 - Preparing for their adult son's future & dedicated to support the special needs community, these business savvy parents founded Sammy Socks to accomplish both of those goals
Sally and Mark Lyons live in Hutto, TX with their 25-year-old son, Samuel who is on the autism spectrum. Sally and Mark are both retired teachers. Worried about the uncertain future for their son, due to limited employment opportunities and minimal options for adult level programming for those with autism, Mark & Sally started the company Sammy Socks. Their hope is for the business to continue w
S4: Episode 150 - This outspoken dad and his autistic adult son have made it their mission to ensure every non-speaker in the world has access to Spelling to Communicate (S2C)... the revolution has begun
J.B. Handley is the best-selling author of How to End the Autism Epidemic and the co-author of Underestimated: An Autism Miracle which he wrote with his now 21-year-old autistic son, Jaime. Their book, Underestimated inspired the new full length documentary, SPELLERS, which challenges the conventional wisdom of 'experts' that non-speakers with autism are cognitively disabled. The film blends beau
S4: Episode 149 - Frustrated by the lack of clean, supplement options on the market, a passionate mom set out to change that and partnered with a medical professional to create Simple Spectrum Supplements
Heather Grimaldi, MS is the Founder of Proof Positive ABA Therapies. As a behavior analyst and Clinical Director, Heather's focus was on supporting families and team members tasked with implementing behavior-analytic interventions. In late 2016, the long-running Autism Learning Partners created one of the largest Autism therapy platforms in the U.S. with its acquisition of Proof Positive. Heather
S4: Episode 148 - Assuming the role of full-time caregiver & homeschool teacher to her 12-year-old autistic son can be overwhelming, so this mom makes her own health & wellness a priority
Christine De Gregorio is a mom to two wonderful boys Gianni (1.5 years old), and Abryn (13 years old). Abryn, who is on the autism spectrum, came into her life when he was 8 months old when she met her now husband and she feels so blessed that he did. He first made Christine a mom and has helped her grow in so many ways. Abryn reminds her everyday to enjoy the simple things in life. She's absolute
S4: Episode 147 - After suffering much heartbreak & loss, this loving mom focuses on the joy, happiness & growth found in the journey raising her nonspeaking, autistic son
Nicole Gottesmann has not had the easiest road into parenting and adult life. After suffering the sudden loss of her first born child, she was elated to learn she was pregnant again. Not soon after that, her husband unexpectedly passed away. As a widowed, single mom raising her beautiful son Gabe, Nicole refused to let her prior traumas overshadow her appreciation for all the blessings she still h
S4: Episode 146 (solo episode) - HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY SKYLER!!
Where has the time gone... I can't believe my favorite son Skyler is 20-years-old today!! My greatest hope for you Skyman, as you celebrate this special birthday and enter a new decade of life is that you never lose that spark in your eyes and determination in your heart to keep growing, achieving and teaching the world not to underestimate non-speakers!! Love you Buddy!!
S4: Episode 145 (Re-Release) - At 25, Emily typed her first words "I have been buried under years of dust." Those words would become the title of her memoir co-written with her mom
Valerie Gilpeer is an attorney who has been practicing law for forty years. She shifted her civil law practice twenty years ago in favor of representing families of disabled children trying to obtain educational services from local school districts. She has continued to focus on disability rights law through her volunteer work with several nonprofit organizations in the Los Angeles area. Emily Gro
S4: Episode 144 - (Re-Release) "Be Kind To Everyone" and provide all children with opportunities to learn job skills & find joy in everything they do
Jackie Moore received a Bachelors degree in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Central Missouri. Less than three years ago she launched Jordyn's Summer Shirt Project to teach Jordyn, her daughter with autism, job skills. Jordyn has not only learned job skills, she's learned to independently do a job. They have been featured on 94.9 The Bull radio station, 11 Alive News, Fox5 Atlan
S4: Episode 143 - (Re-release from 12/2021) Spreading joy throughout the world with their adult son's love of drawing, these parents share how they managed their expectations while navigating the tough side of autism
Corey and Andrea Landreth are the parents of 4 grown children. They moved to El Dorado, Kansas to begin Real Life Christian Church in 2006 where Corey is the lead pastor. Andrea is a school psychologist in the public school system. They began the Drawings by Trent business in 2015 for their son with the goals of encouraging families, educating communities and inspiring everyone through Trent's art
S4: Episode 142 - After years of observing therapy sessions with his son, this proud autism dad turned his passion for marketing into a mission to create therapy toys for all those with developmental challenges
Luis, is the Autism Dad behind MEAVIA, a brand inspired to design and develop toys and learning aids for kids with Autism and other developmental challenges. When he's not sketching toy ideas on napkins, Luis is spending time with his daughter London (8) and son Myles (5) who is on the spectrum with level 2 Autism. Before setting out on this new adventure, Luis spent his entire career in Corporat
S4: Episode 141 - Letting go of personal guilt & control to allow your child to thrive, become independent and enjoy life in a group home
Gina Schaal and her husband Dan have been married for 21 years & live in Chaska, a SW suburb of Minneapolis. They have two sons, 18-year-old Carter & 16-year-old Casey. Gina holds a BS degree in Medical Laboratory Science & works for a large healthcare system in the Twin Cities. Lab people are known for their type A personalities which she believes has been one of her biggest assets to raising
S4: Episode 140 - Choosing to live in the present and not sweat the small stuff, this UK mom learned from her son that joy can be found in the smallest things
Kelly and her husband Rob live in Kent, UK and have two children, Carson (14) and Kendra (11). Carson is nonverbal and autistic with severe learning disabilities. Kendra is also on the autism spectrum. Kelly started her FB blog "This is Carson, his autism journey and our family" almost 4 years ago with the goal of reaching out to families like her own. Before starting her page, she hadn't seen man
S4: Episode 139 - Chatting with an autistic mom who is also raising two sons also on the autism spectrum about her family & soon to be released children's book
Tiffany Hammond is the voice behind Fidgets and Fries. She is an Autistic mother and advocate. Tiffany is a storyteller, using her own personal experiences with Autism and parenting two Autistic boys to guide others on their journey. Her activism is rooted in challenging the current perception of Autism being a lifelong burden, cultivating a community that explores the concept of Intersectionality
S4: Episode 138 - A strong believer in finding joy along your journey, this triathlon loving mom has helped her adult sons uncover their love of running while advocating about inclusion for the masses.
Julie Bockey is a Veteran, a registered nurse, a Type 1 diabetic and a dedicated triathlon competitor. She and her husband Shawn, who is also a triathlete, are the parents of two adult sons, Christian (26) and Jake (23) who were both diagnosed with ASD as toddlers. Both Christian, who is nonverbal, and Jake who is partially verbal and also a Type 1 diabetic, have joined their parents and found the
S4: Episode 137 - Helping her son turn his passion for drawing into a fun family business, this NJ mom advocates and educates on the vast autism spectrum
Jodi is a New Yorker currently residing in Northern New Jersey with her Gaffer husband Frank and two incredibly kind and creative children, Emily (21) and Liam (15). At the age of 14 months, Liam was diagnosed with ASD and began early intervention (OT, PT and Speech) in the spring of 2009. While Liam could only say a few words and had to learn the simplest of tasks, he miraculously learned quickly
S4: Episode 136 - Aging out of a broken system with no options leaves adult 'kids' & parents endlessly searching for support & opportunities throughout adulthood
Feeling the stress of a broken system, parents like me are constantly searching for ideas, resources and a supportive community to help us ensure our autistic adult children aren't dismissed and forgotten about after reaching the age where they're no longer eligible for traditional services. Often times, parent caregivers are left to create their own version of day programming or leave the workfor
S4: Episode 135 - Keep the focus on overall mental health! Finding a balance between inclusion, oversharing on social media and placing your loved one in an uncomfortable environment.
Cindy and Justin are mother and son duo advocates. Justin is 18 and has a dual diagnosis of Autism/ADHD, he was diagnosed at 18 months old. Aside from the role of mom, Cindy serves as Justin's full time carer/respite worker. She has dedicated the last 17 years to sharing their stories and experiences regarding autism, disability and most recently, Mental Health advocacy. In 2020, at the age of 49,
S4: Episode - 134 - Advice from this powerhouse mom... "Don't sit back and wait for services & don't be afraid to ask for help!" Build a large parent network around you and rally together to demand a more secure future for our loved ones.
Jenifer Thomas has been a single mom for 20 years to two amazing young men. Her oldest son Cobey who is on the autism spectrum is 27 years old and is 6'10! Cobey's younger brother, Cooper is 25 years old is a graduate of the University of TN. Jennifer has been a full time caregiver for Cobey since 1995. ***************************************** To purchase my book "Welcome to My Life – A Pe
S4: Episode 133 - As a full time parent caregiver who is extremely sleep deprived, this mom struggles to find time to pursue her passions & dreams
Growing up Julie Fackrell always knew that one day she was going to live in California. She had no idea that mental illness and a late diagnosis of autism would be the vehicle that brought her there. Julie has two kids, Jacob is 28, Emma is 18 and they are the brightest stars that guide her. When she's not busily working the days away keeping schedules on track and completing various mom duties, J
S4: Episode 132 - Chatting with a blogger, podcaster and mother of 4, about the uncertainty & stress autistic adults and their parent caregivers face when aging out of 'traditional' services, resources & funding
Kim resides in Massachusetts with her husband and four children, two teenagers and two young adults. She is an advocate for autism with a passion for spreading awareness, understanding and acceptance. Her daughter Alyssa is a young adult with profound, nonverbal autism. She shares her daughter's journey into adulthood honestly and openly on her FB page @adventures in autism wi
S4: Episode 131 - A fierce advocate for her adult son, local community and beyond, this mom has found comedy as the best way to share the beautiful, unique & funny aspects of parenting autism
Lori Haynes has been an autism and disability advocate for over 30 years. She is married to her wonderful husband Mike and they care for their 28 year old son Jacob at home. Her son Jake was diagnosed with severe nonverbal autism and intellectual disability at the age of 2 ½ and she has worked tirelessly since then to raise, not only awareness, but acceptance and understanding. She started the fir
S4: Episode 130 - Chatting with a writer & mom of 3 about her Forever Nest and how much she appreciates the laughter & daily joy life brings
Kathy Radigan is a writer, blogger, wife to one, and mom of two boys, 23 and 17, and a 20-year-old daughter with significant disabilities. She is the creator of the blog, My Dishwasher's Possessed! Kathy's work has been featured in many online publications including, Her View from Home, Grown and Flown, Finding Cooper's Voice, as well as having viral pieces on TODAY'S Parent, HuffPost, and Scary
S4: Episode 129 - Learning from a caregiver mom who has navigated the world of autism (& paved the way for the rest of us) for 40+ years
Dr. Karen Kelly is a graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) where she earned her BS and MS in nursing and a doctoral degree in education. She is a retired associate professor in the School of Nursing at SIUE. She taught leadership, health policy, and health care finance at both the graduate level and doctoral level. Karen is active in several nursing organizations at the loca
S4: Episode 128 - The importance of knowing your rights and the benefit of teaching all levels of life skills from an early age
Julie Swanson is the parent of Alex, an adult with an autism spectrum disorder and a special education advocate helping secure appropriate services for students with disabilities. She is also the founder of The Life Skills Lady, a website devoted to the critical link between life skills and increased adult outcomes in autism. Julie is also the author of Your Special Education Rights: What Your S
S4: Episode 127 - Catching up with documentary film maker and autism mom about her mission to share the many faces of autism
Rachel Lack is a filmmaker and mother to an 11 year old autistic boy. She lives in Arizona with her husband and son, Henry. She has been filming 10 autistic kids in Arizona and Massachusetts for the last 7 years. She is filming these kids all the way to adulthood. The documentary series is called Across the Spectrum. You can follow them all on Facebook at Across the Spectrum: The Doc Instagram;
S4: Episode - 126 (Solo Episode) - Sharing our challenging journey through medication changes and the behavioral ups and downs that result as we 'patiently' find the right combination
So glad to be back hosting my podcast after an unexpected multiple month break!! For this first episode of season 4, I'm discussing the lengthy battle many of us face when trying to find a medication that is helpful to our kids, but also one that won't add additional challenges to their day to day behaviors, sleep schedule or appetite. We've been experiencing what I call the "many seasons of Skyl
S3: Episode 125 - Navigating adult resources around the country... featuring California, Connecticut, Florida & Louisiana
Kelly resides in FL is mom to 32-year-old Steven who received his autism diagnosis at the age of 2.5. Since that time, he has also been diagnosed with Apraxia, Tourette's, OCD and Anxiety. Steven is a kind, gentle soul. He loves life and everyone he meets. His journey has not been easy but he has persevered through every single obstacle he has faced. Kelly learns from Steven every single day and f
S3: Episode 124 (3 episode series) - Navigating adult resources around the country... featuring Colorado, California, Texas & Washington State
Alicia Miner (WA) - resides in Washington State and is a single mom to her amazing 18-year-old son, Austin, who is autistic and non-verbal. She has recently started the Spelling to Communicate program and is always advocating for her son's future. Connect with Alicia via FB: www.facebook.com/alicia.miner.9 Leasa Hoogerwerf (CA) - is the mother of two adult sons, her youngest, Cody is 21-years-old
S3: Episode 123 (3 part series) - Navigating adult resources around the country... featuring Michigan and Arizona
Jess Ronne (MI) - Lives in Grand Rapids, MI and is the author of 'Sunlight Burning at Midnight' and 'Blended With Grit and Grace.' She also founded a non-profit 'The Lucas Project' and initiated & helped produce the recently released documentary 'Unseen' which touches on the challenging lives of caregivers. Jess and her husband Ryan are the parents of 8 children and their almost 18-year-old son Lu
S3: Episode 122 - Hearing directly from a Spelling to Communicate (S2C) participant about his mission to help non-speakers connect with the world around them
Caryn Culver is a life long Tennessean and currently resides in Knoxville with her husband Chad and 3 children. Caryn's middle child, Peyton, was diagnosed with autism in 2010 at the age of two. Since this time, their family has been on a journey to help Peyton reach his best potential. After visiting doctors and specialists around the country and trying numerous therapies, Peyton has finally foun
S3: Episode 121 - The role of a parent caregiver is often a lifelong job, so knowing 40% of adults with disabilities have no family in their life motivated this mom to ensure they're never forgotten
Lisa Dempsey is a special needs mom & is the founder and CEO of the nonprofit, Forgotten Wishes Foundation, whose mission is to inspire a sense of belonging and be a source of joy for people with disabilities. Lisa also writes a blog about her experiences called Cluck Howl Crow. Lisa is happiest when spending time with her husband Robert and family. To refuel her mind and body, Lisa travels in her
S3: Episode 120 - An inspirational autistic adult who found her voice and now uses it to educate & promote understanding
Peri, better known to her FB followers as Not Raingirl is a 24-year-old autistic adult. Peri's honesty, understanding and deep desire to educate parents and caregivers about living with autism - as a nonverbal child and now an outspoken advocate, is greatly appreciated and admired. *I can assure you this Autism mom not only values Peri's willingness to help explain and guide me but that she does i
S3: Episode 119 - The continually challenging & unpaved road for transition into adulthood and the best options for our loved ones
Johanne is a writer, autism advocate and mother of an adult son with severe autism. Her memoir, CHOICES - One mother's determined search for the supports to meet the needs of her aging autistic son, details her journey from her son's infancy to adulthood. Today, Johanne continues to work with special needs students in the public school system and lives in her Habitat for Humanity home on Cape Cod.
S3: Episode 118 - Chatting with the Finding Cooper's Voice founder about her newly released memoir, Forever Boy
Kate Swenson, the founder of Finding Cooper's Voice and nonprofit, The More Than Project, is a mother to four kids, a wife, and a proud Minnesotan. She writes and creates videos regularly about her life as a mother and an autism advocate for Facebook, Instagram, and her website, Finding Cooper's Voice. Her book, Forever Boy, A Mother's Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy, is available now and highlig
S3: Episode 117 - (Solo episode) Sharing my thoughts on Skyler turning 19 and my shift in perspective on future planning
To kick start all things Autism Education month, I'm taking to the podcast solo to discuss my thoughts on Skyler turning 19 next week and my evolving perspective on future living arrangements. I reference a few prior guests in this episode as well - Dottie Davis (Episode 78) 7 Michelle O'Reily (Episode 88) so be sure and listen to those! ***************************************** To purchase my b
S3: Episode 116 - Planning for your child's future & educating yourself on the services and resources each state offers
Kim Albrecht is a southerner transplanted to California via the Midwest along with her husband and 2 teenage daughters, the oldest of which has level 3 non-speaking autism. She hosts the award winning LOMAH Disability Podcast, where over 100 expert guests have been interviewed on topics relevant to planning the future for teens and young adults with disabilities. The show deep dives into a singl
S3: Episode 115 - Helping caregivers create an organized system for coordinating care and managing all the paperwork
Christy Pickrell is a wife, mother, author and advocate for individuals with disabilities or health concerns. Christy has been in the caregiving field for 30 plus years, starting with family members as well as a respite provider for the ARC of Maryland. She is the mother of a 22-year-old disabled son and wife of 29 years. Christy has been published in Autism Parenting Magazine, as well as 50 plu
S3: Episode 114 - Chatting with the founder of the only subscription box & online community focused solely on pampering caregivers
Lindsay is the founder and owner of The Pampered Parent, a monthly self-care subscription box and supportive online community for moms of children with special needs. In addition to The Pampered Parent, Lindsay is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). As a BCBA, she works with individuals with a variety of developmental disabilities, as well as with their caregivers and families, to improve c
S3: Episode 113 - Presuming competence and not allowing limits to be placed on our child's potential ... specifically with communication
Kelley Howe is a Spelling to Communicate practitioner, occupational therapist, and owner of Adroit Therapy Services in Knoxville, Tennessee. In her practice she strives to help nonspeaking, minimally speaking, and unreliably speaking individuals gain access to reliable communication. Kelley has been using Spelling to Communicate with her clients since 2016 and is currently helping to train new pr
S3: Episode 112 - Turning an enjoyable past time with her daughter into a successful non-profit that supports the local community and provides volunteer opportunities for those on the spectrum
Malinda Dalton-Cook resides in the San Diego area with her husband Chad and their almost 20-year-old daughter Paige, who is severely impacted by autism. Malinda is the CEO/Founder of Paige's Pantry which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Paige's Pantry is to help teach and empower teens and adults on the autism spectrum. Giving them the opportunity to learn organizational,
S3: Episode 111 - Future planning for our 'children' entering adulthood & setting them up for success & the best version of independent living possible
Silvia Abeloe is a Mom to a 19-year-old young man who is severely impacted by autism. She has been married for 26 years to her husband Ken and they live in Carlsbad, CA (North San Diego County). Silvia was a Service Director for United Airlines at Washington Dulles International Airport in Northern Virginia when she decided to leave the workforce, start a family, and move back to her home state
S3: Episode 110 - An advocating autism mom turned reality star encourages all people to choose happiness & look for the joy in everyday life
Geege Taylor is an autism advocate and writer who produces and stars in LEAVE IT TO GEEGE, a reality series on The Lifetime Network (Wed 10/9c). The show celebrates autism and follows the zany adventures of her family, including her 19 year old non-speaking son, "Pootie," along with a lively cast, which features three other young adults with autism. She makes her home in Athens, GA with her child
S3: Episode 109 - The importance of remaining eager as caregivers but taking your child's lead, respecting their path and meeting them where they are
Betsy Hicks-Russ is a leading autism expert with over 20 years of experience in holistic health. Betsy is the former CEO of Green Health Wellness & author of Picky Eating Solutions (2010), a unique guidebook on the life-changing power of healthy eating habits. She has delivered lectures around the world about meal planning, special diets, and holistic health for individuals living with autism. He
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