Embracing Autism Podcast

In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, we have put together an awesome group of panelists to discuss a variety of autism-related topics in this free-flowing candid discussion. Panelists will be announced in April.

"Aren't we all a little on the spectrum?" I'm sure you've heard it said before! Today we touch on what it means to be autistic and how dismissive it can be to claim that everyone is "a little autistic". We'll also make suggestions on alternative ways to state your support! Our listeners get a FREE AngelSense GPS tracker during Autism Acceptance Month April 2023 by visiting our special link: https://bit.ly/AngelSense-AutismWish We have joined forces with @officialstarsoul to bring you Autism Acceptance Tees with an important message: "be-YOU-tiful"! Help be a part of the change-- transform awareness into action by providing autistic children and their families with support and resources with every t-shirt purchase! 100% of the proceeds from every shirt sold will go directly back toward supporting our programs at AutismWish. Snag your Autism Awareness Tee today: https://bit.ly/starsoul4autism

Is there a cure for Autism, and if so, should there be? Today we discuss the ethical and moral questions surrounding the topic of "curing" Autism. We also share personal and community insights from this ongoing debate. Our listeners get a FREE AngelSense GPS tracker during Autism Acceptance Month April 2023 by visiting our special link: https://bit.ly/AngelSense-AutismWish

Join us in our first-ever bake-off! We will compete against each other to create the best cake-pops, with you submitting the winning vote! Neither of us have ever attempted to make cake-pops, so needless to say...this should be interesting. See you then! Disclaimer: Cakes will be pre-baked in order to cut down on time, we will be putting the pops together and decorating them (poorly).

Join us for a special AMA (Ask Me Anything - or rather Ask "Us" Anything) session where we will answer your questions! Questions can be submitted in advance via email at podcast@autismwish.org. You can also submit questions via voice messages at speakpipe.com/EmbracingAutism. Of course, you're also welcome to ask during the live stream as well. This is your chance to get your questions answered so don't forget to mark your calendars; we will see you then!

Have you struggled with addressing your child's meltdowns? Does it feel like none of the typical techniques are working? Today we discuss how co-regulation may be the key to success and why using this method has brought us closer to our girls. Check out the AngelSense GPS tracking device while also supporting our programs by using our special link: https://www.angelsense.com?ref=autismwish

Does your child meltdown at the slight mention of a doctor's appointment? Today we will discuss implications of medical and dental phobias commonly associated with autism. We will chat about our children's most recent dental appointment and how incorporating some techniques helped us create a smoother experience for everyone. Check out the Kawaii Slime Company and get 15% off your order while also supporting our channel by using the code AutismWish15 at kawaiislimecompany.com.

Join us as we learn just how much we REALLY know about each other. We've known each other for 9 years, been married for almost 7 of those years, so *hopefully* we know a thing or two about each other! Find out as we ask play our version of the Newlywed Game. This game asks a series of questions about your partner (e.g. where would they want to go on vacation?) with the goal of both partners answering the same. Is there a question you want us to ask? Submit it in the comments below.

Check out this clip from EP 702 - Too Late To Apologize of the Embracing Autism Podcast as we share a helpful tip on how to assist your nonverbal or apology-averse child with saying "I'm Sorry".

Are you struggling to navigate your IEP meetings and want to learn more about your rights as a parent? Check out this clip from our interview with Author and Autism Advocate, Laura Hales, as we discuss key terms to use and what you should know before your next IEP meeting.

Autistic individuals often struggle with social anxiety due to a variety of compounding factors. Today we will share an autistic perspective on why this happens, how your child may be feeling during these moments, and what you can do to help. Check out the Sensory Theraplay Box while also supporting our programs by using our special link: https://shrsl.com/3tqle

Check out this clip with autistic adult Lulu Mahne who speaks about his experience growing up as a behaviorally aggressive child whose pessimistic outlook on life was ultimately changed after learning the relationship between his behaviors and his brain neurology.

Should a child be identified primarily by their autism? Today we discuss the topic of identity as it relates to autism, and the potential impact of boxing our children into a label. Check out the AngelSense GPS tracking device while also supporting our programs by using our special link: https://www.angelsense.com?ref=autismwish

Join us for our first ever Respite Night! We feel self-care is incredibly important for caregivers and parents raising autistic kids, so we are determined to take some time each month dedicated to fun and relaxation. This month, we are playing the Jackbox Party Pack 3, and some of you will be able to join us if you'd like with a virtual code provided during the live stream. Let's have some fun!

Tune into this clip from the Embracing Autism IRL interview with Fine Artist, Anthony Galati, as we discuss the power of art to provide autistics with a voice, regardless of whether or not they are verbal or struggle with fine motor skills.

A brief update on what our family accomplished in 2022!

In this clip from Embracing Autism IRL, we speak with Dr. Kristin Wegner, a neurodivergent autism clinician and author of Brody the Lion, on the subject of autism diagnosis and why early intervention is critical.

Laura Hales is a Mother of two autistic children, autism advocate, and author who recently began writing true stories about her autistic children. She was inspired to promote autism acceptance when she discovered the current literature available was severely lacking. Laura’s mission is to create a more inclusive world for her sons and neurodivergent children like him. In today's episode, we discuss how to advocate for your child in school, important 'buzzwords' you should know, your child's rights, and what parents can do to make sure their voices are heard during those critical IEP meetings. Don't forget to check out Laura's shop to snag your copy of her book and other goodies including FREE downloadable coloring pages here: http://alexandthedrummer.square.site You can also join her Facebook group here: Tinyurl.com/thedrummerstories

Check out this clip from Embracing Autism IRL - Meet Thomas A. McKean. Thomas is an autistic adult and one of the original creators of the puzzle piece symbol. In this clip, he discusses the official meaning and original intent of the puzzle piece as a symbol for autism.

Tune in as we get personal and share our family's struggles with the public education system, thoughts on how the current system often fails the special needs community, and how we plan to tackle it. This episode is sponsored by The Exceptional Learning Institute (E.L.I.), learn more about their customized academic programs for autistic children at exceptionalinstitute.org.

Check out this clip from our interview with Nate Hallquist, a self-diagnosed autistic adult, on Embracing Autism IRL where he discusses his thoughts on the validity of self-diagnosis.