Hear why Googling Autism is the favorite pastime of all Autism parents and my thoughts on why you should stop. You’ll learn how it often undermines your sense of confidence and control. I offer questions that will help you gain awareness of why you’re doing it, how it’s impacting you, and how you can make more mindful decisions about how much and what type of information you consume. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/138

Learn how to rewire your brain, reduce your anxiety, and show up as a calmer, more effective parent. In this replay of one of my early podcast episodes, I dive deep into the cognitive distortion of catastrophizing. I explain what it is, why we do it, and why we mistakenly believe it's useful. Most importantly, I share practical strategies to interrupt the catastrophizing loop when you find yourself in it. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/137

How often do you find yourself mindlessly scrolling through social media, only to end up feeling worse than before? As Autism moms, we turn to social media for support, connection, and resources. But if we're not careful, it can quickly become a source of stress, comparison, and negativity.Listen in this week to hear the toll scrolling on social media can have on your experience as an Autism parent, and how our brains are wired to compare ourselves to others. You’ll hear practical strategies that will help you reclaim your peace of mind, and my top tips for transforming social media from a stress-inducing scroll to a tool for support and empowerment. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/136

While we may not be able to eliminate stress completely, there are sneaky habits that many of us have fallen into that unnecessarily add fuel to the fire. By bringing awareness to these patterns and making small shifts, you can lighten your mental load and find more ease in your daily life. Tune in this week to learn how to identify where your stress is coming from, some simple strategies to reduce stress, and find out how to get involved with Stress Less Octoberfest.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/135

Learn practical strategies you can implement right away to respond to meltdowns with more compassion and confidence. From morning routine struggles to self-injurious behaviors, I cover a range of meltdown situations that many Autism families face and what you can do to effectively support your child. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/134

Discover practical strategies to either avoid, interrupt, or shorten the duration and intensity of your meltdown hangovers. Learn how to show up as the best version of yourself for your child, and I give you actionable advice to help you break free from the grip of meltdown hangovers and find a sense of calm and resilience. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/133

Uncover the common signs of meltdown hangovers, understand how long you can expect them to last, and get questions you can ask yourself to identify your specific symptoms. Stay tuned for part two next week, where you’ll learn actionable steps to reduce the intensity and duration of meltdown hangovers.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/132

I walk you through how to create your own Response Barometer with specific strategies for dealing with each level of your child’s Behavior Barometer. Learn how to make effective decisions ahead of time, allowing you to respond to your child in a way that serves both of you.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/131

Learn how to create your own customized Behavior Barometer. I’ll walk you through why this tool is so powerful for building your confidence as an Autism parent. With a Behavior Barometer, you'll gain perspective on which situations are truly significant and be equipped with an objective framework to guide your response, even when you feel triggered.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/130

If you're walking on eggshells around your child and it doesn't feel like it's helping, tune in this week to discover what to do instead. I explain the cause and impact of walking on eggshells around your child, framed through the CBT model, and show you how to take back control next time you find yourself in this situation.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/129

Discover why your child's meltdowns are informative and how to learn from these meltdowns instead of fearing them. I show you how to get curious instead of emotional when things get hard, and you'll learn a powerful step-by-step process for showing up with objectivity when your child is melting down.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/128

Tune in this week to discover my burnout buster for Autism moms. I show you how all the visible and invisible labor of being an Autism parent leads to burnout, share the value of saying no strategically, and break down a simple technique you can try to help you say no when it serves your well-being the most.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/127

In this episode, we take a look at what's actually happening in your brain when anxiety takes over. I break down the different parts of the brain involved and how they interact to keep you stuck in fight-or-flight mode. Once you understand the science behind it, anxiety becomes a lot less scary and mysterious. Learn my 4 C's method for challenging anxious thoughts in the moment and choosing a different response.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/126

Learn a biological hack for immediately creating calm in your body when you’re stressed. I share how the Autism Mom Ice Water Challenge works and my top tips for implementing this technique in your everyday life.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/125

Rob Gorski is a solo parent of three sons with Autism, each with unique characteristics. He lives in Ohio and runs a popular blog and hosts an impactful podcast called The Autism Dad, where he shares his experiences and offers support to other parents raising children with Autism and other disabilities. Learn a fresh perspective on Autism parenting from The Autism Dad, Rob Gorski.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/124

We believe more is better, and that if we do more, our child with Autism will be ‘okay’ or won’t struggle as much. I debunk the myth that more intervention is better and explore the dangers of the 1987 Lovaas study. I’m showing you why higher amounts of therapy may not be helpful to your child, how your well-being matters more to your child than speech or behavioral intervention, and the importance of trusting your instincts and expertise. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/123

Discover why emotions are contagious and what you can do with this information. I discuss the science and statistics behind emotional contagion in children with Autism and their parents. Learn how to create a more stable environment for your child when they're melting down.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/122

Discover why your child's behaviors, regardless of whether you like them or not, are neutral. I share how remaining neutral about your child's behaviors helps you to stay calm as you navigate the challenges of Autism parenting, and you'll learn how to stop looking at your child's behaviors as either good or bad, so you can avoid the anger and frustration that accompanies challenging behaviors.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/121

I'm giving a voice and a name to the experience that Autism moms everywhere have of missing out on parenting experiences we expected and the childhood we imagined for our kids. This is what I'm calling GOMO, the grief of missing out. Discover how to start acknowledging the grief of missing out and learn how to not get stuck there when this grief strikes.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/120

I'm sharing two of the most valuable lessons I've brought you in the history of this podcast: that worrying is optional, and how to stop worrying. Tune in this week to discover why we worry and how to stop. Discover why worry is always optional, how worrying is impacting your life in more ways than you currently realize, and you'll learn how to get control over your worrying brain so you can show up in the way you and your child really need you to.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/119

If you feel like there's something off about the oxygen mask analogy, tune in this week to discover why you're totally correct. I discuss why the oxygen mask fallacy doesn't offer us any comfort as Autism parents, and you'll learn what to do next time somebody tells you to put your oxygen mask on first before you try to help your child with Autism.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/118

Learn my top tips for planning a summer that brings both you and your child joy. I’m sharing how fear and guilt might be showing up in your parenting, how to actually relax and enjoy your summer, and the best thing you can do for yourself and your child to make the most of the summer. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/117

Discover what picking your battles looks like as an Autism parent. I discuss the challenges of having and enforcing boundaries, why your child will always resist the boundaries you try to put in place, and you'll learn how to follow through with your boundaries when you want to, and when to pick your battles if you feel like you need to.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/116

Tune in this week to discover why boundaries are not mean. I discuss how boundaries protect you as an Autism parent and allow you to show up as your best self, and you'll learn how to uphold boundaries that protect your well-being, even during the most challenging times.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/115

I see respite resistance in Autism moms all the time. Even when parents accept that they need to take a break, it still brings up conflicting thoughts and feelings that stop them from experiencing the benefit of their respite.Discover why you're reluctant to take respite, even when the option is available to you. I explore why respite is vital for Autism parents, and you'll learn how to shift the way you think about respite so you can flip the script and approach the idea of respite from a more helpful angle.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/114

Last week, we dug into the reality of parental PTSD and how it plays out in our lives as parents of children with Autism. This week, I’m here to share my personal journey and some of the strategies that have been the most effective in managing my own experience of trauma and PTSD. Discover a list of simple practices that keep me grounded as I navigate parental PTSD.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/113

Discover why parents of children with Autism are at a higher risk of developing PTSD compared to parents of typically developing children. I share the clear indicators that you’re experiencing complex PTSD as an Autism parent, and you’ll learn to identify exactly where your chronic stress is coming from.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/112

Learn why our human brains are wired to fixate on all the things that might go wrong, without considering what could or is already going well. I’m showing you how negativity bias impacts your parenting, what happens when you begin to notice your thoughts, and an exercise that will help you see the whole picture when your brain wants to feed you negativity. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/111

Hear the continuation of what no one tells you about Autism. I discuss why there’s nothing wrong with you if you’re feeling grief after an Autism diagnosis, how to deal with those, “I could never do what you do…” comments, and you’ll learn that you’re not alone in all of these new experiences you’re having as an Autism parent.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/110

I share eight things I wish I knew about being an Autism parent that no one ever told me. These are lessons I’ve learned along the way that you can probably relate to, and my hope is that you feel validated, supported, and understood because you are working extraordinarily hard and deserve acknowledgment.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/109

With my three-day IEP Bootcamp coming up, it’s time for an IEP refresh. As the parent of a child with Autism, you’ll inevitably come to an IEP (Individualized Education Program) table on this journey. This can be an intimidating place to be. So, how do you support your child in understanding what’s going on at an IEP table, while also looking after yourself in the process? Find out in this episode.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/108

This month marks one year since I enrolled my son in what I thought would be the perfect environment for him. However, the reality wasn't what we had expected. Hear my story of receiving a reality check over the past year. I'm sharing the journey I've been on over the past 12 months and giving you my tips for dealing with the reality of the life we're living as parents of a child with Autism.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/107

Discover the 10 most common reasons for burnout in Autism parenting and what you can do to address them. I’m discussing how you might be unknowingly contributing to your own burnout, and you’ll learn how to start making time for yourself, taking responsibility for what you can control, and protecting your time and energy so you have more capacity to be an amazing parent.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/106

Discover how anxiety is impacting your experience of parenting your child with Autism. I’m discussing how anxiety shows up for Autism moms, why the vicious cycle of anxiety persists, and you’ll learn how you can address your anxiety in a way that serves you and your child.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/105

Stress is showing up in your day-to-day in more ways than you might currently realize. Discover the lesser-known symptoms of stress, and how stress is impacting every area of your life. I’m discussing how your stress responses work as an Autism parent, and you’ll learn how to start quickly calming your nervous system when you’re in a chronic state of stress.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/104

Allison is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, but she decided to turn to coaching with me when she found herself in a cycle of meltdowns and feeling guilt and shame about her reactions to her teenage daughter with Autism. This conversation is packed with fantastic insights into the differences between therapy and coaching and serves as the perfect real-world example of why coaching with someone who understands your lived experience is undeniably powerful.Discover why you might consider coaching over therapy, and learn how coaching and therapy can work in tandem on your journey as an Autism parent.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/103

Discover my five favorite things about working with a coach who truly gets your lived experience as an Autism parent. I’m sharing the progress coaching allowed me to make in my life, and you’ll learn why you should consider coaching as a way to achieve your personal development goals as the parent of a child with Autism.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/102

In a webinar last week, I introduced my new 1:1 program called the Resilient Autism Mom Program, created to empower you to take control of your Autism parenting experience in only 90 days. Today, I dive into the details of my new program, go over its components, and discuss the creative process behind its development. I am so excited to tell you more about this program so you can become an even more Resilient Autism Mom!Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/101

Find out why being at rock bottom is an amazing opportunity, despite how it feels, and how to see it as such. I share what I’ve learned about rock bottom, how I was able to evaluate some of the darkest times in my life to find a way forward, and how you can too.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/100

In part two of my conversation with author Carrie Cariello, we’re exploring her upcoming book coming out in 2025, Life Out Loud, which is a collaboration with two other Autism moms, Kate Swenson and Adrian Wood. Carrie shares the impact finding a community of other Autism moms has had on her life, and how Life Out Loud came to be. She is giving us a sneak peek into what you can expect from this book, and what she hopes Autism moms gain from reading three very different parenting experiences. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/99

Carrie Cariello is a wife and mother of five children, whose second eldest child, Jack, is on the Autism spectrum. Hear Carrie’s insights on parenting and puberty as an Autism mom, and how she's navigating the untethering of the mom-child relationship. We discuss what it was like for her to be a young mother of a child with Autism, why letting your child fly on their own feels hard, and explore what she has found to be the most rewarding and challenging aspects of this particular stage of life she's currently in.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/98

The Autism parent experience is filled with making hard decisions, managing feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, grief, and resentment, and generally being hyper-focused on our child and making everything right for them. What I’ve learned is that we need to shift from this state to one of focusing on ourselves. We’ve all heard the oxygen mask analogy, but none of us really believe it. Autism moms everywhere have sacrificed our mental, emotional, and physical health to help our kids get through the day, and I’m sharing the work I’m doing this year to guide you in 2024.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/97

Discover how we make parenting difficult for ourselves. I’m discussing why Autism isn’t a problem that needs solving, how to identify the thoughts that are making your job as a parent even harder, and I’m giving you a simple tool to make parenting a happier, more confident, and peaceful experience for you and your child.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/96

Tune in this week for my tips for dealing with the added stress of having your child home for winter break. I’m giving you five ways to bring some much-needed structure to winter break, tips for grounding yourself during stressful moments, and showing you how to lighten your load where possible.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/95

Discover how to deal with the most triggering time of the year. I’m sharing some simple strategies to help you bring more ease to the Holiday Season. Learn why bracing yourself isn’t enough, and how you can properly prepare for the difficult emotions that come up at this time of year.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/94

Discover how to start being more discerning about what you let into your field of vision. I’m sharing how your brain reacts to social media, why it makes you feel good one minute and terrible the next, and most importantly, learn how to be ruthless in curating not only your social media experience, but your experience of real life too.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/93

Discover why the most powerful thing you can do as an Autism mom is let your heart break. I’m discussing why heartbreak is inevitable when you’re the parent of a child with Autism and showing you how to set your heart break instead of adding resistance to your long list of challenges.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/92

Join us on this episode to hear my former client and friend Julia’s experience of advocating for her children and the grief she’s feeling about her role as an Autism mom. She’s offering her journey of working with doctors, the news she’s processing right now, and how coaching has given her the tools she needs to support herself on this journey.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/91

Tune in this week to learn what gratitude masking is and how to stop it. I'm showing you where gratitude masking might be coming up for you as the parent of a child with Autism, and you'll learn how to stop weaponizing gratitude against yourself.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/90

Join me this week to discover how to navigate resentment as it relates to your child with Autism. Hear how you’re not alone or wrong for experiencing this, how you might be unconsciously choosing to stay resentful, and the antidotes that will help you acknowledge and validate your experience. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/89

Join me on this episode to learn about the parable of the second arrow and what it means for you as an Autism mom. Hear how we unwittingly amplify the original pain life throws our way, what happens when we do so, and three simple steps to help you stop shooting the second arrow. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/88

Discover how to start talking back to fear. I’m sharing why thought errors occur when we’re scared, giving you six examples of cognitive distortions that commonly come up for my clients when fear is taking over, and I’m sharing three simple, practical steps to start talking back to your fear instead of leaving it to run the show.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/87

This week, I'm joined by my former client, Anna, who is walking us through what it's like to process fear. Hear what’s bringing up fear for Anna right now and how I’m coaching her through it. I’m sharing why speed accelerates fear, how to find ventral vagal safety when you’re experiencing fear, and my favorite tool that you can lean on the next time fear comes up for you.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/86

Discover how fear and grief are interwoven in your experience as an Autism parent, and a few ways fear shows up in our everyday lives. Hear why fear is a normal reaction to the loss of certainty and control that the Autism diagnosis brings, and how to begin experiencing the emotion of fear without letting it run your life. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/85

Tune in this week to rediscover what to do when things suck. Taking deep breaths and drinking water won't make your kid stop screaming or the school stop calling, but when things feel out of control, you can be there to support yourself and bring some calm into your body, and I'm showing you how.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/84

Learn what resourcing involves, and how it creates internal safety so you can feel, process, and integrate your emotions in a healthy way. I’m sharing five easily accessible ways to resource yourself, why they’re worth practicing right now, and the power of the tools I’m offering today in understanding and shifting your emotional experience. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/83

Join me this week to learn the basics of polyvagal theory and your nervous system. Hear why creating internal safety is so important, the power that comes with being able to recognize your somatic experience, and how to get familiar with different nervous system responses so you can intentionally shift your experience of Autism parenting.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/82

Tune in this week to bring curiosity and compassion to the emotions that rise from your experience of grief. I’m discussing why grieving a continuing loss means you’ll encounter a whole spectrum of emotions, where these emotions are coming from, and I’m sharing an experience of my own to demonstrate exactly how the grief spectrum shows up.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/81

I recently discovered a framework that gives a voice to the nuance of our experience in grieving the loss of a child we expected to have, and it’s called ambiguous loss. Join me today to learn what the theory of ambiguous loss entails and how naming it for yourself will help you move towards acceptance in any given moment.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/80

Ignoring or resisting grief never feels good long-term. To address your grief intentionally and directly, tune in this week. I’m shining a light on the most important misconceptions about grief, and how to spot where these myths are getting in the way of understanding your own experience of grief in a validating way.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/79

Tune in this week as I highlight why we often fail to acknowledge parental grief and how you might be grieving the life that was not lived. Hear how this is an experience all parents raising children with Autism go through, whether we realize it or not, and my top tips for getting to radical acceptance, enabling you to live your life with more ease and joy.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/78

Discover why it’s important for you to define success for your child with Autism, an exercise that will help you find evidence of all the ways they’re succeeding right now, and a myriad of benefits that come with tailoring uniquely what success means to your neurodivergent child.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/77

Although tantrums and meltdowns may look similar, they are actually very different. Discover how to think about and respond to the different behaviors your child exhibits, explore some of the thoughts that may come up when your child is having a tantrum or a meltdown, and how to use what I’m teaching you this week to be an ambassador for parents of children with Autism.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/76

Discover the three biggest mistakes Autism parents make during meltdowns, and what you can start doing right now to either prevent these mistakes from happening or reduce the possibility of these mistakes exacerbating future meltdowns.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/75

Listen in to hear five powerful questions I ask myself to redirect my brain when it wants to dwell in the negative. I’m sharing the reasons we often default to dead-end questions, how we argue with reality, and why the more you open yourself up to other possibilities, the more they will become your reality.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/74

Discover how to help your child with Autism live a more independent life from my fellow Autism mom and life coach for parents of children with Autism, Michelle B. Rogers. We're discussing the three most important life skills you can help your child develop, why nobody is coming to save you, and Michelle’s diving into how to better understand your child’s behavior with passion and compassion.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/73

When we take our child's behaviors personally, we make them about us, about our child, and about our parenting. However, taking these behaviors personally makes them even harder to handle. Discover how to regulate yourself when your child is melting down and avoid falling into the quicksand of taking your child's behaviors personally.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/72

I show you how to create separation between where your child ends and you begin. I’m urging you to start identifying where you might be able to pull back from being your child’s “person,” what this looked like for me on my Autism parenting journey, and my top tips for allowing your child to step up. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/71

Discover what’s wrong with the thought, “I will be OK once my child is OK.” I’m discussing how this statement is outsourcing your emotions, why your child is not responsible for your happiness, and how to stop neglecting yourself while telling yourself you’re doing it for your child.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/70

One question that most, if not all, Autism moms have at some point is this: Have I done everything I can for my child? This week, I offer my answer to this burning question. You’ll hear why the notion of doing everything is frankly absurd and not goal-worthy, and what you can do instead to move forward.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/69

I’m talking about mental health hospitalizations for children with Autism, specifically ER visits, in-patient hospitalizations, and partial hospitalization programs. The first time my son was hospitalized, I knew absolutely nothing about mental health hospitalizations for children with Autism. However, hearing stories and experiences from other people really helped me, so my hopes are that what I’m sharing today will be useful for you if you ever have to deal with your own child being hospitalized.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/68

Failing forward is one of the most important skills we need to develop as parents of children with Autism, but it is not for the faint of heart. This week, hear why the skill of failing forward is a muscle you have to build, three important questions that will help you practice failing forward, and my top tips for beginning to befriend failure.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/67

Are you experiencing summer break anxiety? I know that many of you are worried about how to keep your child with Autism occupied. You might be lamenting over the fact that you can’t send your child to any old camp or hire any old sitter.I’m offering some of the most common worries I hear from parents of children with Autism about this time of year, and three things you can do to ease your summer break anxiety.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/66

Listen in for an interview I did over on Megan Champion’s podcast, On The Hard Days. I'm diving into the early years following my son’s Autism diagnosis, and how, like so many of you, I was constantly pushing down my emotions. You’ll hear the realizations I had about needing to practice real self-care, and how I began resetting the default thought patterns and nervous system responses that weren’t serving me.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/65

Discover the difference between feeling angry and staying angry, and the power of learning to process difficult emotions. I’m sharing my preferred way of processing anger, and 25 things that get me angry about parenting in Autism to show you how voicing the things we experience that other people might not understand can be extremely cathartic.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/64

Hear my conversation with my former client and now lifelong friend, Cindy Decker. Cindy shares her journey from her child’s diagnosis to where she is today, how she freed up more time and space to advocate for her child and other children through an advocacy program, and all the changes she made in her day-to-day that have enabled her to shift the way she shows up as a mom.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/63

Discover how to stop second guessing yourself and your decisions. I’m sharing the two types of second guessing we do as the parents of children with Autism, the difference between second guessing and due diligence, and giving you my step-by-step process to stop second guessing the decisions you make and your abilities as a parent.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/62

How often do you question whether you’re doing enough or the right things for your child with Autism? Do you have the urge to ruminate on and review every decision, or wonder if there’s anything you could have or should be doing differently?I'm exploring what second guessing is, why we do it, and how this habit might be showing up in your life. You’ll hear how we’re socialized to believe we can’t be trusted, and next week, I’ll give you specific steps to begin unwinding this habit. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/61

For my Mother's Day Giveaway, I am giving away hand-crafted soaps from Trev's Trades Where Autism Meets Potential. Trev is a young adult with autism and other disabilities, and a soap maker.I have 10 lovely soaps to give away. To enter the Mother's Day Giveaway, rate and review the podcast by May 14th, and email me the title of your review. For those of you who have already rated and reviewed the podcast, you can get a soap by sharing the podcast on your social media feeds and tagging me and Trev. I want to support Trev and Tia, and I want to spread the word about this podcast to as many autism moms as possible.To enter the giveaway,Rate & Review the podcastTag The Autism Mom Coach & Trev's TradesEmail [email protected] the title of your review & mailing address. Instagram: The Autism Mom Coach & Trev's TradesFacebook: The Autism Mom Coach & Trev's Trades

While I teach mothers raising kids with autism how to regulate their emotions when their child is dysregulated, I get a ton of questions about how parents can teach self-regulation skills to their kids.That is why, in this week's episode of the podcast, I am interviewing Dr. Mary Barbera. Dr. Barbera is the mother of a young adult with Autism, a registered nurse, board certified behavior analyst and a best selling author.Dr. Barbera's latest book Turn Autism Around, her online courses, weekly podcast and social media posts help parents and professionals start turning things around for young children with early signs of autism and older children with an autism diagnosis who are struggling with talking, tantrums, eating, sleeping, potty training, and more.In this Episode of the podcast, you will learn:How Dr. Barbera went from complete denial of the signs of her son's Autism to a BCBA;What Dr. Barbera means by the phrase, "Turn Autism Around"; andDr. Barbera's 4 Principles for turning autism around.For full show notes, links to Dr. Barbera's work, and more information on working with me here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/60

In this episode, discover why Autism parent burnout is a problem and what you can do to interrupt it.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/59

Join me this week to continue our discussions about Individualized Education Plans, this time with Julie Swanson, AKA The Life Skills Lady. Julie is an IEP advocate based in Connecticut. She’s one of the OGs of education advocacy, and she’s also a mentor to many other IEP advocates that have followed in her footsteps. Julie shares the problems she’s encountered at the IEP table as an advocate, and why she helps families focus on the development of life skills in creating better outcomes for children with Autism.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/58

Amanda DeLuca and Kirby Morgan have created an online community to help support parents of Neurodiverse Children, and the work they’re doing is amazing. They’re certified IEP coaches, and they help their clients better understand their role at the IEP table.Find out how an advocate can help make sure your child is getting the service they need without creating a divide at the table, and what to consider if you’re currently having a difficult time advocating for your child.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/57

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4016803130699/WN_xCv_Z2VKSYS1_0W30Y06mQBehind every child with autism, are parents who are feeling afraid and overwhelmed by the dizzying amount of responsibility and uncertainty that comes with raising a child without a road map. That is why, for Autism Awareness month, I am shining a light on parental burnout with my free webinar for autism parents: “Overcoming Burnout in 5 Simple Steps." In this webinar, you will learn the real reason you are burnt out (spoiler alert: it is not the diagnosis) and how to shift from chronically stressed to resourceful and resilient.Register now using the link below and don't miss out on this opportunity to take care of your child’s most important resource: YOU.  

Whether you have been medicating your child for years and facing that decision never gets any easier, or you haven’t yet made that decision and you’re experiencing crippling fear about it, you’re in the right place. All of this is gut-wrenching, so tune in as I normalize this decision and lay out all the BS reasons we’ve bought into that make us shame ourselves.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/56

Words like “aggressive” and “violent” are often improperly used as descriptors for the behaviors of people with Autism. They’re anti-social words that have a broad range of consequences that are very scary for parents raising children with Autism. Discover why words matter, and how the language we use for dysregulated behavior in our children needs to shift. I’m sharing my preferred language for referring to violence or aggression, and how we can start focusing efforts on ways we can better understand and support our children.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/55

Do you ever find yourself making grand plans, not following through with them, and then beating yourself up for not doing enough to make them happen? This perfectionist thinking is making raising your child with Autism even harder than it already is. So this week, I share a simple tool that will set you and your child up for success and you don't want to miss it.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/54

While it sounds noble and goal-worthy to be a perfectionist, it’s only keeping you in a cycle of doing more and more but feeling like you’ve never done enough. I'm sharing the hallmarks of perfectionistic thinking, how it’s showing up in your parenting and other areas of life, and how B- work can help you relax the unrealistic standards you’re holding yourself to.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/53

When you are relying on external validation, you’re outsourcing all of your power to other people. They get to decide whether or not you can think well of yourself, and it creates a vicious cycle of always trying to prove yourself. Discover how to repattern your habit of seeking external validation. I’m sharing why so many moms of children with Autism fall into this trap, and most importantly I’m showing you why you aren’t powerless in getting out of it.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/52

The 2.0 version of permission slips is all about taking the time for yourself, but also giving yourself permission to actually enjoy that time without guilt. I’m telling stories from two clients who couldn’t enjoy the time they’d created for themselves, and sharing the coaching I offered them so they could give themselves the permission slips they needed.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/51

Do you struggle to give yourself permission to put your self-care needs first? This week, I show you how to give yourself a much-needed permission slip for self-care, and share why we focus our time and energy on our children at the exclusion of ourselves. Learn how to give yourself permission to do something for yourself instead of always acting in service of others.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/50

If you think you don’t have time for yourself because of all your responsibilities as a Special Needs parent, this episode is for you. I’m sharing seven simple things you can start doing right now to prioritize your self-care, regardless of what’s going on in your life. Learn why self-care is so important for you and your child, and how to make time for it, no matter what.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/49

Tune in this week to discover how to correct the biggest mistake Autism Parents make: not making time for themselves. I’m sharing why we make this mistake, how it impacts our children, and most importantly, how to start giving yourself a little attention when you need it so you can show up the way you want to for your child.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/48

If you’re living with the fear that you aren’t doing enough for your child, catastrophizing about the future, or blaming yourself for your child’s struggles, a willingness to be wrong will change everything. Tune in this week to discover how to open yourself up to vulnerability, questioning what you think is right, and being willing to be wrong about the belief systems that are keeping you spinning in the hamster wheel of pain and self-doubt.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/47

Do you find yourself always walking on eggshells, living in fear of your child's next meltdown? If the answer is YES, then my new course is for you! In a little over one hour, you will learn what to do before, during and after a meltdown, so that you can remain regulated, even when your child is melting down.  For full show notes and to sign up for the course, go to: https://theautismmomcoach.com/46

Jamie is the mom of five-year-old twin boys with Autism, and she came to me for coaching at a time when her kids were struggling, dysregulated, and having more frequent and intense meltdowns than ever. This was taking a serious emotional toll on Jamie, however, the work we did together has helped her support herself and her sons in new ways, and she’s here to share all of it with you.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/45

Tune in this week to discover what coaching is, how it works, and how coaching changed my life when I was at a breaking point. I’ve tried therapy and never found it very useful, but when I found a coach who understood Autism and my experience as a working mom, I was able to start building a life I loved. If you’re curious about coaching and how it can change everything for you, listen in.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/44

Sometimes, things just suck. Maybe you were planning a winter vacation, but then everyone in your house got sick. Maybe your child’s favorite teacher just resigned, or your child was asked to leave their school altogether. Whatever the story is for you, we all hit these points at some time or another. I have 7 tips to help you weather the storm when things just suck, and I’m sharing all of them with you in this episode.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/43

The Holiday season is in full swing and, if you’re raising a child with Autism, I’m sure you are feeling it. So, in this week’s episode, I’m discussing some of the Holiday-themed stressors I’m hearing about from my clients and sharing the coaching I offered them during this challenging time of the year.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/42

The Holiday season of joy and gratitude is here, accompanied by increased stress and mental breakdowns. This is a familiar experience for parents of children with Autism, so I’m devoting this episode to teaching you a powerful strategy that will help you prepare for family time, skip the drama, and actually enjoy The Holidays.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/41

Tune in this week because I’m giving you three tips for talking to your child about their Autism diagnosis. This episode is based around a presentation I held recently on this exact topic, and I’m sharing everything you need to consider as you prepare for this conversation, if you decide to have it at all.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/40

This week, learn how to set your manuals for how others should behave aside so you can truly enjoy the people in your life for who they are. You’ll hear what happens when you stick to your manuals without question, and how this is the perfect opportunity to distance yourself from thoughts about what should be, and instead decide with intention how you want to show up when the world isn’t complying.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/39

Listen in this week to discover what to do when you stop people pleasing and other people aren’t pleased. I’m showing you why not people pleasing is a foreign concept to so many people, what to expect when you stop, and my top tips for having your back when you start telling others what you really want.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/38

People pleasing is a well-worn habit and stopping isn’t easy. However, small changes can go a long way. Tune in this week to discover how to shift from doing things because you always have and everyone expects you to, to figuring out what you really want and acting in alignment with your own values. I’m giving you a strategy that will help you stop people pleasing, one step at a time.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/37

When we are people pleasing, we’re lying to others and to ourselves. We’re trying to manipulate how people view us by acting in ways that are not in alignment with how we really want to show up. With The Holidays fast approaching, the people-pleasing season truly is upon us, which makes now the perfect time to talk about how people pleasing shows up in Special Needs Parenting, and most importantly, how to break this exhausting habit.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/36

While we might not be as sensitive to changes and transitions as our child with Autism, did you know that we too can benefit from the same support systems we use to help them? Listen in this week to discover how to support yourself through any transition. I’m digging into schedules, previews, social studies, and test runs as just a few ways we try to prepare our kids for transitions, and I’m showing you how to use these systems for your own benefit too. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/35

This week, I'm diving a little further into how “normal” is subjective and the ways in which it can be harmful for those with Autism. I talk about why “aggressive” is an inappropriate way to describe the physical reactions that those with Autism experience, how certain ideas and judgements both reinforce inaccurate biases and rob us of joy, and why we can be the ones that change how language is used.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/34

Whether we want to admit it or not, so many of us have had the thought, “I wish my child was normal,” at one point or another. This is something that often comes up with my clients, and they’re riddled with shame and guilt. So, this week, find out why it’s 100% normal if you’ve ever found yourself thinking, saying, or wishing that your child or parenting experience was “normal.” You’ll hear why it’s a natural human desire to want to be "normal," and why you can both love your kid as they are and still wish things were easier.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/33

Tune in this week to discover what to do when you think nothing’s working. This is not about undermining your experience. I’m in the thick of it myself. Rather, I’m sharing how to be there for yourself and your child when it feels like you’re getting nowhere, and how to identify all of the things that are working, even if they differ slightly from what you expected.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/32

Human brains are story-making machines. We create stories as a way of understanding our lives, relating to the world, and relating to one another. Some of the stories we tell are empowering, while some have the opposite effect, and our power lies in our ability to choose the version of the story we want to tell, believe, and live. In this episode, I'm offering two very different diagnosis stories drawn from the same set of facts to show you how there is no ultimate truth, and why this is the best news. Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/31

Do you ever find yourself interpreting all of your child’s behavior through the lens of their Autism diagnosis? Tune in this week to discover how you show up when you look at your child’s behavior through Autism-Colored Glasses. I’m showing you why there’s always more than one way of looking at your child’s behavior, and I’m sharing how to see if you’re missing out on the bigger picture or causing yourself unnecessary stress and anxiety.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/30

Tune in this week as I share a story where I was triggered. Well, actually I was stunned and sickened during a conversation with someone. There was a time when I would have reacted very differently to this conversation, however, with the skills of thought work, I was able to look at this uncomfortable situation in a more helpful way. So, I’m showing how you can do the same when you feel triggered by thoughtless comments or actions by another person.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/29

Have you ever found yourself comparing your life to the lives of your friends, family members, or even strangers on social media? You're not alone. This week, discover why our brains naturally go to a place of comparison, why it served humankind in the distant past, and why using comparison in unhelpful ways isn’t serving us now. I’m showing you how to see where you’re stuck into the Comparison Trap and how you can wriggle free if you fall into it.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/28

We all need a little advice from time to time, so in this week’s episode, I’m speaking with Dr. Darren Sush, a licensed clinical psychologist, Autism expert, and a board-certified behavioral analyst, about ways parents can prepare themselves and their children for the school year. Darren deeply understands the struggles parents raising children with Autism face, so he's sharing how to create ease around your experience of sending your child back to school.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/27

Tune in this week to discover why you’re feeling grief around your child’s return to school. I’m sharing my story and the uncomfortable emotions that are coming up for me, and why if you don’t process the feelings of grief in the moment, they can manifest physically and make a hard situation even harder.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/26

Tune in this week to discover a new way to cope with intense emotion. We always have the power to improve our ability to cope with the challenges we face in parenting neurodivergent children. Instead of simply catastrophizing about worst-case scenarios, you can be more in control than you ever thought possible, and I’m showing you how in today’s episode.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/25

This week, I’m teaching you the power and the practice of making decisions ahead of time. I’m showing you how to prepare yourself for whatever this school year brings because, once you’ve decided how you want to think, feel, and respond, you can take actions that are aligned with how you want to show up for your child and for yourself.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/24

This week, discover how to redefine what success looks like for our neurodivergent children, and why it serves us to do so, even if it flies in the face of everything we’ve been socialized to believe about what success means. I’m showing you the negative consequences of using the standards of success modeled on neurotypical children, and why applying them to your kids isn’t helpful.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/23

Tune in this week to discover how to stop worrying. Worrying is useless and takes up too much space in our brains, even though it feels totally natural. When you catch yourself in this nasty little brain habit, you can choose not to do it, and I’m showing how with a simple strategy to get control over your worrying.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/22

As moms to special needs kids, we worry about so many things when it comes to our children. Join me this week to discover what worry is, and why so many of us are devoted to this habit. I’m showing you how this is an amazing function we humans have, how you’re using it against yourself, and how to begin curbing this habit.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/21

Tune in this week to discover five powerful questions every Autism mom needs to ask themselves. I’m sharing why our brains thrive when we ask them powerful questions, and how to start questioning your brain in a way that will move you forward, instead of feeling stuck as a victim of your circumstances.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/20

Tune in this week to discover what to do after a mommy meltdown. I’m sharing the story of my own mommy meltdown, how I used the S.O.S. technique I shared last week to calm myself and decide on how I wanted to handle the situation, and I’m giving you a simple step-by-step framework to deal with the aftermath of your mommy meltdowns.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/19

Tune in this week for my tips on what you can do during difficult moments to support yourself and manage your mommy meltdown. I'm also showing you how to make my S.O.S. technique (stop, observe, self-soothe) part of your daily self-care, so you can catch your meltdown before you and your child break down in line at the grocery store.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/18

Tune in this week to check on your triggers, and learn how being triggered might have you showing up in ways you don’t actually like. I’m sharing some of the most common triggers I come across in my life and my clients’ lives, and how you can see the ways you get triggered in your own life, how you generally respond, and how you can choose to react instead if you want to.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/17

If you’ve ever found yourself feeling frustrated because people don’t seem to understand what your life is like and the struggles you encounter raising a child with Autism, this episode is for you. Discover why believing other people don’t understand your reality is creating more disconnection than you might realize.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/16

Tune in this week to discover what you’re avoiding dealing with when you tell yourself you need to live forever, or your child will suffer. I’m sharing how thoughts like this only serve to mask our pain and avoid dealing with a very real eventuality, and I’m giving you some way more helpful thoughts you can decide to think instead.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/15

Tune in this week as I share how to move through your difficult emotions after a senseless tragedy. I’m sharing why we’re not here to try and feel positive about things we know are awful, why you can’t action your way out of fear and grief in the long term, and how to acknowledge your own pain and support yourself with compassion through these heartbreaking times.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/14

Tune in this week to discover how to manage your anxiety around the summer break. I’m sharing how to reframe your anxious experience at this time of year, and I’m showing you an incredible breathing exercise, so your anxiety can lead to productive action instead of spinning in dread and uncertainty.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/13

Discover how to step into your role as the expert when it comes to parenting your child. I’m sharing how to handle your thoughts if you don’t believe being the expert is empowering, and I’m showing you how to use the Think-Feel-Act cycle to create the kind of emotions that will allow you to parent with confidence and certainty, instead of fear and overwhelm.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/12

Tune in this week to discover what an expert is, and why you’re already the expert when it comes to parenting your child with Autism. I’m sharing where your expertise comes from and how to see it, and be sure to come back next week where I’m discussing stepping into your role as the expert.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/11

Discover a simple way to reframe your worst-case scenario thoughts and break the cycle of catastrophizing. I’m sharing why your brain loves to catastrophize over things that aren’t even certain, why ignoring it or telling yourself you’re worrying over nothing is never the answer, and how to instead meet yourself with empowering thoughts.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/10

Tune in this week to discover why thinking, “This should not be happening” is never helpful. I’m sharing how to get clear on where these thoughts come from and why it’s time to leave them behind so you get to enjoy even the most challenging parts of parenting a child with Autism.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/9

Tune in this week to discover the power of riding the waves of emotion. I’m sharing why trying to avoid emotions coming up for you or your child isn’t helping, and how instead you can allow for the full emotional experience without avoidance or distractions, living and learning through all of it.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/8

Tune in this week to discover where rigid all-or-nothing thinking is impacting your parenting, and what you can do to manage it. I’m sharing why our brains love this way of processing the world around us, and I’m showing you how to see the thoughts that are leading you down the path of this either-or mindset.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/7

Last week I introduced you to the Think-Feel-Act Cycle, which is at the very centre of The Self-Coaching Model. It’s a profoundly simple but effective tool we can use to transform our lives, and as promised, this week, I’m showing you how The Self-Coaching Model works so you can apply it in real time when you feel stressed, or your child is having a meltdown and everything feels like it’s crumbling around you.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/6

Whether you know it or not, there is a cycle constantly working in the background of everything you do, including dealing with the challenges of parenting a child with Autism.Tune in this week to discover why the Think-Feel-Act Cycle is always at work, and how it’s driving everything you do or don’t do. I’m sharing how your thoughts interact with your feelings, which drive your actions, and how you can start to influence all of it and use this information to your advantage.Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/5

Do you ever find yourself fixating on all the things your child can’t do, while paying little attention to the tremendous gains they’ve made? Tune in this week to discover how your negativity bias is impacting your parenting. I’m sharing why this is such a tricky thing to spot in the moment, but I’m also giving you a simple exercise you can to bring a little more balance when your brain is feeding you negative thoughts about your child’s progress.Get the full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/4

I’m sure you’ve realized by now, no matter how hard we try, we can’t control our children’s behaviors. However, we can choose how we want to think about them. That might not sound particularly powerful, but trust me when I say it’s a real gamechanger.Get the full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/3

Your child’s behaviors are not personal. When you are the person who is being yelled at or smacked, it’s not a nice experience. However, the truth is, we can separate the child we love from the behaviors we don’t, and on this episode, I’m giving you an amazing tool to take yourself out of the equation when it comes to your children’s outbursts.Get the full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/2

Do you fear you’re not doing enough for your child with autism? Do you terrorize yourself with thoughts about their future, and how you’re not able to give them the right kind of support? Do you put caring fo yourself on the backburner because you think, “I’ll be okay once they’re okay?” Being a mom of a child with autism is undoubtedly challenging, but are thoughts like this making it even harder?Get the full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/1

Have you ever felt like Autism has hijacked your life? Like you’re in a constant state of stress and anxiety and always walking on eggshells? Ever feel like you’re all alone, completely powerless and the circumstances in your life dictate everything you do?In this podcast, I’ll show you how to radically change your life by transforming your relationship with Autism and special needs parenting. You’ll learn how to shift away from being a victim of your circumstances to being the hero of the story that you get to write. This isn’t your normal podcast about Autism, it’s not about how to handle our kids, it’s about how to handle ourselves. It’s about accepting the fact that Autism is hard and now what... Each week we'll discuss practical strategies and actionable steps to help you accept and understand your own triggers and how to choose how to respond. The truth is Autism is not in charge of your life. YOU are, and you have more power than you think.