Let’s Plant Houses

What would you do if your child was being sent out of the classroom every single day in kindergarten? On this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about autism parenting, early signs, and family advocacy as I sit down with Jordan Hendrix to hear her family’s transformative autism journey. What began with daily classroom removals and judgment from others evolved into a powerful story of discovery,...

What would you do if doctors told you your 7-year-old would “never progress past second grade” and belong in a group home? In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about epilepsy awareness, disability advocacy, and family resilience as Mike Knox shares his powerful story.  Mike thought his world was ending when his 2-year-old daughter Vivian had her first seizure and flatlined at...

How might having a child on the autism spectrum change a marriage? In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about autism parenting, fatherhood, and neurodiversity when I sit down with Paul Carroll, founder of Autism Dadvocate, a podcast and community he’s built for autism dads. Paul opens up about parenting his 18-year-old son Vaughn, who’s on the autism spectrum. He walks us thro...

What happens when a school principal who’s worked with autistic students for years becomes a grandparent to a child on the spectrum? This week on Let’s Plant Houses my guest is Jennifer Kaufman, author of “Grandparenting on the Spectrum: A Journey from Both Sides of the Desk.” Jennifer brings a unique view to autism support, special education, family advocacy, and neurodiversity because she...

How can growing up alongside autism shape not just your childhood, but your entire life’s calling? In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about autism sibling experiences, early intervention, and family support as Katie Bullock shares the beautiful complexity of growing up as the middle child and only girl, with a younger brother who has profound autism. Katie remembers everything fro...

Ever wonder why getting disability services feels like you need a PhD in bureaucracy? One dad figured out the system and created roadmaps for all 50 states. This week on Let’s Plant Houses I talk with Eric Jorgensen, a military dad who was suddenly left to navigate his son’s autism journey alone after losing his wife in 2012. From an 18 month battle for housing placement to dangerous behavioral in...

Interested in improving educational outcomes for all children of all abilities? In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about inclusion, special education, autism advocacy, and early intervention as I sit down with Heather Eckner, an education professional and dedicated mother of two children with disabilities. Heather shares her family’s experiences navigating early intervention, finding th...

What does it take to create an inclusive playground? In this episode, I sit down with AnnMarie Ottoy to explore her incredible journey – from navigating her son’s early diagnoses to becoming a fierce advocate for inclusion. She shares how her family turned challenges into opportunities, creating a supportive environment that uplifts not just their son but now their entire community. AnnMarie...

How can you create a safe, independent future for your child with special needs? Every parent wants to see their child grow into a happy, independent adult, but for families raising children with special needs, that path can feel uncertain. In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about independent living, special needs housing, and family advocacy as I sit down with Kathy Remski, a mother wh...

How do you find joy while raising a child with profound autism? In this episode, Julie Bullock, a mother of three, opens up about her family’s journey with her son, who has profound or severe autism. She reflects on their experience, from the initial diagnosis and the flurry of therapies to embracing acceptance and discovering joy in the present moment. Julie discusses the evolving understan...

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about autism parenting, early intervention, and communication support as I sit down with Julia Dapkus, a dedicated mother and advocate. Julia shares her family’s journey with her daughter Isabelle, who has autism, and the challenges they faced while navigating early developmental delays. She explains how early intervention and strong communication skil...

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about special needs fitness, inclusive sports, and family advocacy as I sit down with Todd Turner, the founder of Team GUTS. Todd shares his family’s journey raising his daughter, who has both Down syndrome and autism, and how their experiences shaped his mission. He explains why fitness, movement, and community support can make a powerful difference f...

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about special needs parenting, caregiver support, and resilience as I sit down with Jess Ronne to hear her powerful story. Jess is an author, podcaster, nonprofit executive, and longtime advocate for families raising children with complex needs. She shares her journey raising her son Lucas, who has special needs including profound autism, and the emoti...

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about neurodiversity, parenting support, and mental health as I sit down with Sarah Raphael, a mom of two young children. Sarah shares her family’s journey raising what she lovingly calls her neurospicy kids and how she learned to advocate for them in school. She also talks about the importance of self care, caring for her own mental health, and findin...

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about sibling caregiving, developmental disabilities, and future planning as Lee Ackerman shares his honest experience growing up with his sister Gretchen. Lee reflects on their childhood and his role now as her lifelong guardian. He also explains the work he does as the leader of an advocacy, planning, and guardianship nonprofit, offering clear insigh...

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about autism parenting, early intervention, and special education as Lauren Christilaw shares her story about her young son Henry. Lauren reflects on the challenges of welcoming a new baby during the pandemic while noticing developmental delays and pushing for evaluation, diagnosis, and services. She explains what she learned while advocating for autis...

In this heartwarming episode of Let’s Plant Houses, Theresa Gutierrez shares the beautiful story of growing up with her brother, Peter, who has Down syndrome. With a perfect mix of humor and love, Theresa reflects on the brave choice her parents made to embrace Peter’s life, defying the expert advice of the time. But that’s just the beginning—Theresa takes us on a tour of their i...

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about autism friendly travel, special needs vacation planning, and Disney trips as I sit down with Christa Andrews from Practically Perfect Vacations. Christa is a Certified Autism Travel Professional and a specialist in Disney and Universal resorts. She explains how she helps families plan the vacations they dream about, even when special needs make t...

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about autism support, special needs community building, and family advocacy as I sit down with Mireya Martinez, a single mother raising two children, including her daughter Bianca who has autism. Mireya shares how she turned her love and dedication into a mission to help others. Her nonprofit, Just 4 Me, was created to make sure no young adult with spe...

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about special needs parenting, medical challenges in children, and family support as Kim Cascardo shares her son Enzo’s story. Enzo has faced serious health issues since infancy, and although he does not have a formal diagnosis, his symptoms are similar to Leigh Syndrome. Kim explains how their family has learned to face each new challenge with courage...

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about Down syndrome support, family advocacy, and community inclusion as David Buckley joins us to share his family’s story. David opens up about his son Jack’s Down syndrome diagnosis and the new world it brought into their lives. He explains how their family learned, grew, and found strong support through groups like the Miracle League, Gigi’s Playho...

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about special needs planning, autism support, and caregiver tools as we sit down with Joel and Debbie Pearlman, the creators of the Dani Plan. Their idea grew from the needs of their eldest daughter, Dani, who has autism. The Dani Plan gives families a secure and organized way to store all the important information needed to care for a loved one with s...

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, we talk about autism support, autism resources, disability services, and community inclusion as I sit down with Rachelle Vartanian, the founder of the Living and Learning Center in Northville, Michigan. Rachelle shares how her journey began when her son received an autism diagnosis and she saw the lack of strong autism programs and family support. Using her t...

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, we talk about disability advocacy, full inclusion, and family support as I sit down with Janice Fialka, a nationally recognized lecturer and author. Janice shares her family’s origin story and the early dreams of her son Micah, who was born with a cognitive impairment. She explains how Micah followed a pioneering path toward complete inclusion through school,...

Join me on Let’s Plant Houses for a heartfelt conversation with Benji and Sarah as they reflect on their family’s extraordinary journey with their daughter, Ellah. Born with Coffin-Siris Syndrome (CSS) as well as a rare defect, Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum (ACC), Ellah faces unique health and developmental hurdles. Yet her resilience and push to be understood has created remarkable...