Autism Changemakers Podcast

 If you've ever shared something vulnerable about your non-speaking child on social media, or felt the pull to, this episode is for you.  I recorded this for the Autism Changemakers Podcast because I saw a post recently from a mom I respect deeply. She shared an honest, graceful moment after an intense day with her son. It was beautiful. And it also made something rise up in me that I knew I...

 If your non-speaking autistic child is making real progress — and you still can't enjoy it — this episode is for you.  I recorded this because I see it constantly in my work with parents of non-speakers. The spelling is improving. The sleep is better. The hard moments are fewer. And yet you're still bracing. Still scanning. Still waiting for something to go wrong. And then comes the gui...

 If you're a dad of a non-speaking autistic child who's been quietly carrying this alone — or a mom who wishes the dad in your child's life had more support — this episode is for you.  I invited Dr. Jonathan Chism, co-founder and president of the Autism Dads Social Club, to come on the Autism Changemakers Podcast and talk about something deeply underserved in our world: the experien...

 If you've ever asked another autism parent — what's the one thing that made the biggest difference for your child? — this episode is my honest answer.  People ask me all the time: Sara, what's the thing that transformed Rocco's journey? What's the magic bullet?  And I tell them: consistency.  Sometimes they're relieved. Sometimes they're disappointed. Because we...

 If you're parenting a non-speaking autistic child, there's a space you might be in right now that almost nobody is talking about.  You don't trust the system anymore. You've seen the gaps. You've watched experts underestimate your child and hand you a piece of paper that looks nothing like the child you know.  But you haven't fully stepped into trusting yourself yet...

 If you're parenting a non-speaking autistic child and your letterboard journey feels messy and nothing like the polished videos you see on social media — this episode is for you.  Jennifer Kenny, an Autism Changemakers member and mom to 15-year-old Sarah, joined me just one week after something extraordinary happened: Sarah spelled her very first open-ended sentence. After years of doubt, de...

 If you're parenting a non-speaking autistic child and you've ever looked at someone else's life and thought — how are they okay when I'm barely holding it together — this episode is for you.  I recorded this one because of a conversation I had with one of my Autism Changemakers members. She's in a really hard season right now, and she asked me something that stopped me in...

 If you’re raising a child with non-speaking autism and Autism Awareness Month doesn’t feel supportive, I want you to know you’re not alone.  In this episode, I’m sharing why April can feel so heavy for parents of non-speaking and minimally speaking autistic children—and what I do to protect my energy during this time. I talk about the impact of online advocacy, nervous system regulation, and why...

 If you’re parenting a child with non-speaking autism and feel like you’re constantly advocating for more than the system expects, this episode will resonate deeply.  In this conversation, Sara Intonato speaks with educator, researcher, and parent Dr. Vaish Sarathy about why many traditional life skills classrooms limit non-speaking and minimally speaking students—and why separating communication,...

 If you’ve been searching for non-verbal autism help or support for raising a non-speaking autistic child, this episode is for you.  This episode is part of The Quiet Work That Changes Everything — a mini-series for parents of non-speaking autistic children who want to move from survival to presence — and enjoy their kids again.  Parenting a non-speaking autistic child can feel overwhelming in way...

 If you’re parenting a non-speaking autistic child and feel like you have to hold everything together, this episode is for you.  This episode is part of The Quiet Work That Changes Everything — a mini-series for parents of non-speaking autistic children who want to move from survival to presence — and enjoy their kids again.  So many parents of non-speaking kids live in a constant state of respons...

If you’re raising a non-speaking autistic child and feel like you’re barely surviving, this episode is for you.  This episode is part of The Quiet Work That Changes Everything — a mini-series for parents of non-speaking autistic children who want to move from survival to presence — and enjoy their kids again.  In this final part of our non-verbal autism help series, we talk honestly about support...

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and colleague Austin, a seasoned spelling coach and fellow parent, to crack open what it really means to live the spelling lifestyle with non-speaking children. I dive into: How Austin journeyed from traditional autism therapies to embracing spelling as a transformative, everyday practice The unseen (and often surprising) ways our assumptions get challeng...

 In this episode, we step into the transformative experience of walking the Camino de Santiago—not as a romanticized pilgrimage, but as a raw journey of self-discovery, nervous system healing, and collective support.  We explore:  How changing your environment uncovers patterns, perspectives, and truths you can’t access when you stay put  Why movement and walking in nature provide insights that si...

 In this episode, we peel back the curtain on the hidden world of lead exposure and the far-reaching impact it can have—often where you least expect it.  I explore:  How my personal journey with my autistic son sparked a relentless search for answers about environmental toxins  Eric Ritter’s unexpected path from drug testing kits to pioneering at-home lead detection  Eye-opening truths about where...

 In this episode, we dive into the remarkable journey of healing and transformation with Alessandra Miele—a parent, clinician, and functional medicine health coach.  I explore:  How Alessandra’s intuition and background in yoga guided her through her son’s recovery from autism using biomedical interventions What it really looks like to navigate overwhelm, guilt, and non-linear healing as a family ...

 In this episode, we dive into the often-unspoken pattern of parents investing everything into their autistic non speakers—while neglecting their own needs.  I explore:  Why self-worth and victim mentality quietly shape how parents prioritize their child over themselves The hidden cost of martyrdom and chronic burnout Fresh strategies for expanding your time, energy, and resources so you AND your...

 In this episode, I dive deep into the realities of surviving—and actually enjoying—the holiday season as a parent of a non-speaker.  I explore:  Why I choose “joyful chaos” over overwhelm, and how you can create it in your own home My go-to strategies for sticking to protocols that support my child's well-being, especially when routines go out the window How daily brain games and co-regulati...

 In this episode, I share a real, behind-the-scenes look at what actually works for me in IEP meetings as both a coach and a parent to a non-speaking child.  I explore:  The subtle power of listening before speaking—and why it can change the dynamic of your meeting Exact phrases I use to confidently advocate for my child’s needs How “flipping the script” helps you move from feeling powerless to em...

 In this episode, we dive deep into the real-life challenges and solutions around making transitions smoother for autistic children—and their families.  I explore:  Why “calling out the pink elephant” is essential to easing tough moments How to spot and balance sensory supports that can make or break a transition  The impact of communication style—discover why less is often more and how small shif...

In this episode, we dive deep into the remarkable transformation of Haley, a mom of five (including four autistic children, three of whom are non-speaking).  We explore:  ·       Haley’s journey from extreme burnout and hopelessness to renewed energy and connection with her children  ·       The powerful impact of adopting a “parent first” approach and why simple self-care practices changed everyt...

 In this roundtable episode, we gather six remarkable mothers—each raising non-speaking autistic children—to reveal the challenges, surprises, and breakthroughs on their parenting journeys.  We explore:  Why community and honest connection are game-changers for parents of non-speakers What empowered these mothers to leave behind isolation, doubt, and “expert” expectations  The role that self-care,...

In this episode, I share the raw and revealing story of how I became the changemaker for my son Rocco—stepping beyond experts, schools, and traditional advice to transform our family’s autism journey.  I dive into:  The pivotal moment I was called out of fear and into action—forging my own path as a parent advocate Why I stopped waiting for schools and therapists to “fix” things, and what happened...

 In this episode, we go behind the scenes of Rocco’s transformative journey to open communication as a non-speaking teen, guided by the Rapid Prompting Method (RPM) and a parent’s unwavering commitment. I explore: --Why our path to using the letterboard was anything but straightforward --How sensory challenges, motor planning, and energy management shaped our daily practice --Ways to adapt lesson...