Beyond the Label Podcast

A brief but meaningful interaction in a crowded Costco aisle left us thinking long after it ended. As Milo grows older, we sometimes find ourselves wondering how the world will respond to the ways he connects with others, especially when those interactions don’t always fit social expectations. We also share updates on Milo’s recent progress at therapy, including encouraging data from his annual IE...

For years, we’ve described Milo as being “stuck in a loop.” These days, that loop involves repeated questions about Llama Llama toys and birthday parties. In this episode, we reflect on how looping has evolved from something that trapped our family in cycles of anger and anxiety to something that’s become part of Milo’s daily rhythm—and often, how he communicates.  Topics discussed: autism parenti...

What happens when a simple carnival game becomes an impossible challenge for your family? We're sharing two stories about navigating arcades and fair games with our son Milo, who is autistic—and how those decisions impact our neurotypical daughters, Nora and June. From a yellow Baby Shark prize at the Geauga County Fair to an unfortunate claw machine incident at a birthday party, we open up a...

We’re sharing the full story behind Milo’s January surgery — including a tonsillectomy and turbinate reduction — and how we navigated it as parents of an autistic child who thrives on routine, predictability, and trust.  We rewind to early speech concerns, chronic congestion, adenoid removal, allergy testing, and the long road to understanding Milo’s needs.  We also share practical takeaways for f...

When Ty takes the girls to swim lessons, Lisa is home alone with Milo — something that once felt impossible. We're giving you a glimpse into the rhythms of our home and what it can feel like to parent an autistic child when you’re not the preferred parent.  Follow us on Instagram @beyondthelabel440 . Email us at beyondthelabel24@gmail.com Thank you to our friend Tom Evanchuck for the use of h...

For Milo's 7th birthday, we're reflecting on some of the highs and lows and lessons learned in the last year.  We reference this episode about Milo's 6th birthday:  E3: Cake Follow us on Instagram @beyondthelabel440 . Email us at beyondthelabel24@gmail.com Thank you to our friend Tom Evanchuck for the use of his song, "Sunshine," as our theme music. Follow Tom on Spotify ....

When Ty joins Nora at a friend’s birthday party, he finds himself in the middle of an all-out Nerf battle—with a room full of boys Milo’s age. It sparks an uncomfortable realization: what happens when you can play easily with other kids your son’s age… but not in the same way with your own child? Is it wrong to feel guilt—or even sadness—about that? Maybe it's just part of the emotional tight...

Camel or avocado? You never know. In this episode, we share a few small moments that show how much Milo has changed over the past year. What begins with a simple joke at the kitchen counter turns into a conversation about humor, communication, and emotional regulation. We talk about how Milo is not just expressing himself more clearly but also connecting with others through teasing and shared joke...

Tune in for a little message of gratitude to our listeners and a quick update on the future of the podcast. Follow us on Instagram @beyondthelabel440 . Email us at beyondthelabel24@gmail.com Thank you to our friend Tom Evanchuck for the use of his song, "Sunshine," as our theme music. Follow Tom on Spotify .  Thank you for being here!

In this episode, we’re unpacking all the emotions that come with receiving an unexpected phone call about your child—and why those feelings can linger long after the moment has passed. We’re also sharing a recent glimmer with Milo that definitely brightened our week!  We’ve got just one episode left before we wrap up Season 1. We’ll be taking a short break and returning in January with brand-new e...

About three years ago, before we’d even begun Milo’s autism evaluation, we decided to try something that felt “normal”: a fall family photoshoot. What followed was 15 minutes of chaos—apple-eating, shirt-lifting, tear-filled chaos—and a gallery of photos that captured much more than we intended. In this episode, we revisit that afternoon in the field, the pressure Lisa felt to “get it right,” and...

We are sharing what it’s like to watch Milo turn spaces in our home into scenes from his favorite stories — lately, it's been Encanto. His creativity surprises us every day!  We also talk about screen time, neurodiversity, and what we’re learning as we figure out how to meet Milo where he is.  Follow us on Instagram @beyondthelabel440 . Email us at beyondthelabel24@gmail.com Thank you to our...

We’re sharing one of those mornings that started like any other — until it didn’t. When our son Milo couldn’t find his beloved stuffed animal moments before his school transport van arrived, everything unraveled fast. We talk about what happens when comfort goes missing, how quickly calm can turn to chaos, and what it’s like to ride out those moments as a family. Follow us on Instagram @beyondthel...

“It’s not fair!” When siblings are involved, fairness is always up for debate — but in our house, it takes on a whole new meaning. Milo, our son who’s on the autism spectrum, often needs extra support to stay calm and regulated. That means his sisters, Nora and especially June, sometimes have to bend, compromise, or give him space — even when it doesn’t feel fair. In this episode, we share a recen...

In the year leading up to Milo’s autism diagnosis—and months before we began speech therapy—a simple children’s book changed everything. Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party by James and Kimberley Dean became more than just another kids' book on our shelf; it became a breakthrough. Through this book, Milo found his voice, and we found a new way to connect with him. Thanks, Pete! Pete the...

We're talking about the constant tension between living in the present and worrying about Milo's uncertain future as an autistic adult.  We're also exploring why, in our opinion, the word "autistic" has too big a job, as it is expected to convey millions of different lived experiences.  Referenced in this episode: The Lazy Genius Podcast | Podcast on Spotify The East Point...

Milo’s games may be simple — run, jump, knock down, pretend — but they’re full of meaning. We're sharing how repetition in play helps Milo connect, communicate, and grow. We reference episode 17, The Great Divide, which discusses autism and friendship. Listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431776/episodes/17221857  Follow us on Instagram @beyondthelabel440 . Email us at beyondthelabel24@gm...

We’d had a rough week and needed a reset, so on Sunday morning, we loaded everyone in the van and headed to Geneva-on-the-Lake. What started as a simple day trip became a reminder that Milo is so much more than his struggles.  Follow us on Instagram @beyondthelabel440 . Email us at beyondthelabel24@gmail.com Thank you to our friend Tom Evanchuck for the use of his song, "Sunshine," as ou...

Milo’s first-grade year started with so much promise, but just weeks in, we found ourselves in an unexpected and difficult conversation about his path forward.  In this episode, we share what’s been happening behind the scenes as our family navigates a change in placement within his IEP. Follow us on Instagram @beyondthelabel440 . Email us at beyondthelabel24@gmail.com Thank you to our friend Tom...

After Milo’s school meeting, where we discussed a change of placement as part of his IEP, we were left with heavy emotions and hard questions.  In this episode, we sit with what came next: the grief, the challenges, and the small connections that help us keep going. Follow us on Instagram @beyondthelabel440 . Email us at beyondthelabel24@gmail.com Thank you to our friend Tom Evanchuck for the use...

A summer evening at the pool brought to you by lots of laughter, lots of splashing... and one small, blue plastic bottle. In this episode, we talk about what it means to show up in a community space with Milo, how quickly moments can shift, and why we keep coming back, despite the unpredictability. Follow us on Instagram @beyondthelabel440 . Email us at beyondthelabel24@gmail.com Thank you to our...

Has your child ever become fixated on a particular piece of clothing? We've been through this - many times - with Milo. We're talking about what these experiences have taught us about comfort and control, and why sometimes the easiest answer is just…let him wear the shirt. Follow us on Instagram @beyondthelabel440 . Email us at beyondthelabel24@gmail.com Thank you to our friend Tom Evanc...

Today we're taking a trip to - you guessed it - the grocery store. Follow us on Instagram @beyondthelabel440 . Email us at beyondthelabel24@gmail.com Thank you to our friend Tom Evanchuck for the use of his song, "Sunshine," as our theme music. Follow Tom on Spotify .  Thank you for being here!

We're sharing what back-to-school looks like in our family — the excitement and the anxiety that comes with change. Nora is thrilled to be in second grade, June is starting her second year of preschool, and Milo is beginning first grade. We talk about the mix of pride, grief, and worry that comes with parenting through transitions, and what it feels like when the unknowns of school are overwh...

We’re exploring what success looks like as parents of an autistic, developmentally delayed child. When your child is on their own timeline and you’re feeling lost, how do you know you’re still on the right path?  Follow us on Instagram @beyondthelabel440 . Email us at beyondthelabel24@gmail.com Thank you to our friend Tom Evanchuck for the use of his song, "Sunshine," as our theme music....