Embracing Autism

Seeking a more child-centered approach to therapy for your autistic child? Today we sit down with Dr. Rick Solomon, Founder of The PLAY Project, an evidence-based intervention complementary to ABA, with a parent-implemented autism intervention model, and take a closer look at this innovative therapy. Over the last 25 years, Dr. Rick has served as the Medical Director of The Ann Arbor Center for De...

Did you know that drowning is the leading cause of death for autistic children? Today we will chat about the importance of water safety for autistic individuals and share our experience with special needs swimming lessons with our girls. Join our private Embracing Autism Community and support our charitable programs by Becoming a Member at Autismwish.org today! For as little as $5 a month, your me...

When was the last time you went out to the movies as a family? Today we will share how we were able to share the movie magic of Super Mario Bros with our girls, the hiccups along the way, and what we did to ensure a positive outcome. If you like what you hear, please consider becoming a member of our Patreon at Patreon.com/autismwish. Your charitable membership will grant you exclusive access to t...

The 4th of July is one of the biggest celebrations in the United States, unfortunately, it's often marked by loud and bright fireworks displays, large crowds, and booming music. This year marks our family's first attempt to view fireworks, join us as we share tips on how to create an autism-friendly celebration. If you like what you hear, please consider supporting our channel via Cash. App at $Au...

Aggression in autistic children is often the most reported challenge by parents. Today we will dive into our experiences with aggression and violent outbursts, illustrate how we decode the reason behind them, and explain how we have both succeeded and failed in addressing these behaviors. If you like what you hear, please consider supporting our channel via Cash. App at $AutismWish or Venmo at Aut...

This one's for the dads! We don't often hear about fathers of autistic children, so this Father's Day we're honoring you by highlighting the "Autism Dad" experience. In this intimate 1-on-1 conversation, Matt will share his personal struggles, gains, and lessons learned along his journey as a father to autistic children (and husband to an autistic wife). If you like what you hear, please consider...

Regression, or the loss of a skill previously acquired, is a common characteristic of autism. From potty training to PICA - today will share our family's struggles with regressions and what steps we are taking to help our girls continue to make progress. If you like what you hear, please consider supporting our channel via Cash. App at $AutismWish or Venmo at AutismWish. Your donation will help us...

Individuals on the autism spectrum tend to have a particularly strong affinity toward certain items, shows, movies, activities, etc. This is often referred to as an autistic "special interest", but what makes a special interest different than a neurotypical hobby? Today we will discuss this difference and shed light on why these interests may bring your child intense joy. If you like what you hear...

Tune in as we sit down with Dawn M. Barclay, an award-winning author who has spent a career working in different aspects of the travel industry. Her book, "Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse" tackles the challenges parents of autistic and neurodivergent children face when going on short trips and vacations. Join us as we discus...

It's that time of year again when schools start to wrap up with exciting end-of-year celebrations, bouncy houses, snow cones, and games galore! It'll be fun, right? As parents of autistic children, something as simple as a Field Day can quickly turn dangerous or even life-threatening. Tune in this Friday as we share our experience with Family Field Day at our girls' school, what dangers to look ou...

We talk about autism A LOT, but the truth of the matter is - most of us are dealing with other pressures, stressors, and relationship conflicts that often enhance an already challenging situation. Today we discuss what some of these challenges have been for our family and share the lessons we've learned along the way. Like our content? Please consider supporting our work by giving via Cash.app $Au...

In today's episode, we discuss how to advocate for your child in school, important 'buzzwords' you should know, your child's rights, and what parents can do to make sure their voices are heard during those critical IEP meetings. Laura Hales is a Mother of two autistic children, autism advocate, and author who recently began writing true stories about her autistic children. She was inspired to prom...

We made it to our 100th episode of the Embracing Autism Podcast! Today we will share reflections on our journey thus far and what we've learned along the way. We will also be sharing our favorite listener reviews and emails we've received. Please consider supporting us at autismwish.org/give to help keep our studio lights on.

Kate Swenson, the founder of Finding Cooper's Voice and nonprofit, The More Than Project, is a mother, a wife, and a proud Minnesotan. She writes and creates videos regularly about her life as a mother and an autism advocate for Facebook, Instagram, and her website, Finding Cooper's Voice. Her book, Forever Boy, A Mother's Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy, is available now and highlights the trans...

Oftentimes autistic individuals and their family members face blame, shame, and rejection typically from those who are misinformed about the nature of Autism. Today we focus on how to spot the stigma and the importance of stopping it. Our listeners get a FREE AngelSense GPS tracker during Autism Acceptance Month April 2023 by visiting our special link: https://bit.ly/AngelSense-AutismWish We have...

"Aren't we all a little on the spectrum?" I'm sure you've heard it said before! Today we touch on what it means to be autistic and how dismissive it can be to claim that everyone is "a little autistic". We'll also make suggestions on alternative ways to state your support! Our listeners get a FREE AngelSense GPS tracker during Autism Acceptance Month April 2023 by visiting our special link: https:...

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

Why do some autistic children struggle with severe behavioral challenges? What does the brain have to do with it and can anything be done? Today we sit down with Lulu Mahne, an autistic adult whose dangerous and aggressive outbursts as a child led him to learn more about his neurology, and ultimately revealed the surprising cause to his troubling behavior.

Join us as for a special AMA (Ask Me Anything - or rather Ask "Us" Anything) session where we answer your questions! Questions were submitted in advance via email at podcast@autismwish.org and during a livestream that aired on March 17, 2023.

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

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

Today we dive into the many benefits that art expression can bring to autistic children and parents alike as we sit down with fine artist, and art instructor Anthony Galati. Anthony shares years of experience working with special needs students and the neurodiverse community, including respite work, regular volunteerism at a special education school, and meaningful relationships with special needs...

Did you know video games can help your child learn social skills? Join us as we chat about how gamifying social interactions can help your child better engage with their peers while also providing them with safe testing grounds to better hone their skills. For a comforting sensory experience, check out Galaxy Lamps while also supporting our programs by using our special link: https://galaxylamps.c...

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

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