Let’s Plant Houses

What happens when life hands you a diagnosis you never expected, and you still choose hope? In this profound autism parenting conversation, host Wendy Ernzen sits down with Clay Boatright to talk about raising twin daughters with intellectual and developmental disabilities and profound autism. Clay shares how early developmental delays led to an Easterseals assessment, why diagnoses mainly matter...

What if the biggest fight your family ever faced was simply proving that your sister with Down syndrome should have the life she wants? In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, host Wendy Ernzen talks with Franke James about Down syndrome, disability advocacy, and how real disability rights can start at home. Frankie shares the powerful story of her sister Teresa, a joyful artist and author with Dow...

What if your non-speaking child with autism understood everything and was just waiting for a way to share it? In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about autism, communication, and Spelling to Communicate, or SC2, as Lori Rogers shares the journey of helping her son Craig, a non-speaker on the autism spectrum, find his voice. Lori tells how everything changed the day Craig spelled “black h...

How might growing up with a sister with autism shape your life? In this episode, you’ll hear a powerful look at profound autism, caregiving, and family as Dr. DeShanna Reed shares her experience as the youngest sibling to Adrian. She explains how finding the right care and community shaped their journey and what it felt like when Adrian moved into a group home. Dr. Reed also talks about the caregi...

What happens to my child when I’m gone? That question pushed Kristina Cope to imagine a new future for her son Blake, who has profound autism and catatonia. In this episode, Kristina shares how she rebuilt her life in Michigan after her children’s father passed away and how that journey inspired her to create Flawless Farms, a community for adults with high support needs. Kristina talks about earl...

What if curiosity mattered more than judgment in parenting? In this episode, you’ll hear a real look at parenting, autism, and family life as Julie Kratz shares her journey raising her youngest daughter, Dylan, who is on the autism spectrum. Julie talks honestly about the early developmental differences they noticed and how they worked to find the right school and support. She also shares the ever...

What is it really like to raise a child with profound autism who needs 24/7 support? This episode explores profound autism, caregiving, and the real challenges families face every day. Guest Ben Duff shares his family’s honest and powerful story. Ben talks about the early signs they noticed, the emotional process of getting a diagnosis, and the daily work of managing medications, therapy, and chan...

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, you meet Michael Pereira, a husband, father, and advocate who helps families with autism and parenting support. Michael shares how his family first noticed signs with his son Christian and gives parents real hope so they feel less alone in their own autism journey. Michael talks about the early days when home life changed fast, from skipping restaurants to un...

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about congenital heart defects, medical parenting, and family resilience as Sarah Boes shares the moment that changed everything. Sarah Boes is a nurse practitioner, entrepreneur, author, and “heart mom”. Late in her pregnancy, a routine scan revealed that her unborn daughter had several complex heart defects. That single appointment pulled...

What happens when the services your child needs don’t exist yet? Judi Uttal faced that challenge when her son Josh was diagnosed with autism at age four. She reflects on the early challenges, including the lack of autism awareness and resources in the 1990s, and how her early advocacy, community support—including a pilot program in Irvine and later the Orange County Asperger Support Group—and dete...

What’s it really like raising two kids on totally different parts of the autism spectrum, especially when you’re on the spectrum yourself? In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, Wendy Ernzen chats with Eileen Lamb, a mom, author, photographer, and all-around autism advocate who knows the ups and downs firsthand. Eileen shares stories about her oldest, Charlie, who has profound autism, and her youn...

What would you do if the medicine that saved your child’s life was still considered illegal by the federal government? In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses , I talk with Michelle Wright, a mother and advocate whose adult son Ian has profound autism. Michelle shares how medical cannabis changed everything for her family, easing Ian’s symptoms and improving his quality of life after decades of stru...

How do you know when to trust your gut over everyone else’s advice about your special needs child? On this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about Down syndrome support, school advocacy, and special needs parenting with Angela O’Brien. Angela’s story will resonate with every special needs parent who’s ever felt lost, overwhelmed, or told their child “doesn’t belon...

How do you co-parent your special needs child after divorce? In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about autism parenting, co parenting, and family resilience as John Goralski shares his powerful story. When John’s son Jack was diagnosed with autism, it didn’t just change their understanding of Jack—it changed everything. The stress of navigating specialists, therapies, and an...

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...