Moms Talk Autism Podcast

Today Brittney and Tash welcome Sara Intonato, a passionate advocate for autism awareness and a mother of two. Sara shares her unique parenting journey, focusing on her experiences with her non-speaking son, Rocco, and the importance of self-care for parents. The conversation delves into the significance of community support, the impact of yoga on mental health, and the discovery of spelling as a...

No interviews. No heavy topics. Just moms sharing the funny, chaotic, and surprisingly relatable moments that come with raising autistic kids. From food battles to sensory adventures and everything in between, this episode is full of laughs, real-life parenting stories, and the reminder that you're never alone in this journey. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for infor...

This week, Tash is joined by special needs mom and advocate Julie Hillyard for a heartfelt conversation about parenting, perspective, and finding joy in the hard. Julie shares her family's journey raising a son with autism and Phelan-McDermid syndrome, along with the lessons she's learned about advocacy, comparison, kindness, and giving both yourself and others a little more grace. Whether you're...

Have you ever felt stuck asking "Why us?" In this episode, we're having an honest conversation about victim mentality, acceptance, and the mindset shifts that have helped us navigate autism parenting. We share personal stories, talk about finding joy in the middle of hard seasons, and discuss how taking back control of the things we can control can change everything. It's real, it's rela...

Understanding autism isn't a one-size-fits-all journey. While many are exploring the spectrum, it's crucial to recognize that every child is unique. Rebecca Fontanetta, a neuropsychologist and a mom navigating the world of neurodivergence, shares her insights on the importance of individualized care. From her early experiences working with children with autism to her evolving views on intervention...

In this episode, we’re getting real about boundaries (the kind we know we need but don’t always set ). We talk through our own experiences with grief, support, and how community has shifted—from in-person friendships to more online connections. We also dive into balancing advocacy, friendships, and actually having time for ourselves. Friendships look different in every season, and finding your peo...

In this episode, Jean and Tash sit down with Juliana and Kelly from the Refrigerator Moms to talk about the messy, funny, emotional reality of parenting neurodivergent kids. From waiting room friendships and unsolicited advice to autism stigma, self-care, and finding your people in real life (not just on Instagram), this conversation is full of honesty, humor, and the kind of support only other au...

In this episode, we’re talking about autism “levels” — what they mean, what they miss, and why autism is anything but one-size-fits-all. We share our own experiences with diagnoses, support needs, and how every autistic child can look completely different. We also talk about moving beyond the deficit-focused view of autism, recognizing strengths alongside challenges, and why community and understa...

Parenting can be a rewarding journey, but when it involves neurodivergent teens, it brings a unique set of challenges and triumphs. In this post, we dive into the insights shared by Jessica Shaw, a seasoned journalist and host of the podcast "Everyone Gets a Juice Box," who offers a fresh perspective on navigating this complex landscape. From understanding the nuances of raising children...

In this episode, we’re diving into the very overwhelming world of autism therapies and treatments—because why are there 500 options and zero clear answers? We talk about how we figure out what actually makes sense for our kids (not just what everyone on the internet says we “should” be doing), why every child’s needs are different, and how our family dynamics play a bigger role than people realize...

Today we share the highs and lows of family time, including navigating divorce, shifting family dynamics, and the constant juggle of support, patience, and flexibility. We also swap ideas for creating inclusive, meaningful celebrations—like a movie theater birthday that actually works for everyone. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection a...

Today we are joined once again by Jonathan Alderson for a thoughtful and honest conversation about one of the biggest topics in the autism world: acceptance vs. treatment. We talk about why those ideas don’t have to be opposites, how parents often know their children best, and why support should never be one-size-fits-all. Jonathan shares his approach to helping families by combining different the...

In this episode, we’re answering some of your real-life parenting questions—from “When did your child start talking?” to how we actually handle sickness in our homes (because it’s never simple over here). We share what’s worked, what hasn’t, and the little adjustments we’ve had to make along the way when it comes to communication and caring for our kids when they’re not feeling their best. We also...

In this episode, we’re joined by Jessica Patay and Susanna Peace Lovell from the Brave Together Podcast to talk about something we all need—real support. We dive into the power of community for caregiving moms, from connection circles to in-person retreats, and how finding your people can truly change everything. If you’ve ever felt isolated, overwhelmed, or just in need of a space where you’re se...

Today we share a fun, real-life update filled with everything from emergency snack stashes and trip planning to home projects, car ride chaos, college prep, and the excitement of the Scholastic Book Fair. They also touch on more meaningful updates, including health progress, the ongoing juggle of IEP meetings, and insights from Temple Grandin, leading into a deeper conversation about puberty, anxi...

Today Tash sits down with Tom D'Eri to talk about growing up with his autistic brother and how that experience led him to create Rising Tide Car Wash. What started as a personal journey turned into a powerful mission to create meaningful job opportunities for individuals with autism. Tom shares insights on why structure matters, how the right first job can make a huge impact, and what true inclusi...

A little Moms Talk Moms today! Come to find out… What do you think of before you fall asleep and what do you dream about?  Favorite animal at the zoo?  Are people ultimately kind or selfish? The best trait you got from your mom and dad?  When was the last time you cried, and why?  Has there ever been a time when you said, “This is it! It’s never better than this! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz c...

In this episode of Mom’s Talk Autism , hosts Brittney and Tash welcome Lori Rogers, who shares her journey raising her son Craig, who is on the autism spectrum. Lori reflects on the early days after diagnosis, navigating challenges in the education system, and how Craig’s communication evolved over time. Together, they discuss the importance of presuming competence, advocating for supportive envir...

In this episode, we’re unpacking the difference between inclusion and true belonging — and why they’re not always the same. We talk about the pressure to include at all costs, the reality of navigating social situations with our kids, and why sometimes thoughtful exclusion is actually protective, not harmful. We also get honest about autonomy, regulation, and the constant trial-and-error of findin...

In this episode, we sit down with school principal and autism grandma, Jennifer Kaufman, to talk about what it’s really like when your grandchild is diagnosed — and how that shifts expectations, roles, and relationships overnight. We talk about: The emotional pivot from “traditional grandparent” to active support system How to give (and receive) advice without blowing up family dynamics The awkwar...

Today we’re talking about the overwhelm cycle — how it starts, why it keeps looping, and what it actually looks like when you’re parenting neurodivergent kids, juggling puberty, appointments, social stuff, marriage, work, hormones, and your own identity. We also talk about what disrupting the overwhelm cycle actually means. Not eliminating stress. Not becoming a zen monk. But noticing the pattern...

Greer grew up in the US but moved across the pond to build her family and life abroad. Two kids and a lot of doctor and therapy appointments later, Greer has become a leading voice for autism advocacy and glimpses into neurodivergent life while living in England. We talk about the diagnosis process, what schools and therapies are and are not providing for her family, and what she is doing to chang...

Updates from the hosts, our thoughts on how 2026 is going (not great, thanks so much), and our first MTA Book Club selection. Come read with us and let us know what you think. Also, we talk about our latch key childhoods, L.A. Gear light up shoes, and how Tetris made us who we are today. Good times.   Wintering by Katherine May The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday MTA Book Club: The Healing Pow...

Explicit Content Warning: This episode is not for young ears. In this conversation, we sit down with sex educator Amy Lang, M.A. to tackle a topic many parents avoid: sex education for neurodivergent kids. Amy shares her story, along with practical tools for talking about puberty, consent, boundaries, and healthy relationships. Together, they explore why using correct language matters, how to norm...

In this episode of Moms Talk Autism , we sit down with Sarah Kernion , a mom of three—including two autistic kids—to talk about the beautifully messy reality of motherhood. Sarah shares her honest experience navigating family dynamics, raising neurodiverse children, and learning (sometimes the hard way) why caregiver self-care is not optional. We talk flexibility in parenting, letting go of perfec...