Piece by Piece Autism Podcast

In this heartfelt episode, Christi and Angie open up about the journey of helping Alec build and maintain meaningful friendships over the years. Friendship doesn’t always come naturally — especially for individuals on the autism spectrum — but with patience, intentional opportunities, and the right support, genuine connections can grow. We talk about what’s worked for Alec, from structured social...

 Todd is Alec's senior by three years. He grew up in Japan, Denmark and Texas. Todd holds a B.S. of Accounting from Brigham Young University - Utah. Following college, Todd has pursued a career in speciality finance in Texas while maintaining a few entrepreneurial real estate ventures on the side. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, smoking meat, riding dirt-bikes (much to Christi&a...

In this episode, we chat with Alec's sister, Morning! She is the Msecond born of Alec’s older sisters. She is 34 years old and has called Houston, Texas home for the last decade. Morning is married to Michael, and mom to three of Alec’s favorite nieces and nephews - Jay, Wynn, and Kit. Morning is actively involved in her Church and neighborhood communities. In her free time she loves playing...

This week, we sit down with Meet and Abby Patel to discuss their years of experience working in a special needs dentistry practice and serving individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. Dental visits can be a source of stress and anxiety for many families, but Meet and Abby share practical insights into what makes dental care more successful for individuals on the autism spectru...

In this episode, we continue our Sibling Series with Alec’s sister, Andrea Jensen Semidey. Andrea lives in Allen, TX with her husband and 4 kids. She works in finance as a corporate attorney. She graduated from SMU with a degree in Advertising and History and graduated from law school in New York City at Yeshiva University. She enjoys horseback riding, yoga, running, legos, cooking, baking and rea...

This week, we sit down with Mike Greer, Christi’s brother, for a fun and thoughtful conversation all about how autism is portrayed in Hollywood. Together, we review several well-known shows and movies that feature autistic characters and discuss what feels realistic, what feels exaggerated, and which character traits remind us of Alec. From classic films to modern streaming shows, we share our hon...

In this episode, we sit down with two very special guests—Tyler and Madeleine, Alec’s original roommates when he first moved to Utah seven years ago. These were the early days of Alec’s transition into group home living, and Tyler and Madeleine were right there helping him settle in, build routines, and adjust to a new level of independence. What started as a working relationship quickly grew into...

In this episode, we share Alec’s journey with communication—one of the most meaningful and challenging parts of his story. We take you back to the early years, starting with speech therapy and the initial stages of communication, and the moment Christi realized that Alec may not develop verbal language. From there, we walk through the many paths we explored in helping Alec find a way to communicat...

In this episode, we sit down with Sharisa Lewis, Dylan’s mom, to hear her perspective on raising a child on the autism spectrum and navigating the journey from early intervention to adulthood. Dylan, a good friend of Alec’s, is a fun, creative, and project-loving young man, and Sharisa shares what it has looked like to support him every step of the way. From receiving his official autism diagnosis...

In this episode, we sit down with our longtime friend Megan , a passionate advocate for children with learning differences — both in the classroom and at home. With years of experience raising her own children and teaching students with a wide range of needs, Megan brings a valuable dual perspective to the conversation. Married to her husband Michael for 22 years and a proud mom to Anna, Blake, Ma...

This week, we’re joined by a very unique guest—Mr. J, the creator behind Punk for Kids , a music project bringing upbeat punk and ska sounds to children and families. Mr. J shares how Punk for Kids began with a simple need—wanting something more enjoyable to listen to during daily commutes with his son. What started as a personal solution quickly grew into a creative project that blends high-energ...

In this episode, we open up Alec’s teaching toolbox and share many of the tools, programs, and systems that have helped him learn, grow, and gain independence over the years. Teaching individuals on the autism spectrum often requires creativity, structure, and the right supports. We talk about some of the programs and skill-building activities we’ve implemented with Alec over the years, including...

This week’s episode is a very special one for us. For the first time, we sit down with the person who started it all—Alec. Because Alec is nonverbal, this conversation looks a little different than a traditional interview. Ahead of recording, we sat down with Alec and asked him a series of questions. Using his keyboard, Alec thoughtfully typed out his responses, giving us a rare and meaningful opp...

Chores may seem simple, but they can be one of the most powerful tools for building independence in children and adults on the autism spectrum. In this episode, we expand on one of our most popular topics—Alec’s chore system—and dive deeper into how we teach life skills through everyday tasks at home. We talk about the prompt levels we use in ABA, how to gradually fade support, and why learning to...

In this episode, we talk about one of our most practical tools for daily life with Alec— the backpack . Whether you’re running errands, heading to a therapy appointment, or spending the day out and about, being prepared can make all the difference when caring for a child with autism. We share what we always keep packed and ready to go—from sensory supports and snacks to communication tools and cle...

In this episode, we sit down with Anna Osmond, Alec’s house manager and an essential part of his support team. Anna has known Alec for years and brings a rare, full-circle perspective—having worked with him in Texas before his move to Utah and now supporting him in his group home setting. Anna shares what it truly looks like to support an adult on the autism spectrum behind the scenes. From managi...

In this episode, we sit down with one of Alec’s favorite people — former team member and roommate, Heather. Their relationship is a powerful example of what consistent, compassionate autism support can grow into over time. When Heather was first hired, Alec didn’t make it easy — he tested boundaries, pushed limits, and was a bit of a stinker. But instead of giving up, Heather stayed consistent, pa...

In this episode, we kick off an important conversation about behavior in autism by breaking down one of the most foundational tools in ABA: ABC Data — Antecedent, Behavior, and Consequence. We explain what ABC data is, why it matters, and how it helps us move away from guessing or labeling behavior and toward truly understanding why behavior happens. Using real-life examples from Alec, we share ho...

In this episode, we dive into a topic that so many parents of individuals with autism experience — caretaker fatigue. When the needs are constant and the demands feel never-ending, it’s easy for caregivers to put themselves last… until burnout sets in. We talk about the signs and symptoms of caretaker fatigue and why prioritizing yourself is not selfish — it’s essential. Christi shares honestly ab...

In this episode, we talk openly about Alec’s journey with epilepsy over the last 12 years. Alec had his first seizure at 16, and like many individuals on the autism spectrum, epilepsy became an additional and life-changing diagnosis. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, 20–30% of individuals with autism also have epilepsy , making seizures the most common neurologic complication associated with a...

In this episode, we talk all about setting goals with Alec and why goal setting matters for everyone — on the autism spectrum or not. Every individual deserves to feel pride, confidence, and a sense of accomplishment, and for some, that journey simply requires additional support and structure. Alec has been setting goals from a young age. We started small with attainable, short-term goals and grad...

In this episode, we’re recapping the holidays — autism and all. The holiday season can be especially challenging for individuals on the autism spectrum, with disrupted routines, sensory overload, and nonstop social demands. This year, we’re happy to report that Alec earned a solid B+, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. We break down what worked well for Alec, the strategies that helped support him,...

Join us—Angie Matheney and Christi Jensen—for a candid Q&A-style conversation where Christi opens up about what she wishes she could have told her younger self when Alec was first diagnosed. We talk about the shifting priorities that come with raising a child on the spectrum, the pressure to "do everything right," and the importance of giving yourself grace. Whether you're just...

In this episode, we’re talking chores—how we got Alec started, how we create chore chains with just the right level of support, and why these daily tasks are so much more than household responsibilities. Chores have been a huge part of Alec’s journey toward independence. We share how we taught him to complete tasks step by step, how we adjusted support as his skills grew, and why we believe every...

In this episode, we—Angie and Christi—look back on Alec’s early years and the start of our autism journey. We share what it was like when Alec was diagnosed at just 2 years old, some of the behaviors he struggled with, and how we navigated those early, uncertain days as parents and caregivers. We talk about the professionals who came into our lives and played a huge role in shaping Alec’s progress...