Piece by Piece Autism Podcast

In this episode, we dive into the real challenges families face during the holiday season when raising children on the autism spectrum. What should be a magical, joyful time can quickly turn stressful with disrupted routines, extra people in the house, sensory overload, travel, noise, and unpredictable schedules. We talk about why the holidays can feel “not so merry and bright,” share our own expe...

This week we have the best time talking with Blake Harsh , Alec’s ski instructor turned one of his best buddies.  Blake is a mechanical engineer with an undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University and a master’s in Space Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, where he specialized in orbital mechanics and spacecraft subsystems. He works at Northrop Grumman as a solid rocket propu...

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...

In this special episode, we sit down with Angie’s son, Jackson, who has known Alec his entire life. At just 12 years old (and already 5’11”!), Jackson brings a fresh and heartfelt perspective on what it’s like to grow up with an autistic bonus brother as a constant part of his early years. As the oldest of four siblings, Jackson is a natural leader — hardworking, fun to be around, and the kind of...

In this episode, we wrap up our Sibling Series with Alec’s last sibling — Morning Winterholler . Morning is the second 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 communi...

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...

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...

In this episode, we kick off our Sibling Series with a special guest — Todd Jensen. 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 t...

Mel Robbins may have her “Let Them” theory — but when it comes to sensory and stimulatory behaviors that interfere with learning and growth, we’ve developed our own version: “Don’t Let Them.” In this episode, we unpack the overlap between sensory and stimulatory (stimming) behaviors — how they can look similar on the surface, but often serve different purposes. We talk about how sensory behaviors...

In this episode, we sit down with one of Alec’s very first team members, Trout — someone who came to us with no formal ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) training but an open heart and a willingness to learn. We share stories from those early days, the training process, and the meaningful impact that comes from hands-on learning and genuine connection. From memorable moments with Alec to the life les...

Alec is now 28 years old and living in what we lovingly call his golden years . It’s been a long road filled with lessons, challenges, and so much growth, and we’re here to share the journey — every piece of it. We take a chance to share who we are, why we started Piece by Piece , and what continues to inspire us.  Through years of learning, trial and error, and a whole lot of love, we’ve seen fir...

Life with autism often comes with serious moments—hard days, big emotions, and challenges that can feel overwhelming. In this episode, we open up about some of the most difficult times we’ve faced with Alec and the weight that comes with parenting a child on the autism spectrum. But it’s not all heavy—we also share how finding a supportive community and remembering to laugh has helped us stay posi...

In this special episode, we sit down with Alec’s very first therapist, Jill Scarbro—affectionately known as “Big Deal Jill!” Jill has provided Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to individuals with autism since 1997. She earned a bachelor’s degree in special education with concentrations in mental impairments and physical handicaps from Marshall University and a Master of Science in behavior...

Doing the Most (and Still Feeling Like It’s Not Enough) In this episode, Christi opens up about what it was like to pour her heart and soul into Alec’s therapies and programming—doing everything she could to give him the best start possible—yet still feeling like it wasn’t enough. We share the honest truth that this journey can feel overwhelming, but it’s not about racing to a finish line. It’s a...

In this follow-up conversation, Angie Matheney and Christi Jensen talk about what it takes to not just land a job, but to keep it and succeed in the workplace. We share strategies that have helped Alec, from setting up routines and systems of support, to teaching the importance of punctuality, appropriate dress, and workplace communication. We also talk about how to build natural supports at work,...

In this episode, we dive into the important topic of employment opportunities for individuals with autism. Finding meaningful work is about more than just a paycheck—it’s about building confidence, independence, and a sense of purpose. Part One is all about landing a job. We talk about preparing for employment by practicing independence at home through skills like wiping, washing dishes, sweeping,...

In this episode, we’re talking all about something we’ve come to call “table work” —a key part of Alec’s day where structured learning happens in a supportive, engaging way. We share what kinds of programs we run at the table—like matching, receptive discrimination, and communication practice —and how we set clear expectations while still making the experience enjoyable. We’ve learned the importan...

In this episode, we’re diving into the world of hobbies —why they matter, how to introduce them, and how to support autistic children and adults in developing interests that bring joy and purpose. We share how we’ve helped Alec explore different hobbies over the years, what worked (and what didn’t), and how hobbies have contributed to his self-confidence , motor planning , communication , social c...

In this episode, we’re talking about something we use every single day with Alec: presence activities . These are closed-ended, hands-on tasks that help Alec focus his body and mind while giving him a sense of independence and accomplishment. We share why these kinds of activities are such an important part of his routine—not just as a proactive way to structure his time, but also as a reactive to...

In this episode, we’re talking all about ABA—Applied Behavior Analysis —what it is, why it works, and how it’s shaped Alec’s progress over the years. We dive into what makes ABA such a powerful approach: it’s data-driven, evidence-based, and tailored to the individual. But more than that, we talk about how ABA isn't just something that happens during therapy sessions—it can (and should) becom...

In this episode, we’re talking about one of our favorite strategies for supporting individuals with autism: being proactive . We dive into how setting up thoughtful systems, routines, and supports ahead of time can make a huge difference in helping someone thrive—not just survive. We share the proactive measures we’ve seen work time and time again with Alec, including packing a well-stocked backpa...

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At some point in your child’s—or adult child’s—journey, you’ll likely find yourself assembling what we call a “team.” These are the people who support, care for, and help your loved one thrive—and you're the one managing it all. In this episode, we (Angie Matheney and Christi Jensen) share what we’ve learned from 25 years of building teams for Alec across three states and two countries. From...

In this episode, we open up about one of the biggest—and hardest—decisions we’ve made for Alec: moving him to Utah. We share what led up to that choice, what we learned during his time in Colorado, and how those experiences helped shape the path forward. This wasn’t a decision made lightly. It came with a lot of reflection, careful planning, and most importantly, Alec’s own input . Now that he’s s...

In this episode, we’re diving into the sometimes overwhelming—but incredibly important—world of data collection . We talk about why we take data, how it helps us support Alec, and how we use it not just for his progress, but also to guide and support our team. We share how we decide what to track, when too much is too much, and how we’ve learned to strike a balance between meaningful data and prac...