The Autism Mom Coach

ABA Is Not One Size Fits All Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) can be one of the most effective tools for helping children with autism—but it’s often misunderstood. In this episode of The Autism Mom Coach , host Lisa Candera talks with Alisha Simpson-Watt , a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, and Licensed Behavior Analyst who leads Collaborative ABA Services in Middl...

Welcome to Episode 180 of The Autism Mom Coach ! This week I am thrilled to bring you my conversation with Melissa Gagne — special education attorney, autism mom, former educator, and the creator of a powerful new program called IEP Slay . When I first saw Melissa sharing about IEP Slay on Instagram, I knew I had to learn more. As special needs parents, we are constantly surrounded by information...

This week on The Autism Mom Coach , I’m talking about the recent announcement linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism —and the harmful recommendation for moms to “tough it out.” If you’ve ever blamed yourself for your child’s autism… If you’ve felt judged for your parenting choices… If you’re tired of hearing that moms are at fault… This episode is for you. As autism moms, we are already to...

How much of your child’s autism diagnosis do you share with other people? Some autism moms share openly on social media, while others share only when it feels necessary. In this episode of The Autism Mom Coach Podcast, I give you a simple 3-part framework to help you decide what feels right for you. This is a question autism parents face often: Do I explain my child’s meltdowns or behaviors so oth...

You’ve probably heard the phrase “spilling the tea” when it comes to gossip. But here’s the thing: we all have our own kind of “tea” — the stories we tell ourselves in our heads. And most of the time, those stories are stressful, judgmental, and downright exhausting. In this episode of The Autism Mom Coach, is a light-hearted take on what it means to clock the tea you are serving yourself and why...

Episode 176: The Fear of What’s Next In this week’s episode, I’m sharing a personal update as my son turns 18 and we navigate the realities of conservatorship, independence, and what the future holds. It’s bittersweet, and it has me reflecting on the very real fears autism parents carry about what comes next for our children. To support you in this, I’m replaying an earlier episode on anticipatory...

After a summer break, I’m back with a fresh perspective — and a pep talk to help you head into the new school year with more calm and confidence. Whether your summer was packed with activities or you let the schedule breathe a little, there’s value in what you did — and what you didn’t do. Resting is work, and sometimes it’s the most productive thing we can do for ourselves and our kids. In this e...

All-or-nothing thinking, or being rigid, is generally defined by pairs of opposites. So, maybe you’re thinking of someone or something as simply good or bad, working or not working. But it can also show up as thinking there are only two choices available in a situation. And this comes up in so many areas of our lives. While cognitive rigidity is a characteristic of Autism, it is also alive and wel...

To the untrained or inexperienced eye, tantrums and meltdowns usually look very much the same. If something looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and talks like a duck, you are going to conclude it’s a duck. But when it comes to tantrums and meltdowns, this isn’t the case. Although tantrums and meltdowns may  look  similar, they are actually very different. However, the fact that they ap...

You’ve heard the phrase “make the most of summer.” But for autism moms, this often translates into do more work with less support and zero downtime. In this episode, I’m sharing my own journey of how I used to treat summer like a catch-up bootcamp for my son—drills, flashcards, workbooks, and more. I explain how this approach, fueled by fear of regression and pressure to “keep up,” ended in stress...

In this week’s pre-Father’s Day episode, I am bringing you my conversation with Rob Gorski, otherwise known as The Autism Dad. Rob discusses his experience of navigating solo parenting three boys on the Autism spectrum. In this episode, you will learn: The biggest problems that dads of children with Autism face. Rob’s philosophy of doing your best and knowing that’s always enough. Some of the chal...

In this episode, we dive into the realities of creating summer plans for an autistic child. I share a personal story about navigating summer camp schedules, extended school yea r (ESY) services, and the curveballs that come with being an autism mom. This story reminds us that autism parenting requires constant adjustment. And that even when things go sideways, we always find a way to make it work....

In Episode 169 of The Autism Mom Coach Podcast , Lisa Candera —a lawyer, life coach, and autism mom—explores the concept of expertise in autism parenting and why you are the expert on your child . Using the example of the Karen Read retrial , Lisa explains that expertise isn’t just about degrees and certifications. It’s about lived experience and practical knowledge. This powerful concept applies...

The Meltdown Action Plan -- Download it Here: https://mailchi.mp/theautismmomcoach.com/map Autism meltdowns are intense, overwhelming, and often misunderstood—not just for the child, but for the parent as well. In Episode 168 of The Autism Mom Coach Podcast , Lisa Candera shares a groundbreaking, trauma-informed tool designed specifically for autism moms who feel frozen, reactive, or helpless duri...

 In Episode 167 of The Autism Mom Coach Podcast , Lisa Candera—a lawyer, life coach, and solo mom to a teenager with autism—tackles one of the most emotionally loaded questions for autism parents: Should I push my child out of their comfort zone or give them more support? Using a real-life story from a coaching client, Lisa explains: ✅ Why there's no perfect moment to act ✅ How to treat par...

In this episode, autism coach and solo parent Lisa Candera —also known as The Autism Mom Coach —breaks down a question nearly every autism parent wrestles with: Am I expecting too much or not enough from my child with autism? Through a real-life story from one of her private coaching clients, Lisa illustrates the emotional push-pull autism moms face when deciding whether to stretch their child or...

In Episode 165, Lisa Canera examines "the space between" - the developmental gap parents observe between their autistic children and neurotypical peers. Drawing from her experience with her teenage son Ben and insights from her coaching practice, Lisa offers practical guidance on responding effectively when this gap becomes more apparent. She provides a balanced perspective on processing emotions...

In this quick episode, I share a few thoughts on the recent autism headlines—from the latest prevalence data to RFK Jr.’s controversial comments about autism —and how these moments shine a light on the deeply different experiences within our own community. This is not a political take . It’s a reminder that autism parenting doesn’t look the same for every family—and that true acceptance starts wit...

Discover how to navigate public meltdowns, reduce anxiety, and heal from the trauma of feeling constantly judged. In this episode of The Autism Mom Coach , we unpack the PTSD of being “on display” as the parent of a child with autism. Episode Summary Public meltdowns can trigger deep emotional distress for both the child and the parent. Prolonged exposure to judgmental stares, unsolicited advice,...

It’s April—Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month—and today, we’re talking about what autism acceptance really looks like in real life. Have you ever felt like all eyes are on you when you're in public with your child? Whether it’s the school drop-off line, the grocery store, or waiting in line at Chipotle, those moments when your child’s behavior stands out can feel like you’re center stage in a p...

Have you ever had teachers insist your child is thriving at school, yet at home, they fall apart? This episode explores autism masking—when autistic children hide their natural behaviors to appear neurotypical. Learn why masking happens, the heavy emotional and sensory toll it takes, and practical steps you can take to support your child. In this episode, you'll discover: What autism masking is an...

My blood boils every time I see it—the IEP trap. It usually shows up as a proud post from an autism parent: “My child is doing so well that the school reduced their IEP support!” Sounds like progress, right? Wrong. The harsh reality is this: a child’s progress is not a reason to remove supports—it’s proof that those supports are working. Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way. In this episode,...

Your child screams, ignores you, or lashes out—and it feels personal. But here’s the truth: it’s not about you. Their behavior is a reflection of what’s happening in their nervous system, not a measure of their respect or love for you.  In this episode , I’ll teach you how to:  Understand why we take our child’s behavior personally (and why it’s a natural response).  Recognize what...

Are school struggles leaving you feeling defeated and overwhelmed as an Autism parent? You’re not alone. In this episode, I talk with Rachael, an Autism mom and my coaching client, who transformed her own experience of her child’s school challenges in just a few weeks. By changing how she thought and felt about behavior struggles, bus issues, and meltdowns, she went from feeling ashamed and exhaus...

I’m sure you’ve realized by now, no matter how hard we try, we can’t control our children’s behaviors. However, we can choose how we want to think about them. That might not sound particularly powerful, but trust me when I say it’s a real gamechanger.