Moms Talk Autism Podcast

What if some of the behaviors we’re constantly trying to manage are actually clues? This week, Brittney and Shannon sit down with Dr. Brandon Crawford to talk about functional neurology, neuroplasticity, sensory regulation, and what may be happening underneath some of the behaviors we see in our autistic kids. We also get into a conversation that matters a lot to us: helping our kids function more...

This week, Brittney shares a family update: one son is finding his independence, while another’s cancer diagnosis has brought a whole new set of decisions and emotions. We talk about what it’s like to get hard news, care for a child with complex needs, and accept help when you’re used to holding everything together. It’s an honest conversation about fear, support, and figuring out the next step as...

Twenty-five years ago, Daniella Mini moved to the United States with her young family searching for answers and support for her son, Diego. Now Diego is an adult, and Daniella joins us to talk about what life looks like on the other side of childhood—the transitions, the hard work, the acceptance, and the ongoing process of helping an autistic adult build as much independence as possible. Because...

This week, there’s no guest and apparently no boundaries either. We’re asking each other the invasive questions—from bad habits we’d absolutely do again and things we have no business being good at, to questionable Google searches, personality traits we may be interpreting a little generously, and the people or places that bring out our worst selves. We also get into weird compliments, things we’r...

This week, we’re joined by Morgan and Sadie from the Mildly Crushing It podcast! We talk about the kids behind the diagnoses, finding your people, and the mix of joy and grief that can come with raising children with special needs. We also get into friendships, ABA therapy, the extra hurdles families face when resources are far away, and why advocating for your child can feel like a full-time job....

This week, we’re hearing from the dads! Shannon and Tash sit down with Joel Sheagren and Carl Young for an honest conversation about fatherhood, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), and its overlap with autism. Joel and Carl share what they’ve learned while raising children with complex needs, how they’ve adjusted their parenting along the way, and why support and community matter so much. We a...

In this episode, Andrea Moriarty shares her inspiring journey as a mother of twins, one of whom has autism, and how she navigated the challenges of early diagnosis, therapy, and supported living. Her story highlights the importance of family roles, resilience, and the power of community and self-care. In this episode, Andrea Moriarty shares her inspiring journey as an autism mom, highlighting the...

Back-to-school season is here, and apparently none of us are allowed to ease gently into a new chapter. In this episode, we’re catching up on all the transitions happening in our families—from Gracie and Ruby heading back to school to preparing older kids for college and life outside our homes. (We’re fine. Everything is fine.) We talk about balancing school, ABA therapy, and downtime—and how hard...

Erin Clarelli is back for round two! Erin is an occupational therapist specializing in whole-body apraxia, and this conversation had us looking at behavior—and ourselves—a little differently. We talk about learning to respond instead of react, navigating disagreements with your spouse about behaviors and teaching skills, potty training, and observing what the body is communicating without automati...

This week, we’re all over the place—in the best way. Shannon is trying to figure out where behavior ends and anxiety begins, Tash is getting ready for her big England adventure, Jean is talking women’s heart health, and Brittney is bracing for the wild world of middle school. Basically: parenting, travel, health, transitions, and the usual “are we doing this right?” conversations. Come hang out wi...

In this episode, Bonnie Nofsinger shares expert insights on planning and executing vacations for families with neurodivergent members. We discuss challenges, strategies, and tips to create enjoyable, inclusive travel experiences. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this lighthearted episode, we’re talking all things summer—favorite foods, travel plans, bucket-list adventures, beach days, concerts, festivals, and the vacations we still can’t stop thinking about. We share some of our best summer memories, talk about the sensory chaos that can come with a day at the beach, and dream about future adventures—including whether we could actually survive somethin...

In this episode, Jean and Tash sit down with Kendra Davenport, President and CEO of Easterseals, to talk about the work the organization is doing to support individuals with disabilities and their families. Kendra shares how she found her way into the nonprofit world, why advocacy and collaboration matter so much, and the personal stories that continue to drive her work. It’s a hopeful and heartfe...

In this episode, Shannon and Brittney talk about one of those feelings no one really wants to admit out loud: jealousy. After reading a listener email about feeling jealous of families with neurotypical kids, they unpack what is often underneath it all—grief. Grief for the conversations you wish you could have, the experiences you pictured, and the version of parenting you thought you were going t...

 In this episode, we’re joined by Erin Clarelli, a neurodiversity-affirming occupational therapist, to rethink the way we understand behavior, communication, and motor challenges in autistic and disabled children. Erin explains why behavior is often a form of communication—especially for nonspeaking individuals—and why interpreting that behavior can feel so complicated for parents. We discuss the...

In this episode of Moms Talk Autism , we’re talking about the kind of friendship that can make a hard day feel a little less impossible. After receiving a listener email from someone who wants to better support her friend raising an autistic child, we dive into what helpful support can actually look like—and why simply showing up without judgment can mean more than people realize. We talk about na...

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...