In this episode, we sit down with Medina Faizy-Hashemi, an Afghan-American mom raising an autistic son. Medina opens up about navigating diagnosis, cultural expectations, and the unique challenges families in the Afghan-American community face when seeking support. We talk about representation, storytelling, advocacy, and why every culture needs more understanding, visibility, and acceptance. It’s honest, powerful, and a conversation we’re honored to share.

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In this episode, we sit down with Daniella Mini, who moved to the U.S. 25 years ago in search of answers, services, and support for her son, Diego. She shares her family’s journey through diagnosis, acceptance, and the ongoing evolution of raising an autistic child into adulthood. Daniella talks about the hard work, the hope, the constant transitions, and what independent living really looks like when caregivers are still deeply involved. Her story is honest, encouraging, and full of wisdom for anyone navigating life with an autistic adult. Be sure to check out their website and social media—Diego’s journey is a joy to follow.

Email: [email protected]

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https://www.patreon.com/c/MomsTalkAutism

Daniella and Diego’s Instagram: @publicponder

Website: https://publicponder.com/

Email: [email protected]

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In this episode, we’re sharing our go-to gift ideas—practical, cozy, creative, and a little unexpected. From the comfort items we swear by to the surprisingly life-saving stuff (yes, even blue tape), we talk about why the best gifts don’t have to be fancy to be meaningful. Sometimes it’s the simple, everyday things that bring the most joy, especially in our world.

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In this episode, we share the practical, annoying, random, and downright hilarious things we never expected to be grateful for as autism parents. From the little lifesavers that get us through the day to the weird wins only our community understands, we read your submissions and add a few of our own. It’s light, relatable, and a reminder that sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference.

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In this episode of Moms Talk Autism, Tash and Shannon chat with Brenda Kennedy and Amanda Harpell-Franz from Canine Companions about the incredible impact of service dogs on families. Brenda shares how these dogs are trained and matched with their handlers, while Amanda opens up about her son Evan’s life-changing bond with his dog, Calvin. Together, they explore how service dogs reduce anxiety, build confidence, and strengthen family connections—along with the harder moments, like saying goodbye when it’s time to retire a beloved companion. It’s a heartfelt look at love, healing, and the unbreakable bond between kids and their dogs.

Learn more at canine.org.

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In this episode, Rita Miceli shares her powerful journey as a mom raising her autistic son, Giaci. From early diagnosis to navigating therapies and fostering independence, Rita opens up about the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned along the way. She talks about the importance of family support, resilience, and celebrating small victories, offering encouragement and real advice for parents at every stage of the autism journey.

Follow Giaci and Rita’s story on TikTok and Instagram.

Want to watch us on video with extra content and no ads? Join us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/c/MomsTalkAutism

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Dad and author, Daryl Potter, joins us today as we talk about the ups and downs of caregiving for adult children with disabilities and complex medical conditions. As you can imagine, grief is a recurring theme, and finding joy in everyday life amidst the stress and strain of extreme caregiving is always the goal. No one signs up for this, so now what do we do about it? Real, honest, raw, heartfelt moments with our guest today, we are so honored to chat with him and bring a small part of Daryl’s story to you.

Daryl’s website and books: https://www.darylpotter.com/

Email: [email protected]

Want to watch us on video with extra content and no ads? Join us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/c/MomsTalkAutism

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Holidays with neurodivergent kids can feel like a game of “expectation whack-a-mole” — plans change, sensory overload hits, and suddenly we’re rethinking everything from costumes to candy routes. In this episode, we talk about how our priorities as parents shift, why simple traditions often mean the most, and how to give ourselves some freaking grace.

Whether you’re dealing with surprise weather, overstimulation, or That Relative with big opinions — we’ve got you. Let’s find joy in the chaos and celebrate in ways that actually work for our families.

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MTA is honored to have Dr. Daniela Owen and Jake Loupe on to talk about parenting neurodiversity and the importance of community support. Dr. Owen is a clinical psychologist and author aimed at helping kids understand their emotions. Jake shares his journey as a father to his neurodiverse son. Together, they host a podcast all about parenting and caregiving for all kids, regardless of diagnosis. In this episode, we cover the importance of inclusive environments, coping skills, empowering parents, and navigating mental health for both parents and children.

Dr. Owen and Jake have a wonderful podcast. Check out The Parenting Puzzle with Dr. Daniela Owen to hear more from them and our guest appearance on their show!

The Parenting Puzzle

Dr. Owen’s Website

Want to reach the MTA team? Email us at [email protected]

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Back home from Galveston... Today, we are talking about the re-entry process, sixth-grade science camp, and periods... oh my!

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This one’s full of feel-good vibes! Tash and Shannon sit down with Melissa Smith, founder of Backlight Productions, a nonprofit that partners with professional artists and organizations to give individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities the spotlight they deserve—literally! From leading roles in integrated performances to the magic that happens when inclusion meets creativity, this conversation will leave you inspired and smiling.

PS - she also wrote an amazing book for kids in her spare time!

You can find Melissa/Backlight Productions here:

https://www.instagram.com/backlightproductions/

https://backlightproductions.org/about-us/

https://www.instagram.com/fofcbooks/

https://www.friendsoffranklincounty.com/

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