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 it can be to know when to push for more support and when to let our kids simply be kids. We also get into parent involvement, communicating with teachers and therapy teams, and the ongoing challenge of making sure everyone is actually on the same page.

And because school transitions are never the only transitions, we also chat about sleep struggles, the emotional reality of an approaching empty nest, planning for the holidays, and even how our grocery-shopping habits are changing as our families grow.

Basically, everyone is growing up, everything is changing, and we have some feelings about it. Come catch up with us as we talk through the exciting, exhausting, and unexpectedly emotional parts of entering a new season.

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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 automatically assigning intention.

Erin also challenges us to examine our own beliefs, reactions, and motivations. Because supporting our kids requires patience, teamwork, and the ongoing challenge of regulating ourselves while helping our kids regulate too. Because apparently, we’re all a work in progress.

Find Erin here:

https://erinclarelli.myflodesk.com/blueprint

https://www.sunrisetherapiesinc.com/sunrise-membership

https://www.sunrisetherapiesinc.com/

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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 with us.

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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.

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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 something like Coachella. We also check in on what summer really looks like for families, especially caregivers and anyone living somewhere that feels approximately seven inches from the sun.

It’s a fun, nostalgic, very real conversation about making the most of summer, staying connected, and finding joy wherever we can.

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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 heartfelt conversation about creating stronger support systems—and the real difference they can make for families.

IG: eastersealshq 

Linkedin: Easterseals, Kendra Davenport

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1UUHOmhQ7JclckXif11pwRTtWO60_yYSS

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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 to get.

They also share their own experiences with acceptance, mental health, supportive friendships, and the way grief can sneak back in when you least expect it. This is an honest conversation about giving yourself grace, finding people who truly get it, and knowing that having hard feelings does not make you a bad parent.

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 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 power of connection, narration, and slowing down long enough to understand what a child may be communicating through their body.

We also explore apraxia and the misconception that it only affects speech. Erin explains how motor-planning differences can impact the entire body, including a child’s ability to begin, stop, or complete an action—even when they understand exactly what is being asked of them.

The conversation also takes an honest look at the limitations of the insurance-driven therapy model and why progress cannot always be measured through checkboxes, compliance, or isolated skills. Erin shares how scaffolding, individualized support, parent coaching, and a more holistic approach can help children participate without placing unnecessary pressure on them.

Most importantly, we talk about empowering parents to trust what they see, ask better questions, and become active partners in their child’s care. Therapy should not be about fixing a child. It should be about understanding their needs, supporting their autonomy, and helping them feel safe and successful in their own body.

Find Erin at:

Website: https://www.sunrisetherapiesinc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunrise.therapies

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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 navigating outings, communicating needs, building trust, and how friends can offer help without making a parent feel like a burden. We also get honest about the mental load that comes with autism parenting, from therapy decisions and packed schedules to the constant pressure to make the “right” choices for your child.

Plus, we discuss trusting your gut, finding consistency without burning everyone out, and remembering that parents deserve care too. Because supporting your child matters—but so does supporting yourself.

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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 communication method for non-speakers.

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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.

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