Let’s Plant Houses

What makes a meaningful life possible for autistic adults? In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, we talk with Moish Tov, a father of two young men on the autism spectrum and founder of JoyDew, about autism, communication, and believing in your child’s potential. His innovative nonprofit, JoyDew, connects people with autism with employment, communication supports, higher education, social life, and housing in a dynamic way that delivers results. Moish shares why presuming competence, building on each person’s strengths, and learning from other families matter. His message offers hope for families looking ahead to adulthood: keep believing, seek opportunities, and leave room for a future filled with connection and joy. More about the show… Learn more about JoyDew: https://joydew.com/ Real stories. Real insights. Real life. Join the LPH newsletter: https://www.letsplanthouses.com/newsletter/ Follow LPH on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsplanthouses/ Follow LPH on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsplanthouses/ Feel free to contact Wendy Ernzen via email: letsplanthouses.com. Thank you!

What can a mother and son teach us about life with autism? On Let’s Plant Houses, we talk with Brigitte Shipman, a mother and coach, and her adult son with autism, Joe Shipman, about autism parenting, caregiver burnout, and finding hope. They share their two-in-one book, which brings together A Mother’s Guide Through Autism and Through the Eyes of the Guided, offering two perspectives on their family’s experience. Brigitte reflects on putting her needs aside for years and why parents need emotional support, self-love, and people who understand. Joe shares his experience with sensory challenges, learning to connect with others, and finding meaning in his life. We also explore how his writing helped Brigitte understand him more deeply. Together, they remind us that listening to each other can open the door to greater understanding, connection, and hope. More about the show… Learn more their two-in-one book: https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/book Find more information about LPH host, Wendy Ernzen https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyernzen. Real stories. Real insights. Real life. Join the LPH newsletter: https://www.letsplanthouses.com/newsletter/ Follow LPH on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsplanthouses/ Follow LPH on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsplanthouses/ Feel free to contact Wendy Ernzen via email: letsplanthouses.com. Thank you!  

What could help someone with autism feel safer during a police encounter? On Let’s Plant Houses, we talk with Sara Grezlik, a parent of a son with autism, and Curt Lawson, the City of Franklin’s Chief of Police, about improving communication with first responders. Sara shares how her family’s experience and her work with the Autism Alliance of Michigan inspired her to reach out to her local police department. Together, we explore Franklin’s Autism Emergency Response Support Program and the Safety Support Information Form. These tools help people share sensory needs, communication preferences, and emergency contacts so officers can better understand and respond. We also discuss how parents, self-advocates, and police can work together to bring similar programs to their communities. A safer, more understanding community can start with one conversation. More about the show… Learn more about City of Franklin’s Autism Emergency Response Support Program: https://www.franklin.mi.us/departments/police_department/safety_support.php Find more information about LPH host, Wendy Ernzen https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyernzen. Real stories. Real insights. Real life. Join the LPH newsletter: https://www.letsplanthouses.com/newsletter/ Follow LPH on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsplanthouses/ Follow LPH on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsplanthouses/ Feel free to contact Wendy Ernzen via email: letsplanthouses.com. Thank you!    

What helps a person with Down syndrome feel truly included? On Let’s Plant Houses, we talk with mother DeeAnn Uhlarik and her daughter Emily about Ellie, DeeAnn’s youngest daughter and Emily’s younger sister, who has Down syndrome. From childhood leukemia to adult employment, they share how sibling support, a supportive family, and a caring community have helped them through hard times and joyful milestones. We also explore Emily’s research on making communication more accessible for people with intellectual disabilities, starting with everyday family conversations. DeeAnn and Emily also talk about guardianship, future care, and why siblings need their feelings heard, too. Their story reminds us how much is possible when people are understood, respected, and included. More about the show… Real stories. Real insights. Real life. Join the LPH newsletter: https://www.letsplanthouses.com/newsletter/ Follow LPH on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsplanthouses/ Follow LPH on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsplanthouses/ Feel free to contact Wendy Ernzen via email: letsplanthouses.com. Thank you!

How do you plan for your child’s future when you know you won’t always be there? Special needs financial planning, ABLE accounts, special needs trusts, and government benefits can feel overwhelming, but getting started can protect your loved one’s future. I talked with Mary McDirmid, CEO of All Needs Planning, certified special needs consultant, co-author of Care, Protect, Grow, and mom to Ruth, her daughter with the rare disease tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). We talk about how Ruth’s diagnosis changed Mary’s family and her work as a financial planner, and why families need to think beyond today’s caregiving needs. We also covered protecting Medicaid and Social Security benefits, using ABLE accounts and special needs trusts, preparing for adult housing and care, and recognizing everything parents do as caregivers. Her message is a reassuring one: you don’t have to figure out the entire future today. You just have to take the next step. More about the show… Learn more about Mary McDirmid and All Needs Planning: https://allneedsplanning.com/ Find more information about LPH host, Wendy Ernzen https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyernzen. Real stories. Real insights. Real life. Join the LPH newsletter: https://www.letsplanthouses.com/newsletter/ Follow LPH on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsplanthouses/ Follow LPH on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsplanthouses/ Feel free to contact Wendy Ernzen via email: letsplanthouses.com. Thank you!