Moms Talk Autism Podcast

"Where there is water, I will wait!" Dayna Harvey is a water safety educator and swim instructor, specializing in teaching neurodivergent swimmers the importance of safe water play and exposure. She breaks down her program and gives real, tangible examples of things we can all do with our kids today to start teaching about water safety in all scenarios, not just around pools.  Check out the links below and please email her directly if you have further questions or concerns. She genuinely cares about the neurodivergent community and wants to help everyone be safe and have fun around water in appropriate ways. http://www.watersafetywithmissdayna.com

What is Functional Neurology and how does it apply to autism and other neurodivergence?  On this week’s episode, Dr. Brandon Crawford discusses his journey into functional neurology, emphasizing the importance of understanding neurodivergence, particularly in children with autism. He explains how sensory processing affects motor skills and cognition, and how neuroplasticity can be harnessed to create positive changes in the brain. We all agree that tailored treatment plans for our kids is so important, along with our role as caregivers in supporting our neurodivergent children. Website: https://www.drbrandoncrawford.com/         Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/bcrawforddc/ Dr. Crawford’s podcast: https://www.drbrandoncrawford.com/podcast/the-longevity-formula   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Functional Neurology and Dr. Crawford 10:41 Understanding Neurodivergence and Autism 20:53 The Role of Sensory Processing in Neurodivergent Children 29:11 Neuroplasticity and Treatment Plans for Autism 31:10 Understanding Brain Function and Neuroplasticity 34:14 The Role of Care Plans in Autism Treatment 37:30 The Importance of Caregiver Well-being 40:36 Self-Care Strategies for Caregivers 44:46 The Impact of Light on Neurochemistry 51:01 Grounding and Its Benefits 55:39 Grounding Techniques and Cold Plunge Benefits 58:44 Managing Stress and Cold Exposure 01:01:05 Post-Cold Plunge Recovery Strategies 01:05:06 Starting Small: The Importance of Gradual Change 01:11:58 Never Accept Never: A Call to Action for Caregivers

It’s a new year and exciting new content for Moms Talk Autism! This is going to be a big year for our families as some of our kids transition from elementary to middle school. Scary, exciting, and most likely a few bumps along the way. Big changes for the podcast as well: a brand new merch collection is almost ready. We are NOW also offering ad-free VIDEO recordings of every episode via Patreon! We can’t wait to connect with you on this platform! We can comment along with you and create chats.. Come and join the fun!!! You can find us HERE on Patreon!  Exciting collaborations, professionals, guests, community member interviews, guest hosts, and new topics coming our way this year. As always, we’ll have honest, real conversations about caregiving and disability. Connecting, commiserating, crying, and laughing at ourselves are all included, we wouldn’t have it any other way. Thanks for being here. You don’t want to miss our last segment on this episode. We read some of your funniest “I’m That Mom” story submissions. Send us more, they are our favorite emails!  

An autism diagnosis can be life-changing for your child. It can also greatly impact your family and what the future holds for family planning. In this episode, we tell our personal stories of when we decided to have or not have more children after diagnosis. It's a very personal decision and we hope hearing our stories will help you along your family's autism journey. Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

Today we had the opportunity to sit down with Katja Piscitelli and chat all things gestalt language processing! Katja, also known as @BohoSpeechie on Instagram, is a pediatric speech-language pathologist. She owns her own practice called Total Spectrum Speech. We talked about what gestalt language processing even MEANS, how it applies to our kiddos, and ways that we as parents, teachers, and providers can help our exceptional children. This was such a great episode and we are so excited to share it with you! If you don't already follow Katja on IG, be sure you go find her! Her content is so helpful! In addition, we mentioned a few apps: TD Snap, Proloquo2go, Touch Chat, and Nova Chat. We also mentioned a few other notable items/people/websites: Katja Piscitelli - www.totalspectrumtherapy.org - @bohospeechie Marg Blanc - www.communicationdevelopmentcenter.com Lisa Baskin Wright (@lisabaskinwright) Meaningful Speech (@meaningfulspeech) - Meaningful Speech Course

You have a limited offer you can use now for Magic Mind, that gets you up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one-time purchases with code MOMSTALKK20 at checkout! You can claim it at: https://www.magicmind.com/MOMSTALKK20 Take a walk with us back through our 2024 year, what a ride! We talk about our favorite kid/family moments, along with some funny stories that have happened to us lately. We just all hope the giant fish at Bass Pro Shop are okay. If you’re looking to listen to some of our older episodes, we each give our recommendations from this past year, highlighting some of our favorite guests of 2024. Happy holidays and onto a new year! We’ve got some fun guests, topics, and more ways to connect with us in 2025. Let’s go!

It’s so easy to spiral down in the “what if” game and second-guess ourselves. When it comes to our exceptional children and their care, it can feel even more stressful, like if you screw up this one therapy, medication, opportunity, etc then I’ve failed as a parent. We are here to tell you that’s NOT TRUE! Today we look back and discuss what we wish we would have known. If you don’t remember anything else from this episode, remember Shannon’s advice: NEVER SAY NEVER. Because, if you do, you will definitely “never” sooner than you think. 😉 Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com brittney@momstalkautism.com jean@momstalkautism.com shannon@momstalkautism.com tash@momstalkautism.com

Today Brittney shares her personal journey through the legal process of establishing conservatorship for Austin. We also discuss parents' emotional and logistical challenges, the necessary legal documentation, and the court proceedings involved. Brit also shares insights about the courtroom experience, the emotional weight of legal decisions, and the responsibilities of being a conservator.

Tash, Britt, and Shannon ask each other the tough questions today. Actually, we all came up with some funny scenarios, laughed, and got to know each other a little better. We all need a break sometimes and we hope this episode can be that for you too. What would you do if you got stuck in an elevator with your besties? Hopefully not what Tash does!  

In today's episode, Jean and Tash welcome Amy McCoy, an autism parent, award-winning children's author, and disability educator. We discuss the unique challenges faced by siblings of children with autism, the importance of literature in fostering understanding, and the need for community support. Amy shares her experiences as a parent and educator, emphasizing the significance of creating connections and providing resources for families navigating the complexities of autism. Amy also discusses the importance of community connections for families with children with disabilities, the struggles faced by siblings, and the positive traits that can develop from these experiences. She emphasizes the need for advocacy and planning for lifelong services as children transition into adulthood. Lastly, she shares her journey as an author, creating literature that supports understanding and acceptance of autism in educational settings.

Today we explore the humorous and chaotic realities of mothering kids on the spectrum. We highlight the challenges and absurdities of parenting, from creative messes in the home to toilet troubles. Let's not forget food preferences, social skills, and the management of medication. Look, sometimes you just have to laugh. Let's talk about some things that ONLY parents in our community will fully understand!

It's another community story! Today, Shannon and Jean talk with Stephanie, a psychiatric nurse practitioner who shares her unique perspective as both a medical professional and a mother of a child on the spectrum. We discuss early signs of autism, the emotional challenges of diagnosis, the importance of finding the right support, and the ongoing journey of parenting a child with special needs. Come with us as we talk about the significance of community, connection, and understanding in the lives of families affected by autism.

Today is another Moms Talk Moms! Sometimes you just need something a little lighthearted. You get Tash, Shannon and Jean today and we are discussing MANY important things like: If you had unlimited funds, what business would you start? Are avocados overrated? Is it ever okay to lie? Is a hotdog a sandwich? What's your favorite sandwich and where did you eat it? Do you think our dreams have hidden meanings? Were Ross and Rachel really on a break? What physical traits do you share with your relatives? Which family member do you most confide in?

Lisa Zeiderman is a Managing Partner at Miller Zeiderman LLP in New York State and specializes in divorce cases involving disability. She is a wealth of knowledge and offers some important points about divorce and disabled dependents. We covered disagreements about diagnoses, special needs care, custody, and child support, as well as some free and valuable resources for women who may be considering and/or in the process of divorce. DISCLAIMER: Lisa’s commentary is not meant to be a substitute for legal or mental health advice. Please contact professionals in your area to ensure you get the proper guidance for your particular situation.   https://lisazeiderman.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisazeiderman/ https://www.instagram.com/lisazeiderman/ www.savvyladies.org   lz@mzw-law.com 914-455-1000

Life updates and our usual chaotic conversations. Ya know, just another MTA day. Brittney doesn’t like the sound of birds and offers some sage medical advice. Tash needs a break from social media and we are all on board. Jean is literally on the move. Our kids are growing up, so we are all trying to figure out the early parenting stages and puberty stages. Fun. Advice on IEPs, Title 9, and teen angst. Let us know if any of these subjects resonate with you! Topics: Chaos in Our Lives Personal Reflections and Updates Health and Wellness Insights Navigating Life Changes Balancing Ambition and Reality Navigating Growth and Change in Children Understanding Puberty and Emotional Development The Challenges of Communication and Boundaries Reintegration After Absence: Emotional Responses Finding Balance in Parenting Chaos

Today Tash & Doug chat with Harry Psaros, a father and autism advocate. Harry shares his journey as a parent of a child on the autism spectrum, discussing the early signs of autism in his son Gus, the challenges of the diagnosis process, and the importance of community and support for parents. The conversation emphasizes the need for fathers to be involved in advocacy, the significance of self-care, and the hope of seeing children thrive in their journeys. Harry's insights and experiences provide valuable lessons for parents navigating the complexities of raising children with autism. We discuss the story behind his book, "From Struggle to Strength: A Father's Journey with Autism and the Power of Hope and Positivity" and how important it is for the fathers of autistic kids to have support and community as well as the mothers.  website: HarryPsaros.com Facebook: Harry Psaros Instagram: Harry Psaros Twitter: @PittGuru LinkedIn: Harry Psaros

It is thought that experiencing joy and experiencing grief are two mutually exclusive emotions or houses of emotions. In this episode, through an authentic conversation, we debunk that isn’t the case and prove the two can coexist and WHY it's important to embrace joy with grief.

Stacie Sherman is a journalist from New Jersey and the mother of two adult children on opposite ends of the spectrum. She recently published a book about raising her two autistic kids while juggling a full-time career as a single mom. Stacie shares openly about both the blessings and the hardships of being a mother of autistic children in many different areas of her journey, including the most recent one of acquiring the conservatorship of her daughter. Instagram: @stashermie Book: My broken road: the tangled and twisted musings of an autism mama     

This is the final installment of our version of the stages of grief. We bring it all together and discuss what happens during and after the process of grieving an autism diagnosis. You've reached a level of acceptance and peace...now what? There is a wheel of adaptation with grief, broken down into four hemispheres, all intersecting and overlapping. Dr. Nancy B. Miller first presented this concept in the book, Nobody's Perfect: Living and Growing with Children Who Have Special Needs. We hope you find her research and our discussion insightful. You can purchase Dr. Miller's book HERE Tell us what you think: Instagram: @momstalkautism Email: hello@momstalkautism.com

Why Title IX? What is an IEP or 504? In this episode, we ask our specially informed and expert guests and attorneys about those uber-critical things. Let's meet our guests, shall we: Susan Stone, Student & Athlete Defense, Co-Chair Susan Stone co-chairs KJK’s Student & Athlete Defense/Title IX Practice Group. Recognizing the need for legal services to protect students, professors and individuals with disabilities, Susan handles matters ranging from special education issues to student disciplinary matters and Title IX investigations. Kristina Supler Student & Athlete Defense, Co-Chair Kristina Supler is co-chair of KJK’s Student & Athlete Defense / Title IX Practice Group. Her experience is regularly enlisted for complex cases involving allegations of sexual assault, and she has worked on national defense teams representing students and executives facing prosecution in the United States and abroad.  Enjoy the mini tool kit on Understanding IEP’s & 504 Plans here!