Claim OwnershipPiece by Piece Autism Podcast
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© 2025 Piece by Piece Autism Podcast
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Solve the Autism puzzle with us, as we discuss the crucial pieces to a happier, more peaceful life with your child/adult with Autism. Striving to make your life a bit easier, bringing you tips of the trade that are tried and true. Angie and Christi use their knowledge & training to share information in all areas of Autism treatment…piece by piece.
28 Episodes
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In this episode, we continue our Sibling Series with Alec’s sister, Andrea Jensen Semidey. Andrea lives in Allen, TX with her husband and 4 kids. She works in finance as a corporate attorney. She graduated from SMU with a degree in Advertising and History and graduated from law school in New York City at Yeshiva University. She enjoys horseback riding, yoga, running, legos, cooking, baking and reading, and only wishes for more time to do any one of those things. She and her family are huge "s...
In this heartfelt episode, Christi and Angie open up about the journey of helping Alec build and maintain meaningful friendships over the years. Friendship doesn’t always come naturally — especially for individuals on the autism spectrum — but with patience, intentional opportunities, and the right support, genuine connections can grow. We talk about what’s worked for Alec, from structured social opportunities to natural friendships that blossomed through shared interests, work relationships ...
In this episode, we kick off our Sibling Series with a special guest — Todd Jensen. Todd is Alec's senior by three years. He grew up in Japan, Denmark and Texas. Todd holds a B.S. of Accounting from Brigham Young University - Utah. Following college, Todd has pursued a career in speciality finance in Texas while maintaining a few entrepreneurial real estate ventures on the side. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, smoking meat, riding dirt-bikes (much to Christi's dismay), playing R...
Mel Robbins may have her “Let Them” theory — but when it comes to sensory and stimulatory behaviors that interfere with learning and growth, we’ve developed our own version: “Don’t Let Them.” In this episode, we unpack the overlap between sensory and stimulatory (stimming) behaviors — how they can look similar on the surface, but often serve different purposes. We talk about how sensory behaviors are often the body’s way of seeking or avoiding input, while stimulatory behaviors can be self-so...
In this episode, we sit down with one of Alec’s very first team members, Trout — someone who came to us with no formal ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) training but an open heart and a willingness to learn. We share stories from those early days, the training process, and the meaningful impact that comes from hands-on learning and genuine connection. From memorable moments with Alec to the life lessons gained through supporting someone on the autism spectrum, this conversation is full of insig...
Alec is now 28 years old and living in what we lovingly call his golden years. It’s been a long road filled with lessons, challenges, and so much growth, and we’re here to share the journey — every piece of it. We take a chance to share who we are, why we started Piece by Piece, and what continues to inspire us. Through years of learning, trial and error, and a whole lot of love, we’ve seen firsthand what’s possible for individuals on the autism spectrum. Alec’s success didn’t happen ov...
Life with autism often comes with serious moments—hard days, big emotions, and challenges that can feel overwhelming. In this episode, we open up about some of the most difficult times we’ve faced with Alec and the weight that comes with parenting a child on the autism spectrum. But it’s not all heavy—we also share how finding a supportive community and remembering to laugh has helped us stay positive along the way. Parenting a child with autism is a marathon, not a sprint, and sometimes joy ...
In this special episode, we sit down with Alec’s very first therapist, Jill Scarbro—affectionately known as “Big Deal Jill!” Jill has provided Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to individuals with autism since 1997. She earned a bachelor’s degree in special education with concentrations in mental impairments and physical handicaps from Marshall University and a Master of Science in behavior analysis from the University of North Texas. After operating a consulting practice in Texa...
Doing the Most (and Still Feeling Like It’s Not Enough) In this episode, Christi opens up about what it was like to pour her heart and soul into Alec’s therapies and programming—doing everything she could to give him the best start possible—yet still feeling like it wasn’t enough. We share the honest truth that this journey can feel overwhelming, but it’s not about racing to a finish line. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Along the way, we talk about the importance of celebrating the little vi...
In this follow-up conversation, Angie Matheney and Christi Jensen talk about what it takes to not just land a job, but to keep it and succeed in the workplace. We share strategies that have helped Alec, from setting up routines and systems of support, to teaching the importance of punctuality, appropriate dress, and workplace communication. We also talk about how to build natural supports at work, use visual schedules, and how the environment can be the teacher, if you let it. There will be c...
In this episode, we dive into the important topic of employment opportunities for individuals with autism. Finding meaningful work is about more than just a paycheck—it’s about building confidence, independence, and a sense of purpose. Part One is all about landing a job. We talk about preparing for employment by practicing independence at home through skills like wiping, washing dishes, sweeping, and vacuuming. Beyond the home, we encourage families to seek out volunteer opportunities in the...
In this episode, we’re talking all about something we’ve come to call “table work”—a key part of Alec’s day where structured learning happens in a supportive, engaging way. We share what kinds of programs we run at the table—like matching, receptive discrimination, and communication practice—and how we set clear expectations while still making the experience enjoyable. We’ve learned the importance of pairing the table with fun from day one, using reinforcers like edibles, slime, beads, music,...
In this episode, we’re diving into the world of hobbies—why they matter, how to introduce them, and how to support autistic children and adults in developing interests that bring joy and purpose. We share how we’ve helped Alec explore different hobbies over the years, what worked (and what didn’t), and how hobbies have contributed to his self-confidence, motor planning, communication, social connections and even employment. Hobbies give our kids a chance to express themselves, feel proud of s...
In this episode, we’re talking about something we use every single day with Alec: presence activities. These are closed-ended, hands-on tasks that help Alec focus his body and mind while giving him a sense of independence and accomplishment. We share why these kinds of activities are such an important part of his routine—not just as a proactive way to structure his time, but also as a reactive tool when things start to feel overwhelming. Whether it’s threading beads, dropping straws into a cu...
In this episode, we’re talking all about ABA—Applied Behavior Analysis—what it is, why it works, and how it’s shaped Alec’s progress over the years. We dive into what makes ABA such a powerful approach: it’s data-driven, evidence-based, and tailored to the individual. But more than that, we talk about how ABA isn't just something that happens during therapy sessions—it can (and should) become part of your everyday life. From daily routines to real-world problem solving, we share how we’ve int...
In this episode, we’re talking about one of our favorite strategies for supporting individuals with autism: being proactive. We dive into how setting up thoughtful systems, routines, and supports ahead of time can make a huge difference in helping someone thrive—not just survive. We share the proactive measures we’ve seen work time and time again with Alec, including packing a well-stocked backpack, using social stories, setting clear expectations, and even simple tools like counting. These a...
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At some point in your child’s—or adult child’s—journey, you’ll likely find yourself assembling what we call a “team.” These are the people who support, care for, and help your loved one thrive—and you're the one managing it all. In this episode, we (Angie Matheney and Christi Jensen) share what we’ve learned from 25 years of building teams for Alec across three states and two countries. From in-home programming during early childhood to now relying on a team for Alec’s 24/7 care as an adult. ...
In this episode, we open up about one of the biggest—and hardest—decisions we’ve made for Alec: moving him to Utah. We share what led up to that choice, what we learned during his time in Colorado, and how those experiences helped shape the path forward. This wasn’t a decision made lightly. It came with a lot of reflection, careful planning, and most importantly, Alec’s own input. Now that he’s settled in, we can honestly say—it was the right move. Utah has become the place where Alec feels m...
In this episode, we’re diving into the sometimes overwhelming—but incredibly important—world of data collection. We talk about why we take data, how it helps us support Alec, and how we use it not just for his progress, but also to guide and support our team. We share how we decide what to track, when too much is too much, and how we’ve learned to strike a balance between meaningful data and practical, sustainable routines. We also touch on celeration charts—a tool with a solid place in the A...
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