Embracing Autism - podcast cover

Embracing Autism

Lia & Matt McCabeautismwish.org
Your child is autistic, now what? Parenting a child is often rewarding, but for parents of autistic children, it can be a struggle when communication, finances, or behavior is a barrier. Join hosts Lia & Matt McCabe, an Autistic & ADHD couple raising two autistic daughters and the founders of the charity project AutismWish, in weekly discussions to provide parents with guidance, tips, resources, and a newfound perspective on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Each week we will share our experience raising special needs children and tackle difficult or taboo subjects in the Autism world with encouragement and guidance on how to broaden your perspective while learning to understand and empathize with your autistic child, from weathering the storm to Embracing Autism. Learn more at www.autismwish.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube @AutismWish. Disclaimer: We are not doctors or therapists, so please always consult with your child's physician before taking any of our advice. We try our absolute best to get everything right but we are only human, so please make sure to consult with an expert. If you feel anything has been misrepresented or inaccurate, we would love to hear from you! Please email us at podcast@autismwish.org.
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Episodes

Bonus EP – Transforming Christmas

Join us as we chat about how to provide your child with an autism-friendly holiday and lessons we've learned from past Christmases.

Dec 23, 202222 min

IRL – The Man Behind the Puzzle Piece with Thomas A. McKean

Today we sit down with Thomas A. McKean. Thomas is an autistic adult and co-creator of Autism Awareness month and the current autism puzzle piece awareness ribbon. We discuss the official meaning behind the puzzle piece ribbon, thoughts on autism self-diagnosis, and challenges the autism community (including parents) currently face.

Dec 16, 202238 min

IRL – The Case for Autism Self-Diagnosis with Nate Hallquist

Self-Diagnosis is often debated in the autism community. Today we speak with Nate Hallquist a budding neurodivergent advocate. Nate has gone through a journey of self-discovery, recently learning that he is both ADHD and Autistic. As part of this process, he is learning about the barriers to receiving an Autism diagnosis. Join us today to learn more about his experience of self-discovery thus far and why he supports self-diagnosis of Autism.

Dec 09, 202238 min

Season 7 Trailer: Seasons of Change

Our goal has always been to provide parents of autistic children with value, whether that be support, information, a few minutes of comic relief, or a familiar comforting voice. As caregivers, our needs can change over time, so we are committed to evolving the podcast to meet those needs. We have received a lot of feedback from our listeners, and we hear you loud and clear! Changes are coming.

Dec 02, 20222 min

IRL – Medical Wagons and Life-Changing Support for Autistic Kids with Adelle Starin

In this episode of Embracing Autism IRL, we sit down with Adelle Starin, Owner of Baby’s on Broadway – a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Center providing parents of autistic children with pediatric ambulatory devices, the Wonderfold Wagons. Join us as Adelle answers all our questions on how to apply for a medically necessary wagon through your insurance provider as well as alternative options if your request is denied. To watch this video interview and others like it, subscribe to youtube.com/@A...

Nov 25, 202227 min

EP 610 – Finding Neverland

Many autistic children become attached to so-called “childish interests” that remain in adulthood and are often stigmatized for them. We explore these interests and share why it’s okay to embrace one’s inner child.

Nov 18, 202229 min

EP 609 – Battling Sleep

Today we touch on the surprising relationship between sleep and autism and discuss why your child may be struggling to fall or stay asleep at night and how to help them get some rest.

Nov 11, 202229 min

EP 608 – Building Career Pathways

Today we discuss the unique challenges autistic individuals face within the workforce and education system. We share insights as to what your child may experience as well as what they can do to make this transition easier.

Nov 04, 202226 min

EP 607 – Masking Autism

We peer behind the mask and explore what it means to disguise one’s authentic self and discuss how masking can negatively impact your autistic child.

Oct 28, 202230 min

EP 606 – Saying What You Mean

Today we tackle the topic of autistic communication, how challenges in this area can cause miscommunications or misperceptions, and what you as a parent can do to ease the frustration for your child.

Oct 21, 202228 min

EP 605 – Preventing Sensory Overload

What exactly is a sensory diet and how can it help prevent sensory overload? Tune in as we share how to meet your child’s sensory needs through this stress-reducing technique. [Use bonus promo code AutismWish15 for 15% off of sensory merch at Lakikid.com ]

Oct 14, 202232 min

EP 604 – Affirming Stimming

What exactly is stimming? What does it feel like to stim? And how does stimming impact my autistic child? Join us as we define stimming and share insights on its benefits and disadvantages from an autistic perspective.

Oct 07, 202230 min

EP 603 – Sensing Chaos

Do you ever wonder how your autistic child may sense the world? Today, we discuss what it feels like to experience sensory overload and how the sensory system differs for our children from an autistic perspective.

Sep 30, 202227 min

EP 602 – Thinking in Black & White

Autism is often associated with literal or black-and-white thinking. Today we discuss examples of this kind of thinking from an autistic perspective and how to communicate more effectively with your literal thinking child.

Sep 23, 202227 min

EP 601 – Discovering Autism

Do you see a lot of yourself in your autistic child? Today we detail where to go if you suspect you or your spouse may be autistic and what to expect in the diagnostic process.

Sep 16, 202226 min

IRL – Unlocking Autistic Financial Independence with Andrew Komarow

We share audio from our third episode of the Embracing Autism IRL video series where we sit down with Andrew Komarow, Autistic Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and founder of Planning Across the Spectrum. In this episode, we chat about the importance of Financial independence for individuals with disabilities and how to address the controversy in the autism community.

Sep 02, 202238 min

EP 510 – Unmasking Autism

Join us as we wrap up season 5 and discuss our family’s most recent and shocking autism development.

Aug 26, 202228 min

EP 509 – Overcoming Guilt

Tune into the conversation as we talk about the very real guilt many parents feel when we first receive our child’s autism diagnosis.

Aug 19, 202223 min

EP 508 – Keeping Your Cool

Join us as we talk about the frustration we experience as parents when others deny our child’s autism diagnosis and assume it is misbehavior.

Aug 12, 202227 min

EP 507 – Defying Bullies

Join us as we discuss the hostility towards parents of autistic children from the online autism community and how we can continue embracing autism without losing ourselves in the process.

Aug 05, 202223 min

EP 506 – Enduring Rejection

Today we reflect on the social rejection and isolation autistic children face, which often accompanies them into adulthood.

Jul 29, 202230 min

EP 505 – Planning Ahead

In this episode, we discuss the challenging topic of what happens to our children after we’re gone and how we can best prepare.

Jul 22, 202221 min

EP 504 – Reclaiming Disability

Today we look into the debate over the use of the term “disability” to refer to autism and whether or not it's considered appropriate.

Jul 15, 202223 min

EP 503 – Loving Thy Neighbor

In this episode, we reflect on the challenges of seeking an autism-inclusive Church and discuss how to advocate for simple changes at free or low-cost to your place of worship.

Jul 08, 202221 min

EP 501 – Coping With Judgment

We delve into the challenging topic of judgment and shame, both as parents of autistic children but also from the perspective of growing up neurodivergent.

Jun 24, 202226 min

Ep 500 – Season 5 Trailer: Wounds to Heal

Welcome to Season 5! This trailer introduces the theme of "Wounds to Heal" and highlights a few topics to be covered this season. Season 5 premiers Friday, June 24th, 2022, on your favorite podcasting platforms.

Jun 17, 20221 min

IRL – ABA Therapy: Controversy, Misconceptions, and Insights with Kate Sallade

We bring you the audio from another episode of our new video series, Embracing Autism IRL. In this episode, we meet with Kate Sallade, an Autistic adult, ABA practitioner, and the owner of Behavioral Foundation Centers to discuss her unique perspective on this controversial topic. Video available on YouTube by searching the key term "Embracing Autism IRL Kate Sallade".

Jun 10, 202229 min

EP 410 – Debating Profound Autism

Join us as we discuss the debate surrounding the proposed designation of the term “Profound Autism” in the DSM and its potential impact on the autistic community.

Jun 03, 202225 min
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