All-or-nothing thinking, or being rigid, is generally defined by pairs of opposites. So, maybe you’re thinking of someone or something as simply good or bad, working or not working. But it can also show up as thinking there are only two choices available in a situation. And this comes up in so many areas of our lives. While cognitive rigidity is a characteristic of Autism, it is also alive and well in all of us to some degree. In fact, as parents, the more stressful our lives become, the more we...
Jul 16, 2025•10 min•Ep. 174
To the untrained or inexperienced eye, tantrums and meltdowns usually look very much the same. If something looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and talks like a duck, you are going to conclude it’s a duck. But when it comes to tantrums and meltdowns, this isn’t the case. Although tantrums and meltdowns may look similar, they are actually very different. However, the fact that they appear similar can create a lot of misunderstanding and suffering for us as moms of children with Autism. So how c...
Jul 01, 2025•17 min•Ep. 173
You’ve heard the phrase “make the most of summer.” But for autism moms, this often translates into do more work with less support and zero downtime. In this episode, I’m sharing my own journey of how I used to treat summer like a catch-up bootcamp for my son—drills, flashcards, workbooks, and more. I explain how this approach, fueled by fear of regression and pressure to “keep up,” ended in stress, dysregulation, and disappointment for both of us. You’ll hear: The hidden anxiety behind “making t...
Jun 18, 2025•13 min•Ep. 172
In this week’s pre-Father’s Day episode, I am bringing you my conversation with Rob Gorski, otherwise known as The Autism Dad. Rob discusses his experience of navigating solo parenting three boys on the Autism spectrum. In this episode, you will learn: The biggest problems that dads of children with Autism face. Rob’s philosophy of doing your best and knowing that’s always enough. Some of the challenges posed by our kids with Autism transitioning into adulthood. And so much more. Tune in now &am...
Jun 11, 2025•41 min•Ep. 171
In this episode, we dive into the realities of creating summer plans for an autistic child. I share a personal story about navigating summer camp schedules, extended school yea r (ESY) services, and the curveballs that come with being an autism mom. This story reminds us that autism parenting requires constant adjustment. And that even when things go sideways, we always find a way to make it work.. Summer Plans for an Autistic Child -- What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How to prepare for the ...
Jun 04, 2025•10 min•Ep. 170
In Episode 169 of The Autism Mom Coach Podcast , Lisa Candera —a lawyer, life coach, and autism mom—explores the concept of expertise in autism parenting and why you are the expert on your child . Using the example of the Karen Read retrial , Lisa explains that expertise isn’t just about degrees and certifications. It’s about lived experience and practical knowledge. This powerful concept applies directly to autism parenting . Parents of autistic children accumulate valuable, practical knowledge...
May 28, 2025•9 min•Ep. 169
The Meltdown Action Plan -- Download it Here: https://mailchi.mp/theautismmomcoach.com/map Autism meltdowns are intense, overwhelming, and often misunderstood—not just for the child, but for the parent as well. In Episode 168 of The Autism Mom Coach Podcast , Lisa Candera shares a groundbreaking, trauma-informed tool designed specifically for autism moms who feel frozen, reactive, or helpless during their child’s dysregulation. Introducing the Meltdown Action Plan —a step-by-step, easy-to-follow...
May 21, 2025•8 min•Ep. 168
In Episode 167 of The Autism Mom Coach Podcast , Lisa Candera—a lawyer, life coach, and solo mom to a teenager with autism—tackles one of the most emotionally loaded questions for autism parents: Should I push my child out of their comfort zone or give them more support? Using a real-life story from a coaching client, Lisa explains: ✅ Why there's no perfect moment to act ✅ How to treat parenting decisions like experiments ✅ What “friction” actually means in your child’s growth ✅ How to move forw...
May 14, 2025•8 min•Ep. 167
In this episode, autism coach and solo parent Lisa Candera —also known as The Autism Mom Coach —breaks down a question nearly every autism parent wrestles with: Am I expecting too much or not enough from my child with autism? Through a real-life story from one of her private coaching clients, Lisa illustrates the emotional push-pull autism moms face when deciding whether to stretch their child or simply let them enjoy the moment. She explores the hidden fear that often drives the urge to do more...
May 07, 2025•9 min•Ep. 166
In Episode 165, Lisa Canera examines "the space between" - the developmental gap parents observe between their autistic children and neurotypical peers. Drawing from her experience with her teenage son Ben and insights from her coaching practice, Lisa offers practical guidance on responding effectively when this gap becomes more apparent. She provides a balanced perspective on processing emotions rather than defaulting to additional interventions or self-blame. What You'll Learn How the developm...
Apr 30, 2025•9 min•Ep. 165
In this quick episode, I share a few thoughts on the recent autism headlines—from the latest prevalence data to RFK Jr.’s controversial comments about autism —and how these moments shine a light on the deeply different experiences within our own community. This is not a political take . It’s a reminder that autism parenting doesn’t look the same for every family—and that true acceptance starts with making space for each other’s stories, even when they differ from our own. 🎧 Listen now . Are you...
Apr 23, 2025•4 min•Ep. 164
Discover how to navigate public meltdowns, reduce anxiety, and heal from the trauma of feeling constantly judged. In this episode of The Autism Mom Coach , we unpack the PTSD of being “on display” as the parent of a child with autism. Episode Summary Public meltdowns can trigger deep emotional distress for both the child and the parent. Prolonged exposure to judgmental stares, unsolicited advice, and sudden confrontations often leads to anxiety , hypervigilance , and feelings of fear or helpless...
Apr 16, 2025•16 min•Ep. 163
It’s April—Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month—and today, we’re talking about what autism acceptance really looks like in real life. Have you ever felt like all eyes are on you when you're in public with your child? Whether it’s the school drop-off line, the grocery store, or waiting in line at Chipotle, those moments when your child’s behavior stands out can feel like you’re center stage in a performance you never auditioned for. In this episode, I share my own experience of what it means to ...
Apr 09, 2025•15 min•Ep. 162
Have you ever had teachers insist your child is thriving at school, yet at home, they fall apart? This episode explores autism masking—when autistic children hide their natural behaviors to appear neurotypical. Learn why masking happens, the heavy emotional and sensory toll it takes, and practical steps you can take to support your child. In this episode, you'll discover: What autism masking is and the reasons children engage in it, including avoiding bullying, negative consequences, and interna...
Apr 02, 2025•9 min•Ep. 161
My blood boils every time I see it—the IEP trap. It usually shows up as a proud post from an autism parent: “My child is doing so well that the school reduced their IEP support!” Sounds like progress, right? Wrong. The harsh reality is this: a child’s progress is not a reason to remove supports—it’s proof that those supports are working. Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way. In this episode, I’m breaking down: What the IEP trap really is. The real reasons it happens. What you can do to pro...
Mar 26, 2025•21 min
Your child screams, ignores you, or lashes out—and it feels personal. But here’s the truth: it’s not about you. Their behavior is a reflection of what’s happening in their nervous system, not a measure of their respect or love for you. In this episode , I’ll teach you how to: Understand why we take our child’s behavior personally (and why it’s a natural response). Recognize what happens in your brain when you get triggered—and how to stop reacting. Break the cycle of co-escalation and become a c...
Mar 19, 2025•16 min
Are school struggles leaving you feeling defeated and overwhelmed as an Autism parent? You’re not alone. In this episode, I talk with Rachael, an Autism mom and my coaching client, who transformed her own experience of her child’s school challenges in just a few weeks. By changing how she thought and felt about behavior struggles, bus issues, and meltdowns, she went from feeling ashamed and exhausted to confident and in control—without changing her son or his school. What You’ll Learn in This Ep...
Mar 12, 2025•32 min
I’m sure you’ve realized by now, no matter how hard we try, we can’t control our children’s behaviors. However, we can choose how we want to think about them. That might not sound particularly powerful, but trust me when I say it’s a real gamechanger.
Mar 05, 2025•9 min
We all wanted our kids to talk. We persisted, we prayed, and we paid for them to learn this skill. And now… they have it. But sometimes, that means hearing words that **sting**. “I hate you!” “That was terrible.” “You’re annoying.” After all that effort to help them communicate, **this** is what we get? It can feel like a punch to the gut. But here’s what I want you to remember: * it’s not personal. In this episode of *The Autism Mom Coach*, we’re breaking down: Why autistic kids communicate so ...
Feb 26, 2025•12 min
Many of my clients have had this moment: “Wait… I think my husband is autistic.” Maybe it’s how literal he is. Maybe he hates socializing, disappears at family gatherings, or doesn’t pick up on emotional cues. And then there’s this—when you say *“I’m fine”*… * he actually believes you. At first, it’s a relief—finally, an explanation! But then comes the frustration, the sadness, the overwhelm. What does this mean for your relationship? For your emotional connection? For the life you imagined? In ...
Feb 19, 2025•18 min
In this week's episode, I am sharing with you one of my favorite poems. It is called “The Gift” by Dr. Shefali Tsabary, a clinical psychologist and author who teaches that children **aren’t here for us to "fix"—they are here to teach us**. And who knows this more than Autism parents? Tune in now to hear The Gift and how you can apply it to your Autism parenting journey today. The Gift Dr. Shefali Tsabary...
Feb 12, 2025•9 min
In this episode, I’m answering a listener’s question: How can I teach my child patience—and how can I become a more patient parent? Patience isn’t something we’re born with—it’s a skill. And like any skill, it can be learned and improved with intention. But here’s the key: If you want to teach your child patience, you need to model it first. I’ll walk you through practical strategies to: Build your own patience so you can demonstrate it in everyday moments Set SMART, achievable goals to help you...
Feb 05, 2025•15 min
Ever find yourself running through worst-case scenarios like, “What if my child has a meltdown in public?” or “What if I’m missing something critical?” This is anticipatory anxiety. It’s that relentless “what if” loop that keeps you stuck in fear, bracing for problems that haven’t even happened yet. In this week’s episode of The Autism Mom Coach, I’m breaking down what anticipatory anxiety really is, how it shows up in your life, and why it’s stealing your energy. Plus, I’ll teach you a powerful...
Jan 29, 2025•11 min
In this episode, we dive into the hidden costs of walking on eggshells as an Autism parent. I share my personal experience and insights from working with families across the country who struggle with this issue. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/151
Jan 22, 2025•8 min
I'm shining a bright light on what it really means to walk on eggshells as an Autism parent. I share insights on how this impacts both you and your child, and most importantly, I provide actionable strategies to help you break free from this draining cycle. Get ready to reclaim your confidence and learn how to parent from a place of calm and stability. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/150...
Jan 15, 2025•11 min
Learn how to identify the limiting beliefs and stories that are holding you back, and how to reframe your thinking to find the opportunities for growth and progress. I also share some of the ways I help my coaching clients use reflection to create new patterns and strategies for themselves and their children. If you're ready to leave regret behind and embrace a fresh perspective, this episode is for you! Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/14...
Jan 08, 2025•11 min
I revisit the important topic of how coaching changes everything, helping you make the progress in your life that you really want to see. Tune in this week to discover how coaching changes the game for Autism parents. I share my own story of finding a coach who truly understands Autism and my experience as a Special Needs parent, and you’ll learn the foundational tools that helped me really embrace what coaching has to offer. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://th...
Jan 01, 2025•16 min
Learn how to step back from emotionally charged moments and view them from a more lighthearted, observer's perspective. This emotional distancing tactic, rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy, can help reduce stress, create space between you and the situation, and empower you to respond intentionally rather than react emotionally as an Autism parent. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/147...
Dec 25, 2024•6 min
I’m here to validate your experience with holiday GOMO and share some strategies to help you cope. Learn tips for honoring your feelings, redefining what matters for your family, connecting with people who get it, limiting social comparisons, and celebrating your wins. My goal is to help you have a holiday season that works for you and your child, even if it looks different from the Hallmark version. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/146...
Dec 18, 2024•7 min
I explore why people give us unwanted comments, anecdotes, or approaches to discipline, and how it can make us feel as Autism parents. Hear the power of responding proactively in these situations, why setting firm boundaries is vital, and my top tips for protecting your energy and having your own back as the expert on your child. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/145
Dec 11, 2024•17 min
