Mother's Guide Through Autism

Autism Out Loud: Motherhood, Marriage & Everyday Miracles with Carrie Cariello

Send us a textIn this episode of Mother’s Guide Through Autism, Brigitte welcomes back Carrie Cariello—mother, writer, and one of the co-authors of the bestselling book Autism Out Loud, written alongside Kate Swenson and Adrian Wood.Together, these three mothers share their lived experiences of raising children with very different autism profiles. In this conversation, Carrie opens up about the emotional journey behind the book, the power of writing alongside other autism moms, and the realities of parenting across different seasons—from childhood to adulthood.This episode explores both the practical and deeply human sides of the autism journey, including long-term planning, marriage, siblings, and the everyday moments that often go unseen but matter most.💛 In this episode, Carrie shares:- The emotional experience of writing alongside two other autism moms- The importance of disability planning and thinking about the future- Why celebrating everyday miracles matters more than milestones- Ways to thoughtfully involve siblings in the autism journeyWith honesty, warmth, and clarity, Carrie reminds parents that while this journey can be heavy, it is also filled with connection, love, and moments of unexpected beauty.🎧 If you’re an autism parent who’s ever wondered what comes next—or how to stay grounded in the now—this conversation will meet you right where you are.Episode Chapters:00:00 Introduction01:53 Introducing Carrie Cariello04:06 Carrie's Family and Writing Journey05:53 Autism Out Loud: The Collaborative Book07:05 Navigating Adulthood with Autism17:15 Marriage and Family Dynamics22:52 The Importance of Community and Comparison29:28 Encouragement for New Autism Parents33:05 Closing Remarks and Resources🔗 Resources & LinksLearn more about Carrie Cariello and get her books:https://carriecariello.com/Learn more and join the Chill & Chat Membership:https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/chillandchatPurchase my book A Mother's Guide Through Autism:https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/bookSign up to get news and updates from me: https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.comTheme song: "Look at the clouds" by Tristan Lohengrintristanlohengrin.bandcamp.comSupport the show

Hope, Clarity & New Research: Navigating Autism with Dr. Theresa Lyons

Send us a textIn this episode of Mother’s Guide Through Autism, Brigitte Shipman sits down with Dr. Theresa Lyons, Yale-trained scientist and founder of Navigating AWEtism, to bring clarity, hope, and grounded science to the conversation.Dr. Lyons explains what new research is revealing about the evolving definition of autism, how some children lose their autism diagnosis over time, and how parents can navigate the flood of information without confusion or fear.Together, Brigitte and Dr. Lyons talk about:✨ How autism science is changing so rapidly✨ The importance of parents staying informed with accurate and current scientific information✨ The emotional side of parenting—grief, hope, confusion, intuition✨ Practical steps families can take to prioritize what truly matters for their childIf you’ve ever felt lost in the noise of autism information, this episode will bring relief, clarity, and direction.You are not alone—there is a path forward.Episode Chapters:00:00 Introduction 02:03 Guest Introduction03:47 Dr. Teresa Lyons' Personal Journey07:15 Understanding Autism and Its Evolving Definition09:39 Navigating the Overwhelm of Autism Information16:01 The Navigating Autism Matrix21:07 Common Mistakes and First Steps for Parents24:14 Balancing Life and Autism24:26 Communicating Needs and Reducing Stress25:08 Emotional Journey of Parenting28:44 Understanding and Addressing Myths33:17 The Importance of Rest and Self-Care39:03 Finding Joy and Connection41:56 Resources and Final Thoughts🔗 Resources & Links📘 Learn more about Dr. Lyons and the Navigating AWEtism Matrix:https://awetism.net/Learn more and join the Chill & Chat Membership:https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/chillandchatPurchase my book A Mother's Guide Through Autism:https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/bookSign up to get news and updates from me: https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.comTheme song: "Look at the clouds" by Tristan Lohengrintristanlohengrin.bandcamp.comSupport the show

Transforming Our Journey of Autism Through Presence and Play with Jennifer Briggs

Send us a textWhat happens when you step away from “fixing” and begin meeting your autistic child exactly where they are?In this heartfelt episode of Mother’s Guide Through Autism, Brigitte talks with Jennifer Briggs, a mom who created a home-based Son-Rise program—called Sarah-Rise—for her daughter who has a rare genetic anomaly and autism.Jennifer opens up about the stressful early years, the emotional weight of trying so many therapies, and the turning point that led her to a completely different approach—one rooted in presence, joining, and deep connection.She shares how the Son-Rise philosophy (now known as Do Autism Differently) helped Sarah make meaningful developmental gains—and how embracing her child’s world instead of resisting it transformed their relationship.This conversation is filled with gentleness, honesty, and hope for any parent who’s ever felt overwhelmed, doubtful, or unsure of the next step.💛 In this episode, Jennifer shares:- How she shifted from stress and fear to connection and trust- What “joining” looks like and why it matters- How the Sarah-Rise program helped her daughter engage more deeply- The emotional challenges of guilt, grief, and self-pressureIf you’re navigating your own autism journey, this episode is a reminder that you don’t have to rush, force, or push. There is another way—one rooted in presence and acceptance.Episode Chapters:00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest03:16 Jennifer's Journey: From Teacher to Mom 04:46 Sarah's Early Years and Diagnosis 08:28 The Turning Point: Discovering the Sunrise Program 11:01 Implementing the Sunrise Program at Home 18:32 Understanding Genetic Anomalies and Autism 31:10 The Power of Community and Asking for Help 33:52 Jennifer's Book: Watching Sarah Rise 38:45 Final Thoughts and Where to Connect 🔗 Resources & LinksJennifer's Website:https://www.watchingsarahrise.com/Learn more and join the Chill & Chat Membership:https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/chillandchatPurchase my book A Mother's Guide Through Autism:https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/bookSign up to get news and updates from me: https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.comTheme song: "Look at the clouds" by Tristan Lohengrintristanlohengrin.bandcamp.comSupport the show

From Meltdowns to Calm: Tools for Emotional Resilience with Lisa Candera

Send us a textWhen your child is in full meltdown mode, what do you do?If you’ve ever felt like you’re trying to hold it together while everything around you is falling apart—you’re not alone. In this powerful episode, Brigitte talks with Lisa Candera, solo mom to a teen with severe autism and OCD, full-time attorney, and certified life coach for autism moms.Lisa shares the hard-earned tools that helped her stop reacting out of overwhelm and start responding with calm, clarity, and compassion. She introduces her Meltdown Action Plan—a simple, step-by-step approach to staying regulated when your child isn’t.🔑 You’ll hear about:- The concept of being the “solid object” in your child’s storm- Why your nervous system—not your child’s behavior—is the place to start- How to prepare before, stay grounded during, and recover after a meltdown- Strategies for managing guilt when you don’t respond perfectlyLisa’s free resource: the Meltdown Action Plan, available at This episode is packed with empathy, insight, and practical guidance for parents navigating intense emotional moments—and learning to show up differently.Episode Chapters:00:00 Introduction03:00 Lisa Candera's Story and Parenting Challenges05:21 Navigating Parenting with ADHD07:58 Shifting from Fixing to Managing Emotions13:11 Implementing the Solid Object Strategy19:31 Handling Meltdowns and Parental Guilt28:59 Self-Compassion and Evaluation30:01 Mantras and Intellectual Decisions31:09 Understanding Stress and Parenting Challenges32:21 The Importance of Support and Community35:47 Introducing the Meltdown Action Plan37:32 Implementing the Meltdown Action Plan44:33 The Power of Pausing49:52 Regulating Yourself for Your Child52:57 Conclusion and Resources🔗 Resources & LinksLisa's Website:https://theautismmomcoach.com/Learn more and join the Chill & Chat Membership:https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/chillandchatPurchase my book A Mother's Guide Through Autism:https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/bookSign up to get news and updates from me: https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.comTheme song: "Look at the clouds" by Tristan Lohengrintristanlohengrin.bandcamp.comSupport the show

The Power of Micro Shifts: Simple Tools for Overwhelmed Autism Parents with Kimberly Guche

Send us a textIf you’ve ever felt like you’re holding it all together on the outside…while your insides are screaming—this episode is for you.Brigitte sits down with Kimberly Guche, a pediatric speech-language pathologist, mindset coach, and mom of four, to talk about something we rarely say out loud: parenting an autistic or highly sensitive child can feel overwhelming. The pressure. The unpredictability. The constant scanning for the next meltdown. It’s a lot.But here’s the hopeful part—your energy matters more than you think.Kimberly introduces her Five Minute Chaos to Calm Method, a gentle yet powerful practice designed to help parents reset their nervous systems, reconnect with their inner calm, and respond to their child with confidence and clarity. No fancy tools. No hour-long routines. Just five minutes that can change the tone of your whole day.✨ In this episode, you’ll hear about:- The hidden signals your nervous system is constantly sending (and how your child picks up on them)- What it means to be emotionally congruent—and why your kids feel the difference- Grounding, breathwork, and visualization strategies for the real world- Why calming your energy can shift your whole household- Permission to not be perfect—and still be the parent your child needsThis conversation is a breath of fresh air for any mom who’s been stuck in survival mode and is ready for a reset.💛 Tune in for hope, heart, and doable tools you can start using today.Episode Chapters:00:00 Introduction02:50 Kimberly's Journey and Professional Background05:10 Challenges and Discoveries in Parenting and Therapy07:58 The Power of Meditation and Self-Regulation11:24 Shifts in Support for Families and Sensory Interventions13:48 Five Minute Chaos to Calm Method20:36 Guided Exercise for Calm and Grounding25:08 Finding Calm and Peace25:34 The Power of Nature26:30 Dealing with Overwhelm27:28 Personal Anchors and Visualization31:17 Handling Chaotic Situations33:55 Supporting Moms of Autistic Children34:54 The Importance of Self-Care39:12 Final Thoughts and Resources🔗 Resources & LinksKimberley's Website:https://entrancinginspirations.com/Chaos to Calm 5 minute Reset Audio:https://drive.google.com/file/d/14sOHXoXJ8vYtzTFaeZ_G4s6F8_iVonzp/viewPeaceful Parenting Meditation:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y2klA61iQE-hTZBsaC4H7-PXTBmakYfo/viewLearn more and join the Chill & Chat Membership:https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/chillandchatPurchase my book A Mother's Guide Through Autism:https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/bookSign up to get news and updates from me: https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.comTheme song: "Look at the clouds" by Tristan Lohengrintristanlohengrin.bandcamp.comSupport the show