How often do you find yourself mindlessly scrolling through social media, only to end up feeling worse than before? As Autism moms, we turn to social media for support, connection, and resources. But if we're not careful, it can quickly become a source of stress, comparison, and negativity.

Listen in this week to hear the toll scrolling on social media can have on your experience as an Autism parent, and how our brains are wired to compare ourselves to others. You’ll hear practical strategies that will help you reclaim your peace of mind, and my top tips for transforming social media from a stress-inducing scroll to a tool for support and empowerment. 

While we may not be able to eliminate stress completely, there are sneaky habits that many of us have fallen into that unnecessarily add fuel to the fire. By bringing awareness to these patterns and making small shifts, you can lighten your mental load and find more ease in your daily life. Tune in this week to learn how to identify where your stress is coming from, some simple strategies to reduce stress, and find out how to get involved with Stress Less Octoberfest.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/135

In this episode, we take a look at what's actually happening in your brain when anxiety takes over. I break down the different parts of the brain involved and how they interact to keep you stuck in fight-or-flight mode. Once you understand the science behind it, anxiety becomes a lot less scary and mysterious. Learn my 4 C's method for challenging anxious thoughts in the moment and choosing a different response.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/126

Listen in this week to discover what to do when you stop people pleasing and other people aren’t pleased. I’m showing you why not people pleasing is a foreign concept to so many people, what to expect when you stop, and my top tips for having your back when you start telling others what you really want.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/38

People pleasing is a well-worn habit and stopping isn’t easy. However, small changes can go a long way. Tune in this week to discover how to shift from doing things because you always have and everyone expects you to, to figuring out what you really want and acting in alignment with your own values. I’m giving you a strategy that will help you stop people pleasing, one step at a time.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/37

When we are people pleasing, we’re lying to others and to ourselves. We’re trying to manipulate how people view us by acting in ways that are not in alignment with how we really want to show up. With The Holidays fast approaching, the people-pleasing season truly is upon us, which makes now the perfect time to talk about how people pleasing shows up in Special Needs Parenting, and most importantly, how to break this exhausting habit.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/36

While we might not be as sensitive to changes and transitions as our child with Autism, did you know that we too can benefit from the same support systems we use to help them? Listen in this week to discover how to support yourself through any transition. I’m digging into schedules, previews, social studies, and test runs as just a few ways we try to prepare our kids for transitions, and I’m showing you how to use these systems for your own benefit too.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/35

This week, I'm diving a little further into how “normal” is subjective and the ways in which it can be harmful for those with Autism. I talk about why “aggressive” is an inappropriate way to describe the physical reactions that those with Autism experience, how certain ideas and judgements both reinforce inaccurate biases and rob us of joy, and why we can be the ones that change how language is used.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/34

Whether we want to admit it or not, so many of us have had the thought, “I wish my child was normal,” at one point or another. This is something that often comes up with my clients, and they’re riddled with shame and guilt. So, this week, find out why it’s 100% normal if you’ve ever found yourself thinking, saying, or wishing that your child or parenting experience was “normal.” You’ll hear why it’s a natural human desire to want to be "normal," and why you can both love your kid as they are and still wish things were easier.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/33

Tune in this week to discover what to do when you think nothing’s working. This is not about undermining your experience. I’m in the thick of it myself. Rather, I’m sharing how to be there for yourself and your child when it feels like you’re getting nowhere, and how to identify all of the things that are working, even if they differ slightly from what you expected.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/32

Human brains are story-making machines. We create stories as a way of understanding our lives, relating to the world, and relating to one another. Some of the stories we tell are empowering, while some have the opposite effect, and our power lies in our ability to choose the version of the story we want to tell, believe, and live. In this episode, I'm offering two very different diagnosis stories drawn from the same set of facts to show you how there is no ultimate truth, and why this is the best news.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/31

Do you ever find yourself interpreting all of your child’s behavior through the lens of their Autism diagnosis? Tune in this week to discover how you show up when you look at your child’s behavior through Autism-Colored Glasses. I’m showing you why there’s always more than one way of looking at your child’s behavior, and I’m sharing how to see if you’re missing out on the bigger picture or causing yourself unnecessary stress and anxiety.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/30

Tune in this week as I share a story where I was triggered. Well, actually I was stunned and sickened during a conversation with someone. There was a time when I would have reacted very differently to this conversation, however, with the skills of thought work, I was able to look at this uncomfortable situation in a more helpful way. So, I’m showing how you can do the same when you feel triggered by thoughtless comments or actions by another person.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/29

Learn a biological hack for immediately creating calm in your body when you’re stressed. I share how the Autism Mom Ice Water Challenge works and my top tips for implementing this technique in your everyday life.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/125

Have you ever found yourself comparing your life to the lives of your friends, family members, or even strangers on social media? You're not alone. This week, discover why our brains naturally go to a place of comparison, why it served humankind in the distant past, and why using comparison in unhelpful ways isn’t serving us now. I’m showing you how to see where you’re stuck into the Comparison Trap and how you can wriggle free if you fall into it.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/28

We all need a little advice from time to time, so in this week’s episode, I’m speaking with Dr. Darren Sush, a licensed clinical psychologist, Autism expert, and a board-certified behavioral analyst, about ways parents can prepare themselves and their children for the school year. Darren deeply understands the struggles parents raising children with Autism face, so he's sharing how to create ease around your experience of sending your child back to school.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/27

Tune in this week to discover why you’re feeling grief around your child’s return to school. I’m sharing my story and the uncomfortable emotions that are coming up for me, and why if you don’t process the feelings of grief in the moment, they can manifest physically and make a hard situation even harder.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/26

Tune in this week to discover a new way to cope with intense emotion. We always have the power to improve our ability to cope with the challenges we face in parenting neurodivergent children. Instead of simply catastrophizing about worst-case scenarios, you can be more in control than you ever thought possible, and I’m showing you how in today’s episode.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/25

This week, I’m teaching you the power and the practice of making decisions ahead of time. I’m showing you how to prepare yourself for whatever this school year brings because, once you’ve decided how you want to think, feel, and respond, you can take actions that are aligned with how you want to show up for your child and for yourself.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/24

This week, discover how to redefine what success looks like for our neurodivergent children, and why it serves us to do so, even if it flies in the face of everything we’ve been socialized to believe about what success means. I’m showing you the negative consequences of using the standards of success modeled on neurotypical children, and why applying them to your kids isn’t helpful.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/23

Tune in this week to discover how to stop worrying. Worrying is useless and takes up too much space in our brains, even though it feels totally natural. When you catch yourself in this nasty little brain habit, you can choose not to do it, and I’m showing how with a simple strategy to get control over your worrying.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/22

As moms to special needs kids, we worry about so many things when it comes to our children. Join me this week to discover what worry is, and why so many of us are devoted to this habit. I’m showing you how this is an amazing function we humans have, how you’re using it against yourself, and how to begin curbing this habit.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/21

Tune in this week to discover five powerful questions every Autism mom needs to ask themselves. I’m sharing why our brains thrive when we ask them powerful questions, and how to start questioning your brain in a way that will move you forward, instead of feeling stuck as a victim of your circumstances.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/20

Tune in this week to discover what to do after a mommy meltdown. I’m sharing the story of my own mommy meltdown, how I used the S.O.S. technique I shared last week to calm myself and decide on how I wanted to handle the situation, and I’m giving you a simple step-by-step framework to deal with the aftermath of your mommy meltdowns.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/19

Rob Gorski is a solo parent of three sons with Autism, each with unique characteristics. He lives in Ohio and runs a popular blog and hosts an impactful podcast called The Autism Dad, where he shares his experiences and offers support to other parents raising children with Autism and other disabilities. Learn a fresh perspective on Autism parenting from The Autism Dad, Rob Gorski.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/124

Tune in this week for my tips on what you can do during difficult moments to support yourself and manage your mommy meltdown. I'm also showing you how to make my S.O.S. technique (stop, observe, self-soothe) part of your daily self-care, so you can catch your meltdown before you and your child break down in line at the grocery store.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/18

Tune in this week to check on your triggers, and learn how being triggered might have you showing up in ways you don’t actually like. I’m sharing some of the most common triggers I come across in my life and my clients’ lives, and how you can see the ways you get triggered in your own life, how you generally respond, and how you can choose to react instead if you want to.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/17

If you’ve ever found yourself feeling frustrated because people don’t seem to understand what your life is like and the struggles you encounter raising a child with Autism, this episode is for you. Discover why believing other people don’t understand your reality is creating more disconnection than you might realize.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/16

Tune in this week to discover what you’re avoiding dealing with when you tell yourself you need to live forever, or your child will suffer. I’m sharing how thoughts like this only serve to mask our pain and avoid dealing with a very real eventuality, and I’m giving you some way more helpful thoughts you can decide to think instead.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/15

Tune in this week as I share how to move through your difficult emotions after a senseless tragedy. I’m sharing why we’re not here to try and feel positive about things we know are awful, why you can’t action your way out of fear and grief in the long term, and how to acknowledge your own pain and support yourself with compassion through these heartbreaking times.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/14

Tune in this week to discover how to manage your anxiety around the summer break. I’m sharing how to reframe your anxious experience at this time of year, and I’m showing you an incredible breathing exercise, so your anxiety can lead to productive action instead of spinning in dread and uncertainty.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/13

Discover how to step into your role as the expert when it comes to parenting your child. I’m sharing how to handle your thoughts if you don’t believe being the expert is empowering, and I’m showing you how to use the Think-Feel-Act cycle to create the kind of emotions that will allow you to parent with confidence and certainty, instead of fear and overwhelm.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/12

Tune in this week to discover what an expert is, and why you’re already the expert when it comes to parenting your child with Autism. I’m sharing where your expertise comes from and how to see it, and be sure to come back next week where I’m discussing stepping into your role as the expert.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/11

Discover a simple way to reframe your worst-case scenario thoughts and break the cycle of catastrophizing. I’m sharing why your brain loves to catastrophize over things that aren’t even certain, why ignoring it or telling yourself you’re worrying over nothing is never the answer, and how to instead meet yourself with empowering thoughts.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/10

Tune in this week to discover why thinking, “This should not be happening” is never helpful. I’m sharing how to get clear on where these thoughts come from and why it’s time to leave them behind so you get to enjoy even the most challenging parts of parenting a child with Autism.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/9

We believe more is better, and that if we do more, our child with Autism will be ‘okay’ or won’t struggle as much. I debunk the myth that more intervention is better and explore the dangers of the 1987 Lovaas study. I’m showing you why higher amounts of therapy may not be helpful to your child, how your well-being matters more to your child than speech or behavioral intervention, and the importance of trusting your instincts and expertise. 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/123

Tune in this week to discover the power of riding the waves of emotion. I’m sharing why trying to avoid emotions coming up for you or your child isn’t helping, and how instead you can allow for the full emotional experience without avoidance or distractions, living and learning through all of it.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/8

Tune in this week to discover where rigid all-or-nothing thinking is impacting your parenting, and what you can do to manage it. I’m sharing why our brains love this way of processing the world around us, and I’m showing you how to see the thoughts that are leading you down the path of this either-or mindset.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/7

Last week I introduced you to the Think-Feel-Act Cycle, which is at the very centre of The Self-Coaching Model. It’s a profoundly simple but effective tool we can use to transform our lives, and as promised, this week, I’m showing you how The Self-Coaching Model works so you can apply it in real time when you feel stressed, or your child is having a meltdown and everything feels like it’s crumbling around you.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/6

Whether you know it or not, there is a cycle constantly working in the background of everything you do, including dealing with the challenges of parenting a child with Autism.

Tune in this week to discover why the Think-Feel-Act Cycle is always at work, and how it’s driving everything you do or don’t do. I’m sharing how your thoughts interact with your feelings, which drive your actions, and how you can start to influence all of it and use this information to your advantage.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/5

Do you ever find yourself fixating on all the things your child can’t do, while paying little attention to the tremendous gains they’ve made?

Tune in this week to discover how your negativity bias is impacting your parenting. I’m sharing why this is such a tricky thing to spot in the moment, but I’m also giving you a simple exercise you can to bring a little more balance when your brain is feeding you negative thoughts about your child’s progress.

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/4

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.

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/3

Your child’s behaviors are not personal. When you are the person who is being yelled at or smacked, it’s not a nice experience. However, the truth is, we can separate the child we love from the behaviors we don’t, and on this episode, I’m giving you an amazing tool to take yourself out of the equation when it comes to your children’s outbursts.

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/2

Do you fear you’re not doing enough for your child with autism? Do you terrorize yourself with thoughts about their future, and how you’re not able to give them the right kind of support? Do you put caring fo yourself on the backburner because you think, “I’ll be okay once they’re okay?” Being a mom of a child with autism is undoubtedly challenging, but are thoughts like this making it even harder?

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/1

Have you ever felt like Autism has hijacked your life? Like you’re in a constant state of stress and anxiety and always walking on eggshells? Ever feel like you’re all alone, completely powerless and the circumstances in your life dictate everything you do?

In this podcast, I’ll show you how to radically change your life by transforming your relationship with Autism and special needs parenting. You’ll learn how to shift away from being a victim of your circumstances to being the hero of the story that you get to write. 

This isn’t your normal podcast about Autism, it’s not about how to handle our kids, it’s about how to handle ourselves. It’s about accepting the fact that Autism is hard and now what... Each week we'll discuss practical strategies and actionable steps to help you accept and understand your own triggers and how to choose how to respond.

The truth is Autism is not in charge of your life. YOU are, and you have more power than you think.

Discover why emotions are contagious and what you can do with this information. I discuss the science and statistics behind emotional contagion in children with Autism and their parents. Learn how to create a more stable environment for your child when they're melting down.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/122

Discover why your child's behaviors, regardless of whether you like them or not, are neutral. I share how remaining neutral about your child's behaviors helps you to stay calm as you navigate the challenges of Autism parenting, and you'll learn how to stop looking at your child's behaviors as either good or bad, so you can avoid the anger and frustration that accompanies challenging behaviors.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/121

I'm giving a voice and a name to the experience that Autism moms everywhere have of missing out on parenting experiences we expected and the childhood we imagined for our kids. This is what I'm calling GOMO, the grief of missing out. Discover how to start acknowledging the grief of missing out and learn how to not get stuck there when this grief strikes.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/120

I'm sharing two of the most valuable lessons I've brought you in the history of this podcast: that worrying is optional, and how to stop worrying. Tune in this week to discover why we worry and how to stop. Discover why worry is always optional, how worrying is impacting your life in more ways than you currently realize, and you'll learn how to get control over your worrying brain so you can show up in the way you and your child really need you to.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/119

If you feel like there's something off about the oxygen mask analogy, tune in this week to discover why you're totally correct. I discuss why the oxygen mask fallacy doesn't offer us any comfort as Autism parents, and you'll learn what to do next time somebody tells you to put your oxygen mask on first before you try to help your child with Autism.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/118