Adulting with Autism – Details, episodes & analysis

Hey guys hey! Get ready for a game-changing conversation with Tom D’Eri, founder of Rising Tide Car Wash and executive director of Rising Tide U. In this episode of Adulting with Autism, Tom shares how he turned his brother Andrew’s autism journey into a national model for inclusive employment—one that’s profitable, powerful, and proving that autistic adults aren’t a hiring risk… they’re a hiring asset. 💼💥

🎯 In this episode, we dive into:

• Why outdated hiring systems keep neurodivergent adults locked out

• How to build clear, respectful, and sustainable workplaces

• Reducing employee turnover by 80% (yes, really)

• What it means for parents to shift from guardians to coaches

• Why entry-level jobs are just the beginning—not the limit—for autistic talent

Whether you're a business leader, parent, educator, or neurodivergent adult yourself, this conversation will expand your mindset and give you real tools for a more inclusive future.

📘 Grab Tom’s Book: The Power of Potential: How a Non-Traditional Workforce Can Lead You to Run Your Business Better 👉 Buy it here using my affiliate: https://amzn.to/425uGX3e link As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no extra cost to you. ✅

🌐 Learn more about Tom & Rising Tide U: Website: https://risingtideu.com Instagram: @risingtidecarwash Facebook: Rising Tide Car Wash

🎁 GIVEAWAY TIME! Join our Discord during OT & Autism Awareness Month and be the 1,000th member to win a $100 Visa gift card + exclusive podcast merch! Link in bio or https://linktr.ee/adultingwithautism.

💬 Enjoyed the episode? Drop a review, follow for more, and share with someone who needs to hear this message.

#TomDEri #RisingTideU #AutismEmployment #NeurodivergentWorkforce #InclusionThatWorks #AdultingWithAutism #NeurodiversityAtWork #EmploymentEquity #AutismAcceptance #InclusiveHiring #BusinessWithHeart #SponsorFriendlyPodcast #ParentingNeurodivergentAdults #AutismSupport #PodMatch

Hey guys hey! In this powerful episode of Adulting with Autism, I’m joined by Tracey Van Hawkins—mom, innovator, and founder of the Thriving on the Spectrum app and platform.

Tracey shares her deeply personal story of navigating her son’s autism diagnosis, the moment everything changed with the help of one observant preschool teacher, and how she turned that journey into a mission to help autistic kids and families thrive with dignity, structure, and support.

🎯 In this episode, we talk about:

• How sensory overload and emotional regulation shaped her parenting journey

• The early red flags no one talks about—and how to trust your gut

• What it means to build tools that speak the language of autistic kids

• Why she created the Thriving on the Spectrum app for both parents and neurodivergent users

• The shift from “surviving the day” to building confidence, agency, and joy

Whether you’re a parent, therapist, teacher, or neurodivergent adult—you’ll walk away with practical insights and hope for a more inclusive future.

📲 Connect with Tracey Van Hawkins + Thriving on the Spectrum: 🌐 Website: https://www.thrivingonthespectrum.com 📱 Instagram: @thrivingonthespectrum 📥 App: Available on iOS + Android under Thriving on the Spectrum

🎁 GIVEAWAY TIME! We're still celebrating 30 Days of OT & Autism Awareness Month with a Discord giveaway! Be our 1,000th member and win a $100 Visa gift card + exclusive podcast merch. Join here: https://linktr.ee/adultingwithautism.

👍 Like what you hear? Follow, download, and leave a review—it helps more neurodivergent voices rise to the top.

#AdultingWithAutism #ThrivingOnTheSpectrum #TraceyVanHawkins #AutismParenting #NeurodivergentSupport #SensoryProcessing #AutismApps #ParentingWithPurpose #VisualSchedules #AutismTools #NeurodiversityInTech #EmpoweredParenting #AutismAwarenessMonth #PodcastForParents #InclusiveTech #SponsorFriendlyPodcasts #PodMatch

Hey guys hey! 💬 In this powerful episode of Adulting with Autism, I sit down with Zipporah Jarmon, founder of Within Me Coaching, who’s transforming lives through inclusive, identity-affirming life coaching for queer, BIPOC, and neurodivergent adults.

We get into the real-life tools and mindset shifts needed to navigate transitions like moving out, career changes, or simply setting boundaries while being your full self. If you’ve ever felt stuck, unseen, or unsure where to start—this episode is your blueprint to getting unstuck.

🔥 In This Episode:

• Life coaching vs. therapy—how to know which one you need

• Coaching queer and autistic BIPOC clients with compassion & results

• Setting realistic goals for independence (and why grandiose plans flop)

• Breaking internal & external barriers (yes, we go there)

• Why representation in coaching matters

• Building community that actually feels like home

💡 Zipporah’s approach is grounded in 12+ years of media, community, and coaching work—helping folks like us move forward with confidence, clarity, and care.

🎉 APRIL ANNOUNCEMENT April is OT & Autism Awareness Month! We’re dropping 30 days of exclusive content—every single day this month. Plus… we just launched on Twitch, and we’re doing a Discord giveaway for the 1,000th person to join: you’ll win custom Adulting with Autism merch + a $100 Visa gift card! 🎁

📣 Sponsors & Partners: Want to reach a passionate, engaged, and neurodivergent audience? This episode is perfect for brands in inclusive education, mental health, coaching platforms, tech, lifestyle, and independent living resources. Email me directly for sponsorship opportunities.

📍Connect with Zipporah: 🌐 withinmecoaching.com 📸 Instagram: @withinmecoaching

🎧 Don’t forget to follow, download, and share! Every stream helps us grow and reach more voices that deserve to be heard.

Welcome to another enlightening episode of 'Adulting with Autism'—a podcast celebrating the neurodiverse and fortifying its listeners with resourceful insights. Hosted by April Ratchford, a proud occupant of the spectrum, this episode delves into the transformative power of resilience and meditation.

In conversation with Natalie Bedard, founder of 'Lift OneSelf', we explore how she bravely fought a life-threatening illness and raised her children solo. Natalie's journey of self-healing allowed her to tap into the power of her nervous system and discard emotional blockages, inspiring others to do the same.

Listen as Natalie dissects her passion for helping others maximize their potential through incremental growth and transformation. Witness her lead listeners through a restorative meditation session—a testament to her compassionate, empowering approach towards helping others comprehend their unique experiences.

Natalie narrates her journey into meditation's soothing grasp following a series of unidentified neurological issues. She attributes a significant reduction of her trauma's energetic intensity to Transcendental Meditation and provides guidance for listeners on how to achieve tranquility in chaos by living purely in the moment.

She emphasizes the cruciality of self-care, stressing the importance of tending to individual needs by constantly engaging in mind-enriching practices such as meditation. Parents are especially urged to incorporate self-care into their schedules to build personal wellness and resilience.

Natalie also offers vital insights on accommodating the unique needs of neurodiverse individuals, be it sensory sensitivity, the need for movement, or a secure space to vent emotions. She suggests empathic ways of handling children's intense emotions, fostering a safe environment for expression.

The episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to visit Natalie’s website 'liftoneself.com' for further guidance on meditation practices. The host, April, ends on a hopeful note, encouraging listeners to remain steadfast in their journey, no matter the hurdles they face.

https//linktr.ee/Liftoneself

Ready to unravel the mysteries of magnesium? On this episode of "Adulting with Autism", host, April Ratchford, occupational therapist and mom on the autism spectrum, sits down with Natalie Jurado, expert on magnesium and founder of the therapeutic magnesium-infused moisturizer line, "Rooted". Learn about common symptoms of magnesium deficiency such as sleep problems, anxiety, muscle cramps, and chronic headaches and discover valuable tips and solutions for addressing these symptoms.

Don't just learn about magnesium, understand how to supplement it effectively through your diet or your skin. April and Natalie's intriguing conversation about the crucial role of magnesium in our bodies is not just educational, but offers solutions for anyone struggling with stress, anxiety, or sleep issues. Especially significant for health professionals, educators, and parents seeking alternative solutions for promoting healthier lifestyles.

In addition, they delve into the medical world's oversight on the importance of magnesium tests and how normal results can misleadingly point to an absence of deficiency. Furthermore, they highlight the critical link between magnesium and the proper utilization of vitamin D and calcium in our bodies, offering a fresh perspective on many prevalent health issues.

The episode wraps up with a look at lifestyle changes and home remedies to help balance your body's magnesium level and discusses the relationship between various forms of magnesium supplements and their absorption rates. Finally, future resources for maintaining your body's magnesium levels for better health are offered. Tune in to this enlightening episode to start this empowering journey towards better health and life.

www.berootedin.com

In this illuminating episode of Adulting with Autism, host April Ratchford engages in a profound conversation with renowned clinical expert, Dr. Michelle Maitenberg. The focus of their discussion is the underexplored concept of emotional avoidance, especially its connection with individuals on the autism spectrum. The duo draws upon real-life scenarios exhibiting emotional avoidance, offering practical advice for handling such situations effectively.

Dr. Maitenberg, known for her comprehensive knowledge in cognitive therapy and other therapeutic methods, helps demystify the complex nature of emotional avoidance. They emphasize the potential for intentional management of this aspect leading to an improved quality of life. This engaging conversation also delves into the distracting role of technology in perpetuating emotional avoidance.

The aim of this dialogue is to empower listeners to recognize emotional triggers and acquire strategies for better emotional management. The episode wraps up with an elaborative conversation on the concept of mindfulness, its wide-ranging definition, and how it serves as a tool to counter emotional avoidance.

Join April and Dr. Maidenberg on this emotionally rich and informative exploration designed to aid individuals and families involved with autism in leading a more fulfilling life. Don't miss this enlightening exchange in the realm of Autism, only on "Adulting with Autism."

Beyond autism, the episode offers a comprehensive understanding of mindfulness, anxiety and mental wellbeing. Listeners get to understand the neurological response to intense emotions and are presented with actionable techniques to manage stress and anxiety.

The podcast also provides guidance on setting realistic mindfulness goals and the necessary patience and commitment required for mental wellness journey. Techniques to overcome self-defeating thoughts and promote self-acceptance, self-compassion, and self-empowerment are also discussed in detail.

This episode urges listeners to approach life mindfully, fostering positive change through positive thinking, and persisting on the journey to mental wellness. Get ready to dive deep into the intricacies of emotional avoidance, mental wellness and mindfulness from experts in the field.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq2ytRXX-J8

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53 Mind-Body Strategies For Lifelong Health

www.michellemaidenberg.com

Welcome to a powerful and transformative episode of the 'Adulting with Autism' podcast hosted by April Ratchford. In this enlightening episode, April, an empathetic therapist, mother, and autism advocate, brings us into the intimate world of adults with autism, sharing their daily life struggles and victories. The episode's central theme is the pervasive issue of "people-pleasing," a common trap for parents, caregivers, and individuals alike.

We welcome special guest Kara Regas, a certified life coach, specializing in breaking the people-pleasing cycle. Delving deep into the complexities of this syndrome, Kara offers practical steps toward setting healthy boundaries and prioritizing self-care. She illuminates how people-pleasing often roots in childhood issues and impacts all aspects of our lives. Recognizing and understanding this tendency is the first step toward healing and positive change.

April and Kara engage in a stimulating conversation about the importance of self-awareness, boundary setting, and assertive communication. They highlight the crucial differences between therapy and coaching and how a coach helps individuals apply learned therapeutic strategies in real-life scenarios with effectiveness.

Further in the discussion, the episode explores the intricate connection between emotions, hormones, and the nervous system and their profound influence on our overall state of mind. Learn about the importance of a flexible nervous system, and how transitioning from sympathetic states to parasympathetic states can aid mental wellness.

The episode concludes with Kara sharing her experiences as a people-pleasing coach, her passion for her craft, and her clients' inspiring success stories. This episode brings to the forefront the prevalent issue of 'people-pleasing,' providing practical insights and strategies to overcome it. Listen now to embark on a journey of self-discovery, self-care, and personal empowerment.

www.kararegas.com

Welcome to ‘Adulting with Autism', the podcast that provides a unique neurodiverse perspective on life's challenges. This episode features a fascinating conversation between host, April Ratchford, and guest, Erin Rodgers, a renowned storyteller, writer, and workshop facilitator committed to helping people capture their stories.

Erin shares her personal experiences with autism and how she uses her insights to assist others in expressing themselves. With extensive experience working with notable organizations like UNIFOR, Ontario Federation of Labor, and Engineers Canada, Erin highlights how mastering self-expression can significantly enhance our ability to connect with others. Her work in the Pathfinders Collective also showcases her talent and passion for storytelling.

Covering the advantages of journaling and embracing individuality and interests, she motivates listeners to become the main characters of their stories. Moreover, she emphasizes the learning potential that lies within our mistakes, giving listeners the courage to step out of their comfort zones and take on new challenges.

This invigorating episode serves as an excellent avenue for those seeking to establish their tribe, preparing for college life, or eager for tips on dealing with the unpredictability of life. Stay tuned for engaging anecdotes and practical wisdom, as Erin provides a unique perspective on coping with obstacles, using daily affirmations, and confronting shame and ridicule—all while living a life that celebrates their uniqueness.

Settle in for an exceptional conversation with Erin Rogers, as she candidly shares her journey of discovery, mental health challenges, and the transformative power of storytelling. Don't miss this enriching blend of humor, valuable insights, and essential wisdom to aid neurodiverse listeners to confidently traverse the landscape of adult life.

If you wish to delve deeper into Erin Rogers' work, tune in to 'Adulting with Autism,' or find her at 'story star coaching' and '@AaronRodgersStoryPro' on Instagram. This episode is sure to inspire all adults with autism and neurodiverse individuals around the world to embrace their narrative and celebrate their unique journey.

In this remarkable episode of 'Adulting with Autism,' meet our inspiring guest, Kristof Morrow, a well-acclaimed author and late-diagnosed Tourette's warrior. Listen to his fascinating journey filled with resilience, determination, and strength that propelled him to an impressive writing career with his books distributed across about 50 countries worldwide.

This episode delves into the mechanics of  Kristof's writing process, his unique relationship with words, and strategies to tackle writers' block. He also discusses his best-selling fantasy-literature series 'The Second Sun' and reveals the interesting genesis of his novel's protagonist.

We explore how being on the autism spectrum and experiencing childhood trauma has enriched Kristof's narratives, helping him frame complex characters and craft profound stories. Despite the hardships and misunderstandings faced, Kristof firmly believes in the power of creativity and encourages listeners to persistently chase their dreams.

This episode is an intimate peep into the mind of a writer who passionately weaves intricate themes into his works and introduces a dialogue of Spanglish in his upcoming science fiction project. Hear how his current series affects him psychologically and get a glimpse of the upcoming third volume.

Feel the author's evident love and passion for writing; it's like hanging out with his favorite people! End this heartfelt episode with an important reminder to cherish reparations and uphold democracy. Tune into step into the intriguing world of a writer brimming with depth, humor and adventure!

Welcome to this exciting episode of our podcast, "Adulting with Autism: A Revolutionary Approach to Curing Anxiety". In this in-depth conversation, our host and veteran occupational therapist, April Ratchford, engages with special guest, Daniel Packard. Daniel, a mechanical engineer from UC Berkeley, shares his personal struggle with anxiety and the groundbreaking solution he developed from his 8-year research.

In this episode, Daniel talks about his decade-long battle with anxiety, investing a whopping $100,000 in various therapies that only provided him temporary relief. Sharing his own success story, Packard claims a staggering 90% success rate for his revolutionary approach, putting forward essential insights for anyone dealing with anxiety disorders or emotional pain.

Daniel illustrates the importance of treating emotional wounds rather than merely managing them, narrating his transformative journey towards emotional healing. He also reveals the truth about the prevalent mode of treatment in the industry and how his approach is set to alter it.

Through Packard's unique system, he aims to bring peace, happiness, and total liberation from fear, anxiety, or trauma to those in need. A clear example of reliability and efficiency, his unique pay-after-results model provides tangible results, eliminating any risks for those seeking help and offering an affordable, simple, and highly effective solution to mental health issues.

Tune in to this inspiring episode to learn from Daniel's determination to provide a better alternative for treating emotional pain, his dedication towards his clients’ success, and a system that leaves no room for confusion, guesswork, or failure. Discover the life-changing method that could be the solution you or a loved one needs to finally be free from anxiety.