Explore every episode of the podcast Living the Sky Life - Our Autism Journey
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| S5: Episode 182 - Through his new book, this autism dad shares practical advice & hopes to be a voice for other fathers who may be struggling. | 09 mai 2024 | 00:41:51 | |
A devoted family man, Harry Psaros has been happily married to his wife Michelle for 24 years and is a proud father of two sons, Costa “Gus” and Maximos “Max.” With a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as minors in physics and philosophy, Harry has a strong educational foundation. Further expanding his expertise, he obtained a certification as a health coach from the Institute of Integrated Nutrition. Professionally, Harry serves as an Executive Neuroscience Account Specialist for AbbVie. Known affectionately by fans as the “Pitt Guru,” he is a top social media influencer for University of Pittsburgh athletics and the senior writer for Pittsburgh Sports Now. Harry is on the Board of Directors for the Autism Caring Center, President of North Fayette Township’s Parks and Recreation Board, Vice President of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Weirton, WV and one of the founders of North Fayette P.A.L.S. (an organization for special needs children). Harry is an avid reader, enjoys strength training, running, martial arts and lives to serve others. | |||
| S5: Episode 181 - Preparing but not stressing for adulthood & never losing hope that our kids will determine their own incredible future | 04 avr. 2024 | 01:09:41 | |
Jo-Ann Turning also known as “Mrs. Bacon” is one half of the married, blogging couple from Bacon and Juice Boxes: Our Life with Autism. She's mom to Eric (age 19 on the autism spectrum) and Anna Kate (age 22, recent college graduate who is now working in NYC.) When her son, Eric, was first diagnosed with autism 18 years ago, she couldn’t say the word “autism” without crying. After many years, and many experiences parenting in both the neuro-typical and special needs world, Jo-ann has become passionate about building bridges of hope for her family and other families like theirs. She's been honored to be invited to give several lectures at conferences and schools, works full-time outside the home, and is President of Special Wants, Inc. a 501c3 organization. If she's lucky enough to get a few hours to herself, Jo-ann loves to bake, cook, read and make watercolor greeting cards. https://www.facebook.com/BaconandJuiceBoxes/ | |||
| S5: Episode 180 - Uncovering GI issues with a nonverbal teen and beginning to plan for adulthood | 21 mars 2024 | 01:28:25 | |
Kentucky mom & former ICU nurse, Rachel Moldoveanu shares her experience navigating through the world of Autism with her almost 15-year-old son Frankie while also parenting her two neurotypical daughters, Livi age 16 and Ellie age 6. Rachel's love of Diet Coke, Jesus and Kentucky basketball get her through the tough days! You can reach out to Rachel on FB: @Rachel Moldoveanu Rachel's first appearance on my show was January 2020 (Episode 12) if you want to listen to more of her family story! | |||
| S5: Episode 179 - Keeping hope alive... and the power of 'yet' | 14 mars 2024 | 00:27:26 | |
On this solo episode, I outline our 20 year journey to uncovering and resolving Skyler's GI issues. It finally feels like we are making significant progress! Through his smiles, laughter and decreased frustration (and subsequent hitting), it appears Skyler is becoming less uncomfortable in his own body! I provide a more detailed account of our experiences in my book 'Welcome to My Life - A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism' which is available on Amazon. Want to be a guest on Living the Sky Life? Connect with me via my website lauriehellmann.com to learn how!
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| S5: Episode 178 - Turning those labeled as "low functioning" into higher functioning individuals through a successful life & job skills training program | 07 mars 2024 | 01:13:05 | |
Mike Stuart is a 74 year old retired educator who lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He and his wife Harriet and their 32 year old autistic son, Aaron, moved from Florida 16 months ago to be closer to their daughter and her family. In 2015, Mike created a life and job skills program for the more significantly-challenged autistic and other developmentally-disabled individuals called Operation Meaningful Life. It has been incredibly successful in turning Aaron into a skilled higher-functioning individual from his formerly designated "low-functioning" label. Through the FB group for Operation Meaningful Life, Mike shares programming and behavioral insights with his 12,000 followers. Mike and Harriet are now formulating the next major phase of Aaron's life: a permanent, secure, life-fulfilling, and compassionate residential model for Aaron and others who are considered more-heavily or severely challenged. You can connect with Mike via his FB page: @Operation Meaningful Life or his website: operationmeaningfullife.com | |||
| S5: Episode 177 - The importance of improving GI health to eliminate additional neurological effects caused by IBD/Crohn's/ Colitis | 22 févr. 2024 | 01:05:05 | |
Josh Dech is an ex-paramedic and Holistic Nutritionist, specializing in Crohn’s and Colitis, and other related gut issues. It was the successes his clients have had with complex digestive Since then, he’s been recruited to the Priority Health You can connect with Josh on FB & IG @Josh Dech and find his podcast ReversABLE on all platforms. | |||
| S5: Episode 176 - Diving deep into the methods of toilet training | 08 févr. 2024 | 00:59:29 | |
Dr. Mary Barbera “fell” into the autism world in 1999 when her first-born son, Lucas was diagnosed with autism. Since then, Mary transformed from a confused and overwhelmed parent to a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and best-selling author. After earning a PhD, Mary launched her first online course in early 2015 and later built additional courses and a membership program to help both parents and autism professionals. In her vlogs, podcasts, books, webinars, and online courses, Mary teaches her unique step-by-step system and method to help children with autism (or signs of autism) talk more while reducing tantrums and other problem behaviors. Mary’s latest book Turn Autism Around was published in 2021 by Hay House and is helping parents and professionals start turning things around for young children with early signs of autism and older children with an autism diagnosis who are still struggling with talking, tantrums, eating, sleeping and potty training. For more information go to marybarbera.com to access her FB, IG & YouTube pages. | |||
| S5: Episode 175 - Chatting with an OG of the Spelling Method for Communication and why it's important to always presume competence | 01 févr. 2024 | 01:11:50 | |
Dawnmarie Gaivin is the Founder & Executive Director at Spellers Center San Diego, located in Oceanside, CA. Before her career moved into the world of nonspeaking autism, Dawnmarie worked for over 11 years as a trauma & transplant RN. In 2005 her first son regressed and was diagnosed with autism. A year later, her second son followed the same path. Today her eldest, Evan (20) is a nonspeaker and fluent letterboard communicator. Her younger son, Trey (18) is a minimal speaker who uses multiple modalities for effective communication. Dawnmarie is a former DIR/Floortime® provider, cofounder of the Spellers Method, and an Assistive Technology Specialist (AT-ACP). In March 2021, Jamison Handley, a fluent speller, and his dad JB wrote a book entitled “Underestimated" about their journey learning how to spell for communication with her. In 2023 their award-winning documentary SPELLERS was released, showcasing how spelling and typing as a method of communication has liberated many nonspeakers from a lifetime of silence. Dawnmarie also currently serves as the interim co-director of Spellers Freedom Foundation, a nonprofit run by a board made up mostly of nonspeakers, who give scholarships and help create community for other spellers. Dawnmarie's children inspired her specific passion to support all nonspeakers in the development of purposeful motor skills and a reliable form of communication. You can learn more about her and the programs offered through her team at www.spellers.com. You can connect with her via various social media accounts: IG = spellers__ IG = spellers center_sandiego FB = www.facebook.com/spellersrev FB Group = Spellers Community | |||
| S5: Episode 174 - Sharing a love of the outdoors & spending quality time with each other has created an unbreakable bond between these sisters | 25 janv. 2024 | 00:34:10 | |
Claire Thomas is 15-years-old and has a 12-year-old sister named Leah, who was diagnosed with autism as a toddler. Claire enjoys spending time outside whether it's hunting with her dad or fulfilling her passion for photography by capturing the beauty around her. When she's not doing either of those hobbies, Claire is quite busy in high school as a member of the swim team. According to her mom, Claire is a great helper and wonderful sister, often taking Leah on walks to explore the woods and nature together. | |||
| S5: Episode 173 - Appreciating her brother for his authenticity, ability to find enjoyment in the little things and naivety to negativity in the world | 18 janv. 2024 | 00:35:27 | |
Chelsea Waxler lives in Columbus, Indiana with her fiancé, Chris. She is the older sister to brother, Braxton who is 20-years-old and on the autism spectrum. After being able to witness firsthand the success her brother has had with his therapies, she found herself being drawn to autism therapy and wanted to provide high quality services to families in her own community. As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Personally, Chelsea is an avid IU Hoosiers basketball fan, proud cat mama, and lover of all things fall. You can learn more about Braxton’s story, her sibling support group, and more about the services her company offers at www.kindredtiestherapy.com or through their Facebook page! | |||
| S5: Episode 172 - Declaring that her brother is amazing, this little sister loves that he constantly tries to make everyone laugh | 11 janv. 2024 | 00:33:29 | |
Lee is 13 years old and in the 7th grade. She lives at home with her mom, dad, brother, grandmother and two beloved cats, Leo and Max. Her older brother Jack (age 16) has autism, cerebral palsy and developmental delay. Lee enjoys creating video animation, writing, gaming and playing Dungeons and Dragons with her friends. She wants to be a videographer when she grows up. You can follow their family on FB: @Loving Jack or on their blog: loving-jack.com | |||
| S5: Episode 171 - A tremendous bond between brothers within a loving and supportive large family | 04 janv. 2024 | 00:35:42 | |
Charlie Cariello is a senior at Bedford High School in New Hampshire. He resides with his parents, three brothers, one sister, and a dog named Wolfie. An avid sports aficionado, Charlie is captain of the varsity baseball team, as well as the Christian Youth Organization’s basketball team. He performs leadership duties for Student Council and works part-time in an Italian restaurant. In his spare time, Charlie enjoys rooting for his beloved Buffalo Bills, visiting his grandfather, and fishing with his friends. He plans to attend Bates College in the fall of 2024 with a major of Economics and Psychology. | |||
| S5: Episode 170 - Now an adult, this younger sister reflects on the many ways her relationship with her autistic brother has grown and become stronger | 28 déc. 2023 | 00:48:03 | |
Madison Urquiola is 25-years-old and currently works as the assistant athletics director for external operations/ sports communications at her alma matter Young Harris College. Her brother, Jordan Urquiola is 27-year-old brother and has autism. Madison loves spending time with her family, boyfriend, and dog. She enjoys the peace of the North Georgia Mountains and every year looks forward to the fall season. You can connect with Maddie via Twitter @maddieUrq or FB: @Madison Urquiola | |||
| S5: Episode 169 - Today's guest takes her role as big sister & protector seriously as she shares with me all the ways she appreciates her autistic brother | 21 déc. 2023 | 00:33:34 | |
Natalie is in the 8th grade and loves the theater. She has been in several performances at her school and in local community theater. She loves animals, especially her cat, Willie and dog, Yogi. Natalie attends numerous Special Olympics events to support her little brother, Quinn, who has autism. Natalie is kind, loving and loyal. She is a fierce protector of her brother! | |||
| S5: Episode 168 - Two brothers join me for a discussion about life as an autism sibling | 14 déc. 2023 | 00:43:26 | |
Aaron Long is a 15-year-old sophomore who enjoys soccer, lacrosse, and ice skating. He also loves Christmas! According to his family, he consumes copious amounts of Kit Kats; would have a house full of cats and dogs if he could and when he's not in school or at a sport practice or game, like hanging out at the arcade. Justin Long is an 18-year-old senior who is looking forward to graduation in May. Currently, hockey is life! Justin would like to become a marine biologist and travel the world and help others. He lovingly cares for many goldfish and enjoys celebrating his Italian heritage! Apparently, Justin never refuses beef stroganoff or an opportunity to taste unusual soda pop! Their older brother, Jared, who is 20 years old has autism and a unique & special relationship with each of his siblings. | |||
| S5: Episode 167 - My daughter shares her honest feelings about growing up with an autistic brother who has profound needs | 07 déc. 2023 | 00:48:45 | |
Kendall is an 18-year-old college freshman majoring in BioChemistry with her career goal set on being either a veterinarian or pathologist. Kendall has always assumed the role of 'little, big sister' to her brother Skyler who is 20-years-old. Due to Skyler being nonverbal and his profound need for support in all other areas of life, Kendall has navigated childhood inside our home on her own. She's very honest and candid during our discussion and it was evident that there are still aspects and feelings regarding her relationship with Skyler that will take time to sort out and better understand. | |||
| S5: Episode 166 - Both a sibling and a mom to loved ones on the autism spectrum, Kylie has spent her life advocating for less ignorance & bullying and more inclusion & resources | 30 nov. 2023 | 00:52:19 | |
Kylie and her husband Ray live in rural west central Minnesota close to Hutchinson, MN. Together they are the parents of their 12-year- old son Griffin and 5-year-old identical twin girls Greta and Ganessa. Kylie's younger brother Dwayne is on the autism spectrum so her perspective and understanding as an autism sibling came in handy when her twin girls were both diagnosed with autism at the age of 3.
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| S5: Episode 165 - Chatting with a special education teacher, who is also on the autism spectrum, about her new children's book 'Call Me Mosely' | 16 nov. 2023 | 00:54:22 | |
Shelby Jones is 31 years old and lives in Kentucky. She has been a special educator in moderate to severe disabilities for the last three years and was an ECE assistant for 4 years prior. She also has experience as a mental health professional. Shelby was diagnosed with autism as an adult and recently wrote a children’s book on autism. Her journey with sharing her life on the spectrum and advocating for those with disabilities is just getting started. FB link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095622754314&mibextid=LQQJ4d Book link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/call-me-mosely-shelby-jones/1143717318?ean=9798218958817 ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S5: Episode 164 - The importance of identifying the good moments in each day and finding happiness within yourself. Choose your hard! | 09 nov. 2023 | 00:59:23 | |
Shannon is the proud mom of two children, now young adults. Her son Jordan is 27 and her daughter Madison is 25 years old. Jordan was diagnosed with autism when he was 5 years old. She is his primary caregiver and guardian. Shannon founded Not Your Average Autism Mom out of a desire to create what she wished she would have had available earlier in her journey raising Jordan. There are many therapies and services available for children on the spectrum but having traveled this parenting journey for over two decades, she continues to see the need to support their caregivers along the way. Shannon is a Master Certified Life and Parent Coach working exclusively with moms raising autistic children. She provides families and educators with resources and information via her Not Your Average Autism Mom Weekly Podcast, Let’s TALK AUTISM Monthly Newsletter, their Signature FREE COURSE, Unburdened; Finding Balance Living Alongside Autism, and a PRIVATE MEMBERSHIP exclusively for female caregivers. Shannon shares her lived experiences in hopes of creating a more accepting and inclusive world for our children on the spectrum. You can connect with Not Your Average Autism Mom on social media (FB, IG) or via her website www.notyouraverageautismmom.com***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me!
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| S5: Episode 163 - Choosing to put yourself first and having the strength to end an unhealthy relationship | 02 nov. 2023 | 00:55:03 | |
Rachel Flanagan lives in Minnesota with her daughter Seeley. Rachel is creative, motivated and is more than willing to learn – she is sleepless, funny and is always found with a cup of coffee. Rachel explores her own strengths and struggles as well as Seeley’s complexities and magic in a blog and page called FlanaVille. She writes as she speaks, real, raw and from the heart. Rachel is also a co-host on the Table for Five, No Reservations Podcast. ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S5: Episode 162 - Learning to communicate more clearly and overcome our natural instinct as autism parents to live in 'fight or flight' mode in our marriage | 26 oct. 2023 | 00:56:57 | |
Kate Swenson, founder of Finding Cooper's Voice and the nonprofit, The More Than Project, is a mother to four kids, a wife, and a proud Minnesotan. She writes and creates videos about her life as a mother and an autism advocate for Facebook, Instagram, and her website, Finding Cooper's Voice. Kate became a published author in 2022 with her book, Forever Boy, A Mother's Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy, which highlights the transformation that she went through after her son's diagnosis. ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S5: Episode 161 - The importance of prioritizing your spouse and many other things a 33 year marriage has taught them | 19 oct. 2023 | 01:03:26 | |
Corey and Andrea Landreth are the parents of 4 grown children, and their 3rd born son, Trent is 25 years old and on the autism spectrum. They moved to El Dorado, Kansas to begin Real Life Christian Church in 2006 where Corey is the lead pastor. Andrea is a school psychologist in the public school system. They began the Drawings by Trent business in 2015 for their son with the goals of encouraging families, educating communities and inspiring everyone through Trent's art and their story. There were many difficult years, but seeing Trent's raw joy and incredible ability brings hope to families going through the struggles of raising a child on the spectrum. You can connect with the Landreth family in the following ways: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpWxUJiR8QP1AXDX-jWWwgA (just under Drawings by Trent) Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/drawingsbytrent Website: drawingsbytrent.com. (you will find information about Trent, our family, the business, and be able to visit our store!) *****************************************To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S5: Episode 160 - Keeping laughter, communication and teamwork at the forefront of our marriage | 12 oct. 2023 | 00:55:20 | |
At long last... my husband Josh sits down with me for a discussion about parenting and keeping the foundation of our marriage strong even through the most stressful and challenging times. | |||
| S5: Episode 159 - Navigating the minimal options available when our loved ones age out of traditional services | 05 oct. 2023 | 01:02:43 | |
Malinda Dalton-Cook resides in the San Diego area with her husband Chad and their 21-year-old daughter Paige, who is on the autism spectrum. Malinda is the CEO/Founder of Paige's Pantry, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is also the host of the Autism Mastermind Podcast. You can connect with Melinda on IG/FB: @autismmastermind | |||
| S5: Episode 158 - Empowering your vision of 'home' and helping families coordinate future housing options for their loved ones | 28 sept. 2023 | 00:57:05 | |
Pam founded Partners4Housing to provide a better way for families of people with IDD to find roommates and set up shared housing solutions. Her career has spanned 30 years in special needs housing, and she is an acknowledged expert in her field and a Friends of Housing Award Honoree. As housing coordinator in Seattle, she assisted 450 people with IDD with their move into housing over a 5-year period and has an in-depth working knowledge of how to help people navigate SSI, SSDI, State Residential Support, Medicaid-funded personal care services, supported employment income, and Section 8 housing subsidies. "I've been called an indomitable problem-solver. I love to work with parents to solve their unique challenges and leave their world a little better than I found it." You can connect with Partners 4 Housing on FB/IG/LinkedIn/YouTube: @partners4housing ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S5: Episode 157 - Living by the motto 'what is standing in your way might just become the way' while enjoying and learning to navigate adulthood with her sons one day at a time | 21 sept. 2023 | 01:06:41 | |
Molly is the mom to adult quadruplet men (they turned 21 this year). Her son, Benjamin is impacted greatly by Autism and Epilepsy and her son, Issaac is also impacted by Autism but it presents differently than with his brother Ben. The 'typical' boys, Max & Caleb, have been incredible siblings and role models. Molly started her small business, 'No Label Knits' a few years ago with the hopes of incorporating Ben and Issac. The limits of employment and other outside opportunities for the autistic adult population is something she is dedicated to improve. A portion of the sale of each knit hat Molly handmakes goes toward Easter Seals WI due to how much they've enhanced Ben's life. In addition to being a full time caregiver for Ben, Molly carves out time to continue her life long passions - running and swimming. You can connect with Molly on IG: @no_label_knits ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S5: Episode 156 - An overview of the various housing alternatives for autistic adults | 14 sept. 2023 | 01:02:16 | |
Betsy Hicks-Russ is a leading expert with over 25 years of experience in holistic health as the former CEO of Green Health Wellness as well author of Picky Eating Solutions (2010) that evolved into an online course. Betsy is also the Director of Autism Odyssey and creator of the Be Kind Vest. Betsy has delivered lectures around the world about meal planning, special diets, and holistic health for autistic individuals. Her experiences with her 30-year-old son, Joey has driven her to become an impassioned expert on the relationship between nutrition, movement, and fresh air being vital for the mind and body. Betsy strives to give those who may not have a voice the chance to express themselves and seek freedom from prejudice and social barriers. Her dedication to health and wellness translates directly to her passion for caregiving and the mission to create space for people living on the autism spectrum to be heard, understood, and embraced. You can connect with Betsy at: AutismOdyssey.org; BeKindVest.com; PickyEatingSolutions.com and Tiktok/Instagram/Facebook @BetsyOnTheGo ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S5: Episode 155 - Chatting with a Kentucky mom who decided to create a solution for adults with disabilities who have no options due to aging out | 07 sept. 2023 | 01:14:11 | |
Karen South has worked in healthcare her entire life, starting with her first job in the kitchen of a nursing home at age 15 to being a dental tech while she was serving in the Navy, to being an EMT, nursing assistant and a radiation therapist. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati, she worked many years with teenagers that were in state's custody living in a residential facility. She says all of these roles prepared her for her favorite role, which is being a mom to 4 children. Now that her children are adults, she spends most of her time caring for her 23 year old son, David who has Autism and is unable to live independently. He requires a great deal of support and 24/7 supervision. As David was preparing to age out of public school, Karen realized the lack of resources that are available for adults living with Autism or other disabilities. This realization prompted Karen to go back to school to become a therapeutic, adaptive fitness instructor and start a company called the Learning Curve of Kentucky. Her new company strives to provide individuals of all abilities with the support, training, encouragement and opportunities they need to have fulfilling careers, hobbies and social activities. Connect with Karen on FB: @TheLearningCurveofKY To purchase tickets for the 9/23/23 Autism Conference with keynote speaker Temple Grandin email Karen at: Karen.south@thelearningcurveofky.com | |||
| S4: Episode 154 (Solo Episode) - Neurotypical milestones and managing emotions | 08 juin 2023 | 00:21:39 | |
I will be taking a summer break from the podcast to enjoy the few months I'll have with my daughter before she heads off to college. When I return for Season 5, I'd like to discuss a few key topics that come up often and would love for you to be a part of those discussions!! I'm looking for guests to talk about: *Challenge of maintaining relationships when parenting a neurodiverse child - marital issues / divorce, isolation from friends or close family or have difficulty finding a partner as a single parent? *Travel experiences with a neurodiverse child - tips/tricks for planning a trip, nightmare travel adventures (that you can laugh about now) or positive experiences that you didn't think were possible. *The aging out process & adult services - what was your experience finding resources and programming when your son/daughter turned 21-22 and suggestions or tips for parents to make note of when future planning. If you are interested in being a guest on Living the Sky Life, please visit the podcast tab of my website (lauriehellmann.com) or email me at laurie@lauriehellmann.com | |||
| S4: Episode 153 - Sparked by a desire to encourage valuable conversations around kindness & inclusion, this incredible mom created a company to assist with her mission of Raising Rebels | 01 juin 2023 | 00:44:34 | |
Lauren Emmett is a proud mom of two adorable kids, her son Wilson and daughter Charlie. Her oldest, Wilson, was diagnosed with autism when he was three years old. After those first few years of motherhood, especially the long, isolating road to a diagnosis, she was determined to try and help others who were beginning a similar journey. She knew the more understanding and acceptance of differences there is in the world, the easier it may be for her boy, and so many others, to navigate through it. She began blogging about her son’s journey at Wilsonsclimb.com and eventually launched Little Rebels with a Cause, an apparel brand to create conversations through clothing that donates a portion of sales to incredible nonprofits that work in the field of disability services and advocacy. You can connect with Lauren via FB: @wilsonsclimb and @littlerebelswithacause or IG: @wilsonsclimb_an_autism_journey and @littlerebelscause ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S4: Episode 152 - Catching up with the Educated Debutante | 25 mai 2023 | 01:15:55 | |
Adrian H. Wood, PhD, is a rural Eastern NC mother of four, one with extra special needs. Past preschool teacher, nanny, children's ski instructor, early interventionist, college professor, early childhood researcher, wife and full-time mama. In writing after a 20-year hiatus, she offers personal glimpses where satire meets truth, faith meets irony, despair meets joy and this educated debutante escapes the laundry and finds true meaning in graceful transparency. You can connect with Adrian on FB and IG: @Tales of an Educated Debutante. ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S4: Episode 151 - Preparing for their adult son's future & dedicated to support the special needs community, these business savvy parents founded Sammy Socks to accomplish both of those goals | 11 mai 2023 | 00:58:52 | |
Sally and Mark Lyons live in Hutto, TX with their 25-year-old son, Samuel who is on the autism spectrum. Sally and Mark are both retired teachers. You can connect with them via the follow social meadia platforms: ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S4: Episode 150 - This outspoken dad and his autistic adult son have made it their mission to ensure every non-speaker in the world has access to Spelling to Communicate (S2C)... the revolution has begun | 04 mai 2023 | 01:08:18 | |
J.B. Handley is the best-selling author of How to End the Autism Epidemic and the co-author of Underestimated: An Autism Miracle which he wrote with his now 21-year-old autistic son, Jaime. Their book, Underestimated inspired the new full length documentary, SPELLERS, which challenges the conventional wisdom of 'experts' that non-speakers with autism are cognitively disabled. The film blends beautiful cinematography with heart-wrenching stories of eight spellers and provides a strong message for every parent of a non-speaker: your child can do this, too. SPELLERS also demands that teachers, schools, and therapists wake up to the reality that we may have underestimated the abilities of more than 50 million people worldwide. J.B. is an honors graduate of Stanford University and lives in Portland, OR with his wife Lisa and their 3 children. ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S4: Episode 149 - Frustrated by the lack of clean, supplement options on the market, a passionate mom set out to change that and partnered with a medical professional to create Simple Spectrum Supplements | 27 avr. 2023 | 00:45:24 | |
Heather Grimaldi, MS is the Founder of Proof Positive ABA Therapies. As a behavior analyst and Clinical Director, Heather’s focus was on supporting families and team members tasked with implementing behavior-analytic interventions. In late 2016, the long-running Autism Learning Partners created one of the largest Autism therapy platforms in the U.S. with its acquisition of Proof Positive. Heather knows the benefits of high-end supplements from her firsthand experience in the Autism space. Dr. Kristin Shay, DC, MS, Functional Medicine, is an experienced healthcare professional and educator who carries a deeply personal passion for functional medicine and the latest developments in the science behind “nutraceuticals” – dietary supplements demonstrated to have physiological benefits. Dr. Shay holds a Doctor of Chiropractic from Southern California University of Health Sciences; a Masters of Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology, and a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology. Simple Spectrum was designed with our kids with sensory needs in mind and is an unflavored dissolvable powder without gluten, casein, added sugar, soy, binding agents, artificial colors, preservatives, GMOs and dairy. The highest quality vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in the most bioavailable forms - It really is quite simple. Our mission was to create the kind of nutraceutical supplement we wanted to see available, based on the latest scientific research and free from the extraneous additives packed into so many similar products on the market. As a parent of one child with sensory processing disorders and another with ketotic hypoglycemia, responsible for implementing food programs her self Heather knows how hard it can be to get kids to eat the right foods and that includes her own. **Be sure to listen closely for the generous discount code SS provided to my listeners!** ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple or Audible platforms, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S4: Episode 148 - Assuming the role of full-time caregiver & homeschool teacher to her 12-year-old autistic son can be overwhelming, so this mom makes her own health & wellness a priority | 20 avr. 2023 | 00:59:06 | |
Christine De Gregorio is a mom to two wonderful boys Gianni (1.5 years old), and Abryn (13 years old). Abryn, who is on the autism spectrum, came into her life when he was 8 months old when she met her now husband and she feels so blessed that he did. He first made Christine a mom and has helped her grow in so many ways. Abryn reminds her everyday to enjoy the simple things in life. She's absolutely in love with being a mom to two amazing boys. In her free time, Christine loves to shop, cook, exercise (Crossfit is her go to for self regulation & staying strong & healthy), and she enjoys bartending at a local sports bar and operating the event bartending business she owns. ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S4: Episode 147 - After suffering much heartbreak & loss, this loving mom focuses on the joy, happiness & growth found in the journey raising her nonspeaking, autistic son | 13 avr. 2023 | 01:05:11 | |
Nicole Gottesmann has not had the easiest road into parenting and adult life. After suffering the sudden loss of her first born child, she was elated to learn she was pregnant again. Not soon after that, her husband unexpectedly passed away. As a widowed, single mom raising her beautiful son Gabe, Nicole refused to let her prior traumas overshadow her appreciation for all the blessings she still had in her life. Her handsome, 13-year-old son Gabe, who was diagnosed with nonverbal autism, has won the hearts of many on social media through his love of music and joyful smile. Nicole and her partner Caroline are extremely proud of the young man Gabe is becoming and of the strong family unit they've built. You can follow Nicole on: Youtube & FB: For The Love Of Gabe; Instagram: @nicolegottesmann and TikTok: nicolegottesmann1
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| S4: Episode 146 (solo episode) - HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY SKYLER!! | 06 avr. 2023 | 00:30:01 | |
Where has the time gone... I can't believe my favorite son Skyler is 20-years-old today!! My greatest hope for you Skyman, as you celebrate this special birthday and enter a new decade of life is that you never lose that spark in your eyes and determination in your heart to keep growing, achieving and teaching the world not to underestimate non-speakers!! Love you Buddy!! | |||
| S4: Episode 145 (Re-Release) - At 25, Emily typed her first words "I have been buried under years of dust." Those words would become the title of her memoir co-written with her mom | 30 mars 2023 | 00:50:00 | |
Valerie Gilpeer is an attorney who has been practicing law for forty years. She shifted her civil law practice twenty years ago in favor of representing families of disabled children trying to obtain educational services from local school districts. She has continued to focus on disability rights law through her volunteer work with several nonprofit organizations in the Los Angeles area. Emily Grodin is a college student studying journalism, psychology, and creative writing and has been recognized for her academic achievement. She has been featured in Leaders Around Me and published in Amuse-Bouche. Emily is an advocate for herself and members of her community in an effort to dispel the misconceptions and nonacceptance of those with autism. Valerie and Emily live with Tom Grodin, her husband and Emily’s dad, in Encino, California. You can purchase their memoir "I Have Been Buried Under Years of Dust" on Amazon. ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S4: Episode 144 - (Re-Release) "Be Kind To Everyone" and provide all children with opportunities to learn job skills & find joy in everything they do | 23 mars 2023 | 01:07:28 | |
Jackie Moore received a Bachelors degree in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Central Missouri. Less than three years ago she launched Jordyn's Summer Shirt Project to teach Jordyn, her daughter with autism, job skills. Jordyn has not only learned job skills, she’s learned to independently do a job. They have been featured on 94.9 The Bull radio station, 11 Alive News, Fox5 Atlanta and Forsyth County News. Jackie lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband Ben and their two children; Jordyn, 20 years old, diagnosed with autism and Hudson, 7 years old. You can connect with Jackie & Jordyn on FB: @Jordyn's Summer Shirt Project; IG/TikTok: @summershirtproject or the company website: www.bekindtoeveryone.com ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me!
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| S4: Episode 143 - (Re-release from 12/2021) Spreading joy throughout the world with their adult son's love of drawing, these parents share how they managed their expectations while navigating the tough side of autism | 16 mars 2023 | 01:12:02 | |
Corey and Andrea Landreth are the parents of 4 grown children. They moved to El Dorado, Kansas to begin Real Life Christian Church in 2006 where Corey is the lead pastor. Andrea is a school psychologist in the public school system. They began the Drawings by Trent business in 2015 for their son with the goals of encouraging families, educating communities and inspiring everyone through Trent's art and their story. There were many difficult years, but seeing Trent's raw joy and incredible ability brings hope to families going through the struggles of raising a child on the spectrum. You can connect with the Landreth family in the following ways: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpWxUJiR8QP1AXDX-jWWwgA (just under Drawings by Trent) Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/drawingsbytrent Website: drawingsbytrent.com. (you will find information about Trent, our family, the business, and be able to visit our store!) *****************************************To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S4: Episode 142 - After years of observing therapy sessions with his son, this proud autism dad turned his passion for marketing into a mission to create therapy toys for all those with developmental challenges | 09 mars 2023 | 01:06:18 | |
Luis, is the Autism Dad behind MEAVIA, a brand inspired to design and develop toys and learning aids for kids with Autism and other developmental challenges. When he’s not sketching toy ideas on napkins, Luis is spending time with his daughter London (8) and son Myles (5) who is on the spectrum with level 2 Autism. Before setting out on this new adventure, Luis spent his entire career in Corporate Marketing. Now, he is completely immersed in the world of Autism and driven to help Myles live his best life, and to help other families with Autism through MEAVIA. Social Media: @MEAVIAtoys Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and Youtube ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S4: Episode 141 - Letting go of personal guilt & control to allow your child to thrive, become independent and enjoy life in a group home | 02 mars 2023 | 01:10:42 | |
Gina Schaal and her husband Dan have been married for 21 years & live in Chaska, a SW suburb of Minneapolis. They have two sons, 18-year-old Carter & 16-year-old Casey. Gina holds a BS degree in Medical Laboratory Science & works for a large healthcare system in the Twin Cities. Lab people are known for their type A personalities which she believes has been one of her biggest assets to raising a special needs child. Organization is key as is her love of research & analyzing that research. Her son Carter was diagnosed with ASD at 2 1/2, which is his only ‘formal’ diagnosis but he also deals with ADHD, sensory processing disorder & absent seizures with a sprinkle of anxiety and mild OCD thrown in there too. Her son Casey is a typical 16-year-old who loves science & math, is a cross county & track athlete & holds a part time job. Gina and Dan have worked opposite shifts throughout most of their kid's lives, as they were never able to put Carter in traditional day care. Although they each processed Carter’s diagnosis differently & went through some hard times, Gina considers herself blessed to have a husband who is very involved and is always there for both his boys. Through it all she's proud of the incredibly close family unit they've built. ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S4: Episode 140 - Choosing to live in the present and not sweat the small stuff, this UK mom learned from her son that joy can be found in the smallest things | 23 févr. 2023 | 01:01:53 | |
Kelly and her husband Rob live in Kent, UK and have two children, Carson (14) and Kendra (11). Carson is nonverbal and autistic with severe learning disabilities. Kendra is also on the autism spectrum. Kelly started her FB blog "This is Carson, his autism journey and our family" almost 4 years ago with the goal of reaching out to families like her own. Before starting her page, she hadn't seen many bloggers with children like Carson and wondered if those parent caregivers often felt isolated too? Kelly uses her blog to advocate and create awareness by sharing the highs and lows of her family's life. Although Carson is the main focus of the page, she does highlight her entire family dynamic. You can connect with Kelly via her FB page: @This is Carson, his autism journey and our family. ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S4: Episode 139 - Chatting with an autistic mom who is also raising two sons also on the autism spectrum about her family & soon to be released children's book | 16 févr. 2023 | 01:12:16 | |
Tiffany Hammond is the voice behind Fidgets and Fries. She is an Autistic mother and advocate. Tiffany is a storyteller, using her own personal experiences with Autism and parenting two Autistic boys to guide others on their journey. Her activism is rooted in challenging the current perception of Autism being a lifelong burden, cultivating a community that explores the concept of Intersectionality and Autism, and inspiring thought leaders through storytelling, education, and critical discourse. She has a Masters in Developmental Psychology from Liberty University. You can connect with Tiffany via her IG page: @Fidgets and Fries and pre-order her book 'A Day With No Words' on Amazon! ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S4: Episode 138 - A strong believer in finding joy along your journey, this triathlon loving mom has helped her adult sons uncover their love of running while advocating about inclusion for the masses. | 09 févr. 2023 | 01:25:44 | |
Julie Bockey is a Veteran, a registered nurse, a Type 1 diabetic and a dedicated triathlon competitor. She and her husband Shawn, who is also a triathlete, are the parents of two adult sons, Christian (26) and Jake (23) who were both diagnosed with ASD as toddlers. Both Christian, who is nonverbal, and Jake who is partially verbal and also a Type 1 diabetic, have joined their parents and found the joy in running/cycling and have achieved some incredible racing milestones in their own right. Christian completed his first full marathon in 2021 & is training for his second this coming April while Jake has completed several sprint triathlons as well as the 56 mile portion of TWO 70.3 relays with his parents as a team. Julie’s eternal optimism comes from two life philosophies. The first is the classic Type A mindset that you should always push yourself— both to try new things and to be better at what you’re doing. The second comes from a place of emotional intelligence: Life can be rough, and everyone has their own struggles; it’s your choice how you handle them. You can connect with Julie on FB: @Julie Bockey or IG: Bockeylife or @AutismActivityProject. ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S4: Episode 137 - Helping her son turn his passion for drawing into a fun family business, this NJ mom advocates and educates on the vast autism spectrum | 02 févr. 2023 | 01:08:04 | |
Jodi is a New Yorker currently residing in Northern New Jersey with her Gaffer husband Frank and two incredibly kind and creative children, Emily (21) and Liam (15). At the age of 14 months, Liam was diagnosed with ASD and began early intervention (OT, PT and Speech) in the spring of 2009. While Liam could only say a few words and had to learn the simplest of tasks, he miraculously learned quickly and retained the information allowing him to progress year after year. Liam's cognitive skills have always been quite high yet he's consistently caught between two worlds, taking all inclusion (mainstream) classes, but needing a self-contained setting during the day to decompress and calm his anxious mind. Early on Liam’s family knew he would draw to disconnect from a stressful situation or school day. In an effort to find a creative outlet for Liam (and teach him about entrepreneurship), in 2020 Jodi launched The Sticker Spectrum, an online sticker business, with Liam as their artist and creative mind and Emily as their social media guru and web designer. The Sticker Spectrum has helped Liam with self-confidence as he is so proud to share his whimsical art with the world! Jodi, Liam and Emily look forward to celebrating their shop's three-year anniversary during Autism Acceptance Month in April. When they aren’t eating, breathing and dreaming about stickers, you can find them at a Broadway musical, seeing a movie, rocking out at a concert or constantly obsessing over their adorable Boston Terrier, Harley Quinn! You can connect with The Sticker Spectrum on Facebook and IG: @thestickerspectrum and visit their website at www.thestickerspectrum.com. ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S4: Episode 136 - Aging out of a broken system with no options leaves adult 'kids' & parents endlessly searching for support & opportunities throughout adulthood | 26 janv. 2023 | 00:37:54 | |
Feeling the stress of a broken system, parents like me are constantly searching for ideas, resources and a supportive community to help us ensure our autistic adult children aren't dismissed and forgotten about after reaching the age where they're no longer eligible for traditional services. Often times, parent caregivers are left to create their own version of day programming or leave the workforce much earlier than planned in order to navigate the tough reality - their adult aged loved one will require 24/7 support, 365 days a year for the remainder of the caregiver's life.
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| S4: Episode 135 - Keep the focus on overall mental health! Finding a balance between inclusion, oversharing on social media and placing your loved one in an uncomfortable environment. | 19 janv. 2023 | 01:16:39 | |
Cindy and Justin are mother and son duo advocates. Justin is 18 and has a dual diagnosis of Autism/ADHD, he was diagnosed at 18 months old. Aside from the role of mom, Cindy serves as Justin's full time carer/respite worker. She has dedicated the last 17 years to sharing their stories and experiences regarding autism, disability and most recently, Mental Health advocacy. In 2020, at the age of 49, Cindy was diagnosed with ADHD. She also has co-morbid diagnoses that include generalized anxiety disorder and depression. In 2019 Justin was unschooled at 16 due to ongoing years of crisis in the education system. As a response to meltdowns Justin was restrained, which resulted in extreme fear and anxiety. Due to Justin's limited ability to communicate his fear came out in severe behaviors, which in turn increased his meltdowns and progressed to aggression and blind rage. Within weeks of being removed from school, Justin's aggression stopped and he is currently thriving. As a result, Cindy and Justin both have C-PTSD from years of fighting broken systems. Cindy openly advocates about the dire need for services, supports, programming and funding for Disabilities and Mental Health as well as the need for Crisis and Trauma informed care for individuals and families as a whole. Their FB page advocates through the lens of empathy, validation and respect for all lived experiences. We are a strength based page and concentrate heavily on coping strategies, co-regulation between carer/parent and child/teens/adults. Cindy has changed everything she was taught through therapies back in 2006. Her mindset is one of radical acceptance, despite what professionals have told her about Justin in his younger years, their current strategies are working in Justin's favor. Justin is labelled as complex, high needs but with the proper supports he is the complete opposite of who he was pre-crisis. You can follow Cindy & Justin's journey on FB: @looking at life through different lenses or IG / TikTok: @lookingatlifewithjustin ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S4: Episode - 134 - Advice from this powerhouse mom... "Don't sit back and wait for services & don't be afraid to ask for help!" Build a large parent network around you and rally together to demand a more secure future for our loved ones. | 12 janv. 2023 | 01:02:28 | |
Jenifer Thomas has been a single mom for 20 years to two amazing young men. Her oldest son Cobey who is on the autism spectrum is 27 years old and is 6'10! Cobey's younger brother, Cooper is 25 years old is a graduate of the University of TN. Jennifer has been a full time caregiver for Cobey since 1995. ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me! | |||
| S4: Episode 133 - As a full time parent caregiver who is extremely sleep deprived, this mom struggles to find time to pursue her passions & dreams | 05 janv. 2023 | 01:16:42 | |
Growing up Julie Fackrell always knew that one day she was going to live in California. She had no idea that mental illness and a late diagnosis of autism would be the vehicle that brought her there. Julie has two kids, Jacob is 28, Emma is 18 and they are the brightest stars that guide her. When she's not busily working the days away keeping schedules on track and completing various mom duties, Julie finds time to work on her art projects and indulges in self care which is usually playing phone games with the tv on in the background and the occasional mani/pedi. She spent much of her life working in the theatre as an actor and director, and hopes to return to the stage one day. Most of her time spent on “mom duties” consists of medical management and advocacy for her son who is on the autism spectrum, and suffers with mental illness. **EDIT - weeks after our recording, Julie was abruptly informed by their IHSS provider that her son Jacob would be stripped of his protective supervision, which is the bulk of his services. It seems that with no notice, he was changed to 'self directed.' So, per Julie, "even though it's great living in CA for services, it's like walking a tight rope. I now have to hire an attorney and fight this never ending battle." You can connect with Julie via her FB page: Julie's World or her website: www.juliesworld.net ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the Apple platform, please leave a written review and rating of the podcast! If you are interested in being a guest on an episode of Living the Sky Life, please contact me!
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