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Author, speaker, and founder Karla Chinen, a Latina powerhouse, invites us into a life shaped by resilience: parenting two autistic kids, discovering her own late diagnosis, and building Empathy for Autism California so families aren’t reduced to numbers or left out by language and culture.

We talk about the moments that matter: a mother demanding a same-day diagnostic letter so early intervention could start within weeks; how autistic girls often mask and get overlooked; and why empathy isn’t a personality trait, it’s a teachable skill. Karla breaks down practical systems—sensory-informed outings, meltdown playbooks, and one-on-one time for siblings—that protect joy and strengthen marriages under stress. She’s frank about leaving a slow, political 9–5 to create a mission-led nonprofit with bilingual resources, sensory-friendly events, and trainings that rehumanize organizational practice.

You’ll hear a blueprint for action: push for timely evaluations, ask for services you’re eligible for, and partner with professionals who learn your child’s name before their case number. We also spotlight Karla’s podcast, Voices Beyond the Spectrum, where families and experts share travel tips, education advocacy, and underused supports many don’t know to request. 

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