Receiving an autism or ADHD diagnosis for your child can bring a wave of emotions, questions, and uncertainty. In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, Brian Keene sits down with author, speaker, podcaster, and Arizona mom Kari Baker to talk about her journey parenting her son with autism and ADHD.

Kari shares honestly about the early years of confusion, the pressure she felt to keep everything together, and the long road toward acceptance and healing. She also talks about the inspiration behind her book, Finding Kind, and how her family moved from secrecy and shame into a more strengths-based, hopeful way of supporting their son. This conversation is full of encouragement for parents who may be in the thick of diagnosis, therapies, school challenges, or simply learning how to let go of the "perfect parenting" picture they once imagined.

If you are looking for a reminder that you are not alone, that your child has gifts worth nurturing, and that there can be joy in a different path than the one you expected, this episode is a meaningful one to hear.

Topics Covered

• Kari's journey from financial planning into advocacy and encouragement for families

• What it was like to parent through an autism and ADHD diagnosis

• The emotional impact of secrecy, shame, and learning to make peace with a different path

• Why early diagnosis and early intervention matter

• How autism and ADHD can show up differently at school and socially

• Kari's book Finding Kind and why she wrote the story she wished she had found

• The power of community and finding other parents who understand

• Why focusing on a child's strengths can change everything

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and episode overview 04:17 Kari's biggest takeaway for families 06:48 The story behind Finding Kind 10:48 Discovering her son's autism diagnosis 17:23 Autism, ADHD, and school challenges 20:35 Kari's podcast and what she's learning from other families

Memorable Quote

"Your child was born on purpose for a purpose."

About the Guest

Kari Baker is an author, speaker, podcaster, and Arizona mom of a son with autism and ADHD. She is the founder of Kind Families and the author of Finding Kind, a book that shares her personal parenting journey and offers encouragement to families navigating diagnosis, therapies, and the beauty of raising neurodivergent children.

Resources Mentioned

• Finding Kind

• Kind Families

• Kari A. Baker

• Gentry Pediatric Behavioral Services

• Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center

• Think Asperger's

• ASD Mamas by Your Side

About the Host

Brian Keene is the host of the Autism Family Resource Podcast and the founder of Pure Hearts Therapy, a neurodiversity-affirming pediatric therapy practice that supports children and families through compassionate, practical care.

Subscribe & Connect

If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another parent who might benefit from this conversation.

Listen and subscribe to the Autism Family Resource Podcast: https://pod.link/1591840956

Explore more resources for families at: https://pureheartstherapy.com