Atypical Parenting; The Podcast for People Who Love Someone With Autism

Ever wonder why we make the choices we make?  Inherent bias is an  unconscious process that influences our thoughts and decisions.  Dawn discuss how this unwittingly affects us in our parenting role, and why that might be causing harm to our children.  

Check out Dawn’s INSTAGRAM @Atypical_Parenting

Author and advocate Jan Stewart, is on a mission to empower and inspire parents to persevere.  Join Dawn as she talks to Jan about finding the moments of joy and light in the midst of struggle, thoughts about the future, and her new book, "Hold on Tight: A Parent's Journey Raising Children with Mental Illness". 

Jan Stewart – You are not alone – there is hope (janstewartauthor.com)

Instagram @JanStewartAuthor

Buy Jan's book here: 

Hold on Tight: A Parent’s Journey Raising Children with Mental Illness – Jan Stewart (janstewartauthor.com)

If you are a caregiver who sometimes feels alone and unsupported with no one you can really lean on, this one's for you!  Learn the key to this dilemma and explore strategies to manage the kind of emotions this scenario raises.     

Autistic burnout is a newly recognized syndrome that affects people with autism spectrum disorders.  In this episode Dawn discusses why it occurs, how it presents and ultimately how to support your loved one through this difficult time.  

Concrete thought patterns are a hallmark symptom of autism, which often leads to literal interpretation of everyday situations.  Given this tendency, concrete thinkers flourish with clear and consistent boundaries and / or expectations.  As parents and caregivers, we often forget to look at the big picture.  Learn from psychologist and author, Dr. Larry Waldman, as he discusses behavioral psychology and how it applies to parenting kids on the spectrum.  

Caring for another human being day in and day out is no small feat.  Caregivers are often left isolated, overwhelmed, and exhausted.  Without adequate self-care, burnout is all but inevitable.  On this episode Dawn discusses why we get burned out, how to know if you're experiencing burnout and what we can do to remedy it.   

What is self-accommodation and why is it important in Autism?  Join me as I talk with J.R. Reed, autism advocate, blogger and podcast host, as we discuss the idea of figuring out how to live well as an autistic person in a world designed to be overstimulating.  Also learn more about J.R.'s latest project, My Autistic Kitchen, his new autism friendly food blog.  

Older teens and adults with autism often have a hard time finding their place socially.  As the parent of an adult, it's difficult to know how much help is actually helpful, especially when you're watching them struggle with isolation and loneliness.  In this episode, which is part 3 of a series on friendship in autism, Dawn discusses five concrete strategies that we as parents / caregivers can use to encourage them to find their community.  

As parents and caregivers, opportunities to teach your children social skills are everywhere. In this episode, Dawn talks about ways to support your child's social development with fun and playful interactions that incorporate learning into everyday life. 

If you're feeling isolated and alone as the parent of a child on the spectrum, hang out with me today as I talk (and laugh) with my friend Debi Marrinucci.  Debi is a school counselor, working in the elementary school setting, and she is also the mother to an adult autistic son.  Join us as we share stories about our 40+year friendship and discuss what it takes to maintain lasting, loving friendships.