Hi Friends! We’re in the therapist’s office today!

In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, I welcomed back Dr. Wendy Marsh to discuss the critical topic of late diagnosis in autism. We explored the experiences of adults discovering their autism later in life. Wendy shared insights on masking, the impact of late diagnosis on identity, and the challenges of meltdowns, shutdowns, and burnout.

We also discussed the importance of neurodiversity-affirming therapy and the need for supportive environments that respect individual sensory preferences. This conversation is a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of late autism diagnosis and its implications for identity and mental health.

The significance of late diagnosis in autism and its impact on identity.

The concept of masking and how it affects individuals’ ability to receive a diagnosis.

Common experiences among adults discovering their autism later in life.

The emotional relief many feel upon receiving a late diagnosis and reframing their past experiences.

The differences between meltdowns, shutdowns, and burnout in autistic individuals.

The relationship between autism and other identities, such as gender identity.

The importance of finding neurodiversity-affirming therapy and therapists who understand the unique challenges faced by autistic individuals.

How sensory experiences can profoundly affect emotions and daily functioning.

The role of parents and caregivers in supporting the autonomy and needs of autistic individuals.

Wendela Whitcomb Marsh is an award-winning author, a TEDx speaker, and advisory board member of US Autism Association. Her works include the 5-book series, Adulting While Autistic.

https://wendelawhitcombmarsh.com/

YouTube.com/@wendelamarsh1371

Watch this episode on our YouTube Channel!

The post Discovering Autism In Adulthood | The Impact of Late Diagnosis | A conversation with Dr. Wendy Marsh appeared first on Puzzle Peace Counseling.

In this episode of the Autism Blueprint podcast, we’re in the library with Jeffrey and Laura May talking about their children’s book, Our Amazing Minds. Inspired by their son Jackson, they share their journey of navigating autism and the challenges they faced in finding resources that accurately represent the diverse experiences of children on the spectrum.

Jeffrey and Laura discuss their motivation for writing the book, emphasizing the importance of educating both autistic children and their neurotypical peers. We also explore the challenges of writing for a young audience while conveying educational content, and they express their hopes for future projects that will further address autism and family dynamics. Their passion for advocacy and creating a more inclusive world for autistic individuals was truly inspiring.

We’re Jeffery and Laura May, proud parents living in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida, with our two children, JoJo and Jackson.

When our son Jackson was three years old, he was diagnosed with autism. From that moment on, we began a deeply personal journey—seeking ways to help him understand not just what autism is, but how it beautifully shapes who he is. Despite exploring countless books and resources, we struggled to find materials that spoke to him in a way that was both meaningful and relatable.

That journey led us to create something of our own: a series of children’s books designed to help kids like Jackson—and those around them—embrace and understand autism through engaging, uplifting stories. Alongside this, we founded our own publishing company, dedicated to amplifying the voices of the neurodiverse community.

We believe every challenge these children face is met with divine intention. Autism is not a limitation—it’s a reflection of being fearfully and wonderfully made. Our mission is to inspire pride and confidence in every neurodiverse child, so they can boldly say: “We are proud of our amazing minds!”

Links Mentioned in the Show:

Watch this episode on our YouTube channel

Connect with us at our Patreon/Discord Community

The post Breaking Autistic Stereotypes | How to Foster Understanding and Friendship | A conversation with Jeffrey and Laura May appeared first on Puzzle Peace Counseling.

In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, I had an insightful conversation with Lisa Candera, an autism mom, attorney and coach. We explored the challenges and strategies for parents of children with autism, particularly in planning for their future.

This episode is packed with practical advice and emotional support for parents on their journey.

Lisa Candera is a single mom of a teen with severe autism and OCD, attorney, ADHD-er, and autism mom coach. She helps parents of autistic children regulate themselves first so they can show up for their kids with more calm, compassion and confidence. She hosts The Autism Mom Podcast (top 2%) and has been featured in numerous top podcasts, like Turn Autism Around, On The Hard Days, Feminist Wellness, and The Autism Dad Podcast. Lisa is a regular contributor to The Autism Parenting Magazine and presenter on parental self-care, emotional regulation, and meltdown de-escalation strategies for Autism Services and Resources, Connecticut.

Lisa Candera’s Website: The Autism Mom Coach

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-candera-949b3175/

https://www.facebook.com/theautismmomcoach

https://www.instagram.com/theautismmomcoach/

The post Planning for Tomorrow | Essential Steps for Parents of Autistic Kids | A conversation with Lisa Candera appeared first on Puzzle Peace Counseling.

In this episode, we welcome Rachel Estes Leyk, a dedicated mother and author of “Response-Ability.” Rachel shares her journey with her son, Cooper, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of seven. She discusses a pivotal moment in Cooper’s middle school experience that inspired her to create a toolbox of strategies for parents, educators, and caregivers. We explore her AMP model—Advocating, Motivating, and Participating—and how it emphasizes the importance of placing the child at the center of their support system.

Rachel’s Book: On Amazon and her website; Coming January 18, 2026! 

Response-ABILITY: How the Need to Unlock a Child’s Ability to Respond Shapes the Way We Love, Care, Support, and Uplift.

Follow Rachel on Social Media:

Rachel Estes Leyk is an empathetic solution creator, coach, advocate, and author dedicated to equipping children with the tools they need to develop confidence, accountability, and resilience. Raised in Minnesota, she carries a strong Midwest work ethic that evolved into an unstoppable drive, one that blends strategic problem-solving with a deeply empathetic approach.

With an MBA from the University of St. Thomas and a career solving complex business and technology challenges for some of the world’s largest corporations, Rachel brings a unique perspective to personal development. Her 16 years of experience raising a child on the autism spectrum inspired her to develop the Response – ABILITY Toolbox, a practical framework designed to help children build the skills they need to navigate life with strength and intention.

The post Creating Safe Spaces through Response-Abililty | A conversation with Rachel Estes Leyk appeared first on Puzzle Peace Counseling.

In this episode of the Autism Blueprint podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Britton Payne, a longtime friend and advocate for autism awareness. We explored Brit’s journey as a parent of an autistic child, discussing the pivotal moment when his son was assessed for autism and the subsequent therapies they pursued. Brit shared his insights on the importance of representation in media, particularly in comic books and animated series, and how these portrayals can foster empathy among neurotypical audiences.

We also delved into Brit’s nonprofit initiative, the Autism Scene, which aims to increase the presence of autistic characters in children’s pop culture through the AweSpec Awards, a spec script competition for writers. This initiative encourages the creation of scripts featuring meaningful interactions with autistic characters, ultimately promoting inclusivity in storytelling.

Join us for this engaging conversation that highlights the significance of understanding autism and the power of representation in shaping a more empathetic world.

Britton Payne is an entertainment attorney, recently of Warner Bros. Animation and Nickelodeon. On the side, Brit regularly presents at comic cons and elsewhere about autism and pop culture, including “Authentically Creating Autistic Characters,” “Autism in Comic Books,” and “After 50 Years, Why do Spidey Super Stories Comics Still Matter to Autistic Kids and Everybody Else?.” This year, Brit started The Autism Scene, a nonprofit advocating for the inclusion of explicitly autistic characters in kids pop culture. This winter, The Autism Scene is running the AuSPEC AWARDS, a kids animated series spec script competition, which requires a series regular meaningfully interacting with an explicitly autistic character. Brit and his wife Alice are active community members of The Frostig School in Pasadena, which is dedicated to helping children, teens and young adults with learning differences live and learn to their full potential.

Enter the AuSPEC Awards here: TheAutismScene.org

Authentically Creating Autistic Characters

After 50 Years, Why do Spidey Super Stories Comics Still Matter to Autistic Kids and Everybody Else?

Autism in Comic Books

The post Autism In Comic Books | Advocating for Authentic Representation in Kids’ Media | A conversation with Britton Payne appeared first on Puzzle Peace Counseling.

In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Rebekah Wright, the Chief Operating Officer at Springbrook, a psychiatric residential treatment facility specializing in autism. We explored the critical topic of when parents should consider residential treatment for their children, particularly those on the autism spectrum.

Rebekah Wright is Chief Operating Officer at Springbrook Autism Behavioral Health. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from North Greenville University and a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Louisiana State University at Shreveport. She began her career at Springbrook as a direct care staff member and has since advanced to the role of Chief Operating Officer. In 2025, Rebekah was recognized as one of Greenville Business Magazine’s Best and Brightest. Rebekah’s passion lies in developing others by empowering individuals to reach their long-term goals and potential. She believes that investing in people not only drives organizational success but also fosters meaningful, lasting growth. A firm advocate for continuous improvement, Rebekah values the connection between personal and professional development and is committed to never becoming complacent.

The post When Outpatient Isn’t Enough | Recognizing the Need for Residential Care in Autism appeared first on Puzzle Peace Counseling.

In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, we’re in the classroom with Marriage and Family Therapist, Katherine Scott to discuss the challenges and strategies for parents as their children head back to school. We explore the sensory difficulties many neurodivergent children face in school environments, the importance of advocating for accommodations, and how to foster effective communication between parents and educators. Katherine shares her insights on managing emotional transitions, the role of homework, and practical tips for creating a supportive home environment.

Thank you for tuning in to this enlightening conversation! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing and leaving a review. Your support helps us reach more families and create a more peaceful home for those living with autistic and neurodivergent loved ones.

The post Back to School | Essential Tips for Parents of Neurodivergent Kids appeared first on Puzzle Peace Counseling.

In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, we’re in the therapy room today! My guest is Cindy Mrotek, a highly experienced ABA therapist with over 25 years in the field. Together, we challenge common misconceptions about Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and explore how it can be a powerful tool for enhancing the quality of life for individuals with autism.

Cindy shares her journey from special education teacher to the founder of her own ABA company, a.c.e. Therapies, emphasizing the importance of presuming confidence, effective communication, and emotional regulation in therapy. We also discuss the significance of supporting individuals beyond their early years and the need for a multidisciplinary approach in therapy.

Thank you for tuning in to this enlightening conversation! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing and leaving a review. Your support helps us reach more families and create a more peaceful home for those living with autistic and neurodivergent loved ones.

The post Beyond Compliance | Understanding the Holistic Approach of Behavioral Therapy appeared first on Puzzle Peace Counseling.

We’re in the bathroom today! In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Noelle Patno, a PhD in molecular metabolism and nutrition and the Chief Science Officer of Bened Life. We dive deep into the gut-brain connection, discussing how our gut microbiome influences both physical and mental health. Dr. Patno shares her personal journey from facing colon cancer to becoming an advocate for dietary management and gut health, particularly in relation to autism.

Chief Science Officer of Bened Life

Noelle Patno, Ph.D. is Chief Science Officer at Bened Life, makers of Neuralli MP. She received a BS in chemical engineering, with honors and distinction, from Stanford University, a Masters in Translational Science and doctorate in Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition from the University of Chicago. She has launched products targeting digestive health, the microbiome, and immune health. She has designed and monitored clinical trials resulting in publications on probiotics and prebiotics. As a scientific educator, Dr. Patno has written and spoken on the microbiome, probiotics, prebiotics and psychobiotics.

The post Exploring the Gut-Brain Connection: Insights from Dr. Noelle Patno appeared first on Puzzle Peace Counseling.

In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, host Janeen Herskovitz welcomes mindset coach Dawn Mariotti. They explore the transformative power of mindset, discussing how our beliefs shape our actions and the importance of overcoming limiting beliefs.

Dawn shares her personal journey and insights on creating a vision for the future, as well as practical tips for parents and caregivers of autistic and neurodivergent individuals.

Dawn Mariotti: Mindset Coach

Dawn Mariotti is a mindset coach, speaker, and author of The Mindset Shift. She helps people reconnect with who they really are so they can show up with confidence, speak with clarity, and build lives that feel aligned and fulfilling. Her work centers around identity, self-trust, and creating momentum through small, meaningful shifts. With warmth, humor, and real-life tools, Dawn makes personal growth feel empowering—and even a little fun.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast! We hope you find the insights shared by Dawn Mariotti helpful in your journey of personal growth and parenting.

The post Mindset Shifts | How Small Changes Can Transform Your Parenting Journey | A conversation with Dawn Mariotti appeared first on Puzzle Peace Counseling.