What does it really mean to receive an autism diagnosis—and how can parents best support their children without suppressing who they are? In this episode of The Autism Roundtable, Leah Gross welcomes Kara Nash, ASDCS, RN, a registered nurse, autism consultant, and advocate, who shares her professional expertise and lived experience as an autistic adult. Together, they dive deep into the complexities of diagnosis, therapies, parenting choices, and the importance of embracing neurodivergent identities.

Discussion Points:

• Kara’s journey: from mental health nurse to autism advocate—and her own autism diagnosis.
• Understanding the DSM-5 criteria and autism “levels.”
• Educational vs. medical diagnoses and their implications.
• The tension between “looking normal” vs. supporting authentic development.
• Physiological vs. psychological reactions—and why parents need to know the difference.
• The role of stimming and how to support it in public and private settings.
• Parent coaching: strategies for realistic goals, puberty challenges, and family dynamics.
• Identity-first vs. person-first language (“autistic” vs. “person with autism”).
• Medication, supplements, and tracking tools for symptom management.
• Advocacy, inclusion, and building environments where autistic individuals can shine.

Kara Nash brings both professional knowledge and personal insight into autism, weaving her 20+ years of mental health nursing with her experience as an autistic adult. She and Leah discuss the importance of accurate diagnosis, what the DSM-5 levels mean, and how parents can balance encouraging growth with respecting their child’s natural wiring. Kara highlights the significance of distinguishing between physiological responses (like sensory overload) and behavioral challenges, shares practical approaches to stimming, and explains how attachment objects and special interests can be powerful tools. They also address the sensitive but essential topics of suicide risk, medication, and advocacy. Throughout, Kara emphasizes that the goal isn’t to “fix” autistic individuals but to support them in living full, authentic, and connected lives.

About The Guest:

Kara Nash, ASDCS, RN, is a registered nurse with over two decades of experience in mental health, spanning inpatient, emergency, rehab, and community care. She has served as a camp nurse for autistic individuals, worked as a care manager, and now leads a private practice specializing in autism advocacy, consultation, and parent coaching. Diagnosed as autistic herself in her thirties, Kara brings a unique dual perspective that bridges professional expertise and lived experience.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Kara’s autism diagnosis and why it mattered

07:48 Autism levels explained (DSM-5)

15:12 Common diagnostic markers and asymmetrical development

18:45 Advice for parents: traditional vs. affirming goals

27:35 Supporting vs. correcting: where parents should focus efforts

39:24 Stimming explained: why it happens and how to respond

49:59 Parent coaching strategies and puberty challenges

55:25 Language matters: “autistic” vs. “person with autism”

01:05:41 Advocacy and creating inclusive environments

01:14:08 When medication might be appropriate

01:21:06 Tracking progress and journaling for treatment clarity

Links for the Guest:

Connect with Kara Nash on LinkedIn: [LinkedIn Profile]

Visit Kara’s website: [Website Link]

Call to Action:

Ready to reframe the way you see autism and better support your child’s journey?

Tune in to the full episode for powerful insights from both a professional and lived perspective.