Autism Family Resource

Mealtimes can feel exhausting when your child only accepts a small handful of foods and every attempt to introduce something new turns into stress.

In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, host Brian Keene talks with registered dietitian Brittyn Coleman about picky eating, nutrition, gut health, and practical ways to support autistic children with limited food choices. Brittyn shares how her personal experience growing up with a brother on the spectrum shaped her work and why she now helps families expand safe foods in a way that respects sensory needs and builds confidence over time.

The conversation covers where to start when a child only eats a few preferred foods, how to create a food sensory profile, why food exposure matters, and how small changes can make a big difference. Brittyn also explains how nutritional deficiencies can affect appetite, constipation, and food preferences, along with why supplements may help fill gaps while families work on food expansion.

This episode offers realistic, parent-friendly guidance for families who want support without pressure, shame, or one-size-fits-all advice.

Topics Covered

• Where to start when a child only eats a few foods

• How to create a food sensory profile

• Food chaining and small changes that feel safer

• Why exposure to foods matters, even without pressure to eat

• Supplements and when they can help fill nutrition gaps

• Constipation, hydration, fiber, and gut health support

• Food jagging and how to reduce burnout on favorite foods

• Cups, drinks, oral motor concerns, and sensory preferences

• How nutrient deficiencies can affect appetite and food behavior

Memorable Quote

"Small changes make a difference."

About the Guest

Brittyn Coleman is a registered dietitian, autism nutrition expert, and creator of the Autism Nutrition Library. Through her practice, Autism Dietitian, she helps families support picky eaters, improve nutrition, and better understand the sensory and medical factors that can influence feeding. She also offers programs, courses, and educational resources for both families and practitioners.

Resources Mentioned

• AutismDietitian.com

• Autism Nutrition Library

• Healthy Poops Academy

• Nourishing Autism podcast

• Brittyn Coleman on Instagram

• Brittyn Coleman on Facebook

About the Host

Brian Keene, OTD, OTR/L, is the host of the Autism Family Resource Podcast and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy in Phoenix, Arizona. Pure Hearts Therapy provides neurodiversity-affirming pediatric therapy services that support children and families through compassionate, individualized 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

Resources:

Instagram: instagram.com/autismdietitian

Podcast: autismdietitian.com/podcast

Raising a neurodivergent child can place enormous stress on a relationship, especially when families are navigating sleep deprivation, emotional overload, communication struggles, and survival mode. In this episode, Brian sits down with relationship coach Rach Wilson to discuss the realities many parents quietly experience while raising children with complex needs.

Rach shares her own personal journey parenting neurodivergent children while trying to maintain connection within her marriage during one of the hardest seasons of their lives. Together, Brian and Rach explore how stress impacts communication, why couples often feel disconnected, and practical ways parents can support each other even during overwhelming periods.

This conversation offers compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming insights for parents who may feel isolated, emotionally exhausted, or unsure how to reconnect with their partner. Rach also introduces practical tools like the "traffic light system" and the "peace process" to help couples better communicate their needs and regulate conflict before it escalates.

If you've ever felt like parenting challenges have placed strain on your relationship, this episode is an honest and supportive reminder that you are not alone.

• How parenting stress impacts relationships
• Why couples of neurodivergent children experience higher burnout
• Communication challenges during survival mode
• The role of childhood baggage and emotional triggers
• The importance of emotional regulation in relationships
• Practical tools for improving communication and teamwork
• Using the "traffic light system" to communicate capacity
• Why seeking support can strengthen relationships

00:00 Introduction 01:10 Rach shares her work with families 03:45 How stress impacts relationships 06:50 Surviving "Death Valley" parenting seasons 13:30 Why relationship skills matter 16:30 The traffic light communication system 23:00 The "Peace Process" for resolving conflict

"When you're tired and stressed, you are not the best version of yourself."

Rach Wilson is a relationship coach who specializes in supporting couples and families raising neurodivergent children. Drawing from both professional experience and her own parenting journey, Rach helps couples improve communication, navigate stress, and strengthen connection during challenging seasons of life.

• Divine Relating https://divinerelating.com

Brian Keene is an occupational therapist, founder of Pure Hearts Therapy, and host of the Autism Family Resource Podcast. Pure Hearts Therapy provides neurodiversity-affirming occupational, speech, and physical therapy services for children and families throughout Arizona, along with virtual parent support and education.

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

Parenting multiple children while supporting different needs within the family can bring up a wide range of emotions for everyone involved. In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, Brian Keene sits down with parent guest Crestina Yaiva to talk about sibling relationships, autism, communication, and one parenting shift that unexpectedly transformed the connection between her twin sons.

Crestina shares her experience raising nine-year-old twins, including her non-speaking autistic son Franco and his neurotypical twin brother Vincent. She opens up about the emotional dynamics that can quietly develop between siblings and the powerful realization she had after learning the phrase "don't blame the baby."

Together, Brian and Crestina explore how subtle language patterns can unintentionally create tension between siblings and how small changes in communication can help strengthen trust, compassion, and connection within the family.

This conversation is warm, honest, and deeply relatable for parents navigating sibling relationships in neurodiverse households.

• Supporting sibling relationships in neurodiverse families
• Communication challenges between siblings
• The emotional impact of family language patterns
• "Don't blame the baby" parenting insight
• Gentle parenting reflections and awareness
• Helping siblings feel seen and connected
• Sibling support groups and community resources
• Building empathy and understanding within families

00:00 Introduction 02:14 Understanding sibling dynamics in autism 04:30 The "don't blame the baby" realization 08:10 How changing language improved sibling connection 11:29 Sibling support groups and SARRC resources 13:29 Peer mentorship and volunteer opportunities 16:23 Final reflections and parenting takeaways

"Once I stopped blaming the situation on one sibling, I noticed the kids started connecting in a much healthier way."

Crestina Yaiva is a mother of twin boys and shares her experiences parenting in a neurodiverse household. She is passionate about gentle parenting, family connection, and supporting healthy sibling relationships. Kristina also runs a handmade jewelry business featuring textile-inspired and culturally influenced designs.

Instagram: @coco_chenzo

• Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) sibling support programs
• Arizona Autism United SibShop sibling support groups
• Autism Family Resource Podcast Episode 14 on sibling dynamics

Hosted by Brian Keene, occupational therapist and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy, providing neurodiversity-affirming home-based pediatric therapy services for families across Arizona.

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

Description

In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, Brian Keene talks with Becca Stoddard, pediatric occupational therapist and owner of Breakthrough Therapy, about Dynamic Movement Intervention, also known as DMI Therapy.

Becca explains how DMI uses hands-on support, gravity, sensory input, and repetition to help children build new motor patterns and work toward gross motor milestones such as head control, sitting, crawling, standing, and walking.

This conversation is especially helpful for parents who have concerns about low tone, delayed gross motor skills, coordination, balance, or overall strength during play and daily movement. Becca also shares practical ways families can support gross motor development at home, including playground play, core-strength activities, tummy time, tall kneeling, and changing play positions.

Brian and Becca also discuss how gross motor delays may show up in some autistic children, even though motor delays are not part of autism's diagnostic criteria.

Topics Covered

• What DMI Therapy is • How DMI supports gross motor development • Low tone, core strength, balance, and coordination • Gross motor delays in some autistic children • How parents can support movement at home • When to reach out for a therapy screening • Helpful developmental milestone resources

Memorable Quote

"Our brains want us to be vertical. They want us to be upright."

About the Guest

Becca Stoddard is a pediatric occupational therapist and owner of Breakthrough Therapy. She has experience in outpatient pediatrics, outpatient neurological care, and inpatient rehabilitation. Becca provides DMI intensive therapy and ongoing weekly DMI therapy for children working toward motor milestones.

Resources Mentioned

Pathways.org https://pathways.org

Breakthrough Therapy https://www.breakthrough-therapy.com

Instagram @breakthrough_therapy_DMI

About the Host

Brian Keene is the host of the Autism Family Resource Podcast and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy. Pure Hearts Therapy provides neurodiversity-affirming, home-based pediatric occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and parent support services in Arizona.

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

Many autistic children communicate in ways that may look confusing at first, especially when they repeat phrases, echo questions, or use lines from shows, songs, or familiar people. In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, Brian Keene speaks with Jodi Thomas, speech-language pathologist and owner of Growing Voices Speech and Language Therapy, about echolalia and gestalt language processing.

Jodi explains that many autistic children develop language by learning whole chunks of language first, rather than starting with single words. This conversation helps parents better understand why echolalia is meaningful, how repeated phrases can serve a communicative purpose, and why children may struggle to answer questions even when they seem to "know" the words.

This episode offers practical guidance for parents who want to support communication in a more respectful, child-led, and neurodiversity-affirming way.

Topics Covered

• What gestalt language processing means • Why echolalia can be meaningful communication • How autistic children may develop language differently • Why "say this" and "I want" prompts may not always help • How to model useful phrases during play • Why reducing questions can support communication • How to find speech therapists trained in gestalt language processing

Memorable Quote

"Echolalia does serve a function. It just isn't what we're used to or familiar with."

About the Guest

Jodi Thomas is a speech-language pathologist and owner of Growing Voices Speech and Language Therapy in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona. She has a background in school-based speech therapy and opened her private practice to provide more individualized support for children and families.

Resources Mentioned

Growing Voices Speech and Language Therapy https://growingvoicetherapy.com

Meaningful Speech https://www.meaningfulspeech.com

About the Host

Brian Keene is the host of the Autism Family Resource Podcast and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy. Pure Hearts Therapy provides home-based pediatric occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and family-centered support for neurodivergent children and families in Arizona.

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

Many parents wonder if their child's speech delay is something they will "grow out of" or if it may be time to seek professional support. In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, Brian Keene speaks with Lenora Edwards, speech-language pathologist with Better Speech, about delayed speech, early communication milestones, and when families should consider a speech evaluation.

Lenora explains how communication begins long before a child says their first words. She discusses the importance of receptive language, eye contact, turn-taking, responding to names, and following simple directions. Families will also learn why continuing to talk to children, even when they are not yet speaking, is incredibly important for language development.

This episode offers practical guidance for parents navigating concerns about speech delays and provides simple, supportive strategies that can encourage communication during everyday routines and play.

Topics Covered

• Early signs of delayed speech and communication concerns • The difference between receptive and expressive language • Why eye contact and turn-taking matter • How children learn communication from everyday interactions • Why processing time is important for children • Encouraging communication through play and opportunities • When to seek a speech evaluation • How online speech therapy can support families

Memorable Quote

"Just because they can't express themselves doesn't mean they aren't able to understand and learn from our communication."

About the Guest

Lenora Edwards is a speech-language pathologist with Better Speech. She specializes in child language development and helping families better understand communication milestones, expressive language, and receptive language skills.

Resources Mentioned

Better Speech https://betterspeech.com

About the Host

Brian Keene is the host of the Autism Family Resource Podcast and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy. Pure Hearts Therapy provides home-based pediatric occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and family-centered support for neurodivergent children and families in Arizona.

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

Understanding sensory regulation can feel overwhelming for many parents and caregivers, especially when children experience big emotions, sensory-seeking behaviors, shutdowns, or difficulty participating in everyday routines.

In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, Brian Keene speaks with occupational therapists Amanda Newchok and Erin O'Hara, co-creators of the Ready to Learn and Play Sensory Regulation Framework alongside Janice Leinfuss. Together, they discuss how the framework helps children, caregivers, educators, and therapists better understand sensory processing and develop practical self-regulation strategies across home, school, and community settings.

The conversation explores how behaviors often viewed negatively can instead be understood as "sensory clues" that communicate underlying regulation needs. Amanda and Erin explain the four phases of the framework and share how visual supports, caregiver coaching, and real-life practice help children build greater self-awareness, autonomy, and participation in daily life.

This episode offers practical and neurodiversity-affirming guidance for families wanting to better understand sensory processing while supporting children in ways that feel empowering rather than punitive.

• Understanding sensory regulation in autism • Sensory-seeking and sensory-avoidant behaviors • Reframing behaviors as "sensory clues" • The Ready to Learn and Play Framework • Teaching self-regulation skills to children • Generalizing regulation strategies across environments • Caregiver coaching and support • Using visual supports for sensory learning

00:00 Introduction to the Ready to Learn and Play Framework 03:19 Research and development behind the framework 08:03 Phase one: sensory experiences and learning categories 10:10 Phase two: sensory choices and sensory clues 13:38 Phase three and four: generalization and application 17:05 Real-life examples of sensory regulation support 23:11 Resources and how families can learn more

"Your body is telling you something. Let's use that clue."

Amanda Newchok, Erin O'Hara, and Janice Leinfuss are pediatric occupational therapists and creators of the Ready to Learn and Play Sensory Regulation Framework. Together, they developed the framework to help children, caregivers, and professionals better understand sensory processing and self-regulation through practical, accessible, and neurodiversity-affirming strategies.

Ready to Learn and Play Framework https://www.readytolearnandplay.com

Brian Keene, OTD, OTR/L is a pediatric occupational therapist and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy, a neurodiversity-affirming therapy practice providing home-based and virtual services for children and families in Arizona.

Through his clinical work, podcast, and community outreach, Brian is passionate about helping neurodivergent children and families build meaningful lives through connection, participation, regulation, and practical everyday support.

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

Parenting a neurodivergent child can feel overwhelming, especially in the early years when families are navigating diagnoses, therapies, school systems, and daily life changes. In this episode of the Autism Family Toolkit Podcast, Brian Keene speaks with Michele Thorne, founder and executive director of Care for the Caregiver.

Michele shares her personal journey as a mother of two autistic children and explains how her own experiences with burnout, depression, and isolation inspired her to create an organization focused entirely on supporting caregivers.

Families will learn about the many free resources offered through Care for the Caregiver, including support groups, educational webinars, visual schedules, guided meditations, parenting courses, life coaching, and step-by-step roadmaps for navigating Arizona services and disability systems.

This conversation is a reminder that caregivers deserve support too and that finding community can make a meaningful difference.

Topics Covered

• The emotional impact of receiving a diagnosis • Why caregiver support matters • Building community and finding your tribe • Free caregiver resources for families • Visual schedules and supports for autistic children • Parenting strategies and behavior support tools • Navigating Arizona disability systems and services • The importance of inclusive and neurodiversity-affirming support

Memorable Quote

"If parents are not okay, the children are not okay."

About the Guest

Michele Thorne is the founder and executive director of Care for the Caregiver. She is also a mother of two autistic children and advocates for caregiver wellness, inclusive community support, and accessible family resources.

Resources Mentioned

Care for the Caregiver https://care4thecaregivers.org

About the Host

Brian Keene is the host of the Autism Family Toolkit Podcast and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy. Pure Hearts Therapy provides home-based pediatric occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and family-centered support for neurodivergent children and families in Arizona.

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

When a child is non-speaking, many parents wonder how to better understand their child's needs, emotions, and perspective. In this episode of the Autism Family Toolkit Podcast, Brian Keene speaks with Crestina Yaiva, mother of twin boys, including one child who is non-speaking and autistic.

Crestina shares her family's personal journey from noticing speech delays to receiving an autism diagnosis and learning how to better connect with her son. She discusses the emotional process of navigating the diagnosis, finding support, and discovering ways to communicate beyond spoken words.

Throughout the conversation, Crestina shares practical strategies that helped encourage communication, including creating communication opportunities, using preferred activities, and learning to recognize subtle forms of nonverbal communication. She also discusses two books that deeply impacted her understanding of autism and helped her better understand her son's sensory and emotional experiences.

This episode offers encouragement, perspective, and practical ideas for families supporting non-speaking children.

Topics Covered

• Receiving an autism diagnosis as a parent • Understanding non-speaking communication • Supporting communication without pressure • Learning to recognize subtle communication cues • Creating opportunities for communication during play • The importance of patience and understanding • Communication devices and alternative communication • Books that helped one family better understand autism

Memorable Quote

"I see you."

About the Guest

Crestina Yaiva is a mother of twin boys living in Phoenix, Arizona. She shares her personal experiences parenting a non-speaking autistic child and the strategies that helped her family better understand and support communication.

Resources Mentioned

The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida Not My Boy by Rodney Peete

About the Host

Brian Keene is the host of the Autism Family Toolkit Podcast and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy. Pure Hearts Therapy provides home-based pediatric occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and family-centered support for neurodivergent children and families in Arizona.

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

Traveling with a neurodivergent child can feel overwhelming for many families. Changes in routine, unfamiliar environments, sensory overload, airports, hotels, and long days away from home can create anxiety for both children and parents. In this episode of the Autism Family Toolkit Podcast, Brian Keene speaks with author and travel writer Dawn Barclay about practical strategies that can help make traveling more manageable for neurodivergent families.

Dawn shares insights from her book Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for the Anxious, the Inflexible and the Neurodiverse. She discusses why preparation and predictability are so important for autistic children and explains how families can gradually introduce new travel experiences in supportive ways.

Families will also learn about autism-friendly travel programs, sensory-friendly environments, and ways to make vacations more child-centered and less overwhelming.

This episode offers realistic, parent-friendly strategies for helping children feel more comfortable, supported, and successful during travel experiences.

Topics Covered

• Why travel can feel overwhelming for neurodivergent children • Sensory challenges during vacations and travel • How to prepare children for new environments • Social stories and previewing travel experiences • Child-centered vacation planning • Creating predictable travel routines • Autism-friendly hotels, museums, and airports • Supporting anxious or inflexible children during travel

Memorable Quote

"What children on the spectrum need is a sense of predictability and a frame of reference."

About the Guest

Dawn Barclay is a travel writer and author of Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for the Anxious, the Inflexible and the Neurodiverse. She has written about travel for more than 30 years and focuses on helping neurodivergent families access meaningful travel experiences.

Resources Mentioned

Traveling Different https://travelingdifferent.com

Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for the Anxious, the Inflexible and the Neurodiverse by Dawn Barclay

IBCCES (International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards)

About the Host

Brian Keene is the host of the Autism Family Toolkit Podcast and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy. Pure Hearts Therapy provides home-based pediatric occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and family-centered support for neurodivergent children and families in Arizona.

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