Autism for Badass Moms

Rashidah sits down with Ashley — model, brand ambassador,life coach, rideshare entrepreneur, soon-to-be nursing school grad, and mom of two (with baby #3 on the way!) for a raw, honest conversation about motherhood, autism, healing, and showing up unapologetically.

In this episode, we discuss:

0:00 — Meet Ashley

1:11  — Raising two kids with differing needs

2:49 — Amir's autism diagnosis 

5:14  — Generational silence 

9:15  — Learning to pinpoint 

12:11 — Navigating daughter's mental health alongside Amir's autism

17:12  — Giving each child a different version of herself

25:38 — Self-love journey and healing her own childhood

26:20 — The power of one true friendship 

32:01  — Co-parenting with intention

36:27 — Self-care amid it all

39:53 — Nursing school, career hustle, and knowing her worth

45:48 — Modeling career

51:10 — Her advice to moms 

55:23 — What makes Ashley badass

58:08 — Closing thoughts 

Connect with Ashley:

Facebook: Love Ladyash

Instagram: Instagram.com/RespectTheLady

Email: [email protected]

If this episode resonated with you: 

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Host Rashidah introduces a raw episode of Autism for BadassMoms on grief, autism parenting, divorce, and coping, featuring guest Emily Fell, a 45-year-old Wisconsin mom to 15-year-old Grace, diagnosed with autism at 2.5. Emily recounts the 2008 pregnancy and birth of her first daughter,Katie, who had hydranencephaly, was delivered by C-section with Emily suffering severe blood loss and transfusions and lived two days. Emily describes Grace’s traumatic birth in 2010, vaccine-related reactions, developmental regression,extensive early interventions including ABA, and later conflicts in her marriage—especially over vaccines—leading to her husband moving out in 2016 and divorce finalized in 2018, plus financial stress and foreclosure.

Emily shares past self-medicating with alcohol, recent sobriety, homeschooling Grace using spelling to communicate, and plans for a center/community for non-speakers with respite and ABA partners targeted for April 2026 and provides her TikTok contact.

In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 Podcast Intro

00:43Grief and Autism

02:46 Meet Emily Fell

04:52 Pregnancy and Shocking Ultrasound

08:50 Katie’s Birth and Medical Crisis

13:20 Saying Goodbye to Katie

16:04 Pregnant Again After Loss

17:44 Grace’s Birth Complications

23:19 Regression and Autism Diagnosis

26:15 Marriage Strain and Vaccines

29:11 Husband Moves Out and Fallout

32:58 Black Cloud and Getting Sober

34:21 Quitting Alcohol Clarity

35:24 Divorce Boundaries Strength

36:44 Grace Therapy Reflections

39:49 First Word Mom Moment

42:04 School Battles Presume Competence

46:55 Homeschool Spelling Breakthroughs

49:24 Spiritual Walk Revelation

52:14 Building Non-Speaker Community

56:15 How to Reach Emily

58:09 Advice for New Moms

01:03:22 Final Encouragement Outro

01:03:56 Guest Application Call

Connect with Emily:

TikTok:  emilygrace.do.homeschool(Emily & Grace Do Homeschool)

Instagram: www.instagram.com/amazing_grace_homeschool

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@amazing_grace_homeschool?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091213029569&mibextid=LQQJ4d

LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-fell-presume-competence/

If this episode resonated with you:

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-Leave a review to help other autism moms find thiscommunity

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In this powerful episode, host Rashidah sits down with Julia Faith Parker, a single mom from Memphis, Tennessee, who opens up about navigating her son Shamar's autism diagnosis, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and what it truly means to pour from an empty cup. Julia's story is raw, relatable, and full of gems for every autism mom who's ever felt alone in the journey.

In this episode, we discuss:

0:00 — Meet Julia from Memphis, Tennessee 

1:04 — Shemar's early development and red flags

1:55 — Born during the pandemic

3:54 — Shamar is diagnosed with autism at age 3 — and Julia breaks down

10:24 — Closing the business

17:26 — Moving back to Memphis

18:22 — Starting school & navigating the ABA waiting lists

25:15 — Julia's biggest regret

41:39 — What about Julia? How she carves out time for herself amid it all

41:51 — The importance of being intentional: scheduling self-care 

41:51 — Julia's vision for special needs families in Memphis

41:51 — Advice for the mom who is alone with no support system

46:03 — "Double P": Prayer + Positivity

46:07 — What makes Julia a Badass Autism Mom

Connect with Julia:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1juliafaith_

Facebook: Julia Faith Parker

Autism for Badass Moms is the award-winning podcast where no autism mom is left behind. Each week, host Rashidah shares honest conversations with mothers around the world of autism, advocacy, resilience, and the realities of raising neurodivergent children.

Website: https://www.autismforbadassmoms.com

Follow Autism for Badass Moms:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/theabmpodcast

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast

In this powerful international episode, Rashidah sits down with Dalisse — originally from Honduras, now living in Barcelona — who is raising two boys on the autism spectrum: Adrian and Guillermo. Both boys were diagnosed around 17 months old, but while Dalisse was learning to navigate autism evaluations, therapies, and advocacy for her children, she was also beginning a life-changing journey of her own—receiving her own autism diagnosis as an adult.

Together, Rashidah and Dalisse discuss the emotional realities of parenting while discovering your own neurodivergence, the similarities and differences between autism support in Spain and the United States, and why community is essential for autism moms everywhere.

Out of her family's journey came something powerful. Dalisse is the co-founder of Loving Pieces Books, a publishing company dedicated to creating inclusive children's books where autistic children can see themselves represented. What began as a way to support her own sons has become a mission to help families around the world embrace neurodiversity through meaningful storytelling.

In this episode, we discuss:

0:00 — Meet Dalisse from Barcelona, Spain

1:09 — Early Signs & The Road to Diagnosis

2:00 — "Wait and See" — A Universal Experience Across Borders
5:43 — The 2 AM Google Spiral

6:53 — Explaining the Diagnosis to Family & Grandparents
9:19 — Processing the Guilt: "Am I a Bad Mom?"

9:57 — Two Boys, Two Very Different Journeys
21:05 — Autism Resources & The System in Spain vs. the US

28:41 — From Digital Marketing to Children's Books

35:07 — Loving Pieces Book

42:47 — Traveling with Autistic Kids

51:40 — Dalisse's Own Autism Diagnosis & Healing Her Inner Child

54:32 — Advice for the New Autism Mom
55:30 — What Makes Dalisse a Badass Mom?

Connect with Dalisse:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovingpiecesbooks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovingpiecesbooks/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/loving-pieces-books-autism-childrens-books/posts/?feedView=all

Website: lovingpiecesbooks.com

About Loving Pieces Books

Dalisse and her husband created Loving Pieces Books — a series of illustrated children's books written for autistic kids and their families, available in 4 languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese & Catalan). Books mentioned:

• Autism: My Invisible Backpack
• Autism: This is How I Party
• Autism: A New School Year
• Autism: Calming the Chaos
• Autism: Confidence Starts Here
• (Coming soon) Autism: Our Travel Adventure

Purchase on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0iRC3eRC

Autism for Badass Moms is the award-winning podcast where no autism mom is left behind. Each week, host Rashidah shares honest conversations with mothers around the world about autism, advocacy, resilience, and the realities of raising neurodivergent children.

Website: https://www.autismforbadassmoms.com

Follow Autism for Badass Moms:

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/theabmpodcast

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another autism mom, caretaker, or provider. Together, we're building a global community where every mom feels seen, heard, and supported.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Kaylyn Vega — a Puerto Rican-Dominican mom from the Bronx, now raising her four-year-old autistic daughter in Florida alongside her Jamaican husband. Kaylyn opens up about spotting the early signs of autism, pushing back against family denial rooted in cultural stigma, navigating a resistant pediatrician, and ultimately becoming a fierce advocate for her daughter and other families on the same journey. Her story is raw, real, and deeply inspiring.

In this episode, we discuss:

0.00 Welcome & introducing Kaylyn — from the Bronx to Florida

0:26 Kaylyn's background: Puerto Rican, Dominican & her daughter's Jamaican heritage

1:18 Early signs she noticed — tippy-toeing, delayed milestones, limited verbal communication

2:01 Who first said "autism"? Kaylyn did — and why she already knew

2:40 Cultural pushback: "She'll grow out of it"

4:26 Getting the diagnosis — pushback from the pediatrician AND the preschool

10:02 Finding peace in the diagnosis and mourning the "planned" future

14:01 How Kaylyn's daughter is thriving today — speech, swimming, meditation

15:27 Running a "tight ship" when family babysits

20:13 Navigating insurance & the out-of-pocket diagnosis — what moms need to know

22:37 Going back to school: psychology major, health insurance, and RBT certification

26:13 Kaylyn's vision: an autism wellness advocacy business

27:56 Self-care, a supportive partner, and guided meditation with her daughter

29:22 How to reach Kaylyn

29:42 Advice for moms struggling with family and cultural barriers

31:17 What makes Kaylyn a badass? Her voice

Connect with Kaylyn:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kayykulture._

Email: [email protected]

If this episode resonated with you:

-Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast

-Leave a review to help other autism moms find this community

-Share this episode with a parent who may feel unseen or misunderstood

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Rashidah sits down with Wendy Ernzen — mom, podcaster, and fierce advocate for families raising loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Wendy's daughter Nicola (Nic), 23, has profound autism and bipolar disorder. Wendy shares her decades-long journey through early diagnosis confusion, relentless school battles, a family crisis that spilled into the community, and ultimately finding Nic a safe, supported, and joyful home. This episode is raw, honest, and deeply moving — a must-listen for any parent in the thick of it.

In this episode, we discuss:

0:00 — Intro & Welcome

3:34 — Wendy Joins the Conversation

7:06 — Early Signs & The Road to Diagnosis

11:50 — School Battles & IEPs

15:48 — Watching Peers Move On

19:50 — Bipolar Disorder Enters the Picture

21:58 — First Crisis at 12: Psychiatric Units

26:40 — Planning for the Future

31:16 — Crisis Before Graduation

34:30 — Behaviors Spill into the Community

37:00 — Crisis-Trained Officers

39:54 — Securing Housing: A Two-Month Fight

42:19 — Finding Strength

44:59 — PTSD & Therapy

47:22 — The Birth of Let's Plant Houses Podcast

50:36 — Advice for the Mom Who Feels Completely Alone

55:46 — What Makes Wendy Badass?

58:11 — How to Connect with Wendy

Connect with Wendy:

Let's Plant Houses Podcast —

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-plant-houses/id1724641933

https://open.spotify.com/show/2J8JhQUrkKrXaYxs8JF4Zh?si=0dac5a63b4174d46

Website: www.letsplanthouses.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/letsplanthouses

LinkedIn: Wendy Ernzen

If this episode resonated with you:

-Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast

-Leave a review to help other autism moms find thiscommunity

-Share this episode with a parent who may feel unseen or misunderstood

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Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcast

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast

In this powerful episode, host Rashidah sits down withChristina Bell, a mom, special education graduate student, and fierce advocate for her 5-year-old son Joshie, who was diagnosed with autism at 3.5 years old.

From the moment Christina suspected something was different, she didn't hesitate — she Googled, she asked questions, and when the diagnosis came, she met it with clarity and courage instead of fear.

Christina takes us through her family's journey from thatfirst pediatrician conversation to starting ABA therapy, enrolling Joshie in preschool with full services, and watching him flourish within months. She opens up about the emotional layers of the process: the isolation of not having a local community, the learning curve of understanding sensory needs, and the mindset work required to stay grounded when the road gets hard.

Connect with Christina:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/christeenaeve

Facebook: Christina Araujo

In this episode, we discuss:

Timestamps:

0:00 — Show intro

0:39 — "Build Stronger by Autism"

3:55 — Meet Christina Bell

4:26 — Noticing the signs & path to diagnosis

8:53 — Early intervention11:14 — Shifting the stigma

13:01 — Finding community

14:49 — How Joshie changed Christina as a person

16:30 — A career pivot into special education

20:27 — Staying positive on hard days

22:14 — Celebrating milestones & holding onto progress

26:27 — Vision for a local autism moms’ group

29:49 — Manifesting & retraining the brain

35:25 — Advice for the mom who just got the diagnosis

37:07 — Peaceful mind, peaceful heart, peaceful soul

40:33 — Learning through your child's lens

44:08 — What makes Christina a badass?

45:19 — Where to find Christina

If this episode resonated with you:

-Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast

-Leave a review to help other autism moms find thiscommunity

-Share this episode with a parent who may feel unseen ormisunderstood

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcast

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast

Join us every Tuesday for more inspiring stories andinsightful discussions that empower and uplift.

In this deeply moving episode of Autism for Badass Moms, Rashidah welcomes Kecia Johnson, a 42-year-old mother, 5-year colorectal cancer survivor, autism advocate, and an eight-time author from Denver, Colorado. She shares a journey that is almost impossible to imagine. Kecia shares the unimaginable journey that began in early 2020 when severe rectal pain was repeatedly dismissed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic—until an emergency biopsy revealed colorectal cancer.

What followed was months of chemotherapy, radiation, severe treatment complications, second-degree burns, isolation, and a fight to survive.

But surviving cancer was only the beginning.

Kecia opens up about the lasting effects of treatment, including radiation toxicity, nerve damage, brittle bones, early menopause, chronic pain, and mobility challenges. As she struggled to rebuild her own health, she also began recognizing developmental and sensory differences in her daughter, Journei. Kecia pursued evaluations that ultimately led to an autism diagnosis.

About Our Guest

Kecia Johnson is the creator of the Cancer Could NEVA healing movement. Her journey is rooted in resilience, faith, and transformation. She uses her voice to break stigmas around trauma, chronic illness, and neurodiversity; creating safe spaces where women can heal, be seen, and rise boldly in their truth.

Kecia also founded Kolourful MUVA to empower mothers of children with autism and special needs. Providing emotional support, resources, and income tools, she helps women move from survival to purpose. Through international speaking, podcasting, and community work, Kecia demonstrates how to rebuild and thrive with impact, even in the hardest seasons.

Kecia resides in Colorado with her family.

Connect with Kecia:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/iamkeciaj

Facebook: iamkeciaj

Tik Tok: iamkeciaj

In this episode we discuss:

00:00 Badass Moms Welcome

00:57 Global Community Thanks

01:57 Meet Keisha Johnson

05:49 Early Symptoms Dismissed

08:29 Cancer Diagnosis Shock

11:14 Chemo and Radiation

15:50 Isolation

20:48 Natural Remedies Turning Point

30:11 New Setbacks

35:24 Advocacy and Sensory Clues

40:06 Back To California

41:51 Autism Diagnosis

44:45 Moving to Colorado

45:58 Mom Support System

48:27 Cancer Recovery Reality

49:45 Advocacy Awakening

53:00 Judgment and Stigma

01:01:07 School Readiness Plan

01:02:38 Ignorance

01:06:39 Kolourful MUVA Mission

01:08:59 Launching and Resources

01:13:54 Badass Advice

If this episode resonated with you:

-Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast

-Leave a review to help other autism moms find this community

-Share this episode with a parent who may feel unseen or misunderstood

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcast

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast

Join us every Tuesday for more inspiring stories and insightful discussions that empower and uplift.

In this powerful episode, host Rashidah sits down with Karidiatou Coulibaly (known as Kadi), founder of Moussa Unfolded Hope Initiative (MUHI), to discuss her family's autism journey and the unique challenges many African families face when navigating disability, stigma, and cultural expectations.

Raised in an African community where autism was rarely discussed, Karidiatou found herself searching for answers after her son, Moussa, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. What followed was a journey of learning, advocacy, and a commitment to changing how autism is understood within African communities.

Together, they explore the impact of cultural beliefs, the silence that often surrounds disability, and the importance of representation, awareness, and acceptance.

About Our Guest

Karidiatou Coulibaly is the founder of Moussa Unfolded and the Moussa Unfolded Hope Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families and transforming how autism is understood within African communities. Originally from Ivory Coast (West Africa), Kadi came to the United States with little knowledge of autism — because in her community, it simply wasn't talked about.

She holds a bachelor's degree in agribusiness economics and a master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She is also developing a children's animated series titled, "The Land Where We Speak", designed to represent children with diverse disabilities and teach inclusivity through storytelling.

Karidiatou resides in Georgia with her family

Connect with Karidiatou:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/moussa_unfolded

TikTok: moussa_unfolded13

In this episode, we discuss:

0:00 – Welcome

0:42 – Episode Overview

1:12 – Autism Stigma in African Communities

2:06 – Meet Karidiatou Coulibaly

3:31 – The Conversation Begins

4:08 – Musa Turns 13

5:11 – Karidiatou's Story

5:28 – Moussa's Early Diagnosis

7:18 – Cultural Barriers: being from the African diaspora

8:30 – Karidiatou Never Hides Autism

14:19 – Karidiatou's Hearing Loss Journey

20:49 – Moussa's Growth & Independence

22:56 – Building Daily Life Skills

27:45 – Returning to School

30:05 – The Story Behind Moussa Unfolded

34:03 – Supporting Other Moms

47:14 – What makes Karidiatou a Badass Mom?

If this episode resonated with you:

-Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast on your favorite platform

-Leave a review to help other autism moms find this community

-Share this episode with a parent who may feel unseen or misunderstood

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcast

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast

Join us every Tuesday for more inspiring stories and insightful discussions that empower and uplift.

In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, host Rashidah speaks with Eugenia Woods, a mother, grandmother, and advocate from Long Island, New York, whose autism parenting journey was shaped by bullying, grief, homeschooling, and a difficult encounter with Child Protective Services.

After her son Juan received an autism diagnosis at age 9,Eugenia found herself fighting for his educational needs while navigating multiple personal and family challenges.

When the school system failed to provide the support he needed, she made the courageous decision to homeschool him for six years—despite facing scrutiny and resistance along the way.

Eugenia shares her story of resilience, advocacy, anddetermination, offering hope to parents who are fighting for their children while trying to hold themselves together.

In this episode, we discuss:

0:00 – Intro & welcome

0:50 – Being a parent of color in the autism space

2:20 – Stigma in Black & Brown communities

3:40 – Sensory tools & educating family

4:58 – Early signs at ages 2–3

6:05 – Juan's late diagnosis at age 9

6:40 – Fighting for a neuropsych eval

10:20 – Navigating IEP meetings

11:35 – Bias from school professionals

13:10 – Your right to record meetings

14:20 – Being dismissed as a Black mother

17:57 – CPS called by the school

18:41 – Going to court against the district

19:15 – When did the signs first appear?

23:20 – The pediatrician who actually listened

26:00 – School anxiety, regression & bullying

28:10 – "I'm sad and no one cares"

31:45 – CPS case resolved

32:50 – Homeschooling begins

34:41 – 6 years of homeschooling

38:00 – Finding resources at the library

41:33 – 18 rejections; Gersh Academy says yes

42:48 – Juan thrives; the teacher who changed everything

45:40 – Pursuing Juan's GED during COVID

47:13 – Waiting for the results

48:44 – He passed!

49:40 – Loss & grief during the pandemic

51:21 – Juan's suicidal ideation

53:20 – A mother's heartbreak

53:51 – Eugenia's COVID hospitalization & kidney failure

56:20 – "Mom, who will care for me when you'regone?"

57:15 – Healing through community & faith

59:40 – Juan's gift: tech skills & purpose

1:00:12 – Eugenia's liturgical dance ministry

1:02:20 – Laughing with Juan now

1:04:50 – Hiding her illness from her kids

1:07:10 – Give yourself 5 minutes

1:09:15 – Finding herself again at 50

1:10:30 – Becoming a grandmother

1:11:05 – First college grad in the family

1:14:31 – How to connect with Eugenia

1:15:10 – Eugenia's published book

1:17:00 – Women's empowerment organizations

1:18:27 – Emmy-winning play & acting work

1:19:20 – You can't tell God what you won't do

1:23:20 – What being a badass means to Eugenia

1:24:15 – Encouragement for struggling parents

1:25:35 – Outro

Connect with Eugenia:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/genias_gems

Facebook: Genia Lin

Connect with Autism for Badass Moms:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcast

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast

If this episode resonated with you, don’t forget to:

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