It’s Autism Acceptance Month! While we’re celebrating our kids’ progress, we’re also facing new uncertainties—our newest member of the family is showing some early signs of autism, but is it too soon to tell? In this episode, we share our journey of balancing optimism with caution, the emotional side of watching for signs, and what autism acceptance means beyond critical awareness.

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Struggling to co-parent an autistic child? Family law expert Sara Donohue shares powerful tips on managing custody schedules, handling sensory needs, and improving communication – even in high-conflict situations. Learn how to create a stable, low-stress co-parenting dynamic that works for your child. Don’t miss these expert-backed strategies!

Find Sara at Stein Sperling:

Facebook @steinsperling

Instagram @stein_sperling

Website: www.steinsperling.com

Teaching self-advocacy to autistic kids can feel impossible—but it doesn’t have to be! We’re breaking down why it’s so hard and sharing practical tips to help your child express their needs, no matter how they communicate. You don’t want to miss this!

Support our mission and unlock exclusive perks, Become A Member today: patreon.com/autismwish

What if you had a secret weapon to protect your autistic child—both online and in the real world? This cutting-edge device is helping families stop wandering, detect online threats, and provide real-time safety like never before.

In this exclusive early-access episode of Embracing Autism IRL, I sit down with Katey McPherson from Bark Technologies to uncover how this breakthrough technology is changing the game for autism families.

🎧 Watch it FIRST before anyone else, only on Patreon!

💙 Get your Bark Watch & support AutismWish: https://bit.ly/bark4autism

📢 Sponsored by Bark Technologies, LLC

In today’s episode, we’re exploring a game-changing topic—Artificial Intelligence. Could AI be the next big breakthrough for the autism community, or does it come with hidden risks? We’re diving into how AI could revolutionize communication, learning, and daily living, while also uncovering potential concerns about privacy, bias, and dependency. You won’t want to miss this balanced look at the promise and pitfalls of AI!

Unlock members only perks while supporting our mission, Become a Member today: patreon.com/autismwish

What if virtual reality (VR) could help neurodivergent individuals build real-world social skills? In this episode of Embracing Autism IRL, I sit down with Jenifer Shahin, a behavioral therapist and former film producer who has spent over 20 years helping neurodivergent individuals thrive. Having overcome her own learning differences, Jenifer has discovered the power of creativity and technology in transforming social learning. Now, through SocialWise VR, she’s using cutting-edge virtual reality to create a safe, immersive space where individuals can practice and master essential social interactions. Could this be the future of social skills training? Tune in to find out!

Website: www.socialwisevr.com

Facebook & Instagram: @socialwisevr

This episode is sponsored by SocialWise VR.

Parenting an autistic child brings so much love and joy, but let’s be real—it can also put a strain on a marriage. In this special Valentine’s Day episode, we’re sitting down to have an open and honest conversation about how we’ve worked to keep our connection strong while navigating the unique challenges of parenting autistic children. If you’ve ever felt like your marriage is running on fumes, this one’s for you.

Together, we can do more! Support our mission and unlock exclusive perks: patreon.com/autismwish

We’re thrilled to have Jerry Kolber join us today. Jerry is the Emmy-nominated co-creator of Brain Games on National Geographic, co-creator of Netflix’s Brainchild with Pharrell Williams, and host of the hit kids’ podcast Who Smarted with over 15 million downloads. In this episode, we’ll explore how Jerry’s innovative approach to edutainment creates accessible, engaging content for neurodiverse learners, including autistic children. From his strategies behind Brain Games and Who Smarted? to advice for parents and educators, Jerry will share insights on fostering inclusion in education and celebrating the unique strengths of autistic learners.

Website: https://www.atomicentertainment.com/

LinkedIn:   / jerry-kolber  

On today’s episode we’re diving into how autism is portrayed in media and how these representations influence public understanding. We’ll explore different storytelling approaches, from metaphorical to direct portrayals, and discuss their strengths and limitations.

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Today, we’re thrilled to welcome Kaelynn Partlow, an autistic therapist, author, advocate, and speaker who’s passionate about educating others and breaking down barriers for the autistic community. You may recognize Kaelynn from Love on the Spectrum, where she shared her journey with authenticity. In addition to her advocacy work, Kaelynn uses her expertise to support and empower other autistic individuals. In today’s discussion, we’ll be tackling autism myth-busting, dispelling common misconceptions, and shedding light on the realities of autism. Join us for an engaging and enlightening conversation about fostering understanding and inclusion!

Follow Kaelynn on Facebook @AutisticAngle and Instagram @kaelynnvp