Inchstones with Sarah | Autism Advocacy & Caregiver Stories

Kyle Shepard, writer of The Resilient Mental State Substack, joins the Inchstones podcast for a powerful conversation about resilience, caregiving, and communication in the world of autism and neurodiversity. Together, we explore how parenting children with profound autism reshaped my understanding of growth, emotional regulation, and adaptability. Kyle shares deeply personal insights from his own life, highlighting the challenges and breakthroughs of work and parenting, while emphasizing the importance of celebrating inchstones —those small but meaningful steps forward that foster resiliency in all of us, regardless of our journey. This dialogue underscores the strength found in community, the role of curiosity in navigating uncertainty, and the everyday resilience that defines families living with autism.

On the Inchstones Podcast, host Sarah Kernion sits down with Kate Lynch to unpack the realities of neurodiversity and the often-overlooked struggles of parents raising profoundly autistic children. Their conversation sheds light on the systemic gaps in caregiving, the urgent need for inclusive education, and the power of community in navigating the challenges of autism. Through honest reflection and lived experience, they highlight how every child’s journey --- measured in inchstones, not milestones --- deserves recognition and respect. Together, Sarah and Kate call for a cultural shift toward acceptance, advocacy, and the celebration of differences, offering hope for a future where neurodivergent voices and families are truly supported.

You can find and follow Kate's work on her Substack: Atypical Kids, Mindful Parents.

Navy SEAL veteran Sam Alaimo joins Inchstones host Sarah Kernion for a conversation that bridges two worlds: combat and caregiving. Together, they explore how the endurance, intuition, and community forged in military life parallel the realities of raising children with profound autism. Their dialogue dives into the power of choice in the face of adversity, the way grief reshapes identity, and the resilience required in motherhood. With honesty and depth, Sam shares how lessons from the battlefield illuminate the daily challenges of profound nonspeaking autism and neurodiversity, offering a perspective that redefines what strength and meaning look like when measured in inchstones.

Autism Mom Sarah Kernion sits down with mother-son duo Valerie Buccino and her son Philip for a conversation within the broader neurodiversity spectrum (while also addressing autism, apraxia, and the journey of profound autism.)  Together, they explore the power of self-advocacy for individuals with learning differences, the importance of building true collaboration with educators, and the everyday strategies that have helped Philip thrive. Valerie, both an attorney and a mother, shares her perspective on why respect and understanding are essential in educational settings. Their story underscores the role of self-perception, the cultural barriers around asking for help, and the resilience required to pursue goals despite challenges—reminding us that every child’s progress deserves to be celebrated, one inchstone at a time.

What if your child’s first dental visit was about more than teeth?

In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with Special Needs Dentist, Dr. Sydnee Chavis, for a raw and real conversation about raising children with profound autism and apraxia. Together, they explore how personal experience with neurodiversity has shaped their work—one through dentistry, the other through financial strategy—and how every inchstone, from brushing teeth to building a care team, is a major milestone.

They unpack what it means to advocate for children who are non-speaking, the emotional labor of showing up daily for kids with complex needs, and why accessible care—especially dental care—is often out of reach for families like ours. This episode also dives into the power of choice for disabled patients, the overlooked value of trauma-informed dentistry, and how to approach long-term financial planning without getting overwhelmed.

Whether you're deep in the world of profound autism or just beginning to understand what apraxia looks like day-to-day, this conversation holds space for the mess, the magic, and the meaning behind the inchstones that define our families.

When parenting meets profound autism, support needs to evolve—fast. On this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with Jordan Arogeti, founder of Support Now, for a raw and honest conversation about what modern families actually need. From the realities of raising neurodivergent children—including those with apraxia or profound autism—to the deep loneliness many parents face, this discussion breaks through surface-level solutions and gets into the truth of caregiving in today’s world.

They talk about how asking for help isn’t weakness—it’s survival. And how platforms like Support Now are reshaping how we view community support, especially in the autism and neurodiversity spaces. Whether you're raising a child with complex needs or trying to show up for someone who is, this episode offers a new framework for what real, meaningful support can look like—inch by inch.

When your child is autistic—especially when they have profound autism or neurodiversity, routine medical visits can feel anything but routine. On this episode of Inchstones, Dr. Chelsea Willie, a pediatric anesthesiologist and mom to a neurodivergent child, joins Sarah to break down how hospitals and clinics can better serve kids with autism.

From sensory overwhelm to communication challenges, Dr. Willie shares what truly helps when it comes to medical care for neurodivergent kids—and how parents can advocate for what their child needs without burning out.

Together, they talk about the small wins (INCHSTONES) that make a huge difference, the importance of trust between families and providers, and why it’s time to shift how medicine shows up for the autism community.

Whether you're parenting a child with profound autism, navigating apraxia, or just starting your neurodiversity journey, this episode is packed with wisdom, validation, and practical strategies you can use today.

Dr. Chelsea Willie is a Pediatric Anesthesiologist and Pediatric Intensivist at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

A reminder that even in our hardest seasons, we still have the power to choose how we show up, Sarah Kernion sits down with Traci Kovacic for a conversation about what happens when life throws you into the unimaginable—and how you keep going anyway.

Traci opens up about the back-to-back tragedies that changed everything for her: losing her husband and nearly losing her daughter.

She talks honestly about the messy, painful, and ultimately transformative process of grief, and how those experiences pushed her toward becoming not just a financial advisor, but an advocate for families navigating life after loss. Together, Sarah and Traci explore the intersection of motherhood, mental health, and the way we rebuild ourselves when the life we imagined disappears.

This isn’t just a story of loss—it’s a story about finding love, purpose, and strength in the wreckage. And it’s a reminder that even in our hardest seasons, we still have the power to choose how we show up.

In this inspiring conversation, Sarah Kernion is joined by Julie Kratz—an acclaimed inclusive leadership trainer, TEDx speaker, and author of The Allyship Advantage: A Guide to Championing Inclusion in the Workplace. Together, they unpack what true allyship looks like, especially in the context of autism, neurodiversity, and workplace inclusion.

Julie brings both professional expertise and personal insight to the table as she and Sarah discuss the myth of meritocracy, the real challenges marginalized communities face in traditional work environments, and how generational shifts are reshaping our understanding of diversity. She shares practical steps leaders can take right now to foster more inclusive cultures—beyond just policies or performative gestures.

This episode is for anyone who wants to do better, be better, and make space for everyone—whether at work, at home, or in the world at large. It’s a powerful reminder that inclusion begins with curiosity, empathy, and the courage to lead differently.

Her new book We Want You: An Allyship Guide for People with Power is out this Friday, Aug 8th: Order Here!

Julie's work can all be found online on her website Next Pivot Point

Sarah Kernion is thrilled to welcome Jill Escher, President of the National Council on Severe Autism, to the Inchstones Podcast.  Sarah & Jill open up about the rarely spoken realities of raising children with profound autism. They reflect on their parallel journeys—their grief, grit, and the relentless love that comes with raising children who may never speak or live independently. Together, they explore the complex reality of autism that often goes unspoken: the emotional toll of caregiving, the urgency for better research, and the importance of holding space for both science and lived experience.

Jill shares her powerful advocacy work and calls for a more curious, compassionate, and courageous conversation in the autism community—one that welcomes uncomfortable truths and asks better questions.

This episode is for anyone ready to look at autism with clear eyes and an open heart.

Jill's work can be found on her website : https://www.jillescher.com/