Hey friend… let’s be real for a sec. When someone asks, “How are you?” as a special needs parent or caregiver… do you ever just freeze?

It’s not that we don’t know how we feel—it’s that the answer is complicated. Some days it’s pride and joy, other days it’s exhaustion and overwhelm. And layered in there is the constant tug-of-war: do I open up and be honest, or keep it short to protect my family (and maybe myself)? Do I share because I need support, or hold back because I don’t want pity?

In this episode, we unpack that tricky little question and all the emotions behind it. And we want to hear from YOU. How do you navigate those moments? Send us your stories at [email protected]

Today we sit down with Lia McCabe, host of the Embracing Autism Podcast. Lia shares her personal journey as an autistic parent raising neurodivergent children, her advocacy work through Autism Wish, and the importance of education and empathy in understanding autism.

Lia McCabe: Host of the Embracing Autism Podcast and founder of Autism Wish.

Website: www.AutismWish.org

Patreon: patreon.com/AutismWish

Today Brit, Shannon and Tash discuss ending the chase for "normal" and share pivotal moments that shaped their understanding of their children's needs. We revisit grief and acceptance, as well as the emotional complexities of parenting in a diverse family dynamic.

Today Jean and Tash welcome Nicole Studt, a fellow autism mom, who shares her unique journey of parenting a neurodivergent child. Nicole discusses the challenges and triumphs she faced from diagnosis to advocacy, emphasizing the importance of community and support.

In this episode, Shannon and Tash sit down with the incredible Allison Bolson—a mom of four (yes, four!) neurodiverse boys. Allison shares what it’s been like raising her crew in Australia, from the ups and downs of getting diagnoses to figuring out education plans that actually work for her kids.

They dive into the messy, beautiful reality of IEPs, how hard it can be to find the right support, and why open conversations about neurodiversity at home matter so much. Allison’s honesty, humor, and hard-earned wisdom will leave you feeling seen, supported, and maybe even a little less alone in your own parenting journey.

Whether you’re just starting out or have been walking this path for a while, this is one of those episodes that reminds you—we’re all in this together.

You can find Allison here:

www.instagram.com/theincrementalshift 

www.theincrementalshift.com

In this episode, Tash, Shannon, and Brittney are diving into life with almost-teens—because puberty waits for no one. From navigating school systems and prepping for big educational changes, to decoding the daily dose of sass and side-eye, we're covering it all.

Let’s be real: parenting at this stage feels like trying to translate a foreign language… while blindfolded… on a rollercoaster. We don’t always get it right (understatement of the year), but we’re learning to give ourselves—and our kids—plenty of grace. Tune in as we laugh, vent, and figure it out together.

In this heartful and honest conversation, Tiffany Feingold opens up about her journey as a mother of a neurodivergent child—and the power of finding your voice through advocacy. From the grief that often shadows a diagnosis to the empowerment that comes from building community, Tiffany walks us through the real, raw, and inspiring moments that have shaped her mission to support families just like hers.

This episode dives into the challenges neurodivergent individuals face in schools and workplaces, the importance of empathy and understanding in parenting, and how parents can collaborate with professionals to create a more inclusive world. If you're parenting on the path of neurodiversity, you are not alone—and this episode is for you. 💛

More about how to find Tiffany

Website: https://guidingbrightminds.com 

Instagram: @Guidingbrightmind 

Facebook & Linkedin: @Guidingbrightminds https://drive.google.com/open?id=1rmT2Nyzpgc3IudjWlO2cLskAnRGg9EKW https://drive.google.com/open?id=1mzZD8sfDH-gmjcn-RWvQEvN98a9zfJCU

Today we chat with Jennifer and Nicole, the founders of SocialWise VR, a virtual application designed to teach social skills to neurodivergent youth. We discuss the immersive experience it offers to help young adults navigate social situations!

You can find them here:

https://www.socialwisevr.com

https://www.instagram.com/socialwisevr

This one is a little unhinged, mostly in a good way. We needed to break up the heavy and hard with a silly episode where we talk about anything and everything that is NOT autism. Buckle up and enjoy or skip this one if you’re not in the same space. Either way, thanks for being here.

Discussion Questions:

They’re back to chat and with a new book! Dr Yael Rothman and Dr. Katia Fredrikson are once again here with us to discuss our neurodivergent kids, finding the appropriate therapies and care for them, and how to talk to our kids about autism. What is autism? How do I explain such complex concepts to my child? Where do I even start? Ultimately, we want to think long-term for our kids' overall success, give them the tools to understand the world around them, and, most importantly, empower themselves. 

Instagram- @neuropsychmoms

Different Thinkers: Autism- our favorite book to talk to your kids about autism

Different Thinkers: ADHD

Contact us at [email protected]