In this episode of Moms Talk Autism, Tash and Shannon chat with Brenda Kennedy and Amanda Harpell-Franz from Canine Companions about the incredible impact of service dogs on families. Brenda shares how these dogs are trained and matched with their handlers, while Amanda opens up about her son Evan’s life-changing bond with his dog, Calvin. Together, they explore how service dogs reduce anxiety, build confidence, and strengthen family connections—along with the harder moments, like saying goodbye when it’s time to retire a beloved companion. It’s a heartfelt look at love, healing, and the unbreakable bond between kids and their dogs.

Learn more at canine.org.

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In this episode, Rita Miceli shares her powerful journey as a mom raising her autistic son, Giaci. From early diagnosis to navigating therapies and fostering independence, Rita opens up about the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned along the way. She talks about the importance of family support, resilience, and celebrating small victories, offering encouragement and real advice for parents at every stage of the autism journey.

Follow Giaci and Rita’s story on TikTok and Instagram.

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https://www.patreon.com/c/MomsTalkAutism

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Dad and author, Daryl Potter, joins us today as we talk about the ups and downs of caregiving for adult children with disabilities and complex medical conditions. As you can imagine, grief is a recurring theme, and finding joy in everyday life amidst the stress and strain of extreme caregiving is always the goal. No one signs up for this, so now what do we do about it? Real, honest, raw, heartfelt moments with our guest today, we are so honored to chat with him and bring a small part of Daryl’s story to you.

Daryl’s website and books: https://www.darylpotter.com/

Email: [email protected]

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https://www.patreon.com/c/MomsTalkAutism

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Holidays with neurodivergent kids can feel like a game of “expectation whack-a-mole” — plans change, sensory overload hits, and suddenly we’re rethinking everything from costumes to candy routes. In this episode, we talk about how our priorities as parents shift, why simple traditions often mean the most, and how to give ourselves some freaking grace.

Whether you’re dealing with surprise weather, overstimulation, or That Relative with big opinions — we’ve got you. Let’s find joy in the chaos and celebrate in ways that actually work for our families.

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MTA is honored to have Dr. Daniela Owen and Jake Loupe on to talk about parenting neurodiversity and the importance of community support. Dr. Owen is a clinical psychologist and author aimed at helping kids understand their emotions. Jake shares his journey as a father to his neurodiverse son. Together, they host a podcast all about parenting and caregiving for all kids, regardless of diagnosis. In this episode, we cover the importance of inclusive environments, coping skills, empowering parents, and navigating mental health for both parents and children.

Dr. Owen and Jake have a wonderful podcast. Check out The Parenting Puzzle with Dr. Daniela Owen to hear more from them and our guest appearance on their show!

The Parenting Puzzle

Dr. Owen’s Website

Want to reach the MTA team? Email us at [email protected]

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Back home from Galveston... Today, we are talking about the re-entry process, sixth-grade science camp, and periods... oh my!

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This one’s full of feel-good vibes! Tash and Shannon sit down with Melissa Smith, founder of Backlight Productions, a nonprofit that partners with professional artists and organizations to give individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities the spotlight they deserve—literally! From leading roles in integrated performances to the magic that happens when inclusion meets creativity, this conversation will leave you inspired and smiling.

PS - she also wrote an amazing book for kids in her spare time!

You can find Melissa/Backlight Productions here:

https://www.instagram.com/backlightproductions/

https://backlightproductions.org/about-us/

https://www.instagram.com/fofcbooks/

https://www.friendsoffranklincounty.com/

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In this episode, JJ McLeod shares her journey as a special education teacher and mom to her son Milo, who was diagnosed with autism. She opens up about the shock of diagnosis, the challenges of navigating both autism and other health needs, and the stigma families often face. Through her story, JJ reminds us of the resilience it takes to parent neurodivergent kids—and the power of community and compassion along the way.

Instagram: autismembrace

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Today Emily Zavala returns to share her journey of navigating autism care for her son, Justin. From the struggle of finding the right group home, to the heartbreak of rejection, to the relief of finally discovering Hope House—Emily opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of advocacy and caregiving.

She reflects on the resilience it takes, the community that makes it possible, and the positive changes Justin has experienced since his move. This is a story of hope, connection, and the power of not giving up.

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We’re talking about the “Autism Tax”—not a bill from the IRS, but the hidden costs families like ours face every day. From therapies and medical expenses to careers put on hold and time stretched thin, this invisible weight is heavy.

In this episode, we share our own stories and shine a light on the resilience it takes to carry it all. Because while the “tax” is real, so is the strength of our community.

Want to share your Autism or Disability Tax story? Email us at [email protected]

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