Mother's Guide Through Autism

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In this episode of A Mother's Guide Through Autism, Brigitte sits down with Sarah Mireles, LPCC, CLC—a therapist, neurodivergent professional, and founder of Sarah Mireles Therapy.   

Drawing from both lived experience with late-diagnosed ADHD and over a decade of clinical insight specializing in OCD, autism, and neurodivergence, Sarah reveals why progress often stalls when the home environment isn't built for neurodivergent functioning.

She breaks down her four essential principles—emotion regulation, radical openness, mental flexibility, and relationship-centered communication—to help parents stop operating in survival mode, build trust, and equip their teens for a successful transition into adulthood.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

- Why emotional regulation in the parent can make such a big difference in the whole family dynamic
- How to support flexibility without removing the structure your teen may need
- Why meeting your teen where they are can be more effective than pushing them toward a neurotypical timeline
- How trust, communication, and understanding your teen’s emotional experience can strengthen your relationship

🔗 Resources & Links

Individual Therapy Website:
SarahMirelesTherapy.com

Parent Training Program:
https://parentsofneurodiverseteens.mykajabi.com/

Learn more and join the Chill & Chat Membership:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/chillandchat

Purchase my book A Mother's Guide Through Autism:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/book

Sign up to get news and updates from me: https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com

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In this episode of A Mother's Guide Through Autism, Brigitte sits down with Whitney Reynolds—Emmy-nominated executive producer and host of The Whitney Reynolds Show on PBS.

Whitney shares how her own challenging childhood planted the seeds for her lifelong mission: using media as a tool for hope, empathy, and positive change rather than sensationalism.

Together, Brigitte and Whitney explore how navigating early life friction builds a unique kind of grit, and how parents can help their children (including neurodivergent kids) turn struggles into purpose.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

- How early life hardships can be transformed into a mission to help others feel seen and heard.
- Why creating safe, compassionate spaces in mainstream media matters for families navigating real-life challenges.
- Practical insights on resilience and helping children see their struggles as fuel for purpose.
- How Whitney balances creative passion with motherhood.

🔗 Resources & Links

Catch Brigitte and Joseph Shipman featured on The Whitney Reynolds Show!

Airing:
Monday, October 26th from 6:30–7:00 PM CDT on PBS.
Monday, October 26th at 6:30 a.m. EST and 1:00 p.m. EST on WORLD Channel
Check your local PBS listings for The Whitney Reynolds Show.

Connect with Whitney Reynolds:

Website: WhitneyReynolds.com
Instagram: @whitney_reynolds

Learn more and join the Chill & Chat Membership:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/chillandchat

Purchase my book A Mother's Guide Through Autism:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/book

Sign up to get news and updates from me: https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com

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The online world can offer connection, entertainment, and independence for neurodivergent kids, but it can also expose them to cyberbullying, manipulation, and situations they may not yet know how to handle.

In this episode of Mother’s Guide Through Autism, Brigitte talks with Dr. Myava Clark, a passionate advocate, speaker, educator, and best-selling author with a background in respiratory therapy and higher education. 

As a mother of two adult children, Dr. Clark’s work was deeply shaped by her experience navigating the special education system for her son, Chris Clark Jr. That journey eventually led them to co-found CASEN (Collaborative Advancement for Social-Emotional Needs), which helps children, especially neurodivergent children, build online safety awareness and healthy social-emotional skills.

Dr. Clark shares the warning signs parents should watch for, why digital safety matters even if your child isn’t technically on social media, and why she believes in “preparation before participation.” She also opens up about the loneliness and exhaustion parents can experience while advocating for their children, and the importance of caring for yourself along the way.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

- Quiet warning signs that may point to cyberbullying or online harassment
- Why gaming chats and other digital spaces can carry risks even without social media
- Why open communication with your child matters before a problem happens
- Practical ways moms can care for themselves while carrying the weight of advocacy

Dr. Clark is also the founder of the Mothers of Exceptional Kids Parent Support Group, a community created to help parents and caregivers of neurodivergent children find support, reduce burnout, and feel less alone. She is the author of eight books and continues to combine personal experience with professional insight to offer families practical guidance and hope.

This conversation is full of useful, grounded advice for parents who want to help their children navigate the digital world with more confidence and safety.

🔗 Resources & Links

Learn more about Dr. Myava, her books, and her organizations:
https://casenllc.com
https://mothersofexceptionalkids.com

Learn more and join the Chill & Chat Membership:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/chillandchat

Purchase my book A Mother's Guide Through Autism:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/book

Sign up to get news and updates from me: https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com

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In this episode of the Mother’s Guide Through Autism Podcast, Brigitte sits down with author, coach, advocate, and special needs mom Susanna Peace Lovell for an honest conversation about caring for your child while learning to care for yourself, too.

Susanna shares what she wishes she had known during the overwhelming early years of raising her daughter, Arizona, and why self-compassion became such an important part of her journey. She also reflects on the moment she realized her daughter was so much more than a collection of diagnoses—and how that shifted her toward seeing, accepting, and celebrating Arizona for who she truly is.

Brigitte and Susanna also talk about reconnecting with joy and identity beyond caregiving, releasing guilt around tending to your own needs, and finding people who truly understand the journey. For the mom who feels overwhelmed today, Susanna offers a simple but powerful reminder: Everything will be okay.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

- Practicing self-compassion during the hardest seasons of autism parenting
- Seeing your child as a whole person rather than a list of things to “fix”
- Reconnecting with your own joy, identity, and dreams as a mom
- Letting go of guilt around caring for yourself
- Finding community and support from people who truly understand

About Susanna Peace Lovell

Susanna Peace Lovell is a certified professional life coach, author, speaker, and advocate dedicated to supporting the health and wellness of disability families. Her own journey raising her daughter, Arizona, who has autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, anxiety, food allergies, and other unique needs, led Susanna to help other caregivers rediscover joy, possibility, and a sense of themselves beyond caregiving.

Her book, Your True Self Is Enough, combines memoir with practical insights for caregivers navigating the challenges of raising a child with disabilities. Susanna is also a contributing author to Suddenly Brave Together, an anthology of letters from experienced caregiving moms to mothers facing defining moments in their own journeys.

🔗 Resources & Links

Learn more about Susanna, her book, coaching, and speaking:
SusannaPeaceLovell.com

Instagram: @mamapeace

Learn more and join the Chill & Chat Membership:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/chillandchat

Purchase my book A Mother's Guide Through Autism:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/book

Sign up to get news and updates from me: https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com

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This week’s episode of Mother’s Guide Through Autism is a little different.

Brigitte welcomes back Maureen Brice, an author, intuitive energy coach, certified health coach, autism parent, and advocate with more than 25 years of experience in neurodiversity and holistic wellness.

In her coaching work with autism moms, Maureen incorporates intuitive practices, energetic frequency work, and biofeedback alongside more traditional forms of support. Maureen says her intuitive abilities became much stronger following a near-death experience, eventually becoming another way she helps women explore what may be happening beneath the surface emotionally and energetically.

For this special episode, Brigitte gives listeners a glimpse into that side of Maureen’s work by receiving an angel card reading herself.

Rather than a typical interview, you’ll hear an intimate, unscripted conversation as Maureen interprets the cards, reflects on the messages that come through, and explores themes that many moms may recognize in their own lives.

In this episode, we discuss:

- Why Maureen began incorporating intuitive work into her coaching
- How she describes the changes she experienced after her near-death experience
- What an angel card reading actually looks like
- Why autism moms may sometimes need support that goes beyond problem-solving and practical strategies

Whether this kind of work is already part of your world or you’re simply curious about it, consider this episode an invitation to listen with an open mind and take away whatever resonates with you.

🔗 Resources & Links

Maureen's Website:
https://hopedreambelieve.com/

Learn more and join the Chill & Chat Membership:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/chillandchat

Purchase my book A Mother's Guide Through Autism:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/book

Sign up to get news and updates from me: https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com

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What if laughter could become one of your most powerful tools for getting through the hard moments of autism parenting?

In this episode of the Mother’s Guide Through Autism Podcast, Brigitte sits down with author, speaker, and fellow autism mom Andrea Moriarty for an honest, hopeful, and often very funny conversation about raising her son Reid, now 32.

Andrea shares what those early years after Reid’s autism diagnosis were really like, from the overwhelm and uncertainty to learning that she didn’t have to figure everything out alone. They talk about the importance of building a support system, leaning into their children’s strengths, and finding creative solutions when the traditional path simply doesn’t fit.

They also dive into Andrea’s newest book, Daffy, a tell-all comedy for moms about using laughter as life support. Andrea explains how a getaway with other autism moms helped her realize just how much humor had been keeping them afloat—and inspired what she now calls the “Laughter Alliance.”

You’ll also hear some of Andrea’s favorite practical life hacks for making everyday life a little easier, including batch cooking, smoothie pops for selective eaters, “Tasting Tuesday,” and even simplifying your wardrobe to save precious mental energy.

Most importantly, Andrea reminds us of something so many autism moms need to hear:

You’re not doing it wrong. This is hard. You don’t have to do it alone.

In this episode, they talk about:
• Andrea’s journey raising her autistic son Reid
• Music therapy and discovering Reid’s strengths
• How laughter can help us process difficult experiences
• Andrea’s “Laughter Alliance” for autism moms
• Simple life hacks that reduce stress and mental overload

ABOUT ANDREA MORIARTY

Andrea Moriarty is an author, speaker, workshop leader, and autism mom. She is the author of One Track Mind, Radical Inclusion, and Daffy. Her work offers a refreshing and hopeful perspective on both the challenges and triumphs of parenting a son with autism, blending honesty, affection, humor, and hope.

Andrea also cofounded Banding Together, a music therapy nonprofit, and has served on the boards of Young Life Capernaum, New Village Arts, and Able Arts Work.

🔗 Resources & Links

Learn more about Andrea and her books:
https://www.andreamoriarty.com/

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

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/andrea.a.moriarty

Learn more and join the Chill & Chat Membership:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/chillandchat

Purchase my book A Mother's Guide Through Autism:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/book

Sign up to get news and updates from me: https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com

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If you are navigating an autism diagnosis with your child, you already know how heavy and isolating the journey can feel. But there is a side to this story we don't hear often enough: the father’s perspective.

In this episode, host Brigitte Shipman sits down with Harry Psaros—an autism father, advocate, board member for the Autism Caring Center, and best-selling author of “From Struggle to Strength: A Father’s Journey with Autism and the Power of Hope and Positivity.” 

When a child is diagnosed, mothers and fathers often process their grief in completely different ways. Harry shares his mission to break down that barrier, open up the conversation for dads who are struggling to accept a diagnosis, and give families the tools to stay on the same team instead of growing apart. 

If you are feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or looking for a reason to find hope in the middle of a hard day, this down-to-earth conversation will remind you that you are not alone in the wilderness.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

- Why fathers often react differently to an autism diagnosis and how to bridge the communication gap.
- Practical advice on keeping your marriage and relationship strong through caregiving stress.
- How to shift from survival mode to finding genuine hope, positivity, and resilience.
- The inspiration behind Harry’s book, From Struggle to Strength, and his advocacy work for families.

🔗 Resources & Links

Harry's Website:
https://www.harrypsaros.com/

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

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

Learn more and join the Chill & Chat Membership:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/chillandchat

Purchase my book A Mother's Guide Through Autism:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/book

Sign up to get news and updates from me: https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com

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In this episode of A Mother's Guide Through Autism, host Brigitte Shipman sits down with Maureen Brice and Dr. Nicole Dolan to explore a deeply profound side of caregiving: the parent’s own nervous system, trauma history, and energetic frequency.

When your neurodivergent child has a meltdown, does your own anxiety or anger immediately skyrocket? You are not alone.

Maureen Brice and Dr. Nicole Dolan dive into why our children act as powerful mirrors, triggering unhealed parts of our own childhood conditioning. They share how shifting out of survival mode and consciously clearing your internal blocks can completely change the emotional climate of your home.

If you are a mother feeling burnt out, exhausted, and stuck in a loop of reactive parenting, this conversation offers the roadmap, permission, and actionable energetic tools you need to heal your family from the inside out.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

- How our children’s behaviors unconsciously trigger past ancestral and childhood conditioning.
- The science and energy of co-regulation—why your child feeds off your nervous system's internal state.
- Practical strategies to recognize parental burnout and halt chronic fight-or-flight loops.
- The power of releasing judgment to build a sustainable, compassionate home life.

🔗 Resources & Links

Sign up for the retreat:
https://hopedreambelieve.com/autism-moms-retreat

Maureen's Website:
https://hopedreambelieve.com/

Dr. Nicole Dolan:
https://drnicoledolan.com/
https://www.instagram.com/drnicoledolan/

Learn more and join the Chill & Chat Membership:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/chillandchat

Purchase my book A Mother's Guide Through Autism:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/book

Sign up to get news and updates from me: https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com

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This episode was originally released on Your Trauma Talks and is being shared here with permission so our audience can hear this meaningful conversation. 

In this interview, host Rahul K. Maharaj speaks with Brigitte Shipman and Joseph Shipman about faith, advocacy, acceptance, autism, and neurodiversity from both the mother’s and autistic adult’s perspective. 

The conversation explores grief, hope, stigma, self-compassion, and the power of understanding autism more deeply.

Episode highlights 

• Brigitte’s journey through diagnosis, grief, advocacy, and self-compassion 
• Joseph’s perspective on growing up autistic and navigating stigma and missed social cues 
• Advocacy without losing yourself 
• Why being different is powerful 
• What every parent needs to understand about neurodiversity

Listen to the original episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359531/episodes/18741535

🔗 Resources & Links

Purchase the book A Mother's Guide Through Autism:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/book

Sign up to get news and updates from me: https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com

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When a child is emotionally dysregulated, it’s easy for parents to feel unsure, exhausted, or like they’re constantly reacting instead of responding.

In this episode of Mother’s Guide Through Autism, host Brigitte Shipman sits down with Sara Lewis Hartley, a healthcare leader with over 20 years of experience and the author of the Purposefully Me children’s book series, to explore what emotional regulation really means—and how parents can support it without burning themselves out.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level tips. Sara shares practical, compassionate insights about creating emotional safety at home, why regulation starts with the parent, and how understanding emotions—rather than trying to control them—can change the dynamic between parent and child.

💛 In this episode, you’ll hear about:

- Common misconceptions parents have about “big emotions” and behavior
- How parents can regulate themselves first—without guilt or perfection
- How to create a foundation of trust and safety with your kids
- The inspiration behind the Purposefully Me book series

This episode is especially for parents who feel overwhelmed by emotions—both their child’s and their own—and are looking for a more grounded, compassionate way forward.

🎧 You’ll walk away with perspective, reassurance, and ideas you can start using right away.

🔗 Resources & Links

Learn more about Sara Hartley and get her books:
https://saralewishartley.com/

Learn more and join the Chill & Chat Membership:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/chillandchat

Purchase my book A Mother's Guide Through Autism:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/book

Sign up to get news and updates from me: https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com

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