I wanted to share with you why I called this podcast “Rise with the Light” and why I designed the logo the way I did. Seems silly for an episode, but all of it was intentional and helps to share my journey.

Throughout my journey with my son and to get to where I am now, I felt like I had to ‘rise’ out of the darkness. While I did my best to be as positive and encouraging to my son as possible, I felt so dark on the inside and any downtime I had I was just depressed and full of worry, fear, anxiety - just feeling so down. It was really hard for me to sometimes see a way forward, to see that there was hope. 

Something I heard had a profound effect on me "When there is a shadow in the darkness, there is light."

In this episode, I review the actual definitions of the words rise and light, and why they have so much meaning for me. 

I also unpack the logo, why does the arrow have little lines at the bottom. Those signify roots - and I'll tell you how I had to uproot myself out of the darkness and replant myself anew. 

For me, that light represents hope; that there is a way forward. No matter how dark things were getting, that shadow reminded me there was light, even if it was a really small amount of light - it was there.

This wasn’t the end, there was a way. 

This ignited me and motivated me to seek resources, put one foot in front of another, to figure out ways to not only work on my mindset but to realize my son needed me more than ever.

These were difficult times. I was in so much pain and dealing with so many different emotions, but I was always reminded that I could find a way through this. I could push through the pain toward the light. 

I hope you can find the light. I hope I can be the light for you. To help you, inspire you, and motivate you to keep going. 

If this resonates with you, please subscribe to this podcast so you never miss another episode. Share this podcast with someone who needs to hear it, and also DM me @susanfink.rise on Instagram. Let me know if this is helping you I would love to hear from you. 

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If you are a parent with a child with autism and special needs, you totally get this. Each day can be completely different. You never know when the next meltdown or challenging situation will come up. You can anticipate all you want, but your child might have something that triggers a sensitivity, an emotion that shuts them down, something that makes them physically react. It can be challenging to try to handle a situation that might come out of nowhere. 

It's like being on a rollercoaster every day. Some days are a smoother ride than others, but other days, the ride is pretty intense. You may be pulled right or left, or have an incredibly big dip or multiple loop-de-loops. As much as you might be able to predict them, you never know when your roller coaster might go from a smooth ride to a treacherous one. 

Not only are you in need to take care of your child, to help, support and figure out a solution to work through the challenge, but you also have to deal with your own emotions. It can be incredibly exhausting and overwhelming emotionally, mentally and even physically. 

How do you help your child and yourself off of the rollercoaster? How do you make sure this dip, however big or small, doesn't affect the rest of your day? 

I have let meltdowns and these challenging rollercoaster rides affect my entire day, the rest of my day. It has taken over me and I have gone into a dark place. How do you prevent that? Figuring out your personal toolbox and what you can do to work through these emotions and your own dynamics becomes really important. Being aware and intentional in this is so critical to stay positive. 

I hope this episode helps you and at least helps you know you are not alone. 

Follow me @susanfink.rise and DM me. I'd love to hear if this helps you, if you can relate and what you do to get off the rollercoaster, or at least make it a less bumpy ride. 

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I could not believe it when I received a message from Gary Leavitt, radio host for WMEX in the Boston area. He had come across my name and mission with my podcast, Rise with the Light, and was so inspired he wanted me to be a guest on his show. 

I am so grateful I am able to spread the word about what my mission and purpose is in life, to help other people by sharing my experiences, insights, mindset perspectives and stories my son and I have had throughout our journey with autism. 

My son was diagnosed when he was 3 years old and in this interview, you can learn about: 

• How my son was a complete surprise - I am divorced and have been a single mom since pretty much when he was conceived. 
• Why I started this podcast
• Why I called it Rise with the Light
• What I have learned from my son
• What the goal is of the podcast
• Topic examples I will cover
• Blessings that come with autism

My mission is to help as many families as I can who are raising children with autism or other special needs. I would like to be a resource for families, ecen just to have someone to relate to, to hear something you may need to hear to get through what you're going through. 

Thank you for listening and follow me @susanfink.rise on instagram or @susanfink.risewlight on facebook.

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Since starting this podcast, I have been asked about advice I would have for other parents. I have not only learned a lot from my son, but also other parents who have children with autism and special needs, teachers and aids who have helped my son, who have been a part of our 'team.' There is a long list of advice, but I focused on the ones that have been impactful for me and I'd like to pass on. 

Have you ever walked on the beach and seen the footprints behind you and in front of you? I was walking on the beach a few months ago and those footprints made me think about things I have learned from people who have come before me, people who have been through what I am going through. The footprints in front of me are the ones that I can pass on to others. The advice I can pay it forward, to help other people. 

We can learn from each other and can help each other. These are the pieces of advice I have for you in this episdoe. 

1. Don’t look beyond 6 months
2. Focus on what you have control over.
3. Your gut is usually right, it’s your kid and you know when something is off
4. It’s going to be okay
5. It’s a marathon, not a sprint
6. Be patient
7. Breathe
8. Never be ashamed to ask for help
9. Figure out what works for your child and go with it
10. Be flexible to change
11. Celebrate big and small wins, encourage uplift them
12. Advocate, advocate, advocate
13. Take care of yourself
14. Never give up

I hope you find this helpful, resourceful, a place where you can find support, advice and just something to relate to. 

If you find this meaningful for you, please make sure you subscribe to my podcast so you never miss another episode. Please also share this with someone who could use this support. My mission is to help as many people as I can and I can't do that without you. 

Also, follow me @susanfink.rise and DM me. I would love to hear your feedback about this podcast and other advice you have that I didn't mention. 

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Children with autism and special needs may have challenges with sleep, falling asleep, staying asleep or sleeping at all, which not only creates more challenges, but also has an impact on the rest of the family. When your children don't sleep, most likely you don't sleep. 

Before my son was diagnosed, I was averaging about 2 hours of sleep because he never slept well. He had a really hard time napping, falling asleep, staying asleep and being a single mother, it was up to me to help him back to sleep, which meant, I never slept. This really took a toll on me as I also had to work full time and it was often difficult for me to focus at work, I started getting depressed, the sleep deprivation is real. 

In this podcast, I discuss quite a few things: 
- We unpack why children with autism and special needs may have challenges with sleep. There are quite a few theories out there and I was able to research and communicate them here. 
- What can you do to help your child sleep. There are a variety of tactics that can help, but it's also important to remember it's not a one-size-fits-all solution for everyone who has sleep challenges. Really get to know your child's challenges and find a solution that works for him/her and the rest of the family. 
- What can you do about your sleep, as a parent. There are some things you might need to give up, like I did, and other things to try. Figure out what works for you, to help you get the quality sleep you need. 

DM me @susanfink.rise - I'd love to hear from you.  What are some of the tactics that have helped your family. What are the things you're doing to get quality sleep. Did this episode help you? I'm open to any and all feedback! 

My mission is to help as many people as I can and I cannot do that without you. Thank you, thank you thank you for listening, thank you for your support in sharing this podcast to help others. And until next time, I appreciate, I empathize, and I am here for you. and...We...can do this

Research References: 

• https://www.autismspeaks.org/sleep
• https://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/helping-your-child-with-autism-get-a-good-nights-sleep
• https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/143/3/e20180492
• https://www.verywellhealth.com/autism-and-sleep-issues-4165825

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Autism doesn't have a look but if someone says this to you or asks other questions, how do you respond? 

Here are somethings I have heard in my journey with my son: 

• Your child doesn’t look like he has autism.
• But he seems so normal 
• My son does the same things or My daughter does the same things
• Are you sure he has autism or is he just acting like a little kid? 
• Are you sure it’s autism or does he have behavioral issues and needs more discipline?
• Maybe he’ll grow out of it, it’s just a phase.

Have you heard these things too? 

It’s important to remember - We may not have control over what people say, but we do have control over how we respond. 

How do you respond to people when they say something like this to you? 
Do you respond at all? Do you get defensive? Do you respond and take the opportunity to educate, advocate and sing your child's praises? 

Let’s take a step back and consider these things....

People who have never heard of autism or had any first-hand experience with it just don’t know what they are talking about. 

They’re not educated on the subject. 

Listen in on ways you can respond, it really is up to you at the end of the day. 

They may be trying to help, or trying to navigate this with you (or for you), they may THINK they are helping, but they don’t know what they’re doing. 

Autism doesn’t have a look. You might not be able to tell just by looking at them if a child has autism, and for those of us who live this every day, we know our children the best, we know their challenges and as long as we are supporting them, that is really all that matters. 

If you can relate to this, please subscribe or follow this podcast so you never miss an episode. And I’m curious, How would or do you respond when people say this? I’m curious...DM me @susanfink.rise. I really would love to hear from you. 

My mission is to help as many people as I can and I cannot do that without you. Thank you, thank you thank you for listening, thank you for your support in sharing this podcast to help others. And until next time, I appreciate, I empathize, and I am here for you. and...We...can do this

Reference mentioned in episode: Article from the Huffington Post: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/to-the-people-who-think-my-son-doesnt-look-like-he-has-autism_b_6760886 

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How are you feeling? Are you okay? If you're not okay, it really is okay. I know, everyone is hearing this all over the internet "It's okay to not be okay" or "You're not okay, and that's okay" - it's kind of cliche now, but the reality is, as a parent raising a child with Autism, I am not always okay, especially in the beginning of this journey. To take it a step further, I was also beating myself up for not being okay - like something was wrong with me, I couldn't handle things perfectly all the time. I was putting myself down, feeling guilty about it and it was only making things worse.

I was confused about this too. I was my son's biggest cheerleader, but I couldn't cheer myself on. What was up with that?

The reality is we have a lot going on, even just with our own child(ren). It's a lot, especially while handling a lot of emotions and challenges, not to mention all of the general life stuff. As a single parent, it has gotten so overwhelming at times, I was not okay all of the time. And guess what...that's okay. We are human.

But, there are ways to help when you're in these moments. I talk about some of these suggestions that have helped me. To build your 'toolbox' for yourself to help during these times of just not being okay.

- Let go of your own judgements and give yourself a break.
- Be gentle to yourself, be kind and be aware of your negative self talk
- Change your environment
- Try a new breathing technique
- Talk to someone, cry, let it out!

Bottom line is there is no right or wrong way with working through your emotions when you're not doing okay. Frist, realize that it's okay not to be okay, and figure out what works best for you to get yourself through it.

I really hope you hear this message. I hope you’re gentle to yourself, you take the time to be your own cheerleader and to even do something for just a minute that will help you.

If this resonates with you and if you know someone who this may relate to, please subscribe and share this podcast. Also, DM me @susanfink.rise and let me know if any of these techniques and suggestions work for you or if you have other things that have helped you, DM me. I’d love to hear from you. 

My mission is to help as many people as I can and I cannot do that without you. Thank you, thank you thank you for listening, thank you for your support in sharing this podcast to help others. And until next time, I appreciate, I empathize, and I am here for you. and...We...can do this!

With love and gratitude,
Susan

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This episodes is focused on the "official" diagnosis. I'm taken back to sharing my experience when my son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder when he was 3 years old. But, the diagnosis solidified what I already knew. I already saw signs, but was in denial about them and thought my son would do things in his own time , like talk, but I was wrong. In this episode, I take you through what it was like for me when I got the "official" diagnosis. The emotions I felt, but ultimately, what I had to do to move beyond my own emotions and focus on what needed to be done - to take action to advocate and support my son. 

If this episode resonates with you and you'd like to share how you handled the "official" diagnosis or if this episode is meaningful to you,  DM me. I'd love to hear from you. @susanfink.rise on IG and FB. 

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My name is Susan Fink and I am your host of the Rise with the Light podcast. I'm so grateful to be able to start this podcast to support parents, single mothers and families as I have been thinking about it for a really long time and I finally had the courage to just start, something that fear had been holding me back from doing. 

This podcast is dedicated to the parents, mothers, fathers, family members, caretakers who have children with special needs. This short intro episode is to explain why I started this podcast, what I believe my purpose is on Earth and to explain what you'll be listening to. 

Being a single mother with a child with autism is not easy and it comes with a lot of challenges, emotions and responsibilty to navitage through. I took on this challenge when my son was diagnosed at the age of 3 and want to share my passion and what I believe is my purpose to help other people with what they might be going through raising a child with special needs. 

It's important to note I am not a professional therapist, psychologist or anything like that. I am simply a woman, a mother who has a purpose - to help others by sharing my personal insight, stories, mindset perspectives and ways to navigate through this journey. 

I know many of you may be going through or will go through the same things I have gone through. Maybe you need someone to relate to, someone who just gets it. 

Maybe you need to hear something positive or provide you with a different perspective to help you get through whatever you’re going through and whatever stage you’re at in this journey. To maybe shift your mindset to help you follow through with everything you have to do to support your child. 

That is my mission. This is my purpose. I believe my purpose on earth and the reason I am my son’s mom, my son who has autism, is not only to advocate for him, but to help other people as well. 

There are a lot of resources out there to help our children but what I'm finding is that there are not a lot of resources to help THE PARENTS and caretakers who are the ones who are advocating and helping their children throughout their journey in life and so this podcast is dedicated to you - the parents the mothers and fathers, family members and caretakers who are going through a variety of challenges and emotions throughout the process and cycle of whatever the special needs situation is. 

I know that this is challenging. I’ve lived through it. There is no manual for this, we have no idea what is ahead of us for our children.  

And as I continue to work through this life, I really want to help inspire others, provide hope, guidance and provide my insight in what I have learned to overcome and persevere through with my son. 

I’m grateful to be able to share my thoughts, stories, things I have learned. I believe in being open about them and talking about them can really help other people.  I truly truly hope this podcast will help you, provide you with something to relate to, possibly help your mindset, and give you hope. 

So, if this resonates with you and if you know someone who this may relate to, please subscribe and share this podcast. You can also follow me @susanfink.rise on Instagram and Facebook. 

My mission is to help as many people as I can and I cannot do that without you. Thank you for listening, thank you for your support in sharing this podcast to help others. 

And until next time, I appreciate, I empathize, and I am here for you. and...We...can do this.

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