In this episode of The Affirming Village Podcast, hosts Dr. Destiny Huff, LPC and Lisa Baskin-Wright hold an honest conversation about caregiver burnout, rest, and the emotional labor of advocating for neurodivergent children.

So many caregivers are running on empty — juggling IEPs, school meetings, behavior notes, therapies, emotional support, and holding the household together. This episode is a reminder that your well-being matters, too.

Destiny and Lisa discuss:

• What burnout looks like when you've normalized “just pushing through”

• How guilt keeps parents from resting, even when they're exhausted

• Why rest is not laziness — it is necessary for sustainability

• Healthy boundaries that protect your emotional energy

• Small practices that help you reconnect with joy and self-compassion

This episode is not about judgment — it’s about permission to breathe.
You are not meant to carry it all alone.
And rest is not optional — it is survival.

✨ Keywords: caregiver burnout, rest for parents, neurodivergent families, advocacy exhaustion, IEP emotional labor, gentle parenting, neuroaffirming care, disability justice, boundaries for caregivers, sustainable advocacy, special needs parenting support

In this episode of The Affirming Village Podcast, hosts Dr. Destiny Huff, LPC and Lisa Baskin Wright explore one of the most underestimated tools in the IEP process — parent input.

Your perspective as a parent is more than background information; it’s data that drives decisions. Destiny and Lisa break down how your words can change how educators see your child, shift IEP language from deficit to affirming, and ensure your learner’s story is seen beyond behaviors or test scores.

They discuss:

• What meaningful parent input sounds like

• How to write IEP parent statements that reflect your child’s strengths and needs

• Why your voice matters as much as any expert at the table

• Real examples of how advocacy rooted in affirmation changes outcomes

This episode will help you show up in every IEP meeting with clarity, confidence, and compassion.

In this powerful episode of The Affirming Village Podcast, hosts Dr. Destiny Huff, LPC and Lisa Baskin Wright go beyond the surface to explore what it truly means to be neuroaffirming.

This conversation dives deep into the uncomfortable truth: many modern attitudes toward neurodivergence still carry echoes of eugenics, the harmful belief that difference should be prevented or “cured.”

Together, Destiny and Lisa discuss:

• How outdated, ableist ideas still influence policy and public perception

• The dangers of framing neurodivergence as something to fix rather than affirm

• How misinformation—like linking acetaminophen use in pregnancy to autism—perpetuates fear and stigma

• What it really looks like to create spaces, schools, and systems rooted in humanity, truth, and resistance

This episode isn’t about fear—it’s about reclaiming the narrative and reminding us that being neuroaffirming means naming harm and choosing humanity.

In this episode of The Affirming Village Podcast, hosts Dr. Destiny Huff, LPC and Lisa Baskin Wright break down why documentation and accessibility are some of the most powerful—and overlooked—tools in the IEP process.

They explore:

• Why documentation isn’t just paperwork, but a roadmap for accountability

• How vague or inaccessible language creates confusion for parents, teachers, and students

• The difference between physical accessibility and accessible communication

• How the words used in IEPs can either affirm or undermine a child’s support

• Practical ways families and schools can ensure clarity, equity, and accountability in every IEP

This episode is a must-watch for parents, educators, and advocates who want to ensure that IEPs are not only written but understood, accessible, and actionable.

In this episode of The Affirming Village Podcast, hosts Dr. Destiny Huff, LPC and Lisa Baskin Wright get real about what happens when bias enters the IEP room.

They share powerful lived experiences as parents and advocates navigating a system where racism, ableism, and classism can shape outcomes for children. Together, they explore:

• How bias shows up in IEP meetings—sometimes obvious, sometimes subtle

• Why certain parent voices are dismissed until repeated by someone with privilege

• Real examples of disparities in access, belief, and support

• Strategies to name bias without losing your seat at the table

• What parents and educators can do to push for equity in special education

This conversation is a must-watch for parents, teachers, and advocates who want to understand how systemic bias affects IEP decisions—and how to fight for fair, affirming practices.

In this episode of The Affirming Village Podcast, hosts Dr. Destiny Huff, LPC (autistic & ADHD mental health therapist and special education advocate) and Lisa Baskin Wright (dyslexic & ADHD IEP coach) unpack how their own neurodivergent identities shape the way they read and write IEPs.

Together, they explore:

• How lived experience as neurodivergent parents makes them see what’s missing in IEPs—not just what’s written

• The difference between deficit-based vs. affirming approaches to goals and accommodations

• Common red flags to look for in IEPs that might signal bias, gaps, or cookie-cutter planning

• Why parent and student voices must be centered in special education planning

• Real examples of how to push back on vague goals and advocate for meaningful supports

This conversation is a reminder that IEPs are more than paperwork—they’re about equity, access, and affirming every learner’s voice.

In this first episode of The Affirming Village Podcast, Dr. Destiny Huff and Lisa Baskin Wright share their journeys as moms and advocates raising neurodivergent children. They discuss bias in the IEP process, systemic barriers for marginalized families, and the importance of community, communication, and neuroaffirming practices. Tune in for real stories, advocacy tips, and a reminder that no parent should walk this journey alone.