The Better Together Podcast

Welcome to this week's episode of Better Together Supports! In this episode, Jacob Espinoza speaks with Erin about:

• Erin shares her experiences navigating parenting challenges and raising a son with autism and co-occurring mental health disorders.
• They dive deep into the intersection of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) with mental health, highlighting systemic gaps in support.
• Erin offers real-life insights on supporting kids through anxiety, trauma, and social media pressure, both as a parent and former educator.
• And much more!

Timestamps:

00:00:14 - Realities of parenting struggles

00:05:00 - Mental health in the IDD community

00:08:44 - Hypochondria and anxiety triggers

00:14:27 - Parenting through suicidal ideation

00:23:37 - Cell phone anxiety in schools

00:34:53 - Being a bonus person matters

Welcome to this week's episode of Better Together Supports! In this episode, hosts Jacob Espinoza and Erin speak with David, a Direct Support Professional (DSP) with Better Together Supports, about:

• David’s lived experience with autism and ADHD, and how it shapes his empathetic approach to supporting clients.
• The unique dynamics of building trust-based relationships with neurodiverse children and families.
• Strategies for navigating daily challenges, emotional regulation, and goal-setting in high-stress support roles.
• And much more!

Timestamps:

00:04:46 - Meet DSP David

00:07:28 - Navigating social introversion

00:09:28 - Forming client-family relationships

00:14:55 - Responding to emotional dysregulation

00:22:25 - Delayed processing and support

00:32:20 - Understanding PDA in autism

00:42:42 - DSP decompression strategies

Welcome to this week's episode of The Better Together Supports Podcast! In this episode, Jacob Espinoza and Erin speak with Ashley Olsen of Every Body Wellness about:

• Ashley’s journey integrating personal training with support services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• How Every Body Wellness is redefining inclusive fitness through adaptive, accessible group classes and holistic health resources.
• Practical insights on making movement enjoyable and empowering for underserved and IDD communities.
• And much more!

Timestamps:

00:01:26 - What is Every Body Wellness?

00:04:00 - Making movement fun

00:06:48 - Community and confidence through fitness

00:11:40 - Every Body Wellness' inclusive mission

00:22:13 - Virtual classes and accessibility

00:29:44 - Adapting workouts in real-time

Click here to learn more about Ashley Olsen and Every Body Wellness.

Welcome to this week's episode of The Better Together Podcast! In this episode, Jacob Espinoza speaks with Erin about:

• The importance of unified sports programs that bring together people with and without disabilities
• How inclusive community events create opportunities for connection and friendship
• Better Together Supports' involvement with the Awesome 3000 event
• And much more!

Timestamps:

00:01:32 - Jacob explains the history and community impact of the Awesome 3000 run

00:05:07 - Discussion of Unified sports programs and inclusive activities

00:08:02 - Erin shares her experience with the Best Buddies program

00:14:17 - How events like these help raise awareness for the IDD community

00:18:32 - Challenges finding appropriate sports opportunities for kids with disabilities

00:21:52 - How Better Together Supports will be involved at the Awesome 3000

Welcome to this week's episode of The Better Together Podcast! In this episode, Jacob Espinoza speaks with Erin about:

• The unique family dynamics in households with children who have disabilities
• Navigating the challenges of blending families when a child has autism
• How sibling relationships develop and evolve in mixed-ability households
• And much more!

Timestamps:

00:05:06 - Challenges of blending families when a child has autism

00:09:49 - How parents can lose their identity when focused on disability support

00:18:05 - Advice for those starting or blending families with disabilities

00:25:07 - The value of family dinners in strengthening bonds

00:35:03 - Why parents hesitate to seek DSP support and how it can be life-changing

Welcome to this week's episode of The Better Together Podcast! In this episode, Jacob Espinoza speaks with Erin about:

• Early childhood development and how the first five years shape 90% of brain development
• The importance of emotional intelligence and how early experiences impact future capabilities
• Creating a supportive "village" when raising children with disabilities
• And much more!

Timestamps:

00:01:36 - The challenge of judgment from those without similar experiences

00:05:00 - Understanding emotional intelligence development in early childhood

00:10:36 - Early intervention services and their lasting impact

00:17:42 - Signs parents should watch for that might indicate additional support is needed

00:25:29 - The rewarding aspects of working with Better Together Supports

00:32:28 - How to check your own biases and see the joy in supporting others

Welcome to this week's episode of The Better Together Podcast! In this episode, Jacob Espinoza speaks with Erin about:

• The critical importance of early intervention for children with developmental disabilities.
• How the first five years of life impact 90% of brain development and emotional intelligence.
• Navigating the challenges of finding support services and creating a community.
• Personal experiences with diagnosis and intervention for autism and communication disorders.
• And much more!

Timestamps:

00:00:58 - The importance of finding your village when raising a child with disabilities

00:07:05 - Early intervention services and their impact on development

00:13:09 - The journey to diagnosis and accessing support

00:18:21 - Signs parents should watch for that might indicate additional support is needed

00:28:15 - Finding and building community resources for families

00:35:19 - The role of Better Together Supports in connecting families with services

Welcome to this week's episode of The Better Together Podcast!

In this episode, Jacob Espinoza speaks with Erin about:

• The various types of ADHD.
• How ADHD presents differently in women versus men.
• The challenges of living with "invisible disabilities" and why early diagnosis matters for proper support.
• And much more!

00:01:57 - ADHD differences between men and women

00:07:47 - Different types of ADHD explained

00:34:10 - Understanding invisible disabilities

00:21:32 - Music helps ADHD focus

00:28:18 - School accommodations for ADHD

Welcome to this week's episode of The Better Together Podcast! In this episode, Jacob Espinoza speaks with Erin about:

• Her experience as both a parent of a child with autism and ADHD and a learning specialist.
• The Oregon youth work program helping teens with disabilities gain employment skills.
• Understanding the various aspects of special education and learning disabilities.
• And much more!

Timestamps:

00:01:29 - Work ethic and youth employment programs

00:11:02 - Understanding the role of a learning specialist

00:20:55 - Preparing teens for employment and independence

00:24:16 - Explaining the "spoon theory" of energy management

00:29:03 - Understanding "masking" and autistic burnout

00:39:03 - Need for life skills education in schools

Welcome to this week's episode of The Better Together Podcast! In this episode, Jacob Espinoza speaks with Pauline Lee from Autism Minds about:

• Her journey creating PIE (Program for Intellectual Empowerment) and supporting creative expression.
• How her cousin's artistic talent inspired her work with the neurodivergent community.
• The importance of art as a universal language for self-expression.
• Creating inclusive spaces where everyone is valued and welcomed.
• And much more!

Timestamps:

00:02:11 - Origins of Pauline's passion for art and music education

00:05:19 - Her cousin's art reaching the Vatican

00:10:05 - Starting her program

00:26:32 - Teaching financial skills through creative work

00:35:05 - Prioritizing individual expression and interests