Things You -AUT- To Know

Stephanie, a professional speaker, and consultant, shares her involvement with the Autism Strong Foundation (ASF) and the support they provide to families in the autism community. ASF offers financial assistance to families for therapy services, advocates for parents, and provides resources and community support. They also organize events and fundraisers, such as the AMRAP for Autism workout, to raise awareness and funds. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of finding a supportive community and encourages listeners to reach out for help and connect with others on the autism journey. The conversation covered topics such as the challenges faced by single parents of children with special needs, the importance of collaboration and partnerships with other organizations, the need for advocacy and political involvement to create systemic change, and the significance of finding and being part of a supportive community.

In Part 2 of TYATK, Kayla Castro, a certified autism travel professional, discusses the autism-friendly features of Beaches Resorts. Beaches Resorts is an all-inclusive resort owned by Sandals, with three locations that are advanced certified autism centers. The staff at Beaches Resorts undergoes extensive training on autism, social awareness, environmental awareness, and more. They also have certified autism nannies called Beaches Buddies who can provide support and care for children with autism. Kayla highlights the importance of inclusive travel experiences and the need for similar services for adults with autism. The conversation also touches on the new update to the Genie Plus system at Walt Disney World.

Dr. Tay, a licensed psychologist specializing in neuroaffirming care for autistic children and their families, discusses the perspective of siblings of autistic children. She shares her personal experience of growing up with a brother who was diagnosed with autism at a young age. Dr. Tay emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing the emotions and needs of siblings, as their lives are also impacted by their sibling's autism. She encourages open and honest communication about autism, as it helps siblings understand and accept their differences. Dr. Tay also discusses the controversy around labeling and the benefits of embracing neurodiversity and self-advocacy. The conversation explores how to approach a conversation with a family member who may be autistic but undiagnosed. Dr. Tay advises approaching the conversation with curiosity and vulnerability, sharing personal experiences and asking open-ended questions. It's important to gauge the other person's readiness and be patient with their journey. The conversation also touches on the lifelong nature of autism and the need for self-care as a parent. Dr. Tay shares her social media handles, podcast, and website for further resources.

Instagram: @the.dr.tay

Kayla Castro, founder of Special Kind of Magic, shares her expertise on traveling with children with autism. She discusses the importance of exposing children with autism to the world and the need for accommodations and resources for special needs families. Kayla provides tips for traveling with autism, including using a travel agent specializing in special needs travel, researching resources and accommodations for flying, and having realistic expectations. She also offers services such as destination qualification, resort and hotel selection, food aversion assistance, transportation planning, dining reservations, and visual guides. Kayla emphasizes the value of inclusive travel and the positive impact it can have on both individuals with autism and the world.

In this conversation, Kelby and Erica catch up on their personal lives, including Kelby's busy week with Vacation Bible School and Erica's kid-free week. They then transition into the main topic of the conversation, which is Erica's diagnostic assessment process for autism. Erica explains that she started a program to screen patients for autism and provide full diagnoses. She uses the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Developmental Profile 4 (DP-4) to assess cognitive and adaptive development. The assessment involves observing the child's behavior and interactions during play. Erica emphasizes the importance of early intervention and follow-up appointments to track progress. In this conversation, Erica and Kelby discuss the diagnostic process for autism. Erica explains her approach to diagnosing autism and how she strives to make the experience positive for both the child and the parents. She emphasizes the importance of providing support and resources to families during the diagnostic process. Erica also shares her strategies for delivering the diagnosis and ensuring that parents leave with a sense of hope and understanding. She discusses the follow-up process and the resources she provides to families. Overall, Erica's goal is to create a more compassionate and supportive experience for families going through the diagnostic process.

The podcast episode features a conversation between Kelby and Erica, co-hosts of the 'Things You Ought to Know' podcast, and their husbands, Michael and Yanni. The discussion centers around their experiences as autism dads and the challenges they faced in their journey. The conversation delves into the initial signs of autism, the process of diagnosis, and the emotional impact on the fathers. It also highlights the importance of family support and the unique perspectives of each father in their parenting journey. The conversation covers the journey of parenting a child with autism, the challenges faced, the impact on marriage, and the importance of communication and seeking help. It also delves into the perspective of grief and the role of fathers in the process.

Kelby shares her journey of her son's autism diagnosis and the challenges she faced as a mother. She discusses the regression she noticed in her son's development and the steps she took to get him diagnosed. Kelby also talks about the grief process she went through and the feelings of sadness and guilt she experienced. Despite the difficulties, she emphasizes the importance of being open and vulnerable with others and finding support. In this conversation, Kelby and Erica discuss the challenges they faced as special needs moms and how it affected their marriages. They share their experiences of feeling lonely and overwhelmed while trying to navigate the world of autism. They emphasize the importance of communication and being on the same team as partners. They also highlight the need for support and understanding from family and friends. Kelby and Erica discuss the shortcomings of the healthcare system in providing resources and guidance for parents of special needs children. They stress the importance of meeting children with autism where they are and entering their world to understand and support them.

In this episode, Kelby and Erica introduce themselves as the hosts of the Things You -AUT- to Know podcast. They discuss their goals for the podcast, which include providing a judgment-free platform for the autism community to share their experiences and educate others. They also mention the types of guests they plan to have on the show, such as healthcare workers, police officers, and teachers. Erica shares her experience as a pediatric nurse practitioner and her journey with her son's autism diagnosis. She talks about the challenges of navigating the healthcare system and the importance of early intervention. In this conversation, Kelby and Erica discuss their experiences as autism moms and the challenges they face. They talk about the emotional toll of parenting a child with autism and the moments of frustration and sadness that come with it. They also highlight the importance of finding the positives and celebrating the small victories in their children's development. Erica shares her hope for her son's future and the impact she believes their children will have on the world.

Things You -AUT- To Know is a judgement free platform for all members of the Autism Community. Whether you are on the Autism Spectrum, are a support person, or a healthcare professional, we want to provide you a platform to tell us some things we -AUT- to know.

There is only one rule...absolutely no judgement. We get enough of that already!