In the last two episodes of this podcast, we talked about people pleasing: that insidious habit of trying to control how other people think and feel about us by doing things we believe will garner their approval or avoid their disapproval. Last week, I outlined how to...

In last week’s episode, I invited you to examine the areas in your life where people pleasing shows up, like saying yes when you really want to say no and doing things in hopes that other people will think highly of you. These insidious habits are leading to...

People pleasing is like Fight Club: we don’t talk about it. This is because, when we do, we talk about it as if it’s some sort of virtuous or morally superior trait that some people have. But that’s not what people pleasing is at all. People pleasing is a lie, and we...

While we might not be as sensitive to changes and transitions as our child with Autism, did you know that we too can benefit from the same support systems we use to help them? I’m always trying to help my son through transition periods by previewing, understanding,...

The word “normal,” though just six letters, is extremely limiting, especially when used to refer to human beings. “Normal” promotes the myth that there is a right way to do things, but that isn’t true. This episode is the second part of a two-part series on the word...

Whether we want to admit it or not, so many of us have had the thought, “I wish my child was normal,” at one point or another. Maybe it was when you received the diagnosis, or after a phone call from the school about an incident, or when you see your child with their...

One of the most challenging aspects of raising a child with Autism is all of the time and energy we spend trying things, not knowing whether or not they’ll actually work. From therapy and medication to assistive devices and changing school environments, there is no...

Did you know that the stories we tell aren’t necessarily true? They feel real, and you may be recalling a story exactly as you experienced it. But the truth is the stories we tell are a combination of facts as well as our judgments and interpretations. Human brains...

Do you ever find yourself interpreting all of your child’s behaviors through the lens of their Autism diagnosis? When so much of your life revolves around supporting a child with an Autism diagnosis, it’s common to see Autism everywhere, even relating to other people...

When it comes to our children with Autism, other people trigger us in all sorts of ways. Maybe they ask questions like, “What is her special skill?” or they make comments like, “Well, he doesn’t look Autistic…” and, of course, people staring at your child in all kinds...