Autism Live: Getting back on track when your child's routine falls apart
Release Date: 09/16/2026
Autism Live: Is your child overwhelmed—or is it a “behavior problem”?
Autism Live
Your child holds it together all day at school… and then comes home and falls apart. Meltdowns, shutdowns, refusal, tears, irritability—or suddenly needing to be completely alone. Sound familiar? On this week’s Parent to Parent, Shannon Penrod takes a closer look at what may be happening underneath the behavior. 🔹 Is your child exhausted from holding it together all day? 🔹 Could sensory overload, anxiety, transitions, or too many demands be playing a role? 🔹 How can we recognize the signs that our child is becoming overwhelmed before the meltdown? 🔹 And when...
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Autism Live: Trishta Villalta
Autism Live
Friendship. Community. Connection. Romance. How can neurodivergent adults build meaningful friendships and relationships without the pressure to fit into traditional social expectations? This week on Autism Live, Shannon Penrod talks with Trishta Villati, BCBA and founder of Capable Hearts, a specialized platform creating sensory-friendly, low-pressure spaces for neurodivergent adults to connect, build friendships, find community, and explore relationships. Jargon of the Day: Perspective Taking — What does it really mean, and how can it help us better understand one another? Join...
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Autism Live: Choosing Your Battles
Autism Live
When EVERYTHING becomes a battle… what do you do? Getting dressed. Brushing teeth. Turning off the tablet. Leaving the house. Eating dinner. Going to bed. Sometimes it feels like you're spending your entire day saying, “Come on!” “No!” “You have to!” But does every challenge need to become a battle? On this week’s Parent to Parent, Shannon Penrod talks about how to pick your battles—how to decide what really needs to be addressed, what can wait, and how we can teach important skills without turning every moment into a power struggle. ✨ Are you fighting battles...
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Autism Live: Lorri Unumb
Autism Live
Back to School? Don’t Do It Alone! On Wednesday's Autism Live, Shannon is joined by Lorri Unumb, one of the most respected and widely admired parent voices in the autism community. We’re talking about back-to-school resources, what families can find at TheSpectrum.org, and the work of CASP to support autistic individuals and their families. As a parent and longtime advocate, Lorri brings a unique perspective to the questions families are asking right now: Where can I find reliable information? What resources are available? And how can I help set my child up for a successful school...
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Autism Live: Getting back on track when your child's routine falls apart
Autism Live
Is September throwing your child’s routine completely off? New schedules, school demands, homework and bedtime battles can leave everyone feeling overwhelmed. This week on Parent to Parent, we’re talking about how to reset when routines fall apart—without blame, guilt, or turning every day into a battle. You haven’t failed. Sometimes, you just need a new plan. 00:00 – Welcome to Autism Live & 16 Years of the Show 03:22 – All Ghouls Gala & ACT Today Grant Applications 09:32 – ACT Today Grant Program Video 12:09 – When Your Child’s Routine Falls Apart 14:39 – Morning...
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Let's Talk Movies: The Emmy Show
Autism Live
The Emmys are here—and we’re talking about the shows, stars, surprises, snubs, and autism representation that have everyone talking! Join Moira Giammatteo and Shannon Penrod on Autism Live for a fun, fast-paced conversation about what’s happening in Hollywood—and why representation on screen matters. Grab your popcorn. We’re talking TV! Join us live on Wed. 10am PST! #LetsTalkMovies #MoiraAndShannon #AutismLive #Emmys #Emmys2026 #LoveOnTheSpectrum #AutismRepresentation #RepresentationMatters #Autism #Neurodiversity #Television
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Autism Live: Diane Strand
Autism Live
On today’s show, Shannon is joined by Diane Strand, founder and executive producer of JDS Creative Academy, for an inspiring conversation about the power of creating meaningful career pathways for marginalized groups and adults with special needs. Can for-profit companies and nonprofits work together to create REAL opportunities and lasting outcomes for foster youth and special needs adults? Diane is here to show us how—and why it matters! Plus, today’s Autism Jargon: Accommodations. What does it mean, and how can accommodations help create greater access and opportunity?
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Autism Live: Am I Doing enough?
Autism Live
Be honest: How often do you go to bed thinking you didn't do enough for your child? Am I Doing Enough? If you're the parent of a child with autism, you may know that feeling all too well: “Should I be doing more?” “Am I missing something?” “Am I giving my child enough opportunities to learn?” “Am I doing this right?” Today on Autism Live’s Parent to Parent, we’re talking about the incredible pressure parents put on themselves—and why sometimes, you are doing far more than you realize. We'll talk about the difference between being an engaged parent and feeling like you...
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Autism Live: Back to School Success
Autism Live
On today’s show Shannon takes on the things we can do to set our kids up for Back to School Success! What do you have control over? It turns out there is a great deal! So let’s set the stage for a great year by kicking it off right! 00:00 Back-to-School Success for Autism Families Begins Here 02:58 Autism Toy Guide 2026 & Community Updates 05:16 All Ghouls Gala and Autism Care Today 07:32 Celebrating Autistic Voices in Film and Media 11:11 Autism Rocks Concert and the Mission of Autism Live 12:47 What Parents Can Actually Control This School Year 14:25 Fixing Summer...
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Autism Live: Alex Lin
Autism Live
Alex Lin is back to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Autism Rocks and advocate for Autistic people around the world. 00:00 Opening: Shannon's Moving Adventure & Show Preview 01:28 Meet Alex Linn & Autism Rocks 10th Anniversary Preview 02:07 How to Watch, Interact & Access Premium Content 03:57 All Ghouls Gala 2026 Announcement & Autism Care Today Grants 05:32 Autism Live's Mission and Supporting the Autism Community 08:05 Parenting Stress, Special Needs, and Finding Support 09:49 Shannon Reflects on Her Autism Parenting Journey 13:07 Revisiting IEPs,...
info_outlineIs September throwing your child’s routine completely off?
New schedules, school demands, homework and bedtime battles can leave everyone feeling overwhelmed.
This week on Parent to Parent, we’re talking about how to reset when routines fall apart—without blame, guilt, or turning every day into a battle.
You haven’t failed. Sometimes, you just need a new plan.
00:00 – Welcome to Autism Live & 16 Years of the Show
03:22 – All Ghouls Gala & ACT Today Grant Applications
09:32 – ACT Today Grant Program Video
12:09 – When Your Child’s Routine Falls Apart
14:39 – Morning Routine Reset Strategies
18:20 – Why Visual Schedules Matter
23:10 – Preparing the Night Before
27:12 – Making Mornings Fun and Motivating
32:06 – Rebuilding Sleep and Bedtime Routines
41:31 – Overcoming Homework Resistance
49:14 – Using Technology to Support Homework
52:00 – Managing Unexpected Schedule Changes
56:17 – Helping Children Transition Between Activities
59:09 – When to Hold the Line and When to Adapt
1:03:14 – Building Independence and Giving Yourself a Reset
1:07:37 – Next Week’s Show & Closing Remarks
#AutismParenting #Autism #ParentToParent #AutismSupport #AutismLive #Neurodiversity #SpecialNeedsParenting