40 Thriving with Neurodiversity: J.D. Barker on Autism, Creativity, and Parenting with Purpose
Autism Family Resource
Welcome Back! In this episode, we sit down with J.D. Barker, a New York Times bestselling author known for his thrillers, to discuss his inspiring journey as a neurodiverse individual. Diagnosed with autism as an adult, J.D. reflects on his career transformation, shares strategies for navigating neurotypical expectations, and offers invaluable insights for parenting neurodiverse children. This heartfelt conversation is filled with practical advice, empowering takeaways, and hope for families navigating similar paths. Guest: J.D. Barker is an acclaimed author of numerous bestselling books,...
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39: Discovering Hope and Purpose with Kari Baker
Autism Family Resource
Welcome back to the Autism Family Resource Podcast! In this episode, we spoke with Kari Baker—a local podcaster, author, and an inspiring mom who is navigating life alongside her 13-year-old son, who has both autism and ADHD. Kari shares her journey through powerful stories, lessons, and insights on finding kindness in the everyday moments of parenting and how she has grown through her experiences. Guest: Kari Baker’s path took a transformative turn with the birth of her son, Brady, and his autism diagnosis at age three. Driven by a new perspective on success and purpose, Kari shares...
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38: Early Intervention for Autism: The Early Start Denver Model
Autism Family Resource
Welcome back to the Autism Family Resource Podcast! Are you a parent of a child with autism struggling to find the right support and therapy for your child? You are not alone. Many parents find it challenging to navigate the world of autism care, especially with the numerous therapies and approaches available. But what if there was a different approach to autism care that focused on the whole family and was more collaborative and supportive? What if there was a therapy that was more play-based and encouraged intrinsic motivation? We have good news! There is. In this...
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37 Navigating Divorce with a Special Needs Child: Expert Advice from Mary Ann Hughes
Autism Family Resource
Divorce is never easy, but when you have a child with autism or other special needs, the process can feel even more overwhelming. The Autism Family Resource Podcast is here to provide practical guidance and support during this challenging time. In this episode, we welcome Mary Ann Hughes, a compassionate and experienced special needs divorce coach and mother of two sons on the autism spectrum. Mary Ann shares her personal and professional insights to help families confidently navigate this difficult transition and prioritize their child's well-being. Guest: Mary Ann Hughes is a...
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36 Supporting Your Child's Mental Health with the CALM Compass created by Mitch Leppicello
Autism Family Resource
Guest: Mitch Leppicello, LICSW, is a seasoned mental health professional with over 30 years of experience supporting autistic children and their families. Mitch is a Certified Autism Specialist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from Fordham University in New York. Website: https://eastmetrofamilycounseling.com/ Social Media: About this Episode: Raising a child with autism comes with unique joys and challenges. One of the biggest hurdles parents face is understanding and supporting their child's mental health. In this...
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35 The lockdown's impact on kids social skills with Lenora Edwards
Autism Family Resource
In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, host Brian Keen welcomes back Lenora Edwards, head speaker and chief knowledge officer at Better Speech, to discuss the lingering effects of the lockdown on children's social and emotional regulation skills. Lenora shares her expertise in speech pathology and offers valuable strategies to help children, particularly those on the autism spectrum, improve their communication skills and navigate social situations effectively. Guest: Lenora Edwards is a distinguished Speech Language Pathologist at BetterSpeech.com—a nationwide online...
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34 Robby the Dyslexic Taxi: Transforming Challenges into Creativity
Autism Family Resource
In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, host Brian Keene engages in a heartfelt conversation with Lynn and Jonathan Greenberg, a mother-son duo, about their personal journey with dyslexia. Jonathan, a college student born with dyslexia, shares the challenges he faced and how he discovered a deep love for writing, reading, and drawing with the support of his mother. Together, they turned obstacles into opportunities, creating the children's book "Robby the Dyslexic Taxi." The book celebrates determination, creativity, and the power of collaboration. Guests: Joining us today are...
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33 Preventa Wear: A Mother’s Innovative Solution to Diaper Digging
Autism Family Resource
In this taboo-busting episode, Brian Keene welcomes Cindi Seifert, a devoted mother and the founder of Preventa Wear to share her journey raising her daughter Kyla, a 25-year-old with autism and epilepsy. The taboo topic of diaper digging, a behavior many parents face in silence, takes center stage as Cindi opens up about the challenges she encountered and the innovative solution she crafted to empower families worldwide. Guest: Cindi Seifert, a compassionate mother and the visionary founder of unfolds her remarkable journey as a caregiver and entrepreneur. Her commitment to addressing the...
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32 Considering Home Schooling?
Autism Family Resource
Synopsis: In this episode, Brian Keene welcomes Manisha Snoyer, a teacher, tech entrepreneur, and host of the ". They discuss alternatives to the traditional education system, focusing on homeschooling as a customizable and flexible solution for families, especially those with special needs. Guest: Manisha Snoyer is a renowned educator, speaker, and innovator in the field of personalized learning and childhood education. With over a decade of experience, she has worked passionately to bridge the gap between traditional education systems and individualized learning methodologies. Manisha's...
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31 Scan Me Home: Iron-on QR code solution for child safety.
Autism Family Resource
Synopsis: In this episode of the Autism Family Resource podcast, host Brian Keene interviews Justin Behnke, father of a nonspeaking child on the autism spectrum, who created the innovative safety product ScanMeHome.com. Justin shares his personal journey, the inspiration behind his product, and practical tips for enhancing child safety in the community. Guest: Meet Justin Behnke, father of a nonspeaking child on the autism spectrum and founder, director, and CEO of ScanMeHome.com, a QR code solution for child safety. Main Topics Discussed: ScanMeHome.com: A Lifeline for Parents: ...
info_outlineGuest: Michele Thorne
Interview
Parents and caregivers of children with autism often feel overwhelmed. They can feel uncertain on where or how to learn about ways of taking care of their own needs, as well as absorbing all the knowledge they can obtain to create strong, healthy, and empowered lifestyles for their families.
Michelle Thorne is a mother of two children. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Care 4 the Caregivers that is based out of Arizona. Michelle was living a planned life that was taken off course when her children were diagnosed with autism. She fell into a deep depression that led to the question of why there was no organization dedicated to the needs of supporting parents and caregivers in her new community. In her opinion, the disability community as a whole is sorely overlooked, so she set out to create an organization that provides support and access to resources available to the public.
What sort of resources does Care 4 the Caregivers offer?
- Educational webinars of various topics
- 21 day fitness programs that can be done at home
- Guided meditation
- Roadmaps that are step by step guides to navigate systems of care
- Parent Empowerment course: Stepping Stones Triple P
How does a family access the Stepping Stones Triple P program?
Through grants the program is taught all online through the Care 4 the Caregivers website. Families from other states may access the program as well. They are currently offering free life coaching for caregivers. Partnered with the Arizona Caregiver Coalition, there are also free health and wellness coaches for the caregiving community.
Are all the services free to parents?
Yes!!! The goal is to provide completely free services and resources to the community. There are also some free events for the caregiver to attend and enjoy.
Visual supports for families
On the Care 4 the Caregivers website you can go to the resource by topic section to find visual supports without having to jump through hoops. Through the work of an Arizonan illustrator you can find free visual support on techniques like getting dressed or hand washing.
Take away message from guest
The beginning years are difficult, but you’re not alone. There is a community of men and women that can be huge levers of support. Find your Tribe!!!
Recap
- Michelle faced struggles understanding the system, and how to raise her children with limited resources
- Michelle created Care 4 the Caregivers for those who are going through similar struggles
- Care 4 the Caregivers provides a variety of free resources
- Michelle encourages finding a support system that can become your tribe
Resources:
Care4thecaregivers.org
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