51: Finding Your People: The Power of Support and Community
Autism Family Resource
Episode Overview In this episode, Brian sits down again with autistic advocate Mandy Pinkley to explore one of the most important (and often overlooked) parts of parenting a neurodivergent child: community. Together they talk about: Why parents often feel isolated even when surrounded by people How finding the right community can change everything for both parents AND kids The role of digital connections and why online spaces can be incredibly supportive How families in small or rural towns can create their own support systems What it means to raise your hand first — and be the...
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Helping Peers Become Better Advocates: Inclusion, Empathy & Real Conversations
Autism Family Resource
Host: Brian Keene, Pure Hearts Therapy Guest: Mandy — Autistic Advocate, Peer Mentor, Neurodiversity Educator 📘 Episode Summary In today’s episode, Brian welcomes back Mandy—an autistic advocate whose insight, honesty, and lived experiences help bridge understanding between neurodivergent individuals and the communities around them. This conversation explores: What true inclusion looks like How peers can become better allies The power of online communities Healthy boundaries and safety for autistic adolescents Why children should be believed, supported, and...
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49: Growing Up Autistic: Mandy’s Story, Emotional Depth, Digital Safety & Empowering Families
Autism Family Resource
In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, Brian sits down with autism advocate Mandy Pinckley, who shares her lived experiences growing up autistic, navigating deep emotions, overcoming isolation, and finding her voice as a speaker and advocate. Mandy opens up about the challenges she faced in childhood, the bullying she endured, and the obstacles that come with being a late-diagnosed autistic girl. She also discusses digital safety, online vulnerabilities for autistic teens, and how her painful experiences led her to advocacy work—including speaking at the CARD Conference about...
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48 Redefining “Okay” in Autism Parenting
Autism Family Resource
🔍 Episode Overview: In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, host Brian Keene sits down with licensed therapist and autism advocate Megan Ashley to explore how empathy and cultural context shape our understanding of autism. From decoding sensory experiences to the challenges of masking and gender disparities in diagnosis, this conversation is packed with insight and practical tools for parents. Learn how to redefine what “okay” really means for your autistic child—and why listening without bias is one of the most powerful things you can do. 🧠 In This Episode, You’ll...
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47: Transform Family Dynamics & Empower Your Child
Autism Family Resource
When raising a child with autism, ADHD, or sensory challenges, many families focus primarily on child-centered therapy. While occupational therapy, speech therapy, and behavior therapy are incredibly important, family support is just as crucial for long-term success. At Pure Hearts Therapy, we believe real change happens when parents are empowered too. In a recent episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, Brian Keene sat down with Lisa Chan, a parent coach, pediatric occupational therapist, and expert in child behavior, to discuss how parents can transform family dynamics and...
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46 Empowered Advocacy: Navigating Autism, Community, and Equity with Dr. Martine Laventure
Autism Family Resource
In this powerful episode, host Brian Keene welcomes Dr. Martine Laventure, a licensed social worker, mother, and passionate advocate for autism and inclusion. Together, they explore the complexities of navigating an autism diagnosis as a parent, the importance of building a village, and how cultural understanding shapes access to care. Dr. Martine shares her personal journey as a mother to an autistic child, how she uses her lens as a clinician and parent, and offers encouraging, real-world advice for families trying to find their footing. They also discuss...
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45 Calming the Chaos: Understanding Mouthing and Chewing Behaviors in Children
Autism Family Resource
Autism Family Resource Podcast Episode 45 (Sensory integration series Part 2) Welcome Back! In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, we delve into the world of sensory needs and explore the often-misunderstood behaviors of mouthing and chewing in children. Join us as we welcome back occupational therapist Dipali Devani for the second episode of our Calming the Chaos Sensory series. Dipali sheds light on the reasons behind these behaviors, how sensory needs influence these actions, and practical strategies to support your child. Guest: Dipali Devani Dipali Devani is a licensed...
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44 Embracing the Autism Voyage: Parenting, Life Planning, and Entrepreneurship with Michael Pereira
Autism Family Resource
Autism Family Resource Podcast Episode 44 Episode Title: Embracing the Autism Voyage: Parenting, Life Planning, and Entrepreneurship with Michael Pereira Welcome Back! Parenting a neurodivergent child is a journey filled with unique challenges, unexpected turns, and moments of profound growth. In this episode, we embark on an insightful conversation with Michael Pereira, founder of The Autism Voyage, as he shares his personal parenting experiences, practical daily living strategies, and financial planning insights for families with special needs. We'll also explore how entrepreneurship can...
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43 Navigating Divorce with Care: Mediation Tips for Protecting Your Kids
Autism Family Resource
Welcome Back! Divorce is never easy, and when a child with special needs is involved, the process can feel even more overwhelming. In this episode, we explore key legal and emotional considerations to help families navigate divorce while prioritizing their child’s well-being. Our guest expert, Anna Krolikowska, a seasoned family law attorney and mediator, shares practical advice on choosing the right divorce process, effective co-parenting strategies, and minimizing conflict to create the best possible outcome for your child. Guest: Anna Krolikowska Anna Krolikowska is a respected family...
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42 Calming the Chaos: Understanding and Addressing Sensory Sensitivities in Children
Autism Family Resource
Welcome Back! Join us as we explore how sensory sensitivities impact neurodivergent children and share practical strategies for creating a calmer, more supportive environment. Our guest, Dipali Devani, an occupational therapist and Ayurveda practitioner, shares expert insights on recognizing sensory triggers, creating calming spaces, and empowering children to regulate their responses. Whether your child struggles with certain textures, loud noises, or strong smells, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you build a more harmonious home environment. Guest: Dipali DevaniDipali...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, host Brian Keene sits down with Lydia Mackay and Stacey Dover, speech-language pathologists from the Phenix area, to delve into the world of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). They discuss the importance of communication, language acquisition, and the various communication options, such as AAC devices. This is the first part of a three-part series to provide valuable insights and guidance for parents of non-speaking or special needs children.
Guests:
Lydia Mackay and Stacey Dover are speech-language pathologists based in the Phenix area. They specialize in working with individuals who use AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) in various settings, such as schools and homes. They have experience providing evaluations and training for augmentative communication devices and have worked extensively with non-speaking individuals and those with special needs. They are passionate about supporting communication development and empowering individuals to express themselves effectively.
Main Topics Discussed:
- Defining communication and debunking the misconception that it is solely verbal.
- Exploring language acquisition and how it develops through babbling and word formation.
- Emphasizing the role of context and interaction in language learning.
- Introducing AAC as a tool for augmenting and supplementing communication.
- Highlighting the importance of engagement, feedback, and positive social interaction in language development.
- Considering sign language as a visual form of communication and its potential benefits.
- Addressing the question of when it's time for a child to get an AAC device.
- Stressing the importance of self-advocacy and providing individuals with the means to express themselves.
Key Takeaways:
- Communication encompasses various modalities beyond verbal speech, including body language and literacy.
- Language acquisition begins with babbling and gradually shapes into meaningful words through positive reinforcement and social interaction.
- AAC serves as a tool to support and augment existing modes of communication.
- Engagement, context, and interaction are crucial in language learning and should be prioritized in the parent-child relationship.
- Sign language can be considered a form of communication, but the ability to hear oneself say words is important, which AAC devices can facilitate.
- The decision to introduce AAC should be based on individual needs and communication challenges.
- AAC devices empower individuals to self-advocate and express their needs effectively.
For AAC resources, FAQ, and flowcharts:
https://www.pureheartstherapy.com/resources/speechandcommunication
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