Around the Spectrum

Around the Spectrum
Honest conversations from the people around the spectrum — the ones supporting, questioning, and showing up daily.

This podcast is for those in the trenches: parents navigating new diagnoses, BCBAs striving to lead with integrity, educators, caregivers, and allies asking, "Am I getting this right?”

Hosted by a longtime autism parent and healthcare communicator, Around the Spectrum brings together real stories and practical guidance from individuals who support autistic children every day. No extremes. No preachy vibes. Just honest conversations with parents, professionals, and those in-between.

Because when we listen more and judge less, we all do better.

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Sept. 9, 2025

Around the Spectrum - Welcome to Holland: Finding Beauty in a Different Path (with Michael Vassar)

When Michael Vassar’s daughter was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder and later autism, his family’s journey took an unexpected turn. In this candid conversation, Michael shares how “Welcome to Holland,” Emily Perl Kingsley’s well-known poem, became a touchstone for reframing expectations — and finding unexpected beauty on a different path. We talk about the early shock of diagnosis, the long waits for services, the power of parent-to-parent connection, and the little victories that make the

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Autism Services Clinical Leadership ABA Therapy Parent Journey Diagnosis & Early Steps ABA Leadership Parenting and Autism Support Behavorial Health Systems Autism Parenting

April 21, 2026

Around the Spectrum - When You’re Both Dysregulated: Parenting a Child on the Autism Spectrum (with Diana Toronto)

Diana Toronto joins the conversation to share her lived experience raising a child on the autism spectrum while also navigating her own ADHD. This episode focuses on what it actually looks like when parent and child are both working through regulation in real time. Diana talks through her son’s diagnosis journey, the challenges of raising a child who often “looks fine” to others, and the emotional reality that doesn’t always get acknowledged outside the home. We discuss how dysregulation can mir

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March 3, 2026

Around the Spectrum – Inside the IEP: What Schools Are Responsible For (with Leila Farshchian)

Walking into an IEP meeting can feel confusing, especially when you’re unsure what’s required, what’s flexible, and how decisions are made. In this episode, Leila Farshchian, a special educator and Board Certified Behavior Analyst, breaks down what parents can realistically expect from the IEP process. We cover the basics: who should be in the room, how outside diagnoses interact with school evaluations, and the legal timelines that protect families. We also talk about goal setting and service i

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Feb. 3, 2026

Around the Spectrum - Compassion Is the Intervention: Rethinking Autism Care at the Start (with Anna Sturgeon)

The starting line of an autism journey can feel like a maze of waitlists, opinions, and second-guessing. We invited BCBA and clinic founder Anna Sturgeon to sit with us at the table and make that first stretch less lonely and far more practical. From low-cost, no-wait evaluations to caregiver-first coaching, Anna lays out how compassionate care is built—not with empty promises, but with listening, clear education, and plans that fit real families. We unpack the pressure around the “forty hours”

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Nov. 18, 2025

Around the Spectrum - Not Bad, Just Communication (With Kea Lee)

Ever been told your child is “bad” in the checkout line while you’re just trying to make it through the day? We dive into the real story behind behavior with BCBA and parent coach Kia Lee, exploring how meltdowns, eloping, and even aggression can be signals of unmet needs rather than defiance. Together, we unpack the everyday moments that push families to the brink and share clear, compassionate steps to bring calm, confidence, and connection back home. We talk through what actually works outsid

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Oct. 14, 2025

Around the Spectrum: Consistency Over Chaos: Rethinking Systems in ABA (with Michael Conteh)

We explore how to build autism services that work at scale without burning out the people who make them possible. Michael Conte shares why consistency beats intensity, how leadership must be taught, and how parent partnerships drive real progress at home. • systems thinking for clinics as they grow • telescope vs microscope approach to problems • balancing child needs, provider capacity, and family reality • consistency over intensity for hours and schedules • early buy-in with insurers and real

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Sept. 23, 2025

Around the Spectrum - Ethical Recruiting in ABA: What Parents and Clinicians Should Ask (with Cassi Cain)

“This episode is currently unavailable. A new one is coming soon — stay tuned!”

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Recent Blog Posts

Aug. 26, 2025

Leadership's Impact on Autism Care

Leadership in autism centers has a significant impact on the quality of care children receive and the overall experience for their families. In a recent conversation with Amanda Cox, a leadership development trainer and consultant with a master's de…

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About the Host

Wendy Manganaro

Podcast Host / Healthcare Fractional CMO / Autism Mom and Advocate

Wendy Manganaro is the host of Around the Spectrum, where parents, professionals, and everyone in between pull up a chair for honest conversations about raising and supporting children with autism. An autism mom herself, Wendy knows firsthand how overwhelming mixed messages, online debates, and professional jargon can feel. Her mission is to cut through the noise with grounded guidance, compassionate insight, and stories that empower, never judge.

With more than 15 years of experience in marketing and leadership across healthcare and education, Wendy brings both professional expertise and personal heart to the table. She has worked alongside clinicians, advocates, and families, bridging the gap between research and real-life applications. Whether she's discussing leadership in clinical settings with a BCBA or guiding a parent through their first IEP meeting, Wendy keeps the conversation smart, human, and relatable.

Outside the podcast, Wendy is a former nonprofit board president and a lifelong advocate for inclusion. She lives in Southern New Jersey with her family, a flock of backyard ducks and chickens, and a belief that when we sit together and listen, understanding grows.