Autism Parenting Episodes

What happens when a special education teacher becomes an autism parent? James Paoletti spent nine years teaching in a self-contained autism classroom before his own son's autism diagnosis gave him a new perspective from the other side of the IEP table. That experience inspired him to create Spectrum Sports, an inclusive sports program for autistic children and adults in New Jersey, helping families discover the benefits of inclusive sports for autistic children through movement, community, and c...

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 c...

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 outsi...