Shows
A Little Extra LoveEmbracing Joy and Strength in Disability Parenting (with Amber Mustain) | Episode 6In this episode of A Little Extra Love, Rachael Vermeulen is joined by Amber Mustain, a wife and mother navigating the complexities of raising a child with disabilities. Amber is the host of the Wait & See Podcast, and a creative florist located in Colorado. Amber shares the profound story of her son Colton, who was diagnosed with congenital CMV, and how her faith has been the anchor through the storm of challenges. Together, they explore the importance of surrendering control, building a supportive community, and finding joy even in the midst of hardship. Amber’s story is a reminder th...2025-04-0331 min
Wait and SeeThe WeedsLife can be hard and the weeds can be tall. A few thoughts on how to look at weeds in our lives and see the beauty that lies beneath.
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amber-mustain/support2024-01-2207 min
Wait and SeeHalloween Tips | AutismMan, halloween can be super stressful, but I'm hoping these few tips and strategies can make the festivities fun!
1.) Let your kiddo choose their outfit and try it out before the night of trick-or-treating.
2.) If your child is easily scared, talk about the scary things and remind them it's not real and you are there to help keep them safe. Also, go when it's light out to help with making it less scary.
3.) Take a picture of your child in their costume in case they get away from you. Also...2023-10-2709 min
Wait and SeeParenting Talk | Respect, Obedience, and Self-ControlGood morning! I wanted to share a few things we are working on in our home. The summer has been hard with some different behaviors popping up, and we have decided to take a step back and focus on three important disciplines: Respect, Obedience and Self-control. I talked about ways we are doing it and the focus is not only on Colten's behavior, but our own!
We love the beginner character cards from September and Co. They are a great way to help our kids learn character. You can purchase them HERE
2023-08-2212 min
Wait and SeeEpisode 17 | Dr. Edward (Ted) Maynard, MD and cCMV advocateEpisode 17 | Dr. Edward (Ted) Maynard, MD
June is Congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV) Month, and I was so happy Dr. Maynard had time to chat with me about all he and the Colorado cCMV group is doing to bring change and awareness in Colorado and hopefully nationwide.
Dr. Maynard recently retired after 25 years in primary care at Iron Horse Pediatrics in Colorado Springs. He earned his MD degree at Harvard Medical School and did his pediatric residency at Boston Children’s Hospital. He has served on the AAP Colorado board for the past 12 years, an...2023-06-2229 min
Wait and SeeEpisode 16 | Ashlynn (Colten's Sister)Episode 16 | Ashlynn (Colten's Sister)
It's sure hard to get a lot of talking out of a 17 year old at 9:30 in the morning, but I hope you enjoy this short interview with Colten's older sister Ashlynn.
She is a blessing to him and us. She loves him so well and is such a wonderful advocate for him.
Siblings of children with disabilities and special needs carry the load in different ways and there needs to be support for them as well. Their life looks different...2023-04-1207 min
Wait and SeeEpisode 15 | Sarah + BrooklynEpisode 15 | Sarah + Brooklyn
Every time I put together a podcast episode, I'm so grateful for the people I have met through this journey with Colten. Every single person is truly amazing and a blessing to us! Sarah and I met at a class Children's Hospital offered for 18 months to 3 years old for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children getting ready for preschool. It was a great group of teachers and parents. I loved being a part of the group and we have kept in touch with so many families.
Sarah talks us through Brooklyn's journey a...2023-02-211h 06
Wait and SeeEpisode 14 | Sara KennedyEpisode 14 | Sara Kennedy
We first met Sara when Colten was first identified with unilateral hearing loss. She helped guide us through many decisions in the beginning when we were weighing options of equipment and set us up with early intervention. Sara later connected us with families of "Deaf Plus" children- is the reference to the child’s hearing status combined with additional conditions. We are so grateful to have met Sara and been a part of Colorado Hands and Voices.
Sara is a mom of four children, including a daughter who was late-identified following a hom...2023-02-1539 min
Wait and SeeEpisode 13 | Joni + BeckhamEpisode 13 | Joni + Beckham
Joni and I met through flowers. She is an amazing artist and florist in Idaho. When we first met, I was interviewing her for a magazine I worked for at that time. We talked mostly about being business owners and moms and how hard that was at times. Somehow we got to talking about of boys and found out they were very similar. She and I do a lot of things the same when it comes to how the boys eat and other natural remedies we use. It was so nice t...2023-01-231h 00
Wait and SeeEpisode 12 | Brysen (Colten's dad, my husband)Episode 12 | Brysen
I loved having Brysen on the podcast. I believe it's important to share the perspective of dads. Often times it is moms who stay home and shoulder the weight of all the therapies and caring for the child throughout the day. Dads carry a different burden and it's important to recognize. Brysen does an amazing job with Colten, and I'm so thankful to have his support as I do what I do from home.
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amber-mustain/support2023-01-1016 min
Wait and SeeEpisode 11 | Shanyn Hansen Owner of What's the Function?Episode 11 | Shanyn Hansen Owner of What's the Function?
It was such an honor to have Colten's Great Aunt on the podcast. Shanyn has been working with children with disabilities since 1985. She began in the school system as a para for deaf and hard of hearing child and eventually became an RBT (Registered Behavior Therapist) and began working with children on the Autism Spectrum Disorder. She currently owns a business in Virginia called What's the Function? She and her business partner help coach parents on ABA techniques to manage behaviors and can advocate for more s...2022-11-0729 min
Wait and SeeCoffee with Colten!A fun and short episode talking dinosaurs with Colten. I hope it brings a smile to your face.
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amber-mustain/support2022-10-2506 min
Wait and SeeEpisode 10 | Sheehan, School PrincipalEpisode 10 | Sheehan, School Principal
I loved talking with Colten's principal. She has a beautiful perspective on welcoming all children into the school just the way they are and she strives to support her staff and build up the children. I have been impressed with everyone in the Special Education department and love working with them to create a successful plan for Colten. It truly is a team effort when you have a child with learning differences and behavior challenges. I hope you all enjoy this episode.
Sheehan mentions that her staff is t...2022-09-2728 min
Wait and SeeEpisode 9 | Becky + CashEpisode 9 | Becky + Cash
"I'm excited that God is laying out the foundation for my future life and I'm following His plan; I'm just sticking to His schedule" Cash 16 years old
On this episode, I talk with Becky and Cash. Cash is an amazing 16 year old young man who loves working on planes, building and creating, swimming, hunting, and hiking. He recently won Reserve Champion with his goat at the county fair and has a full-time job helping his Grandpa Bill on the farm.
Cash was never formally diagnosed because he didn't meet enough o...2022-08-2933 min
Wait and SeeEpisode 8 | Jen Hills | MS Deaf Education, BCBA, doctoral student of Special Education with research interest in Deafness and autismEpisode 8 | Jen Hills | MS Deaf Education, BCBA, PhD student of Special Education with emphasis in deafness and autism
I know I say it every week, but I am truly excited every time I have a guest on. I appreciate everyone's time and unique story!
Jen Hills has been a big part of our lives since Colten's pre-school days. She was his Deaf+ teacher and helped us to find Sheri at Springs Learning Community for Colten's ABA after his autism diagnosis. Jen was also an advocate for us when we struggled during Colten's K...2022-08-2241 min
Wait and SeeEpisode 7 | Christina Jones | Teacher of the Deaf with Masters in Special Education and Deaf EducationEpisode 7 | Christina Jones | Teacher of the Deaf with Masters in Special Education and Deaf Education
Mrs. Jones is Colten's Teacher of the Deaf. He adores her--he also keeps her on her toes! I was so happy to have her on to talk about what she does as a teacher and how parents can work with schools to get what they need for their children. Mrs. Jones is an amazing advocate for her students, but her powers can be limited sometimes. Parents must educate themselves on what their child needs and work with the school to gain those...2022-08-1018 min
Wait and SeeEpisode 6 | Christina Jones + Family | FASDEpisode 6 | Christina Jones + Family
(We had a rough connection for a bit at first, please hang with us, it does clear up.)
I'm so grateful for the time I was able to talk with Christina. She and her wife have fostered 15 children and adopted 2. The boys they have adopted have several diagnosis between the two of them. We mainly spoke today about FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders). FASD can be hard to diagnose because it looks like lots of other diagnoses. Christina talks about some ways to tell the difference and resources that have helped...2022-07-2824 min
Wait and SeeEpisode 5 | Erin and BryceIn this week's episode, I talk to my friend Erin. She and I met several years ago because we are both wedding florists. We were talking about how "busy" our boys were and found out they were very similar. Her son, Bryce, was diagnosed when he was three with Sensory Processing Disorder. I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation.
Books that helped Erin through this journey:
The Highly Sensitive Child
No-Drama Discipline
The Highly Intuitive Child
Raising a Sensory Smart Child
Freeing Your Child from Anxiety...2022-07-1925 min
Wait and SeeEpisode 4 | Heather Matheny | Ed. S, BCBA, and FNTP | Peak InterventionsEpisode 4 | Heather Matheny
I met Heather about 10 years ago. We both love nutrition and formed a lasting friendship. I'm so thankful for her expertise and knowledge that she brings to families. I hope you will enjoy this episode as we talk about nutrition, gut/brain connection, ABA, and much more!
Heather holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Mercyhurst University and an Education Specialist Degree (Ed.S.) in School Psychology from University of Colorado at Denver in which she is licensed ages birth to 21. Heather obtained her certification in Applied Behavior Analysis from the acc...2022-07-1145 min
Wait and SeeEpisode 3 | Lacey and IslaLacey and Isla | Welcome to Episode 3. I was so excited to talk with Lacey. We have known each other for 4 years because our children go to the same ABA clinic Springs Learning Community. Isla is a spunky 8 year old little girl who loves playing with her friends, swimming and dressing up with makeup. Isla was born deaf. When she was born, her family lived in Alabama and did not have access to many resources. They moved to Colorado shortly after and was so grateful for the resources Colorado Springs provided. At 15 months old, she had a cochlear implant surgery. S...2022-07-0628 min
Wait and SeeEpisode 2 | Jami Fries | The Director of Colorado Hands and Voices + cCMV AdvocateEpisode 2 | Meet Jami
Jami is the mom of two boys in Northern Colorado. Her youngest, Nathan, was born premature at 34 weeks with a virus called congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV). After he lost his hearing from the virus she started working with Colorado Hands & Voices as a Parent Guide, to guide new parents through the hearing journey.
Today she is the Director of Colorado Hands and Voices and an advocate for cCMV education and awareness. She works alongside multiple organizations to attempt to change how cCMV is viewed, diagnosed and treated in the state of Colorado.
2022-06-2233 minWait and SeeEpisode 1 | Colten's JourneyHi! Thank you for joining me for Episode 1. I'm so excited to talk about our family's journey and what this podcast is about!
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amber-mustain/support2022-06-0922 minWait and SeeWait and See IntroductionWelcome to Wait and See. A podcast for sharing stories of families with amazing children with special powers. We will talk to families and professionals of special needs children. We hope you will be encouraged and find support within our community!
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amber-mustain/support2022-05-2700 min