Shows
Piece by Piece Autism PodcastAutism in the Family: Morning’s Reflections on Growing Up with AlecIn this episode, we wrap up our Sibling Series with Alec’s last sibling — Morning Winterholler. Morning is the second born of Alec’s older sisters. She is 34 years old and has called Houston, Texas home for the last decade. Morning is married to Michael, and mom to three of Alec’s favorite nieces and nephews - Jay, Wynn, and Kit. Morning is actively involved in her Church and neighborhood communities. In her free time she loves playing mahjong and tennis, jumping on the trampoline, and drinking Diet Coke.We talk about her memories, the challeng...
2025-11-1853 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastAutism Awareness Starts at Home: Andrea’s Take on Growing Up with AlecIn this episode, we continue our Sibling Series with Alec’s sister, Andrea Jensen Semidey. Andrea lives in Allen, TX with her husband and 4 kids. She works in finance as a corporate attorney. She graduated from SMU with a degree in Advertising and History and graduated from law school in New York City at Yeshiva University. She enjoys horseback riding, yoga, running, legos, cooking, baking and reading, and only wishes for more time to do any one of those things. She and her family are huge "soccer" fans and Arsenal supporters. Andrea shares her perspective on growing up...
2025-11-1139 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastFriendship and Autism: How We Helped Alec Build Lasting ConnectionsIn this heartfelt episode, Christi and Angie open up about the journey of helping Alec build and maintain meaningful friendships over the years.Friendship doesn’t always come naturally — especially for individuals on the autism spectrum — but with patience, intentional opportunities, and the right support, genuine connections can grow. We talk about what’s worked for Alec, from structured social opportunities to natural friendships that blossomed through shared interests, work relationships and team bonds.Whether you’re a parent, sibling, or caregiver, we hope this conversation offers encouragement and practical ideas for helping your loved one form l...
2025-11-0419 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastA Spectrum of Thoughts from Todd's Journey as Alec's BrotherIn this episode, we kick off our Sibling Series with a special guest — Todd Jensen. Todd is Alec's senior by three years. He grew up in Japan, Denmark and Texas. Todd holds a B.S. of Accounting from Brigham Young University - Utah. Following college, Todd has pursued a career in speciality finance in Texas while maintaining a few entrepreneurial real estate ventures on the side. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, smoking meat, riding dirt-bikes (much to Christi's dismay), playing RuneScape and bugging the living heck out of Alec! Todd shares his unique perspective on what it...
2025-10-2845 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastGuiding Sensory and Stimulatory Behaviors Toward Growth: The ‘Don’t Let Them’ TheoryMel Robbins may have her “Let Them” theory — but when it comes to sensory and stimulatory behaviors that interfere with learning and growth, we’ve developed our own version: “Don’t Let Them.”In this episode, we unpack the overlap between sensory and stimulatory (stimming) behaviors — how they can look similar on the surface, but often serve different purposes. We talk about how sensory behaviors are often the body’s way of seeking or avoiding input, while stimulatory behaviors can be self-soothing or a form of communication. Understanding these differences is key to knowing when to al...
2025-10-2127 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastLearning ABA the Alec Way: A Conversation with Trout, One of Our First Team MembersIn this episode, we sit down with one of Alec’s very first team members, Trout — someone who came to us with no formal ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) training but an open heart and a willingness to learn.We share stories from those early days, the training process, and the meaningful impact that comes from hands-on learning and genuine connection. From memorable moments with Alec to the life lessons gained through supporting someone on the autism spectrum, this conversation is full of insight, laughter, and heart.It’s a reminder that sometimes the best team member...
2025-10-1442 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastABA, OT, Speech and MORE! - What we are all aboutAlec is now 28 years old and living in what we lovingly call his golden years. It’s been a long road filled with lessons, challenges, and so much growth, and we’re here to share the journey — every piece of it. We take a chance to share who we are, why we started Piece by Piece, and what continues to inspire us. Through years of learning, trial and error, and a whole lot of love, we’ve seen firsthand what’s possible for individuals on the autism spectrum. Alec’s success didn’t happen overnight, but with the right tools...
2025-10-0823 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastWhen Did Life Get So Serious? Finding Joy While Parenting a Child with AutismLife with autism often comes with serious moments—hard days, big emotions, and challenges that can feel overwhelming. In this episode, we open up about some of the most difficult times we’ve faced with Alec and the weight that comes with parenting a child on the autism spectrum. But it’s not all heavy—we also share how finding a supportive community and remembering to laugh has helped us stay positive along the way. Parenting a child with autism is a marathon, not a sprint, and sometimes joy and humor are the tools that get you through.Whethe...
2025-09-2328 minPiece by Piece Autism Podcast"Big Deal Jill" - ABA, Advocacy, and Autism AwarenessIn this special episode, we sit down with Alec’s very first therapist, Jill Scarbro—affectionately known as “Big Deal Jill!” Jill has provided Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to individuals with autism since 1997. She earned a bachelor’s degree in special education with concentrations in mental impairments and physical handicaps from Marshall University and a Master of Science in behavior analysis from the University of North Texas. After operating a consulting practice in Texas, Jill and her daughter Caroline returned home to West Virginia in 2006, making Jill the first Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in southern West Virgin...
2025-09-1639 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastImposter Syndrome in Autism Parenting: A Marathon, Not a SprintDoing the Most (and Still Feeling Like It’s Not Enough) In this episode, Christi opens up about what it was like to pour her heart and soul into Alec’s therapies and programming—doing everything she could to give him the best start possible—yet still feeling like it wasn’t enough.We share the honest truth that this journey can feel overwhelming, but it’s not about racing to a finish line. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Along the way, we talk about the importance of celebrating the little victori...
2025-09-0925 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastFrom Potential to Paycheck - Part 2 - Employment Opportunities for Individuals with AutismIn this follow-up conversation, Angie Matheney and Christi Jensen talk about what it takes to not just land a job, but to keep it and succeed in the workplace. We share strategies that have helped Alec, from setting up routines and systems of support, to teaching the importance of punctuality, appropriate dress, and workplace communication. We also talk about how to build natural supports at work, use visual schedules, and how the environment can be the teacher, if you let it.There will be challenges too—like dealing with sensory environments, co-worker interactions, and learning the rhythm of...
2025-09-0225 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastFrom Potential to Paycheck - Part 1 - Employment Opportunities for Individuals with AutismIn this episode, we dive into the important topic of employment opportunities for individuals with autism. Finding meaningful work is about more than just a paycheck—it’s about building confidence, independence, and a sense of purpose.Part One is all about landing a job. We talk about preparing for employment by practicing independence at home through skills like wiping, washing dishes, sweeping, and vacuuming. Beyond the home, we encourage families to seek out volunteer opportunities in the community—these experiences not only build confidence but also strengthen resumes.We also discuss the importance of settin...
2025-08-2633 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastPull Up a Chair: Let’s Talk ABA Table WorkIn this episode, we’re talking all about something we’ve come to call “table work”—a key part of Alec’s day where structured learning happens in a supportive, engaging way.We share what kinds of programs we run at the table—like matching, receptive discrimination, and communication practice—and how we set clear expectations while still making the experience enjoyable. We’ve learned the importance of pairing the table with fun from day one, using reinforcers like edibles, slime, beads, music, or even short show clips to keep Alec mo...
2025-08-1925 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastHobbies on the SpectrumIn this episode, we’re diving into the world of hobbies—why they matter, how to introduce them, and how to support autistic children and adults in developing interests that bring joy and purpose.We share how we’ve helped Alec explore different hobbies over the years, what worked (and what didn’t), and how hobbies have contributed to his self-confidence, motor planning, communication, social connections and even employment. Hobbies give our kids a chance to express themselves, feel proud of something that’s their own, and c...
2025-08-1229 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastMindfulness on the ASD Spectrum - "Magical" Presence Activities -In this episode, we’re talking about something we use every single day with Alec: presence activities. These are closed-ended, hands-on tasks that help Alec focus his body and mind while giving him a sense of independence and accomplishment.We share why these kinds of activities are such an important part of his routine—not just as a proactive way to structure his time, but also as a reactive tool when things start to feel overwhelming. Whether it’s threading beads, dropping straws into a cup, picking up bean bags, or collecting the larges...
2025-08-0529 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastAll About ABA - Applied Behavior AnalysisIn this episode, we’re talking all about ABA—Applied Behavior Analysis—what it is, why it works, and how it’s shaped Alec’s progress over the years.We dive into what makes ABA such a powerful approach: it’s data-driven, evidence-based, and tailored to the individual. But more than that, we talk about how ABA isn't just something that happens during therapy sessions—it can (and should) become part of your everyday life.From daily routines to real-world problem solving, we share how we’ve integrated ABA into Alec’s home, team, and...
2025-07-2922 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastWe are PRO - Proactive MeasuresIn this episode, we’re talking about one of our favorite strategies for supporting individuals with autism: being proactive. We dive into how setting up thoughtful systems, routines, and supports ahead of time can make a huge difference in helping someone thrive—not just survive.We share the proactive measures we’ve seen work time and time again with Alec, including packing a well-stocked backpack, using social stories, setting clear expectations, and even simple tools like counting. These are the kinds of things that don’t take a ton of time but can prevent so many mel...
2025-07-2235 min2025-07-1535 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastLet's Build an ABA Team - Part 1At some point in your child’s—or adult child’s—journey, you’ll likely find yourself assembling what we call a “team.” These are the people who support, care for, and help your loved one thrive—and you're the one managing it all.In this episode, we (Angie Matheney and Christi Jensen) share what we’ve learned from 25 years of building teams for Alec across three states and two countries. From in-home programming during early childhood to now relying on a team for Alec’s 24/7 care as an adult.This is Part One of a two-part con...
2025-07-0841 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastHow Alec Landed in Utah - Beginnings of a Group HomeIn this episode, we open up about one of the biggest—and hardest—decisions we’ve made for Alec: moving him to Utah.We share what led up to that choice, what we learned during his time in Colorado, and how those experiences helped shape the path forward. This wasn’t a decision made lightly. It came with a lot of reflection, careful planning, and most importantly, Alec’s own input.Now that he’s settled in, we can honestly say—it was the right move. Utah has become the place where Alec feels most at...
2025-07-0126 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastThe "D" Word...Data & ABAIn this episode, we’re diving into the sometimes overwhelming—but incredibly important—world of data collection. We talk about why we take data, how it helps us support Alec, and how we use it not just for his progress, but also to guide and support our team.We share how we decide what to track, when too much is too much, and how we’ve learned to strike a balance between meaningful data and practical, sustainable routines. We also touch on celeration charts—a tool with a solid place in the ABA world, but if we’re b...
2025-06-2435 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastIt’s a Hard Knock Life for Al! Chores & AutismIn this episode, we’re talking chores—how we got Alec started, how we create chore chains with just the right level of support, and why these daily tasks are so much more than household responsibilities.Chores have been a huge part of Alec’s journey toward independence. We share how we taught him to complete tasks step by step, how we adjusted support as his skills grew, and why we believe every child—regardless of ability—can take pride in contributing at home.Chores also lay a solid foundation for real-world job skills. These early rout...
2025-06-1723 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastHow's your body? How's your mind? How Check-ins Help Individuals with AutismIn this episode, we dive into one of the most important routines in Alec’s daily life: sitting down at the start of each shift with his team member to plan out their time together. This isn’t just a schedule—it’s a thoughtful, intentional way to make sure Alec is engaging both his body and his mind in meaningful ways.We talk about the parameters we’ve set to help guide those daily plans and create a well-rounded routine. From going to the gym and moving his body in new ways, to doing c...
2025-06-1023 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastBackpack, Backpack!In this episode, we talk about one of our most practical tools for daily life with Alec—the backpack. Whether you’re running errands, heading to a therapy appointment, or spending the day out and about, being prepared can make all the difference when caring for a child with autism.We share what we always keep packed and ready to go—from sensory supports and snacks to communication tools and cleanup supplies. Our favorite? The Under Armour Hustle 5.0 backpack—but the most important thing is finding a bag that fits your child’s specific n...
2025-06-0327 min2025-05-2937 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastAlec's Current Set UpIn this episode, we share what Alec’s life looks like today—from the home he lives in to the systems we’ve put in place to support his independence and well-being. Over the years, we’ve worked hard to tailor his living environment to meet his unique needs, and we’re excited to give you a glimpse into the thoughtful setup that helps him thrive.We walk through the amenities in Alec’s home, how we designed the space to reduce stress and increase comfort, and how his daily life is organized. We also break down the five cor...
2025-05-2737 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastAlec's Early Years - Autism Diagnosis, Therapies, Struggles, TriumphsIn this episode, we—Angie and Christi—look back on Alec’s early years and the start of our autism journey. We share what it was like when Alec was diagnosed at just 2 years old, some of the behaviors he struggled with, and how we navigated those early, uncertain days as parents and caregivers.We talk about the professionals who came into our lives and played a huge role in shaping Alec’s progress, as well as the lessons we learned along the way. It’s a personal, emotional, and sometimes funny reflection on those formative years. If you're...
2025-05-1917 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastWelcome to Piece by Piece Autism Podcast!In our very first episode of Piece by Piece: An Autism Podcast, we—Angie Matheney and Christi Jensen—introduce ourselves and share the heart behind this podcast. We're two women with a shared passion for helping others navigate the world of autism, and we’re here to build a supportive, honest, and empowering community.We’ll talk about our experiences working with Alec and how we use Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to help him get the most out of life. Through real stories, practical insights, and open conversations, our goal is to connect with families, professionals, and anyone w...
2025-05-1911 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastAlec's Early YearsIn this episode, we—Angie and Christi—look back on Alec’s early years and the start of our autism journey. We share what it was like when Alec was diagnosed at just 2 years old, some of the behaviors he struggled with, and how we navigated those early, uncertain days as parents and caregivers.We talk about the professionals who came into our lives and played a huge role in shaping Alec’s progress, as well as the lessons we learned along the way. We hope our stories bring comfort, hope, and maybe even a few laughs.
2025-05-1919 minPiece by Piece Autism PodcastTime Travel Advice - What I Wish I KnewJoin us—Angie Matheney and Christi Jensen—for a candid Q&A-style conversation where Christi opens up about what she wishes she could have told her younger self when Alec was first diagnosed.We talk about the shifting priorities that come with raising a child on the spectrum, the pressure to "do everything right," and the importance of giving yourself grace. Whether you're just starting out or years into your journey, this episode offers encouragement, perspective, and a reminder that you're not alone.Send us a text
2025-05-1918 min