Shows
Talk Like a Mother: Parenting Autism PodcastInterview with Laurie Hellmann - Selling Vegetables to DrunksJoin us for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation with the incredible Laurie Hellmann. We dive into her life, her family, and her powerful new book, Selling Vegetables to Drunks: Lessons I Learned as an Alcoholic’s Daughter.
Buy her book here.
Find Laurie :
On Facebook: Welcome to My Life - Skyler's World
On IG: welcometomylife_lauriehellmann
Lauriehellmann.com
Laurie L. Hellmann is originally from Marshall, Michigan, and moved to Southern Indiana following graduation from Ball State University in 1997. Laurie earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Ad...
2024-11-2556 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS4: Episode 154 (Solo Episode) - Neurotypical milestones and managing emotionsI will be taking a summer break from the podcast to enjoy the few months I'll have with my daughter before she heads off to college. When I return for Season 5, I'd like to discuss a few key topics that come up often and would love for you to be a part of those discussions!! I'm looking for guests to talk about: *Challenge of maintaining relationships when parenting a neurodiverse child - marital issues / divorce, isolation from friends or close family or have difficulty finding a partner as a single parent? *Travel experiences...
2023-06-0821 min
Talk Like a Mother: Parenting Autism PodcastBonus Episode: Live with Laurie Hellmann and Adrian WoodJoin us for a chat about the upcoming Care for the Caregiver Retreat this weekend. Laurie Hellmann of Welcome To My Life - Skyler's World and Adrian Wood of Tales of an Educated Debutante will be speakers at the event and we got a little taste of their advice and knowledge. We will be hosting a live podcast during the event and can't wait for a fun time with all the caregivers!
Laurie Hellmann lives in Indiana with her husband Josh, her 17-year-old NT daughter Kendall and 19-year-old son Skyler - who has been diagnosed with severe...
2023-04-251h 00
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS4: Episode 143 - (Re-release from 12/2021) Spreading joy throughout the world with their adult son's love of drawing, these parents share how they managed their expectations while navigating the tough side of autismCorey and Andrea Landreth are the parents of 4 grown children. They moved to El Dorado, Kansas to begin Real Life Christian Church in 2006 where Corey is the lead pastor. Andrea is a school psychologist in the public school system. They began the Drawings by Trent business in 2015 for their son with the goals of encouraging families, educating communities and inspiring everyone through Trent's art and their story. There were many difficult years, but seeing Trent's raw joy and incredible ability brings hope to families going through the struggles of raising a child on the spectrum. You can co...
2023-03-161h 12
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS4: Episode 142 - After years of observing therapy sessions with his son, this proud autism dad turned his passion for marketing into a mission to create therapy toys for all those with developmental challenges Luis, is the Autism Dad behind MEAVIA, a brand inspired to design and develop toys and learning aids for kids with Autism and other developmental challenges. When he’s not sketching toy ideas on napkins, Luis is spending time with his daughter London (8) and son Myles (5) who is on the spectrum with level 2 Autism. Before setting out on this new adventure, Luis spent his entire career in Corporate Marketing. Now, he is completely immersed in the world of Autism and driven to help Myles live his best life, and to help other families with Autism through MEAVIA. Social Media: @MEAVIAtoys Faceb...
2023-03-091h 06
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS4: Episode 141 - Letting go of personal guilt & control to allow your child to thrive, become independent and enjoy life in a group homeGina Schaal and her husband Dan have been married for 21 years & live in Chaska, a SW suburb of Minneapolis. They have two sons, 18-year-old Carter & 16-year-old Casey. Gina holds a BS degree in Medical Laboratory Science & works for a large healthcare system in the Twin Cities. Lab people are known for their type A personalities which she believes has been one of her biggest assets to raising a special needs child. Organization is key as is her love of research & analyzing that research. Her son Carter was diagnosed with ASD at 2 1/2, which is his only ‘formal’ diagnosis but he also deals with...
2023-03-021h 10
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS4: Episode 140 - Choosing to live in the present and not sweat the small stuff, this UK mom learned from her son that joy can be found in the smallest thingsKelly and her husband Rob live in Kent, UK and have two children, Carson (14) and Kendra (11). Carson is nonverbal and autistic with severe learning disabilities. Kendra is also on the autism spectrum. Kelly started her FB blog "This is Carson, his autism journey and our family" almost 4 years ago with the goal of reaching out to families like her own. Before starting her page, she hadn't seen many bloggers with children like Carson and wondered if those parent caregivers often felt isolated too? Kelly uses her blog to advocate and create awareness by sharing the highs and lows of her fa...
2023-02-231h 01
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS4: Episode 139 - Chatting with an autistic mom who is also raising two sons also on the autism spectrum about her family & soon to be released children's bookTiffany Hammond is the voice behind Fidgets and Fries. She is an Autistic mother and advocate. Tiffany is a storyteller, using her own personal experiences with Autism and parenting two Autistic boys to guide others on their journey. Her activism is rooted in challenging the current perception of Autism being a lifelong burden, cultivating a community that explores the concept of Intersectionality and Autism, and inspiring thought leaders through storytelling, education, and critical discourse. She has a Masters in Developmental Psychology from Liberty University. You can connect with Tiffany via her IG page: @Fidgets and Fries and...
2023-02-161h 12
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS4: Episode 138 - A strong believer in finding joy along your journey, this triathlon loving mom has helped her adult sons uncover their love of running while advocating about inclusion for the masses.Julie Bockey is a Veteran, a registered nurse, a Type 1 diabetic and a dedicated triathlon competitor. She and her husband Shawn, who is also a triathlete, are the parents of two adult sons, Christian (26) and Jake (23) who were both diagnosed with ASD as toddlers. Both Christian, who is nonverbal, and Jake who is partially verbal and also a Type 1 diabetic, have joined their parents and found the joy in running/cycling and have achieved some incredible racing milestones in their own right. Christian completed his first full marathon in 2021 & is training for his second this coming April while Jake...
2023-02-091h 25
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS4: Episode 137 - Helping her son turn his passion for drawing into a fun family business, this NJ mom advocates and educates on the vast autism spectrumJodi is a New Yorker currently residing in Northern New Jersey with her Gaffer husband Frank and two incredibly kind and creative children, Emily (21) and Liam (15). At the age of 14 months, Liam was diagnosed with ASD and began early intervention (OT, PT and Speech) in the spring of 2009. While Liam could only say a few words and had to learn the simplest of tasks, he miraculously learned quickly and retained the information allowing him to progress year after year. Liam's cognitive skills have always been quite high yet he's consistently caught between two worlds, taking all inclusion (mainstream) classes...
2023-02-021h 08
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS4: Episode 136 - Aging out of a broken system with no options leaves adult 'kids' & parents endlessly searching for support & opportunities throughout adulthoodFeeling the stress of a broken system, parents like me are constantly searching for ideas, resources and a supportive community to help us ensure our autistic adult children aren't dismissed and forgotten about after reaching the age where they're no longer eligible for traditional services. Often times, parent caregivers are left to create their own version of day programming or leave the workforce much earlier than planned in order to navigate the tough reality - their adult aged loved one will require 24/7 support, 365 days a year for the remainder of the caregiver's life.
2023-01-2637 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS4: Episode 135 - Keep the focus on overall mental health! Finding a balance between inclusion, oversharing on social media and placing your loved one in an uncomfortable environment.Cindy and Justin are mother and son duo advocates. Justin is 18 and has a dual diagnosis of Autism/ADHD, he was diagnosed at 18 months old. Aside from the role of mom, Cindy serves as Justin's full time carer/respite worker. She has dedicated the last 17 years to sharing their stories and experiences regarding autism, disability and most recently, Mental Health advocacy. In 2020, at the age of 49, Cindy was diagnosed with ADHD. She also has co-morbid diagnoses that include generalized anxiety disorder and depression. In 2019 Justin was unschooled at 16 due to ongoing years of crisis in the education system. As a re...
2023-01-191h 16
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS4: Episode - 134 - Advice from this powerhouse mom... "Don't sit back and wait for services & don't be afraid to ask for help!" Build a large parent network around you and rally together to demand a more secure future for our loved ones.Jenifer Thomas has been a single mom for 20 years to two amazing young men. Her oldest son Cobey who is on the autism spectrum is 27 years old and is 6'10! Cobey's younger brother, Cooper is 25 years old is a graduate of the University of TN. Jennifer has been a full time caregiver for Cobey since 1995. ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehell...
2023-01-121h 02
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS4: Episode 133 - As a full time parent caregiver who is extremely sleep deprived, this mom struggles to find time to pursue her passions & dreamsGrowing up Julie Fackrell always knew that one day she was going to live in California. She had no idea that mental illness and a late diagnosis of autism would be the vehicle that brought her there. Julie has two kids, Jacob is 28, Emma is 18 and they are the brightest stars that guide her. When she's not busily working the days away keeping schedules on track and completing various mom duties, Julie finds time to work on her art projects and indulges in self care which is usually playing phone games with the tv on in the background and...
2023-01-051h 16
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS4: Episode 132 - Chatting with a blogger, podcaster and mother of 4, about the uncertainty & stress autistic adults and their parent caregivers face when aging out of 'traditional' services, resources & funding Kim resides in Massachusetts with her husband and four children, two teenagers and two young adults. She is an advocate for autism with a passion for spreading awareness, understanding and acceptance. Her daughter Alyssa is a young adult with profound, nonverbal autism. She shares her daughter's journey into adulthood honestly and openly on her FB page @adventures in autism with Alyssa. She also is a cohost on the podcast Table for Five, No Reservations, where she discusses parenting, mental health, and autism. She also loves spending time with her family, drinking iced coffee and bingeing a good TV show. ******************************** T...
2022-12-291h 26
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS4: Episode 131 - A fierce advocate for her adult son, local community and beyond, this mom has found comedy as the best way to share the beautiful, unique & funny aspects of parenting autismLori Haynes has been an autism and disability advocate for over 30 years. She is married to her wonderful husband Mike and they care for their 28 year old son Jacob at home. Her son Jake was diagnosed with severe nonverbal autism and intellectual disability at the age of 2 ½ and she has worked tirelessly since then to raise, not only awareness, but acceptance and understanding. She started the first support group of it’s kind in northern Indiana called Families of Autistic Children Together back in 1998. Lori also assisted with organizing the “Hear Their Silence” rally that took place on the Nat...
2022-12-141h 10
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS4: Episode 130 - Chatting with a writer & mom of 3 about her Forever Nest and how much she appreciates the laughter & daily joy life bringsKathy Radigan is a writer, blogger, wife to one, and mom of two boys, 23 and 17, and a 20-year-old daughter with significant disabilities. She is the creator of the blog, My Dishwasher's Possessed! Kathy’s work has been featured in many online publications including, Her View from Home, Grown and Flown, Finding Cooper’s Voice, as well as having viral pieces on TODAY’S Parent, HuffPost, and Scary Mommy. She is a contributing author to the upcoming book, So God Made A Mother,(Tyndale Momentum, April 18, 2023.) Her current passion is sharing her experiences as a special needs parent on the Facebook...
2022-12-081h 03
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS4: Episode 129 - Learning from a caregiver mom who has navigated the world of autism (& paved the way for the rest of us) for 40+ yearsDr. Karen Kelly is a graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) where she earned her BS and MS in nursing and a doctoral degree in education. She is a retired associate professor in the School of Nursing at SIUE. She taught leadership, health policy, and health care finance at both the graduate level and doctoral level. Karen is active in several nursing organizations at the local, state, and national level. She is the founding president of ANA-Illinois and past president of the Illinois Nurses Association. She has held elected and appointed positions in these and other nursing organizations...
2022-12-011h 23
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS4: Episode 128 - The importance of knowing your rights and the benefit of teaching all levels of life skills from an early ageJulie Swanson is the parent of Alex, an adult with an autism spectrum disorder and a special education advocate helping secure appropriate services for students with disabilities. She is also the founder of The Life Skills Lady, a website devoted to the critical link between life skills and increased adult outcomes in autism. Julie is also the author of Your Special Education Rights: What Your School District Isn’t Telling and the companion website yourspecialeducationrights.com, a video-based website that helps parents understand their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. You can connect with Julie in var...
2022-11-171h 14
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS4: Episode 127 - Catching up with documentary film maker and autism mom about her mission to share the many faces of autismRachel Lack is a filmmaker and mother to an 11 year old autistic boy. She lives in Arizona with her husband and son, Henry. She has been filming 10 autistic kids in Arizona and Massachusetts for the last 7 years. She is filming these kids all the way to adulthood. The documentary series is called Across the Spectrum. You can follow them all on Facebook at Across the Spectrum: The Doc Instagram; @purlingplace and her YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/1PurlingPlace ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amaz...
2022-11-101h 07
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS4: Episode - 126 (Solo Episode) - Sharing our challenging journey through medication changes and the behavioral ups and downs that result as we 'patiently' find the right combinationSo glad to be back hosting my podcast after an unexpected multiple month break!! For this first episode of season 4, I'm discussing the lengthy battle many of us face when trying to find a medication that is helpful to our kids, but also one that won't add additional challenges to their day to day behaviors, sleep schedule or appetite. We've been experiencing what I call the "many seasons of Skyler" with regard to his behaviors over the last several months and it's been down right exhausting and frustrating - for him and for our family. I know I...
2022-11-0330 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyNavigating adult resources around the country... featuring California, Connecticut, Florida & LouisianaKelly resides in FL is mom to 32-year-old Steven who received his autism diagnosis at the age of 2.5. Since that time, he has also been diagnosed with Apraxia, Tourette's, OCD and Anxiety. Steven is a kind, gentle soul. He loves life and everyone he meets. His journey has not been easy but he has persevered through every single obstacle he has faced. Kelly learns from Steven every single day and feels extremely blessed to be his mom. You can connect with Kelly on IG: @growingupsteven Malinda Dalton-Cook resides in the San Diego area with her h...
2022-06-301h 49
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyNavigating adult resources around the country... featuring Colorado, California, Texas & Washington StateAlicia Miner (WA) - resides in Washington State and is a single mom to her amazing 18-year-old son, Austin, who is autistic and non-verbal. She has recently started the Spelling to Communicate program and is always advocating for her son's future. Connect with Alicia via FB: www.facebook.com/alicia.miner.9 Leasa Hoogerwerf (CA) - is the mother of two adult sons, her youngest, Cody is 21-years-old and has nonverbal autism. Leasa is a very passionate advocate who chose to share her family's journey through autism on social media via the Cody Speaks Facebook page so...
2022-06-231h 20
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyNavigating adult resources around the country... featuring Michigan and ArizonaJess Ronne (MI) - Lives in Grand Rapids, MI and is the author of 'Sunlight Burning at Midnight' and 'Blended With Grit and Grace.' She also founded a non-profit 'The Lucas Project' and initiated & helped produce the recently released documentary 'Unseen' which touches on the challenging lives of caregivers. Jess and her husband Ryan are the parents of 8 children and their almost 18-year-old son Luke has multiple diagnosis resulting in profound special needs. Connect with Jess via: FB: https://www.facebook.com/theofficiallucasproject IG: @jessplusthemess Coffee with Caregivers podcast: https://anchor...
2022-06-161h 03
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 122 - Hearing directly from a Spelling to Communicate (S2C) participant about his mission to help non-speakers connect with the world around themCaryn Culver is a life long Tennessean and currently resides in Knoxville with her husband Chad and 3 children. Caryn's middle child, Peyton, was diagnosed with autism in 2010 at the age of two. Since this time, their family has been on a journey to help Peyton reach his best potential. After visiting doctors and specialists around the country and trying numerous therapies, Peyton has finally found his voice with Spelling to Communicate (S2C). Peyton, now 14 years old, has made it his mission to help other non-speakers have access to communication programs like S2C. Please...
2022-05-0555 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 121 - The role of a parent caregiver is often a lifelong job, so knowing 40% of adults with disabilities have no family in their life motivated this mom to ensure they're never forgottenLisa Dempsey is a special needs mom & is the founder and CEO of the nonprofit, Forgotten Wishes Foundation, whose mission is to inspire a sense of belonging and be a source of joy for people with disabilities. Lisa also writes a blog about her experiences called Cluck Howl Crow. Lisa is happiest when spending time with her husband Robert and family. To refuel her mind and body, Lisa travels in her trailer named Rosemary von Wunder, takes walks on the beach or binge-watches Broadway Musicals in New York City. Lisa and Robert have been married...
2022-04-281h 02
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 120 - An inspirational autistic adult who found her voice and now uses it to educate & promote understandingPeri, better known to her FB followers as Not Raingirl is a 24-year-old autistic adult. Peri's honesty, understanding and deep desire to educate parents and caregivers about living with autism - as a nonverbal child and now an outspoken advocate, is greatly appreciated and admired. *I can assure you this Autism mom not only values Peri's willingness to help explain and guide me but that she does it from a place of kindness, love and truly to be helpful rather than confrontational* You can connect with Peri on FB: @notraingirl ***************************************** To...
2022-04-211h 08
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 119 - The continually challenging & unpaved road for transition into adulthood and the best options for our loved onesJohanne is a writer, autism advocate and mother of an adult son with severe autism. Her memoir, CHOICES - One mother’s determined search for the supports to meet the needs of her aging autistic son, details her journey from her son’s infancy to adulthood. Today, Johanne continues to work with special needs students in the public school system and lives in her Habitat for Humanity home on Cape Cod. Connect with Johanne via FB: @autisminsights or her website: jmcrawfordwrites.com ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey...
2022-04-141h 10
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 118 - Chatting with the Finding Cooper's Voice founder about her newly released memoir, Forever BoyKate Swenson, the founder of Finding Cooper's Voice and nonprofit, The More Than Project, is a mother to four kids, a wife, and a proud Minnesotan. She writes and creates videos regularly about her life as a mother and an autism advocate for Facebook, Instagram, and her website, Finding Cooper's Voice. Her book, Forever Boy, A Mother's Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy, is available now and highlights the transformation that she went through after her son's diagnosis. You can purchase Kate's book, Forever Boy on Amazon via this link https://amzn.to/3691swl ***************************************** To...
2022-04-0747 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 117 - (Solo episode) Sharing my thoughts on Skyler turning 19 and my shift in perspective on future planningTo kick start all things Autism Education month, I'm taking to the podcast solo to discuss my thoughts on Skyler turning 19 next week and my evolving perspective on future living arrangements. I reference a few prior guests in this episode as well - Dottie Davis (Episode 78) 7 Michelle O'Reily (Episode 88) so be sure and listen to those! ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various...
2022-03-3121 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 116 - Planning for your child's future & educating yourself on the services and resources each state offers Kim Albrecht is a southerner transplanted to California via the Midwest along with her husband and 2 teenage daughters, the oldest of which has level 3 non-speaking autism. She hosts the award winning LOMAH Disability Podcast, where over 100 expert guests have been interviewed on topics relevant to planning the future for teens and young adults with disabilities. The show deep dives into a single issue for 12 episodes and has covered disability housing, transitioning from school to adult services, financial planning, safety, technology, health, and more. When not in the trenches of parenting, you can find her hunting sea...
2022-03-241h 04
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 115 - Helping caregivers create an organized system for coordinating care and managing all the paperworkChristy Pickrell is a wife, mother, author and advocate for individuals with disabilities or health concerns. Christy has been in the caregiving field for 30 plus years, starting with family members as well as a respite provider for the ARC of Maryland. She is the mother of a 22-year-old disabled son and wife of 29 years. Christy has been published in Autism Parenting Magazine, as well as 50 plus Lifestyle magazine and writes a regular column for Giversguide magazine out of Honolulu, HA called “Ask Christy.” Christy is the Founder and President of Our Little Peace of Mind, where she creates solutions for car...
2022-03-1748 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 114 - Chatting with the founder of the only subscription box & online community focused solely on pampering caregiversLindsay is the founder and owner of The Pampered Parent, a monthly self-care subscription box and supportive online community for moms of children with special needs. In addition to The Pampered Parent, Lindsay is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). As a BCBA, she works with individuals with a variety of developmental disabilities, as well as with their caregivers and families, to improve communication and social skills, foster independence, and reduce challenging behaviors. In Lindsay's free time, she enjoys exercising, traveling, watching TV with her husband, and playing with her dog, Shockey! You can connect with Lindsay here: Facebook: https://www...
2022-03-1039 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 113 - Presuming competence and not allowing limits to be placed on our child's potential ... specifically with communication Kelley Howe is a Spelling to Communicate practitioner, occupational therapist, and owner of Adroit Therapy Services in Knoxville, Tennessee. In her practice she strives to help nonspeaking, minimally speaking, and unreliably speaking individuals gain access to reliable communication. Kelley has been using Spelling to Communicate with her clients since 2016 and is currently helping to train new practitioners through the International Association for Spelling as Communication (I-ASC). You can connect with Kelley here: Website: https://www.adroittherapyservices.com/ facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adroittherapyservices instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adroittherapyservices/ Resources mentioned in the episode: i-asc.org - email info@i-asc.org ...
2022-03-031h 06
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 112 - Turning an enjoyable past time with her daughter into a successful non-profit that supports the local community and provides volunteer opportunities for those on the spectrumMalinda Dalton-Cook resides in the San Diego area with her husband Chad and their almost 20-year-old daughter Paige, who is severely impacted by autism. Malinda is the CEO/Founder of Paige's Pantry which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Paige's Pantry is to help teach and empower teens and adults on the autism spectrum. Giving them the opportunity to learn organizational, communication, community & administrative skills. www.paigespantry.org Malinda is also the host of the Autism Masterminds Podcast: autismmasterminds.com ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal...
2022-02-241h 13
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 111 - Future planning for our 'children' entering adulthood & setting them up for success & the best version of independent living possibleSilvia Abeloe is a Mom to a 19-year-old young man who is severely impacted by autism. She has been married for 26 years to her husband Ken and they live in Carlsbad, CA (North San Diego County). Silvia was a Service Director for United Airlines at Washington Dulles International Airport in Northern Virginia when she decided to leave the workforce, start a family, and move back to her home state of California to raise their son. The travel bug has never escaped her. Traveling the world and scuba diving are her two favorite hobbies and pastimes. Silvia's goal for her son’s fut...
2022-02-171h 19
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 110 - An advocating autism mom turned reality star encourages all people to choose happiness & look for the joy in everyday lifeGeege Taylor is an autism advocate and writer who produces and stars in LEAVE IT TO GEEGE, a reality series on The Lifetime Network (Wed 10/9c). The show celebrates autism and follows the zany adventures of her family, including her 19 year old non-speaking son, “Pootie,” along with a lively cast, which features three other young adults with autism. She makes her home in Athens, GA with her children and describes herself as a “happy hermit” who loves to get under blankets, eat junk food and watch TV! You can connect with Geege on IG: @geegetaylor or FB: @angiegeeg...
2022-02-101h 00
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 109 - The importance of remaining eager as caregivers but taking your child's lead, respecting their path and meeting them where they areBetsy Hicks-Russ is a leading autism expert with over 20 years of experience in holistic health. Betsy is the former CEO of Green Health Wellness & author of Picky Eating Solutions (2010), a unique guidebook on the life-changing power of healthy eating habits. She has delivered lectures around the world about meal planning, special diets, and holistic health for individuals living with autism. Her experiences with her son Joey, have driven her to become an impassioned expert on the relationship between nutrition, movement, and fresh air being vital for the mind and body. Betsy strives to give those who may n...
2022-02-031h 08
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 108 - The benefits of building a community of support & working with your school system to create necessary programs & resourcesCindy was born in Monterrey, Mexico and moved to Houston, TX with her parents and 6 siblings when she was 7. Cindy's dad was an oil & gas executive and her mom a homemaker. Cindy graduated from the University of Houston with a Hotel Management degree and met her husband Josh the year after graduation. They married in 1999 and moved to San Antonio for 1 year prior to moving to Chicago in 2000. She had 2 boys, Ethan (now 20) and Owen (now 17) in Chicago and then moved back to Houston due to job transfer. She spent 20 years working for Marriott then held positions...
2022-01-271h 00
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 107 - Advocating for autism families, this research loving father shares his experience raising two sons on the spectrum & his own autism diagnosisAlex Filstein is an award-winning inventor in Canada’s energy sector whose innovations focus on emission-reducing technologies to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Alex is the recipient of the 2018 Oilweek/JWN Magazine Rising Star Award and the recipient of the prestige 2019 Technical Achievement Alumni Award from University of Calgary Schulich School of Engineering. He lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with his wife and two young sons who are both on the autistic spectrum. After his son’s diagnosis, Alex was diagnosed ASD-Level 1 /Asperger’s. He is an active volunteer in the autism...
2022-01-2050 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 106 - The importance of presuming competence in our kids and being mindful of the strong correlation between functional nutrition and behavior, focus & cognition Vaish [/vIEsh/] Sarathy [/sAH rUH thEE/], Ph.D. is a Functional Nutrition Practitioner and Science Educator, and the founder of Functional Nutrition for Kids - a Functional Nutrition Practice for children, and Plum Pudding Chemistry - a science and math education practice for kids of all abilities. Her TEDx talk "Who decides how smart you are" talks about the value of Assuming Intelligence and has been called mind-blowing and perspective-shifting by practitioners and parents. Vaish believes that Sound Nutrition, an Equal Education, and a Rested Mind are the birthright of every child, and no functional...
2022-01-1355 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 105 - Discussing the importance of putting yourself on the list and building a life you deserve & desireOctavia Walker is the mother of two children, her son is on the autism spectrum. Octavia left her media sales career to become the founder of Getting By Is Not Enough. Moms of children with disabilities rely on her first hand experience and strategic solutions to learn how to become the best advocate for their child, develop a strong support team, and live out their own heartfelt dreams and purpose. Octavia offers personal coaching to help Moms create a roadmap that focuses on their strengths so they can have the confidence and peace of mind to take care of their fa...
2022-01-0651 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 104 - Sharing her experiences as an autism mom, this best selling author, podcaster, BCBA & curriculum founder hopes to help children, caregivers & industry professionalsDr. Mary Barbera “fell” into the autism world in 1999 when her first-born son, Lucas was diagnosed with autism. Since then, Mary transformed from a confused and overwhelmed parent to a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and best-selling author. After earning a PhD, Mary launched her first online course in early 2015 and later built additional courses and a membership program to help both parents and autism professionals. In her vlogs, podcasts, books, webinars, and online courses, Mary teaches her unique step-by-step system and method to help children with autism (or signs of autism) talk more while reducing tantrums and other proble...
2021-12-1458 min
Turn Autism AroundLaurie Hellmann on Parenting a Teenager with Non Speaking AutismAs the parent of two teenagers with autism, Laurie felt called to share her story. Laurie Hellmann is the host of Living the Sky Life, a podcast with incredible stories and information. She is also the author of Welcome to My Life: A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism. We discuss the resilience required to make it through the challenges of autism and the passion it can bring to some parents to make connections and impact this community across the world.
2021-12-1431 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 103 - Back by popular demand... my neurotypical daughter answers some subscriber questions about growing up with an autistic siblingMy 16-year-old daughter, Kendall, is back for another sit down chat with me! She agreed to answer some questions sent in to us by the listeners about growing up with a severely autistic older brother. Kendall continues to amaze me daily with her maturity, honesty and selflessness. I'm extremely proud of her for a multitude of reasons and respect how much time she's invested in working through her feelings, anxiety & overall outlook on growing up in a dramatically different way than her peers.
2021-12-0958 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 102 - Spreading joy throughout the world with their adult son's love of drawing, these parents share how they managed their expectations while navigating the tough side of autismCorey and Andrea Landreth are the parents of 4 grown children. They moved to El Dorado, Kansas to begin Real Life Christian Church in 2006 where Corey is the lead pastor. Andrea is a school psychologist in the public school system. They began the Drawings by Trent business in 2015 for their son with the goals of encouraging families, educating communities and inspiring everyone through Trent's art and their story. There were many difficult years, but seeing Trent's raw joy and incredible ability brings hope to families going through the struggles of raising a child on the spectrum. You can co...
2021-12-021h 10
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 101 - A father's emotional journey raising two young 'heroes' on the autism spectrumRyan LeFevers is coming up on 14 years of marriage and has been together with his wife Kristin for 20 years. They are parents to two handsome autistic boys - Parker age 5 and Dustin age 3. Ryan recently started social media pages to share a Dad’s view of raising autistic children. You can follow their journey on FB: @MyHeroesRaisingBoysontheSpectrum and on IG: @myheroesonthespectrum ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podc...
2021-11-1857 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 100!! (Flying solo) - Celebrating 100 episodes, 22k+ downloads and updates on Skyler's GI issues & the big projects I've been working on!!Although you've seen & heard much less from me the last few months with my lack of blog writing and social media posts... that doesn't mean I've slowed down my advocacy for autism families! I've been a busy bee initiating some pretty incredible projects that will have a positive impact on communities both locally and across the country, while at the same time, I remain focused on Skyler's GI health which is starting to show sustained improvement. Tune in for today's episode and I'll catch you up on all the things!
2021-11-1135 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 99 - Recognizing that parents are the experts on their children, this SLP works to engage & educate caregiversRebecca Robbins is a speech language pathologist who has spent the bulk of her career helping children, young adults, and families impacted by autism. She has worked in various settings over the course of her 16 year career including a private school for children with autism, Early Intervention & Preschool agency work, as well as a public school. She is now the proud owner of Mind ShaperSLP, LLC where she provides 1:1 speech therapy, executive functioning and life skills coaching for individuals and social skills groups. In addition, Rebecca provides parent online training programs and consultation services. Rebecca is trained...
2021-11-0453 min
GAIN THE PASSIONLaurie Hellmann - Mental Toughness & Accountability Defined: A Life's Journey Parenting Through AutismLaurie Hellmann has spent the last 16 years fiercely navigating through therapies, medications and countless other medical and personal challenges with her son, Skyler, all while continuing to fight for and be the voice for other families with a loved one on the autism spectrum. She is also the author of Welcome to My Life: A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism , host of the podcast Living the Sky Life – Our Autism Journey, Super Mom to Skyler and Kendall, loving wife to Josh and also has a full-time career. Learn more about Lauriehttps://www.lauriehellmann.com...
2021-10-2954 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 98 - A blogger & now podcaster shares her experiences raising a teenager with ASDVidya Banerjee is the mom of a teenager on the autism spectrum with an additional diagnosis of Landau Kleffner syndrome. He is also nonverbal and uses an AAC device to communicate. Vidya started a blog www.autismfamilystory.com in 2019 to help fellow parents with tips and strategies she learned over the years in raising her son. Vidya also recently started the autismfamilystory podcast to as a way to connect with even more families. It’s Vidya's mission to build a community for parents of children with autism as she knows firsthand raising a child with ASD can be very overwhelming and is...
2021-10-2852 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 97 - A mother turns her love of writing into a mission for sharing autism tips & tricks with other parentsJC Ellinger brings life stories and experience as an autism mom to publications such as Autism Parenting Magazine and Exceptional Needs Today. She was also recently awarded Top General Advice Writer of 2020 honored by APM. While currently working on her first children’s book geared at bringing relatability and support to other ASD children just like her amazing son, she has returned to school attending Northwestern State University pursuing a Master’s of Arts in English with the goal of teaching young minds in a discipline she loves. JC, additionally, carries a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and BA in C...
2021-10-2151 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 96 - A mother's mission to help her autistic adult son fulfill his dream of becoming a chef - by opening a GF/DF food company staffed by people with autismShelly Henley is not unlike other special needs parents who want their children to grow up to be happy, fulfilled people - living the life they want while enjoying their work & feeling validated. So, with a lot of hope and hustle, Shelly & her husband decided to make their son's dream of becoming a chef a reality while also giving other people's children an opportunity for meaningful work as well. In 2018, No Label at the Table Food Co. was founded in Carmel, IN and Shelly's autistic adult son, Jacob became Chef J! www.nolabelatthetable.com FB: @No...
2021-10-1440 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS3: Episode 95 - Discussing the importance of advocacy and this mother's desire to be a resource for other families raising children on the spectrumTabitha Cabrera, lives in Arizona, amongst mostly year round sunshine and cactus. She works as an Attorney and enjoys spending her time in a public service role. She shares her life with her husband Nick, five year old son Nixon, and two year old daughter Nora. Both Nixon and Nora were diagnosed with autism in 2020. She had found a passion in advocacy and paired this passion with her bother Mike Barnett to publish two children's books. "Do You Talk the Way I Talk?" and "Me and My AAC." She also speaks about family, mothering, and their autism journey on...
2021-10-0757 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 94 - Dynamic neurodiverse parents, raising 2 little girls on the spectrum, have created ways to both educate & support other special needs familiesLia McCabe has a Master’s specialized in Human Factors Psychology and is a User Experience Researcher by trade. Inspired by her autistic children, Lia and her husband founded AutismWish, a charity initiative granting wishes to children on the spectrum. Both neurodiverse themselves, the McCabes also launched the Embracing Autism Podcast to provide parents of autistic children with tips, guidance, resources, and a newfound perspective. Her life’s passion is to destigmatize autism while spreading awareness and compassionate acceptance. ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit A...
2021-09-0144 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 93 - (Solo Episode) Ulcerative Colitis & other autoimmune issues... that aren't "just a part of autism!"On today's solo episode, I'm breaking down the outcome of Skyler's trip to Austin and what we've identified as the culprit of the last 6-8 months of increased aggression and weight loss! ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all the links. I'd love to hear what you think, so if listening on the App...
2021-08-2522 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 92 - At 25, Emily typed her first words "I have been buried under years of dust." Those words would become the title of her memoir co-written with her mom.Valerie Gilpeer is an attorney who has been practicing law for forty years. She shifted her civil law practice twenty years ago in favor of representing families of disabled children trying to obtain educational services from local school districts. She has continued to focus on disability rights law through her volunteer work with several nonprofit organizations in the Los Angeles area. Emily Grodin is a college student studying journalism, psychology, and creative writing and has been recognized for her academic achievement. She has been featured in Leaders Around Me and published in Amuse-Bouche. Emily is an advocate for he...
2021-08-1843 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 91 - Through personal experience & trial and error with her son, this autism mom literally wrote the book on how diets and nutrition can dramatically impact individuals with autismCrystal Jordan is the proud mother of two children. Her 13-year-old son is on the autism spectrum. Through her experiences with him, Crystal learned how specific foods and overall nutrition can have a dramatic impact on individuals with autism, ADHD and autoimmune disorders. She worked tirelessly on getting the information to the masses - first through an eCourse and now into a book she authored entitled "Foods Four Thought Diet," which is available on Amazon. Crystal is thrilled with the incredible and positive impact the diet has had on her son and hopes it could provide some helpful tips and...
2021-08-1140 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 90 - As a blogger, wife & mom of 3, this 'zookeeper' shares the ups and downs parenting a unique family dynamic with honesty & laughterSiraya Gloudemans is a mom of three with her oldest, Nolan being diagnosed with autism. Siraya runs a blog 'Stay at home zookeeper' in which she shares the true messiness of being a parent. It includes everything from autism parenting, neurotypical parenting, home updates, favorite products & life/mom hacks. She is a former early childhood teacher & is married to her high school sweetheart who works as a pharmacist. Together, they are navigating the many approaches to raising a child on the spectrum with siblings who are neurotypical. ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Pe...
2021-08-0454 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 89 - An incredible bond between brothers who recognize the 'spectrum of possibilities' for those with autismJose Rodriguez Jr. is the founder and CEO of Tasium. Jose started this business venture in his junior year of high school at the age of 16. Taking all the newly found knowledge in entrepreneurship from the NFTE (Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship) course he took, he was able to win the 2020 NFTE national business plan competition. Becoming the first person from not only Rhode Island but the entire New England region to win this prestigious award. As the big brother to an autistic person, Jose has experienced first hand the difficulties his brother faces. Joel Rodriguez is the i...
2021-07-2833 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 88 - A mother's journey to acceptance and navigating the world of residential careMichelle O'Reilly is a native of Toronto, Canada & is a graduate of Oakwood University and Clark Atlanta University. She enjoys living & basking in the Orlando, FL sunshine with her teenage daughter, Maya. In addition to her past 24 years as an elementary teacher, Michelle has found herself increasingly involved in all things autism and special needs due to her precious 18-year-old son, Justin. She loves speaking to others who are also on their journey to acceptance. You can connect with Michelle via IG: @michelleo13 ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenti...
2021-07-211h 00
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 87 - Chatting about perspective, believing in yourself and staying positive when experiencing trauma and all of the ups and downs in lifeStephanie Hanrahan was just your seemingly average housewife until she grew tired of pretending and decided to make her private journal public. Since sharing her story, Stephanie has achieved viral success with her website, Tinkles Her Pants, which chronicles her journey as wife to a husband with chronic illness, mother to special needs children, and a woman who often unravels then finds her footing again. She can be found leaking nothing but the truth on the Today Show, CNN, Yahoo! News, Google, The Daily Mail, and most recently her TEDx Talk: The Problem with Being Perfect. Stephanie is...
2021-07-1436 min
The Life Actually PodcastAn Unexpected Journey With Laurie HellmannLaurie Hellmann is a planner. So, she thought she had her life all figured out. Until she didn't. Like most parents, Laurie had big expectations for children and their futures. Then her son was diagnosed with severe non-verbal autism at the age of 3. And those expectations, like her life, completely changed. But navigating the unknowns of raising a child with special needs gave her a new plan. A purpose. A mission. To help other families facing similar realities understand that they aren't alone. Now she believes this is the life she was meant to lead. Wherever it may take her.
2021-07-1357 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 86 - Raising an autistic teenage son solo while providing encouragement & support to other autism moms through coachingLisa Candera is a single mother to a teenage son with autism, lawyer, parent advocate, and certified life coach for moms raising kids with autism. To learn more about Lisa's coaching services and book a free consultation, visit her website at www.theautismmomcoach.com. Follow Lisa on FB and IG: @theautismmomcoach. ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Please visit my website www.lauriehellmann.com for all th...
2021-07-071h 10
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 85 - A mother & daughter team up and spread awareness & education about autism throughout elementary school & beyondTania van Bree is mom to Elli and Willem, ages 11 and 7 & wife to Marc. They live Buda, Texas. Her career background is in Music Administration & Education and she owns an Early Childhood Music Education business while pursuing a degree to become a certified Music Therapist. Willem was diagnosed with Autism at only 16 months of age. He is now considered a Level 3 Autistic with pre-verbal Apraxia. Big sister Elli has been around therapists in the home all of her life. In previous years, for Autism Awareness Month, Elli & Tania visited classrooms at Elli's school to spread understanding about Willem's diagnosis. Since...
2021-06-301h 03
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 84 - Listening to your gut & following your instincts to uncover your child's complex medical needs that aren't "just a part of autism."Kourtney Bryan is a proud wife, stay-at-home mom, former accountant and science nerd. After 12 years in corporate accounting and finance, Kourtney began her new career as a stay-at-home mom with her four children. Shortly after, her then three-year-old son, began to struggle with a multitude of health issues. At the age of five, he was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder yet his physical and mental health continued to decline. With the help of her husband Glen, Kourtney sought out opinions from the country's top geneticists, metabolic specialists, neurologists and immunologists who over the past six years have been able to...
2021-06-231h 07
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 83 - Delving into the connection between motor function and speech delay with an experienced speech therapist and authorPeggy Earnest is a pediatric speech/language pathologist. She received her PhD from the University of Connecticut and has over 18 years of experience working in her own private practice called ‘Columbia Motor Speech Therapy’. Peggy especially enjoys working with children with complex speech disorders, such as apraxia and dysarthria. Over the years, she has been inspired by many aspects of her job, but especially by the determination, strength and creativity of the kids she is fortunate enough to work with. Peggy is also the author of an eclectic mix of books, ranging from professional books and poetry to books...
2021-06-1652 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 82 - A sibling's perspective on growing up with autismJenna Kapes works for her local intermediate unit, assisting in both the Desktop Publishing and Behavioral Health Departments. She is a graduate of Susquehanna University with a dual major in Creative Writing and Publishing and Editing. She has recently finished drafting the manuscript to her debut memoir, titled, Flipping the Behavioral Plan: A Sibling’s Perspective on Asperger’s, where she unpacks the realities of life with Lauren, her older sister who has Asperger’s Syndrome. She also runs her own blog titled The Sibling Diary, where she continues her passion of bringing awareness to the realities of having a family...
2021-06-0954 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 81 - A dedicated mom who wrote a children's book about her son & is actively making an impact within her local community to spread autism awarenessDeAndra Perry is a young mother from New York whose son was diagnosed with autism at two years old. She wrote the children's book "Cam's World" to show the world the very few things that go on in her son Cameron's daily life. She wanted to create a fun but educational way to help other children understand autism. DeAndra's goal is to spread awareness and to make a difference in this world as an autism mom. Connect with DeAndra on IG @welcometo_camsworld or purchase her book on www.welcometocamsworld.com ***************************************** To purchase my...
2021-06-0241 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 80 - A very inspiring and educational conversation with the one and only - Temple GrandinTemple Grandin is a renowned American author, animal behavior expert and an advocate for autistic people. With support from her mother and guiding mentors at school, she completed her education successfully and made a flourishing career as an animal expert and a parenting guru for autistic children. Her inventions of a ‘hug machine’ to pacify autistic population and ‘curved corrals’ to reduce panic and injury in animals during slaughter have brought her considerable popularity across the world. Besides, she has written numerous books on autism and animal welfare and has been providing consultation to slaughter plants and livestock farms to impro...
2021-05-2656 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 79 - Discussing continued learning, ignoring timelines and the importance of focusing on what your child CAN do and not on the things they're currently NOT doingLeasa Hoogerwerf is the mother of two adult sons, one of which has nonverbal autism. Leasa is a very passionate advocate who chose to share her family's journey through autism on social media via the Cody Speaks Facebook page so other families wouldn't feel so alone. Leasa hopes that by sharing their life, they will inspire others that being nonverbal may not be forever. Cody now has words, many words in fact, and her mission is to help the world understand that autism is a spectrum and we all should be more accepting of differences. Con...
2021-05-191h 04
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2; Episode 78 - Transitioning an adult son to independent living with an incredible non-profit organization, STARC and an entire community supporting themDottie Davis lives in Mandeville, LA and is a mother of four children, with her youngest, John diagnosed with autism. She served on the PTA at her son's school in order to stay involved with administration, teachers and staff. Dottie also served as Parent Liaison for the Special Education Dept. for St. Tammany Parish School System for three years. She helped to facilitate communication between parents of special needs and/or gifted students and school administration and teachers. STARC of Louisiana, represented on the podcast by Mark Baham, provides a lifetime of Services, Training, Advocacy, Resources and Com...
2021-05-1258 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 77 - Chatting with an optimistic mom who views perceived 'failures' as learning opportunitiesKrista is the mother to Alex, age 19, diagnosed on the autism spectrum and Anna, age 17 who is neurotypical. In her previous life before kids, she earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and worked in public accounting for 11 years. Since then, she has spent her time raising two wonderful kids and enjoys sharing all types of information about her family’s autism journey with others while also learning from the many parents in the world of special needs. Connect with Krista via FB: @KristaGold ***************************************** To purcha...
2021-05-0552 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 76 - Leading the charge to support autistic adults who wish to secure employment and pursue their passions Maisie has been working with neurodivergent children, teens and adults since her undergraduate study at the University of California, Los Angeles in 1991. She moved away from the behavioral approach because she realized that supporting each one of her client's authenticity as an autistic individual needed to be the center of any therapeutic goals. Her role as a family coach is to foster a meaningful understanding and acceptance of an autism diagnosis as a unique pathway to self advocacy and fulfilling lives. She believes that every autistic person has a story to share to the world, and it is her passion...
2021-04-281h 06
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 74 - With a diagnosis of autism and significant feeding challenges, this mom & blogger shares her daughter's journey to provide encouragement and connection to other families.Jennifer Dunn is the mother of a beautiful 10-year-old daughter, Kya who was diagnosed with ASD. Jennifer & Kya live in Vancouver, Canada. Jennifer works full-time and also manages Kya's team of therapists. She is beyond proud to be on this journey with her incredible daughter. Follow Jennifer & Kya's journey via her FB page: @Keeping Up with Kya ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay connected to the Living the Sky Life podcast and me in various ways. Pl...
2021-04-2134 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 75 - Helping her local community and beyond, this non-profit owner shares her experiences as a special-needs sibling and supports those with disabilitiesAmanda Owen is the executive director of Puzzle Pieces, a nonprofit organization based out of Owensboro, Kentucky, that serves individuals with intellectual disabilities. Amanda's whole life has been centered around loving, advocating, and impacting those with disabilities. Her passion and drive comes from having a brother with a disability, while also being a former special education teacher for six years. Amanda is also the woman behind Pieces of Me, a blog and podcast that aims to help those affected by disabilities and other women trying to chase their dreams. Amanda loves to connect! Find her at: Website: piecesofme.org Podcast: https...
2021-04-1459 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 73 - (Solo Episode) My baby turns 18!! Talking about ALL my feelings now that Skyler is officially an adult!This has been an emotionally tough few weeks. Skyler turned 18 yesterday and with that milestone birthday comes appointments with both Social Security and the court system - for the guardianship hearing. I always thought I had more time and still can't wrap my head around the fact that he's now considered an adult. While we are entering a new phase of life with Skyler, the need for advocating doesn't end... it actually is more important now than ever. The autistic adults in this country are heavily disadvantaged. Our system is broken and we must all dem...
2021-04-0720 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 72 - Chatting with autism mom and owner of ND Renegade about the importance of encouraging the neurodiverse population to stand proud and embrace their differencesSally Willbanks is an award-winning Australian artist who put down her brushes at the end of 2019 to start ND Renegade, a clothing brand that aims to spread awareness and acceptance of neurodiversity. With her husband Jeff, Sally launched ND Renegade in January of 2020 in support of all neurodivergent people, including their own two children. You can connect with Sally via social media at: IG: @ndrenegade or FB: NDRneurotribe ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE or visit Amazon.com! You can easily stay con...
2021-03-3137 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode - 71 - Two inspirational moms on a mission to provide a lifespan of autism services... when they couldn't find what they needed, they started their own non-profitLisa Lane grew up in Dillon, South Carolina. She attended the University of South Carolina, receiving her B.A. in Philosophy, summa cum laude, her M.A. in English, with honors, and her J.D. from the School of Law, with honors. She joined the law firm of Kennedy Covington Lobdell and Hickman, becoming a partner in 1992. When her younger son was diagnosed with autism in 1996, she helped establish Project HOPE Foundation as a nonprofit to serve those struggling with autism. She has gained expertise in the field of autism, participating in thousands of hours of Applied Behavior Analysis ses...
2021-03-2439 min
The Spectrum DadInterview with Laurie HellmannToday I have the pleasure of talking to autism mom, Laurie Hellmann. Laurie is an amazing mom, podcast host and best selling author. We talk about her amazing son Skyler, the lack of services for older children on the spectrum and her amazing book, Welcome to My Life. Follow Laurie on Instagram @welcometomylife_lauriehellmann and purchase her book, Welcome to My Life https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-My-Life-Personal-Parenting/dp/1948238322/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=welcome+to+my+life&qid=1615910356&sr=8-4
2021-03-2314 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 70 - Inviting the world into our autism journey through books, blogging and a great sense of humorCarrie Cariello is the author of What Color Is Monday, How Autism Changed One Family for the Better, and Someone I’m With Has Autism. She lives in Southern New Hampshire with her husband, Joe, and their five children. Carrie is a contributor to the Huffington Post, TODAY Parents, the TODAY Show, Parents.com. She has been interviewed by NBC Nightly News, and also has a TEDx talk. She speaks regularly about autism, marriage, and motherhood, and writes a weekly blog at www.carriecariello.com. One of her essays, “I Know What Causes Autism,” was featured as one of t...
2021-03-1754 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 69 - "Be Kind To Everyone" and provide all children with opportunities to learn job skills & find joy in everything they doJackie Moore received a Bachelors degree in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Central Missouri. Less than three years ago she launched Jordyn's Summer Shirt Project to teach Jordyn, her daughter with autism, job skills. Jordyn has not only learned job skills, she’s learned to independently do a job. They have been featured on 94.9 The Bull radio station, 11 Alive News, Fox5 Atlanta and Forsyth County News. Jackie lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband Ben and their two children; Jordyn, 20 years old, diagnosed with autism and Hudson, 7 years old. You can connect with Jackie & Jordyn on FB: @Jord...
2021-03-101h 04
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 68 - An inspirational mom who encourages her adult son to be independent and follow his passion for artAmy Schlueter and her husband Jim are parents to Hannah (25) and Alex (24, ASD). She spends her time helping Alex navigate the world of young adults with special needs and cultivating his unique talent as an artist. She has come to love sharing her story as a mom of an older child on the autism spectrum. She, Jim, and Alex live on West Lake Okoboji in NW Iowa. Please visit Alex the Artist | Autism Awareness to see Alex’s collection of beautiful work. You can connect with Amy on FB: @alex the artist or IG: @alex.the.artistasd
2021-03-0359 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 67 - Discussing the abuse & mistreatment of special needs children within the education systemBorn and raised in Cleveland Ohio, Aimee has practiced law for 37 years. In 1998, Aimee began practicing special education law, supporting children with special needs and their families. Aimee co-founded Special Education Services (SES) in 2001, a non-profit agency whose mission was to help families understand their children’s special education needs and legal rights, as well as to educate parents and provide technical assistance. After eight years of working for Special Education Services, Aimee went back into private practice, continuing to focus on special education law. Aimee is actively involved in due process hearings and federal court proceedings on a va...
2021-02-2447 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 66 - The reality of caring full-time for your special needs adult with minimal options for services or assistanceTracy Lynn lives in Northern Virginia and has been married to her best friend for 33 years. Tracy has her Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing and worked in critical care and school nursing. Her full time job now is caring for the youngest of her four children, Eli, age 20, who is diagnosed with Autism, Intellectual Disability, Epilepsy and Ulcerative Colitis. You can connect with Tracy on FB: @TracyLynn ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE!! You can easily stay connected to the L...
2021-02-1757 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 65 - An autism diagnosis affects the entire family but with multiple children on the spectrum, parenting requires a special balancing actSheryl St. Aubin is an autism mom that resides in Florida with her husband of fourteen years, Matt, and is a Mama to three beautiful, "socially unique" children. Sheryl is a writer and a blogger. Her writing has been featured on Finding Cooper’s Voice, Filter Free Parents, Her View From Home, Love What Matters and Cafe Mom. Since her special needs journey began, she has spent it building awareness and educating others about the Autism Spectrum. She spends her days homeschooling her youngest son and connecting special needs families all over the world in the supporter gro...
2021-02-1051 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 64 - Tapping into our young adult's passions to encourage employment opportunitiesTheresa DeMarco is wife, mother and now gift shop owner! She began her special education journey when her middle son, Sean was diagnosed with Autism at the age of four. Sean is now almost 23 years old. Navigating school, IEPS and the transition into Adult Services, Theresa finds herself championing entrepreneurship and what this path has meant for her young adult son. You can follow Theresa on FB & IG: @OneForAllGifts and on the website Oneforallgifts.com. ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE!! You can easily stay connected t...
2021-02-0356 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 63 - Differing emotion but similar experience - learning from a podcasting, autism dad who's an "open book"Fred Marvel is 39 years old, has been married close to 15 years and is the father of three boys. He was born and raised in Philadelphia where he works as a paralegal. His oldest son Aleks (11) was diagnosed with Autism, ADHD and sensory processing disorder. Fred started a podcast called the Spectrum Dad Podcast late last year because he wanted to help bring awareness to autism. Connect with Fred on IG: @thespectrumdadpod ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE!! You can easily stay connected...
2021-01-2742 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 62 - The link between communication delays, negative behaviors and GI disorders... How a diagnosis of Crohn's Disease provided a clearer understanding of the connectionLinda Pollack Orleans is a consultant, writer and speaker who holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from University of Southern California. Linda worked professionally as a school social worker and currently does consultations with schools and community organizations, assisting in programs designed to help her daughter and others with special needs bond with their mainstream peers. Linda’s articles and interviews have been featured in magazines and sites such as Autism Parenting Magazine, Finding Cooper’s Voice, Bethesda Magazine, Jewish Weekly and Friendship Circle of Maryland. Linda lives in Bethesda, Maryland with her husband and beautiful 18-year-old daughter who has autism...
2021-01-201h 00
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 61 - A journey to acceptance & unconditional love; for our children and ourselvesNicole Hendrick Donovan is an author, reflective storyteller, spiritual seeker and teacher. Nicole is a former Montessori educator who has worked with a variety of students with various needs. After her son’s autism diagnosis, she became an ABA therapist and worked directly with children and families in the autism community. In July of 2020, Nicole published A Life Suspended: A Mother and Son’s Story of Autism, Extinction Bursts, and Living a Resilient Life. Within the pages of her book, Donovan describes the path to her son’s autism diagnosis and her journey to acceptance and unconditional love...
2021-01-131h 05
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 60 - Saying goodbye to 2020 and sharing my personal takeaways from a highly unpredictable year!As I look back on 2020, I'd like to think I learned some valuable lessons about myself. On this solo episode, I share what those key takeaways were and my plans for 2021. I'd love to hear what positives you took from 2020 (c'mon, there has to be at least one if you dig deep enough to find it!) so drop me a comment on my IG or FB page or send me an email! ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE!! You can easily stay connected to the Liv...
2021-01-0622 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 59 - O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree ... How Stressful You Are to Me!I truly am a joyful person who loves the Christmas holiday... but autism sure can put a damper on the festivities! In this solo episode, I tackle the topic of how to navigate Christmas decorating and gift opening with a special needs child. I would love to hear suggestions and solutions of how you handle the holidays - maintain the joy and don't over stress! Connect with me on my IG or FB page @Living the Sky Life and let's chat! ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through...
2020-12-0919 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 58 - Chatting with a mom featured in the documentary "Far From the Tree" about advocating for the non-verbal autistics who type to communicateAmy Allnutt is mom to three kids; Elizabeth (23), Emma (21) and her non-verbal autistic son Jack (18) and has been married to her husband Bob for 25 years. The Allnutts' world exploded when their son Jack attended an RPM camp in Austin TX in 2012 where he learned to type to communicate. Since then, Amy and her family have advocated for the voices of those who type to communicate and have shared their story with many to bring hope to other families with children like Jack. The journey has been challenging but worth it. Jack is currently mainstreamed in high school and taking grade l...
2020-12-0256 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 57 - Catching up & going beyond her well known title of 'autism mom' with Finding Cooper's Voice founder, Kate Swenson,Kate Swenson is a mother, wife, writer, and caregiver advocate. She and her husband Jamie live in Minnesota with their 3 boys. Currently she is working on her memoir, Forever Boy, and building Coop's Troops, a safe space for parents of children of special needs on Facebook. To join visit https://www.facebook.com/becomesupporter/772295979579532/. To follow her family's journey, visit http://www.findingcoopersvoice.com/ and on social media at https://www.facebook.com/findingcoopersvoice and https://www.instagram.com/findingcoopersvoice/. ***************************************** To purchase my book “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” click HERE!!
2020-11-1853 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 56 - An autism mom & author who is on a mission to generate awareness and inclusion within school systems countrywide through her children's book seriesAmy McCoy’s debut children’s novel, Little Big Sister, shares the sibling perspective of growing up with a brother who has special needs. Amy’s children, Matthew (16) and Kathryn (14) are the inspiration for her books and her work. Amy visits elementary schools, libraries, bookstores and other community groups offering interactive presentations highlighting disability awareness. Amy is a former elementary school teacher who has also worked in special education advocacy helping families connect with services. Currently, she is a disability educator and in 2019 published a sequel titled Little Big Sister on the Move. She is working on a third novel...
2020-11-1157 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 55 - Podcast host, writer & educator; this amazing mother helps other caregivers find their passion & fulfill their own dreamsMary Susan McConnell is a native Tennessean who has been having a helluva good time since her arrival at Baptist Hospital in the late Spring of ‘84. She is the host of the popular Mama Bear Podcast- a space she created for fellow women raising kids with special needs. She is married to singer/songwriter Sean McConnell and is the mother to their 9 year old Ghanaian beauty, The Magical Abiella. As a former middle school teacher, she has her Master's in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment and her Doctorate in Special Education. In her spare time she likes to work in he...
2020-11-0437 min
Living the Sky Life - Our Autism JourneyS2: Episode 54 - Author, mother and advocate for the well being & emotional support of special needs mothersJulie Hornok has over fifteen years of autism industry experience as a parent, non-profit founder, behavioral program facilitator, global interviewer, speaker and award-winning author of the book United in Autism: Finding Strength Inside the Spectrum. Her daughter, Lizzie, was diagnosed with autism at the age of two and as her daughter made good progress, Julie poured her freed-up energy into providing emotional support, community-building events for special needs moms through her non-profit Labeled and Loved. Stay connected with Julie in the following ways: Websites: https://www.juliehornok.com https://www.labeledandloved.org Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/unitedinautism https://www...
2020-10-2844 min