Adventures in Autism

Latest Episodes:

Episode 135- No Longer Buried Under Dust. With autism mom & author, Valerie Gilpeer Apr 07, 2021

Show notes

Today I’m chatting with autism mom Valerie Gilpeer. Valerie shares her incredible story with her daughter Emily. Emily was diagnosed with autism as a young toddler back in the 90s. Though she was non speaking, Valerie never doubted her daughters intelligence. Throughout her school years, Emily’s communication was always her biggest struggle. Her lack of language led to frustration and aggression. It wasn’t until Emily was almost 25 years old that she had a major breakthrough and she began typing. The first sentence she typed out was “I have been buried under years of dust and now I have so much to say.” That sentence was life changing for both Emily and Valerie. Emily is now a 28 year old, straight A college student and poet. Valerie shares that once Emily started communicating, it was like meeting her daughter for the first time. Together, Valerie and Emily co-authored their book ‘Buried Under Years of Dust’ which is available now. This is episode is so powerful and profoundly moving. I am honored to welcome Valerie to the podcast and I could not be more thrilled to share their story! To say I’m inspired by both Emily and Valerie is an understatement. Please enjoy listening to their miraculous story! Connect with Emily & Valerie: Instagram: @valeriegilpeer & @emilyfaithgrodin Facebook: Emily Faith Grodin Website: www.valeriegilpeer.com & www.emilygrodin.com Book is also available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3s10hUd Sponsored by: Audible audibletrial.com/adventuresinautism Connect with Megan: IG: @adventuresinautismpod FB: @Adventures In Autism Podcast Email: adventuresinautism2018@yahoo.com Enjoying the show? I would so appreciate your rating & review!

Episode 134- Autism Awareness Month 2021: What awareness, acceptance & advocacy mean to me Mar 31, 2021

Show notes

Today I’m kicking off Autism Awareness Month (one day early!) on the podcast! I’m sharing what this month means to me and how it’s taken on a different light for me over the years. I’m reflecting back on Autism Awareness day from four years ago and telling the story of why I decided to share Logan’s diagnosis on that day. I’m also talking about the ways I personally advocate, raise awareness, and push for acceptance in my everyday life- it doesn’t always need to be a podcast or a flashy post! The little stuff matters just as much in my opinion. April carries a lot of weight to those of us in the autism community. While I’m thrilled to use this month to share our message, I also think it’s important to remember that autism awareness doesn’t end with April. As an autism parent, this is a full time gig! To me the most important thing is to advocate in a way that feels right to you while also taking care of yourself. I hope this episode gets you excited for April! Enjoy listening! Sponsored by: Audible audibletrial.com/adventuresinautism Connect with Megan: IG: @adventuresinautismpod FB: @Adventures In Autism Podcast Email: adventuresinautism2018@yahoo.com Enjoying the show? I would so appreciate your rating & review!

Episode 133- Learning to speak the language of autism, with Hayley Augusta Mar 24, 2021

Show notes

Today I’m chatting with fellow autism mom and podcaster, Hayley Augusta. Hayley shares her journey with her son Charlie who was diagnosed with ASD in 2019. Charlie is also hyperlexic and extremely bright. Because he’s a twice exceptional kiddo, Hayley encountered a lot of differing opinions while they were seeking a diagnosis. Hayley explains how parents are expected to “learn a new language overnight” when you are thrust into the world of autism. I couldn’t agree more! We also talk about her career before her son was diagnosed and the difficult decision to leave her job. Ultimately, Hayley did want a project to work on and that led to her podcast “No Sex in the Suburbs” which focuses on all facets of motherhood and what happens *after* happily ever after. Hayley is so honest and real- I had the best time chatting with her! We had a great conversation and I hope you enjoy listening! Connect with Hayley: Instagram: @nosexinthesuburbs Website: nosexinthesuburbspodcast.com Sponsored by: Audible audibletrial.com/adventuresinautism Connect with Megan: IG: @adventuresinautismpod FB: @Adventures In Autism Podcast Email: adventuresinautism2018@yahoo.com Enjoying the show? I would so appreciate your rating & review!

Episode 132- Hot Topics: The Ins & Outs of IEPs Mar 17, 2021

Show notes

Today I’m coming at you with another installment of Hot Topics! This week it’s all about IEPs! I’m sharing our entire journey with the IEP process. From our first meeting (that I actually didn’t even realize was a meeting to discuss Logan’s IEP!) to this past year, and now gearing up for our fast approaching 2021 meeting, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned over the years. I’m no expert but I do have a good amount of IEP experience under my belt and I feel very different going into an IEP meeting now, as opposed to how I felt back at the beginning of our journey. I’m also sharing listener advice (there are some REALLY great tips!) and answering questions. IEPs can be very intimidating, especially if you’re new to the process. I hope this episode is helpful so you can go into your next IEP feeling confident and prepared! Enjoy listening! Sponsored by: Audible audibletrial.com/adventuresinautism Connect with Megan: IG: @adventuresinautismpod FB: @Adventures In Autism Podcast Email: adventuresinautism2018@yahoo.com Enjoying the show? I would so appreciate your rating & review!

Episode 131- Neurodiversity is natural. With autism mom & ND Renegade founder, Sally Willbanks Mar 10, 2021

Show notes

Today I’m chatting with autism mom and founder of ND Renegade, Sally Willbanks. Sally is coming to us all the way from Australia! On this episode, she is sharing her story with both her son and daughter. Her son was diagnosed with ASD first and Sally talks all about the early days of their journey and her concerns as a parent. More recently, her daughter was evaluated and she is on the spectrum as well. It was really interesting to hear the differences in her two kids and just how much Sally has changed since her son was diagnosed vs her daughter. We also discuss her apparel company, ND Renegade, which offers inclusive and fashionable designs that highlight neurodiversity. Sally is a very accomplished artist in Australia and she wanted to combine her two passions, art and advocacy, in a way that could include her family. Thus, ND Renegade was born. Through her company, Sally is not only providing an excellent product, but also giving back to the community. Her mission is so important and Sally fully embodies it. We also talk about their decision to homeschool and Sally’s very honest (and needed!) social media series “what not to say to an autism mom”. We had such a great conversation and I hope you enjoy listening! Connect with Sally/ND Renegade Facebook: ND Renegade Instagram: @ndrenegade Website: www.ndrenegade.com Sponsors: Audible audibletrial.com/adventuresinautism Connect with Megan: IG: @adventuresinautismpod FB: @Adventures In Autism Podcast Email: adventuresinautism2018@yahoo.com Enjoying the show? I would so appreciate your rating & review!

Episode 130- A heart to heart with autism mom & educator, Jackie Killam Mar 03, 2021

Show notes

Today I’m chatting with autism mom and educator, Jackie Killam. Jackie is very seasoned in the realm of autism parenting. Her twin daughters Tammra and Brooke were born in 1990- so Jackie definitely had a lot to share! We talk about the differences between autism awareness and resources in the 90s vs now. Jackie also shares how her experience as an educator gave her a different perspective when navigating the system for her daughters. Tragically, her daughter Tammra passed away in 2016. Jackie talks about how her and Brooke are coping and the importance of therapy and self care. When Jackie first reached out to me to be a guest, I was immediately blown away by her heart and honesty. Jackie definitely brings that to this episode. I am so honored to have her on podcast and thankful that she wanted to share her story. I always love hearing from parents with older or adult children because I think they have so much valuable experience to share. That was absolutely the case with Jackie. I had such a wonderful conversation with her and I hope you enjoy listening! Sponsors: Audible audibletrial.com/adventuresinautism Connect with Megan: IG: @adventuresinautismpod FB: @Adventures In Autism Podcast Email: adventuresinautism2018@yahoo.com Enjoying the show? I would so appreciate your rating & review!

Episode 129- Hot Topics: All Things AAC! Feb 24, 2021

Show notes

Today’s episode is a good one! I’m starting off a new, ongoing series on the podcast: hot topics! These episodes will be covering one specific topic and go into detail on our experience. For this first one I’m talking about all things AAC! I’m going way to back to the beginning and sharing the process of Logan starting his AAC and everything that entails. I get questions about Logan’s AAC all the time and I’m hoping this episode can not only answer those but also just explain what it’s like using an AAC from day to day. I’m so thankful that Logan has this amazing tool for communication and I’m always glad to shine a little more light on AAC in general. It was fun to go in depth on this and if you have another “hot topic” in mind feel free to send it my way. I hope you enjoy listening! Sponsors: Audible audibletrial.com/adventuresinautism Connect with Megan: IG: @adventuresinautismpod FB: @Adventures In Autism Podcast Email: adventuresinautism2018@yahoo.com Enjoying the show? I would so appreciate your rating & review!

Episode 128- Shining a Light on Special Siblings, with Jessica Leving Feb 17, 2021

Show notes

Today I’m chatting with autism sibling, Jessica Leving. Jessica shares her journey with her brother, Billy. Jessica and Billy are both adults now and they have an awesome relationship. Growing up, Jessica felt discouraged the lack of services and resources for fellow special needs siblings and she wanted to change that. Her passion led her to write the children’s book “Billy’s Sister” and corresponding workbook, as well as her nonprofit The Center for Siblings of People with Special Needs. Jessica is doing amazing work in the autism community and I’m thrilled to have her on today. We had a great conversation that left me feeling like I had a better understanding of how it feels to be the sibling of a person with autism. I think this is so valuable for parents like me who have neurotypical children as well. I had a great time talking to Jessica and I hope you enjoy listening! Connect with Jessica: IG: @supportingspecialsiblings FB: The Center for Siblings of People with Disabilities Website: https://siblingcenter.org/ Sponsors: Audible audibletrial.com/adventuresinautism Connect with Megan: IG: @adventuresinautismpod FB: @Adventures In Autism Podcast Email: adventuresinautism2018@yahoo.com Enjoying the show? I would so appreciate your rating & review!

Episode 127- Our autism journey: How it started vs How it’s going Feb 10, 2021

Show notes

Today I’m flying solo and reflecting back on the beginning of our autism journey. Since starting the podcast, I hear from parents everyday who are all on this journey with me. Some of them are just starting out, some have been at it for years. I felt inspired to do this episode for those parents who just heard the diagnosis of ASD. What I’m sharing today is the stuff I wanted to hear (and was looking for) back then but I couldn’t find it. I’m talking all about the early days and my feelings right after Logan was diagnosed. I’m also sharing how my thoughts and perspective have shifted since then. I’m doing my own version of “How it started vs How it’s going” with all the lessons I’ve learned along the way. It’s been almost four years since Logan was diagnosed and I can honestly say I am so thankful for all these lessons. They were learned the hard way (per usual for me!) but it was worth it to be on the other side now. In some ways I feel like our autism journey is old hat at this point- but in others it feels like we’re just getting started. I definitely put my heart and soul into this one- I hope you enjoy listening! Sponsors: Audible audibletrial.com/adventuresinautism Connect with Megan: IG: @adventuresinautismpod FB: @Adventures In Autism Podcast Email: adventuresinautism2018@yahoo.com Enjoying the show? I would so appreciate your rating & review!

Episode 126- The Right to Belong. With autism dad & author, Aaron Wright Feb 03, 2021

Show notes

Today I’m chatting with autism dad and author, Aaron Wright. Aaron shares his journey with his daughter (who is now a teenager) and explains how their experience navigating SPED led him to write his book ‘Thirteen Doors’. Aaron talks about the difficulty he faced when trying to gain access to appropriate services for his daughter within their school system. That battle not only inspired his book, but it also turned him into fierce advocate, for his own daughter and for all vulnerable students. Aaron and I also talk about the importance of allies, the transformative journey of having a child on the spectrum, and why he isn’t a fan of labels. Aaron’s honestly is both refreshing and thought provoking. We had such a great conversation and I hope you enjoy listening! Connect with Aaron: IG: @authoraaronwright FB: Author Aaron Wright Website: https://www.authoraaronwright.com/ Sponsors: Audible audibletrial.com/adventuresinautism Connect with Megan: IG: @adventuresinautismpod FB: @Adventures In Autism Podcast Email: adventuresinautism2018@yahoo.com Enjoying the show? I would so appreciate your rating & review!

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