Empowering Change: Advocating for Severe Autism

In the Season Two finale, the moms discuss Heather's trip to the Authentic Awareness Autism Assembly in DC, focusing on the needs of individuals with severe autism, who make up 26.7% of the ASD spectrum. These individuals are often left out of research and important legislative discussions. We will cover key advocacy issues and gaps in support for those at the severe end of the spectrum. Thank you for your support—listen, share, and join us for Season 3 in September!

In this episode, the moms welcome Erik and Katherine Burington to the podcast! Erik is Cynthia’s son, who is on the autism spectrum, and we are delighted to have him and his wife, Katherine, sit down with us to discuss marriage and parenting. They share their story of dating, marriage, and welcoming their sweet daughter Viola! Tune in as they dive into the joys and challenges of being new parents, offering insights and advice that resonate with many. We are grateful for your support and hope you listen and share it with others. Thank you for connecting with us!If you like our podcast, please share, review, and subscribe! You can find us at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigating Adult Autism on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigatingadultautismpodcast on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigatingadultautism.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can also find Heather Woodring write about her son Zachary at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Everyday Adventures with Zachary on Facebook

In this episode, the moms catch up with each other and the lives of their adult children with ASD. As we approach the end of the second season of our podcast, we decided to give an update on the current happenings of our families. We hope our listeners relate to our heartfelt conversation and feel a sense of community with us. As always, we celebrate progress, navigate the hurdles, and hope to uplift each other as we share stories of our journeys. We are grateful for your support and hope you listen and share it with others. Thank you for connecting with us! If you like our podcast, please share, review, and subscribe! You can find us at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigating Adult Autism on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigatingadultautismpodcast on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigatingadultautism.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can also find Heather Woodring write about her son Zachary at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Everyday Adventures with Zachary on Facebook

In this episode, the moms discuss the complex relationship between seizures and autism, sharing personal stories and insights. They explore how seizures can manifest in individuals with autism and discuss various coping strategies for families affected by these challenges. Listeners will better understand the neurological aspects at play and treatment options. The episode aims to foster awareness, encouraging open dialogue about the struggles and triumphs of those navigating this journey. We hope you listen and share it with others. Thank you for connecting with us!If you like our podcast, please share, review, and subscribe! You can find us at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigating Adult Autism on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigatingadultautismpodcast on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigatingadultautism.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can also find Heather Woodring write about her son Zachary at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Everyday Adventures with Zachary on Facebook

In this episode, the moms discuss the concept of neurodiversity. The neurodiversity movement has sparked significant debate within the autism community and beyond. Advocates argue that recognizing autism as a natural variation of the human experience promotes acceptance and understanding, allowing individuals to embrace their unique identities.Critics voice concerns that the movement may downplay the challenges many individuals with autism face, particularly those with more severe symptoms who may require significant support. Some worry that the focus on acceptance overshadows the need for effective interventions and resources to improve quality of life. Join us for this important topic. We hope you listen and share it with others. Thank you for connecting with us!If you like our podcast, please share, review, and subscribe! You can find us at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigating Adult Autism on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigatingadultautismpodcast on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigatingadultautism.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can also find Heather Woodring write about her son Zachary at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Everyday Adventures with Zachary on Facebook

In this episode, the moms discuss the benefits of service dogs in their adult children's lives. Service dogs can provide invaluable support for individuals with autism, helping them navigate daily challenges and enhancing their overall quality of life. These specially trained dogs can assist with sensory regulation, reduce anxiety during social interactions, and even help with communication skills. Their presence can create a sense of comfort and security, fostering independence and confidence in various environments. We hope you listen to this episode and share it with others. Thank you for connecting with us!If you like our podcast, please share, review, and subscribe! You can find us at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigating Adult Autism on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigatingadultautismpodcast on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigatingadultautism.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can also find Heather Woodring write about her son Zachary at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Everyday Adventures with Zachary on Facebook

Film and television influence how the world views individuals on the autism spectrum. In this episode, the moms discuss autism in film and television.  We discuss the positives and negatives of these representations. How do our experiences with autism influence our perspectives of the representations we have seen? Did they help or hinder awareness and acceptance of autism? We break it all down and share our varying perspectives. Join us as we discuss everything from Rain Man to The Accountant. We hope you listen to this episode and share it with others. Thank you for connecting with us!If you like our podcast, please share, review, and subscribe! You can find us at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigating Adult Autism on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigatingadultautismpodcast on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigatingadultautism.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can also find Heather Woodring write about her son Zachary at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Everyday Adventures with Zachary on Facebook

Building and maintaining relationships on the autism spectrum can present unique challenges, but they can also lead to profound connections and understanding between partners. In this episode, we welcome back a panel of guests to discuss their experiences with dating and marriage while navigating life on the autism spectrum. Each guest shares insights from their unique journeys. We hope you listen to this episode and share it with others. Thank you for connecting with us!If you like our podcast, please share, review, and subscribe! You can find us at:⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigating Adult Autism on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigatingadultautismpodcast on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigatingadultautism.com⁠⁠⁠⁠You can also find Heather Woodring write about her son Zachary at⁠⁠⁠⁠Everyday Adventures with Zachary on Facebook

Building and maintaining relationships on the autism spectrum can present unique challenges, but they can also lead to profound connections and understanding between partners. In this episode, we welcome a panel of guests to discuss their experiences with dating and marriage while navigating life on the autism spectrum. Each guest shares insights from their unique journeys. We hope you listen to this episode and share it with others. Thank you for connecting with us!If you like our podcast, please share, review, and subscribe! You can find us at:⁠⁠⁠Navigating Adult Autism on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigatingadultautismpodcast on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigatingadultautism.com⁠⁠⁠You can also find Heather Woodring write about her son Zachary at⁠⁠⁠Everyday Adventures with Zachary on Facebook

In this episode, we have a great discussion centered around service coordination. The Department of Mental Health in each state provides resources like service coordination. A service coordinator can be a great advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities. They assist with personalized plans, make referrals, complete necessary paperwork, quarterly reviews, and attend IEPs, among many other things. Join us as we discuss our families’ experiences partnering with our service coordinators. We hope you will listen and share it with others. Thank you for listening and connecting with us! If you like our podcast, please share, review, and subscribe! You can find us at: ⁠⁠Navigating Adult Autism on Facebook⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Navigatingadultautismpodcast on Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Navigatingadultautism.com⁠⁠ You can also find Heather Woodring write about her son Zachary at ⁠⁠Everyday Adventures with Zachary on Facebook