Autism Parenting Secrets

• Tap Your FULL Capacity To Help Your Child

  Welcome to Episode 250 of Autism Parenting Secrets. This episode is different.It’s just me — no guest, no script — sharing the most important message I’ve ever delivered.I’m pulling back the curtain on what’s really keeping parents stuck.  And no, it’s not the diagnosis.  It’s not a lack of options.It’s that we’re not fully equipped for this journey — and that disempowerment leads to unnecessary suffering for us and our kids.If you’ve been grinding, trying everything, and still feel like your child isn’t progressing, this episode is for you.I get it. I’ve lived it.  And now, I want to show you a better way — one that’s grounded, empowering, and incredibly effective.This is your invitation to rise.  To stop spinning.  To lead with certainty, love, and purpose.The secret this week is…Tap Your FULL Capacity To Help Your ChildYou'll Discover:The Real Reason Your Child Isn’t Progressing Faster (5:12)Why Your Own Transformation Is The Fastest Path Forward (10:03)What It Means To Navigate Smarter, Not Harder (13:34)A Sneak Peek Into The Accelerator (16:55)References in The Episode:The ALL IN Parent ACCELERATOR: Dynamic, real-time personalized support for ALL IN Parents 👉 www.elevatehowyounavigate.comIf this episode spoke to you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.  You’re not alone — and your breakthrough might be just one bold step away.

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• It’s Going To Be OK

  Welcome to Episode 249 of Autism Parenting Secrets. This week, we welcome Kate Swenson, creator of Finding Cooper’s Voice (with over a million followers) and author of the national bestseller Forever Boy.Her newest book, Autism Out Loud: Life with a Child on the Spectrum, from Diagnosis to Young Adulthood, released in April 2025, brings together three autism moms—Kate, Carrie Cariello, and Adrian Wood—each offering an honest look into their parenting journey.This book is raw and real. It explores the ups, the downs, and the everyday wins—along with the harder truths, like how a diagnosis impacts marriage, family dynamics, and mental health.At its heart, it’s a powerful reminder that you’re not alone—and that there’s strength in community and our shared stories.The secret this week is…It’s Going to Be OK You'll Discover:The Shift That Makes Everything Better (4:58)The Backstory of Finding Cooper’s Voice (17:09)The Importance of Finding YOUR Tribe (24:51)Why The Middle Is The Place To Be (31:57)About Our Guest:Kate Swenson is the creator of the blog and Facebook page Finding Cooper’s Voice. Her debut Forever Boy was a National Bestseller. She speaks regularly about autism, parenting, and motherhood, and is a contributor to TODAY Parents, The TODAY Show, and the Love What Matters blog. Her mission is to create a safe space for families of children and teens with special needs to come together and laugh, cry, and support each other. She lives in Minnesota with her family.www.findingcoopersvoice.com/www.facebook.com/findingcoopersvoicewww.instagram.com/findingcoopersvoiceReferences in The Episode:Autism Out Loud: Life with a Child on the Spectrum, from Diagnosis to Young Adulthood by Kate Swenson, Carrie Cariello and Adrian WoodForever Boy: A Mother's Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy by Kate SwensonAdditional Resources:Take The Quiz: What’s YOUR Top Autism Parenting Blindspot?To learn more visit us at www.autismparentingsecrets.comBe sure to follow us on InstagramIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends.

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• Stop Guessing – PERSONALIZE Your Child’s NUTRITION

  Welcome to Episode 248 of Autism Parenting Secrets. We’re excited to welcome back Julie Matthews to the show. In episode 201, she shared how science supports diet changes—and this week, we’re diving even deeper.Julie Matthews is a Certified Nutrition Consultant and published researcher specializing in personalized nutrition for complex neurological conditions like autism and ADHD. For over 20 years, she’s helped families use food to support their child’s health and well-being.She’s the author of the award-winning book Nourishing Hope for Autism and co-author of two research studies demonstrating the power of nutrition and therapeutic diets for autism.Her latest book, The Personalized Autism Nutrition Plan, was just released in March 2025. It’s a step-by-step guide designed to help parents like you optimize nutrition for your child’s unique needs.The secret this week is…Stop Guessing – PERSONALIZE Your Child’s NUTRITION You'll Discover:Why PERSONALIZATION Is So Key (5:38)A Step By Step Plan To Diet Changes (9:10)Common Root Causes You Can Address With Diet (16:25)Gut Issues Are Easy To Miss (20:48)Intuition vs. Addiction (25:30)Ways To Help Your Child Get On Board (29:58)Why Comfort Foods AREN’T Helping Your Child (34:09)The Balance To Strike (38:54)About Our Guest:Julie Matthews is a Certified Nutrition Consultant and published researcher who received her master’s degree in medical nutrition with distinction, from Arizona State University. She has specialized in children’s nutrition and complex neurological conditions, most notably autism spectrum disorder, for over 20 years. Julie sits on the Nutritional/Medical Advisory Board of the Autism Nutrition Research Center and helps children, families, and clinicians from 146 countries with her online resources, nutrition programs, and professional training courses.Julie has educated parents and health professionals on how to use personalized nutrition and therapeutic diets to help children thrive at conferences in more than sixty-five cities over three continents including Medical Academy of Pediatric & Special Needs (MAPS), Integrative Medicine for Mental Health (IMMH), and American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M). She has been featured in newspapers and blogs, and on podcasts, radio, and television including CBS. She has co-authored peer-reviewed research studies demonstrating the efficacy of nutrition and therapeutic diet intervention for ASD.When she is not studying the latest nutrition research, supporting families, or experimenting with new recipes in her kitchen, she can be found camping with her daughter, hugging redwood trees, and gardening.nourishinghope.comBioIndividualNutrition.comReferences in The Episode:The Personalized Autism Nutrition Plan: Nourishing Hope for Kids with ASD, ADHD, Anxiety, and Neurodevelopmental Delays by Julie Matthews, M.S.Autism Health Summit April 11-13, 2025 in San Diego, CA - use code AHS50 for a discountAdditional Resources:Take The Quiz: What’s YOUR Top Autism Parenting Blindspot?To learn more about Cass & Len, visit us at www.autismparentingsecrets.comBe sure to follow Cass & Len on InstagramIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends.

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  44:07
• JOINING Is Your Way IN

  Welcome to Episode 247 of Autism Parenting Secrets. In this episode, we’re diving into a game-changing approach that shifts everything for parents of a child with autism—the power of true connection.Our guest is Amanda Louison, CEO and Senior Program Advisor at The Option Institute and the Autism Treatment Center of America. She has been immersed in The Son-Rise Program® for over 16 years, working directly with families and children to foster deeper connections through love and acceptance.And this episode is especially meaningful to me because Amanda was personally part of my son Ry’s journey. She helped him want to form a bond with other people—something that was completely life-changing for our family.Through her experience as a facilitator, advisor, and leader in the Son-Rise Program®, Amanda has helped thousands of parents see their child through a new lens—one that opens the door to greater joy, connection, and growth.Discover how shifting from a need for change to an acceptance of the now can revolutionize your parenting journey. The secret this week is…JOINING Is Your Way INYou'll Discover:How The Son-Rise Program Started (5:31)The Difference Between WANT and NEED (13:39)A Different Way To See Stimming (15:01)What JOINING Looks Like (21:16)Red and Green Lights To Notice (30:29)A Mindset Shift To Make And A Mistake to Avoid (34:03)About Our Guest:Amanda Louison is the CEO & Senior Program Advisor at The Option Institute and the Autism Treatment Center of America. With over 15 years of experience in The Son-Rise Program®, she has dedicated her career to helping parents foster deeper connections with their children through love and acceptance. Originally drawn to the program through her own journey as a parent, Amanda became a Son-Rise Program® Child Facilitator and later a Senior Program Advisor, guiding families in applying the program’s principles. Now, as a leader in the organization, she continues to support both parents and staff in creating transformative experiences for children on the autism spectrum. Amanda’s passion for empowering families remains at the heart of her work, making her an invaluable advocate for parents navigating this journey.www.autismtreatment.orgwww.option.orgReferences in The Episode:The Autism Treatment Center of America, to Speak To A Program Advisor Call (413) 229-2100The Option Institute Additional Resources:Unlock the power of personalized 1-on-1 support, visit allinparentcoaching.com/intensiveTake The Quiz: What’s YOUR Top Autism Parenting Blindspot?To learn more visit us at www.autismparentingsecrets.comBe sure to follow Cass & Len on Instagram If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends.

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  41:33
• SCREENS Prevent Connection

  Welcome to Episode 246 of Autism Parenting Secrets. In this episode, we tackle a critical issue affecting every family—the hidden dangers of screen overuse. Our guest, Melanie Hempe, is the founder of ScreenStrong, a movement dedicated to helping parents reclaim childhood from the grip of screens. When her oldest son dropped out of college due to video game addiction, Melanie used her nursing background to develop a science-backed solution for her younger children, leading to the creation of ScreenStrong, a nonprofit that helps families eliminate toxic screen use and the conflicts it creates.Through her Be ScreenStrong Substack, ScreenStrong Families podcast, and media appearances, Melanie empowers parents with practical strategies to delay harmful screen exposure and foster real-world connections. Today, we’ll explore the science behind screen addiction, how screens disrupt social and emotional development, and—most importantly—what parents can do to create a healthier, more connected home.The secret this week is…SCREENS Prevent ConnectionYou'll Discover:The Worst Screen Type And The Worst Device (4:09)The Case Against ISOLATED Use (11:13)Why Understanding The Neuroscience Is So Key (18:22)What Your Child Wants MORE Than Tech (22:29)A Strong Call To Action (27:48)Screentime Myths That Just AREN’T True (31:08)About Our Guest:When her oldest son dropped out of college due to a video game addiction, Melanie Hempe used her nursing degree from Emory University to create a better, science-backed screen solution for her three younger children. The success of these solutions compelled Melanie to found ScreenStrong, a nonprofit that empowers parents to eliminate toxic screen use—and the conflict it creates—from their home. ScreenStrong’s proactive, neuroscience-based solution of delaying social media, smartphones, violent video games, and pornography through adolescence has improved the mental health, life skills, and relationships of countless teens and families across the world. Melanie writes the weekly “Be ScreenStrong” Substack and hosts the popular ScreenStrong Families podcast. She has been featured on CBS, CNN, NPR, Fox, The Wall Street Journal, the Screened Out documentary, and other media outlets. Her Kids’ Brains and Screens series is available for all ages in book and curriculum formats.Melanie lives in North Carolina with her husband, Chris, and their four children. She believes it’s never too late to reverse screen addiction and reconnect with your kids.https://screenstrong.org/about/References in The Episode:https://screenstrong.org/ScreenStrong Families PodcastAdditional Resources:Unlock the power of personalized 1-on-1 support, visit allinparentcoaching.com/intensiveTake The Quiz: What’s YOUR Top Autism Parenting Blindspot?To learn more visit us at www.autismparentingsecrets.comBe sure to follow Cass & Len on InstagramIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends.

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  38:00

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