What happens when we let go of who we thought our children would be? In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, we talk with Ron Fournier, journalist and author of Love That Boy, about parenting an autistic child and supporting adult independence. Ron shares how raising his son, Tyler, challenged his expectations and taught him …
What makes a meaningful life possible for autistic adults? In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, we talk with Moish Tov, a father of two young men on the autism spectrum and founder of JoyDew, about autism, communication, and believing in your child’s potential. His innovative nonprofit, JoyDew, connects people with autism with employment, communication …
What can a mother and son teach us about life with autism? On Let’s Plant Houses, we talk with Brigitte Shipman, a mother and coach, and her adult son with autism, Joe Shipman, about autism parenting, caregiver burnout, and finding hope. They share their two-in-one book, which brings together A Mother’s Guide Through Autism and …
What could help someone with autism feel safer during a police encounter? On Let’s Plant Houses, we talk with Sara Grezlik, a parent of a son with autism, and Curt Lawson, the City of Franklin’s Chief of Police, about improving communication with first responders. Sara shares how her family’s experience and her work with the …
What helps a person with Down syndrome feel truly included? On Let’s Plant Houses, we talk with mother DeeAnn Uhlarik and her daughter Emily about Ellie, DeeAnn’s youngest daughter and Emily’s younger sister, who has Down syndrome. From childhood leukemia to adult employment, they share how sibling support, a supportive family, and a caring community …
How do you plan for your child’s future when you know you won’t always be there? Special needs financial planning, ABLE accounts, special needs trusts, and government benefits can feel overwhelming, but getting started can protect your loved one’s future. I talked with Mary McDirmid, CEO of All Needs Planning, certified special needs consultant, co-author …
What happens when an autism diagnosis finally explains years of behaviors, challenges, and differences? Trauma therapist and mom Danniel Worthen Cullumber shares her family’s experience with late autism diagnosis, neurodivergence, masking, and parenting. Drawing from more than 15 years as a clinician and her own experience raising neurodivergent children, Danniel brings both a professional and …
What does life really look like when you’re raising a child with severe autism and lifelong support needs? Author and full-time caregiver Tracy Envernizzi shares her family’s journey with profound autism, caregiver burnout, respite care, and planning for the future. After more than 15 years of caring for her daughter, Tracy knows the challenges, fears, …
How can storytelling help families feel less alone? In this episode, Cari Noga shares her family’s autism journey, from her son Owen’s diagnosis to navigating special education, caregiving, respite care, and advocacy while finding purpose through storytelling. She explains how parenting a child with autism changed the way she sees the world and inspired her …
Could embracing your child’s strengths change everything? In this episode, Kari Baker shares her family’s autism journey, from the early days of searching for answers to embracing autism parenting, ADHD, and faith with hope and purpose. She explains how letting go of the need to “fix” her son opened the door to seeing the incredible …