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What happens when a mom of two autistic sons becomes the resource she never had?

Linda Galarreta is raising three boys, two of whom are on the autism spectrum, and she has learned to navigate a system that rarely hands parents a map. From her son’s early speech regression and diagnosis at age two, to the meltdowns that came later, Linda has lived the daily reality of autism parenting. She talks honestly about the support that was missing when her son was first diagnosed, and how other parents became her greatest source of information, advocacy, and hope.

Today, Linda is a Student Integration and Community Engagement Strategist at Inroads to Opportunities and serves as President of the Special Education Parent Advocacy Group of the Roselle Board of Education. Linda has become the very resource she once needed, and her story shows what is possible when lived experience is turned into leadership for other families finding their way.

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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What happens when a child finds a community that truly believes in them?

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, Jennifer VanSkiver shares her family’s journey raising her daughter CJ, who has an intellectual disability. Jen talks about early therapy appointments, navigating school systems, building friendships, and learning to trust her instincts as a mom. She also shares how programs like Special Olympics opened doors to confidence, connection, work, and independence.

From a packed gym cheering for CJ during her first basketball game to seeing her thrive in a career she loves, this episode is about trusting the journey, building support that truly works, and never underestimating what is possible.

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What does it take to raise a child with multiple rare genetic conditions while fighting systems that constantly underestimate what your child needs?

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, Bill Cushing shares his family’s journey raising his son Gabriel, who was born with rare genetic disorders, developmental disabilities, strokes before birth, and physical challenges that required years of therapy and support. This conversation explores disability parenting, caregiving, medical advocacy, accessibility, and life after aging out of the school system. Bill opens up about adapting their home, navigating insurance battles, planning for Gabriel’s future, and learning how to push back when systems say no.

But this story is also about joy, resilience, and seeing the whole person beyond a diagnosis. Bill shares Gabriel’s love of music, art museums, the symphony, and volunteering in the community. It’s a powerful reminder that caregiving requires creativity, persistence, and a willingness to keep showing up, even when the path forward is uncertain.

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What happens when a sibling grows up in a home filled with foster children, routines, and nonstop caregiving, and then realizes those experiences shaped who they were meant to become?

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, Rachel Gonyea shares what it was like growing up with a brother with autism while her family welcomed nearly 200 foster children into their home over the years. This conversation explores autism, foster care, caregiving, developmental disabilities, inclusion, sibling experiences, and the real-life challenges families navigate every day. Rachel opens up about routines, bullying, emotional overload, and the invisible work that happens inside families trying to meet many different needs at once.

But this story is also full of hope. Rachel reflects on how caregiving shaped her compassion, patience, and sense of purpose. She shares why lived experience matters, why children need support that truly works, and how her family’s journey inspired her to help foster children and people with disabilities in the future.

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What if your child had thoughts, opinions, and intelligence far beyond what the world believed, but no reliable way to communicate them?

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, Heather Burroughs shares her family’s journey through autism, rare genetic disorders, non-speaking communication, service dogs, and disability advocacy. Heather is the Director of Advocacy and Education at AutismUp and co-founder of the Finding Common Ground podcast. She opens up about raising multiple neurodivergent children, fighting for her daughter Devyn’s rights in school, and why families often have to push systems to see what their children are truly capable of.

Heather also shares how spelling to communicate changed her understanding of her daughter’s inner world and why she is now fighting for the Communication Bill of Rights in New York. This conversation is a powerful reminder that lived experience is real expertise and that families should never stop believing in their child’s potential.

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How did one foster dad build an autism barn and help nearly 180 children find belonging?

In this episode of autism advocacy, foster care, caregiving, and disability support, Steve Gonyea shows what families can build when they lead with love, trust, and lived experience. From welcoming nearly 180 foster children into his home to creating an autism barn and launching the Ability Bus program, Steve shares how his family turned their challenges into real solutions for many families.

This episode is a powerful reminder that caregivers are experts too, and that one family’s vision can spark a growing movement that is changing lives far beyond their own community. And for Steve Gonyea, with even bigger plans for the future, this is only the beginning.

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More