Uncategorized – Let's Plant Houses

LPH51: Becoming an Autism Bonus Mom With Dr. Rita Renee

By Wendy Ernzen | April 6, 2026

What does it really look like to become a “bonus mom” to a child with autism and learn a whole new way to parent?

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, Wendy Ernzen talks with Dr. Rita Renee about autism parenting, blended family life, and caregiver support. They share an honest conversation about stepping into a parenting role later in life and learning how to support a child with different needs.

Rita opens up about meeting her husband, being introduced to his two sons, and learning about autism when her stepson was just seven years old. She shares the tools that made the biggest difference, including routine, patience, advocacy, and creating emotional safety at home. Now, with her son is sixteen and thriving in school, Rita explains how this journey shaped her leadership, deepened her empathy, and reminds families that they are not alone.

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LPH50: Ron van Til on Turning Autism Parenting Challenges Into Wiggle Seat Innovation

By Wendy Ernzen | March 30, 2026

What happens when a father turns his family’s biggest daily struggle into a solution that helps other kids learn?

In this autism parenting podcast episode of Let’s Find Houses, host Wendy Ernzen sits down with Ron van Til, a dad raising a daughter with profound autism and a son on the autism spectrum. Ron shares his family’s journey through early diagnosis, ABA therapy, speech and OT, sleep deprivation, home safety modifications, and the constant worry about the future that so many autism families quietly carry.

That lived experience led Ron and his wife to create the Wiggle Seat, a sensory chair designed to help children with autism sit at the table while still getting the movement their bodies need. Born out of mealtime challenges at home, the Wiggle Seat is now used in ABA clinics, therapy centers, and special education classrooms to help kids stay seated, regulated, and included during learning and connection. This episode blends real-life autism parenting, fear, hope, and innovation, showing how one family’s story is helping children sit, learn, and belong at school and at home.

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LPH49: Clay Boatright talks autism parenting, faith and why happiness is a choice

By Wendy Ernzen | March 20, 2026

What happens when life hands you a diagnosis you never expected, and you still choose hope?

In this profound autism parenting conversation, host Wendy Ernzen sits down with Clay Boatright to talk about raising twin daughters with intellectual and developmental disabilities and profound autism. Clay shares how early developmental delays led to an Easterseals assessment, why diagnoses mainly matter for getting services, and what it feels like as the gap grows between traditional development and a more unique path.

The episode also explores disability advocacy, group home placement, and why respite care and community support matter so much for families. Clay talks openly about how faith helped him manage stress, why he believes happiness is a choice, and how life changed when his daughters found a supportive home and day program so he could focus on being their dad. He also shares insights from his book, God’s Plan, Our Circus, and and the mindset he hopes encourages other parents and caregivers on the disability journey.

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LPH48: Franke James on Presuming Competence, Disability Rights, and Freeing Teresa

By Wendy Ernzen | March 4, 2026

What if the biggest fight your family ever faced was simply proving that your sister with Down syndrome should have the life she wants?

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, host Wendy Ernzen talks with Franke James about Down syndrome, disability advocacy, and how real disability rights can start at home. Frankie shares the powerful story of her sister Teresa, a joyful artist and author with Down syndrome, and how their family learned early to include her fully, build her strengths, and expect more from the world around her.

You’ll hear what went wrong when her siblings tried to place Teresa in long-term care, even though Franke was willing to give her the life she wanted and deserved. Hear about how Franke and her husband fought back using a capacity assessment, power of attorney, and supported decision making so Teresa could choose where and how she lives, the foundation of Franke’s award-winning book Freeing Teresa. Franke also gives us a sneak peek of the sequel Escape to Lotus Land, the next chapter in Teresa’s beautiful life. This conversation is for parents, siblings, and professionals in the IDD community who want hope, practical insight, and a reminder to presume competence.

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LPH47: Finding a Voice with Lori Rogers on Autism and Spelling to Communicate

By Wendy Ernzen | February 17, 2026

What if your non-speaking child with autism understood everything and was just waiting for a way to share it?

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about autism, communication, and Spelling to Communicate, or SC2, as Lori Rogers shares the journey of helping her son Craig, a non-speaker on the autism spectrum, find his voice. Lori tells how everything changed the day Craig spelled “black holes” on a letter board. She also shares the early years of losing words, fighting for services, raising funds, and believing deeply in her son’s potential.

Lori explains how S2C opened the door to friendships, college classes, creative writing, and Craig planning his own future. She also talks about her business, Positive Activity, where she and her husband Neil share science based activities to increase happiness, boost positivity, and attract abundance in both personal and professional life.

Lori’s story offers real hope for families and professionals who love or work with non-speaking children everywhere. Listen now!

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LPH46: A Sibling Perspective on Autism and Caregiving With Dr. DeShanna Reed

By Wendy Ernzen | February 1, 2026

How might growing up with a sister with autism shape your life?

In this episode, you’ll hear a powerful look at profound autism, caregiving, and family as Dr. DeShanna Reed shares her experience as the youngest sibling to Adrian. She explains how finding the right care and community shaped their journey and what it felt like when Adrian moved into a group home. Dr. Reed also talks about the caregivers who became “found family” and the tender moment her family had to explain that their dad was gone.

She shares how stepping into the caregiver role as an adult changed her life and why she is creating a book for siblings to help them navigate the legal, financial, and emotional parts of caregiving. If you support a loved one with IDD, this conversation will help you feel seen and supported.

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LPH45: The Vision for Flawless Farms with Kristina Cope, Future Support for Adults with Autism

By Wendy Ernzen | January 19, 2026

What happens to my child when I’m gone?

That question pushed Kristina Cope to imagine a new future for her son Blake, who has profound autism and catatonia. In this episode, Kristina shares how she rebuilt her life in Michigan after her children’s father passed away and how that journey inspired her to create Flawless Farms, a community for adults with high support needs.

Kristina talks about early morning routines, her long fight to access ABA in the early days, and the preschool teacher who reminded her that her son was first a little boy who needed love. She also explains the hard reality families face when planning for adulthood and why there are so few real options.

If you want to understand what this road feels like for families, this conversation is for you.

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LPH44: Julie Kratz on Allyship, Parenting, and Autism

By Wendy Ernzen | January 5, 2026

What if curiosity mattered more than judgment in parenting?

In this episode, you’ll hear a real look at parenting, autism, and family life as Julie Kratz shares her journey raising her youngest daughter, Dylan, who is on the autism spectrum. Julie talks honestly about the early developmental differences they noticed and how they worked to find the right school and support. She also shares the everyday challenges, the surprising joys, and the lessons she has learned about patience, empathy, and celebrating small wins.

Julie also talks about her new book, We Want You: An Allyship Guide for People with Power. She explains how anyone can become a better ally at work, in the community, and with friends and family. Her message is simple: small actions and real curiosity can create meaningful change. Listen now!

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LPH43: Ben Duff on Life and Parenting With Profound Autism

By Wendy Ernzen | December 15, 2025

What is it really like to raise a child with profound autism who needs 24/7 support?

This episode explores profound autism, caregiving, and the real challenges families face every day. Guest Ben Duff shares his family’s honest and powerful story.

Ben talks about the early signs they noticed, the emotional process of getting a diagnosis, and the daily work of managing medications, therapy, and changing behaviors through different stages of life. He also opens up about moments of crisis, hard care decisions, residential program options, and the ongoing need to advocate within a complex system.

Ben offers simple and practical guidance for families just starting this journey. He shares how to build a strong support network, find resources that fit your child, and define what “success” means for your own family. This episode gives parents, caregivers, and anyone curious a clear and heartfelt look at the resilience involved in raising a child with profound autism.

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LPH42: Michael Pereira on Parenting, Purpose, and the Autism Voyage

By Wendy Ernzen | December 1, 2025

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, you meet Michael Pereira, a husband, father, and advocate who helps families with autism and parenting support. Michael shares how his family first noticed signs with his son Christian and gives parents real hope so they feel less alone in their own autism journey.

Michael talks about the early days when home life changed fast, from skipping restaurants to unplugging blenders, and how friends and family had to learn and grow with them. He also explains why he created The Autism Voyage, a helpful platform built to give parents clear and trustworthy information. Today it includes more than 90 practical blog posts, a national directory of services, and a newsletter that reaches over 2,000 families.

The Autism Voyage blends education, guidance, and real stories that help parents feel supported and understood. If you want honesty, hope, and simple tools that make this journey easier, this is the episode to press play on.

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