Diana Toronto joins the conversation to share her lived experience raising a child on the autism spectrum while also navigating her own ADHD.

This episode focuses on what it actually looks like when parent and child are both working through regulation in real time. Diana talks through her son’s diagnosis journey, the challenges of raising a child who often “looks fine” to others, and the emotional reality that doesn’t always get acknowledged outside the home.

We discuss how dysregulation can mirror between parent and child, what it means to build capacity as a parent, and the shift from trying to “fix” behaviors to supporting real-life coping and connection. The conversation also touches on advocacy, expectations, and how families adapt when support doesn’t fully match their needs.

This reflects the lived experience many families navigate, especially those raising children on the autism spectrum while managing their own mental and emotional load.

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Because when we sit at the same table, we understand more and judge less.

Walking into an IEP meeting can feel confusing, especially when you’re unsure what’s required, what’s flexible, and how decisions are made. In this episode, Leila Farshchian, a special educator and Board Certified Behavior Analyst, breaks down what parents can realistically expect from the IEP process.

We cover the basics: who should be in the room, how outside diagnoses interact with school evaluations, and the legal timelines that protect families. We also talk about goal setting and service intensity — what meaningful instruction looks like, how to spot inconsistencies across ABA, speech, and OT, and why collaboration matters when progress feels slow.

We address common pressure points, including fading supports, protecting unstructured times like lunch and assemblies, and deciding when inclusion is appropriate. You’ll also hear how to approach transitions between grades or schools to protect continuity of services and preserve hard-earned progress.

This is a practical, steady conversation designed to help parents navigate the IEP process with more clarity and confidence.

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Subscribe to Around the Spectrum wherever you listen so you don’t miss future conversations.

If this episode was helpful, leave a review. It helps other parents and professionals find the show.

Learn more at
https://www.aroundthespectrum.com

Because when we sit at the same table, we understand more and judge less.

The starting line of an autism journey can feel like a maze of waitlists, opinions, and second-guessing. We invited BCBA and clinic founder Anna Sturgeon to sit with us at the table and make that first stretch less lonely and far more practical. From low-cost, no-wait evaluations to caregiver-first coaching, Anna lays out how compassionate care is built—not with empty promises, but with listening, clear education, and plans that fit real families.

We unpack the pressure around the “forty hours” myth and talk through what individualized care really looks like when your child’s needs, your routines, and your resources are front and center. Anna maps the foundational skills that drive long-term growth—imitation, joint attention, echoics, listener responding, play, independence—and explains why giving timelines for language or school readiness can backfire. If speech isn’t the immediate path, we explore how AAC can open communication now, reduce frustration, and still support future speech. Different path, same dignity.

You’ll also hear concrete steps to take while waiting for services: define priorities, connect with informed parent communities, and choose providers who collaborate across ABA, OT, and speech. We share scripts for school advocacy that are respectful and firm, plus cues for spotting a good clinical fit—curiosity, transparency, and the humility to refer out when needed. The throughline is simple and strong: compare your child only to themselves, celebrate each gain, and build a team you can trust.

If this conversation helps you breathe a little easier, tap follow, share it with a friend who’s on the journey, and leave a quick review so more families can find the show. Your voice helps keep this table open to anyone who needs a seat.

Additional Resource

Choosing an ABA provider can feel complex, especially at the beginning.
To support families navigating these decisions, we’re sharing a practical checklist of questions to ask when exploring ABA services.

This resource is designed to help parents gather information, compare options, and make informed choices that fit their child and family.

👉 Download: Questions to Ask an ABA Provider

Support the show

Subscribe to Around the Spectrum wherever you listen so you don’t miss future conversations.

If this episode was helpful, leave a review. It helps other parents and professionals find the show.

Learn more at
https://www.aroundthespectrum.com

Because when we sit at the same table, we understand more and judge less.