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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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.

Ever been told your child is “bad” in the checkout line while you’re just trying to make it through the day? This episode centers on a different lens: not bad just communication. We dive into the real story behind behavior with BCBA and parent coach Kea Lee, exploring how meltdowns, eloping, and even aggression can be signals of unmet needs rather than defiance. Together, we unpack the everyday moments that push families to the brink and share clear, practical steps to bring more calm, confidence, and connection back into the home.

We talk through what actually works outside the clinic: visual schedules that make mornings smoother, timer cues that ease transitions, and simple ways to preview change so kids aren’t caught off guard. Kea explains why collaboration is more effective than compliance in ABA, how to build treatment plans that respect your culture and capacity, and why parents need support just as much as their children. You’ll hear practical tools for handling busy stores, long lines, and public judgment, along with ways to regulate yourself in the moment so you can support your child more effectively.

If you’ve felt isolated by public judgment or frustrated by strategies that worked in therapy but didn’t carry over at home, this conversation offers a grounded reset. We reframe behavior as communication, focus on teaching skills that match the child’s strengths, and talk about choosing one priority at a time so progress feels realistic. The takeaway is simple: your child isn’t working against you, and you don’t have to navigate this alone. Subscribe for more real-world autism support, share this episode with a parent who could use it, and leave a review to help other families find these conversations.

Additional Resource for Parents

If this conversation resonated, Kea Lee created the Grace & Growth Caregiver Program, a resource designed to support parents of children on the autism spectrum.

The program focuses on three core pillars: compassion, connection, and confidence — helping parents build emotional regulation skills, strengthen their relationship with their child, and feel more grounded during challenging moments at home.

You can learn more about the Grace & Growth Caregiver Program here:
👉 [Link to resource]

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.

Growth is not the enemy. Poor systems are. In this episode, we explore how ABA leadership and systems shape the ability of autism clinics to grow while maintaining quality care. BCBA, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and executive coach Michael Conte joins the conversation to discuss how organizations can scale services without scaling burnout. Michael shares how he moved from direct clinical work into systems level leadership, using what he calls a telescope and microscope approach to separate system issues, process gaps, and people challenges. The result is a practical playbook for leaders and parents who want fewer crises, steadier teams, and better outcomes for children.

We dig into the hours dilemma. Assessments may recommend 30 to 40 hours of therapy, yet family schedules and staffing realities do not always support that level of intensity. Michael explains why consistency often matters more than intensity. He describes how clinics can think in terms of three realities that must align: the child’s capacity, provider quality, and the family’s daily life. We also talk about insurer expectations, realistic utilization, and how pushing “ideal” hours without considering these realities can erode trust and stall progress.

Michael also breaks down the burnout loop many BCBAs experience. Clinicians often carry the pressure of clinical decisions while working within systems that do not support them. Isolation on the floor, unclear expectations, and inefficient processes can slowly drain energy from even the most dedicated clinicians. One of the most powerful solutions, he explains, is teaching leadership as a real skill set rather than assuming it comes automatically with a job title.

From there, we move into concrete changes clinics can implement quickly. Michael discusses the value of structured 90 day onboarding for both families and staff, intentional communication at drop off and pick up, programming systems for younger learners, and ways to build intrinsic motivation so RBTs want to stay and grow. Parents will also hear how sharing “biology data” such as sleep patterns, hunger, and routine changes can dramatically improve collaboration with clinicians and help shape a more responsive treatment plan.

For owners and founders of new clinics, Michael offers a final insight. If the vision for your clinic only exists in your head, it cannot scale. Documenting systems and expectations allows teams to execute the mission consistently and protects the quality of care as organizations grow.

If you want services families can depend on and teams that can sustain the work, this conversation offers practical ideas you can start using this week. Subscribe to Around the Spectrum, share the episode with a colleague who is building or leading an ABA clinic, and leave a review with the system you plan to improve next.

🔗 Parent Resources

To support families navigating early childhood development and regulation, Michael shared the following practical tools:

🧻 Simple Potty Training Guide for Parents

A step-by-step, parent-friendly guide designed for children ages 2–4. This resource breaks potty training into manageable phases, with readiness signs, visual supports, reinforcement ideas, and progress tracking to reduce stress and build consistency.
👉 Download the Potty Training Guide (PDF)

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.

When Michael Vassar’s daughter was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder and later autism, his family’s journey took an unexpected turn. In this candid conversation, Michael shares how “Welcome to Holland,” Emily Perl Kingsley’s well-known poem, became a touchstone for reframing expectations — and finding unexpected beauty on a different path.

We talk about the early shock of diagnosis, the long waits for services, the power of parent-to-parent connection, and the little victories that make the hardest days worth it. Michael also brings insight from his work in autism care technology, offering practical tips for families navigating the post-diagnosis gap.

Whether you’re just beginning this journey or years down the road, this episode is a reminder that while the destination may not be what you first imagined, it can still be deeply meaningful — and you don’t have to walk it alone.

Inspired by Emily Perl Kingsley’s poem “Welcome to Holland.”

Read Emily Perl Kingsley’s full poem, “Welcome to Holland,” here: https://www.emilyperlkingsley.com/welcome-to-holland

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.

Amanda Cox, leadership development trainer and consultant, shares insights on how leadership in autism centers directly impacts family experiences and client outcomes.

• Leadership in ABA requires constant "chameleonism" – switching between different communication styles and audiences quickly
• Trust-based leadership creates psychological safety through transparency, not avoiding hard conversations
• BCBAs and parents must understand each other's perspectives for effective partnerships
• Biological readiness (eating, hydration, rest) forms the foundation for handling clinic challenges
• Leaders model behavior – if they don't practice self-care, staff won't either
• Normalizing feedback creates cultures where communication improves and burnout decreases
• Young professionals entering the field need both clinical and leadership skills
• Effective leadership means asking for help appropriately and delegating tasks
• Balancing professional boundaries while remaining human is essential for longevity

Connect with Amanda Cox at the Know Better Company to learn more about leadership development for ABA professionals.

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.

Pull up a chair, your spot is waiting.

In this brief trailer, host Wendy Manganaro shares what you can expect from Around the Spectrum: grounded guidance, honest conversations, and real stories about raising and supporting children with autism. Whether you're a parent at the start of the journey, a professional who works alongside families, or simply someone who cares, there's a seat for you here.

New episodes every other week because when we sit at the same table, we understand more and judge less.

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.