Connect with Samantha: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/membership

Suzanne Jabour Episode About Grief: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/is-it-normal-to-grieve-after-your-childs-autism-or/id1697406719?i=1000750957793

Samantha and Lauren discuss the number one thing they would do after getting an autism diagnosis for your child: learn about your child, not just autism. Samantha emphasizes that a diagnosis is a tool for understanding, not fixing, and that parents may feel relief and grief, all of which are valid.

They stress that autism presents differently in each person, caution against overreliance on online checklists, and encourage neurodiversity-affirming thinking over deficit-based views by asking what behaviors communicate and what needs they meet. Examples include sensory accommodations for loud toilets, avoiding uncomfortable clothing, and allowing harmless stimming, while still intervening for safety concerns like self-injury or eloping.

They suggest tracking strengths, triggers, and ABC patterns, seeking professional or community support, and preview next week’s focus on applying for resources early due to long waitlists.

00:00 Welcome and Summer Catchup
00:11 Autism Moments and Themed Weddings
02:29 Why This Episode Matters
03:34 Processing the Diagnosis
05:50 Learn Your Child First
07:19 Observe Not Checklists
09:01 Neurodiversity Affirming Shift
10:26 Assessments and Getting Resources
14:08 Deficit vs Affirming Examples
24:04 Behavior as Communication
26:33 Action Steps and ABC Notes
30:12 Wrap Up and Next Week Preview

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

Connect with Samantha: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership

Get the Guide to Parenting Your Neurodivergent Child: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

Samantha and Lauren discuss why building a supportive network matters for mental health and how to do it, drawing from Samantha’s postpartum psychosis and breakdown in 2016 and the challenges of parenting children with medical needs.

They outline key benefits of support, which include emotional encouragement, practical help, accountability, perspective when “your brain is lying to you,” and connection.

They describe four types of support: personal (friends, family, faith/community), professional (primary care, therapists, psychiatrists, coaches, support groups), peer (special-interest and parenting/disability communities), and practical (cleaning, childcare, meal services, assistants).

They offer steps to build support without shame: start small, be specific about needs, allow imperfect help while avoiding toxic relationships, and find aligned communities, ending with a one-step takeaway and available resources.

00:00 Why Support Matters
01:39 When Your Brain Lies
03:52 Personal Support Plan
08:51 Professional Help Options
12:33 Peer Support Communities
13:44 Practical Help That Works
17:07 Build It Without Awkward
18:20 Ask Clearly and Specifically
19:33 Boundaries and Finding People
23:54 Weekly Takeaway and Resources

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent

Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/membership

Atomic Habits: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits

Samantha and Lauren discuss how returning home from vacation can be dysregulating for neurodivergent kids due to transitions and delayed stress responses from masking, sensory input, uncertainty, and social demands.

They recommend not scheduling extra activities immediately after returning, prioritizing rest and recovery over productivity, and giving kids (and parents) grace during reintegration.

They advise returning to familiar routines without trying to overhaul life, focusing on connection before correction, debriefing the trip to build self-awareness and plan future supports, and watching for delayed burnout days or weeks later.

00:00 Welcome and Summer Check In
00:17 Autism Threads Stories
03:52 Vacation Reset Topic
05:51 Why Coming Home Is Hard
06:45 Decompression Looks Different
08:40 Protect Recovery Days
12:40 Back to Familiar Routines
15:46 Grace Rest and Screen Time
18:54 Debrief and Learnings
20:22 Delayed Burnout Signs
21:12 Key Takeaways and Wrap Up

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent