What does true support for both parents and children in the autism community look like?

In this episode of The Autism Roundtable, Leah Gross is joined by occupational therapist JoAnna Poyssick, who shares her holistic approach to supporting families.

Key Questions Explored in the Episode:

• What is the Skyrocket Success coaching program, and how does it support parents?
• Why is self-care essential for parents of children with autism?
• How can parents better understand and support their child's sensory needs?
• What role do gross and fine motor skills play in a child’s development?
• How can occupational therapy help families thrive together?

Summary of the Conversation:

JoAnna Poyssick brings a refreshing and compassionate lens to supporting families navigating autism. She outlines how her Skyrocket Success program combines coaching, education, and community to empower parents. JoAnna emphasizes that parent well-being directly influences a child’s progress and shares actionable advice on sensory processing, executive functioning, and skill-building. Her approach centers on acceptance, empathy, and celebrating strengths, making this a must-listen episode for caregivers and professionals alike.

About the Guest:

JoAnna Poyssick is an experienced occupational therapist who specializes in working with children on the autism spectrum. Through her virtual and in-person coaching programs, she helps parents develop the tools, mindset, and routines they need to support their child’s growth while taking care of their own well-being.

Key Takeaways:

1. Parent self-care is foundational to supporting a child with autism.
2. Acceptance and mindset shifts can radically improve the family dynamic.
3. Sensory challenges require individualized strategies and patience.
4. Executive functioning and motor skills are essential for independence.
5. A strength-based approach builds confidence in both children and parents.

Time Stamps:

00:00 - Joanna’s work with children on the autism spectrum

01:53 – Skyrocket Success: A parenting coaching program

03:21 – The importance of self-care for parents

04:27 – Finding support and building community

09:10 – Acceptance as a foundation for parenting

12:01 – A deeper look at the Skyrocket Success structure

16:42 – The role of occupational therapy in family life

19:41 – Creating healthy sleep routines

23:16 – Supporting children’s social and leisure activities

26:12 – Understanding sensory processing challenges

28:05 – Meeting each child’s unique sensory needs

29:31 – Modeling calm behavior for emotional regulation

30:17 – Helping children manage emotions

32:16 – The importance of gross motor development

35:16 – Encouraging self-care skills in children

38:54 – Fine motor development and executive functioning

46:27 – Addressing parental guilt and fostering acceptance

Links for the Guest:

Connect with JoAnna Poyssick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-poyssick-skyrocketsuccess/

Visit JoAnna’s website: https://www.sensationalstudentsot.com/

Call to Action:

Ready to support your child’s growth while taking care of yourself?

Tune in to the full episode for practical strategies and heartfelt insights from JoAnna Poyssick.