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The worst part of an autism diagnosis is not the word itself. It is the silence that can follow when you do not know where to go, what to trust, or who will truly understand your day to day life. We talk with Karen Simmons about that exact moment and the long road after it, from early parenting chaos to building reliable autism resources that help families feel less alone.

We get into why “future tellers” can be so damaging, how a strengths based approach changes everything, and what it looks like to create autism education that is actually usable for parents, teachers, and siblings. Karen shares the story behind Autism Today, the need for a safe place to belong, and why real community is built through clear information, lived experience, and generous referrals. We also dig into the Autism Directory concept as a modern hub where parents, professionals, clinics, educators, podcasts, and even autistic creators can be found without the needle in a haystack search.

Along the way, we share personal milestones that hit differently, like Special Olympics pride and the kind of joy that comes when a teen proves the experts wrong. You will hear a powerful reminder that progress can show up through alternative communication, early literacy, and passion driven work, including a YouTube channel that becomes a first paycheck.

If you care about neurodiversity, autism support, inclusive communities, and practical tools for real life, listen now. Subscribe, share this with a parent or educator who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find the help they have been looking for.

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You can have the right intentions and still feel like your brain will not cooperate and that is exactly where ADHD and executive dysfunction love to hijack school, work, and daily life. We sit down with Zoe Lewis, founder of New Bloom ADHD Coaching, to talk about what actually helps young adults and college students when assignments pile up, deadlines sneak up, and motivation disappears the moment something feels boring or overwhelming.

We get concrete about ADHD coaching strategies that respect real life: how to start with the struggle someone is feeling and turn it into a goal you can measure, how to build a task management system that fits your patterns, and when tools like Google Calendar, Google Tasks, or study tech like NotebookLM can reduce friction. We also dig into sensory needs and why giving yourself permission to fidget, move, and exist comfortably can make focus easier, not harder.

Then we zoom out to the stuff that keeps people stuck: shame spirals, all-or-nothing routines, and relying on last-minute urgency to get things done. Zoe shares a flexible “three tier” approach to self-care routines like exercise and sleep hygiene, plus a simple truth many of us forget: fun is fuel for ADHD brains. We unpack the INCUP pillars of ADHD motivation (interest, novelty, challenge, urgency, passion) so you can design support instead of waiting for panic to kick in.

If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs better executive functioning support, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s one routine or task you want to make easier this week?

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WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

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The scariest autism parenting moments often start quietly: sleep disappears, words fade, new behaviors show up, and you keep telling yourself it must be a phase. We talk with Paul Voss, a father of eight, about what it felt like to watch those changes unfold in his youngest daughter and then face a profound autism diagnosis that “turned our life upside down.” What follows is a candid, grounded conversation about nonverbal autism, high support needs, and the family-wide impact that nobody can fully prepare you for.

We get into the brutal reality of exhaustion and the long wait for evaluations, plus the pressure parents feel to find something that helps right now. Paul shares how his family approached decisions around therapies, health changes, and daily routines without pretending there’s a single solution for autism spectrum disorder. Along the way, we talk about why a diagnosis can still be a gift: it gives direction, it opens doors to support, and it helps you name what your child needs.

We also slow down for the emotional side that families rarely say out loud. We unpack how “grief” language can land on autistic kids, why dignity matters more than milestones, and how celebrating small wins can keep you steady when the big goals feel far away. Paul also reflects on siblings, community inclusion, and why his book, Autism Sucks, Finding Hope in the Chaos, is meant to help newly diagnosed parents get through the hardest season with more clarity and hope.

If this conversation helps, subscribe, share it with a parent who needs support, and leave a review so more families can find it. What is one small win you’re going to celebrate this week?

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WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

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- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

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Most people say they support accessibility, but very few can explain what it actually means or why it keeps breaking down in real life. We’re joined by Daniel Hodges, a nonprofit leader and advocate with a law degree who was born blind, to get specific about where the barriers really come from and what “equity” looks like when you strip out bias and bad design.

We talk about Daniel’s childhood in rural America, where the focus stayed on future cures and risky procedures instead of practical skills like Braille, a white cane, and assistive technology. That led to a powerful reframing: disability is not automatically the problem. Daniel breaks down how much of the hardship people associate with blindness is truly intrinsic, and how much comes from societal barriers like inaccessible materials, missing accommodations, stigma, and the constant pressure to prove competence.

From there, we dig into what actually works. Daniel shares how small, honest conversations about disability etiquette and tools can transform community connection, and he introduces the Pieces of Me Foundation mission: education, innovative professional training, and resource connections that help dismantle misconceptions. He also explains the Access Opportunity Tour, a practical Zoom-based way for leaders to get real-time guidance on making their workplace, church, nonprofit, or website more accessible. Along the way, Daniel tells a gripping story about blind parenting, facing CPS scrutiny, and supporting a child through eye cancer treatment, plus the everyday tools he relies on, including iOS VoiceOver and mindset practices grounded in grace.

If you care about disability inclusion, universal design, and accessibility that’s more than a checkbox, hit play. Subscribe, share this with someone building community spaces, and leave a review with one accessibility change you want to see next.

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WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

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- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

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A meltdown in the grocery store. A fight over screens that spirals into yelling. A kid who seems “fine” at school and falls apart at home. When you’re parenting a neurodiverse child, a strong-willed child, or a deeply sensitive child, it can feel like the usual advice was written for a different universe. We wanted something more honest and more useful, so we sat down with Melissa Schulz, a parenting coach and BCBA who brings both professional expertise and real-life parenting experience.

We get into a simple but powerful reframe: behavior is communication. If we only focus on stopping the behavior, we miss the message and often create new problems like shutdown, masking, or bigger explosions later. Melissa breaks down why kids with big feelings often need explicit emotional regulation skills, not just consequences or pep talks. We also talk about the parent side of the equation: if we’re triggered, we can’t access the best tools in the moment. Learning to regulate our own nervous system is not “extra,” it’s the foundation for co-regulation and connection.

We also go practical: how to meet your child inside their interests (yes, Roblox and Minecraft count), how to make “calm down” supports actually work, and why a beautiful calm-down corner can fail without practice during calm moments. You’ll hear language to reinforce unconditional love and worth, plus a root-cause approach that stops you from “weed whacking” the same behaviors over and over.

If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a parent who feels stuck, and leave a review so more families can find these tools. What’s the toughest behavior you’re trying to decode right now?

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WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou

FACEBOOK

- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford

- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow

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TIKTOK

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PODCAST PLATFORMS

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- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

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A rare diagnosis can sit quietly in the background for years, until one day a scan makes it real. That’s what happened for Will Ruddell, who joins us to share his life with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2), a rare genetic disorder linked to slow-growing tumors in the brain, spine, and along nerves. Will grew up watching his father deal with serious medical issues, then found out at 26 that he also had NF2 after a migraine led to an MRI and life-changing answers.

We talk honestly about what happens after the words “you have tumors” land: the scramble to find the right specialists, the stress of navigating care without insurance at first, and the reality that NF2 is still not fully understood. Will explains symptoms that shaped his everyday life, including vocal cord paralysis from a neck tumor and nerve damage that affects hand and foot movement. We also get into mobility decisions, surgery timing, and why “preparing” is hard when progression looks different for everyone.

Beyond the medical side, we focus on what keeps a person steady. Will shares the role of his wife and family support, how passion and motivation help on difficult days, and where to look for NF2 resources, support groups, and research programs like the team at Moffitt Cancer Center. If you want a clearer picture of NF2 symptoms, treatment options like infusions and clinical trials, and how to show up for someone living with a rare disease, this conversation is for you.

Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find these stories and this information.

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WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

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- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

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FACEBOOK

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The parenting moves that look “right” on paper can fall apart in real life, especially when you’re raising a neurodivergent child with ADHD, autism, learning differences, anxiety, or executive functioning challenges. I sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Anna Levy Warren to talk about the moment many families hit after testing and diagnoses: you finally have the report, but you still don’t have a roadmap for mornings, homework, emotions, and the daily friction that can wear everyone down.

We get concrete about collaborative parenting, because collaboration isn’t a vague ideal, it’s a practical method. We talk through how to put the problem on the table, ask what your child needs, and build strategies with buy-in instead of battles. Dr. Warren shares why “take a breath” often fails, how modeling regulation actually teaches it, and why a simple “restart” can be a powerful repair tool after conflict. Along the way, we unpack respect, boundaries, and how to support independence without sacrificing the relationship you’re trying to protect.

We also dig into learning support: how to translate neuropsychological insights into strength-based academic coaching that builds a positive academic self-concept and real metacognition. Dr. Warren explains the work of Organizational Tutors, plus a practical ritual you can try immediately: a weekly family calendar meeting that improves communication, planning, and connection.

If this conversation helps, subscribe, share it with a parent who needs a reset, and leave a review so more families can find these tools.

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WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

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FACEBOOK

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- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

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If your child can talk for days but freezes the moment a pencil hits paper, the problem might not be “motivation” or “attention.” It might be handwriting. We sit down with educator and curriculum designer Holly Britton, founder of Squiggle Squad, to unpack why handwriting instruction is a core building block for literacy, written expression, and confident learning, especially in the early elementary years.

We get specific about what handwriting really is: a transcription skill that has to become automatic so kids can use their brain power for planning, organizing, and revising. Holly explains how fine motor skills and cognitive language skills develop together, why the brain treats writing-by-hand differently than speaking, and how overlapping literacy systems make handwriting more than a nice-to-have. We also talk directionality and why early motor patterns can lock in for years, plus a practical example that can help prevent b and d reversals by teaching consistent start points.

Then we zoom out to what developmentally appropriate learning looks like. Holly shares the Squiggle Squad approach of teaching a small set of pre-writing strokes first through gross motor play and finger tracing, before asking young kids to form letters on paper. We also tackle a real classroom issue: kids rarely see adults handwrite anymore, and screen-based “handwriting” demos often fail to model the actual tool, grip, and movement children need to copy.

If you care about early literacy, child development, fine motor skills, and practical handwriting tips for parents and teachers, you’ll leave with clear next steps and a simple chalk challenge you can do today. Subscribe, share this with a parent or educator, and leave a review with your biggest handwriting question so we can cover it next.

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WEBSITES

- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON

- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org

- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com

YOUTUBE

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow

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FACEBOOK

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- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork

- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow

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TIKTOK

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PODCAST PLATFORMS

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- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291

CONTACT EMAIL

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