Episode 18: Parenting Autistic Children: Understanding, Advocacy, and Acceptance

Host: Katerina Newbury - Therapeutic Coach, Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher and Reiki Practitioner specialising in supporting autistic, highly sensitive children and young people and their (also autistic) parents Guest: Pete Wharmby – Author, Autistic Advocate, SpeakerIn this re-launch episode, Katerina is joined by acclaimed autistic advocate and author, Pete Wharmby, for an essential conversation focused on what it really means to parent autistic children.Drawing from his own experience as a late-diagnosed autistic adult—and as a parent himself—Pete offers unique, deeply compassionate insights for families navigating neurodivergence.

Katerina and Pete unpack the emotional, societal, and institutional challenges parents often face, and share how to stay grounded in love, trust, and acceptance.This is a must-listen for any parent seeking to better understand their autistic child, to support their unique needs, and to build a home where they are seen and celebrated—not “fixed.”In this episode Katerina and Pete further discuss:

• Why your intuition as a parent matters more than outdated societal expectations.
• The emotional toll of parenting against external judgment—from schools, family, and peers.
• How to become your child’s fiercest advocate without burning out.
• Supporting your child’s self-regulation through simple daily choices (yes, video games can help)
• How masking, anxiety, and lack of trust affect your child—and what you can do to counter it.
• The importance of co-regulation and calm presence in the parent-child dynamic.
• Creating a home environment where your child doesn’t feel “wrong” for being themselves.

• Why your parenting doesn’t have to look “normal” to be effective and loving.📚 Topics Also Covered:
• Communication challenges: decoding small talk and hidden expectations
• Why eye contact is misunderstood and pathologized
• Cultural vs. medical views of autism
• Mindfulness as a regulation tool—for parents and children (with neurodivergent-specific adaptations)
• Nature as a healing, sensory-safe space for autistic people

• Why acceptance must come before advocacy💬 Final Message for Parents“Parent your actual child—not the imaginary one that society expects. Trust what you know about them. If playing The Sims before school helps them feel okay, that’s valid. Create safety at home. That’s where it all begins.”

🗣️ Host Bio: Katerina Newbury is a therapeutic coach, guide and mentor for families of sensitive, highly sensitive and neurodivergent children and young people. She is a mindfulness and meditation teacher, Reiki practitioner and EFT therapist. She is passionate about supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of neurodivergent children and young people, helping them navigate the challenges of life with more ease and building confidence in themselves, embracing their uniqueness.

Katerina's mission is to raise consciousness of families, especially Mums and help them find their purpose in life and live with more joy and fulfilment. She is based in Chippenham, UK, and works in-person as well as online.

https://mindcraftkids.com

https://facebook.com/mindcraftkids

https://instagram.com/katerina_mindcraft

Book your free connection call here:

https://calendly.com/mindcraftkids/30min

🗣️ Guest Bio: Peter Wharmby is a writer, speaker, and advocate for the autistic community.

Diagnosed in adulthood, Pete now dedicates his life to increasing public understanding of autism, particularly around identity, communication, and systemic change. He is the author of Untypical and What I Want to Talk About, with a third book on the way to be published in 2026.He is also a proud parent, and his work often centres the lived experience of autistic children and their families.

📚 Twitter: @PeteWharmbyhttps://petewharmby.com/IG @pete_wharmby_booksFB Pete Wharmby, Autistic Author