What if autism isn’t one condition to treat, but many different biological stories waiting to be understood?

In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with pediatric neurologist Dr. John Gaitanis to explore why autism care should begin with understanding the individual child—not simply the diagnosis. Together they discuss autism advocacy, root cause medicine, caregiver experiences, neurodevelopment, inflammation, motor planning, and why families often recognize important patterns long before medicine does.

Dr. Gaitanis challenges the idea that autism is a single biological condition, explaining why many children share a diagnosis while presenting with remarkably different medical histories, developmental pathways, and support needs. He shares why physicians should focus on understanding each child’s unique biology, why systemic inflammation and developmental regression deserve closer attention, and how artificial intelligence may help uncover patterns that families have recognized for years.

The conversation also explores the emotional side of neurodivergent parenting. Sarah and Dr. G discuss maternal pattern recognition, caregiver stress, nervous system regulation, sleep deprivation, and why supporting parents is inseparable from supporting autistic children.

Whether you’re navigating a recent autism diagnosis, raising a child with profound autism, searching for autism therapy options, or simply looking for thoughtful autism advocacy grounded in curiosity rather than certainty, this episode offers a hopeful framework for asking better questions.

In this episode:

03:10 — Why “autism” may describe many different biological conditions
07:30 — Maternal pattern recognition and why caregivers often notice problems first
10:05 — Systems thinking versus siloed medicine in autism care
14:00 — Why two autistic children can have completely different biological profiles
18:15 — Artificial intelligence and the future of autism diagnosis and personalized medicine
21:05 — Whole-body dyspraxia, motor planning, and autism communication
27:20 — How physicians can move beyond diagnostic labels to see the whole child
35:45 — Caregiver burnout, chronic stress, and protecting parent health
41:05 — Why trusting maternal intuition matters throughout the autism diagnosis journey

Resources

Learn more about Dr. John Gaitanis and Meadow BioSciences.

Subscribe to the Inchstones Podcast for more conversations about autism advocacy, caregiver stories, neurodivergent parenting, profound autism care, and practical support for families raising autistic children.

Read more caregiver essays on the Inchstones Substack.

• (00:00:00) - Autism and its Comorbidities
• (00:04:58) - Gut Feelings about Your Child's Health
• (00:11:31) - Honey Renicelli on Criticizing Her Field
• (00:11:52) - On the DSM 5 criteria of autism
• (00:16:18) - How AI might help you with motor impairment
• (00:23:22) - On the stigma of mental illness
• (00:23:41) - Confirmatory neuropsychology: The history, diagnosis and treatment
• (00:30:12) - On Advancing Through Adolescence
• (00:34:51) - How to Heal Yourself and Heal Your Child
• (00:39:28) - Inchstones

What does autism teach a father about strength? In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with Tommy of Spectrum in Camouflage for an honest conversation about autism fatherhood, faith, mental health, and how raising a nonspeaking autistic son completely transformed his understanding of success, purpose, and what truly matters.

When Tommy’s son Wyatt began losing language around age two and a half, everything he thought he knew about fatherhood changed. As a construction business owner, husband, and father, he spent years believing strength meant fixing problems. Autism forced him to discover a different kind of strength: presence, surrender, and learning to live one inchstone at a time.

Together, Sarah and Tommy explore autism parenting, profound autism, fatherhood, caregiver mental health, marriage, faith, and the quiet transformation that often happens inside parents long before anyone else notices it.

This conversation explores:

* autism fatherhood
* nonspeaking autism
* profound autism
* caregiver mental health
* autism parenting and marriage
* faith during difficult seasons
* living in the present moment
* autism advocacy
* parenting beyond societal expectations
* finding joy in inchstones instead of milestones

Tommy also shares his experience navigating anxiety, depression, and the realization that while he could not fix autism, he could become a different father because of it. His story offers encouragement for autism dads, caregivers, and families searching for hope grounded in reality rather than false promises.

⸻

In This Episode

00:00 – Introducing Tommy and Spectrum in Camouflage
02:00 – Becoming a father after years of waiting
04:00 – Wyatt’s autism regression and losing language
06:00 – Anxiety, mental health, and feeling powerless
08:00 – The mountain where everything changed
10:00 – Why autism brought Tommy to his knees
12:00 – Faith, surrender, and finding purpose through autism
15:00 – Success versus significance in fatherhood
17:00 – The hidden expectations parents carry
19:00 – Why inchstones matter more than milestones
21:00 – Learning to see growth differently
23:00 – Autism, communication, and presence beyond words
25:00 – Living where your boots are: staying present today
28:00 – Parenting typical and autistic children differently
31:00 – Mental health, nervous system regulation, and resilience
33:00 – Speaking openly so other autism dads feel less alone

Listen to more episodes of the Inchstones Podcast, where Sarah Kernion shares caregiver stories, autism advocacy, profound autism experiences, neurodivergent parenting, and honest conversations that help families feel seen, understood, and less alone.

• (00:00:00) - Inch Jones: June 1, Autism Dad
• (00:00:44) - What Fatherhood Really Means For Me
• (00:05:28) - Autism and Motherhood: Reorientation
• (00:09:58) - Complaints about the World
• (00:15:44) - The Search for Love in Modern Parenting
• (00:20:58) - Autism and the Disability Wars
• (00:21:25) - No One's Thinking About Me
• (00:27:57) - The Importance of Parenthood
• (00:28:50) - Mental Health

What happens when years of caregiving, hypervigilance, grief, and responsibility finally catch up with a mother? In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with Libby Hudson for an unfiltered conversation about profound autism, marriage, caregiver burnout, grief, and what it takes to survive when your family’s needs seem bigger than your capacity to carry them.

Libby and her husband Tyler Hudson have become respected voices in the profound autism community, but behind advocacy and awareness lies a deeply personal story. As their son Lyric entered adolescence, a devastating family loss triggered profound behavioral changes, escalating aggression, and years of living in a near-constant state of vigilance and fear.

Libby shares what it felt like to lose her father, watch her son struggle to process grief he could not communicate, and navigate the impossible reality of loving a child while simultaneously fearing what dysregulation might bring next.

Together, Sarah and Libby discuss:

* profound autism and adolescence
* caregiver burnout and nervous system exhaustion
* grief and autism
* marriage under chronic stress
* maternal hypervigilance
* supporting autistic adults
* emotional collapse and resilience
* the importance of asking for help
* finding purpose after survival mode

The conversation also explores something rarely discussed openly in autism spaces: the cost caregiving can have on a mother’s body, identity, relationships, and health. Libby shares how years of accumulated stress ultimately contributed to a stroke and the difficult changes her family had to make to survive.

This episode is for autism moms, caregivers, and families navigating profound autism, aggression, caregiver burnout, marriage stress, grief, and the emotional realities that often remain hidden behind advocacy.

In This Episode

00:00 – Living with constant hypervigilance and caregiving stress
02:00 – Reading nonverbal communication through behavior and body language
04:00 – The death of Lyric’s grandfather and profound grief
05:30 – When autism, adolescence, and loss collide
07:00 – Aggression, dysregulation, and fear inside the home
08:30 – The emotional toll of surviving crisis mode
10:00 – Why caregiving changed Libby’s health forever
11:30 – A stroke, burnout, and the body keeping score
13:00 – Marriage under pressure and redefining family roles
15:00 – Learning to ask for what you need
17:00 – Why flexibility matters in autism families
19:00 – Autism, relationships, and nervous system regulation
21:00 – The hidden emotional labor of autism motherhood
23:00 – Why support systems matter more than services alone
25:00 – Receiving an autism diagnosis 18 years ago
27:00 – Grief, acceptance, and adapting to reality
29:00 – The lessons profound autism has taught about life and love
31:00 – What makes Libby most proud as Lyric’s mother

Listen to more episodes of the Inchstones Podcast, where Sarah Kernion shares caregiver stories, profound autism experiences, autism advocacy, and honest conversations about neurodivergent parenting.

• (00:00:00) - Libby Hudson on The Inchstones Podcast
• (00:01:18) - What Does Your Day-to-Day With Lyric?
• (00:07:10) - On Working With an ASD Dad's Death
• (00:13:24) - "What I Need" From My Love Letter
• (00:15:06) - How to Get What You Need From Your Partner
• (00:23:18) - On the Importance of Relationships for Autism Mothers
• (00:25:37) - Autism Diagnosis: The Early Days

What happens when autism support moves beyond four walls and into nature? In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with Dr. Dana Spett, founder of Pony Power Therapies, to explore autism, sensory regulation, equine-assisted services, and why connection, movement, and nature can create powerful opportunities for growth.

Dana’s journey began as a mother searching for support for her own daughter. What started with one horse and four riders has grown into Pony Power Therapies, a community-centered organization helping children and adults with disabilities connect with horses, farming, nature, and themselves.

Together, Sarah and Dana discuss autism parenting, sensory regulation, maternal intuition, nature-based learning, disability inclusion, and the importance of creating environments where autistic individuals can thrive without pressure to conform. Dana shares why traditional approaches are not always enough and how horses offer a unique opportunity for regulation, confidence, connection, and belonging.

The conversation explores:

* autism and sensory regulation
* equine-assisted services
* nature-based support for autistic children
* maternal intuition and advocacy
* disability inclusion and community belonging
* farming, purpose, and meaningful work
* autism and nervous system regulation
* creating supportive environments for neurodivergent individuals

Dana also shares how Pony Power supports families across the lifespan, from young children with autism to adults navigating life after age 21, when many formal support systems begin to disappear.

This episode is for autism moms, caregivers, educators, therapists, and anyone interested in nature-based approaches to autism support, sensory regulation, disability advocacy, and helping neurodivergent individuals build meaningful lives and connections.

In This Episode

00:00 – The mission behind Pony Power Therapies
01:00 – Dana’s journey as a social worker and autism mom
02:30 – Following maternal intuition instead of rushing to medication
04:00 – Why trusting your gut matters in autism parenting
05:30 – Equine-assisted services and empowering families
06:30 – How autistic children respond to horses and nature
08:00 – Sensory regulation through movement and rhythm
09:30 – Why horses provide unique nervous system support
11:00 – Nature, regulation, and the family system
13:00 – Beyond traditional talk therapy approaches
14:30 – The role of nature in mental health and autism support
16:00 – Nonverbal communication and connection beyond words
17:30 – Why leaving the house feels impossible for some families
19:00 – Supporting dysregulated autistic children without judgment
21:00 – Creating safe spaces for neurodivergent families
23:30 – The autism service cliff after age 21
25:00 – Farming, employment, and meaningful purpose for autistic adults
27:00 – Disability inclusion and reimagining community support

Listen to more episodes of the Inchstones Podcast, where Sarah Kernion shares caregiver stories, autism advocacy, profound autism perspectives, neurodivergent parenting, and conversations that challenge us to build more inclusive communities.

More about Dr. Dana Spett, DSW

Dr. Dana Spett, DSW, an accomplished professional with a deep commitment to equine-
assisted services, nature, and social work is the Founder and Executive Director of Pony Power

Therapies, a nonprofit community-based center in New Jersey that connects children and adults
with disabilities or life challenges to the wonders of horses, farming and nature. Dana has
dedicated herself to creating an inclusive and transformative environment guided by nature.
Recognizing the power of nature to promote resilience and personal growth, Dana ensures that
Pony Power Therapies embodies...

• (00:00:00) - Inch Sentence Podcast: Dana Spett
• (00:00:55) - Pony Power Therapies: The Origins Story
• (00:05:18) - Pony Power: Autism and the Horse
• (00:11:46) - The Future of Social Work: Nature and Communication
• (00:18:37) - Autistic People on the Farm
• (00:20:30) - Pony Power on Autism and Farming

Many parents of non-speaking autistic children carry a quiet certainty: my child understands more than they can show. In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with occupational therapist, researcher, and Spellers Method co-creator Dr. Dana Johnson to explore whole body apraxia, motor planning, communication, and why behavior may not tell the whole story.

For years, families have been told to trust observable behaviors as the primary measure of understanding. Dr. Johnson challenges that assumption by explaining how motor planning differences can prevent autistic individuals from reliably demonstrating what they know, understand, or intend to communicate.

Together, Sarah and Dr. Johnson discuss whole body apraxia, non-speaking autism, presuming competence, sensory regulation, motor coaching, and the ways parents are often dismissed when their observations don’t align with traditional clinical models.

The conversation explores:

* whole body apraxia and autism
* non-speaking autism and communication
* motor planning challenges
* presuming competence
* autism and regulation
* maternal intuition and clinical observation
* supporting autistic children beyond behavior-based assumptions
* co-regulation and caregiver support

Dr. Johnson also shares how her work evolved after listening to parents whose experiences challenged what she had been taught professionally. Her message is both practical and hopeful: understanding motor differences can fundamentally change how families, therapists, and educators support autistic children.

This episode is for parents, caregivers, educators, therapists, and anyone interested in communication, autism advocacy, profound autism, and understanding what may exist beneath observable behavior.

In This Episode

00:00 – Maternal intuition, autism, and the limits of observation
02:00 – Why parents are often dismissed by professionals
04:15 – The story that led Dr. Johnson to rethink autism therapy
05:45 – What whole body apraxia actually means
07:15 – Understanding motor planning and communication barriers
08:00 – Why behavior does not always reflect understanding
09:30 – The backpack example: motor planning in daily life
11:00 – Typical childhood behavior versus apraxia
12:30 – Why presuming competence matters
14:00 – How professionals unintentionally limit autistic children
16:00 – Reading ability, communication, and hidden competence
17:00 – Regulation, sensory overwhelm, and motor control
19:00 – Why parents must regulate themselves first
21:00 – The invisible pressure placed on mothers
23:00 – Co-regulation and caregiver support
25:00 – Building confidence through small wins and inchstones
28:00 – Supporting parents, not just children
30:00 – The fear every autism parent carries about the future

Listen to more episodes of the Inchstones Podcast, where Sarah Kernion explores autism advocacy, caregiver stories, profound autism, communication, neurodivergent parenting, and the small inchstones that shape meaningful lives.

About Dr. Dana Johnson:

For more than 20 years, Dr. Johnson has worked alongside incredible families who have taught her what true resilience, patience, and hope look like. Through this work, she has learned that two things can be true at once: your child can struggle and make incredible progress at the same time.

Recognizing that too many professionals didn't know how to truly help these families, Dr. Johnson created her YouTube channel, “The Autism + Apraxia Doctor,” and expanded her reach across multiple platforms to educate professionals in the autism field. She specializes in helping individuals with complex autism, whole-body apraxia, and other neurodevelopmental disabilities develop intentional motor skills and improve their overall health.

Her mission is...

• (00:00:01) - Maternal intuition about autism on The Inchstones Podcast
• (00:01:41) - Speech therapists on autism
• (00:06:59) - What does that whole body apraxia actually look like?
• (00:14:28) - Caution about presuming competence in children with disabilities
• (00:15:36) - Motor and regulation in children's brains
• (00:16:55) - What It's Like to Be Maxed Out in Motherhood
• (00:25:38) - Dr. Johnson: Reflection is a life luxury

What does autistic adulthood actually look like? In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with autistic young adult Zach Ennis and his mother, Stacy Ennis, for a powerful conversation about independence, self-advocacy, friendship, community, and building a meaningful life with autism.

Too often, conversations about autism stop in childhood. Zach’s story offers something many families are searching for: a glimpse into adulthood, possibility, and the supports that help autistic adults thrive.

Zach shares what he enjoys most about his life, from community dinners, theater classes, movies, friendships, and independent living skills to advocating for adults with disabilities. He speaks candidly about communication, relationships, self-confidence, and his hopes for the future. His message is simple but powerful: work hard, be kind, support others, and believe in your potential.

Sarah and Stacy also explore the evolution of motherhood, autism advocacy, acceptance, and the unexpected gifts that come from raising and supporting a neurodivergent child into adulthood. Together they discuss communication beyond speech, independence, dignity, self-determination, and why autistic adults deserve opportunities to build full and meaningful lives.

This episode explores:

* autistic adulthood and independence
* autism advocacy and self-advocacy
* neurodivergent parenting across the lifespan
* community living and social connection
* autism and communication differences
* supporting autistic adults
* friendship, purpose, and belonging
* motherhood and lifelong caregiving

This conversation is a reminder that autism is not the end of a story. For many families, it is the beginning of a different story filled with growth, connection, community, and possibility.

In This Episode

00:00 – Introducing Zach and Stacey Ennis
01:15 – Zach shares what he enjoys most about life
02:10 – Building independence through community and daily living skills
03:00 – Friendship, communication, and social connection
03:45 – What Zach wishes people understood about him
05:00 – Accomplishments and learning independent living skills
06:10 – Feeling seen through autism self-advocacy
07:20 – Challenges that people may not notice
08:15 – Living your best life and future goals
09:00 – Zach’s message about autism and kindness
10:15 – What Zach has taught his mother about life
12:30 – Friendship, family, and growing into adulthood
15:15 – Daily connection between mother and son
16:20 – Acceptance, advocacy, and finding joy
18:00 – Communication beyond speech and traditional expectations
20:00 – Seeing the person beyond the diagnosis

Listen to more episodes of the Inchstones Podcast, where Sarah Kernion shares caregiver stories, autism advocacy, neurodivergent parenting, profound autism experiences, and conversations that illuminate the humanity behind every diagnosis.

• (00:00:01) - Autism on Inchstones: Zach Ennis
• (00:00:54) - Living On An Independent Plan
• (00:03:03) - Zach's Life Story
• (00:04:51) - DustB House Community Member Zachary's Special Needs Moments
• (00:06:16) - Zachary on the Future
• (00:06:47) - Zachary Ennis on Autism
• (00:07:40) - What Has Zach Learned From His Life?
• (00:08:46) - The Reorientation of Having a Neurodiverse Child
• (00:09:51) - One Mother's Friendship With Her Autistic Son
• (00:12:31) - One Parent's Love Letter For His Mother
• (00:13:48) - Stacy's story of autism and the support of the community

An autism diagnosis changes more than a child’s future. It changes the people who love that child too. In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with Bari Shore for an honest conversation about autism parenting, childhood apraxia, community, motherhood, and the unexpected personal growth that emerges from raising a neurodivergent child.

When Bari’s son Dean received his autism and apraxia diagnosis during the pandemic, she found herself searching for answers, support, and connection. Like many autism moms, she experienced relief, grief, uncertainty, and determination all at the same time. But perhaps the biggest surprise was not how much her son would grow. It was how much she would grow too.

Together, Sarah and Bari discuss autism parenting, caregiver stories, autism diagnosis journeys, motherhood identity shifts, advocacy, sibling relationships, and the importance of finding people who truly understand your family’s reality. They also explore why support does not always come from large groups, how community can be built one conversation at a time, and what happens when parents learn to celebrate inchstones instead of milestones.

This episode explores:

* autism parenting after diagnosis
* childhood apraxia and autism
* caregiver stories and community
* motherhood identity and personal growth
* sibling relationships and autism
* advocacy and communication
* autism diagnosis grief and acceptance
* parenting autistic children in the present moment

For parents navigating autism, apraxia, developmental delays, or the uncertainty that follows diagnosis, this conversation offers honesty, perspective, and hope.

In This Episode

00:00 – Finding friendship and community after diagnosis
02:00 – The long road to an autism and apraxia diagnosis
03:30 – Pandemic parenting and noticing developmental differences
04:30 – Relief, grief, and finally having answers
05:15 – Becoming “the autism mom” and identity shifts
06:00 – Why community became essential
06:45 – Cycles of research, burnout, and recovery
07:50 – Is autism parenting unfair?
08:45 – Celebrating inchstones instead of milestones
09:20 – Why the world should adapt to autistic children
10:30 – Learning to advocate for yourself as a parent
11:45 – Autism parenting and perspective
12:30 – Advice for parents receiving a new diagnosis
13:45 – Staying present instead of spiraling into the future
15:15 – Raising autistic boys and trusting your instincts
17:00 – Seeing the child beyond the diagnosis
18:20 – Becoming stronger through autism parenting
19:45 – Relationships, community, and what matters most

Listen to more episodes of the Inchstones Podcast, where Sarah Kernion shares caregiver stories, autism advocacy, neurodivergent parenting, profound autism experiences, and the lessons hidden inside the smallest inchstones.

• (00:00:00) - Autism Mom on The Inch Jones Podcast
• (00:02:06) - Dean was diagnosed with autism at 3 years old
• (00:07:02) - Grief After A Loss: Is It Unfair?
• (00:08:40) - What Do You Tell An Autism Mom About Their Journey?
• (00:14:01) - Dean Has Autism, and He's a Boy Mom
• (00:16:54) - Barry on Love on the Spectrum

Why do so many autism moms feel like they can never fully relax? In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with Kerry Stevens for an honest conversation about caregiver burnout, autism motherhood, hypervigilance, and the invisible emotional load that comes with parenting autistic children.

Kerry shares the reality of raising her son Connor while balancing work, therapies, school meetings, financial pressure, and the constant responsibility that many special needs caregivers quietly carry every day. Together, Sarah and Kerry explore autism parenting, developmental delays, caregiver exhaustion, IEP advocacy, and the emotional experience of living in a near-constant state of fight-or-flight.

Their conversation touches on the grief that can follow an autism diagnosis, the pressure to help your child “catch up,” and the difficult process of accepting a path that looks different than the one you imagined. Kerry speaks candidly about leaving a job that could no longer accommodate the realities of caregiving and the emotional impact of being told her son’s needs were “too much.”

This episode explores:

* caregiver burnout and autism motherhood
* parenting autistic children while working
* hypervigilance and nervous system exhaustion
* autism diagnosis grief and acceptance
* developmental delays and communication challenges
* IEP advocacy and trusting parental intuition
* balancing therapies, finances, and family life
* learning to understand non-speaking communication

This episode is for autism moms, caregivers, and families navigating autism parenting, caregiver burnout, developmental delays, and the relentless emotional labor that often comes with raising autistic children.

In this episode:

00:00 – The invisible workload of autism motherhood
01:30 – Leaving a job because caregiving demands became too great
03:00 – Grieving the motherhood journey you imagined
05:15 – Living in constant fight-or-flight as an autism parent
07:00 – Why autism caregiving never truly shuts off
08:30 – Acceptance, therapy, and processing diagnosis grief
10:45 – Wanting your child to “catch up” after diagnosis
12:00 – Early intervention, ABA, and moving quickly after diagnosis
13:30 – Learning your child’s body language and communication patterns
15:00 – The daily realities of autism caregiving
16:45 – School routines, therapies, and medical support
18:00 – Home safety, elopement fears, and constant vigilance
19:45 – Reading emotional cues from non-speaking children
21:15 – Financial stress and caregiver burden
22:45 – IEP advocacy and the power of parental intuition
24:30 – Why autism moms deserve more support and understanding

Listen to more episodes of the Inchstones Podcast, where Sarah Kernion shares caregiver stories, autism advocacy, profound autism experiences, and the realities of neurodivergent parenting.

• (00:00:01) - Autism Mamas of the Inchstones
• (00:05:09) - On Being a Mother of a Special Needs Child
• (00:08:01) - Mac's Cerebral palsy diagnosis
• (00:12:47) - How I Help My Child Get Ready For School
• (00:17:40) - Connor's caregiver and his school
• (00:22:33) - Sarah's story about her son on the Autism spectrum