Fierce and Unconditional: A Conversation on Autism and Advocacy

Fierce and Unconditional: A Conversation on Autism and Advocacy

Zach interviews Sarah of Inch Stones by Sarah, a mom, advocate, and educator supporting families navigating autism, IEPs, and celebrating “inches” of progress. In rapid-fire questions, Sarah shares self-care practices, challenges the myth that a diagnosis defines a child’s humanity, and offers hope that things will be “more than okay.” She describes shifting from trying to “fix” her daughter Millie to embracing unconditional, expectation-free hope, and explains how grief is non-linear and intensifies with the permanence of long-term support needs, including impacts on siblings and future caregiving fears. Sarah emphasizes action over rumination, faith over fear, and “find a way.” She discusses presuming competence, citing her children’s progress with spell-to-communicate and AAC. Sarah explains Inchstones as rejecting deficit-focused milestones and outlines her IEP Power Plan, which helps parents prepare strong parent statements to change the dynamics of IEP meetings, and notes her Substack, podcast, and upcoming National Council of Severe Autism speaking engagement. website: www.unspecialllc.com [http://www.unspecialllc.com] #specialed [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/specialed] #podcast [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/podcast] #unspecial [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/unspecial] #specialneedsjourney [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/specialneedsjourney] #specialneedskids [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/specialneedskids] 👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: / unspecialllc 👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-F [https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-F].. [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjE5VGg1MlVmdmdlUWNjRlNELUUybFJ4bFFIUXxBQ3Jtc0tubU14Z1NCUjdteGtrNm84UEJ3U25XY0Z2ZURpQ0U2UjdXMTZJY2xTamtXcHZhcDItc3NHN0VweUZzTTF5bnFaTFRYVWdRSFNxblptb3dSb3NHeGlzNTZsckE5blVTVjVVV05HdWZGMVh1eGVSOFkxZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSpecial-Dayz-F..&v=tr5NM_dwRbY].

Perspective Shift: Embracing the Journey with Down Syndrome

On the Us Special podcast, the host interviews Erica Daverio, a mom to Gabriella (6), who has Down syndrome and autism, amid social-media controversy over an influencer who aborted a baby after a Down syndrome diagnosis and shared what Erica calls false, harmful claims about suffering and quality of life. Erica describes learning her daughter’s diagnosis at 12 weeks, the fear and medical framing she received, choosing testing, and ultimately accepting the pregnancy, saying termination was not an option. She pushes back on common myths (life is over, inevitable severe illness, lack of capability), shares Gabriella’s health and milestones, and explains how community on social media helped her during COVID. Erica discusses challenges like elopement, extra medical appointments, and sensory-related dental care, her decision to homeschool to focus on life skills, and her message that Down syndrome is not a tragedy and parents should seek real support beyond Google. website: www.unspecialllc.com [http://www.unspecialllc.com] #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids 👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: / unspecialllc 👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-F [https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-F]...

Hidden Battles: Understanding Profound Autism

The host and Olivia Rojo (“Praying Through Autism”) discuss the unseen burdens of profound autism—seizures, sleeplessness, isolation, grief, and constant medical battles—arguing autism is often deeply medical and worsened by untreated co-occurring conditions. They share takeaways from the Autism Health Inc. conference, including claims that 88% of autism is regressive and concerns about how pediatric screening questions obscure regression, plus a neurologist’s view that autism follows a developmental interruption. Olivia describes her daughter Leah’s regression after an immune trigger, mainstream doctors focusing on medication, and her shift to MAPS/biomedical care, including findings like cerebral folate deficiency and high MMR antibodies. She’s moving to Arizona for a synergistic team (MAPS doctor, PX neurologically focused chiropractic, and NeuroActive laser/primitive reflex therapy), reporting improvements in calmness, sleep, and gut motility, while emphasizing faith, sibling impact, and urging newly diagnosed families to seek TACA, MAPS, and deeper medical investigation. Visit our website: www.unspecialllc.com [http://www.unspecialllc.com] #specialneeds #specialeducation #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids #interview #truth #emotional

Faith, Inclusion, and Community: A Conversation on Disabilities in the Church

On the Unspecial Podcast, the host interviews Jessi Mansfield about disabilities and the church, focusing on whether inclusion is a slogan or a lifestyle and how faith, autism, and families collide. Jessi shares her background (Marine Corps, primary care, nonprofit work with adults with developmental/intellectual disabilities) and how her stepson’s autism diagnosis brought uncertainty, mourning, and overwhelm, eased by supportive friends and later strengthened by returning to church. She describes finding Rhythm Church, the community care they received, and launching Rhythm’s special needs ministry, The Haven, after researching local needs and the lack of visible disability ministries. Jessi explains doing inclusion well through individualized supports, volunteer training, sensory-friendly options, and discipling kids in accessible ways, while also prioritizing parents’ spiritual support and community, and she offers encouragement to families and volunteers. website: www.unspecialllc.com [http://www.unspecialllc.com] #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids 👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: / unspecialllc 👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-F [https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-F]...

Mindset and Miracles: Navigating Autism and Life's Challenges

The host interviews Tommy Rhyne of Spectrum and Camouflage about the unseen mental battle parents—especially dads—face in the autism journey, emphasizing real mindset over “toxic positivity.” They discuss exhaustion, grief, and staying grounded when life doesn’t match expectations, with both men sharing personal contexts: Tommy’s non-speaking autistic son and the host’s wife’s two-year cancer fight. Their faith frames key ideas about praying for healing while surrendering to God’s will, and viewing God’s presence as “always on time.” They warn that negativity and isolation can overtake families and affect siblings, urging parents to stay curious, drop shame, run to their children, and be present. Practical tools include breathing, brief rest, walking, action to interrupt anxiety, guarding inputs, daily gratitude, and accepting that hard times won’t stop—there’s no “normal life,” just life, and a daily choice to be grateful.website: www.unspecialllc.com [http://www.unspecialllc.com] #specialed [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/specialed] #podcast [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/podcast] #unspecial [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/unspecial] #specialneedsjourney [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/specialneedsjourney] #specialneedskids [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/specialneedskids] 👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: / unspecialllc 👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-F [https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-F].. [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVA4a2w3WVVPd082ZVlURmNhNEp2TllMSDRWZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsUU5iaXpJZ2kwMXBKNFlQRzg2OWltbkVmNTE2N0xWWHJMUFdDYm9fZ1VVejMwS0dGQ09aTEdOQ2NOMmVSajJHakxsQl9scjZfb1p1QUZBbmJJblY3Yk9QT2JVX0J4YlNtd3Y1SHV4RGJwRGV5Y0FHVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSpecial-Dayz-F..&v=6DbXJr5bdck].