IEP: I Expect Panic (and Paperwork) | Sip & Stim - Ep 09

IEP: I Expect Panic (and Paperwork) | Sip & Stim - Ep 09

For many parents, an IEP meeting feels less like a meeting and more like walking into a room where everyone knows the rules except you. In this episode, Kate and Toni tackle one of the most important and often most intimidating parts of raising a child with autism: advocating for your child at school. Kate shares what it's really like preparing for Greyson's IEP meetings, from reviewing pages of reports and data to learning how to speak up when something doesn't feel right. Toni offers practical insight from both the education and clinical sides of the table, breaking down what parents need to know about IEPs, 504 Plans, evaluations, accommodations, and the rights available to support their child. But more than anything, this conversation is about confidence. It's about realizing that you do not need a degree in education to advocate for your child. You do not need to know every law, every acronym, or every piece of educational jargon. You simply need to know your child. Whether you are preparing for your very first IEP meeting or have spent years sitting across from school teams fighting for the support your child deserves, this episode is a reminder that your voice matters, your concerns are valid, and you belong at that table. Because at the end of the day, no one knows your child better than you do.

Autism Isn't Cheap | Sip & Stim - Ep 08

Raising a child with autism comes with love, joy, advocacy, and a whole lot of expenses people rarely see. In this episode, Kate and Toni talk honestly about the financial side of autism parenting, from therapy costs and insurance battles to gas, equipment, safety needs, reduced work hours, lost income, and the endless paperwork that somehow becomes part of everyday life. Kate shares what it has looked like to fight for nursing care, manage appointments, pay for safety supports, cut household expenses, and adjust her work life around Grayson’s needs. Toni brings her perspective as a provider, sharing what she sees families carry behind the scenes and why financial stress can shape so many decisions around care. This conversation is real, practical, and deeply validating for any parent who has ever felt guilty, overwhelmed, or stretched thin trying to give their child what they need. Because struggling financially does not mean you are failing. It means you are making impossible choices, doing the best you can, and loving your child through every hard decision.

Autism and Friends - The Conditions That Tag Along | Sip & Stim - Ep 07

What happens when autism is only part of the picture? In this deeply personal episode, Kate and Toni open up about the complicated reality many families face after an autism diagnosis. Because for so many children, the story does not stop there. From seizures, genetic conditions, anxiety, OCD, sensory struggles, sleep issues, GI problems, and medication side effects, they discuss how autism can overlap with so many other challenges and why understanding the full picture matters. Kate shares Greyson’s ongoing medical journey and the emotional weight of navigating specialists, testing, unanswered questions, and the constant balancing act of advocating for your child while trying not to lose yourself in the process. They also talk about the importance of building a care team that truly communicates, trusting your instincts as a parent, and recognizing that behaviors are often signs that something deeper is going on beneath the surface. This conversation is honest, emotional, validating, and filled with the kinds of thoughts many parents carry silently every day. If you have ever felt overwhelmed trying to connect the dots, exhausted from appointments, confused by diagnoses, or unsure if anyone truly sees the whole child behind the paperwork and labels, this episode is for you.

The Power of the Present - Living in the Here and Now | Sip & Stim - Ep 06

What happens when you stop living in the “what ifs” and start learning how to live in the moment?In this episode, Kate and Toni have an honest conversation about anxiety, control, OCD, autism, and the emotional weight so many parents and caregivers quietly carry every day. Kate opens up about her own struggles with obsessive thoughts, needing control, fear of the future, and constantly replaying the past, especially while navigating life with a child who has significant medical and support needs.Together, they talk about how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helped Kate shift from surviving in fear and uncertainty to finding more peace in the present. They also discuss the reality of setbacks, intrusive thoughts, parenting stress, perfectionism, and why growth is rarely a straight line.This episode is not about “fixing” yourself or pretending everything is okay. It is about learning how to breathe through the hard moments, let go of what you cannot control, and find joy in the life happening right in front of you, even on the messy days.

It Takes a Village | Sip & Stim - Ep 05

When you’re raising a child with autism, people often say, “It takes a village.” But what happens when that village is smaller than you expected, changes over time, or disappears when you need it most?   In this episode, Kate and Toni talk honestly about what support can really look like for autism families. Kate shares how her family’s village has shifted through moves, loss, grief, changing relationships, and the reality of relying on therapists, nurses, and respite providers when family support is limited.   They also discuss the emotional side of letting people into your home, the isolation many caregivers feel, the pressure of trying to work while managing appointments and care needs, and why empty offers of help can hurt more than people realize.   This conversation is for any parent or caregiver who has ever felt alone, overwhelmed, or unsure how to build support around their family. It is a reminder that your village may not look the way you imagined, but real support can still be found, built, and rebuilt one honest step at a time.