Welcome to Episode 324 of Autism Parenting Secrets. This week, I'm joined by Sarah Kernion, founder of INCHSTONES and mother of three children, including two with profound, non-speaking autism and whole body apraxia. Parents see things others simply can't. You are with your child across thousands of ordinary moments. You notice subtle changes in behavior, connection, sleep, digestion, regulation, communication, and development. Those observations aren't insignificant. They're clues. Yet it's easy to discount what you see when you're sitting across from a doctor, therapist, teacher, or other professional with years of training and expertise. Sarah makes a powerful case for a different posture. You don't need to know more than the experts. But you do need to recognize that you bring something to the table that no one else can: an extraordinarily deep understanding of your child. That means becoming more than an advocate. It means becoming an intentional observer, noticing patterns, documenting what you see, asking better questions, and trusting yourself enough to bring those observations forward. We also explore the importance of asking not only "What is this?" but "Why might this be happening?" And Sarah shares the idea at the heart of INCHSTONES: progress isn't only found in the big milestones we're conditioned to look for. It's also found in the tiny moments of connection, growth, and development that are easy to miss when we're focused only on how far our child still has to go. Those inchstones matter. The secret this week is… Your Ability To NOTICE Is A Superpower You'll Discover: Why your observations about your child are incredibly important clues (3:53)How to show up differently in conversations with practitioners (10:21)Why becoming a better observer changes your role in your child's care (21:07)Why asking "Why might this be happening?" can reveal more (31:36)Why inchstones deserve to be celebrated alongside milestones (39:02) About Our Guest: Sarah Kernion is the founder of INCHSTONES, host of the Inchstones podcast, and a national advocate for families raising children with profound autism. She is the mother of three children, including Milly and Mack, who both have profound, non-speaking autism and whole body apraxia. Through honest storytelling and conversations with leading researchers, physicians, and fellow caregivers, Sarah explores the intersection of science, advocacy, and the lived reality of raising children with the highest support needs. Her work invites parents to notice the small moments that often reveal the biggest truths because inchstones, not milestones, change lives. www.inchstones.co References in this Episode: Meadow HealthAdditional Resources: To learn more about personalized 1:1 support go to www.elevatehowyounavigate.com If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends.
