The Autism Mom Coach

Lisa Candera
  • 4.9 (62)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Do you sometimes feel like your life has been hijacked by Autism? If so, this is the podcast for you. The Autism Mom Coach is a podcast for moms who feel overwhelmed, afraid, and sometimes powerless as they raise their child with Autism. Join your host, Lisa Candera, Certified Life Coach, lawyer, and (more importantly) full-time single mom to a teenage boy with Autism as she shares cognitive-based tools and trauma-informed strategies you can use to feel better now and transform your relationship with Autism and special needs parenting. The truth is, Autism is not in charge of your life, YOU are, and you have more power than you think. Visit theautismmomcoach.com for more information

  1. 1D AGO

    Ep 194: Autism Changes You

    In this episode of The Autism Mom Coach Podcast, Lisa Candera—autism mom, attorney, life coach, and solo parent—reflects on the early days of her son Ben’s autism diagnosis and the profound ways autism parenting reshaped her identity, nervous system, beliefs, and leadership. Recording in January 2026, Lisa looks back 16 years to the moment of diagnosis. She shares what it felt like to sit in shock, download the Autism Speaks 100 Day Toolkit, and hear the phrase: “This diagnosis doesn’t change who your child is.” While that statement is true, Lisa explores the deeper truth many mothers experience: Autism parenting changes you. This episode dives into how raising a child with complex needs expands emotional capacity, rewires belief systems, strengthens advocacy skills, and transforms the way a mother leads her home. In This Episode, You’ll Learn:How an autism diagnosis impacts a parent’s nervous system and identityWhy behavior is information—not defiance or “bad behavior”How to shift your mindset at the IEP table and advocate with calm authorityWhat it means to stay in your lane instead of comparing therapies, milestones, and family lifeHow autism parenting develops empathy, resilience, and emotional leadershipWhy protecting your nervous system is foundational for supporting your child Lisa shares personal stories about: Confronting early beliefs about “good” and “bad” behaviorSetting ego aside to see struggle underneath escalationAsking for meaningful supports at IEP meetingsPracticing self-compassion as a solo parentBecoming a steady, grounded presence in her household If you’re an exhausted autism mom wondering how this journey has changed you, this episode will help you see your growth with clarity and respect. Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to The Autism Mom Coach Podcast 00:36 – January reflections: The day of diagnosis & feeling numb 01:52 – “Autism didn’t change him — it changed me” 04:25 – How autism strengthened my advocacy skills 06:32 – Reframing behavior: Moving beyond “bad kid” narratives 07:52 – IEP mindset shift: Asking for supports with confidence 09:49 – Staying in your lane: Releasing comparison in autism parenting 10:57 – How autism parenting has changed you too 13:29 – Next steps: Coaching and consultation Ready to Apply This Work?If this episode resonated and you want structured support in building emotional regulation, advocacy confidence, and steady leadership in your home, schedule a consultation call: 👉 https://theautismmomcoach.com One-on-one coaching focuses on nervous system regulation, mindset shifts, and practical tools so you can lead your autism household with clarity and authority.

    14 min

  2. FEB 11

    Ep 193: Overaccomodation with Dr. Taylor Day

    In this episode of the Autism Mom Coach Podcast, host Lisa Candera talks with Dr. Taylor Day, a licensed psychologist specializing in neuro-affirming care for autistic children and their families. Dr. Tay shares her personal journey and professional insights on creating a holistic, family-focused approach to autism care. They discuss the importance of not just supporting the autistic child but also providing much-needed support to the entire family, including siblings and parents. Dr. Tay explains the nuances between accommodation and over-accommodation, how parents can process their own grief, and offers strategies for helping children understand their own neurodivergence. The conversation covers previewing changes, collaboration between parents and children, and the importance of seeking support. Tune in to learn how to create a balanced approach that benefits the entire family ecosystem. 00:00 Introduction 00:33 Special Guest: Dr. Taylor Day 01:34 Dr. Tay's Personal Journey and Professional Insights 02:26 Challenges and Gaps in Autism Care 04:02 The Importance of Family Support 07:20 Therapy and Personal Growth 11:08 Parental Challenges and Strategies 19:49 Accommodation vs. Over-Accommodation 34:25 Conclusion and Resources To learn more about Dr. Tay, visit her website: https://drtaylorday.com/

    36 min

  3. FEB 4

    Ep 192: Being Your Autistic Child's Safe Person

    In this episode of The Autism Mom Coach Podcast, I’m sharing a conversation from my appearance on Evolve with Dr. Tay with Dr. Taylor Day. We talk about the part of autism parenting that gets overlooked: the parent’s nervous system. Not behavior charts. Not better scripts. The parent. This conversation is about what it actually looks like to be your child’s safe person—without absorbing their distress, trying to fix what’s neurological, or burning yourself out in the process. In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why parent regulation comes before co-regulationWhat “being the safe person” actually requires (and what it doesn’t)How staying in your own lane reduces escalationWhy behavior is information and how the meaning we attach to it fuels stressWhat it means to lead as the CEO of your autism householdHow acceptance strengthens leadership rather than weakening it Lisa’s TakeawayFor a long time, I thought I needed better answers, better strategies, better plans, better experts. What actually changed things was learning how to regulate myself under pressure. You can still be the safe person. You can still lead. And you don’t have to do everything for your child to do that. About Dr. Taylor DayDr. Taylor Day is a licensed child psychologist and parent coach specializing in neurodivergent-affirming care. She brings both clinical expertise and lived experience as an autism sibling, with a strong focus on supporting the entire family system—not just the child. Resources Mentioned:The Autism Mom Coach: https://theautismmomcoach.comFollow me on Instagram and Facebook: @TheAutismMomCoachFree Resource: The Autism Mom’s Meltdown Plan — a clear Before-During-After framework for supporting your child while staying regulated yourself

    55 min

  4. JAN 21

    Ep 191: Learning You

    In this episode, Lisa talks with filmmaker Tyler Sansom and actor John Wells about the film Learning You. The movie follows a single father and his autistic son after the father removes him from an institution and takes him on an unplanned Christmas road trip. The conversation explores why this story felt different to tell and to watch. Tyler shares how the film came to him through a producer parenting a profoundly autistic daughter and how interviews with families shaped the script. John talks about stepping into the role as a father raising an autistic son himself, and how closely the character’s experiences mirrored his own. They discuss institutions, marriage breakdowns, system failures, meltdowns, and the way autism parenting requires constant recalibration. The focus stays on learning your child over time, reading early cues, and understanding behavior as information rather than something to correct. In This Episode, You’ll Hear and LearnWhat Learning You is about and how the story came to be madeWhy the film centers on institutional decisions and their impact on familiesHow John’s experience parenting an autistic son informed his performanceHow parents learn to recognize early signs before a meltdown escalatesWhy behavior often reflects nervous system overloadHow autism parenting evolves as children grow and change To watch Learning You, visit https://www.learningyoumovie.com to find a theater near you or learn more about the film’s release.

    36 min

  5. JAN 14

    Ep 190: Lessons from the Teen Years, So Far

    In this episode, Lisa reflects on what parenting her son through years of severe anxiety, OCD, aggression, and hospitalizations taught her as he transitioned into adulthood. She shares three principles that carried her through the darkest seasons—and continue to guide her as an autism mom today. In This Episode, You’ll Learn:How acceptance evolved from a one-time idea into a moment-by-moment practiceWhy resistance to reality can interfere with decision-making during crisisWhat unconditional love looks like when your child feels unfamiliarHow holding hope differs from denial—and why it requires courageWhy clearer advocacy came only after facing what was actually happening Lisa’s Takeaway:The teen years forced me to accept what was happening in real time, love my child without conditions tied to outcomes, and hold hope even when there was no evidence yet. Those three principles changed how I showed up as a parent—and as an advocate. Links Mentioned:Schedule a consultation: https://talkwiththeautismmomcoach.as.me/Email Lisa: lisa@theautismmomcoach.com If this episode resonated and you’re carrying a lot right now—whether you’re in crisis or simply worn down—you don’t have to navigate it alone. Schedule a one-on-one consultation at talkwiththeautismmomcoach.as.me and let’s talk through what support could look like for you.

    28 min

  6. JAN 7

    Ep. 189: Once More Like Rain Man with Bella Zoe Martinez

    In this episode, Lisa Candera sits down with autistic actress, writer, and filmmaker Bella Zoe Martinez, star of the short film Once More, Like Rain Man. Bella offers a candid look at what it’s like to navigate Hollywood—and the world—when autism is reduced to a single stereotype. Through humor and honesty, she shares the lived experience behind masking, exhaustion, and being misunderstood before you ever speak. In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why Rain Man has become shorthand for autism—and why that’s a problemWhat it’s like to live under constant comparison to a stereotypeHow autistic characters are often written as flat or roboticWhat masking actually feels like from the insideWhy kids come home exhausted after holding it together all dayWhy autistic people deserve to tell stories beyond autism Lisa’s Takeaway:Hearing Bella describe masking as acting shifted how I understand what so many kids carry every day. When we see behavior as effort instead of defiance, the picture changes—and so does our response. Links Mentioned:Once More, Like Rain Man If this episode resonated with you, share it with another autism mom who’s tired of stereotypes and surface-level understanding. And if you want deeper support, schedule a consult at talkwiththeautismmomcoach.as.me.

    16 min

  7. 12/17/2025

    Ep 188: The Expectation Trap, Part 2

    Last week we uncovered the Expectation Trap — the moment you realize you’re holding someone to your internal rulebook and feeling irritated, disappointed, or flat-out furious when they don’t follow it. This week, we take it further. Because once you see the trap clearly, the real question becomes: now what? This episode breaks down your three actual moves when someone’s behavior clashes with your values, standards, or instincts: let it go, make an adjustment, or enforce a boundary. These choices help you reclaim your steadiness, drop unnecessary resentment, and lead your home with more intention, especially during the holiday pressure cooker. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: How your expectations get built — and why the internal ones hit the hardest The power of choosing your battles instead of reacting from urgency or indignation Why “letting it go” is sometimes the most strategic move in an autism household What adjusting looks like when someone simply operates differently than you How to enforce a boundary without drama, panic, or self-judgment When you stop holding people to your personal rulebook, you stop burning energy on the wrong things and free up bandwidth for what actually matters to you. Ready to take this work deeper? Work with Me: This is where we clean up the mental load, the resentment, and the overfunctioning so you have capacity again: https://talkwiththeautismmomcoach.as.me

    10 min

  8. 12/10/2025

    187: The Expectations Trap, Part 1

    Holiday season has a way of dragging every unspoken rule you live by straight into the spotlight. In this episode, I’m calling out the Expectation Trap — the moment where your values, routines, and instincts collide with people who make choices that feel completely upside down to you. Here’s the truth: you are never the baseline for anyone else’s behavior. The minute you stop measuring other people’s choices against your internal rulebook, everything from holiday plans to everyday interactions feels lighter and easier to lead through. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: How expectations form through structure, routine, and the rules you carry in your headWhy holiday shifts land harder in autism households and spike nervous system stressThe emotional weight that settles on you when you assume others think like youHow releasing yourself as the “standard” creates breathing room in your body and your mind This shift frees up the mental space you need to guide your home with steadier energy, clearer decisions, and far less resentment. If this work speaks to what you’re living, here are a few ways to go deeper: Schedule a consultation for private coaching and get tailored support for your family: https://talkwiththeautismmomcoach.as.me

    18 min
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About

Do you sometimes feel like your life has been hijacked by Autism? If so, this is the podcast for you. The Autism Mom Coach is a podcast for moms who feel overwhelmed, afraid, and sometimes powerless as they raise their child with Autism. Join your host, Lisa Candera, Certified Life Coach, lawyer, and (more importantly) full-time single mom to a teenage boy with Autism as she shares cognitive-based tools and trauma-informed strategies you can use to feel better now and transform your relationship with Autism and special needs parenting. The truth is, Autism is not in charge of your life, YOU are, and you have more power than you think. Visit theautismmomcoach.com for more information

Information

  • Creator
    Lisa Candera
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    197
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Lisa Candera
  • Show Website
    The Autism Mom Coach

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