Around The Spectrum

Wendy Manganaro
  • 0.0 (0)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

Around the Spectrum Honest conversations from the people around the spectrum — the ones supporting, questioning, and showing up daily. This podcast is for those in the trenches: parents navigating new diagnoses, BCBAs striving to lead with integrity, educators, caregivers, and allies asking, "Am I getting this right?” Hosted by a longtime autism parent and healthcare communicator, Around the Spectrum brings together real stories and practical guidance from individuals who support autistic children every day. No extremes. No preachy vibes. Just honest conversations with parents, professionals, and those in-between. Because when we listen more and judge less, we all do better.

Episodes

  1. 4D AGO

    Around the Spectrum - Compassion Is the Intervention: Rethinking Autism Care at the Start (with Anna Sturgeon)

    The starting line of an autism journey can feel like a maze of waitlists, opinions, and second-guessing. We invited BCBA and clinic founder Anna Sturgeon to sit with us at the table and make that first stretch less lonely and far more practical. From low-cost, no-wait evaluations to caregiver-first coaching, Anna lays out how compassionate care is built—not with empty promises, but with listening, clear education, and plans that fit real families. We unpack the pressure around the “forty hours” myth and talk through what individualized care really looks like when your child’s needs, your routines, and your resources are front and center. Anna maps the foundational skills that drive long-term growth—imitation, joint attention, echoics, listener responding, play, independence—and explains why giving timelines for language or school readiness can backfire. If speech isn’t the immediate path, we explore how AAC can open communication now, reduce frustration, and still support future speech. Different path, same dignity. You’ll also hear concrete steps to take while waiting for services: define priorities, connect with informed parent communities, and choose providers who collaborate across ABA, OT, and speech. We share scripts for school advocacy that are respectful and firm, plus cues for spotting a good clinical fit—curiosity, transparency, and the humility to refer out when needed. The throughline is simple and strong: compare your child only to themselves, celebrate each gain, and build a team you can trust. If this conversation helps you breathe a little easier, tap follow, share it with a friend who’s on the journey, and leave a quick review so more families can find the show. Your voice helps keep this table open to anyone who needs a seat. Support the show

    30 min

  2. 11/18/2025

    Around the Spectrum - Not Bad, Just Communication (With Kea Lee)

    Ever been told your child is “bad” in the checkout line while you’re just trying to make it through the day? We dive into the real story behind behavior with BCBA and parent coach Kia Lee, exploring how meltdowns, eloping, and even aggression can be signals of unmet needs rather than defiance. Together, we unpack the everyday moments that push families to the brink and share clear, compassionate steps to bring calm, confidence, and connection back home. We talk through what actually works outside the clinic: visual schedules that make mornings smoother, timer cues that ease transitions, and simple ways to preview change so kids aren’t ambushed by the day. Kia explains why collaboration beats compliance in ABA, how to build treatment plans that respect your culture and capacity, and why parents deserve as much reinforcement as their kids. You’ll hear practical tools to handle noisy stores, long lines, and critical stares, plus concrete ideas for co-regulation, from breathing techniques to short affirmations that help you steady yourself before you steady your child. If you’ve felt isolated by public judgment or let down by strategies that worked at therapy but fell apart at home, this conversation offers a grounded reset. We reframe behavior as communication, teach replacement skills that fit the child’s strengths, and show how to pick one priority for 6–8 weeks so progress doesn’t feel like a second job. The big takeaway: your child isn’t against you, and you don’t have to do this alone. Subscribe for more real-world autism support, share this episode with a parent who needs a boost today, and leave a review to help other families find these tools. 🔗 Additional Resource for Parents If today’s conversation resonated, Kea Lee also created the Grace & Growth Caregiver Program, a parent-centered resource designed to support caregivers of children on the autism spectrum. The program focuses on three core pillars: compassion, connection, and confidence, helping parents build emotional regulation skills for themselves, strengthen their connection with their child, and feel more grounded during challenging moments at home. You can learn more about the Grace & Growth Caregiver Program here:  👉 [Link to resource] Support the show

    21 min

  3. 10/14/2025

    Around the Spectrum: Consistency Over Chaos: Rethinking Systems in ABA (with Michael Conteh)

    Growth isn't the enemy; bad systems are. We sit down with BCBA, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and executive coach Michael Conte to explore how autism clinics scale quality without scaling burnout. Michael shares how he moved from direct clinical work to systems-level leadership, using a "telescope and microscope" approach to separate systems issues, process gaps, and people problems. The result is a clear, practical playbook for leaders and parents who want fewer fires, steadier teams, and better outcomes for kids. We dig into the hours dilemma—when assessments say 30–40 hours, but the family and staffing reality won't support it—and why consistency beats intensity. You'll hear how to build a Venn diagram that actually works: child capacity, provider quality, and family reality. We talk about insurer expectations, realistic utilization, and how forcing “ideal” hours can backfire by eroding trust and progress. Michael explains the burnout feedback loop BCBAs face, what isolation looks like on the floor, and the single highest-leverage fix: teach leadership as a real skill, not a job title. From there, we map concrete steps any clinic can implement quickly: a 90-day onboarding for families and staff, touchpoints for pick-up and drop-off with specific feedback, programming systems for younger learners, and simple ways to build intrinsic motivation so RBTs want to stay. Parents will learn how sharing "biology data", sleep, hunger, and routine changes can transform a day's plan, and how to use observations to spark smarter collaboration without feeling like the squeaky wheel. For owners and new founders, Michael offers a sharp nudge: document the vision so others can execute; if it lives in your head, it won't scale. If you're ready to build services that families can count on and teams can sustain, this conversation offers clear moves you can make this week. Subscribe, share with a colleague who's scaling a clinic, and leave a review with the system you plan to improve next. 🔗 Parent Resources To support families navigating early childhood development and regulation, Michael shared the following practical tools: 🧻 Simple Potty Training Guide for Parents A step-by-step, parent-friendly guide designed for children ages 2–4. This resource breaks potty training into manageable phases, with readiness signs, visual supports, reinforcement ideas, and progress tracking to reduce stress and build consistency.  👉 Download the Potty Training Guide (PDF) 🌪️ Understanding Meltdowns and Tantrums A clear, compassionate guide that explains the difference between meltdowns and tantrums, common triggers, and evidence-informed strategies to support regulation. Includes prevention tips, recovery plans, visual schedules, calming kits, and parent self-care guidance.  👉 Download the Meltdowns and Tantrums Guide (PDF) Support the show

    32 min

  4. 09/09/2025

    Around the Spectrum - Welcome to Holland: Finding Beauty in a Different Path (with Michael Vassar)

    When Michael Vassar’s daughter was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder and later autism, his family’s journey took an unexpected turn. In this candid conversation, Michael shares how “Welcome to Holland,” Emily Perl Kingsley’s well-known poem, became a touchstone for reframing expectations — and finding unexpected beauty on a different path. We talk about the early shock of diagnosis, the long waits for services, the power of parent-to-parent connection, and the little victories that make the hardest days worth it. Michael also brings insight from his work in autism care technology, offering practical tips for families navigating the post-diagnosis gap. Whether you’re just beginning this journey or years down the road, this episode is a reminder that while the destination may not be what you first imagined, it can still be deeply meaningful — and you don’t have to walk it alone. Inspired by Emily Perl Kingsley’s poem “Welcome to Holland.”  Read Emily Perl Kingsley’s full poem, “Welcome to Holland,” here: https://www.emilyperlkingsley.com/welcome-to-holland Support the show

    24 min

  5. 08/26/2025

    Around the Spectrum - Why Leadership Matters in Autism Services (with Amanda Cox)

    Amanda Cox, leadership development trainer and consultant, shares insights on how leadership in autism centers directly impacts family experiences and client outcomes.  • Leadership in ABA requires constant "chameleonism" – switching between different communication styles and audiences quickly • Trust-based leadership creates psychological safety through transparency, not avoiding hard conversations • BCBAs and parents must understand each other's perspectives for effective partnerships • Biological readiness (eating, hydration, rest) forms the foundation for handling clinic challenges • Leaders model behavior – if they don't practice self-care, staff won't either • Normalizing feedback creates cultures where communication improves and burnout decreases • Young professionals entering the field need both clinical and leadership skills • Effective leadership means asking for help appropriately and delegating tasks • Balancing professional boundaries while remaining human is essential for longevity Connect with Amanda Cox at the Know Better Company to learn more about leadership development for ABA professionals. Support the show

    29 min

  6. 08/12/2025

    Welcome to Around the Spectrum

    Pull up a chair, your spot is waiting. In this brief trailer, host Wendy Manganaro shares what you can expect from Around the Spectrum: grounded guidance, honest conversations, and real stories about raising and supporting children with autism. Whether you're a parent at the start of the journey, a professional who works alongside families, or simply someone who cares, there's a seat for you here. New episodes every other week because when we sit at the same table, we understand more and judge less. Support the show

    2 min
  • 6 Episodes

About

Around the Spectrum Honest conversations from the people around the spectrum — the ones supporting, questioning, and showing up daily. This podcast is for those in the trenches: parents navigating new diagnoses, BCBAs striving to lead with integrity, educators, caregivers, and allies asking, "Am I getting this right?” Hosted by a longtime autism parent and healthcare communicator, Around the Spectrum brings together real stories and practical guidance from individuals who support autistic children every day. No extremes. No preachy vibes. Just honest conversations with parents, professionals, and those in-between. Because when we listen more and judge less, we all do better.

Information

  • Creator
    Wendy Manganaro
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Around The Spectrum
  • Show Website
    Around The Spectrum