Inchstones with Sarah | Autism Parenting & Neurodiversity Insights

Sarah Kernion | Profound Autism Mom and Advocate for Neurodiversity
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Autism, neurodiversity, and parenting come together on Inchstones, where we illuminate the real lives of profound autism mothers and caregivers.

  1. From Dysregulation to Connection: Autism Parenting and Emotional Support with Laurie Dove

    2D AGO

    From Dysregulation to Connection: Autism Parenting and Emotional Support with Laurie Dove

    Autism parenting often brings families face-to-face with emotional intensity—both in their children and within themselves. In this conversation, Sarah Kernion speaks with Laurie Dove about regulation, resilience, and the lived reality of raising children with autism, including those with nonspeaking autism. Laurie shares her personal journey navigating early concerns, intervention, and the evolving emotional landscape of motherhood. At the center of the discussion is a core principle: regulation is not optional—it is biological. Both parent and child operate within nervous systems that respond to stress, environment, and connection. The conversation explores practical strategies for managing dysregulation, including naming emotions, building awareness, and creating space for calm responses. It also addresses the often unspoken experiences of resentment, overwhelm, and isolation that can accompany autism parenting—and the importance of community in mitigating those pressures. Through caregiver stories and grounded insight, this episode reframes regulation as a foundational skill in autism parenting. Not perfection, but awareness and practice—what Inchstones calls small, consistent shifts—create lasting change. Find Laurie, the Queen of Autism Mom Regulation, on Instagram:  @everyday_autism_essentials_ Chapters (00:00:01) - May 1st: The Mothers of Autism(00:02:16) - What Was the Moment That You Realized Your Child(00:04:22) - The Journey of Early Intervention(00:06:38) - Sarah's Story of Autism and the Season(00:10:50) - Regulation of the Child's Body(00:18:00) - What Made Me Perfect for My Daughter's Autism(00:24:17) - Two tips for coping with a child's grief(00:26:25) - Lori Dove on Autism Essentials

    27 min
  2. Beyond Stereotypes: Autism Parenting, Communication, and Community with Chloe Barnes

    6D AGO

    Beyond Stereotypes: Autism Parenting, Communication, and Community with Chloe Barnes

    Autism parenting often begins with uncertainty but evolves through relationship, exposure, and lived experience. In this conversation, Sarah Kernion speaks with Chloe Barnes about her path from caregiver to advocate and how that journey reshaped her understanding of autism, including nonspeaking autism. Chloe’s work emphasizes the difference between transactional support and relational connection. Through direct caregiving experience, she highlights how communication extends beyond speech and how meaningful engagement requires presence, curiosity, and a willingness to challenge assumptions. The conversation explores how societal perceptions of autism are often shaped by distance rather than understanding. For families engaged in autism parenting, especially those supporting nonspeaking individuals, this gap can lead to isolation and misinterpretation. By centering caregiver stories and real-world interaction, this episode reframes autism advocacy as something built through relationship—not just policy or language. It calls for deeper community engagement, more exposure, and a commitment to seeing individuals with autism as whole people within their environments. Chloe Barnes is the host of the Aletheia Project, a podcast designed to educate on the realities of autism, platform parent advocates, and create a more understanding and inclusive world for children and adults living with profound autism. Chloe brings a unique perspective shaped by her experience working as a caregiver. Through thoughtful conversation, she strives to create space for understanding, connection, and meaningful change. The Aletheia Project can be found: Instagram: @the_aletheiaproject  Youtube: https://youtube.com/@the_aletheia_project?si=2rxrzPptF4ppkcK7 Chapters (00:00:01) - The Alethea Project(00:04:55) - On the Need for a Community for Autism(00:08:48) - Beyond the Camp: Being Present in the Current(00:16:12) - The Secret to a Good Parenting(00:18:10) - Understanding the world of special needs families(00:22:11) - The Alethea Project(00:25:30) - Topics on Autism and the Discourse(00:26:32) - The Identity of Autism Gen Z(00:28:40) - On Identity Politics and the Autism Community(00:32:36) - What Does profound non-speaking autism Reveal to us?(00:37:58) - Thank You Chloe Barnes for Your Work

    41 min
  3. Public Policy & Autism Parenting: The Truth About Support Needs with NCSA Fellow, Cristina Gaudio

    APR 22

    Public Policy & Autism Parenting: The Truth About Support Needs with NCSA Fellow, Cristina Gaudio

    Autism parenting often reveals a gap between public narratives and lived reality—especially for families supporting children with higher needs, including nonspeaking autism. In this conversation, Sarah Kernion speaks with Cristina Gaudio, a legal policy and advocacy fellow, about the complexities of autism spectrum disorder and the urgent need for more nuanced public discourse. Cristina explores how current conversations around neurodiversity can sometimes obscure the realities of individuals who require significant, lifelong support. The discussion highlights the importance of stratifying support needs within autism, not to divide, but to ensure that policy solutions match real-world requirements. They also examine how media narratives and social discourse influence policy decisions, often simplifying a spectrum that is inherently complex. For families engaged in autism parenting, these simplifications can lead to gaps in services, misaligned legislation, and a lack of meaningful support. This episode calls for a more honest conversation—one that includes caregivers, acknowledges the full range of autism experiences, and prioritizes targeted, effective policy solutions. Cristina Gaudio is the appointed Legal Policy and Advocacy Fellow at the National Council on Severe Autism (NCSA). She is a JD/MPP candidate at Vanderbilt University and a 2023 graduate of the University of Chicago, where she earned a B.S. in Mathematics and a B.A. in Economics. As an autism sibling, Cristina is deeply committed to advancing evidence-based policies that improve the lives of individuals on the severe end of the autism spectrum. Her policy interests focus on Medicaid reform, housing access, and research aimed at supporting meaningful services and long-term outcomes for profoundly affected autistic individuals. Cristina is passionate about fostering truthful and compassionate autism discourse that includes all members of the spectrum. In addition to her studies, she serves her country as a U.S. Air Force Reserve Officer. Outside of her academic, military, and advocacy commitments, Cristina enjoys baking cookies, hiking, and traveling with her brother, who continues to inspire her dedication to autism advocacy. Reach out via email at cristina@ncautism.net. Chapters (00:00:01) - Interview(00:01:50) - On the Need for More Support for People with Autism(00:10:29) - Different levels of autism: The discourse(00:18:49) - On the Need for Autism Support(00:21:05) - On the Issues of Autistic People(00:24:59) - On the Autistic Activists(00:34:40) - Jackie Cancer on the Need for Real Support for People with Autism

    39 min
  4. From Autism Parenting to Advocacy: Honey Rinnicella on MAPS and A Place To Breathe

    APR 14

    From Autism Parenting to Advocacy: Honey Rinnicella on MAPS and A Place To Breathe

    Autism parenting often leads families into advocacy, especially when navigating complex healthcare and support systems. In this episode of the Inchstones Podcast, Sarah Kernion speaks with Honey Rinnicella about autism, autism parenting, and her work with MAPS (Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs). They discuss caregiver support, root cause medicine, and the need for stronger community systems for families raising children with autism, including those with nonspeaking autism. Honey also shares her vision for A Place to Breathe, a space designed to support healing, connection, and long-term sustainability for autism families. This conversation explores how personal experience can drive meaningful change in autism advocacy and community support. Honey Rinicella is the Executive Director of the Medical Academy of Pediatrics and Special Needs (MAPS), a national nonprofit advancing physician education and clinical capacity to care for individuals with autism and complex medical needs across the lifespan. Under her leadership, MAPS operates the only formal physician fellowship in the United States dedicated to comprehensive, evidence-informed medical care for this underserved population. Previously, Rinicella served as Director of Education for the National Autism Association, where she led national conferences and professional education initiatives, and held leadership roles with The Autism Community in Action (TACA), developing large-scale caregiver and professional training programs. She is also the parent of 25-year-old twins with autism, grounding her work in lived experience. Her focus is on strengthening medical standards of care, improving access to medically necessary treatment, and addressing systemic gaps—particularly for non-speaking individuals and adults transitioning out of pediatric systems. MAPS: https://www.medmaps.org/about-us/ Chapters (00:00:00) - Honey Renicella on Her Work for Autism Families(00:06:53) - How to Live With Autism in the Now(00:08:21) - MAPS: The Special Needs Medical Training(00:12:04) - Understanding Autism with Medmaps(00:18:12) - On Autism and the Care of Parents(00:22:21) - "I see my kids healed"(00:22:54) - How to Survive a Trauma with a Child(00:24:06) - A Place to Breathe for Autism Kids in Vermont(00:29:47) - A Place to Breathe for Autism Community(00:34:29) - Sarah's last Inchtones interview

    37 min
  5. Autism Parenting and Travel: Real Strategies, Inclusion, and Caleb’s Courageous Travels

    APR 2

    Autism Parenting and Travel: Real Strategies, Inclusion, and Caleb’s Courageous Travels

    Autism parenting often changes what families believe is possible—especially when it comes to travel. In this episode of the Inchstones Podcast, Sarah Kernion speaks with Jennifer Wallace of Caleb’s Courageous Travels about navigating travel with autism. They discuss autism travel tips, sensory considerations, preparation strategies, and how community support can make travel more accessible. This conversation is grounded in real experience and offers practical guidance for families raising children with autism, including those with nonspeaking autism. Travel may look different, but with the right preparation and mindset, it can still be meaningful. Find Jen & Caleb and their travels on INSTAGRAM: @calebscourageoustravels Chapters (00:00:00) - Caleb's Courageous Travels: On Autism Moms(00:03:08) - How to Prepare for a Trip With a Neurotypical Child(00:05:37) - How Have You Been Affected by Autism Travel?(00:10:17) - How to travel with an Autism Child on an Airplane(00:16:05) - Traveling with autism is a challenge(00:18:35) - Caleb's courageous travels inspire autism moms(00:21:47) - Believing in Your Child(00:25:47) - This Mom's Journey to the World With Autism

    27 min
  6. Autism Parenting and the Nervous System: Why Change Starts with Us with Sara Intonato

    MAR 26

    Autism Parenting and the Nervous System: Why Change Starts with Us with Sara Intonato

    Autism parenting often challenges not just what parents do—but how they think, regulate, and respond. In this conversation, Sarah Kernion speaks with Sara Intonato about the internal shifts required to support a child with autism, particularly in the context of nonspeaking autism and emerging communication methods like open spelling. At the center of the discussion is self-regulation. The nervous system of the parent becomes part of the environment the child experiences, shaping engagement, connection, and communication. Rather than focusing only on external interventions, this conversation reframes change as something that begins within the caregiver. Sara shares her journey parenting her son Rocco, highlighting the role of community support, the emotional discomfort that often accompanies growth, and the moment parents realize they cannot return to previous assumptions. The dialogue also explores the tension between accepting “that’s just autism” and remaining open to possibility—without losing grounding or discernment. This episode positions autism parenting as both an external and internal process: one where advocacy, communication, and personal growth intersect. Through caregiver stories and lived experience, it emphasizes that parents are not passive participants—they are active change makers in shaping their child’s environment and future. JOIN AUTISM CHANGEMAKERS WITH SARA INTONATO HERE: https://www.skool.com/autismchangemakers/about Chapters (00:00:00) - Sarah Antonato on Autism Change Makers(00:00:43) - Sarah Antonado on Healing for Autism Parents(00:05:47) - Autism Change makers: The Journey(00:11:40) - Nervous System Awareness(00:18:11) - Sarah on Parenting with Autism(00:21:55) - The Surprising Truth of Healing Your(00:25:31) - Open Spellers: The Work of Parents(00:29:43) - Autism Changemakers: Thank You!

    34 min
  7. Autism Parenting Isn’t Linear: The OODA Loop, Orientation, and Reality

    MAR 24

    Autism Parenting Isn’t Linear: The OODA Loop, Orientation, and Reality

    Autism parenting often forces a complete reorientation of how life is understood, planned, and experienced. In this conversation, Sarah Kernion and Alex Vohr explore the OODA loop—Observe, Orient, Decide, Act—not as a military concept, but as a framework for navigating the complexity of special needs parenting. At the center of the discussion is orientation: the lens through which parents interpret reality. When a child’s development diverges from expected paths, preconceived models of parenting no longer hold. What replaces them is a continuous process of adaptation, where feedback, engagement, and lived experience reshape how decisions are made. The conversation connects complexity theory with motherhood, highlighting how incremental progress—inchstones—becomes the true measure of growth. Radical acceptance emerges not as resignation, but as a strategic shift that allows parents to update their orientation and move forward with clarity. Drawing from military strategy and real-life caregiving, this episode reframes autism parenting as an adaptive system—one that requires constant engagement, flexibility, and the willingness to evolve. SPEED KILLS (Amazon) SPEED KILLS (Digital) Alex Vohr is a retired United States Marine Corps veteran who served 25 years, including multiple combat campaigns and humanitarian relief operations. Since retiring from the Marine Corps, Alex has worked in commercial industry as the Assistant Vice President of Operations at the Florida East Coast Railway, the Vice President of Logistics at New Fortress Energy, Vice President for Government Affairs at Trailer Bridge and is currently the President of OneLNG. In addition to his primary logistics specialty, Alex is a defense acquisition professional, a military planner, and an educator. He served as the Director for the School of Advanced Warfighting, a graduate-level curriculum focused on planning and decision-making in war. Alex holds three advanced degrees, his most recent in strategic studies from the Marine Corps War College. He has authored articles on Leadership, Disaster Relief, and decision-making in the Marine Corps Gazette and in Military Review. Alex resides in Florida with his wife, Susan, and they have three children.

    32 min
  8. Severe Autism, Caregiving, and the System That Fails Families with National Council on Severe Autism's, Jackie Kancir.

    MAR 17

    Severe Autism, Caregiving, and the System That Fails Families with National Council on Severe Autism's, Jackie Kancir.

    Autism parenting at the severe and profound end of the spectrum often reveals a reality that systems are not built to support. In this conversation, Autism Mom Sarah Kernion speaks with Jackie Kancir, Executive Director of the National Council on Severe Autism (NCSA), about the growing gap between what families need and what existing structures provide. Drawing from both personal experience and national advocacy work, Jackie outlines how caregiving for children with severe and nonspeaking autism places sustained pressure on families—emotionally, financially, and physically. The conversation explores how current systems frequently respond only in moments of crisis rather than building proactive, comprehensive support. Central to the discussion is the concept of crisis planning: not as a last resort, but as a necessary framework for families navigating autism parenting at high levels of need. They also examine the mental health risks faced by caregivers and the importance of building support systems that extend beyond the individual to include the entire family unit. This conversation calls for a shift in autism advocacy—one that centers the realities of severe autism, listens to caregivers, and prioritizes sustainable, systemic change. J About Jackie: Jackie Kancir is the Executive Director of the National Council on Severe Autism (NCSA) and Patient Advocacy Director for Cure SynGAP1. She writes and speaks at the intersection of disability policy, moral philosophy, and authentic experience — arguing from first principles that a just society is measured by how it treats the people it finds most inconvenient to serve. Her advocacy work occupies contested ground. The severe autism community she represents — nonverbal, intellectually disabled, and dependent on lifelong supports — is frequently sidelined even within mainstream disability spaces. Jackie'ss response to that erasure is to write her way through it: op-eds, testimony, public statements, and personal essays that translate policy failure into something a family sitting in a crisis at 2 a.m. can recognize as true. She is a former military spouse and brings to her work the particular clarity that comes from rebuilding a life after the structures you relied on stop holding. She is a brain tumor survivor and the single mother of a 22-year-old with severe autism, profound intellectual disability, and the rare genetic disorder SynGAP1-RD. She brings to her advocacy work the same thing most parents do: no other option. Chapters (00:00:00) - Jackie Cancer on Autism and the Challenges(00:00:51) - Jill's fight for severe autism families(00:12:14) - On Veteran Mothers and their PTSD(00:18:15) - Crisis planning for severe autism parents(00:26:26) - Why False Narratives Are So Inviting(00:27:18) - How to Get Involved in Autism Advocacy

    33 min
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Autism, neurodiversity, and parenting come together on Inchstones, where we illuminate the real lives of profound autism mothers and caregivers.

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