Refrigerator Moms

Kelley Jensen, Julianna Scott
  • 4.5 (10)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

Born from 20 years of friendship, during which they navigated the trenches of autism parenting and advocacy, the Refrigerator Moms is Kelley Jensen and Julianna Scott’s way of reaching out to parents waging the same battles they were.  Their purpose with this podcast is to clear the fog, silence the noise, and find a path through neurodivergence for parents that are stuck between bad choices. They tackle parenting topics such as mom guilt, tantrums, pathological demand avoidance, siblings, medication, comorbidities, social media, and much more. 

  1. 6d ago

    How to Handle Depression as an Autism Parent with Dr. Scott Eilers

    Dr. Scott Eilers, known online as the Depression Doctor, joins Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen to unpack the tools he built after living through a decade of severe depression himself. The conversation covers why shame loses power the moment it's spoken aloud, why platitudes like "you don't get more than you can handle" fall flat, and why contentment, not happiness, may be the more sustainable goal for parents navigating chronic stress. Dr. Eilers also shares how becoming a special needs parent forced him to refocus his time and energy, and offers a framework for deciding how much access anyone gets into your life. Key takeaways: Shame shrinks when shared; keeping it hidden means only your harshest critic (you) gets a votePlatitudes fail because they overshoot; acknowledging reality works better than forcing positivityConsider the source, both on social media and inside your own head, before absorbing criticismSpecial needs parenting often forces a "KonMari-style" refocusing of time, energy and relationshipsNo two people's parenting can be scientifically compared; there is no experimental controlContentment, not happiness, is the more sustainable emotional target on hard daysImpulsivity often comes down to sleep, food, movement and caffeine, not willpowerNot all anxiety is pathological; some of it is a rational response to real circumstancesGoing no contact with family can be warranted, but boundaries should track a person's actual behavior, not their titleShifting from consumption to creation, even small acts like cooking or a walk, changes how a hard day feelsResources Mentioned in This Episode: When Everything Is Burning by Dr. Scott Eilers, his book written for people dealing with chronic, deep seated depression, discussed throughout the episode as the source of several frameworks covered. https://www.drscotteilers.com/resources/for-when-everything-is-burning-book The Psychology of Depression and Anxiety, Dr. Eilers' podcast, mentioned as part of his body of work. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOD3pCPK--mHDqVuW75ATxBDsTlK5xVxp The KonMari Method, referenced by Julianna as a comparison point for decluttering relationships and obligations during hard seasons of parenting. https://konmari.com/about-the-konmari-method/?srsltid=AU7gw4X2Mk3MJKt_sdMaQYWC2BnM7yV91AqTnMDf4hGWYcBc85hkdNIU The Minimalists, the podcasting and writing trio whose work on intentional living and letting go of excess reflects the episode's discussion of decluttering as an emotional, not just physical, practice. https://www.theminimalists.com/ 🔗 Learn More:Website: refrigeratormoms.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/refrigeratormoms/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/refrigeratormomsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/refrigeratormoms/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@RefrigeratorMoms Refrigerator Moms is sponsored by Brain Performance Technologies, a specialty mental health clinic that offers neuromodulation treatments for mental health conditions including depression, PTSD, OCD, anxiety, ADHD and autism. Our treatments utilize TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) protocols including rTMS, aTMS, and MeRT. All of our treatments are drug-free and noninvasive. Call for insurance options or learn more at https://brainperformancetechnologies.com 00:00 Cold open: the opposite of depression00:22 Meet Dr. Scott Eilers, the Depression Doctor01:14 Why we wanted to talk about situational depression01:57 Shame grows when sheltered, withers when expressed06:21 Why platitudes fall flat for struggling parents09:23 A realistic statement beats a positive one11:09 Where did "you never get more than you can handle" come from13:01 The KonMari method for your mental clutter15:17 The day early intervention arrived at the door18:14 Considering the source in your own head19:44 Considering the source on social media21:29 The autism industrial complex22:31 When therapy offices aren't built for autistic clients25:07 How to vet a parent coach's credentials26:19 Why so many therapists are becoming coaches29:43 The six lies the world tells you33:35 Redefining what a father provides34:03 Going no contact with family35:36 A framework for safety and openness in relationships38:05 Adaptive versus maladaptive perfectionism40:13 Rewrite the research on your negative beliefs43:07 Why happiness might be the wrong goal46:35 The case for contentment over happiness48:39 Sleep, food, movement and impulsivity50:40 Sorting pathological anxiety from rational anxiety53:26 Creation versus consumption54:36 Where to find Dr. Eilers

    How to Handle Depression as an Autism Parent with Dr. Scott Eilers

  2. Sep 9

    Not About Autism Book Club: We Read The Viral Novel Yesteryear

    Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen launch the Not About Autism Book Club, with their first pick, Carol Clare Burke's viral bestseller Yesteryear. The novel follows a trad wife influencer who wakes up living in 1855, and the hosts dig into what the book gets right and wrong about performative Christianity, the manosphere, trad wife culture, and social media escapism. They debate the unlikable main character, the polarizing ending, and whether the story's twist actually lands. Spoilers included throughout.  Key Takeaways Yesteryear follows a trad wife influencer who wakes up living in 19th century conditions on her ranchThe hosts discuss the book's central criticism, that Christianity is portrayed as a theatrical villainClementine and the preacher are named as the story's more redeeming, genuinely Christian charactersThe author's writing process, including her rushed first draft and two editors, gets discussed in detailThe rumor that Anne Hathaway ghostwrote the book is addressed and debunkedCaleb's arc into the manosphere sparks a conversation about male identity and validationThe hosts unpack why trad wife content is aspirational fantasy rather than realityThey discuss the book's divisive twist ending and the lack of redemption for the main characterBoth hosts rate the book differently, weighing societal relevance against the quality of the writingThe next book club pick, Ann Patchett's Whistler, is announced at the end Resources Mentioned in This Episode Yesteryear by Carol Clare Burke, the book club's first pick, following a trad wife social media influencer who wakes up living in 1855.Diabolical Lies, the podcast hosted by author Carol Clare Burke. Whistler by Ann Patchett, our next book club pick. 🔗 Learn More Website: refrigeratormoms.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/refrigeratormoms/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/refrigeratormomsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/refrigeratormoms/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@RefrigeratorMoms Refrigerator Moms is sponsored by Brain Performance Technologies, a specialty mental health clinic that offers neuromodulation treatments for mental health conditions including depression, PTSD, OCD, anxiety, ADHD and autism. Our treatments utilize TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) protocols including rTMS, aTMS, and MeRT. All of our treatments are drug-free and noninvasive. Call for insurance options or learn more at https://brainperformancetechnologies.com Timestamps 00:00 Launching the Not About Autism book club01:03 Introducing Yesteryear and its viral buzz01:36 What Yesteryear is about02:06 First impressions of the book03:07 Spoiler warning before the ending talk03:25 Is Christianity the book's villain04:46 A social justice warrior as the real villain05:16 The author's rushed first draft process06:06 Editors and publishers shaping the book07:06 Why Kelley reads acknowledgments07:42 The Anne Hathaway ghostwriter rumor09:36 Fleshing out Caleb's character for film10:20 Sympathy for Caleb's stupidity11:18 Caleb's pull into the manosphere11:55 Social media silos and trad wife fantasy12:21 Was Caleb aware of his own role14:08 The unlikability of Shannon's arc15:22 The reading is sexy shirt moment15:53 Real homesteaders versus influencers16:20 Trad wife ideology meets modern woman17:23 Ballerina Farms and hidden help18:29 Why trad wife content is appealing19:29 Escapism and fantasy in trad wife culture20:10 Trad wife versus stay at home mom21:27 Social media as a sewing circle21:50 No redemption for Natalie22:08 The author's defense of Natalie23:24 Why Natalie is hard to like26:09 Hypocrisy and the manosphere's relevance27:33 Wishing for a time travel twist28:17 The new batch of kids reveal28:37 Questions about Clementine and the warrant29:46 Debating who is worse, Natalie or Caleb30:03 Marital rape and the fantasy of control32:20 Was Natalie drugged the whole time33:11 The unreliable narrator problem34:34 Rating the book on Goodreads35:37 The concept of winning in the story36:59 Announcing the next book club pick

    Not About Autism Book Club: We Read The Viral Novel Yesteryear

  3. Sep 2

    Screen Time, PDA, and College Essays: Our Three Biggest Papers Revisited

    Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen revisit three of the show's most-discussed refrigerator papers in one sitting: screen time, pathological demand avoidance (PDA), and college readiness. They break down why not all screen time is equal, what to actually do when a child is dysregulated by devices, and why the show remains skeptical of PDA as a standalone diagnostic framework. The conversation closes with a deep dive into college essay coaching for neurodivergent students, covering when and how to disclose a diagnosis, how AI has changed the essay-writing process, and what admissions readers are actually looking for. Key Takeaways Screen time isn't one category: passive consumption differs from educational or interactive useOxford's 2024 word of the year, "brain rot," describes real cognitive effects of low-quality screen contentWeaning a child off screen addiction often takes about two weeks before mood visibly improvesPDA is not a standalone diagnosis in the US and remains an add-on profile to autism in the UKMany PDA-focused "coaches" operate without a therapy license valid in the client's stateAvoiding demands long-term (like indefinite co-sleeping) tends to delay, not resolve, underlying challengesCollege "capable" (grades, test scores) is different from college "ready" (executive functioning, self-advocacy)The Common App personal statement is 650 words; UC personal insight questions are 350 words eachAdmissions readers spend about seven minutes per application on averageDisclosing a diagnosis in a college essay should be brief; the essay should focus on what a student did with the challenge, not the diagnosis itselfThrive College Counseling — the college counseling practice founded by Dr. Marci Schwartz, providing full-service college counseling for neurodivergent students, referenced alongside a companion paper the hosts wrote with her on college readiness.https://www.thrivecollegecounseling.com/ Standout Application Essays — the college essay coaching practice founded by Julianna Scott, offering brainstorming through final polish on college, scholarship, and graduate application essays, with particular experience supporting neurodivergent students and their families through the process.https://www.standoutapplicationessays.com/ 🔗 Learn More:Website: refrigeratormoms.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/refrigeratormoms/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/refrigeratormomsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/refrigeratormoms/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@RefrigeratorMoms Refrigerator Moms is sponsored by Brain Performance Technologies, a specialty mental health clinic that offers neuromodulation treatments for mental health conditions including depression, PTSD, OCD, anxiety, ADHD and autism. Our treatments utilize TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) protocols including rTMS, aTMS, and MeRT. All of our treatments are drug-free and noninvasive. Call for insurance options or learn more at https://brainperformancetechnologies.com 00:00 Revisiting three of our biggest papers00:36 Screen time, PDA, and college readiness ahead02:02 Screen time paper: the four categories03:16 The phone-during-diaper-change moment05:21 Screen time and "brain rot"05:48 Good screens: learning apps and cooking shows06:57 The worst screens: algorithm-driven platforms07:06 What kids did before screens existed08:07 Try a no-screen day experiment08:48 Parents are addicted to screens too10:04 Sponsor: Brain Performance Technologies10:15 What to do about screen addiction12:05 PDA paper: stirring up a hornet's nest12:50 What PDA actually means14:01 The PDA coaching cottage industry15:30 Is what you're doing helpful or hurtful16:26 Sleep and PDA: kicking the can down the road18:11 Study behaviorism before rejecting ABA20:00 College readiness with a college essay coach21:32 The up-all-nighter essay clients21:51 Dr. Marci Schwartz and Thrive College Counseling22:05 College capable versus college ready23:25 Sponsor: Brain Performance Technologies23:49 Common App versus UC personal insight questions26:39 How AI changed college essay coaching29:20 Coaching neurodivergent students on essays30:42 Should students disclose their diagnosis?33:09 Where disclosure belongs in an application36:08 Closing thoughts on college readiness

    Screen Time, PDA, and College Essays: Our Three Biggest Papers Revisited

  4. Aug 26

    How Grammy-Nominated Producer Tony Mantor Became Autism's Unlikely Storyteller

    Tony Mantor is a Nashville music producer and songwriter, not a clinician, not an autism parent, yet he built one of the most listened-to autism and mental health podcasts around, "Why Not Me." What started as a pandemic passion project turned into a platform with 19 million downloads, guests spanning Temple Grandin to late-diagnosed adults to parents navigating serious mental illness overlapping with autism. Julianna and Kelley talk with Tony about masking, late diagnosis, anosognosia, and what he's learned after three years of hearing the community's stories firsthand. Key Takeaways: Tony's podcast grew from a song written for first responders into a weekly show built entirely around lived experienceHe deliberately avoids clinical, sterile language, choosing storytelling so newly diagnosed families don't walk away more afraidA guest diagnosed by Chat GPT after three years of conversation history illustrates how masking can hide even from the person doing itAnosognosia, believing your delusion over another person's reality, came up as a subtopic most listeners have never heard ofLate-diagnosed adults, some as old as 60, describe losing a decade of self-understanding before diagnosisFemales are underdiagnosed in part because masking, mimicking social cues like laughing at a joke they didn't understand, hides the signsTemple Grandin called in personally to be a guest, and her mother was an original "refrigerator mother"Autistic guests worldwide describe the same core experience, with the real differences coming from how local communities and systems respondPoliticians remain some of the hardest guests to book, and Tony describes watching a unanimously passed autism bill die once it reached the HouseResources Mentioned in This Episode Why Not Me: Autism and Mental Health — Tony's podcast discussed throughout the episode as the platform where he interviews autistic guests, parents, advocates, and public figures.(https://tonymantor.com/why-not-me) Almost Live Nashville — Tony's other podcast, focused on the Nashville music industry.(https://tonymantor.com/almost-live-nashville) 🔗 Learn More:Website: refrigeratormoms.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/refrigeratormoms/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/refrigeratormomsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/refrigeratormoms/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@RefrigeratorMoms Refrigerator Moms is sponsored by Brain Performance Technologies, a specialty mental health clinic that offers neuromodulation treatments for mental health conditions including depression, PTSD, OCD, anxiety, ADHD and autism. Our treatments utilize TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) protocols including rTMS, aTMS, and MeRT. All of our treatments are drug-free and noninvasive. Call for insurance options or learn more at https://brainperformancetechnologies.com 00:00 Intro to Tony Mantor's unusual path to autism advocacy00:26 Welcome and setting up today's conversation01:13 Tony's music career and Plateau Music background01:48 How the "Why Not Me" song and podcast started03:16 A speech therapist's call changes everything04:42 Turning the last five minutes of a show into a movement05:33 What guests want most when they reach out06:19 Why clinical, sterile podcasts scared him07:04 Three years in, what he's learned about autism08:12 Sponsor message: Brain Performance Technologies08:25 How his perspective on autism has changed09:45 The first episode that changed everything10:22 The literal thinking story that resonated worldwide11:46 Musicians and undiagnosed autism12:07 A singer songwriter who never told him she was autistic12:48 Masking, gender, and camouflaging13:32 Diagnosed autistic by Chat GPT14:52 19 million downloads and branching into mental health15:19 Why he expanded beyond autism17:08 Rebranding to Autism and Mental Health18:41 Anosognosia explained19:55 How his view of serious mental illness changed20:44 The system failing people before they end up in jail21:05 Temple Grandin's surprise podcast request22:26 Temple Grandin's mother and the refrigerator mother connection23:22 Who Tony still wants to interview24:20 Why he doesn't research outside guest stories25:22 The masking, bullying, and suicide risk connection27:41 Consensus and differences across years of conversations28:37 What parents worry about most29:31 Losing a decade before late diagnosis30:43 The cost of disclosing an autism diagnosis31:05 Learning each other's culture in a mixed neurotype marriage32:20 Tony's other podcast, Almost Live Nashville34:22 What's working well in the autism community36:08 Special interests and hyper-focus37:30 A Bulgaria to Belgium relocation story38:13 Comparing autistic experiences across countries39:47 The politicians who won't come on the show40:11 A bill that passed unanimously, then died41:06 Closing thanks and where to find more

    How Grammy-Nominated Producer Tony Mantor Became Autism's Unlikely Storyteller

  5. Aug 19

    Overdiagnosed or Overlooked? A Pediatrician on Autism Today

    A board-certified pediatrician and mother of a daughter with autism joins Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen to talk about what actually happens inside the pediatrician's office. Dr. Alisa Minkin explains why standard screening tools miss subtler presentations of autism, how she navigates vaccine hesitancy without losing a family's trust, and why the search for a "magic cure" so often derails real progress. The conversation also covers over- and under-diagnosis, the case for a separate profound autism diagnosis, medication decisions, and why screen time is so uniquely addictive for autistic kids. Key takeaways: Standard screening tools often miss subtler, later-diagnosed presentations of autismPediatricians and parents alike can develop strong "autism radar" over timeBuilding trust with hesitant parents can take many visits, not one conversationA vaccinating practice will sometimes ask non-vaccinating families to leave, citing risk to other patientsAlternative therapies fall into a spectrum: won't help and will hurt, won't help and won't hurt, or may help and won't hurtAutism is both overdiagnosed (social media self-diagnosis) and underdiagnosed (missed females, missed older kids, missed atypical presentations)A separate diagnosis for profound autism could redirect resources and expand who is qualified to provide careMedication for autism is largely off-label, with only Abilify and risperidone FDA-clearedScreens are not a cause of autism but can be uniquely reinforcing and addictive for autistic kidsResources Mentioned in This Episode:A Tough Pill to Swallow — a Refrigerator Moms paper on medication for autism, referenced by Dr. Minkin as a resource for parents weighing medication decisions with their child (https://refrigeratormoms.com/a-tough-pill-to-swallow-medicating-autism/)Kids Matter! — Dr. Minkin's own podcast about raising healthy, happy children, mentioned as a companion listen to this episode(https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kids-matter/id1867343121) 🔗 Learn More:Website: refrigeratormoms.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/refrigeratormoms/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/refrigeratormomsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/refrigeratormoms/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@RefrigeratorMoms Refrigerator Moms is sponsored by Brain Performance Technologies, a specialty mental health clinic that offers neuromodulation treatments for mental health conditions including depression, PTSD, OCD, anxiety, ADHD and autism. Our treatments utilize TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) protocols including rTMS, aTMS, and MeRT. All of our treatments are drug-free and noninvasive. Call for insurance options or learn more at https://brainperformancetechnologies.com 00:00 Introducing Dr. Alisa Minkin01:12 What pediatricians look for at milestones02:22 How autism screening actually works03:05 What screening tools miss most03:19 Developing strong "autism radar"04:36 Reading whether a parent is ready06:00 Why parents are more receptive today06:37 Vaccine hesitancy in autism families08:20 An uptick in measles cases09:39 When parents ask about unproven treatments10:44 Sorting therapies by help versus harm12:11 Why patience matters more than a cure14:46 The problem with trying everything at once17:06 Who can actually diagnose autism18:19 Over-diagnosis versus under-diagnosis20:24 Why "everyone's a little autistic" is demeaning20:41 The case for a profound autism diagnosis23:18 Access to services and school classifications24:48 When behavioral needs get kids denied care26:25 Medication and the ADHD-autism overlap28:24 The off-label medication problem29:19 Thoughts on the deprescribing movement31:37 A hot take on screen time34:18 Why eye contact still matters35:41 Using screen time as leverage37:10 Letting kids sit with discomfort38:07 Where to find Dr. Minkin

    Overdiagnosed or Overlooked? A Pediatrician on Autism Today

  6. Aug 12

    Is Forcing Your Teen to Shower a Compliance Problem, Or a Hygiene One?

    Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen return for another social media questions episode, tackling the topics parents are actually asking about online. They dig into swearing as an expression of frustration, whether a nonverbal five-year-old will ever talk, what Glass Child Syndrome means for siblings, physical meltdowns directed at one parent, the fight over whether a teenager has to shower, and what happens when a parent asks about combining ABA with a PDA-focused support group. Julianna and Kelley weigh in with clinical experience and personal stories, showing why online advice rarely fits any one family. Key Takeaways: Swearing is often a form of communication or release, not just defianceA swear jar or family word diet can turn cursing into a teaching momentABA should include alternative communication tools like PECS or sign language, not just spoken wordsFive years old, or even three years of therapy, isn't long enough to declare something isn't workingGlass Child Syndrome describes siblings feeling overlooked, and it's worth taking seriouslyPhysical aggression toward one parent usually signals an unmet communication or sensory needHitting a child to stop a behavior teaches hitting, it does not build regulation skillsHygiene is not an arbitrary rule, and sensory-based shower struggles deserve real accommodations, not shameSome online support groups shut down honest questions rather than answer themMany PDA-focused strategies quietly borrow from ABA principles like antecedents and behavior triggers🔗 Learn More:Website: refrigeratormoms.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/refrigeratormoms/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/refrigeratormomsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/refrigeratormoms/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@RefrigeratorMoms Refrigerator Moms is sponsored by Brain Performance Technologies, a specialty mental health clinic that offers neuromodulation treatments for mental health conditions including depression, PTSD, OCD, anxiety, ADHD and autism. Our treatments utilize TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) protocols including rTMS, aTMS, and MeRT. All of our treatments are drug-free and noninvasive. Call for insurance options or learn more at https://brainperformancetechnologies.com 00:00 Swearing and how kids express frustration00:57 Reading Kelley's notes and today's topics01:39 A speech therapy swearing breakthrough story02:57 Teaching kids when and where to swear03:44 The swear jar as a family tool04:47 Will my nonverbal five-year-old ever talk05:44 Questions to ask before giving up on ABA06:24 Alternative communication tools beyond speech07:22 A speech therapist's look-here breakthrough story09:08 Focus on connection, not just words10:19 Glass Child Syndrome, is it real11:26 PDA parenting and sibling separation12:35 Why siblings may need therapy later13:34 Physical meltdowns directed at one parent14:34 Finding the antecedent behind aggression16:07 Immediate versus long-term behavior strategies16:52 Why hitting a child is never the answer17:41 Brain Performance Technologies sponsor message18:07 Should a teenager be forced to shower19:36 Why hygiene is not arbitrary20:24 When shower resistance is trauma related21:33 A trigger warning for mentioning ABA23:03 A PDA group shuts down an ABA question25:02 Why the wrong therapy can be worse than none27:35 PDA strategies that quietly borrow from ABA28:36 Where to find Refrigerator Moms

    Is Forcing Your Teen to Shower a Compliance Problem, Or a Hygiene One?

  7. Aug 5

    Why Your Autistic Teen Is Suddenly Struggling in High School

    High school changes the rules for autistic teens in ways that can catch parents off guard. The coping strategies that worked in elementary and middle school stop working as peer dynamics get more complex, masking becomes more demanding, and academic pressure ramps up. Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen break down what's really going on during this shift and walk through the full range of schooling options available when a traditional high school environment isn't working, from homeschooling and deschooling to therapeutic day schools and trade programs. They also answer real listener-style questions on dangerous behavior, friendlessness, and letting go while still supporting a teen through this transition. Key Takeaways: Elementary-era coping skills often stop working once peer dynamics, masking, and academics all intensify at once in high schoolMasking becomes more effortful in adolescence as teens develop a deeper awareness of feeling differentWatch for signs a teen isn't thriving: can't self-advocate, has no bandwidth left after school, or masking is triggering meltdownsSchooling alternatives include homeschooling, deschooling, unschooling, online public school, hybrid schools, therapeutic day schools, and trade/vocational programsChanging a placement or therapy is rarely irreversible, it's okay to try something and go backDangerous behavior toward self or others is a stop-drop-and-roll moment that takes priority over academicsIf a teen is lonely, don't force friendships, look for natural, low-pressure social opportunities insteadAdolescence is a key window to watch for emerging comorbidities like anxiety, depression, ADHD, or OCDInvolve teens directly in IEP and 504 meetings to build self-advocacy for after high schoolAlternatives to college should be normalized as equally valid paths, not lesser onesThis episode is part of a three-part series on adolescence from The Refrigerator Moms, with companion episodes on puberty and the transition into adulthood still to come. 🔗 Learn More:Website: refrigeratormoms.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/refrigeratormoms/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/refrigeratormomsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/refrigeratormoms/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@RefrigeratorMoms Refrigerator Moms is sponsored by Brain Performance Technologies, a specialty mental health clinic that offers neuromodulation treatments for mental health conditions including depression, PTSD, OCD, anxiety, ADHD and autism. Our treatments utilize TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) protocols including rTMS, aTMS, and MeRT. All of our treatments are drug-free and noninvasive. Call for insurance options or learn more at https://brainperformancetechnologies.com 00:00 The high school whiplash parents don't expect00:40 Why this paper focuses on mainstreamed teens01:10 A three-part series on adolescence03:00 Why adolescence hits autistic kids so hard04:09 Masking, bullying, and burnout compound05:24 College readiness versus college capable07:04 Signs your teen isn't thriving right now08:50 A real story: bullying inside the special day class10:03 Changing placement isn't irreversible10:41 Homeschooling as an option12:38 Deschooling versus homeschooling13:19 Unschooling and its risks15:22 Online public school and hybrid schools16:41 Therapeutic day schools explained18:00 Trade and vocational programs19:31 Shopping around for the right high school20:34 Balancing independence with support21:33 When success looks different than you hoped23:46 Sponsor: Brain Performance Technologies24:13 Revisiting support systems when struggles persist25:08 What to do about dangerous behavior26:39 What to do if your teen has no friends30:09 Immediate to-dos for parents31:10 Watching for new comorbidities in adolescence32:02 Why TMS can become a lifelong tool32:51 Letting your teen own their mask33:32 Long-term to-dos and letting go of the mask of your dreams

    Why Your Autistic Teen Is Suddenly Struggling in High School

  8. Jul 29

    Not About Autism: A Refrigerator Moms Side Chat

    Kelley Jensen and Julianna Scott launch a new segment called Not About Autism, built on a simple idea: parents managing complex mental health challenges need real breaks, not more algorithm-fed autism content. To kick it off, they dig into a 2006 email thread from back when they first became friends, revisiting early medication decisions, a beloved longtime psychiatrist, and a very of-its-era debate over The Devil Wears Prada. Along the way they talk reality TV, online shopping in its infancy, the Anne Hathaway-led Yesteryear adaptation, and Emily Wilson's Odyssey translation.  Key Takeaways: A new recurring segment, Not About Autism, is designed as an intentional break from autism-focused contentKelley and Julianna read from an actual 2006 email exchange between themThe email covers an early medication decision, including a diagnosis and a first anti-anxiety prescriptionThey both still recommend the same psychiatrist referenced in that 2006 emailTheir paper "A Tough Pill to Swallow" covers how they evaluate whether a medication is workingThe conversation drifts into The Devil Wears Prada, both book and movie, and its sequelThey recommend the documentary The September Issue as a companion watchBook chat touches on Yesteryear, the trad-wife novel Anne Hathaway is adaptingThey also discuss Emily Wilson's translation of The OdysseyA future Not About Autism episode will cover the Jane Austen Society Resources Mentioned in This Episode: A Tough Pill to Swallow — a Refrigerator Moms paper on medicating autism and how to evaluate whether a medication is working. (https://refrigeratormoms.com/a-tough-pill-to-swallow-medicating-autism/) The Devil Wears Prada — the novel and film referenced throughout the conversation, along with its upcoming sequel.(https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458352/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3_tt_7_nm_1_in_0_q_the%20devil%20wears) The September Issue — a documentary about Anna Wintour and Vogue, recommended as a companion watch to The Devil Wears Prada. (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1331025/) The Run-Through with Vogue — hosted by Chloe Malle, mentioned in connection with behind-the-scenes stories about Anna Wintour and Vogue. (https://open.spotify.com/episode/5h0FDZsFjP3DOuvia003mB) Yesteryear — a novel about a trad-wife influencer, being adapted into a film starring Anne Hathaway. (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/780686/yesteryear-a-gma-book-club-pick-by-caro-claire-burke/) The Odyssey (Emily Wilson translation) — referenced in discussing Anne Hathaway's performance in a related adaptation. (https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393356250) 🔗 Learn More:Website: refrigeratormoms.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/refrigeratormoms/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/refrigeratormomsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/refrigeratormoms/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@RefrigeratorMoms Refrigerator Moms is sponsored by Brain Performance Technologies, a specialty mental health clinic that offers neuromodulation treatments for mental health conditions including depression, PTSD, OCD, anxiety, ADHD and autism. Our treatments utilize TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) protocols including rTMS, aTMS, and MeRT. All of our treatments are drug-free and noninvasive. Call for insurance options or learn more at https://brainperformancetechnologies.com 00:00 Introducing Not About Autism00:24 Why parents need a break from autism talk01:10 Life before phones, email, and social media01:44 Pulling up a 2006 email thread02:31 The email topic: medication02:54 A first psychiatrist visit and diagnosis03:10 Starting buspar, an anti-anxiety medication04:00 Emoji habits then versus now04:45 Brain Performance Technologies sponsor message05:06 Managing medication with Jamba Juice and yogurt05:44 Devil Wears Prada plans, twenty years ago06:13 Tough Pill to Swallow, their medication paper06:39 Back to Devil Wears Prada talk07:07 Confessing a reality TV addiction07:20 Real World before Real Housewives07:31 The book's first hundred pages verdict08:06 Coordinating babysitting and free weekends08:25 Early days of online shopping08:57 Whether they ever saw Prada 209:25 Comparing the movie to the book10:08 Frustration with endless remakes and sequels10:34 The Vogue Runway podcast comes up11:24 Brain Performance Technologies sponsor message11:45 The September Issue documentary recommendation12:23 Asking for a new book recommendation12:30 Introducing the novel Yesteryear13:19 Anne Hathaway's Odyssey performance14:00 Emily Wilson's Odyssey translation14:13 Teasing the Jane Austen Society

    Not About Autism: A Refrigerator Moms Side Chat
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About

Born from 20 years of friendship, during which they navigated the trenches of autism parenting and advocacy, the Refrigerator Moms is Kelley Jensen and Julianna Scott’s way of reaching out to parents waging the same battles they were.  Their purpose with this podcast is to clear the fog, silence the noise, and find a path through neurodivergence for parents that are stuck between bad choices. They tackle parenting topics such as mom guilt, tantrums, pathological demand avoidance, siblings, medication, comorbidities, social media, and much more. 

Information

  • Creator
    Kelley Jensen, Julianna Scott
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Refrigerator Moms
  • Show Website
    Refrigerator Moms

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