The Autism Mom Coach

• Ep 183 Mental Health and Autism: Teens and Young Adults

  Lisa continues her conversation with therapist and autism mom Janeen Herskovitz about the mental-health landscape for teens and young adults with autism. They talk about anxiety, burnout, alexithymia, and how parents can balance support, boundaries, and rest—for their kids and themselves.Key TakeawaysMental-health shifts often begin earlier than we expect.Feelings live in the body; naming them is regulation.“School refusal” is often emotional overload, not defiance.Recovery isn’t avoidance—it’s necessary work.Lisa’s TakeawayWatching your child’s mental health shift can feel disorienting and scary. I know what it’s like to live on alert, waiting for the next crash, trying to keep it all together. What I’ve learned—personally and through coaching—is that recovery isn’t a pause; it’s the work. Rest and regulation are how we rebuild. The same applies to our kids.Links & ResourcesAutism Blueprint PodcastWork with LisaIf your teen or young adult is struggling with anxiety, masking, or emotional overwhelm—and you’re unsure how to help without burning out—support is available. I work 1:1 with autism moms to build calm, clarity, and confidence in the hardest moments.Schedule a private consultation at talkwiththeautismmomcoach.as.me

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• 182: Mental Health & Autism Moms

  In this episode of The Autism Mom Coach Podcast, Lisa Candera sits down with therapist and Autism Blueprint host Janine Hershkowitz, LMHC for an honest conversation about the intersection of autism and maternal mental health.Janine—mom of two autistic young adults and a psychotherapist with over 15 years of experience—shares how constant stress, high-alert living, and unprocessed trauma shape the nervous systems of autism parents. Together, Lisa and Janine discuss what healing can look like, how to create boundaries without guilt, and why sustainable self-maintenance is essential for both parent and child.This episode is part one of a two-part series on Autism and Mental Health.In This Episode:How chronic high-alert living impacts the body and mind of autism momsWhat trauma looks like in parents of autistic children—and how EMDR can helpWhy guilt often masquerades as responsibilityHow to shift from fixing your child to leading your household with steadinessReal-life boundary work that protects both parent and relationshipKey Takeaways:Regulation first. You can’t pour from an empty nervous system.Behavior is information. Over-functioning hides data about your child’s needs.Boundaries are leadership. Clear limits protect your energy and your child’s stability.Guilt is a false alarm. Learn to tell the difference between true accountability and internalized pressureot always better. Sustainable support beats constant doing.🔗 https://autismblueprint.comAbout The Autism Mom Coach:Lisa Candera is a solo mom to a young adult with severe autism and OCD, a practicing attorney, and a certified life coach. Through her coaching programs, she teach moms how to regulate their emotions, reduce anxiety, and parent from steadiness instead of survival.🔗 Learn more: https://theautismmomcoach.com🔗 Book a free consultation: https://talkwiththeautismmomcoach.as.me/

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• Ep 181. ABA is Not One-Size-Fits All with Alisha Watt-Simpson, LCSW, BCBA, LBA

  ABA Is Not One Size Fits AllApplied Behavior Analysis (ABA) can be one of the most effective tools for helping children with autism—but it’s often misunderstood. In this episode of The Autism Mom Coach, host Lisa Candera talks with Alisha Simpson-Watt, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, and Licensed Behavior Analyst who leads Collaborative ABA Services in Middletown, Connecticut.Alisha explains why ABA therapy should never be a one-size-fits-all approach. She shares how modern ABA focuses on individualized treatment plans tailored to the unique needs of each child and family. As both a professional and an autism mom, Alisha offers a compassionate, real-world perspective on what quality ABA looks like today—and how the field has evolved toward trauma-informed, collaborative care.Listeners will learn:What ABA therapy is and how it supports behavior change and skill buildingCommon misconceptions about ABA and how the science has advancedThe importance of parent training and collaboration in every treatment planKey questions to ask when choosing an ABA providerWhy it’s never too late to start ABA therapy—and why parents deserve grace in the processIf you’re an autism parent navigating the world of ABA, this episode will help you feel more informed, confident, and empowered to advocate for your child.Alicia's Links:Individual Accounts for Alisha:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alisha-simpson-watt-lcsw-bcba-lba-866083280Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadingwithalisha/Collaborative ABA Services, LLCFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086038215957Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collaborativeabaservices/LinkedIn:

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• Episide 180: IEP Slay with Melissa Gagne, Esquire

  Welcome to Episode 180 of The Autism Mom Coach! This week I am thrilled to bring you my conversation with Melissa Gagne — special education attorney, autism mom, former educator, and the creator of a powerful new program called IEP Slay.When I first saw Melissa sharing about IEP Slay on Instagram, I knew I had to learn more. As special needs parents, we are constantly surrounded by information — but not all of it is complete, accurate, or useful. And when it comes to IEPs and 504 Plans, sifting through endless research, Facebook groups, or Google searches can leave us overwhelmed and exhausted.That’s why IEP Slay caught my attention: a one-stop membership resource curated by a practicing special education attorney, designed to help parents feel educated, prepared, and supported before, during, and after their IEP meetings.In this episode, Melissa shares:Her personal journey from educator to attorney and autism mom.Why she created IEP Slay and how it’s built to empower parents.The tools and resources inside the membership, including legal breakdowns, scripts, templates, and emotional support strategies.How IEP Slay helps parents reduce isolation through a connected community.Details about becoming a founding member — with lifetime pricing and early-bird bonuses.Melissa’s story is inspiring, and her mission to turn IEP advocacy into a movement is something every autism parent will want to hear.🔗 Learn more & join the IEP Slay waitlist HERE.✨ If you’re ready to take what you learn on this podcast and apply it to your own life, schedule a consultation with me: https://theautismmomcoach.com/work-with-me

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• 179: Tylenol & Toughing it Out for Autism Moms

  This week on The Autism Mom Coach, I’m talking about the recent announcement linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism—and the harmful recommendation for moms to “tough it out.”If you’ve ever blamed yourself for your child’s autism…If you’ve felt judged for your parenting choices…If you’re tired of hearing that moms are at fault…This episode is for you.As autism moms, we are already toughing it out every single day—navigating therapies, schools, meltdowns, doctors, and the constant undercurrent of guilt and shame. The last thing we need is another message telling us we’re to blame.Inside this episode, I share:Why blaming moms for autism is nothing new (hello, “refrigerator mom” theory).The impact these narratives have on our mental health.Why autism is not your fault—and how to remind yourself of that truth.How to stop internalizing guilt and start having your own back.Whether you’re frustrated, angry, or just exhausted from toughing it out, this conversation will give you validation and support.Work with MePodcasts give you aha moments, but real change happens when you apply these tools in your own life. That’s what we do inside my 1:1 coaching program—helping you regulate your emotions, release the guilt, and show up as the mom you want to be.📅 Schedule your consultation here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/work-with-me

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