What happens when autism support moves beyond four walls and into nature? In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with Dr. Dana Spett, founder of Pony Power Therapies, to explore autism, sensory regulation, equine-assisted services, and why connection, movement, and nature can create powerful opportunities for growth.

Dana’s journey began as a mother searching for support for her own daughter. What started with one horse and four riders has grown into Pony Power Therapies, a community-centered organization helping children and adults with disabilities connect with horses, farming, nature, and themselves.

Together, Sarah and Dana discuss autism parenting, sensory regulation, maternal intuition, nature-based learning, disability inclusion, and the importance of creating environments where autistic individuals can thrive without pressure to conform. Dana shares why traditional approaches are not always enough and how horses offer a unique opportunity for regulation, confidence, connection, and belonging.

The conversation explores:

* autism and sensory regulation
* equine-assisted services
* nature-based support for autistic children
* maternal intuition and advocacy
* disability inclusion and community belonging
* farming, purpose, and meaningful work
* autism and nervous system regulation
* creating supportive environments for neurodivergent individuals

Dana also shares how Pony Power supports families across the lifespan, from young children with autism to adults navigating life after age 21, when many formal support systems begin to disappear.

This episode is for autism moms, caregivers, educators, therapists, and anyone interested in nature-based approaches to autism support, sensory regulation, disability advocacy, and helping neurodivergent individuals build meaningful lives and connections.

In This Episode

00:00 – The mission behind Pony Power Therapies
01:00 – Dana’s journey as a social worker and autism mom
02:30 – Following maternal intuition instead of rushing to medication
04:00 – Why trusting your gut matters in autism parenting
05:30 – Equine-assisted services and empowering families
06:30 – How autistic children respond to horses and nature
08:00 – Sensory regulation through movement and rhythm
09:30 – Why horses provide unique nervous system support
11:00 – Nature, regulation, and the family system
13:00 – Beyond traditional talk therapy approaches
14:30 – The role of nature in mental health and autism support
16:00 – Nonverbal communication and connection beyond words
17:30 – Why leaving the house feels impossible for some families
19:00 – Supporting dysregulated autistic children without judgment
21:00 – Creating safe spaces for neurodivergent families
23:30 – The autism service cliff after age 21
25:00 – Farming, employment, and meaningful purpose for autistic adults
27:00 – Disability inclusion and reimagining community support

Listen to more episodes of the Inchstones Podcast, where Sarah Kernion shares caregiver stories, autism advocacy, profound autism perspectives, neurodivergent parenting, and conversations that challenge us to build more inclusive communities.

Click here to discover more about Pony Power Therapies

• (00:00:00) - Inch Sentence Podcast: Dana Spett
• (00:00:55) - Pony Power Therapies: The Origins Story
• (00:05:18) - Pony Power: Autism and the Horse
• (00:11:46) - The Future of Social Work: Nature and Communication
• (00:18:37) - Autistic People on the Farm
• (00:20:30) - Pony Power on Autism and Farming

Many parents of non-speaking autistic children carry a quiet certainty: my child understands more than they can show. In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with occupational therapist, researcher, and Spellers Method co-creator Dr. Dana Johnson to explore whole body apraxia, motor planning, communication, and why behavior may not tell the whole story.

For years, families have been told to trust observable behaviors as the primary measure of understanding. Dr. Johnson challenges that assumption by explaining how motor planning differences can prevent autistic individuals from reliably demonstrating what they know, understand, or intend to communicate.

Together, Sarah and Dr. Johnson discuss whole body apraxia, non-speaking autism, presuming competence, sensory regulation, motor coaching, and the ways parents are often dismissed when their observations don’t align with traditional clinical models.

The conversation explores:

* whole body apraxia and autism
* non-speaking autism and communication
* motor planning challenges
* presuming competence
* autism and regulation
* maternal intuition and clinical observation
* supporting autistic children beyond behavior-based assumptions
* co-regulation and caregiver support

Dr. Johnson also shares how her work evolved after listening to parents whose experiences challenged what she had been taught professionally. Her message is both practical and hopeful: understanding motor differences can fundamentally change how families, therapists, and educators support autistic children.

This episode is for parents, caregivers, educators, therapists, and anyone interested in communication, autism advocacy, profound autism, and understanding what may exist beneath observable behavior.

In This Episode

00:00 – Maternal intuition, autism, and the limits of observation
02:00 – Why parents are often dismissed by professionals
04:15 – The story that led Dr. Johnson to rethink autism therapy
05:45 – What whole body apraxia actually means
07:15 – Understanding motor planning and communication barriers
08:00 – Why behavior does not always reflect understanding
09:30 – The backpack example: motor planning in daily life
11:00 – Typical childhood behavior versus apraxia
12:30 – Why presuming competence matters
14:00 – How professionals unintentionally limit autistic children
16:00 – Reading ability, communication, and hidden competence
17:00 – Regulation, sensory overwhelm, and motor control
19:00 – Why parents must regulate themselves first
21:00 – The invisible pressure placed on mothers
23:00 – Co-regulation and caregiver support
25:00 – Building confidence through small wins and inchstones
28:00 – Supporting parents, not just children
30:00 – The fear every autism parent carries about the future

Listen to more episodes of the Inchstones Podcast, where Sarah Kernion explores autism advocacy, caregiver stories, profound autism, communication, neurodivergent parenting, and the small inchstones that shape meaningful lives.

About Dr. Dana Johnson:

For more than 20 years, Dr. Johnson has worked alongside incredible families who have taught her what true resilience, patience, and hope look like. Through this work, she has learned that two things can be true at once: your child can struggle and make incredible progress at the same time.

Recognizing that too many professionals didn't know how to truly help these families, Dr. Johnson created her YouTube channel, “The Autism + Apraxia Doctor,” and expanded her reach across multiple platforms to educate professionals in the autism field. She specializes in helping individuals with complex autism, whole-body apraxia, and other neurodevelopmental disabilities develop intentional motor skills and improve their overall health.

Her mission is...

• (00:00:01) - Maternal intuition about autism on The Inchstones Podcast
• (00:01:41) - Speech therapists on autism
• (00:06:59) - What does that whole body apraxia actually look like?
• (00:14:28) - Caution about presuming competence in children with disabilities
• (00:15:36) - Motor and regulation in children's brains
• (00:16:55) - What It's Like to Be Maxed Out in Motherhood
• (00:25:38) - Dr. Johnson: Reflection is a life luxury

What does autistic adulthood actually look like? In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with autistic young adult Zach Ennis and his mother, Stacy Ennis, for a powerful conversation about independence, self-advocacy, friendship, community, and building a meaningful life with autism.

Too often, conversations about autism stop in childhood. Zach’s story offers something many families are searching for: a glimpse into adulthood, possibility, and the supports that help autistic adults thrive.

Zach shares what he enjoys most about his life, from community dinners, theater classes, movies, friendships, and independent living skills to advocating for adults with disabilities. He speaks candidly about communication, relationships, self-confidence, and his hopes for the future. His message is simple but powerful: work hard, be kind, support others, and believe in your potential.

Sarah and Stacy also explore the evolution of motherhood, autism advocacy, acceptance, and the unexpected gifts that come from raising and supporting a neurodivergent child into adulthood. Together they discuss communication beyond speech, independence, dignity, self-determination, and why autistic adults deserve opportunities to build full and meaningful lives.

This episode explores:

* autistic adulthood and independence
* autism advocacy and self-advocacy
* neurodivergent parenting across the lifespan
* community living and social connection
* autism and communication differences
* supporting autistic adults
* friendship, purpose, and belonging
* motherhood and lifelong caregiving

This conversation is a reminder that autism is not the end of a story. For many families, it is the beginning of a different story filled with growth, connection, community, and possibility.

In This Episode

00:00 – Introducing Zach and Stacey Ennis
01:15 – Zach shares what he enjoys most about life
02:10 – Building independence through community and daily living skills
03:00 – Friendship, communication, and social connection
03:45 – What Zach wishes people understood about him
05:00 – Accomplishments and learning independent living skills
06:10 – Feeling seen through autism self-advocacy
07:20 – Challenges that people may not notice
08:15 – Living your best life and future goals
09:00 – Zach’s message about autism and kindness
10:15 – What Zach has taught his mother about life
12:30 – Friendship, family, and growing into adulthood
15:15 – Daily connection between mother and son
16:20 – Acceptance, advocacy, and finding joy
18:00 – Communication beyond speech and traditional expectations
20:00 – Seeing the person beyond the diagnosis

Listen to more episodes of the Inchstones Podcast, where Sarah Kernion shares caregiver stories, autism advocacy, neurodivergent parenting, profound autism experiences, and conversations that illuminate the humanity behind every diagnosis.

• (00:00:01) - Autism on Inchstones: Zach Ennis
• (00:00:54) - Living On An Independent Plan
• (00:03:03) - Zach's Life Story
• (00:04:51) - DustB House Community Member Zachary's Special Needs Moments
• (00:06:16) - Zachary on the Future
• (00:06:47) - Zachary Ennis on Autism
• (00:07:40) - What Has Zach Learned From His Life?
• (00:08:46) - The Reorientation of Having a Neurodiverse Child
• (00:09:51) - One Mother's Friendship With Her Autistic Son
• (00:12:31) - One Parent's Love Letter For His Mother
• (00:13:48) - Stacy's story of autism and the support of the community

An autism diagnosis changes more than a child’s future. It changes the people who love that child too. In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with Bari Shore for an honest conversation about autism parenting, childhood apraxia, community, motherhood, and the unexpected personal growth that emerges from raising a neurodivergent child.

When Bari’s son Dean received his autism and apraxia diagnosis during the pandemic, she found herself searching for answers, support, and connection. Like many autism moms, she experienced relief, grief, uncertainty, and determination all at the same time. But perhaps the biggest surprise was not how much her son would grow. It was how much she would grow too.

Together, Sarah and Bari discuss autism parenting, caregiver stories, autism diagnosis journeys, motherhood identity shifts, advocacy, sibling relationships, and the importance of finding people who truly understand your family’s reality. They also explore why support does not always come from large groups, how community can be built one conversation at a time, and what happens when parents learn to celebrate inchstones instead of milestones.

This episode explores:

* autism parenting after diagnosis
* childhood apraxia and autism
* caregiver stories and community
* motherhood identity and personal growth
* sibling relationships and autism
* advocacy and communication
* autism diagnosis grief and acceptance
* parenting autistic children in the present moment

For parents navigating autism, apraxia, developmental delays, or the uncertainty that follows diagnosis, this conversation offers honesty, perspective, and hope.

In This Episode

00:00 – Finding friendship and community after diagnosis
02:00 – The long road to an autism and apraxia diagnosis
03:30 – Pandemic parenting and noticing developmental differences
04:30 – Relief, grief, and finally having answers
05:15 – Becoming “the autism mom” and identity shifts
06:00 – Why community became essential
06:45 – Cycles of research, burnout, and recovery
07:50 – Is autism parenting unfair?
08:45 – Celebrating inchstones instead of milestones
09:20 – Why the world should adapt to autistic children
10:30 – Learning to advocate for yourself as a parent
11:45 – Autism parenting and perspective
12:30 – Advice for parents receiving a new diagnosis
13:45 – Staying present instead of spiraling into the future
15:15 – Raising autistic boys and trusting your instincts
17:00 – Seeing the child beyond the diagnosis
18:20 – Becoming stronger through autism parenting
19:45 – Relationships, community, and what matters most

Listen to more episodes of the Inchstones Podcast, where Sarah Kernion shares caregiver stories, autism advocacy, neurodivergent parenting, profound autism experiences, and the lessons hidden inside the smallest inchstones.

• (00:00:00) - Autism Mom on The Inch Jones Podcast
• (00:02:06) - Dean was diagnosed with autism at 3 years old
• (00:07:02) - Grief After A Loss: Is It Unfair?
• (00:08:40) - What Do You Tell An Autism Mom About Their Journey?
• (00:14:01) - Dean Has Autism, and He's a Boy Mom
• (00:16:54) - Barry on Love on the Spectrum

Why do so many autism moms feel like they can never fully relax? In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with Kerry Stevens for an honest conversation about caregiver burnout, autism motherhood, hypervigilance, and the invisible emotional load that comes with parenting autistic children.

Kerry shares the reality of raising her son Connor while balancing work, therapies, school meetings, financial pressure, and the constant responsibility that many special needs caregivers quietly carry every day. Together, Sarah and Kerry explore autism parenting, developmental delays, caregiver exhaustion, IEP advocacy, and the emotional experience of living in a near-constant state of fight-or-flight.

Their conversation touches on the grief that can follow an autism diagnosis, the pressure to help your child “catch up,” and the difficult process of accepting a path that looks different than the one you imagined. Kerry speaks candidly about leaving a job that could no longer accommodate the realities of caregiving and the emotional impact of being told her son’s needs were “too much.”

This episode explores:

* caregiver burnout and autism motherhood
* parenting autistic children while working
* hypervigilance and nervous system exhaustion
* autism diagnosis grief and acceptance
* developmental delays and communication challenges
* IEP advocacy and trusting parental intuition
* balancing therapies, finances, and family life
* learning to understand non-speaking communication

This episode is for autism moms, caregivers, and families navigating autism parenting, caregiver burnout, developmental delays, and the relentless emotional labor that often comes with raising autistic children.

In this episode:

00:00 – The invisible workload of autism motherhood
01:30 – Leaving a job because caregiving demands became too great
03:00 – Grieving the motherhood journey you imagined
05:15 – Living in constant fight-or-flight as an autism parent
07:00 – Why autism caregiving never truly shuts off
08:30 – Acceptance, therapy, and processing diagnosis grief
10:45 – Wanting your child to “catch up” after diagnosis
12:00 – Early intervention, ABA, and moving quickly after diagnosis
13:30 – Learning your child’s body language and communication patterns
15:00 – The daily realities of autism caregiving
16:45 – School routines, therapies, and medical support
18:00 – Home safety, elopement fears, and constant vigilance
19:45 – Reading emotional cues from non-speaking children
21:15 – Financial stress and caregiver burden
22:45 – IEP advocacy and the power of parental intuition
24:30 – Why autism moms deserve more support and understanding

Listen to more episodes of the Inchstones Podcast, where Sarah Kernion shares caregiver stories, autism advocacy, profound autism experiences, and the realities of neurodivergent parenting.

• (00:00:01) - Autism Mamas of the Inchstones
• (00:05:09) - On Being a Mother of a Special Needs Child
• (00:08:01) - Mac's Cerebral palsy diagnosis
• (00:12:47) - How I Help My Child Get Ready For School
• (00:17:40) - Connor's caregiver and his school
• (00:22:33) - Sarah's story about her son on the Autism spectrum

What happens when autism parenting becomes physically, emotionally, and mentally consuming? In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with Alyssa Sierra for a raw conversation about profound autism, aggressive behaviors, caregiver exhaustion, sibling dynamics, and the emotional process of letting go of expectations.

Alyssa shares the story of her son Gabriel’s autism diagnosis during the pandemic and the moment motherhood shifted from “typical” parenting into a completely different reality. Together, Sarah and Alyssa discuss profound autism, parenting autistic children with severe behaviors, autism family support, caregiver burnout, and the invisible emotional labor autism moms carry every single day.

The conversation explores:

the grief of realizing your parenting path looks different
navigating aggressive and self-injurious autism behaviors
raising neurotypical siblings alongside autistic children
the emotional complexity of discipline in neurodivergent homes
why profound autism parenting feels different even within autism communities
finding joy and beauty inside developmental differences

Sarah and Alyssa also talk openly about survival mode, motherhood identity, sensory overwhelm, and why releasing rigid expectations can create more peace for both parents and children.

This episode is for autism moms, caregivers, and families navigating profound autism, developmental delays, severe behaviors, and the emotional complexity of raising neurodivergent children while trying to stay emotionally grounded themselves.

Alyssa is a special needs mom to her beautiful 7-year-old son and also a mom to a neurotypical 2-year-old. Navigating both sides of parenting has its unique challenges, but it has also made her stronger, more compassionate, and deeply committed to advocacy. She is passionate about supporting families raising children with disabilities and believes every special needs family deserves the highest level of support from their state and government. Parenting a child with special needs comes with enough challenges; families should not have to fight to have their voices heard. Alyssa believes that every family's story matters and that sharing those stories is one of the most powerful ways to create understanding, change, and a better future for children with disabilities.

In this episode:

00:00 – Profound autism and the reality of caregiving
02:05 – Receiving an autism diagnosis during the pandemic
03:10 – Tunnel vision after diagnosis and needing a plan
05:00 – The grief of leaving “typical motherhood” behind
06:45 – Explaining autism to friends and family
07:30 – Aggressive behaviors and profound autism realities
09:20 – Parenting autistic children and neurotypical siblings differently
11:00 – The emotional complexity of discipline in autism parenting
13:00 – Why autism parenting expands emotional perspective
14:15 – Building community and finding supportive people
16:00 – What autism moms say privately versus publicly
17:10 – Finding joy inside neurodivergent parenting
18:00 – Why autistic children experience wonder differently
19:10 – Letting go of expectations in autism parenting
21:00 – Learning to survive difficult behavioral seasons
22:00 – Why positivity matters in caregiver burnout recovery

Listen to more episodes of the Inchstones Podcast, an autism podcast sharing caregiver stories, profound autism realities, autism advocacy, and neurodivergent parenting.

• (00:00:00) - May Is Autism Month
• (00:01:46) - Gabriel Was Diagnosed With Autism at 2
• (00:06:55) - One autism mom's experience with her typical daughter
• (00:12:10) - Gabriel's support system has been so open
• (00:15:44) - Letting go of expectations for your child
• (00:20:59) - Alyssa's Powerful Story

Autism parenting, caregiver stories, and neurodivergent parenting are at the heart of this episode of Inchstones as Sarah Kernion talks with Shannon Korza of Moms Talk Autism about grief, timelines, motherhood expectations, and parenting autistic children.

In this deeply honest episode of Inchstones, Sarah sits down with Shannon Korza for a raw conversation about autism diagnosis grief, the pressure mothers place on themselves after diagnosis, and what it means to let go of the timelines society teaches us to chase.

Shannon shares the emotional reality of receiving her daughter Gracie’s autism diagnosis after initially living in denial and fear that she would never be “enough” as a mother. Together, Sarah and Shannon explore autism parenting, caregiver burnout, sibling relationships, sensory differences, IEP goals, autism advocacy, and the deep grief that can surface when life no longer looks the way you imagined it would.

The conversation also dives into the hidden emotional labor autism moms carry, the pain of watching autistic children struggle socially, and the shift that happens when parents stop forcing neurotypical expectations onto neurodivergent children.

This episode is for autism moms, caregivers, and families navigating autism diagnosis journeys, parenting autistic children, disability advocacy, and the challenge of balancing hope with acceptance.

In this episode:

00:00 – Autism parenting and motherhood expectations
01:00 – Shannon’s reaction to her daughter’s autism diagnosis
02:30 – Grieving the fear of not being “enough” as a parent
03:45 – Parenting autistic children versus neurotypical siblings
05:00 – Why grief and brokenness carry so much shame for mothers
06:30 – Learning to sit with autism grief instead of avoiding it
07:00 – The Christmas moment that changed Shannon’s perspective forever
09:10 – Why autism parenting can still feel unfair years later
10:00 – Autism is not a “superpower” conversation
11:15 – Watching autistic children struggle socially
13:40 – Sibling relationships and protecting autistic sisters
16:00 – The emotional growth autism parenting can create
18:00 – Sensory meltdowns and judgment from strangers
19:00 – Celebrating tiny wins in autism parenting
21:00 – Advice for parents receiving a new autism diagnosis
22:00 – Letting go of developmental timelines and comparison
24:00 – Creating IEP goals that actually fit your child and family

Listen to more episodes of the Moms Talk Autism Podcast and follow Inchstones with Sarah Kernion, an autism podcast sharing caregiver stories, autism advocacy, profound autism, and neurodivergent parenting.

• (00:00:00) - Inchtons: Momstalk Autism Podcast
• (00:00:38) - Shannon on Her Autistic Daughter's Diagnosis
• (00:05:21) - How I Learned To Love My Daughter's Autism
• (00:09:55) - How Autism Affects Sister-Sibling Relationships
• (00:14:53) - How to Help Your Daughter With Her College Entrance Essays
• (00:15:56) - What Has Been the Greatest Skill of Raising an Autism Child?
• (00:21:21) - Julie on the Catch Up Race
• (00:23:11) - Shannon Corza on Autism and the IEP

Autism parenting, caregiver burnout, and caregiver stories are at the heart of this episode of Inchstones as Sarah Kernion talks with Tash Dillmon of Moms Talk Autism about grief, marriage, mental health, and parenting autistic children after profound loss.

In this raw and deeply personal episode of Inchstones, Sarah sits down with Tash Dillmon for an honest conversation about autism parenting, surviving the loss of a child, navigating marriage through trauma, and the emotional realities many special needs caregivers silently carry.

Tash shares the story of losing Jack’s twin brother, Jameson, during pregnancy and how grief shaped her experience as an autism mom from the very beginning. Together, Sarah and Tash discuss autism diagnosis journeys, caregiver burnout, maternal mental health, suicidal ideation, neurodivergent parenting, identity loss, and the pressure many mothers feel to keep moving no matter how much they are carrying internally.

They also explore the power of partnership in marriage, the emotional depth autistic children often possess, and how parenting autistic children can radically transform the way families experience empathy, love, resilience, and presence.

This episode is for autism moms, caregivers, and parents navigating profound grief, emotional exhaustion, disability advocacy, and the complexity of raising neurodivergent children while trying to hold themselves together.

In this episode:

00:00 – Autism parenting and finding humor inside hard seasons
01:20 – Receiving an autism diagnosis after the loss of a twin
03:12 – Grief, therapies, and becoming a full-time autism caregiver
05:00 – Losing your identity while parenting autistic children
08:30 – Caregiver burnout and hitting emotional rock bottom
09:00 – Suicidal ideation and maternal mental health in autism parenting
11:45 – Childhood trauma, expectations, and emotional survival
14:15 – Marriage, grief, and surviving profound loss together
18:00 – How autism parenting transformed their relationship
20:00 – Faith, healing, and rebuilding identity through motherhood
21:30 – Why autism parenting can feel deeply unfair
24:10 – The emotional depth and empathy of autistic children
27:00 – How parenting autistic children changes the way you see humanity

Listen to more episodes of the Moms Talk Autism Podcast and follow Inchstones with Sarah Kernion, an autism podcast sharing caregiver stories, autism advocacy, profound autism, and neurodivergent parenting.

Tash Dillmon lives in the Portland, Oregon area with her husband, her two children, Jack, her neurospicy one, and Sloan, her typical one, and her rambunctious dog, Kiki. She is a solo parent most of the time while her husband is putting out fires in the next city over, #firewifelife! Everyone in the family loves being outside, hiking, kayaking, and enjoying nature. Tash loves to exercise, be in her yard, and volunteer in Children's Ministries at her local church. While she’s not being her kids' Uber driver, she loves a good murder documentary and is happiest watching her kids play sports.

• (00:00:00) - Moms Talk Autism on Inch Zones
• (00:01:10) - What You're Feeling As An Autism Mom
• (00:03:07) - Autism moms on the road to recovery
• (00:08:26) - One parent's story of contemplating suicide
• (00:09:12) - The One Thing You Can't Outrun Is Yourself
• (00:13:46) - In the Elevator With My Love
• (00:14:19) - "No More Tears For My Marriage"
• (00:14:51) - Jack's twin brother on his relationship
• (00:17:40) - The Healing Process of Losing a Child
• (00:21:14) - Jack's disability isn't unfair
• (00:22:14) - What is the Best Thing About Being Jack's Mom?
• (00:26:07) - The Great Things of People
• (00:26:36) - Tasha on Being a Mother
• (00:27:43) - Autism on Momstalk