28 Caring for Kids on the Autism Spectrum: What Parents Want and Need from Us

https://302.buzz/PM-WhatAreYourThoughts

Mary Barkholz is a special education teacher and mother of 2 young men on the autism spectrum. She is passionate about giving support and guidance to families and their children with special needs. In this episode, she shares her experience as a parent raising her children, how her work as a special education teacher plays in the situation, and how healthcare providers can better connect with families.

Let’s listen to Mary and learn what parents want and need from us!

[00:01 - 06:05] Opening Segment

• Welcoming today's guest, Mary Barkholz
• How she realized her children are on the autism spectrum

[06:06 - 17:00] The Importance of Honesty

• Mary recalls how she landed in the special education space
• Educational diagnosis vs. Medical diagnosis
• Mary breaks them down
• The importance of honesty for Mary

[17:01 - 29:46] Connection Between Families and Healthcare Providers

• Mary’s approach in raising children in the autism spectrum
• How starting a conversation is crucial to a child’s growth
• The disconnect between families and healthcare providers

[29:47 - 41:45] Guardianship and Parent Networks

• Are there any parent networks you can join?
• Mary’s thoughts about guardianship on children in the autism spectrum
• How parents can assist children in making decisions

[41:46 - 50:55] Relationship-Building Advice

• Listen to this parenting advice from Mary you don’t want to miss!
• The power of building relationships with children

[50:56 - 59:01] Closing Segment

• Finals takeaways
• The parents’ readiness to be informed on autism
• Emotions are a mixed bag
• Medical diagnosis vs. Educational diagnosis
• Path to adulthood for children with special needs
• Bridges that connect healthcare, community, and education sectors
• Giving children options
• Guardianship
• Children in the autism spectrum are not numbers but persons
• Letting the child take the lead

Tweetable Quotes:

“I always say that honesty is the only way I can function.” - Mary Barkholz

“We do have to let [our children] fall down, let them figure things out.” - Mary Barkholz

Resources Mentioned:

• An Approach to Transition Assessment and Planning
• Guardianship
• Autism Alliance of Michigan
• Book: Raising Your Spirited Child
• Pediatric Meltdown episode: Pediatric Hero: Building Safe Spaces for Kid's Emotions with Dr. Mark Sloan‪e ‬
• Pediatric Meltdown episode: Across the Divide: Building Bridges between Primary Care and Community Mental Health Providers with Dr. Zakia Alav‪i‬
• Pediatric Meltdown episode: Caring for Kid's Mental Health During Covid: How Parents Can Help with Dr. Zakia Alav‪i‬
• Pediatric...