Mighty Moms Podcast S3E3 with Kathy "Kat" Riojas
Send us Fan Mail On season three, episode two of the Mighty Moms podcast, hosts interview Kat Riojas, an autism advocate, licensed professional counselor, former special education teacher, fitness lover, and mom to nine-year-old Jacob, a non-speaking autistic child. Kat shares how she and her husband, based in the Dallas area, recognized missed milestones compared to their older neurotypical children, advocated despite reassurance from their pediatrician, and obtained an early autism diagnosis at about 15 months to begin intervention. The conversation explores grief and the duality of feeling proud of others’ milestones while mourning what may be different, setting boundaries around events, and how accommodations help families feel included. Kat discusses sibling dynamics, including her 13-year-old’s anxiety and protectiveness, and how fitness became a priority to stay strong for caregiving. She emphasizes finding connection with other autism moms, including through social media, and respecting that families choose different supports such as ABA. 00:00 Meet Kat Riojas 00:34 Kat’s Family Background 01:15 Early Signs and Diagnosis 04:44 Grief and Dual Emotions 07:00 Surrender Versus Pushing Forward 08:54 Boundaries and Social Events 13:22 Family Accommodations That Help 15:55 Home Life Adjustments 17:40 Sibling Dynamics and Anxiety 24:18 Managing Public Moments 25:00 Fitness After Diagnosis 25:55 Safety Strength Motivation 27:32 Golf Cart Wake Up Call 29:09 ABA Therapy Life Shift 33:10 Nutrition Gut Healing 35:19 Caregiver Control Mindset 36:27 Find Your Autism Moms 40:09 Many Paths in Autism 42:14 Mighty Mom Definition 43:55 Screams Stims and Church 46:50 Closing Thanks and Links Support the show Follow us on YouTube, Facebook, & Instagram @MIGHTYMOMSPODCAST and on TikTok @MIGHTYMOMSBEYONDTHEPOD ------ LIKE, SHARE, & Support our Mission to create a Worldwide Cult of Autism Moms!