The UNspecial Podcast

UNspecial LLC

Are you a parent raising a child with special needs? Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure where to turn for guidance and encouragement? Welcome to The Unspecial Podcast, dedicated to empowering and inspiring parents like you on your unique journey.

Each week, we bring you heartfelt conversations with a diverse range of guests who offer invaluable insights and personal stories. Hear directly from individuals with special needs who share their triumphs, challenges, and perspectives on living fulfilling lives. We'll also sit down with parents who've walked similar paths, offering practical advice, emotional support, and the wisdom gained from their experiences.

But that's not all. We'll connect with dedicated educators who provide strategies for navigating the school system and fostering your child's learning. Plus, we'll feature leading experts—from therapists and medical professionals to advocates and researchers—who will equip you with evidence-based information, innovative tools, and a deeper understanding of various special needs.

The UNspecial Podcast is more than just a podcast; it's a community. It's a place where you'll find encouragement to face challenges head-on, inspiration to celebrate every milestone, and the practical knowledge you need to advocate effectively for your child. Join us as we explore the rich and diverse world of special needs, fostering a sense of connection, understanding, and unwavering hope.

Play

Open in

29 episodes
weekly
Avg 1 hr
English

Episodes 29

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

October 28 · 52 min
Running Towards Purpose: A Dad's Path to Fitness and Family.
On the “Us Special” podcast, the host interviews Matthew Sidwell, an autism dad of four and online fitness coach who helps special needs parents get stronger and live longer. Sidwell shares his path from working 10 years in a prison while overweight and drinking to quitting alcohol in April 2023, starting fitness May 1, 2023, losing about 40 pounds, and eventually leaving the prison to coach full time. A pivotal moment was his autistic son Wyatt’s elopement into the street, which made him realize he needed to be faster and stronger. They discuss burnout, accountability through coaching and tracking nutrition, planning for chaos with meal prep, training for real-life demands like carrying and chasing kids, and how faith and a church special needs ministry helped their family. Sidwell also discusses marriage communication, breaking generational cycles, and parenting lessons from autism.
- Transcript
October 19 · 1 hr
Empowering Autism Parents with Latrice: Wellness and Community
On The Unspecial Podcast, the host interviews Latrice (@LatriceMomLife), an autism mom who created Spectrum by the Sea to build connection and community while emphasizing that parent wellness is necessary, not selfish. Latrice shares her journey with her 5-year-old son Luca, who was diagnosed with autism and later identified as having 16p13.11 microdeletion syndrome, describing early signs like differences in eye contact, hand flapping, toe-walking, and speech delay, plus depression and isolation early on. She discusses advocating through the IEP process, mainstreaming opportunities, documentation, and learning special education rules, while balancing high expectations with remembering Luca is five and prioritizing joy. Faith, apologizing to kids, and seeking supportive friendships are highlighted, along with inclusive community meetups by the beach. She closes with three wellness tips: exercise accessibly, drink water and prioritize self-care, and keep asking for help.
- Transcript
October 5 · 43 min
Embracing Inclusion: A Journey Through Homeschooling and Advocacy.
On the UnSpecial podcast, the host interviews Mercedes Lara (Hooray for the Laras), an adoptive mom, homeschooler, Down syndrome advocate, and co-host of The Lucky Few podcast, about adoption, parenting a child with Down syndrome, homeschooling, advocacy, and building a world where everyone is included and valued. Lara shares how she began homeschooling after trying preschool, dealing with challenges like communication, and realizing the importance of having a supportive homeschool community and finding rhythms that fit each child, including using a co-op for structure. She explains adapting learning for her daughter Sunflower through Teri Brown’s “So Happy to Learn” and an “errorless learning” approach, emphasizing confidence and progress over standard grading. They discuss outdoor and backyard setups that help with energy and learning, parenting with grace, being present, and Lara’s adoption story after miscarriage, her brother’s sudden death, and feeling called to adopt a newborn with disabilities—bringing Sunflower home at three days old.
- Transcript
September 28 · 1 hr 1 min
Heartbreak and Hope: Embracing the Unknown
Connection Is the Intervention: DIR/Floortime, Behavior, and Supporting Parents | Ashley Gillespie (Bloom Developmental Center) On the Unspecial Podcast, host interviews Ashley Gillespie of Bloom Developmental Center about why connection—not just therapies or compliance—is foundational for autistic children’s development. Ashley shares how growing up with her profoundly autistic cousin Haley, who struggled with self-injury, limited services, and lifelong dependence in rural Texas, shaped her calling and led her from speech therapy and the public school system to parent coaching and DIR/Floortime. They discuss how behavior can be communication, why engagement differs from compliance, and how play, affect, and meeting a child in their interests can reduce challenging behaviors and build social-emotional and cognitive growth. Ashley explains DIR (Developmental Individual Differences and Relationships) and Floortime’s focus on self- and social-awareness, emphasizes supporting parents at home, and recounts being asked to leave a church that initially hosted her school, strengthening her faith while exposing systemic gaps in support.
- Transcript
September 21 · 1 hr 13 min
Building a Life Beyond Bounds: Cody Alford on Growth and Grace
In this Us Special podcast, the host interviews Cody Alford, a former Marine recon scout sniper and current farmer, business owner, and jujitsu coach, about resilience, stress, and making meaning when life changes unexpectedly, including for special needs families. Cody describes practicing stillness, reframing fear as excitement, and focusing on what he can control, while the host shares recent strains caring for four kids amid illness and his daughter Reika’s medical needs. Cody reflects on feeling unworthy, rebuilding his marriage, overcoming pornography addiction, and choosing purposeful discipline like fasting. He recounts intense combat experiences in Iraq, including being shot in the helmet in Fallujah, and contrasts that with everyday stress and gratitude. He discusses ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT experiences, recent baptism, and closes with a message of hope: love the present moment because seasons pass.
- Transcript
September 15 · 1 hr 19 min
Living in the Moment: Strategies for Health and Happiness
On the Us Special podcast, the host talks with Allie Hobson (Ally Hobson Wellness) about raising holistic kids, parenting through autism, and wellness habits for parents. They discuss the host’s child having whooping cough and his decision not to vaccinate, then broaden into pregnancy vaccines, maternal autoimmunity, and the “perfect storm” factors they believe can contribute to autism. Ally shares that her 7-year-old son Asher is non-speaking, generally happy and adaptable, and that she regrets choosing some delayed vaccines for him while emphasizing not blaming oneself and finding peace through faith. They stress boundaries around triggering content, prioritizing parent mental health, and modeling fitness and nutrition, including avoiding certain foods and educating rather than reprimanding. Ally describes her root-cause, lab-based functional approach, her typical meals, and her view that strength training supports depleted, stressed moms, and she encourages living day-to-day rather than fearing the distant future.
- Transcript
September 7 · 58 min
Raising Hunter: A Mother’s Determination and Love
On the Unspecial podcast, Christina (“Autism Moms on a Mission”) discusses raising her nearly 4.5-year-old nonverbal son Hunter, including a near-drowning at a lake where he was revived after about three minutes unconscious with no brain damage, reinforcing her emphasis on swim lessons and water regulation. She highlights misconceptions about autism—especially assuming nonverbal children don’t understand—and shares parenting wins like potty training via the “naked method,” hand-leading communication, and Hunter saying “I love you” and “Mommy.” Christina recounts early feeding issues, projectile vomiting, extensive food therapy, and later diagnosis just before age three due to long waitlists. She details Hunter’s apraxia and intensive speech therapy, the challenges of school/IEPs and using advocates/attorneys, balancing therapy-heavy life with her younger daughter, and key resources: Regional Center, TACA, self-determination, respite, camps, and IHSS/Medi-Cal waiver.
- Transcript
September 1 · 1 hr
Unwavering Faith: Parenting in the World of Autism and Down Syndrome
On the Unofficial Podcast, host interviews Jamie Bisant (“The Bisants” on Instagram) about parenting a “unique” family with a 17-year-old daughter Dakota (autism with intellectual disability), a 15-year-old daughter Capri (no diagnosis), and a 12-year-old son Joey (Down syndrome; Jamie believes he also has autism). Jamie discusses navigating IEPs and the reality that “hard is not bad,” sharing how faith in Jesus, 2 Timothy 1:7, and “supernatural peace” shape her mindset through disability and Joey’s leukemia (diagnosed at 3, treated with chemo until 6, now cancer-free six years). They discuss medical freedom, vaccine pressure (including RSV), trust and mistakes in medicine, and detox/methylation issues in Down syndrome affecting chemo dosing. Jamie emphasizes counseling and intentional time away to protect marriage, and advises others facing diagnoses: congratulate Down syndrome families, find support for autism, and rely on God, plus hugs and ice cream.
- Transcript
August 24 · 1 hr 11 min
Redefining Autism Care: Insights from 'The Relentless Advocate'
Cassandra Jimenez (The Relentless Advocate): Biomedical Autism Hope, MAPS Doctors, and Faith Through the Journey On the Unspecial podcast, host interviews Cassandra Jimenez (The Relentless Advocate), a mom of six whose son Mateo was diagnosed with autism in March. She discusses caregiver stress, recommends The Body Keeps the Score, and shares her shift toward biomedical approaches, encouraging families to start with MAPS physicians, diet, and connecting with parents pursuing root-cause healing. Cassandra challenges myths that autism is simply “brain wiring,” critiques overly compliance-based ABA based on her family’s experience, and emphasizes individualized care alongside traditional therapies. She recounts a stressful pregnancy and birth factors she believes contributed to Mateo’s challenges, and describes early biomedical wins—especially improved eating and more meaningful communication after supplements like zinc and fish oil. Faith is central to her perseverance, and she outlines plans to sell products to fundraise for other families’ biomedical care. Visit our website: www.unspecialllc.com #specialneeds #specialeducation #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids #interview #truth #emotional
- Transcript
August 17 · 57 min
The Listening World: Bridging the Gap with The Spellers Method.
Host Zach interviews Dr. Dana Johnston, an occupational therapist and co-founder of the Spellers Method, about why silence in autism is often mistaken for absence and why speech is wrongly equated with intelligence. Johnston distinguishes “non-speaking” from “non-verbal,” arguing many non-speakers have intact language and cognition but face a motor planning “brain-body disconnect” she calls whole body apraxia, plus frequent undiagnosed vision issues. They discuss how dysregulation, sometimes labeled aggression, can stem from nervous system disruption and medical problems, and how communication via spelling can help families understand pain and needs, though it may not eliminate all challenges. Johnston contrasts facilitated communication (physical touch) with RPM, S2C, and Spellers (no touch), emphasizing training and parent involvement. She shares outcomes, including a former client now pursuing neuroscience, mentions interest in spiritual experiences reported by spellers, and promotes Spellers trainings, websites, and an October 16–17 Spellers conference in San Diego. Visit our website: www.unspecialllc.com #specialneeds #specialeducation #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids #interview #truth #emotional
- Transcript
August 10 · 59 min
Faith, Family, and New Beginnings with Shante Gold
Pregnant With a Down Syndrome Baby Boy: Faith, Family Leadership, and Holistic Health with Shante Gold On the Unspecial podcast, the host interviews Shante Gold (wild.boys.with.extra.love), a former BCBA and former online nutrition/fitness coach, now co-host of the Rebuild podcast, who is 23 weeks pregnant with a baby boy diagnosed with Down syndrome. Shante shares how business struggles and motherhood led her back to faith before receiving a 98% NIPT result and confirming the diagnosis via CVS testing, describing grief, the negativity from medical counseling, and the high rate of Down syndrome abortions highlighted by a viral YouTuber case. She emphasizes her husband’s steady leadership, the importance of strong family roles, and finding hope through support from Down syndrome families. The conversation also covers fatherlessness and men’s challenges, homeschooling, and practical wellness priorities: sleep, high-protein breakfast, walking, strength training, and a strong partner relationship. Visit our website: www.unspecialllc.com #specialneeds #specialeducation #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids #interview #truth #emotional
- Transcript
August 4 · 49 min
Warrior for Change: Martin Slingstad's Story.
Martin’s Autism Life: Self-Acceptance, Special Olympics, and Training First Responders | Unspecial Podcast In this episode of the Unspecial Podcast, the host interviews Martin Slingstad (Martin’s Autism Life), an autistic author, public speaker, Special Olympics athlete, and founder of Spire Autism. Martin shares early memories of being non-speaking until age three or four, his diagnosis at five, and the challenges of bullying and lack of support in school, which delayed his self-acceptance until writing his book, Chatterbox, co-authored with his mom and written from both perspectives. He discusses difficulties making friends, the importance of asking autistic people what they like to talk about, and how speaking engagements and solo travel have become major gifts in his life. Martin explains Spire Autism’s mission to train teachers and first responders, promote autism acceptance, and create sensory supports, emphasizing calm approaches to meltdowns and sharing a poem, “I Am,” about being a “warrior for change.” Visit our website: www.unspecialllc.com #specialneeds #specialeducation #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids #interview #truth #emotional
- Transcript
July 27 · 53 min
From Special Needs to Community Needs.
On the Us Special podcast, host interviews Claire DePaulis about motherhood, community-building, and self-care while raising three children under five, including her oldest daughter Valentina, who shows signs of autism (minimal speech, low adaptive skills) and is in a specialized autism preschool classroom while awaiting a formal diagnosis due to system delays. Claire discusses shifting mindset from control to surrender, practicing gratitude, managing safety challenges like elopement, and navigating the IEP process through documentation and advocacy. She explains founding SD Mom Walks during COVID via grassroots Facebook and later Instagram and Peanut, growing to weekly events in San Diego and Orange County. Noting the gap in spaces where special needs moms truly relate, she created “Self-Care for the Selfless,” monthly events like yoga, sound healing, and beach walks to reset and connect.
- Transcript
July 20 · 51 min
Navigating PDA: A Mother's Insight into Autism Challenges.
On “The Unspecial Podcast,” host Zach interviews Amber Aarons, an Arizona mom of six (four autistic children) and advocate for PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance/Persistent Drive for Autonomy). Amber shares her family’s diagnostic journey, including a son diagnosed medically at 12, two younger IVF children diagnosed as toddlers (one a “PDA girl”), and a late autism level-one diagnosis for a daughter after mental-health struggles. She discusses adult outcomes and state supports in Arizona, including group homes, vocational rehabilitation, and Medicaid waivers, emphasizing the need for a medical diagnosis and extensive paperwork. Amber explains PDA as an elevated nervous-system threat response to everyday demands that can look like defiance, outlining co-regulation, reducing demands during meltdowns, and focusing on connection over compliance, plus common PDA signs and parental judgment. She describes her PDA-focused coaching offerings and social accounts (@autismsavvy).
- Transcript
July 13 · 44 min
Fierce and Unconditional: A Conversation on Autism and Advocacy
Zach interviews Sarah of Inch Stones by Sarah, a mom, advocate, and educator supporting families navigating autism, IEPs, and celebrating “inches” of progress. In rapid-fire questions, Sarah shares self-care practices, challenges the myth that a diagnosis defines a child’s humanity, and offers hope that things will be “more than okay.” She describes shifting from trying to “fix” her daughter Millie to embracing unconditional, expectation-free hope, and explains how grief is non-linear and intensifies with the permanence of long-term support needs, including impacts on siblings and future caregiving fears. Sarah emphasizes action over rumination, faith over fear, and “find a way.” She discusses presuming competence, citing her children’s progress with spell-to-communicate and AAC. Sarah explains Inchstones as rejecting deficit-focused milestones and outlines her IEP Power Plan, which helps parents prepare strong parent statements to change the dynamics of IEP meetings, and notes her Substack, podcast, and upcoming National Council of Severe Autism speaking engagement. website: www.unspecialllc.com #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids 👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: / unspecialllc 👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-F...
- Transcript
July 6 · 54 min
Perspective Shift: Embracing the Journey with Down Syndrome
On the Us Special podcast, the host interviews Erica Daverio, a mom to Gabriella (6), who has Down syndrome and autism, amid social-media controversy over an influencer who aborted a baby after a Down syndrome diagnosis and shared what Erica calls false, harmful claims about suffering and quality of life. Erica describes learning her daughter’s diagnosis at 12 weeks, the fear and medical framing she received, choosing testing, and ultimately accepting the pregnancy, saying termination was not an option. She pushes back on common myths (life is over, inevitable severe illness, lack of capability), shares Gabriella’s health and milestones, and explains how community on social media helped her during COVID. Erica discusses challenges like elopement, extra medical appointments, and sensory-related dental care, her decision to homeschool to focus on life skills, and her message that Down syndrome is not a tragedy and parents should seek real support beyond Google. website: www.unspecialllc.com #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids 👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: / unspecialllc 👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-F...
- Transcript
June 29 · 55 min
Hidden Battles: Understanding Profound Autism
The host and Olivia Rojo (“Praying Through Autism”) discuss the unseen burdens of profound autism—seizures, sleeplessness, isolation, grief, and constant medical battles—arguing autism is often deeply medical and worsened by untreated co-occurring conditions. They share takeaways from the Autism Health Inc. conference, including claims that 88% of autism is regressive and concerns about how pediatric screening questions obscure regression, plus a neurologist’s view that autism follows a developmental interruption. Olivia describes her daughter Leah’s regression after an immune trigger, mainstream doctors focusing on medication, and her shift to MAPS/biomedical care, including findings like cerebral folate deficiency and high MMR antibodies. She’s moving to Arizona for a synergistic team (MAPS doctor, PX neurologically focused chiropractic, and NeuroActive laser/primitive reflex therapy), reporting improvements in calmness, sleep, and gut motility, while emphasizing faith, sibling impact, and urging newly diagnosed families to seek TACA, MAPS, and deeper medical investigation. Visit our website: www.unspecialllc.com #specialneeds #specialeducation #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids #interview #truth #emotional
- Transcript
June 22 · 1 hr 4 min
Faith, Inclusion, and Community: A Conversation on Disabilities in the Church
On the Unspecial Podcast, the host interviews Jessi Mansfield about disabilities and the church, focusing on whether inclusion is a slogan or a lifestyle and how faith, autism, and families collide. Jessi shares her background (Marine Corps, primary care, nonprofit work with adults with developmental/intellectual disabilities) and how her stepson’s autism diagnosis brought uncertainty, mourning, and overwhelm, eased by supportive friends and later strengthened by returning to church. She describes finding Rhythm Church, the community care they received, and launching Rhythm’s special needs ministry, The Haven, after researching local needs and the lack of visible disability ministries. Jessi explains doing inclusion well through individualized supports, volunteer training, sensory-friendly options, and discipling kids in accessible ways, while also prioritizing parents’ spiritual support and community, and she offers encouragement to families and volunteers. website: www.unspecialllc.com #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids 👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: / unspecialllc 👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-F...
- Transcript
June 15 · 1 hr 12 min
Mindset and Miracles: Navigating Autism and Life's Challenges
The host interviews Tommy Rhyne of Spectrum and Camouflage about the unseen mental battle parents—especially dads—face in the autism journey, emphasizing real mindset over “toxic positivity.” They discuss exhaustion, grief, and staying grounded when life doesn’t match expectations, with both men sharing personal contexts: Tommy’s non-speaking autistic son and the host’s wife’s two-year cancer fight. Their faith frames key ideas about praying for healing while surrendering to God’s will, and viewing God’s presence as “always on time.” They warn that negativity and isolation can overtake families and affect siblings, urging parents to stay curious, drop shame, run to their children, and be present. Practical tools include breathing, brief rest, walking, action to interrupt anxiety, guarding inputs, daily gratitude, and accepting that hard times won’t stop—there’s no “normal life,” just life, and a daily choice to be grateful.website: www.unspecialllc.com #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids 👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: / unspecialllc 👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-F...
- Transcript
June 8 · 49 min
Breaking the Silence: Chase's Journey to Communication.
The speaker describes apraxia as a major misconception in autism, noting that during five years teaching profound autism it was never discussed, and says recent experiences have exceeded what they thought possible. They express faith that God can do more than expected, including the possibility of verbal speech even though he currently communicates by spelling on a letterboard. He shares that when he nearly died from mono, Jesus was with him, carried him through, and told him his purpose was to overcome it and share His story and love. He has repeatedly spelled that he wants to present to Congress to help them understand that autism is actually apraxia. website: www.unspecialllc.com #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids 👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: / unspecialllc 👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-F...
- Transcript

Showing 1–20 of 29 episodes