Autism Family Resource

Receiving an autism diagnosis can bring both answers and a new wave of questions. What should you do while waiting for an evaluation? How do you find the right providers? And what happens if insurance denies the services your child needs?
In this episode, Brian talks with Kimberly Sadovich, Senior Clinical Director at Forta Health, about practical steps parents can take throughout the diagnosis and service process.
Kimberly explains why getting on an evaluation waitlist early can be helpful, what information families may want to document while waiting, and how honest conversations with providers can lead to better support.
They also discuss insurance denials and why a denial does not always mean the conversation is over. Parents often have more influence than they realize, especially when they work alongside their therapy providers, ask questions, follow up consistently, and understand their options.
This conversation offers reassurance for parents who may feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or unsure of what to do next. You do not have to navigate every step perfectly, and you do not have to navigate it alone.
Topics Covered
What parents can do while waiting for an autism evaluation

Why it may help to join an evaluation waitlist early

Information to document before meeting with a diagnosing provider

Choosing qualified diagnostic and therapy providers

What families can do after receiving an autism diagnosis

How therapy providers may help with insurance denials

Why parents have a voice when choosing services

The importance of caregiver support and self-care

When telehealth services may be helpful for families

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Kimberly's background
01:36 Autism evaluation waitlists and finding a qualified provider
06:22 What parents can document while waiting
11:23 What happens after receiving a diagnosis
13:09 Insurance denials, appeals, and provider support
22:04 Caregiver overwhelm, advocacy, and self-care
Memorable Quote
"Getting a denial is the start of the conversation, not the final end of the conversation."
About the Guest
Kimberly Sadovich is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Senior Clinical Director at Forta Health. She has extensive experience supporting autistic children, young adults, and their families.
Her work includes helping families navigate evaluation waitlists, access therapy services, respond to insurance barriers, and determine whether virtual ABA services may be a good fit for their child and family.
Resources Mentioned
Autism Learning Partners: Free online Registered Behavior Technician training that may also help parents learn more about behavior and supportive strategies

Early intervention programs: Community-based services that may be available for children under age three

School-based supports: IEP evaluations, accommodations, and therapy services available through a child's school

Forta Health: Virtual ABA services and select in-person services for autistic children and families

About the Host
Brian Keene, OTD, OTR/L, is the founder of Pure Hearts Therapy and host of the Autism Family Resource Podcast.
Pure Hearts Therapy provides home-based occupational, speech, and physical therapy services for children and families throughout Arizona, including aquatic therapy and virtual parent coaching.
The practice focuses on helping children grow through connection, play, and meaningful participation in everyday life.
Subscribe & Connect
If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another parent who might benefit from this conversation.
Listen and subscribe to the Autism Family Resource Podcast:
https://pod.link/1591840956
Explore more resources for families at:
https://pureheartstherapy.com

Traveling with a neurodivergent child can feel overwhelming for many families… especially when sensory needs, routines, mobility challenges, or accessibility concerns are involved.
In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, Brian Keene sits down with Teresa Roddy, an accessible travel specialist and occupational therapy assistant, to talk about how families can make travel feel more realistic, supportive, and enjoyable.
Teresa shares how she helps families plan around real-life needs including sensory sensitivities, adaptive equipment, mobility accommodations, dietary restrictions, and communication supports. She also shares practical strategies families can use to reduce stress while traveling, including pacing vacations differently, preparing ahead of time, and building around a child's comfort needs rather than forcing packed schedules.
This conversation is a reassuring reminder that meaningful family experiences are possible… and that families do not have to figure everything out alone.
Topics Covered
Sensory-friendly travel planning for autistic children

Accessible travel accommodations and adaptive equipment

Vacation strategies for families with disabilities

How to reduce travel stress for neurodivergent children

Comfort items and regulation support while traveling

Why slowing down can improve family vacations

Practical ways to prepare children before trips

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
02:30 Accessible travel and sensory accommodations
06:50 How Teresa plans trips around family needs
10:15 Common barriers families face with travel
13:05 Tips for avoiding overstimulation while traveling
15:20 Final encouragement for families
Memorable Quote
"Sometimes slowing down… taking breaks… and building around your child's comfort needs can completely change the experience for the whole family."
About the Guest
Teresa Roddy is an accessible travel specialist and certified occupational therapy assistant with over 25 years of experience working with pediatric populations. Through Accessible Travel with Teresa, she helps families plan vacations that consider sensory needs, mobility accommodations, adaptive equipment, dietary restrictions, and accessibility support.
Instagram: Accessible Travel with Teresa Instagram
Facebook: Accessible Travel with Teresa Facebook
Resources Mentioned
Autism on the Seas

About the Host
Hosted by Brian Keene, occupational therapist and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy, a neurodiversity-affirming pediatric therapy company providing home-based occupational, speech, and physical therapy services throughout Arizona.
Subscribe & Connect
If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another parent who might benefit from this conversation.
Listen and subscribe to the Autism Family Resource Podcast:
Autism Family Resource Podcast
Explore more resources for families at:
 Pure Hearts Therapy

What does sensory overload actually feel like for autistic individuals?
In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, Brian Keene sits down with speaker, author, and content creator Lawrence Harris to discuss autism, sensory overwhelm, social connection, emotional regulation, bullying, and identity through Lawrence's lived experiences.
Lawrence shares powerful examples of what sensory overload felt like growing up… from loud classrooms and fluorescent lights to overwhelming grocery stores and uncomfortable clothing textures. He also opens up about navigating friendships, masking, confidence, and learning how to better understand himself over time.
This conversation offers parents and caregivers a meaningful look into how autistic individuals may experience the world differently… while also reminding families that being different does not mean something is wrong.
A thoughtful, honest, and neurodiversity-affirming conversation filled with practical insight and emotional reflection for families supporting neurodivergent children.
Topics Covered
What sensory overload can actually feel like

Clothing sensitivities and sensory overwhelm

Autism and emotional regulation

Loud environments, grocery stores, and overstimulation

Social communication and reading social cues

Bullying, masking, and self-acceptance

Autism, friendships, and finding connection

Strategies Lawrence uses to manage sensory overwhelm

Why understanding sensory needs matters for families

Supporting autistic children with compassion and acceptance

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Lawrence Harris
01:45 What sensory overload can feel like
06:40 Clothing sensitivities and family misunderstandings
10:20 Autism, friendships, and social communication
21:00 Finding friendships through shared interests
26:20 Different sensory regulation strategies within families
30:35 Lawrence's journey into advocacy and speaking
34:40 "You're not broken" message for autistic individuals
Memorable Quote
"You're not broken… you just think a bit different… and that's okay."
About the Guest
Lawrence Harris is an autistic speaker, author, and content creator who shares openly about sensory overwhelm, emotional regulation, confidence, bullying, and personal growth through his lived experiences. Through speaking, writing, and online content, Lawrence helps others better understand autism and neurodivergent experiences in a relatable and empowering way.
Instagram:
Lawrence C Empowers Instagram
Website, books, and resources:
Lawrence Harris Website
Resources Mentioned
Noise-canceling headphones

Journaling for emotional regulation

Meditation and exercise for stress management

About the Host
Hosted by Brian Keene, occupational therapist and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy, a neurodiversity-affirming pediatric therapy company providing home-based occupational, speech, physical, and aquatic therapy services throughout Arizona, along with virtual parent coaching and family support.
Subscribe & Connect
If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another parent who might benefit from this conversation.
Listen and subscribe to the Autism Family Resource Podcast:
Autism Family Resource Podcast
Explore more resources for families at:
Pure Hearts Therapy

What happens when an autistic adult becomes a speech therapy professional supporting neurodivergent children and families?
In this episode, Brian sits down with Ozzie Inzunza, a neurodivergent Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA) and autistic adult, to discuss his personal journey growing up neurodivergent, navigating communication and social differences, and how those experiences now shape his work with children and families.
Ozzie shares what it was like growing up with intense interests, feeling different from peers, and eventually discovering a passion for helping others through speech therapy. Together, they explore why differences are not deficits, the importance of recognizing strengths, and how small, often overlooked wins can add up to meaningful progress over time.
This conversation offers encouragement for parents who may be wondering if their child is making progress, feeling uncertain about the future, or searching for a more empowering perspective on neurodiversity.
Topics Covered
Growing up neurodivergent in a traditional Hispanic household

Special interests, scripting, and early signs of autism

Social challenges and finding connection with others

Ozzie's path from sports medicine to speech therapy

Why strengths-based approaches matter

Supporting autistic children without underestimating their abilities

Helping parents recognize small but meaningful progress

Hope, growth, and lifelong learning for neurodivergent individuals

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Ozzie's story
01:30 Early childhood interests and autism traits
05:11 Special interests through childhood and adulthood
08:20 Social experiences and growing up neurodivergent
10:42 Discovering speech therapy as a career
12:34 How lived experience shapes therapy
15:06 Encouraging and supporting parents
Memorable Quote
"Every single client is capable and knows more than I even suspect they might."
About the Guest
Ozzie is a neurodivergent Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA) who works with pediatric families and is currently completing his studies at Arizona State University to become a Speech-Language Pathologist. Drawing from both professional training and lived experience as an autistic adult, Ozzie brings a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming perspective to supporting children and families.
Resources Mentioned
Ozzie's Instagram: @illmindofozzie

About the Host
Brian Keene, OTD, OTR/L, is the founder of Pure Hearts Therapy and host of the Autism Family Resource Podcast. Through neurodiversity-affirming conversations, Brian helps families better understand, support, and advocate for their children while providing practical strategies they can use in everyday life.
Subscribe & Connect
If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another parent who might benefit from this conversation.
Listen and subscribe to the Autism Family Resource Podcast:
https://pod.link/1591840956
Explore more resources for families at:
 https://pureheartstherapy.com

In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, Brian Keene sits down with ADHD coach, educator, and parent advocate Dr. Norrine Russell for an honest and supportive conversation about ADHD medication, executive functioning, and helping children build lifelong skills.
For many families, medication can feel overwhelming, emotional, and filled with conflicting opinions. Dr. Russell shares her perspective as both a parent and advocate, helping families better understand how ADHD medication conversations often unfold, what "first-line treatment" means, and why parents don't have to navigate these decisions alone.
The conversation also explores the important idea that medication does not teach skills by itself. Brian and Dr. Russell discuss practical ways parents can support routines, organization, emotional regulation, time management, and executive functioning at home using simple tools and supportive environments.
This episode is not about telling parents what decisions to make. It's about helping families feel more informed, supported, and empowered to advocate for their child in thoughtful and compassionate ways.
 
 
Topics Covered
Why ADHD medication conversations feel emotional for families

What "first-line treatment" means for ADHD

Common medication concerns and side effects parents notice

Why symptom tracking can help families advocate effectively

Executive functioning explained in parent-friendly language

Practical ways to support routines, organization, and planning

Why medication does not replace skill-building

Helping neurodivergent children advocate for themselves

Navigating social media advice and extreme medication stories

 
 
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
01:40 Why medication conversations feel overwhelming
05:00 What "first-line treatment" means
10:30 Understanding medication duration and side effects
19:50 What parents should track during medication trials
22:45 "Pills and skills" and executive functioning support
29:10 Helping children understand and advocate for themselves
 
 
Memorable Quote
"Your child is still your child. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to seek support. And don't be afraid to advocate for your child."
 
 
About the Guest
Dr. Norrine Russell is an ADHD coach, educator, parent advocate, and founder of Russell Coaching. She supports neurodivergent students and families while also bringing personal experience as a parent of children with ADHD and autism.
 
 
Resources Mentioned
Russell Coaching

ADHD Medication: Does It Work and Is It Safe? by Walt Karnisky

Symptom tracker tools for medication observations

Family whiteboards, timers, and visual schedules for executive functioning support

 
 
About the Host
Hosted by Brian Keene, occupational therapist and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy, a neurodiversity-affirming pediatric therapy practice providing home-based occupational, speech, and physical therapy services across Arizona, including aquatic therapy and virtual parent coaching.
 
 
Subscribe & Connect
If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another parent who might benefit from this conversation.
Listen and subscribe to the Autism Family Resource Podcast:
https://pod.link/1591840956
Explore more resources for families at:
https://pureheartstherapy.com