Autism Life Today

About Autism Life Today

Autism Life Today is a podcast dedicated to real conversations, honest stories, and practical support for individuals and families navigating life on the autism spectrum. Through interviews with parents, professionals, advocates, and community leaders, we explore the challenges, victories, and everyday moments that shape the autism journey. From therapy insights and education to faith, advocacy, and innovative approaches to care, Autism Life Today creates a space for connection, awareness, and hope, because every story matters and every voice deserves to be heard.

Publisher

Autism Life Today Podcast

Category

kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

14 May 2026

Latest episode

2 Nov 2026

Latest episodes

20 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Nov 2026

   Presume Competence: Seeing Adults with Disabilities for Who They Are

   “You never age out of purpose.” Emmalee Swartz joins Autism Life Today to share the vision behind Able Purpose Ministries, a faith-based community supporting adults with disabilities in Gilbert, Arizona.Emmalie talks about creating a place where adults can find belonging, build friendships, explore their gifts, and take an active role in their community. Through worship, Bible study, life skills, games, and service, Able Purpose helps participants grow and discover new ways to contribute.In this conversation, we discuss: The transition from school services to adult life How Able Purpose Ministries creates community and belonging Faith, worship, and making church more accessible Building life skills, leadership, and opportunities to serve Why it matters to presume competence and treat adults like adults The gifts and strengths adults with disabilities bring to their communities The vision for Able Purpose’s future programs and facilities Learn more about Able Purpose Ministries at ablepurpose.org.#AutismLifeToday (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/autismlifetoday) #DisabilityInclusion (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/disabilityinclusion) #AdultsWithDisabilities (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/adultswithdisabilities)

2. 

   2 Nov 2026

   Raising a Child With Profound Autism: The Struggles Nobody Talks About

   What happens when raising a child with profound autism becomes a daily fight for safety, support, and hope?In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Autism Life Today, host Ryker Martin sits down with Tiffany Sumner, a mother, advocate, and mental health awareness supporter, to discuss the realities of raising a child with profound autism and the challenges that many families face behind closed doors.Tiffany shares her journey raising her son, Ford, from his initial autism diagnosis just before his second birthday to navigating severe behavioral challenges, hospital emergencies, and the difficult decision to seek specialized residential care. She opens up about the impact these experiences have had on her family, the importance of supporting siblings, and the emotional toll of living in a constant state of crisis.But this conversation is also about faith, resilience, and finding hope when life doesn’t look the way you imagined.Tiffany discusses how her Christian faith helped her through profound grief, how she learned to celebrate the small victories in her son’s journey, and why she believes families need more resources, understanding, and support.She also shares how her personal experiences have inspired her advocacy work, including efforts to improve autism education for medical professionals and emergency responders.IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS: Receiving an autism diagnosis and navigating the early years The realities of raising a child with profound autism and severe behavioral challenges The emotional toll of caregiving, trauma, and burnout How challenging behaviors can affect the entire family, including siblings Finding appropriate residential and crisis care The need for better autism education in emergency rooms and among first responders Faith, grief, and finding hope during life’s darkest seasons Why small victories matter and why families need continued support Tiffany’s advocacy work and her mission to help other families feel less alone Tiffany’s story is a reminder that behind every family is a unique journey, and no parent should have to navigate it without support.Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, healthcare professional, or someone who wants to better understand the realities of profound autism, we hope this conversation helps you feel seen, encourages meaningful discussion, and reminds you that you’re not alone.ABOUT AUTISM LIFE TODAYAutism Life Today brings together parents, medical professionals, advocates, and leaders in the autism community for honest conversations about the experiences, challenges, and insights that shape this journey.Our goal is to share real stories, explore important issues, and help families find understanding, resources, and connection.CONNECT WITH TIFFANY SUMNERFollow Tiffany on social media to learn more about her advocacy and ongoing work in the autism community.JOIN THE CONVERSATIONIf this episode resonated with you, please like the video, subscribe to Autism Life Today, and share it with someone who might benefit from this conversation.What do you wish more people understood about raising a child with profound autism? Share your thoughts in the comments.Thank you for being part of the Autism Life Today community.#Autism (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/autism) #ProfoundAutism (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/profoundautism) #AutismParenting (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/autismparenting) #AutismAwareness (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/autismawareness) #AutismLifeToday (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/autismlifetoday)

3. 

   19 Oct 2026

   Your Child Is More Than Their Autism Diagnosis | A Message Every Parent Needs to Hear

   What if your child’s autism diagnosis wasn’t the end of the story, but the beginning of a completely different journey?In this episode of Autism Life Today, host Ryker Martin sits down with Kari Baker, author of Finding Kind: Discovering Hope and Purpose While Loving Kids With Invisible Neurological Differences, to discuss the realities of raising a child with autism, navigating the uncertainty of a diagnosis, and learning to see your child’s unique gifts beyond their challenges.Kari shares her family’s journey with her son, Brady, from the early signs of developmental differences and the overwhelming emotions surrounding his diagnosis to the lessons that transformed her perspective on parenting, faith, and purpose.After spending 30 years in financial services, Kari felt called to a new mission: helping families feel less alone as they navigate life with children who have autism and other neurological differences. That journey inspired her book, Finding Kind, and her work building supportive communities for families.In this conversation, we discuss: ❤️ Life After an Autism Diagnosis: Navigating fear, uncertainty, and the expectations parents have for their children’s futures. 🌱 Seeing Your Child’s Strengths: Why recognizing your child’s interests, talents, and unique abilities matters just as much as addressing their challenges. 🙏 Faith, Purpose, and Letting Go: How Kari’s journey with Brady transformed her relationship with God and taught her to trust a path she couldn’t have planned. 👨👩👦 The Importance of Community: Why isolation can make the autism journey harder and how connecting with other families can provide encouragement and understanding. 🏫 Creating More Inclusive Communities: Kari’s passion for helping churches and Christian schools better support neurodivergent children and their families. 💙 A Message Every Autism Parent Needs to Hear: Why your child’s diagnosis is a roadmap to support—not their identity or their destiny. 📚 The Story Behind Finding Kind: How Kari’s experiences as a mother inspired her to write a book designed to help families find hope, connection, and purpose. One of the most powerful lessons Kari shares is advice she wishes she had received earlier in her journey: Don’t get so caught up in helping your child overcome challenges that you forget to enjoy who they are.Whether you’re a parent navigating a recent diagnosis, a family member seeking to better understand autism, or someone who wants to help create a more inclusive world, this conversation is a reminder that every child has unique gifts, every family deserves support, and no one should have to walk this journey alone.🎧 ABOUT AUTISM LIFE TODAYAutism Life Today brings together families, medical professionals, researchers, advocates, and community leaders to share real stories, valuable insights, and meaningful conversations about the world of autism and special needs.Our mission is to help families find connection, discover resources, and feel less alone on their journey.👍 Enjoyed this episode? Like the video, subscribe to Autism Life Today, and share this conversation with a family who might need to hear this message.💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION: What is one thing you wish you had known when your family’s autism journey began? Share your thoughts in the comments below.📖 Learn more about Kari Baker and her book, Finding Kind, using the links provided below.#Autism (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/autism) #AutismParenting (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/autismparenting) #AutismLifeToday (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/autismlifetoday) #FindingKind (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/findingkind) #AutismAwareness (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/autismawareness) #Neurodiversity (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/neurodiversity) #SpecialNeedsParenting (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/specialneedsparenting)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Contact Autism Life Today

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Shows with a similar audience

• 

  Autism Parenting Secrets

• 

  The Telepathy Tapes

• 

  On Purpose with Jay Shetty

• 

  Huberman Lab

• 

  The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast

• 

  The Rest Is Politics