Flourishing: Caregiving Autistic Adults Podcast

About Flourishing: Caregiving Autistic Adults Podcast

This podcast addresses the critical knowledge gap for caregivers of autistic adults as they navigate the service cliff (Ishler et al., 2021), which is defined as the abrupt end of federally mandated educational services at the age of 22. The transition to adulthood lacks reliable, well-structured care coordination and support services to help caregivers identify and access the full range of available adult support services. Often, these services are hidden in grey literature, where you need to know the service name to explore the resource. The service cliff directly impacts caregivers as well as the autistic adult, as they experience discontinuation of a structured schedule, social isolation, and a disconnect from typical knowledge sharing that occurs at special educational support meetings. The research demonstrates a significant knowledge gap among caregivers of autistic adults, as well as medical providers, and this podcast proposes to address the knowledge gap faced by caregivers navigating the system (Ishler et al., 2021; Laxman et al., 2019). This podcast will offer well-researched information and guidance on navigating the adult service system, including how to apply for Medicaid waivers, vocational rehabilitation, SSI/SSDI, and how to access healthcare within the adult medical and mental health landscape (Gowen et al., 2020; Shattuck et al., 2020). Throughout the podcast, we will hear from caregivers' narratives, including intergenerational and multigenerational caregivers, to understand the unique intersectional experiences of this patient population. We will take the listening on a caregiver journey of discovery of the history of autism, and explore the beginning stages of leaving the structured supports provided by the IDEA, and the experience of entering into a world where mostly maternal caregivers become the case manager, advocate, and service provider (Dembosky et al., 2023; Wolpe et al., 2023). Dembosky, J. W., Heckert, D., Boser, S., & Migyanka, J. M. (2023). Shouldering the burden: Intensive mothering and autism. Family Relations, 73(2), 807-825. Ishler, K. J., Biegel, D. E., Wang, F., Olgac, T., Lytle, S., Miner, S., Edguer, M., & Kaplan, R. (2021). Service use among transitional-age youth with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 52(3), 1051-1065. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-04999-6 Gowen, E., Taylor R., Bleazard, T., Greenstein, A., Baimbridge, P., & Poole, D. (2020). Guidelines for conducting research studies with the autism community. Autism, 27(6), 1676-1689. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613221143590 Shattuck, P. T., Roux, A. M., Rast, J. E., Anderson, K., Hassrick, E., & Kuo, A. (2020). Services for adults with autism spectrum disorder: A systems perspective. Current Psychiatry Reports, 22(3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-020-1136-7 Wolpe, S. M., Johnson, A. R., & Kim, S. (2023). Navigating the transition to adulthood: Insights from caregivers of autistic individuals. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 55(1), 166-180. https://doi.org/10..1002/aur.2696

Publisher

Dr. Stacey Kohler, DSW, LICSW

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Mar 2026

Latest episode

9 Apr 2026

Latest episodes

6 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   9 Apr 2026

   Episode Six: Interview with Dr. Kerry Magro, Autism Author & Advocate

   Send us Fan Mail Autism Support Centers: Where You Can Go For Help! The following are Autism Support Centers in Massachusetts: Central/West Region: www.autismresourcecentral.org HMEA's (Horace Mann Educational Associates) Autism Resource Central, 712 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605 Phone 508-835-4278 This agency services about 4,000 families, and they are affiliated with Advocates, which is a large social service agency in Massachusetts. Ask about family support services, residential o...

2. 

   2 Mar 2026

   Episode Five: Interview with Dr. Dannette Taylor, IEP Advocate and Consultant

   Send us Fan Mail Episode 5 focuses on the transition cliff from K-12 settings and covers future planning, ABLE accounts, and, in Georgia, the Now and Comp Waiver programs. Episode 5 will feature a guest expert, special-needs advocate Dr. Dannette Taylor, who is also a caregiver to an autistic adult. The episode addressed the service cliff and the gradual loss of services prior to transitioning from high school. We discussed the diversity of experiences with the service cliff, the inequitable ...

3. 

   1 Mar 2026

   Episode One: The Service Cliff, Gendered Care, and Knowledge Gap

   Send us Fan Mail This episode introduced the realities of caregiving for an autistic adult at the transition from K-12 mandated support services to the fragmented adult services landscape. We explored the service cliff, when services end. We examined how caregiving is often placed upon mothers, and we also looked at research that found most caregivers have a knowledge gap about supports and services that are available after high school. Here are some helpful links: Autism Self Advocacy Networ...

4. 

   1 Mar 2026

   Episode Four: Siblings as Autism Caregivers - Interview with Alex

   Send us Fan Mail In this episode, two siblings from different parts of the world discuss the psychosocial issues of caregiving for a sibling. Alex is the guest today. We will examine the need to have open discussions with family members regarding long-term care planning and the importance of the role siblings hold in the safe space they may provide their autistic adult sibling. Resources in Canada that were discussed in this episode Centre de readaptation de l'Quest de Montreal (CROM)—Cente...

5. 

   1 Mar 2026

   Episode Three: Early Pioneers, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Skill Development

   Send us Fan Mail Episode 3 will cover a deeper dive into autism caregiver pioneers who advocated for vocational rehabilitation supports over 100 years ago. The episode will examine some first responder programs, and highlight the importance of the work of Dr. Sukariva, Dr. Kanner, and others. This episode, we will review Mass Ability Program and describe how to access this support. Historical Figures & Autism History Anderson, K. A., Roux, A. M., Shattuck, P. T., Rast, J. E.,...

6. 

   1 Mar 2026

   Episode Two: Step-By-Step Guide to Applying for Adult Services, and Gendered Care Continued

   Send us Fan Mail Autism Support Centers: Where You Can Go For Help! The following are Autism Support Centers in Massachusetts: Central/West Region: www.autismresourcecentral.org HMEA's (Horace Mann Educational Associates) Autism Resource Central, 712 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605 Phone 508-835-4278 This agency services about 4,000 families, and they are affiliated with Advocates, which is a large social service agency in Massachusetts. Ask about family support services, residential...

Contact Flourishing: Caregiving Autistic Adults Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

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