Launching Forward Podcast

About Launching Forward Podcast

"Every journey begins with a mission. Mine began with my son." Launching Forward with Autism A Mother’s Mission: Help Her Son Heal. Help Others Move Forward. Hosted by former NASA engineer and autism mom Laila Alieh, this podcast shares one mother’s journey through autism, advocacy, and the search for what helps her son thrive. Drawing on her engineering background and a mother’s determination, Laila explores science-backed approaches, therapies, and practical strategies to help parents navigate life with an autistic loved one—while finding hope, possibility, and a way forward. Launching Forward with Autism is a mother’s honest journey through autism, advocacy, and finding a new way forward. When Laila’s son was diagnosed with autism at just two years old, her family’s journey began with questions, challenges, and a whole new way of seeing the world. Along the way, Laila discovered that supporting her son also meant learning to advocate, trust her instincts, embrace neurodiversity, and find healing for herself and her family. Through personal stories, conversations with experts, and the people who have helped shape their journey, Launching Forward with Autism explores what it really means to raise, support, and celebrate an autistic child—while remembering that parents need support, too. Because autism may change the path, but it doesn’t have to stop you from moving forward.

Publisher

Laila Alieh - Autism Podcaster and Parent Advocate

Category

education · education · kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

13 Jun 2023

Latest episode

13 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

77 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Sept 2026

   Chatpter 1: How I First Learned My Son Might Be Autistic

   We realized we needed to have our son evaluated for autism when persistent developmental concerns—most notably his failure to respond to his name and to follow pointing—were identified by his pediatrician and later corroborated by his camp counselor. I recount the chronology from the postpartum period, detailing my deliberate selection of empathetic clinicians and the pivotal two-year well-child visit during which a screening questionnaire raised initial concerns. I describe how observations at summer camp, including an episode in which he neglected to orient to his name yet responded to an unfamiliar name, crystallized our apprehensions and prompted us to pursue formal testing. Throughout this chapter I convey the emotional tenor of that time—my vigilance as a mother, the resonance of prior pregnancy losses, and the professionals’ measured communication about developmental milestones. We then decided, together, to initiate the recommended evaluations, and I will detail the testing process in the subsequent chapter. My purpose in sharing this account is to provide clarity, to normalize the deliberate steps toward diagnosis, and to inform other parents about the signs that compelled us to seek assessment. CONNECT WITH LAILA ALIEH: Instagram: @lailaalieh (https://www.instagram.com/lailaalieh) Email: Laila@lailaalieh.com (mailto:Laila@lailaalieh.com) Sign up for my monthly newsletter (https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64131b3877832bf800372ac3) Laila is an autism mom sharing her family’s journey while learning how to better support her son and advocate for him—and helping other parents feel empowered to do the same. Through her story, she hopes to bring awareness, connection, and encouragement to families navigating autism. To learn more about Laila or inquire about working with her, visit www.LailaAlieh.com (https://www.lailaalieh.com/). I recount my personal path from pregnancy through early parenthood and the moment we first confronted concerns about our sons development. I describe the emotional backdrop of loss and hope that framed my choices. I explain how I sought multiple doctors until I found one whose care and bedside manner aligned with my needs. I explain the routine checkups and the developmental questionnaire that first raised questions about possible autism. I describe the specific signs noted by the clinician: limited pointing and a lack of consistent response to his name. I speak plainly about how those observations unsettled me and how they prompted closer attention. I then relate how a summer camp counselor independently confirmed similar concerns. I describe a direct demonstration in which my son did not respond when his name was called but did turn when I used a different, familiar voice. I reflect on the clarity that followed: he responded to a familiar tone rather than to his name as a verbal cue. I state that safety became a primary worry, and that this insight led us to pursue the recommended testing. I close by noting that I will discuss the testing process in a subsequent episode and that I aim to equip other parents with clear examples of early signs and steps to take. Takeaways: I first heard possible signs from our pediatrician when she noted he did not point and did not respond to his name. We later heard the same concern from a summer camp counselor who observed safety risks when he ran off and did not answer his name. I noticed he responded to my voice but did not respond when others called his name, which worried me. We decided to get him formally tested after discussing these repeated signs with our doctor and each other. I learned the value of a doctor with good bedside manner who explained developmental stages clearly and guided our next steps.

2. 

   7 Jan 2026

   Ep54: How to Help a Child With ADHD Get Organized

   In this episode, Laila Alieh breaks down her go-to strategies for helping kids with ADHD get organized—especially during busy seasons like the back-to-school rush. With personal insight and tried-and-true client tips, Laila shares what really works when overwhelm sets in, routines slip, and you just need something simple and effective. In this episode, you’ll hear: • Learn how to build a sustainable routine for mornings, homework, chores, and bedtime • Discover visual cues and organization systems that support focus • Explore Laila’s brain dump and task breakdown method for stress-free planning • Understand how movement-based workspace zones can improve productivity • Hear how simple rewards and praise can motivate follow-through in both kids and adults CONNECT WITH LAILA ALIEH: Instagram: @lailaalieh (https://www.instagram.com/lailaalieh) Email: Laila@lailaalieh.com (mailto:Laila@lailaalieh.com) Sign up for my monthly newsletter (https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64131b3877832bf800372ac3) Laila is an ADHD Coach and Tutor for Students, ready to help people of all ages reach for the stars and discover their full potential. To learn more about Laila, or to inquire about working with her, visit www.LailaAlieh.com (https://www.lailaalieh.com/). To inquire about being a guest on the podcast, submit a topic, or ask a question for a future episode, please email Laila (mailto:Laila@lailaalieh.com).

3. 

   9 Dec 2025

   Navigating Life with Autism: A New Chapter in Our Podcast

   This podcast episode serves as a poignant and personal disclosure regarding my family's recent experiences with the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in my son. On October 3rd, 2024, a phone call fundamentally altered the trajectory of our lives, revealing not only the challenges we would face but also the unique strengths inherent in my son's condition. I have felt compelled to share this aspect of my life, which I have kept private for over a year, and it has prompted a significant reorientation of the podcast's focus. Henceforth, the podcast will be known as "Launching Forward with Autism and ADHD," reflecting our family's journey as we navigate the complexities of raising a child with autism alongside my own experiences with ADHD. I aim to utilize this platform to illuminate our path, explore effective strategies, and foster a deeper understanding of neurodiversity, as I believe it is imperative to share this narrative with our audience. CONNECT WITH LAILA ALIEH: Instagram: @lailaalieh (https://www.instagram.com/lailaalieh) Email: Laila@lailaalieh.com (mailto:Laila@lailaalieh.com) Sign up for my monthly newsletter (https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64131b3877832bf800372ac3) Laila is an ADHD Coach and Tutor for Students, ready to help people of all ages reach for the stars and discover their full potential. She is also sharing her journey as an Autism mom. To learn more about Laila, or to inquire about working with her, visit www.LailaAlieh.com (https://www.lailaalieh.com/). To inquire about being a guest on the podcast, submit a topic, or ask a question for a future episode, please email Laila (mailto:Laila@lailaalieh.com). Takeaways: The podcast episode serves as a personal update regarding the speaker's family situation. It reveals that the speaker's son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder last October. The speaker expresses a desire to use the podcast platform to discuss both ADHD and autism. The speaker emphasizes the importance of viewing autism positively, referring to it as a superpower. The podcast will be renamed to reflect the inclusion of autism in its discussions. The speaker intends to share their family's unique approaches to supporting their son's communication needs. In a deeply personal narrative, the host unveils a significant transformation in her family life following the diagnosis of her son with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This episode serves as a poignant update, wherein the host reflects on the emotional journey she has embarked upon, marked by the challenges and revelations that have come with understanding her son’s unique needs. The relocation of her family to Germany is presented as a strategic choice, not only for her husband’s professional commitments but also in pursuit of enhanced support systems for their son. This dual motivation emphasizes the complexities faced by families dealing with neurodiversity and the lengths to which they go to ensure proper care and resources. The episode further delves into the host’s perspective on autism, as she eloquently reframes the narrative surrounding the diagnosis. By referring to autism as a 'superpower,' she seeks to illuminate the extraordinary gifts that can accompany this condition. This reframing is significant in challenging societal perceptions, fostering a more nuanced understanding of neurodiversity. The host candidly discusses her son’s behaviors that led to the diagnosis, including his minimal response to social cues and diminishing eye contact, while simultaneously...

Reach and audience

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

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 51 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

55

Social presence

94

YouTube

0

Engagement

71

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Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

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