Episode Summary: In this episode of "The Autism Dad" podcast, Rob Gorski interviews Meghan Bailey, a mother of an 11-year-old son on the autism spectrum. Meghan shares her parenting journey, discussing the initial autism diagnosis, her approach to parenting a neurodiverse child, and the concept of autistic shutdowns versus meltdowns. The conversation delves into coping mechanisms and the importance of meeting children where they are in their developmental process. Key Topics Covered: - Introduction to Meghan Bailey: Meghan shares her story and her son’s late autism diagnosis in 2022. - Grieving Process in Autism Diagnosis: Discussion on how parents may grieve the life they envisioned for their children. - Differences between Autism Shutdowns and Meltdowns: Meghan explains her experiences with her son’s shutdowns as opposed to meltdowns in autism. - Coping Mechanisms and Self-Regulation in Autism: Strategies Meghan employs to help her son manage sensory overload and emotional stress. - Parenting Challenges with Neurodiverse Children: Navigating the tween years and distinguishing between typical developmental behaviors and those influenced by autism. - Parental Advice for Managing Autism: Tips for parents on managing shutdowns and the importance of changing their approach to meet their children’s needs. - Autism Community Support: The value of connecting with other parents for support and validation. Resources Mentioned: - Meghan Bailey on TikTok: @MeghanBailey Connect with Rob Gorski: About Rob Gorski and The Autism Dad podcast: Rob Gorski is a single Dad to three amazing autistic boys and the Founder and CEO of The Autism Dad, LLC. Multiple award-winning blogger, podcaster, content creator, social media influencer, and respected public figure for the last 15 years. Connect with Rob: theautismdad.com Mentioned in this episode: Learn More About AngelSense As the new school year approaches, AngelSense helps parents track their loved ones in real-time, ensuring safe transportation, smooth transitions, and peace of mind. It supports navigation through school breaks, lunches, classroom changes, and after-school activities. The auto-pickup speakerphone allows caregivers to address concerns instantly. This Back to School season, get a free device with every new subscription. Protect your loved ones with AngelSense, making independence and safety achievable. For more information click the link below. Visit AngelSense Learn More: Goally The Goally tablet is focused on fostering independence in kids without the distractions of ads, social media, or potentially harmful content. Unlike Kindle and iPad tablets, Goally's Tablet exclusively features educational apps like Khan Academy, Duolingo ABC, and Starfall, and is entirely controlled by parents. Goally's Kids Calendar helps kids with things like task management. Kids also learn life skills through video classes and pre-made routines, enhancing their independence. For more information, you can visit getgoally.com and use the code “theautismdad” to save 10% off your order. Visit Goally