Welcome to Episode 247 of Autism Parenting Secrets.

In this episode, we’re diving into a game-changing approach that shifts everything for parents of a child with autism—the power of true connection.

Our guest is Amanda Louison, CEO and Senior Program Advisor at The Option Institute and the Autism Treatment Center of America.

She has been immersed in The Son-Rise Program® for over 16 years, working directly with families and children to foster deeper connections through love and acceptance.

And this episode is especially meaningful to me because Amanda was personally part of my son Ry’s journey. She helped him want to form a bond with other people—something that was completely life-changing for our family.

Through her experience as a facilitator, advisor, and leader in the Son-Rise Program®, Amanda has helped thousands of parents see their child through a new lens—one that opens the door to greater joy, connection, and growth.

Discover how shifting from a need for change to an acceptance of the now can revolutionize your parenting journey.

The secret this week is…

JOINING Is Your Way IN

You'll Discover:

• How The Son-Rise Program Started (5:31)
• The Difference Between WANT and NEED (13:39)
• A Different Way To See Stimming (15:01)
• What JOINING Looks Like (21:16)
• Red and Green Lights To Notice (30:29)
• A Mindset Shift To Make And A Mistake to Avoid (34:03)

About Our Guest:

Amanda Louison is the CEO & Senior Program Advisor at The Option Institute and the Autism Treatment Center of America. With over 15 years of experience in The Son-Rise Program®, she has dedicated her career to helping parents foster deeper connections with their children through love and acceptance. Originally drawn to the program through her own journey as a parent, Amanda became a Son-Rise Program® Child Facilitator and later a Senior Program Advisor, guiding families in applying the program’s principles. Now, as a leader in the organization, she continues to support both parents and staff in creating transformative experiences for children on the autism spectrum. Amanda’s passion for empowering families remains at the heart of her work, making her an invaluable advocate for parents navigating this journey.

www.autismtreatment.org

www.option.org

References in The Episode:

• The Autism Treatment Center of America, to Speak To A Program Advisor Call (413) 229-2100
• The Option Institute

Additional Resources:

• Unlock the power of personalized 1-on-1 support, visit allinparentcoaching.com/intensive
• Take The Quiz: What’s YOUR Top Autism Parenting Blindspot?
• To learn more visit us at www.autismparentingsecrets.com
• Be sure to follow Cass & Len on Instagram
  

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends.

Welcome to Episode 246 of Autism Parenting Secrets.

In this episode, we tackle a critical issue affecting every family—the hidden dangers of screen overuse.

Our guest, Melanie Hempe, is the founder of ScreenStrong, a movement dedicated to helping parents reclaim childhood from the grip of screens. When her oldest son dropped out of college due to video game addiction, Melanie used her nursing background to develop a science-backed solution for her younger children, leading to the creation of ScreenStrong, a nonprofit that helps families eliminate toxic screen use and the conflicts it creates.

Through her Be ScreenStrong Substack, ScreenStrong Families podcast, and media appearances, Melanie empowers parents with practical strategies to delay harmful screen exposure and foster real-world connections. Today, we’ll explore the science behind screen addiction, how screens disrupt social and emotional development, and—most importantly—what parents can do to create a healthier, more connected home.

The secret this week is…

SCREENS Prevent Connection

You'll Discover:

• The Worst Screen Type And The Worst Device (4:09)
• The Case Against ISOLATED Use (11:13)
• Why Understanding The Neuroscience Is So Key (18:22)
• What Your Child Wants MORE Than Tech (22:29)
• A Strong Call To Action (27:48)
• Screentime Myths That Just AREN’T True (31:08)

About Our Guest:

When her oldest son dropped out of college due to a video game addiction, Melanie Hempe used her nursing degree from Emory University to create a better, science-backed screen solution for her three younger children. The success of these solutions compelled Melanie to found ScreenStrong, a nonprofit that empowers parents to eliminate toxic screen use—and the conflict it creates—from their home. ScreenStrong’s proactive, neuroscience-based solution of delaying social media, smartphones, violent video games, and pornography through adolescence has improved the mental health, life skills, and relationships of countless teens and families across the world.

Melanie writes the weekly “Be ScreenStrong” Substack and hosts the popular ScreenStrong Families podcast. She has been featured on CBS, CNN, NPR, Fox, The Wall Street Journal, the Screened Out documentary, and other media outlets. Her Kids’ Brains and Screens series is available for all ages in book and curriculum formats.

Melanie lives in North Carolina with her husband, Chris, and their four children. She believes it’s never too late to reverse screen addiction and reconnect with your kids.

https://screenstrong.org/about/

References in The Episode:

• https://screenstrong.org/
• ScreenStrong Families Podcast

Additional Resources:

• Unlock the power of personalized 1-on-1 support, visit allinparentcoaching.com/intensive
• Take The Quiz: What’s YOUR Top Autism Parenting Blindspot?
• To learn more visit us at www.autismparentingsecrets.com
• Be sure to follow Cass & Len on Instagram

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends.

Welcome to Episode 245 of Autism Parenting Secrets.

In this episode of Autism Parenting Secrets, we’re joined by Dr. Richard Frye, a renowned child neurologist specializing in neurodevelopmental disorders, to explore the critical medical insights that can help children with autism thrive.

Dr. Frye shares his expertise on mitochondrial dysfunction, immune system dysregulation, and other underlying medical issues affecting autism.

We discuss the importance of evidence-based treatments, foundational aspects like sleep and gut health, and the significance of a tailored approach to each child's unique needs.

Join us as we delve into the strategies and emerging interventions that offer the most promise for helping children with autism live their best lives.

The secret this week is...

EVIDENCE-BASED Treatments FIRST

You'll Discover:

• Two Connected Challenges to Tackle Early in the Journey (4:15)
• Signs of Poor Gut Health (11:29)
• Three Key Issues You Can Measure and Treat (19:58)
• Why Mitochondria Matter So Much (22:49)
• The Importance of Folate Metabolism (25:35)
• Why Less Is MORE (34:43)

About Our Guest:

Dr Frye is a Child Neurologist with expertise in neurodevelopmental and neurometabolic disorders. He received an MD and PhD in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University. He completed a residency in Pediatrics at the University of Miami, Residency in Child Neurology and Fellowship in Behavioral Neurology and Learning Disabilities at Harvard University/Children’s Hospital Boston, and Fellowship in Psychology at Boston University. He also received a Master’s in Biomedical Science and Biostatistics from Drexel University. He holds board certifications in Pediatrics and Neurology with Special Competence in Child Neurology. He has authored over 300 publications and book chapters and serves on several editorial boards.

Dr. Frye is a national leader in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research. He is President and Chief Scientific Officer of the Autism Discovery and Treatment Foundation, Chief Medical Officer of the Neurological Health Foundation, Director of Research and Neurologist at the Rossignol Medical Center, and Principal Investigator at the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center.

He has led several clinical studies on children with ASD, including studies focusing on defining the clinical, behavioral, cognitive, genetic, and metabolic characteristics of children with ASD and mitochondrial disease and several clinical trials demonstrating the efficacy of safe and novel treatments that target underlying physiological abnormalities in children with ASD, including studies on leucovorin, cobalamin and tetrahydrobiopterin and has an ongoing multicenter controlled clinical trial on leucovorin, neuroimmune modulators and photobiomodulation.

https://drfryemdphd.com/

References in The Episode:

• Medical Academy of Pediatrics & Special Needs MAPS

Additional Resources:

• Unlock the power of personalized 1-on-1 support, visit allinparentcoaching.com/intensive
• Take The Quiz: What’s YOUR Top Autism Parenting Blindspot?
• To learn more about Cass & Len, visit us at www.autismparentingsecrets.com
• Be sure to follow Cass & Len on Instagram

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends.