18 | Caregiver Support for Autism Families | Michele Thorne

Parenting a neurodivergent child can feel overwhelming, especially in the early years when families are navigating diagnoses, therapies, school systems, and daily life changes. In this episode of the Autism Family Toolkit Podcast, Brian Keene speaks with Michele Thorne, founder and executive director of Care for the Caregiver. Michele shares her personal journey as a mother of two autistic children and explains how her own experiences with burnout, depression, and isolation inspired her to create an organization focused entirely on supporting caregivers. Families will learn about the many free resources offered through Care for the Caregiver, including support groups, educational webinars, visual schedules, guided meditations, parenting courses, life coaching, and step-by-step roadmaps for navigating Arizona services and disability systems. This conversation is a reminder that caregivers deserve support too and that finding community can make a meaningful difference. Topics Covered • The emotional impact of receiving a diagnosis • Why caregiver support matters • Building community and finding your tribe • Free caregiver resources for families • Visual schedules and supports for autistic children • Parenting strategies and behavior support tools • Navigating Arizona disability systems and services • The importance of inclusive and neurodiversity-affirming support Memorable Quote "If parents are not okay, the children are not okay." About the Guest Michele Thorne is the founder and executive director of Care for the Caregiver. She is also a mother of two autistic children and advocates for caregiver wellness, inclusive community support, and accessible family resources. Resources Mentioned Care for the Caregiver https://care4thecaregivers.org About the Host Brian Keene is the host of the Autism Family Toolkit Podcast and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy. Pure Hearts Therapy provides home-based pediatric occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and family-centered support for neurodivergent children and families in Arizona. Subscribe & Connect If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another parent who might benefit from this conversation. Listen and subscribe to the Autism Family Resource Podcast: https://pod.link/1591840956 Explore more resources for families at: https://pureheartstherapy.com