26 | Lyme, Bartonella & Overlooked Health Clues in Autism | Debbie Kimberg

What do you do when your questions keep getting redirected and you still feel like something important is being missed? In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, host Brian Keene sits down with Debbie Kimberg and her son, Sammy, to share their family's experience searching for answers beyond the explanations they were initially given. Debbie discusses how years of persistent advocacy led their family to explore infections such as Bartonella and Lyme disease and how treatment changed Sammy's day-to-day functioning, learning, mood, and overall well-being. Sammy also shares his own perspective on school, medication, and what it felt like when things began to improve. Together, they talk about the long road to finding the right doctors, the impact of finally getting support that helped, and why families sometimes need to keep asking questions when something does not feel right. This conversation is a personal story, not a one-size-fits-all roadmap, but it offers an important reminder for families: your observations matter, persistence matters, and advocacy can make a powerful difference. Topics Covered Debbie and Sammy's journey searching for answers beyond initial diagnoses Lyme disease, Bartonella, and related infections as part of their family's story How symptoms showed up in school, behavior, mood, and eating The challenge of finding knowledgeable providers Why some treatments helped and others made things worse Sammy's experience with learning, special education, and improvement over time The importance of family advocacy and trusting your instincts Memorable Quote "It's okay to say no when something doesn't feel right." About the Guest Debbie Kimberg is a parent advocate and writer who shares her family's story to help other caregivers ask questions, explore options, and feel less alone. Her son Sammy is a high school student who enjoys singing, weightlifting, frisbee golf, and video games. Together they speak openly about their family's long search for answers and support. Resources Mentioned DebbieKimberg.com @hijackedbrain on Instagram @hijackedbrain on TikTok State and local Lyme support groups ProjectLyme.org About the Host Brian Keene, OTD, OTR/L, is the host of the Autism Family Resource Podcast and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy in Phoenix, Arizona. Pure Hearts Therapy provides neurodiversity-affirming pediatric therapy services that support children and families through compassionate, individualized care. 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 If you have a child or family with this condition and you are finding it difficult to access a good doctor, visit www.projectline.org to get a doctor's directory. Connect with Debbie Debbie's website: www.debbiekimberg.com Instagram and Tiktok: @hijacked brains