Autism Parenting and the Nervous System: Why Change Starts with Us with Sara Intonato

Autism parenting often challenges not just what parents do—but how they think, regulate, and respond. In this conversation, Sarah Kernion speaks with Sara Intonato about the internal shifts required to support a child with autism, particularly in the context of nonspeaking autism and emerging communication methods like open spelling. At the center of the discussion is self-regulation. The nervous system of the parent becomes part of the environment the child experiences, shaping engagement, connection, and communication. Rather than focusing only on external interventions, this conversation reframes change as something that begins within the caregiver. Sara shares her journey parenting her son Rocco, highlighting the role of community support, the emotional discomfort that often accompanies growth, and the moment parents realize they cannot return to previous assumptions. The dialogue also explores the tension between accepting “that’s just autism” and remaining open to possibility—without losing grounding or discernment. This episode positions autism parenting as both an external and internal process: one where advocacy, communication, and personal growth intersect. Through caregiver stories and lived experience, it emphasizes that parents are not passive participants—they are active change makers in shaping their child’s environment and future. JOIN AUTISM CHANGEMAKERS WITH SARA INTONATO HERE: https://www.skool.com/autismchangemakers/about Chapters (00:00:00) - Sarah Antonato on Autism Change Makers(00:00:43) - Sarah Antonado on Healing for Autism Parents(00:05:47) - Autism Change makers: The Journey(00:11:40) - Nervous System Awareness(00:18:11) - Sarah on Parenting with Autism(00:21:55) - The Surprising Truth of Healing Your(00:25:31) - Open Spellers: The Work of Parents(00:29:43) - Autism Changemakers: Thank You!