Episode 359- How "AUTISM TODAY" Helps Families Find Real Resources with Karen Simmons

Send us Fan MailThe worst part of an autism diagnosis is not the word itself. It is the silence that can follow when you do not know where to go, what to trust, or who will truly understand your day to day life. We talk with Karen Simmons about that exact moment and the long road after it, from early parenting chaos to building reliable autism resources that help families feel less alone.We get into why “future tellers” can be so damaging, how a strengths based approach changes everything, and what it looks like to create autism education that is actually usable for parents, teachers, and siblings. Karen shares the story behind Autism Today, the need for a safe place to belong, and why real community is built through clear information, lived experience, and generous referrals. We also dig into the Autism Directory concept as a modern hub where parents, professionals, clinics, educators, podcasts, and even autistic creators can be found without the needle in a haystack search.Along the way, we share personal milestones that hit differently, like Special Olympics pride and the kind of joy that comes when a teen proves the experts wrong. You will hear a powerful reminder that progress can show up through alternative communication, early literacy, and passion driven work, including a YouTube channel that becomes a first paycheck.If you care about neurodiversity, autism support, inclusive communities, and practical tools for real life, listen now. Subscribe, share this with a parent or educator who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find the help they have been looking for.Support the showSJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LISTWEBSITES- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.comYOUTUBE- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielouFACEBOOK- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShowINSTAGRAM- https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/TIKTOK- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllcLINKEDIN- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/PODCAST PLATFORMS- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291CONTACT EMAIL- [email protected]