From Autism Parenting to Advocacy: Honey Rinnicella on MAPS and A Place To Breathe

Autism parenting often leads families into advocacy, especially when navigating complex healthcare and support systems. In this episode of the Inchstones Podcast, Sarah Kernion speaks with Honey Rinnicella about autism, autism parenting, and her work with MAPS (Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs). They discuss caregiver support, root cause medicine, and the need for stronger community systems for families raising children with autism, including those with nonspeaking autism. Honey also shares her vision for A Place to Breathe, a space designed to support healing, connection, and long-term sustainability for autism families. This conversation explores how personal experience can drive meaningful change in autism advocacy and community support. Honey Rinicella is the Executive Director of the Medical Academy of Pediatrics and Special Needs (MAPS), a national nonprofit advancing physician education and clinical capacity to care for individuals with autism and complex medical needs across the lifespan. Under her leadership, MAPS operates the only formal physician fellowship in the United States dedicated to comprehensive, evidence-informed medical care for this underserved population. Previously, Rinicella served as Director of Education for the National Autism Association, where she led national conferences and professional education initiatives, and held leadership roles with The Autism Community in Action (TACA), developing large-scale caregiver and professional training programs. She is also the parent of 25-year-old twins with autism, grounding her work in lived experience. Her focus is on strengthening medical standards of care, improving access to medically necessary treatment, and addressing systemic gaps—particularly for non-speaking individuals and adults transitioning out of pediatric systems. MAPS: https://www.medmaps.org/about-us/ Chapters (00:00:00) - Honey Renicella on Her Work for Autism Families(00:06:53) - How to Live With Autism in the Now(00:08:21) - MAPS: The Special Needs Medical Training(00:12:04) - Understanding Autism with Medmaps(00:18:12) - On Autism and the Care of Parents(00:22:21) - "I see my kids healed"(00:22:54) - How to Survive a Trauma with a Child(00:24:06) - A Place to Breathe for Autism Kids in Vermont(00:29:47) - A Place to Breathe for Autism Community(00:34:29) - Sarah's last Inchtones interview