From Dysregulation to Connection: Autism Parenting and Emotional Support with Laurie Dove

Autism parenting often brings families face-to-face with emotional intensity—both in their children and within themselves. In this conversation, Sarah Kernion speaks with Laurie Dove about regulation, resilience, and the lived reality of raising children with autism, including those with nonspeaking autism. Laurie shares her personal journey navigating early concerns, intervention, and the evolving emotional landscape of motherhood. At the center of the discussion is a core principle: regulation is not optional—it is biological. Both parent and child operate within nervous systems that respond to stress, environment, and connection. The conversation explores practical strategies for managing dysregulation, including naming emotions, building awareness, and creating space for calm responses. It also addresses the often unspoken experiences of resentment, overwhelm, and isolation that can accompany autism parenting—and the importance of community in mitigating those pressures. Through caregiver stories and grounded insight, this episode reframes regulation as a foundational skill in autism parenting. Not perfection, but awareness and practice—what Inchstones calls small, consistent shifts—create lasting change. Find Laurie, the Queen of Autism Mom Regulation, on Instagram:  @everyday_autism_essentials_ Chapters (00:00:01) - May 1st: The Mothers of Autism(00:02:16) - What Was the Moment That You Realized Your Child(00:04:22) - The Journey of Early Intervention(00:06:38) - Sarah's Story of Autism and the Season(00:10:50) - Regulation of the Child's Body(00:18:00) - What Made Me Perfect for My Daughter's Autism(00:24:17) - Two tips for coping with a child's grief(00:26:25) - Lori Dove on Autism Essentials