The Power of Self-Advocacy & Neurodiversity with Mother-Son Duo Valerie and Philip

Autism Mom Sarah Kernion sits down with mother-son duo Valerie Buccino and her son Philip for a conversation within the broader neurodiversity spectrum (while also addressing autism, apraxia, and the journey of profound autism.)  Together, they explore the power of self-advocacy for individuals with learning differences, the importance of building true collaboration with educators, and the everyday strategies that have helped Philip thrive. Valerie, both an attorney and a mother, shares her perspective on why respect and understanding are essential in educational settings. Their story underscores the role of self-perception, the cultural barriers around asking for help, and the resilience required to pursue goals despite challenges—reminding us that every child’s progress deserves to be celebrated, one inchstone at a time. Chapters (00:00:00) - A Mother and Her Special Needs Advocate(00:01:12) - Phil's Self-Advocacy at School(00:09:53) - One mother's experience with working memory impairment(00:16:28) - Taking notes in the workplace(00:21:57) - Why We Have Such Anxiety About Asking for Help(00:28:16) - Philip's battle to become an engineer(00:34:50) - A Mother's Advice For Her Child