What My Son's Autism Diagnosis Taught Me About Myself | Bari Shore's Story

An autism diagnosis changes more than a child’s future. It changes the people who love that child too. In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with Bari Shore for an honest conversation about autism parenting, childhood apraxia, community, motherhood, and the unexpected personal growth that emerges from raising a neurodivergent child. When Bari’s son Dean received his autism and apraxia diagnosis during the pandemic, she found herself searching for answers, support, and connection. Like many autism moms, she experienced relief, grief, uncertainty, and determination all at the same time. But perhaps the biggest surprise was not how much her son would grow. It was how much she would grow too. Together, Sarah and Bari discuss autism parenting, caregiver stories, autism diagnosis journeys, motherhood identity shifts, advocacy, sibling relationships, and the importance of finding people who truly understand your family’s reality. They also explore why support does not always come from large groups, how community can be built one conversation at a time, and what happens when parents learn to celebrate inchstones instead of milestones. This episode explores: * autism parenting after diagnosis* childhood apraxia and autism* caregiver stories and community* motherhood identity and personal growth* sibling relationships and autism* advocacy and communication* autism diagnosis grief and acceptance* parenting autistic children in the present moment For parents navigating autism, apraxia, developmental delays, or the uncertainty that follows diagnosis, this conversation offers honesty, perspective, and hope. In This Episode 00:00 – Finding friendship and community after diagnosis02:00 – The long road to an autism and apraxia diagnosis03:30 – Pandemic parenting and noticing developmental differences04:30 – Relief, grief, and finally having answers05:15 – Becoming “the autism mom” and identity shifts06:00 – Why community became essential06:45 – Cycles of research, burnout, and recovery07:50 – Is autism parenting unfair?08:45 – Celebrating inchstones instead of milestones09:20 – Why the world should adapt to autistic children10:30 – Learning to advocate for yourself as a parent11:45 – Autism parenting and perspective12:30 – Advice for parents receiving a new diagnosis13:45 – Staying present instead of spiraling into the future15:15 – Raising autistic boys and trusting your instincts17:00 – Seeing the child beyond the diagnosis18:20 – Becoming stronger through autism parenting19:45 – Relationships, community, and what matters most Listen to more episodes of the Inchstones Podcast, where Sarah Kernion shares caregiver stories, autism advocacy, neurodivergent parenting, profound autism experiences, and the lessons hidden inside the smallest inchstones. Chapters (00:00:00) - Autism Mom on The Inch Jones Podcast(00:02:06) - Dean was diagnosed with autism at 3 years old(00:07:02) - Grief After A Loss: Is It Unfair?(00:08:40) - What Do You Tell An Autism Mom About Their Journey?(00:14:01) - Dean Has Autism, and He's a Boy Mom(00:16:54) - Barry on Love on the Spectrum