Why Autism Moms Never Stop Listening for Footsteps with Libby Hudson

What happens when years of caregiving, hypervigilance, grief, and responsibility finally catch up with a mother? In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with Libby Hudson for an unfiltered conversation about profound autism, marriage, caregiver burnout, grief, and what it takes to survive when your family’s needs seem bigger than your capacity to carry them. Libby and her husband Tyler Hudson have become respected voices in the profound autism community, but behind advocacy and awareness lies a deeply personal story. As their son Lyric entered adolescence, a devastating family loss triggered profound behavioral changes, escalating aggression, and years of living in a near-constant state of vigilance and fear. Libby shares what it felt like to lose her father, watch her son struggle to process grief he could not communicate, and navigate the impossible reality of loving a child while simultaneously fearing what dysregulation might bring next. Together, Sarah and Libby discuss: * profound autism and adolescence* caregiver burnout and nervous system exhaustion* grief and autism* marriage under chronic stress* maternal hypervigilance* supporting autistic adults* emotional collapse and resilience* the importance of asking for help* finding purpose after survival mode The conversation also explores something rarely discussed openly in autism spaces: the cost caregiving can have on a mother’s body, identity, relationships, and health. Libby shares how years of accumulated stress ultimately contributed to a stroke and the difficult changes her family had to make to survive. This episode is for autism moms, caregivers, and families navigating profound autism, aggression, caregiver burnout, marriage stress, grief, and the emotional realities that often remain hidden behind advocacy. In This Episode 00:00 – Living with constant hypervigilance and caregiving stress02:00 – Reading nonverbal communication through behavior and body language04:00 – The death of Lyric’s grandfather and profound grief05:30 – When autism, adolescence, and loss collide07:00 – Aggression, dysregulation, and fear inside the home08:30 – The emotional toll of surviving crisis mode10:00 – Why caregiving changed Libby’s health forever11:30 – A stroke, burnout, and the body keeping score13:00 – Marriage under pressure and redefining family roles15:00 – Learning to ask for what you need17:00 – Why flexibility matters in autism families19:00 – Autism, relationships, and nervous system regulation21:00 – The hidden emotional labor of autism motherhood23:00 – Why support systems matter more than services alone25:00 – Receiving an autism diagnosis 18 years ago27:00 – Grief, acceptance, and adapting to reality29:00 – The lessons profound autism has taught about life and love31:00 – What makes Libby most proud as Lyric’s mother Listen to more episodes of the Inchstones Podcast, where Sarah Kernion shares caregiver stories, profound autism experiences, autism advocacy, and honest conversations about neurodivergent parenting. Chapters (00:00:00) - Libby Hudson on The Inchstones Podcast(00:01:18) - What Does Your Day-to-Day With Lyric?(00:07:10) - On Working With an ASD Dad's Death(00:13:24) - "What I Need" From My Love Letter(00:15:06) - How to Get What You Need From Your Partner(00:23:18) - On the Importance of Relationships for Autism Mothers(00:25:37) - Autism Diagnosis: The Early Days