You would never do this to an adult, so why do it to your autistic child? - Hollis Peirce

If someone talked over you, ignored you while you were in the room, or touched you without asking, how would you feel?Many autistic and non-speaking children experience this every day, even from loving parents who don’t realize the impact.In this episode, I talk with Hollis Peirce, historian, disability advocate, and creator of 21st Century Disability, about what dignity feels like when you grow up in a body others control. His experiences offer a direct window into what many of our children go through and how small shifts can change everything.• Why talking about your child instead of to them erodes trust• How asking permission before touch increases cooperation and regulation• What “feeling invisible” looks like from the inside• How to use eye-level communication to build safety• Why touch, tone, and presence change a child’s brain chemistry• How to preserve your child’s dignity even in stressful momentsChapters:02:10 – Meet Hollis Peirce07:00 – The childhood experiences that shaped his advocacy14:00 – When adults talk over a child in the same room16:55 – Coaching a parent on how to protect their child’s agency23:30 – The emotional impact of being handled without permission27:30 – Why asking before touching your child matters32:33 – Seeing your child’s world from eye level41:51 – Loneliness from lack of human touch45:59 – How touch affects brain chemistry49:00 – Sensory processing differences in autistic children52:00 – Helping your child feel seen and safe53:58 – Final takeaway for parentsMendability (Sensory Enrichment Therapy): https://www.mendability.com#autismparenting #sensoryenrichment #respectfulparenting