In this inspiring episode of Inchstones, host Sarah Kernion, profound autism mom of two nonspeaking autistic children and advocate, sits down with director Nicola Rose of Magnetosphere to discuss her groundbreaking film exploring neurodiversity and the lived experiences of children with synesthesia which is a fascinating neurological condition where the brain links two or more senses that are usually separate. Through the story of a 13-year-old girl, the film offers a fresh and authentic lens on autism, adolescence, and representation in media.

Sarah and Nicola dive deep into the heart of autism parenting, reflecting on the joys and challenges mothers face while raising neurodiverse children. They highlight the importance of witnessing and honoring each child’s unique perspective, recognizing that all behavior is communication, and celebrating humor as a powerful tool for storytelling and connection.

For autism moms, this conversation is both validating and uplifting...a reminder that raising a neurodiverse child is not only about challenges but also about deep transformation, empathy, and unconditional love.

Key Takeaways

• The film explores neurodiversity and synesthesia through the perspective of a teen girl.
• Personal experiences with autism and neurodiverse identities inspire creative projects.
• Autism parenting means learning to witness children’s unique perspectives.
• Adolescence is a transformative stage for both parents and children.
• Autism moms face unique challenges that foster resilience and advocacy.
• Representation in media is essential for building empathy and understanding.
• Humor brings lightness to serious conversations.
• Every behavior communicates something meaningful.

• (00:00:00) - Interviewing Nicola Rose of Magnetosphere
• (00:05:47) - A Dog Plays With Her House Rocks
• (00:06:12) - The Importance of Magnetosphere
• (00:12:20) - Autism and the Caregiving Process
• (00:15:40) - The film's theme of synesthesia
• (00:21:31) - Neurotypian on 'The Good Girl'
• (00:25:08) - "The Dark Knight" Review

Motherhood doesn’t come with a manual—but if it did, autism parenting would be filed under “plot twist.”
In this candid episode of the Inchstones podcast, host Sarah Kernion welcomes Marie Watkinson, a successful NYC entrepreneur and owner of Spa Chicks on the Go and devoted autism mom, for a raw, unfiltered look at what it means to raise a profoundly autistic child in a world that wasn’t built with him in mind.

From the gut instinct that something was different, to the rollercoaster of diagnosis, advocacy, and redefined expectations, Marie’s story captures the emotional landscape of parenting through the lens of neurodiversity. Together, she and Sarah explore how inchstones—not milestones—become the markers of growth, strength, and survival for autism families.

This conversation is equal parts real talk, hard truth, and soft place to land—for any parent navigating the beautifully chaotic world of autism.

Top Takeaways:

• Inchstones are the new milestones for autism parents.
• Mother’s intuition matters—more than any textbook.
• You will grieve, grow, and get stronger.
• Support systems make survival possible.
• Social media can connect isolated autism caregivers.
• Special needs parenting forces a rewrite of motherhood’s script.
• There’s no perfect outcome—just powerful love and persistence.

About the Guest:
Marie Watkinson is the founder of Spa Chicks On The Go, a luxury mobile spa business based in NYC. She’s also the proud mom of Ryan, her 16-year-old son with profound autism. Marie and her husband Chris live in Port Jefferson, NY, where they fiercely advocate for inclusive education, dignity, and a future where every neurodiverse child has a place to thrive.

• (00:00:01) - Marie Watkinson on Special Needs Parenting
• (00:01:07) - Ryan's Mother's Journey as a Mother
• (00:05:39) - One mother's experience with autism
• (00:10:04) - No guidebook for special needs parents
• (00:12:46) - One Mother's Experience with Special Ed School
• (00:18:25) - On the Loss of Autism
• (00:22:51) - Sarah on her autism diagnosis
• (00:26:45) - One mother's story of her autistic son
• (00:31:15) - One parent's struggle with her son's autism
• (00:36:19) - How a Parent's Issues Affect His Business
• (00:41:46) - Marie O'Brien on Parenting With a Big Man

Parenting autistic kids isn’t a straight line—it’s a zigzag through school meetings, medication trials, sleepless nights, and unexpected joy. In this episode of Inchstones, host Sarah Kernion joins Gena Mann for a no-holds-barred conversation about what it truly feels like to raise neurodivergent kids in a world built around milestones.

They cover everything from early intervention to IEPs, puberty panic to post-high school plans—with brutal honesty, well-earned wisdom, and a few laughs along the way.

This isn’t just about autism. It’s about parenting in the unknown—and learning to celebrate the inchstones that quietly change everything.

Key Takeaways for Parents of Autistic Children:

• Early intervention helps—but the journey doesn't end with a diagnosis.
  Adulthood transitions in autism parenting can be emotional and unpredictable.
  Anticipatory anxiety is common—especially when imagining the future.
  Curiosity about your child's needs often leads to deeper connection.
  Community support is not optional—it's essential.
  Celebrating inchstones can sustain parents through burnout and uncertainty.
  Communication breakthroughs—verbal or nonverbal—are major emotional wins.
  There is no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting in the world of neurodiversity.
  You deserve to feel peace and joy, even in the hard seasons.
  Autism parenting is a marathon—find joy in the pace that fits your child.

• (00:00:00) - Back to the Inch Stones With Jenna Mann
• (00:00:54) - Autism Mom's Reflections on the Years After Diagnosis
• (00:07:47) - Stay Curious: The Process of Autism School Choices
• (00:15:19) - Jenna on Emotionally Processing Her Son's Transition
• (00:19:39) - Mac and Millie's First Period
• (00:22:45) - How To Get Out Of the House
• (00:27:41) - In the Elevation: Victorious Wins for Your Family

Forget the clichés, this is where autism, neurodiversity, and inchstones collide to challenge every assumption about what parenting a profoundly autistic, nonspeaking child actually means. Sarah Kernion and The OG Autism Dad, Rob Gorski go far beyond surface-level conversations, exposing the unseen emotional labor, systemic failures, and community blind spots families face every day. This discussion reframes profound autism as not just a diagnosis but a catalyst for resilience, courage, and radical community-building. Together, they explore how embracing nonspeaking autism as part of a broader neurodiversity movement transforms stigma into solidarity while underscoring the urgent need for inclusive policies, authentic dialogue, and parent-led support networks that actually work.

Takeaways:

Raw Truth Drives Change: Rob Gorski underscores that unfiltered storytelling is the engine of real autism advocacy.

Hidden Emotional Labor: Parents of profoundly autistic, nonspeaking children shoulder unique emotional and logistical challenges rarely acknowledged by society.

Neurodiversity ≠ One Size Fits All: The autism community spans from low to high support needs, demanding nuanced understanding and tailored support.

Systemic Barriers Require Disruption: Families face institutional red tape and fragmented systems, calling for parent-led reform and policy influence.

Self-Care as Strategic Survival: Caring for yourself is not indulgence—it’s the foundation of sustainable advocacy and family stability.

Normalize Asking for Help: Courage in seeking support should be celebrated, not stigmatized, to reduce isolation and burnout.

Bridge the Divide: Open dialogue between families, professionals, and policymakers can dismantle harmful stereotypes and improve outcomes.

Respect the Inchstones: Progress in profound or nonspeaking autism isn’t always linear—inchstones matter more than milestones.

Compassion as a Competitive Advantage: Building a culture of empathy within the autism community strengthens resilience and collective impact.

• (00:00:00) - Autism Dad on Inchtones Podcast
• (00:01:42) - Autism Moms on Medium
• (00:07:21) - Rosie on the Autism Community
• (00:13:44) - Rosie on the Autism Community
• (00:19:51) - On the High Support Need for Autism Parents
• (00:26:50) - Autism Parents on the Wait List
• (00:30:54) - On Autism and the Need for Help
• (00:34:00) - Robyn on the Autistic Community
• (00:41:41) - On Autism Parenting
• (00:46:11) - Ask for Support
• (00:47:29) - A Few Words for Rob

Families raising children with profound autism often face overwhelming challenges in navigating healthcare, education, and daily life. On the Inchstones podcast, Sarah Kernion and Brandy Burch Thompson, CEO & Founder of benefitbay® unpack these realities with honesty and clarity, highlighting why individualized care plans matter and how employers can better support neurodiverse families. Their conversation underscores the power of advocacy, the necessity of informed choice in healthcare, and the resilience it takes for parents of autistic children to be heard. This dialogue shines a light on both the systemic barriers and the inchstones of progress that define the autism journey, offering guidance and hope to families walking a similar path. In exploring the importance of individualized care plans, the role of employers in providing healthcare options, and the need for families to advocate for their specific needs, Brandy helps Sarah and other parents in similar situation understand the terrain of the healthcare system. The conversation emphasizes the significance of choice in healthcare and the empowerment of families to make informed decisions about their care.

• (00:00:00) - What Real Support Looks Like For Parents of Autistic Children
• (00:01:01) - Special Needs Healthcare Coverage and Access
• (00:10:58) - On Autism and Special Needs Coverage
• (00:15:44) - Choosing the right healthcare plan for your family
• (00:20:58) - Employers: Taking the Employer Out of Healthcare
• (00:23:27) - Choosing a healthcare plan for a medically complex family

Kyle Shepard, writer of The Resilient Mental State Substack, joins the Inchstones podcast for a powerful conversation about resilience, caregiving, and communication in the world of autism and neurodiversity. Together, we explore how parenting children with profound autism reshaped my understanding of growth, emotional regulation, and adaptability. Kyle shares deeply personal insights from his own life, highlighting the challenges and breakthroughs of work and parenting, while emphasizing the importance of celebrating inchstones —those small but meaningful steps forward that foster resiliency in all of us, regardless of our journey. This dialogue underscores the strength found in community, the role of curiosity in navigating uncertainty, and the everyday resilience that defines families living with autism.

• (00:00:00) - Interview With Kyle Shepherd
• (00:00:30) - Cognitive Resilience in the Military
• (00:06:21) - On Autism and the Spectrum
• (00:12:17) - On the Concept of Typical Parents
• (00:16:06) - Anger and Control of My Feelings
• (00:23:16) - How to Manage Your Emotions
• (00:28:56) - The Importance of Self-Care for Parents
• (00:36:54) - Your Wife's Mother Intuition
• (00:42:16) - How Were You Raised?
• (00:49:05) - The Importance of Interactivity
• (00:53:00) - How do you become a more flexible person?
• (00:54:33) - The Power of Consistent Care
• (00:59:20) - One Autism Child's Speech Breakthrough
• (01:04:52) - Coming soon: The Byproduct of Writing

On the Inchstones Podcast, host Sarah Kernion sits down with Kate Lynch to unpack the realities of neurodiversity and the often-overlooked struggles of parents raising profoundly autistic children. Their conversation sheds light on the systemic gaps in caregiving, the urgent need for inclusive education, and the power of community in navigating the challenges of autism. Through honest reflection and lived experience, they highlight how every child’s journey --- measured in inchstones, not milestones --- deserves recognition and respect. Together, Sarah and Kate call for a cultural shift toward acceptance, advocacy, and the celebration of differences, offering hope for a future where neurodivergent voices and families are truly supported.

You can find and follow Kate's work on her Substack: Atypical Kids, Mindful Parents.

• (00:00:00) - Inch Zones: The Neurodiversity Community
• (00:06:12) - What Would Be the Level of Support for a profoundly autistic Child?
• (00:13:33) - One parent's story of autism and advocacy
• (00:18:13) - "They Won't Pay Taxes"
• (00:19:56) - Steve Ford on His Autism Comments
• (00:24:31) - Sarah on Being a Parent With a Different Child
• (00:29:17) - On Autism and the Teacher
• (00:34:15) - Autism and the support it needs
• (00:35:03) - Autism and the Struggle

Navy SEAL veteran Sam Alaimo joins Inchstones host Sarah Kernion for a conversation that bridges two worlds: combat and caregiving. Together, they explore how the endurance, intuition, and community forged in military life parallel the realities of raising children with profound autism. Their dialogue dives into the power of choice in the face of adversity, the way grief reshapes identity, and the resilience required in motherhood. With honesty and depth, Sam shares how lessons from the battlefield illuminate the daily challenges of profound nonspeaking autism and neurodiversity, offering a perspective that redefines what strength and meaning look like when measured in inchstones.

• (00:00:01) - Sam Alaimo on What Then?
• (00:02:10) - How Do You Get Back From the SEAL
• (00:04:26) - In the Elevator With a Marine
• (00:07:32) - In the Elevator With Motherhood
• (00:11:51) - The Need for a Team
• (00:16:55) - On the Importance of Freedom
• (00:21:49) - The Science of Knowing Your Child
• (00:23:48) - In the Elevator With Autism on
• (00:26:28) - How I Learned To Love My SEAL Experience
• (00:30:36) - What is something now that you can, you know, even the
• (00:32:52) - In the Land of Loss
• (00:35:43) - The Caregiver Mother