Parents Need ACCESS to the Right Doctors

Welcome to Episode 293 of Autism Parenting Secrets.

If you’re raising a child with complex medical or neurological challenges, you’ve likely discovered that not all doctors are equipped to help - especially when symptoms don’t fit neatly into one diagnosis.

This week, we talk about why that gap exists and what’s starting to change.

My guest, Honey Rinicella, is the Executive Director of the Medical Academy of Pediatrics and Special Needs, also known as MAPS.

MAPS is the leading organization training physicians to care for children with complex conditions - including autism, PANS/PANDAS, epilepsy, immune dysregulation, allergies, and more - by addressing root causes rather than isolated symptoms.

Under Honey’s leadership, MAPS is also opening the door for parents to hear directly from these practitioners, recognizing that parent understanding, clarity, and leadership are essential for progress.

In this conversation, we explore what makes MAPS doctors different, why community and in-person connection matter so much for families, and why parents need more than just additional information.

The secret this week is…

Parents Need ACCESS to the Right Doctors

You'll Discover:

• Why Most Doctors Aren’t Trained For Complex Kids (2:10)
• How MAPS Doctors Think Differently About Complex Kids (6:45)
• Why MAPS Is Rapidly Attracting More Physicians (12:30)
• How In-Person Community Changes Parents And Outcomes (21:40)
• Why Parents Play A Bigger Role Than They Realize (29:10)

About Our Guest:

Honey Rinicella is the Executive Director of the Medical Academy of Pediatrics and Special Needs (MAPS), the nation’s leading organization training physicians to care for children with complex medical needs using integrative and functional approaches. Under her leadership, MAPS has expanded its educational programming and strengthened collaboration among practitioners, researchers, and advocacy leaders nationwide. Honey’s work is deeply personal. As the mother of twins with complex medical needs, her advocacy began at home and grew into a lifelong commitment to ensuring families have access to compassionate care, reliable information, and a supportive community.

References In This Episode:

• Medical Academy of Pediatrics and Special Needs (MAPS)
• MAPS Fellowship Program
• MAPS Spring Conference for Practitioners (Charlotte, NC) - Practitioners use code APS2026 for a discount
• MAPS Spring Conference - Parent Day (Charlotte, NC)

Additional Resources:

• To learn more about personalized 1:1 support go to www.elevatehowyounavigate.com
• Take The Quiz: What’s YOUR Top Autism Parenting Blindspot?

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends.

Welcome to Episode 292 of Autism Parenting Secrets.

If you’re raising a child with complex challenges, you’ve probably tried supplements, therapies, and protocols—sometimes with limited or inconsistent results.

This week, we explore a very different approach: sound frequency.

My guest, Linda Bamber-Olsen, is the founder of WAVwatch, a wearable sound-frequency device designed to gently support the body through acoustic frequencies.

Linda’s journey into sound-based healing is deeply personal.

Born deaf in one ear, she became fascinated by how the body responds to sound even when it isn’t consciously heard.

That curiosity led her into the science of frequency, resonance, and how sound can support regulation without force.

In this episode, we talk about how sound moves through the body, why it behaves differently than chemical interventions, and how parents can think about using frequency-based tools wisely and gently—especially with sensitive kids.

The secret this week is…

SOUND Frequency Supports Healing

You'll Discover:

• Why Sound Is The First Sense We Develop — And One We Rarely Leverage Intentionally (2:26)
• How Sound Frequencies Move Through The Body Faster Than Chemical Interventions (8:45)
• Why You Don’t Need To Hear Sound For It To Influence The Body (4:20)
• How Nerves May Respond To Sound Pulses Rather Than Electrical Signals (25:15)
• Why Gentle Inputs Often Create Faster, More Sustainable Change (32:10)

About Our Guest:

Linda Bamber-Olsen is the Founder and CEO of WAVwatch, a wearable sound-frequency wellness device designed to support the body through acoustic frequencies. Born deaf in one ear, Linda’s personal journey shaped her passion for creating a tool that works even when sound is not consciously heard. WAVwatch is used by families and practitioners seeking gentle support for nervous system regulation, detoxification, pain, and emotional balance.

Website: https://wavwatch.com

References In This Episode:

• Purchase a WAVwatch, use code APS for 15% off
• Wholetones ancient frequencies
• Bach Flower Remedies

Additional Resources:

• To learn more about personalized 1:1 support go to www.elevatehowyounavigate.com
• Take The Quiz: What’s YOUR Top Autism Parenting Blindspot?

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends.

Welcome to Episode 291 of Autism Parenting Secrets.

You already know the critical role the gut plays in your child’s overall well-being.

But this week, we’re going to take it to a deeper level—into the science, the data, and the real-world results of microbiome balancing.

My guest, Alex Zaharakis, is a radiation oncology physicist turned microbiome researcher who’s developed a groundbreaking, data-backed approach to restoring gut health.

His system has already helped hundreds of families identify and correct microbial imbalances that drive inflammation, behavior issues, and dysregulation.

You’ll learn what’s really happening in the gut, how to interpret the data, and how personalized, targeted interventions can unlock major shifts in your child’s health and behavior.

The secret this week is…

REBALANCE The MICROBIOME

You'll Discover:

• Why The Gut Is The Most Overlooked Foundation Of Healing (5:00)
• What The 16S Stool Test Reveals That Other Tests Miss (13:00)
• Why Killing Pathogens Alone Backfires Over Time (20:30)
• How Rebalancing Microbes Reduces Inflammation And Dysregulation (28:30)
• What Real Progress Can Look Like At Any Age (36:30)

About Our Guest:

Alex Zaharakis is a radiation oncology physicist and microbiome researcher whose work focuses on restoring gut health through data-driven insights. His 16S-based microbiome analysis platform helps families identify root imbalances and implement practical, personalized interventions that lead to measurable improvements. Learn more at autismisbiomedical.com.

References In This Episode:

• Autism Is Biomedical – autismisbiomedical.com
• Researched Elements - Nutraceutical & Research Company
• Autism Parenting Secrets Episode 271 – Autism Is Biomedical with Dr. Christian Bogner
• Keith Bell - Gut Health Researcher

Additional Resources:

• To learn more about personalized 1:1 support go to www.elevatehowyounavigate.com
• Take The Quiz: What’s YOUR Top Autism Parenting Blindspot?

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends.