Today, I’m thrilled to introduce Christina from Twinning with Autism, an inspiring advocate and mother of three autistic children. Christina shares her family's journey with authenticity, humor, and compassion, offering valuable insights into parenting, advocating, and navigating the world of autism. In this episode, we dive into her experiences raising twins diagnosed at 18 months, her journey as a self-diagnosed autistic adult, and the critical lessons she's learned about fostering acceptance and understanding. Get ready for an honest, heartfelt conversation that sheds light on the importance of connection, advocacy, and building a brighter, more inclusive future for autistic individuals. Let's get started!

In this episode of the Autism Little Learners podcast, Tara Phillips interviews Christina, a mother of three autistic children, including twin boys and a daughter. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of parenting autistic children, the importance of sharing experiences on social media, and the need for greater awareness and support for autistic girls. Christina shares her personal journey of self-discovery and the impact of COVID-19 on families with autistic children. The conversation emphasizes the significance of understanding neurodiversity and the concept of co-regulation in supporting children's emotional needs. In this conversation, Tara Phillips shares her insights on parenting autistic children, emphasizing the importance of understanding, compassion, and effective communication between parents and educators. She discusses the challenges faced by parents of autistic twins, the significance of respecting parental knowledge, and the need for safety protocols in schools. Tara advocates for a shift in societal perspectives towards autism, aiming for a future where compassion and understanding prevail. 

You can also watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/D0MF8oYPVUs

Bio: Christina Young is a proud mother of nine year-old twin-boys, and a six year-old daughter, all of which are autistic. She began sharing their family's journey with autism in 2021 on her blog (www.twinningwithautism.com), and through her Instagram Feed (@twinningwithautism). She's been happily married to her wife, Steph, for over a decade, and has spent the majority of her career in Fundraising, Event Planning, and Operations. Her passions are understanding human behavior, and how we communicate both verbally and nonverbally, which led her to discovering the Enneagram in 2022 which she now spends all her free time learning about and sharing with others. She's also a practiced photographer and storyteller, who's working on a memoir and children's book, both which will share deeper stories about autism. She actively engages with other parents on Instagram and is always willing to lend a listening ear when needed.

Connect With Christina:

1. Website: www.twinningwithautsim.com

2. Instagram: @twinningwithautism

Takeaways:

1. Social media can provide vital support for parents.

2. Sharing experiences helps parents feel less isolated.

3. Understanding autism requires a shift in perspective.

4. The diagnosis process can be emotional and complex.

5. COVID-19 has significantly impacted autism families.

6. Advocacy for autistic girls is crucial for their well-being.

7. Co-regulation is essential for emotional support in children.

8. Parents need to understand their child's neurodiversity.

9. It's important to break the stigma around autism.

10. Every child deserves to be seen and supported authentically. Some kids need space to feel their feelings.

11. Stopping a child's stim can contradict self-regulation.

12. Parenting requires flexibility and understanding of each child's needs.

13. It's essential to prioritize the child's safety and well-being.

14. Parents should not feel pressured to implement every educational strategy at home.

15. Trusting parents' insights about their children is crucial for educators.

16. Video modeling can effectively bridge skills between home and school.

17. Compassion in education fosters a supportive environment for all children.

18. Documentation in IEPs is vital for continuity and understanding.

19. Inclusive classrooms promote compassion and understanding among students.

You may also be interested in these supports:

1. Visual Support Starter Set 

2. Visual Supports Facebook Group

3. Autism Little Learners on Instagram

4. Autism Little Learners on Facebook

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