28. Caring for Kids on the Autism Spectrum: What Parents Want and Need From Us

Mary Barkholz is a special education teacher and mother of 2 young men on the autism spectrum. She is passionate about giving support and guidance to families and their children with special needs. In this episode, she shares her experience as a parent raising her children, how her work as a special education teacher plays in the situation, and how healthcare providers can better connect with families.

Let’s listen to Mary and learn what parents want and need from us!

[00:01 – 06:05] Opening Segment

  • Welcoming today’s guest, Mary Barkholz
  • How she realized her children are on the autism spectrum 

[06:06 – 17:00] The Importance of Honesty

  • Mary recalls how she landed in the special education space 
  • Educational diagnosis vs. Medical diagnosis
  • Mary breaks them down 
  • The importance of honesty for Mary 

[17:01 – 29:46] Connection Between Families and Healthcare Providers

  • Mary’s approach in raising children in the autism spectrum 
  • How starting a conversation is crucial to a child’s growth 
  • The disconnect between families and healthcare providers 

[29:47 – 41:45] Guardianship and Parent Networks

  • Are there any parent networks you can join? 
  • Mary’s thoughts about guardianship on children in the autism spectrum 
  • How parents can assist children in making decisions 

[41:46 – 50:55] Relationship-Building Advice

  • Listen to this parenting advice from Mary you don’t want to miss!
  • The power of building relationships with children 

[50:56 – 59:01] Closing Segment

  • Finals takeaways
  • The parents’ readiness to be informed on autism 
  • Emotions are a mixed bag 
  • Medical diagnosis vs. Educational diagnosis 
  • Path to adulthood for children with special needs 
  • Bridges that connect healthcare, community, and education sectors 
  • Giving children options 
  • Guardianship 
  • Children in the autism spectrum are not numbers but persons 
  • Letting the child take the lead 

 

Tweetable Quotes:

“I always say that honesty is the only way I can function.” – Mary Barkholz

“We do have to let [our children] fall down, let them figure things out.” – Mary Barkholz

Resources Mentioned:

If you’d like to connect with me, you can find me at LinkedInFacebook, and Twitter or email me at [email protected]. To learn more about me visit https://www.medicalbhs.com/

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Dr Lia Gaggino

Dr. Lia Gaggino has worked as a pediatrician for over 30 years on the west side of Michigan. During her career as a primary care physician, she has been privileged to care for children and adolescents, and know that their success is closely tied to mental wellness.

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About

Dr. Lia Gaggino has worked as a pediatrician for over 30 years on the west side of Michigan. During her career as a primary care physician, she has been privileged to care for children and adolescents, and know that their success is closely tied to mental wellness.

Recent Episodes

  • All Post
  • ADHD
  • Advocacy
  • Aggression and Disruptive Behaviors
  • Anxiety
  • Autism
  • Building Better Workflows
  • Depression
  • Genetics
  • healthcare disparities and inequalities
  • LGBTQIA+
  • Medications
  • Mental Health
  • OCD
  • Other
  • Pain
  • Parent/child
  • Physician Well-Being
  • Schizophrenia
  • Sexual Trauma
  • Sleep
  • Social Media
  • Substance Abuse
  • Suicide Prevention
  • Trauma

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