Ever been told your child is “bad” in the checkout line while you’re just trying to make it through the day? We dive into the real story behind behavior with BCBA and parent coach Kia Lee, exploring how meltdowns, eloping, and even aggression can be signals of unmet needs rather than defiance. Together, we unpack the everyday moments that push families to the brink and share clear, compassionate steps to bring calm, confidence, and connection back home.

We talk through what actually works outside the clinic: visual schedules that make mornings smoother, timer cues that ease transitions, and simple ways to preview change so kids aren’t ambushed by the day. Kia explains why collaboration beats compliance in ABA, how to build treatment plans that respect your culture and capacity, and why parents deserve as much reinforcement as their kids. You’ll hear practical tools to handle noisy stores, long lines, and critical stares, plus concrete ideas for co-regulation, from breathing techniques to short affirmations that help you steady yourself before you steady your child.

If you’ve felt isolated by public judgment or let down by strategies that worked at therapy but fell apart at home, this conversation offers a grounded reset. We reframe behavior as communication, teach replacement skills that fit the child’s strengths, and show how to pick one priority for 6–8 weeks so progress doesn’t feel like a second job. The big takeaway: your child isn’t against you, and you don’t have to do this alone. Subscribe for more real-world autism support, share this episode with a parent who needs a boost today, and leave a review to help other families find these tools.

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We explore how to build autism services that work at scale without burning out the people who make them possible. Michael Conte shares why consistency beats intensity, how leadership must be taught, and how parent partnerships drive real progress at home.

• systems thinking for clinics as they grow
• telescope vs microscope approach to problems
• balancing child needs, provider capacity, and family reality
• consistency over intensity for hours and schedules
• early buy-in with insurers and realistic utilization
• burnout feedback loops and how to break them
• leadership curriculum for BCBAs and managers
• 90-day onboarding for families and staff
• parent data on sleep, hunger, and routine changes
• retention through intrinsic motivation and clear programming
• documenting vision to expose gaps and scale

If this topic sparks something for you and you'd like to explore that connection between leadership and marketing and creating teams that stay, I'm co-hosting a short workshop called Hire to Stay Leadership and Marketing Strategies on Wednesday, November 5th from 12:30 to 1.05 p.m. It's a focused 35 minute session designed to help leaders and business owners take what they already know about people and make it part of how they attract and keep talent. You can find the link to register in the show notes. I'd love to see you there.

Download's Micheal's free "Potty Training Guide" here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YflUyW5Stxhv3453qAJzUwtV7G5CF9W7IDZe4t1jD0M/edit?usp=sharing

Looking to connect your leadership approach with how you attract and retain great talent?
Join Wendy Manganaro for a free 35-minute workshop, Hire to Stay: Leadership & Marketing Strategies, on Wednesday, November 5, from 12:30–1:05 PM ET.
It’s designed for leaders and business owners seeking practical, people-centered strategies to build lasting teams.
Register here → https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/XBSzIhfQTm-NEycZ-OVyyQ

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When Michael Vassar’s daughter was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder and later autism, his family’s journey took an unexpected turn. In this candid conversation, Michael shares how “Welcome to Holland,” Emily Perl Kingsley’s well-known poem, became a touchstone for reframing expectations — and finding unexpected beauty on a different path.

We talk about the early shock of diagnosis, the long waits for services, the power of parent-to-parent connection, and the little victories that make the hardest days worth it. Michael also brings insight from his work in autism care technology, offering practical tips for families navigating the post-diagnosis gap.

Whether you’re just beginning this journey or years down the road, this episode is a reminder that while the destination may not be what you first imagined, it can still be deeply meaningful — and you don’t have to walk it alone.

Inspired by Emily Perl Kingsley’s poem “Welcome to Holland.”

Read Emily Perl Kingsley’s full poem, “Welcome to Holland,” here: https://www.emilyperlkingsley.com/welcome-to-holland

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