Receiving an autism diagnosis can bring both answers and a new wave of questions. What should you do while waiting for an evaluation? How do you find the right providers? And what happens if insurance denies the services your child needs?

In this episode, Brian talks with Kimberly Sadovich, Senior Clinical Director at Forta Health, about practical steps parents can take throughout the diagnosis and service process.

Kimberly explains why getting on an evaluation waitlist early can be helpful, what information families may want to document while waiting, and how honest conversations with providers can lead to better support.

They also discuss insurance denials and why a denial does not always mean the conversation is over. Parents often have more influence than they realize, especially when they work alongside their therapy providers, ask questions, follow up consistently, and understand their options.

This conversation offers reassurance for parents who may feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or unsure of what to do next. You do not have to navigate every step perfectly, and you do not have to navigate it alone.

• What parents can do while waiting for an autism evaluation

• Why it may help to join an evaluation waitlist early

• Information to document before meeting with a diagnosing provider

• Choosing qualified diagnostic and therapy providers

• What families can do after receiving an autism diagnosis

• How therapy providers may help with insurance denials

• Why parents have a voice when choosing services

• The importance of caregiver support and self-care

• When telehealth services may be helpful for families

00:00 Introduction and Kimberly's background
01:36 Autism evaluation waitlists and finding a qualified provider
06:22 What parents can document while waiting
11:23 What happens after receiving a diagnosis
13:09 Insurance denials, appeals, and provider support
22:04 Caregiver overwhelm, advocacy, and self-care

"Getting a denial is the start of the conversation, not the final end of the conversation."

Kimberly Sadovich is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Senior Clinical Director at Forta Health. She has extensive experience supporting autistic children, young adults, and their families.

Her work includes helping families navigate evaluation waitlists, access therapy services, respond to insurance barriers, and determine whether virtual ABA services may be a good fit for their child and family.

• Autism Learning Partners: Free online Registered Behavior Technician training that may also help parents learn more about behavior and supportive strategies

• Early intervention programs: Community-based services that may be available for children under age three

• School-based supports: IEP evaluations, accommodations, and therapy services available through a child's school

• Forta Health: Virtual ABA services and select in-person services for autistic children and families

Brian Keene, OTD, OTR/L, is the founder of Pure Hearts Therapy and host of the Autism Family Resource Podcast.

Pure Hearts Therapy provides home-based occupational, speech, and physical therapy services for children and families throughout Arizona, including aquatic therapy and virtual parent coaching.

The practice focuses on helping children grow through connection, play, and meaningful participation in everyday life.

If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another parent who might benefit from this conversation.

Listen and subscribe to the Autism Family Resource Podcast:
https://pod.link/1591840956

Explore more resources for families at:
https://pureheartstherapy.com

Traveling with a neurodivergent child can feel overwhelming for many families… especially when sensory needs, routines, mobility challenges, or accessibility concerns are involved.

In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, Brian Keene sits down with Teresa Roddy, an accessible travel specialist and occupational therapy assistant, to talk about how families can make travel feel more realistic, supportive, and enjoyable.

Teresa shares how she helps families plan around real-life needs including sensory sensitivities, adaptive equipment, mobility accommodations, dietary restrictions, and communication supports. She also shares practical strategies families can use to reduce stress while traveling, including pacing vacations differently, preparing ahead of time, and building around a child's comfort needs rather than forcing packed schedules.

This conversation is a reassuring reminder that meaningful family experiences are possible… and that families do not have to figure everything out alone.

• Sensory-friendly travel planning for autistic children

• Accessible travel accommodations and adaptive equipment

• Vacation strategies for families with disabilities

• How to reduce travel stress for neurodivergent children

• Comfort items and regulation support while traveling

• Why slowing down can improve family vacations

• Practical ways to prepare children before trips

00:00 Introduction
02:30 Accessible travel and sensory accommodations
06:50 How Teresa plans trips around family needs
10:15 Common barriers families face with travel
13:05 Tips for avoiding overstimulation while traveling
15:20 Final encouragement for families

"Sometimes slowing down… taking breaks… and building around your child's comfort needs can completely change the experience for the whole family."

Teresa Roddy is an accessible travel specialist and certified occupational therapy assistant with over 25 years of experience working with pediatric populations. Through Accessible Travel with Teresa, she helps families plan vacations that consider sensory needs, mobility accommodations, adaptive equipment, dietary restrictions, and accessibility support.

Instagram: Accessible Travel with Teresa Instagram

Facebook: Accessible Travel with Teresa Facebook

• Autism on the Seas

Hosted by Brian Keene, occupational therapist and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy, a neurodiversity-affirming pediatric therapy company providing home-based occupational, speech, and physical therapy services throughout Arizona.

If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another parent who might benefit from this conversation.

Listen and subscribe to the Autism Family Resource Podcast:
Autism Family Resource Podcast

Explore more resources for families at:
Pure Hearts Therapy

What does sensory overload actually feel like for autistic individuals?

In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, Brian Keene sits down with speaker, author, and content creator Lawrence Harris to discuss autism, sensory overwhelm, social connection, emotional regulation, bullying, and identity through Lawrence's lived experiences.

Lawrence shares powerful examples of what sensory overload felt like growing up… from loud classrooms and fluorescent lights to overwhelming grocery stores and uncomfortable clothing textures. He also opens up about navigating friendships, masking, confidence, and learning how to better understand himself over time.

This conversation offers parents and caregivers a meaningful look into how autistic individuals may experience the world differently… while also reminding families that being different does not mean something is wrong.

A thoughtful, honest, and neurodiversity-affirming conversation filled with practical insight and emotional reflection for families supporting neurodivergent children.

• What sensory overload can actually feel like

• Clothing sensitivities and sensory overwhelm

• Autism and emotional regulation

• Loud environments, grocery stores, and overstimulation

• Social communication and reading social cues

• Bullying, masking, and self-acceptance

• Autism, friendships, and finding connection

• Strategies Lawrence uses to manage sensory overwhelm

• Why understanding sensory needs matters for families

• Supporting autistic children with compassion and acceptance

00:00 Introduction to Lawrence Harris
01:45 What sensory overload can feel like
06:40 Clothing sensitivities and family misunderstandings
10:20 Autism, friendships, and social communication
21:00 Finding friendships through shared interests
26:20 Different sensory regulation strategies within families
30:35 Lawrence's journey into advocacy and speaking
34:40 "You're not broken" message for autistic individuals

"You're not broken… you just think a bit different… and that's okay."

Lawrence Harris is an autistic speaker, author, and content creator who shares openly about sensory overwhelm, emotional regulation, confidence, bullying, and personal growth through his lived experiences. Through speaking, writing, and online content, Lawrence helps others better understand autism and neurodivergent experiences in a relatable and empowering way.

Instagram:
Lawrence C Empowers Instagram

Website, books, and resources:
Lawrence Harris Website

• Noise-canceling headphones

• Journaling for emotional regulation

• Meditation and exercise for stress management

Hosted by Brian Keene, occupational therapist and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy, a neurodiversity-affirming pediatric therapy company providing home-based occupational, speech, physical, and aquatic therapy services throughout Arizona, along with virtual parent coaching and family support.

If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another parent who might benefit from this conversation.

Listen and subscribe to the Autism Family Resource Podcast:
Autism Family Resource Podcast

Explore more resources for families at:
Pure Hearts Therapy