S4E6 - S04E006: Raising a Child With Autism

🎙️ HEY OTHER PARENTS – S04E006: Raising a Child With Autism

This week, we sit down with our friend, Michael Orlep, for an honest conversation about raising a child with autism — beyond labels, assumptions, and stereotypes.

We talk about recognizing early differences, advocating for support, navigating school systems, balancing protection with independence, and preparing kids for adulthood. This episode is about seeing the whole child, supporting the whole family, and understanding that progress doesn’t follow one timeline.

🎧 In This Episode, We Talk About:

• Noticing early signs that your child’s needs might be different

• Advocating for academic and social support

• Private vs. public school experiences

• Social challenges that aren’t always visible

• High-functioning labels and hidden struggles

• Balancing support with independence

• Preparing kids for adulthood and self-advocacy

• What parents wish they had known earlier

🔌 Parenting Unplugged

• Heit: Fantasy Life I

• Sara: His & Hers (Netflix)

• Levine: The Studio (Apple TV+)

❓ Question of the Week

What’s a misunderstanding people have about autism?

📞 Join the Conversation

📞 Call/Text: 559-LES-KIDS (559-537-5437)

📩 Email: [email protected]

📱 Instagram: @HeyOtherParents

⭐ Support the Show

If you’d like to help support Hey Other Parents and keep episodes like this coming, there’s a donation link in the show notes.

If not, sharing the show or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify helps more than you know.

🎧 New episodes drop Fridays.

This is S04E006: Hey Other Parents Episode 062 — an honest discussion about raising kids.

Thanks for hanging out with us this week. Hug your kids, charge those Chromebooks, and we’ll see you next time on Hey Other Parents.

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