Love, Don’t Fix: Heidi Rome on Non-Speaking Autism, Ethan’s Voice, and Building a Compassion-First Community

In this deeply moving episode of the Ladies Who Leap Podcast, host Lisa Andria sits down with Heidi Rome—speaker, coach, and author of You Just Have To Love Me. Inspired by her son Ethan, a non-speaking autistic young man, Heidi shares a life-changing message: love, don’t fix.

Heidi recounts the years she spent trying to “fix” autism through endless therapies—until a breakthrough: presuming competence and teaching Ethan to communicate by typing. The first words he typed—“basking in joy”—opened a portal into a brilliant inner world. From there, Ethan shared profound reflections about peace, purpose, and the nature of love—wisdom that challenges how we see autism, communication, and humanity itself.

You’ll hear:

• Why non-speaking autistic people often have unreliable speech but reliable intellect

• How apraxia and nervous-system dysregulation mask ability

• Why behavior is communication (and how to listen differently)

• The power of alternative communication (typing) and presuming competence

• Ethan’s messages about joy, oneness, and love as the matrix of reality

• Heidi’s bold vision: a first-of-its-kind lifelong residential community for non-speaking autistic adults that centers dignity, safety, and contribution

This conversation will expand your understanding of autism, parenting, healing, spirituality, and leadership. It’s an invitation to lead with acceptance, curiosity, and unconditional love—in every relationship.

About Heidi: Heidi is building a team to create a compassion-first, competence-presuming residential community for non-speaking autistic adults with high support needs. She is the author of You Just Have To Love Me and a sought-after speaker on autism, advocacy, and the “love, don’t fix” mindset.

Connect with Heidi: heidirome.com • Facebook: @HeidiRome

Local new article - https://www.tapinto.net/towns/livingston/sections/arts-and-entertainment/articles/livingston-mom-s-nonverbal-son-inspires-first-memoir

Connect with Lisa & Ladies Who Leap: ladieswholeap.com 

Listen now if you care about: autism advocacy, non-speaking communication, special needs parenting, trauma-informed care, nervous system regulation, spirituality, leadership, compassion, and building inclusive communities.