Autism and Parenting Performance with Avela Health's Dr. Cynthia Anderson on Expectations and Well-Being

Autism and parenting performance are at the heart of this conversation between Profound Autism Mom Sarah Kernion and Dr. Cynthia Anderson, Chief Clinical Officer at Avela Health. Together, we unpack what performance really looks like in everyday parenting, for us and for our kids. Together, we explore how context, expectations, skills, and capacities interact, and what happens when there’s a mismatch between what’s being asked and what’s truly possible in the moment.

Dr. Anderson offers a compassionate, autism-informed lens on behavior and performance, reminding us that people do well when they can. We talk about why it’s not only okay—but often essential—to step back, drop certain expectations, and honor real limits so that both caregivers and autistic children can thrive.  

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Chapters

• (00:00:00) - In the Know: The Inch Zones Podcast
• (00:01:00) - An autism parent's personal connection
• (00:06:40) - On the Fear of Autism
• (00:10:31) - Autism and the Aviela Health Community
• (00:16:02) - What does my involvement in my child's care look like?
• (00:22:21) - What do you think the impact of emotional growth and regulation is on
• (00:29:18) - Autism and the pause
• (00:29:56) - One mom's battle for early intervention for her child's autism
• (00:34:04) - The Least Restrictive School for Kids