In this episode of Mother’s Guide Through Autism, Brigitte welcomes back Carrie Cariello—mother, writer, and one of the co-authors of the bestselling book Autism Out Loud, written alongside Kate Swenson and Adrian Wood.
Together, these three mothers share their lived experiences of raising children with very different autism profiles. In this conversation, Carrie opens up about the emotional journey behind the book, the power of writing alongside other autism moms, and the realities of parenting across different seasons—from childhood to adulthood.
This episode explores both the practical and deeply human sides of the autism journey, including long-term planning, marriage, siblings, and the everyday moments that often go unseen but matter most.
💛 In this episode, Carrie shares:
- The emotional experience of writing alongside two other autism moms
- The importance of disability planning and thinking about the future
- Why celebrating everyday miracles matters more than milestones
- Ways to thoughtfully involve siblings in the autism journey
With honesty, warmth, and clarity, Carrie reminds parents that while this journey can be heavy, it is also filled with connection, love, and moments of unexpected beauty.
🎧 If you’re an autism parent who’s ever wondered what comes next—or how to stay grounded in the now—this conversation will meet you right where you are.
Episode Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:53 Introducing Carrie Cariello
04:06 Carrie's Family and Writing Journey
05:53 Autism Out Loud: The Collaborative Book
07:05 Navigating Adulthood with Autism
17:15 Marriage and Family Dynamics
22:52 The Importance of Community and Comparison
29:28 Encouragement for New Autism Parents
33:05 Closing Remarks and Resources
🔗 Resources & Links
Learn more about Carrie Cariello and get her books:
https://carriecariello.com/
Learn more and join the Chill & Chat Membership:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/chillandchat
Purchase my book A Mother's Guide Through Autism:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/book
Sign up to get news and updates from me: https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com
Theme song: "Look at the clouds" by Tristan Lohengrin
tristanlohengrin.bandcamp.com
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