Autism, Adulting, and the Sleep Secret: A Mom & Son's Unfiltered Talk - April Ratchford

This episode covers the following topics:

1. Adulting with Autism
2. College Experiences for Autistic Students
3. Preparing for Adulthood for Autistic Youth
4. Sensory Enrichment for Sleep

April, an occupational therapist and mom, shares her journey and expertise in navigating the transition of autistic young adults into adulthood, a topic close to her heart as she created the "Adulting with Autism" podcast to help other families.

April and Z also share their experiences with Mendability's sensory-based sleep program, highlighting its positive impact on Z's sleep and overall well-being.

Episode Highlights

• 4:25 - April: "Little April thought she was going to be an artist and not an occupational therapist... I switched to become an occupational therapist to better introduce myself to what autism was and be his advocate throughout school."
• 5:25 - April: "After school, I didn't realize there was nothing more for him. There was no guidance. And so I decided to make the podcast because at the time, I would have thought somebody else would have made the steps and strides for autistic young adults. And since no one did, I just kind of stepped up to the plate and stumbled into it."
• 10:19 - Z: "I wanted to be a video game designer."
• 13:15 - Z: "I didn't, I didn't really have anyone to guide me. So it was pretty much a crash and burn kind of thing."
• 19:04 - April: "My definition of mature is being able to know you're going to have to be responsible for your schedule, be responsible for time management that you're going to have to hold yourself accountable and understand accountability that this is on you."
• 23:19 - Z: "I need tutoring. I need someone to explain things... like in a way that I would understand. And I would need like a study guide like that. It's like made for people like me."
• 27:47 - Z: "I think it would, it would have to be, it would have to be someone who both understands me very well, and people, and people like you who, who understand, like autism, which, which is something, which is like, which is what the world needs at this point."
• 31:45 - Z: "Well if I had the choice to take it over and over again without that pressure then yeah I would do it because I feel like if I could I'll eventually get it."
• 35:18 - April: "For kiddos like Z, I think it starts earlier simply because it's not exactly their executive functioning because they're so behind in their executive functioning, it's not that they don't catch up to their peers."
• 40:14 - April: "As a parent know that there are transitional programs out there for um kiddos like z that will teach them independent living skills."
• 44:00 - Z: "Well, I kind of wish she she knew about about this when I was a teenager, when I was like... Learning, trying to figure out what I really wanted to do."
• 48:04 - Kim Pomares (Mendability): "We've got a program called sweet slumber in three simple sensory steps and it stimulates the parts of their brain that are involved in regulating the sleep mechanisms."
• 51:46 - April: "Now that he does that, he doesn't have to take like melatonin because he was like popping melatonin like candy and he doesn't take melatonin anymore. And he's sleeping through the night."
• 56:40 - Z: "Well, it felt like I could finally rest for once because when I, before, I felt like I can always sleep when my body finally gives out. But now I can finally just sleep, sleep soundly without feeling, feeling constantly on it."
• 57:20 - April: "He's no longer moody... But now he smiles more, he's more receptive to jokes, he's just a more pleasant person to be around."