In this weeks episode, I have a parent to parent conversation with Amy Nielsen. She\u2019s an autism mom, author, educator, blogger, podcaster, and early intervention specialist. We talk about her amazing family, life as an autism parent, and how COVID has made things more challenging. We also talk about how she and her husband are navigating the new school year.\nIt\u2019s a great conversation and one you can definitely relate to.\nAbout Amy Nielsen:\nAmy is a former educator with seventeen years of experience. Her educational background includes teaching second grade, elementary media specialist, middle school television production teacher, and middle school media specialist.\nAfter her fourth child was diagnosed with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder, she left her full-time teaching career so she would have the flexibility to meet the demands of this special parenting role.\nAmy runs the\xa0Big Abilities\xa0Blog and\xa0Podcast. I am also a freelance writer for\xa0Playground Magazine\xa0, contributing author at\xa0The Mighty. author of the book\xa0It Takes a Village: Get Your Hands Dirty and Build Yours From the Ground Up\xa0\xa0and\xa0Parent Advocate and Early Intervention Specialist at Collaborative Corner for Exceptional Children.\nAbout Me:\nPlease remember that self-care is more important than ever. It\u2019s not easy but we have to do our best to look after ourselves, especially during these turbulent and uncertain times.\nPlease listen and share with anyone that could benefit.\nAll my information and relevant links are\xa0here\nSponsors\nThis episode is sponsored by Mightier. Mightier is an amazing program out of Harvard Medical and Boston Children\u2019s. It uses video games to teach kids to emotionally self-regulate. Visit\xa0theautismdad.com/mightier\xa0and find out more information, including how to get a free 30-day trial.\nThis episode is also brought to you by Hero Health. HERO is a smart automatic pill dispenser that dramatically improves medication management and compliance. Learn more at\xa0theautismdad.com/hero\xa0and use code \u201ctheautismdad50\u201d to save $50.\xa0\n\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices\nMentioned in this episode:\nHappy Ladders\nHappy Ladders is Parent-Led Early Autism Therapy that empowers you, the parent, to teach your toddler essential developmental skills through play. Studies have shown that the parent-led model is highly effective while eliminating frustration over long wait lists, or the worry about losing precious developmental time. All without the disruption of people coming into your home Happy Ladders includes activities that target 150+ essential developmental skills every toddler needs as well as assessments in 4 different developmental areas. There\u2019s also an exclusive community of parents just like you, and professional coaching to ensure success for both you and your toddler. To learn more, get a free trial, and take advantage of an exclusive, limited-time offer for my listeners, visit happyladders.com. Use the code "theautismdad" at checkout to save 50% off the monthly membership. Plus get a free one-on-one session as well as access to the Tantrums and Meltdowns mini-course. This is a limited-time offer so act now.\nVisit Happy Ladders\n\n \nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices