What happens during the other six days of the week when your child is not in therapy?

In part two of Brian Keene's conversation with Nicole Dahl, VP of Marketing at Korro AI and parent of an autistic son, they explore one of the biggest challenges families face: carrying therapy goals into everyday life without making home feel like another therapy clinic.

Nicole explains how Korro uses computer vision and game-based movement to turn therapist-selected goals into short, interactive home practice sessions. Children control characters through their own movements while practicing skills connected to areas such as coordination, fine motor development, dressing, regulation, and other everyday activities.

Brian and Nicole also discuss the mental load parents carry, why home programs can be difficult to maintain, the importance of the "just right challenge," healthy boundaries around screen time, and how therapists can use information from home practice to better individualize future sessions.

The goal is not for parents to become therapists. It is to create realistic ways for children to practice meaningful skills between sessions while keeping therapy engaging, manageable, and connected to everyday life.

• Why traditional therapy homework can be difficult for families to maintain

• How Korro turns therapy goals into interactive, movement-based games

• Using a phone or tablet camera to track movement without controllers

• Supporting fine motor, gross motor, regulation, and daily living skills

• Creating the "just right challenge" for each child

• How therapists can individualize home programs and review progress

• Using short practice sessions instead of long homework assignments

• Built-in screen-time boundaries and transitions

• Reducing caregiver pressure around therapy carryover

• Future directions discussed for Korro, including additional therapy applications

00:28 Nicole Dahl's background and perspective as a parent
01:15 What is Korro and how does it work?
06:44 What the games look like and how they adapt
11:29 How families get access through their therapy provider
16:08 What home practice looks like for children and parents
21:16 Reducing caregiver burden and the future of Korro

"Korro makes it easy. It's one less thing I have to worry about."

Nicole Dahl is the VP of Marketing at Korro AI and the parent of an autistic son. Her perspective combines her professional work in children's healthcare technology with years of personal experience navigating occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, feeding support, social groups, school services, and home programs with her family.

In this conversation, Nicole shares how those experiences shaped her interest in making therapy carryover easier and more engaging for children and caregivers.

Korro AI
A technology platform designed to support occupational therapy through interactive, movement-based experiences that can be used in the clinic and at home.

Learn more about Korro AI

Brian Keene, OTD, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist, Army veteran, founder of Pure Hearts Therapy, and host of the Autism Family Resource Podcast.

Pure Hearts Therapy provides neurodiversity-affirming pediatric occupational, physical, and speech therapy, along with parent coaching and family support. The practice focuses on helping children build meaningful skills through play, connection, regulation, and participation in everyday life.

If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another parent who might benefit from this conversation.

Listen and subscribe to the Autism Family Resource Podcast:
https://pod.link/1591840956

Explore more resources for families at:
https://pureheartstherapy.com

When your child is struggling at school, having difficulty with transitions, or waiting months for therapy, it can feel like you are constantly searching for answers without a clear roadmap.

In this episode, Brian Keene speaks with Nicole Dahl, the parent of a 19-year-old autistic son, about the real-life journey from early uncertainty and difficult school experiences toward greater understanding, advocacy, and hope.

Nicole shares how her son's sensory needs were often misunderstood, including challenges with fluorescent lighting, classroom seating, transitions, and everyday routines. She also reflects on the difference it made when therapists explained the purpose behind play-based activities and helped the family use practical strategies at home.

Together, Brian and Nicole discuss staying curious about behavior, asking better questions, supporting regulation, communicating with therapists and teachers, and recognizing progress that may be difficult to see in the middle of daily life.

This conversation reminds parents that a diagnosis does not define a child's future and that small, thoughtful changes can make a meaningful difference.

• Navigating an autism diagnosis as a first-time parent

• Advocating for support within the school system

• How sensory differences can affect classroom participation

• Understanding the purpose behind play-based therapy

• Supporting transitions and everyday family routines

• Helping children recognize and communicate their needs

• Moving from a deficit mindset toward strengths and possibilities

• Recognizing progress that happens gradually

00:00 Nicole's family and parenting journey
02:03 The path toward an autism diagnosis
04:55 School struggles and learning about IEP support
10:29 Sensory needs, classroom lighting, and seating
12:00 Therapy waitlists and understanding the purpose of therapy
17:14 Home-based therapy and supporting daily routines
19:56 Regulation, transitions, and emotional communication
26:29 Focusing on strengths, growth, and future possibilities

"You love your child more than anyone on this earth. There has never been a better advocate for your kiddo."

Nicole Dahl is the parent of an autistic son who recently graduated from high school and is preparing to attend college. Through years of navigating diagnosis, school challenges, therapy, sensory needs, and everyday family routines, Nicole has developed a deeply practical understanding of parent advocacy.

She also serves as Vice President of Marketing at Coro, a company developing tools designed to help families support children's development and emotional well-being.

• Individualized Education Programs, or IEPs

• School-based occupational therapy

• Private and home-based pediatric therapy

• Coro

• Visual routines and first-then-next language

• Sensory supports such as alternative lighting and flexible seating

Brian Keene, OTD, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist, Army veteran, and the founder of Pure Hearts Therapy. Pure Hearts Therapy provides neurodiversity-affirming occupational, speech, and physical therapy services for children and families across Arizona, along with aquatic therapy and virtual parent coaching.

If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another parent who might benefit from this conversation.

Listen and subscribe to the Autism Family Resource Podcast:
https://pod.link/1591840956

Explore more resources for families at:
https://pureheartstherapy.com

Receiving an autism diagnosis can bring both answers and a new wave of questions. What should you do while waiting for an evaluation? How do you find the right providers? And what happens if insurance denies the services your child needs?

In this episode, Brian talks with Kimberly Sadovich, Senior Clinical Director at Forta Health, about practical steps parents can take throughout the diagnosis and service process.

Kimberly explains why getting on an evaluation waitlist early can be helpful, what information families may want to document while waiting, and how honest conversations with providers can lead to better support.

They also discuss insurance denials and why a denial does not always mean the conversation is over. Parents often have more influence than they realize, especially when they work alongside their therapy providers, ask questions, follow up consistently, and understand their options.

This conversation offers reassurance for parents who may feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or unsure of what to do next. You do not have to navigate every step perfectly, and you do not have to navigate it alone.

• What parents can do while waiting for an autism evaluation

• Why it may help to join an evaluation waitlist early

• Information to document before meeting with a diagnosing provider

• Choosing qualified diagnostic and therapy providers

• What families can do after receiving an autism diagnosis

• How therapy providers may help with insurance denials

• Why parents have a voice when choosing services

• The importance of caregiver support and self-care

• When telehealth services may be helpful for families

00:00 Introduction and Kimberly's background
01:36 Autism evaluation waitlists and finding a qualified provider
06:22 What parents can document while waiting
11:23 What happens after receiving a diagnosis
13:09 Insurance denials, appeals, and provider support
22:04 Caregiver overwhelm, advocacy, and self-care

"Getting a denial is the start of the conversation, not the final end of the conversation."

Kimberly Sadovich is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Senior Clinical Director at Forta Health. She has extensive experience supporting autistic children, young adults, and their families.

Her work includes helping families navigate evaluation waitlists, access therapy services, respond to insurance barriers, and determine whether virtual ABA services may be a good fit for their child and family.

• Autism Learning Partners: Free online Registered Behavior Technician training that may also help parents learn more about behavior and supportive strategies

• Early intervention programs: Community-based services that may be available for children under age three

• School-based supports: IEP evaluations, accommodations, and therapy services available through a child's school

• Forta Health: Virtual ABA services and select in-person services for autistic children and families

Brian Keene, OTD, OTR/L, is the founder of Pure Hearts Therapy and host of the Autism Family Resource Podcast.

Pure Hearts Therapy provides home-based occupational, speech, and physical therapy services for children and families throughout Arizona, including aquatic therapy and virtual parent coaching.

The practice focuses on helping children grow through connection, play, and meaningful participation in everyday life.

If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another parent who might benefit from this conversation.

Listen and subscribe to the Autism Family Resource Podcast:
https://pod.link/1591840956

Explore more resources for families at:
https://pureheartstherapy.com

Traveling with a neurodivergent child can feel overwhelming for many families… especially when sensory needs, routines, mobility challenges, or accessibility concerns are involved.

In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, Brian Keene sits down with Teresa Roddy, an accessible travel specialist and occupational therapy assistant, to talk about how families can make travel feel more realistic, supportive, and enjoyable.

Teresa shares how she helps families plan around real-life needs including sensory sensitivities, adaptive equipment, mobility accommodations, dietary restrictions, and communication supports. She also shares practical strategies families can use to reduce stress while traveling, including pacing vacations differently, preparing ahead of time, and building around a child's comfort needs rather than forcing packed schedules.

This conversation is a reassuring reminder that meaningful family experiences are possible… and that families do not have to figure everything out alone.

• Sensory-friendly travel planning for autistic children

• Accessible travel accommodations and adaptive equipment

• Vacation strategies for families with disabilities

• How to reduce travel stress for neurodivergent children

• Comfort items and regulation support while traveling

• Why slowing down can improve family vacations

• Practical ways to prepare children before trips

00:00 Introduction
02:30 Accessible travel and sensory accommodations
06:50 How Teresa plans trips around family needs
10:15 Common barriers families face with travel
13:05 Tips for avoiding overstimulation while traveling
15:20 Final encouragement for families

"Sometimes slowing down… taking breaks… and building around your child's comfort needs can completely change the experience for the whole family."

Teresa Roddy is an accessible travel specialist and certified occupational therapy assistant with over 25 years of experience working with pediatric populations. Through Accessible Travel with Teresa, she helps families plan vacations that consider sensory needs, mobility accommodations, adaptive equipment, dietary restrictions, and accessibility support.

Instagram: Accessible Travel with Teresa Instagram

Facebook: Accessible Travel with Teresa Facebook

• Autism on the Seas

Hosted by Brian Keene, occupational therapist and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy, a neurodiversity-affirming pediatric therapy company providing home-based occupational, speech, and physical therapy services throughout Arizona.

If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another parent who might benefit from this conversation.

Listen and subscribe to the Autism Family Resource Podcast:
Autism Family Resource Podcast

Explore more resources for families at:
Pure Hearts Therapy

What does sensory overload actually feel like for autistic individuals?

In this episode of the Autism Family Resource Podcast, Brian Keene sits down with speaker, author, and content creator Lawrence Harris to discuss autism, sensory overwhelm, social connection, emotional regulation, bullying, and identity through Lawrence's lived experiences.

Lawrence shares powerful examples of what sensory overload felt like growing up… from loud classrooms and fluorescent lights to overwhelming grocery stores and uncomfortable clothing textures. He also opens up about navigating friendships, masking, confidence, and learning how to better understand himself over time.

This conversation offers parents and caregivers a meaningful look into how autistic individuals may experience the world differently… while also reminding families that being different does not mean something is wrong.

A thoughtful, honest, and neurodiversity-affirming conversation filled with practical insight and emotional reflection for families supporting neurodivergent children.

• What sensory overload can actually feel like

• Clothing sensitivities and sensory overwhelm

• Autism and emotional regulation

• Loud environments, grocery stores, and overstimulation

• Social communication and reading social cues

• Bullying, masking, and self-acceptance

• Autism, friendships, and finding connection

• Strategies Lawrence uses to manage sensory overwhelm

• Why understanding sensory needs matters for families

• Supporting autistic children with compassion and acceptance

00:00 Introduction to Lawrence Harris
01:45 What sensory overload can feel like
06:40 Clothing sensitivities and family misunderstandings
10:20 Autism, friendships, and social communication
21:00 Finding friendships through shared interests
26:20 Different sensory regulation strategies within families
30:35 Lawrence's journey into advocacy and speaking
34:40 "You're not broken" message for autistic individuals

"You're not broken… you just think a bit different… and that's okay."

Lawrence Harris is an autistic speaker, author, and content creator who shares openly about sensory overwhelm, emotional regulation, confidence, bullying, and personal growth through his lived experiences. Through speaking, writing, and online content, Lawrence helps others better understand autism and neurodivergent experiences in a relatable and empowering way.

Instagram:
Lawrence C Empowers Instagram

Website, books, and resources:
Lawrence Harris Website

• Noise-canceling headphones

• Journaling for emotional regulation

• Meditation and exercise for stress management

Hosted by Brian Keene, occupational therapist and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy, a neurodiversity-affirming pediatric therapy company providing home-based occupational, speech, physical, and aquatic therapy services throughout Arizona, along with virtual parent coaching and family support.

If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another parent who might benefit from this conversation.

Listen and subscribe to the Autism Family Resource Podcast:
Autism Family Resource Podcast

Explore more resources for families at:
Pure Hearts Therapy

What happens when an autistic adult becomes a speech therapy professional supporting neurodivergent children and families?

In this episode, Brian sits down with Ozzie Inzunza, a neurodivergent Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA) and autistic adult, to discuss his personal journey growing up neurodivergent, navigating communication and social differences, and how those experiences now shape his work with children and families.

Ozzie shares what it was like growing up with intense interests, feeling different from peers, and eventually discovering a passion for helping others through speech therapy. Together, they explore why differences are not deficits, the importance of recognizing strengths, and how small, often overlooked wins can add up to meaningful progress over time.

This conversation offers encouragement for parents who may be wondering if their child is making progress, feeling uncertain about the future, or searching for a more empowering perspective on neurodiversity.

• Growing up neurodivergent in a traditional Hispanic household

• Special interests, scripting, and early signs of autism

• Social challenges and finding connection with others

• Ozzie's path from sports medicine to speech therapy

• Why strengths-based approaches matter

• Supporting autistic children without underestimating their abilities

• Helping parents recognize small but meaningful progress

• Hope, growth, and lifelong learning for neurodivergent individuals

00:00 Introduction to Ozzie's story
01:30 Early childhood interests and autism traits
05:11 Special interests through childhood and adulthood
08:20 Social experiences and growing up neurodivergent
10:42 Discovering speech therapy as a career
12:34 How lived experience shapes therapy
15:06 Encouraging and supporting parents

"Every single client is capable and knows more than I even suspect they might."

Ozzie is a neurodivergent Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA) who works with pediatric families and is currently completing his studies at Arizona State University to become a Speech-Language Pathologist. Drawing from both professional training and lived experience as an autistic adult, Ozzie brings a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming perspective to supporting children and families.

• Ozzie's Instagram: @illmindofozzie

Brian Keene, OTD, OTR/L, is the founder of Pure Hearts Therapy and host of the Autism Family Resource Podcast. Through neurodiversity-affirming conversations, Brian helps families better understand, support, and advocate for their children while providing practical strategies they can use in everyday life.

If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another parent who might benefit from this conversation.

Listen and subscribe to the Autism Family Resource Podcast:
https://pod.link/1591840956

Explore more resources for families at:
https://pureheartstherapy.com

In this episode, Brian sits down with Dr. Norrine Russell, a developmental psychologist, parent, and founder of one of the largest coaching practices for neurodivergent students in the country. Drawing from both her professional expertise and her lived experience raising children with ADHD, autism, and anxiety, Dr. Russell shares a powerful and practical approach to supporting kids in school and in life.

The conversation breaks down executive functioning in a way that actually makes sense for parents and caregivers, reframing it as everyday life skills like planning, time management, and follow-through. You'll also hear about "Connected Coaching," a model that supports students through executive functioning, social-emotional growth, and study skills.

From task initiation struggles to test preparation challenges, this episode is filled with real-life examples and strategies families can begin using right away. Dr. Russell also shares key insights on IEP and 504 advocacy, helping parents better navigate school systems and ensure their child gets the support they need.

This episode is a reminder that there is no one-size-fits-all approach—and that your child's strengths matter just as much as their challenges.

Topics Covered

• What executive functioning really means in everyday life

• Why task initiation and follow-through are common challenges

• How to support kids with planning and organization

• The biggest study skill most students are missing

• Why self-testing is critical for learning and retention

• How to advocate effectively in IEPs and 504 plans

• Understanding autism as multiple spectrums, not just one

• Why strengths-based support changes everything

Memorable Quote
"You have permission to create your parenting style in a way that works for your child and your family."

About the Guest
Dr. Norrine Russell is a developmental psychologist, parent, and founder of Russell Coaching for Students, one of the largest coaching practices for neurodivergent students in the U.S. She developed the "Connected Coaching" model, which integrates executive functioning, social-emotional development, and academic skills to support students in a holistic and personalized way.

Resources Mentioned

• Russell Coaching for Students (20% off 3 months with code: podcast26)

• Quizlet (study and self-testing tool)

About the Host
Brian Keene is an occupational therapist and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy, a neurodiversity-affirming pediatric therapy practice based in Arizona. Through the Autism Family Resource Podcast, Brian provides practical tools, support, and real conversations to help families feel more confident navigating their child's journey.

Subscribe & Connect

If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another parent who might benefit from this conversation.

Listen and subscribe to the Autism Family Resource Podcast:
https://pod.link/1591840956

Explore more resources for families at:
https://pureheartstherapy.com