What happens when years of caregiving, hypervigilance, grief, and responsibility finally catch up with a mother? In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with Libby Hudson for an unfiltered conversation about profound autism, marriage, caregiver burnout, grief, and what it takes to survive when your family’s needs seem bigger than your capacity to carry them.

Libby and her husband Tyler Hudson have become respected voices in the profound autism community, but behind advocacy and awareness lies a deeply personal story. As their son Lyric entered adolescence, a devastating family loss triggered profound behavioral changes, escalating aggression, and years of living in a near-constant state of vigilance and fear.

Libby shares what it felt like to lose her father, watch her son struggle to process grief he could not communicate, and navigate the impossible reality of loving a child while simultaneously fearing what dysregulation might bring next.

Together, Sarah and Libby discuss:

* profound autism and adolescence
* caregiver burnout and nervous system exhaustion
* grief and autism
* marriage under chronic stress
* maternal hypervigilance
* supporting autistic adults
* emotional collapse and resilience
* the importance of asking for help
* finding purpose after survival mode

The conversation also explores something rarely discussed openly in autism spaces: the cost caregiving can have on a mother’s body, identity, relationships, and health. Libby shares how years of accumulated stress ultimately contributed to a stroke and the difficult changes her family had to make to survive.

This episode is for autism moms, caregivers, and families navigating profound autism, aggression, caregiver burnout, marriage stress, grief, and the emotional realities that often remain hidden behind advocacy.

In This Episode

00:00 – Living with constant hypervigilance and caregiving stress
02:00 – Reading nonverbal communication through behavior and body language
04:00 – The death of Lyric’s grandfather and profound grief
05:30 – When autism, adolescence, and loss collide
07:00 – Aggression, dysregulation, and fear inside the home
08:30 – The emotional toll of surviving crisis mode
10:00 – Why caregiving changed Libby’s health forever
11:30 – A stroke, burnout, and the body keeping score
13:00 – Marriage under pressure and redefining family roles
15:00 – Learning to ask for what you need
17:00 – Why flexibility matters in autism families
19:00 – Autism, relationships, and nervous system regulation
21:00 – The hidden emotional labor of autism motherhood
23:00 – Why support systems matter more than services alone
25:00 – Receiving an autism diagnosis 18 years ago
27:00 – Grief, acceptance, and adapting to reality
29:00 – The lessons profound autism has taught about life and love
31:00 – What makes Libby most proud as Lyric’s mother

Listen to more episodes of the Inchstones Podcast, where Sarah Kernion shares caregiver stories, profound autism experiences, autism advocacy, and honest conversations about neurodivergent parenting.

• (00:00:00) - Libby Hudson on The Inchstones Podcast
• (00:01:18) - What Does Your Day-to-Day With Lyric?
• (00:07:10) - On Working With an ASD Dad's Death
• (00:13:24) - "What I Need" From My Love Letter
• (00:15:06) - How to Get What You Need From Your Partner
• (00:23:18) - On the Importance of Relationships for Autism Mothers
• (00:25:37) - Autism Diagnosis: The Early Days

What happens when autism support moves beyond four walls and into nature? In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with Dr. Dana Spett, founder of Pony Power Therapies, to explore autism, sensory regulation, equine-assisted services, and why connection, movement, and nature can create powerful opportunities for growth.

Dana’s journey began as a mother searching for support for her own daughter. What started with one horse and four riders has grown into Pony Power Therapies, a community-centered organization helping children and adults with disabilities connect with horses, farming, nature, and themselves.

Together, Sarah and Dana discuss autism parenting, sensory regulation, maternal intuition, nature-based learning, disability inclusion, and the importance of creating environments where autistic individuals can thrive without pressure to conform. Dana shares why traditional approaches are not always enough and how horses offer a unique opportunity for regulation, confidence, connection, and belonging.

The conversation explores:

* autism and sensory regulation
* equine-assisted services
* nature-based support for autistic children
* maternal intuition and advocacy
* disability inclusion and community belonging
* farming, purpose, and meaningful work
* autism and nervous system regulation
* creating supportive environments for neurodivergent individuals

Dana also shares how Pony Power supports families across the lifespan, from young children with autism to adults navigating life after age 21, when many formal support systems begin to disappear.

This episode is for autism moms, caregivers, educators, therapists, and anyone interested in nature-based approaches to autism support, sensory regulation, disability advocacy, and helping neurodivergent individuals build meaningful lives and connections.

In This Episode

00:00 – The mission behind Pony Power Therapies
01:00 – Dana’s journey as a social worker and autism mom
02:30 – Following maternal intuition instead of rushing to medication
04:00 – Why trusting your gut matters in autism parenting
05:30 – Equine-assisted services and empowering families
06:30 – How autistic children respond to horses and nature
08:00 – Sensory regulation through movement and rhythm
09:30 – Why horses provide unique nervous system support
11:00 – Nature, regulation, and the family system
13:00 – Beyond traditional talk therapy approaches
14:30 – The role of nature in mental health and autism support
16:00 – Nonverbal communication and connection beyond words
17:30 – Why leaving the house feels impossible for some families
19:00 – Supporting dysregulated autistic children without judgment
21:00 – Creating safe spaces for neurodivergent families
23:30 – The autism service cliff after age 21
25:00 – Farming, employment, and meaningful purpose for autistic adults
27:00 – Disability inclusion and reimagining community support

Listen to more episodes of the Inchstones Podcast, where Sarah Kernion shares caregiver stories, autism advocacy, profound autism perspectives, neurodivergent parenting, and conversations that challenge us to build more inclusive communities.

More about Dr. Dana Spett, DSW

Dr. Dana Spett, DSW, an accomplished professional with a deep commitment to equine-
assisted services, nature, and social work is the Founder and Executive Director of Pony Power

Therapies, a nonprofit community-based center in New Jersey that connects children and adults
with disabilities or life challenges to the wonders of horses, farming and nature. Dana has
dedicated herself to creating an inclusive and transformative environment guided by nature.
Recognizing the power of nature to promote resilience and personal growth, Dana ensures that
Pony Power Therapies embodies...

• (00:00:00) - Inch Sentence Podcast: Dana Spett
• (00:00:55) - Pony Power Therapies: The Origins Story
• (00:05:18) - Pony Power: Autism and the Horse
• (00:11:46) - The Future of Social Work: Nature and Communication
• (00:18:37) - Autistic People on the Farm
• (00:20:30) - Pony Power on Autism and Farming

Many parents of non-speaking autistic children carry a quiet certainty: my child understands more than they can show. In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with occupational therapist, researcher, and Spellers Method co-creator Dr. Dana Johnson to explore whole body apraxia, motor planning, communication, and why behavior may not tell the whole story.

For years, families have been told to trust observable behaviors as the primary measure of understanding. Dr. Johnson challenges that assumption by explaining how motor planning differences can prevent autistic individuals from reliably demonstrating what they know, understand, or intend to communicate.

Together, Sarah and Dr. Johnson discuss whole body apraxia, non-speaking autism, presuming competence, sensory regulation, motor coaching, and the ways parents are often dismissed when their observations don’t align with traditional clinical models.

The conversation explores:

* whole body apraxia and autism
* non-speaking autism and communication
* motor planning challenges
* presuming competence
* autism and regulation
* maternal intuition and clinical observation
* supporting autistic children beyond behavior-based assumptions
* co-regulation and caregiver support

Dr. Johnson also shares how her work evolved after listening to parents whose experiences challenged what she had been taught professionally. Her message is both practical and hopeful: understanding motor differences can fundamentally change how families, therapists, and educators support autistic children.

This episode is for parents, caregivers, educators, therapists, and anyone interested in communication, autism advocacy, profound autism, and understanding what may exist beneath observable behavior.

In This Episode

00:00 – Maternal intuition, autism, and the limits of observation
02:00 – Why parents are often dismissed by professionals
04:15 – The story that led Dr. Johnson to rethink autism therapy
05:45 – What whole body apraxia actually means
07:15 – Understanding motor planning and communication barriers
08:00 – Why behavior does not always reflect understanding
09:30 – The backpack example: motor planning in daily life
11:00 – Typical childhood behavior versus apraxia
12:30 – Why presuming competence matters
14:00 – How professionals unintentionally limit autistic children
16:00 – Reading ability, communication, and hidden competence
17:00 – Regulation, sensory overwhelm, and motor control
19:00 – Why parents must regulate themselves first
21:00 – The invisible pressure placed on mothers
23:00 – Co-regulation and caregiver support
25:00 – Building confidence through small wins and inchstones
28:00 – Supporting parents, not just children
30:00 – The fear every autism parent carries about the future

Listen to more episodes of the Inchstones Podcast, where Sarah Kernion explores autism advocacy, caregiver stories, profound autism, communication, neurodivergent parenting, and the small inchstones that shape meaningful lives.

About Dr. Dana Johnson:

For more than 20 years, Dr. Johnson has worked alongside incredible families who have taught her what true resilience, patience, and hope look like. Through this work, she has learned that two things can be true at once: your child can struggle and make incredible progress at the same time.

Recognizing that too many professionals didn't know how to truly help these families, Dr. Johnson created her YouTube channel, “The Autism + Apraxia Doctor,” and expanded her reach across multiple platforms to educate professionals in the autism field. She specializes in helping individuals with complex autism, whole-body apraxia, and other neurodevelopmental disabilities develop intentional motor skills and improve their overall health.

Her mission is...

• (00:00:01) - Maternal intuition about autism on The Inchstones Podcast
• (00:01:41) - Speech therapists on autism
• (00:06:59) - What does that whole body apraxia actually look like?
• (00:14:28) - Caution about presuming competence in children with disabilities
• (00:15:36) - Motor and regulation in children's brains
• (00:16:55) - What It's Like to Be Maxed Out in Motherhood
• (00:25:38) - Dr. Johnson: Reflection is a life luxury