Born from 20 years of friendship, during which they navigated the trenches of autism parenting and advocacy, the Refrigerator Moms is Kelley Jensen and Julianna Scott’s way of reaching out to parents waging the same battles they were. Their purpose with this podcast is to clear the fog, silence the noise, and find a path through neurodivergence for parents that are stuck between bad choices. They tackle parenting topics such as mom guilt, tantrums, pathological demand avoidance, siblings, me ...
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Kelley Jensen Julianna Scott Podcasts
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Cold Hard Truths: Four New Subtypes, the Time Supplement, and Dogs
25:17
25:17
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25:17
Hosts Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen dive into recent autism research developments and practical family considerations. They examine new findings about four distinct autism subtypes based on genetic markers, review Time magazine's autism supplement with mixed reactions, and share honest insights about service dogs versus family pets for autistic …
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The Try-entific Method: Off-Label Autism Interventions
49:17
49:17
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49:17
Hosts Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen tackle the common "diagnose and adios" experience that leaves autism parents without guidance after diagnosis. They discuss how parents must become researchers themselves, using what they call "The Try-entific Method" to navigate off-label treatments. The hosts share personal experiences with brain stimulation…
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Cold Hard Truths: Panic Attacks, Non-Violent Communication, and the We Do Not Care Movement
19:02
19:02
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19:02
Hosts Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen dive deep into mom panic attacks—a reality many autism parents face but rarely discuss. They explore how fear of the unknown can manifest into physical symptoms and share personal experiences with managing panic attacks through professional help. The conversation then shifts to nonviolent communication (NVC), …
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Cold Hard Truths: FAFO and What Would We Do? Social Media Edition 2
20:44
20:44
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20:44
Hosts Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen dive into viral social media posts about autism parenting in this Cold Hard Truths episode. They examine FAFO (F*** Around and Find Out) parenting as a trendy rebrand of natural consequences, analyze complex PDA parenting scenarios including pancake requests and fast food battles, critique Autism Speaks' new l…
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Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA): Autism by Any Other Name
40:45
40:45
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40:45
Hosts Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen tackle the hot topic of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), exploring why it's not a separate condition but rather a feature of autism. They examine how social media influencers are repackaging traditional behavioral interventions under new names, share practical strategies for picking battles with resistant …
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Out of Control: Tantrums, Meltdowns, and Panic Attacks
35:47
35:47
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35:47
This week Julianna and Kelley break down the critical differences between tantrums, meltdowns, and panic attacks—three big emotional experiences that are often confused on social media. A tantrum communicates "I want it, but I can't have it," a meltdown says "it's all too much, and I can't handle it," and a panic attack means "I'm scared, and I don…
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Cold Hard Truths: Gene Site Testing, Parenting Instinct, and Autistic Joy
20:00
20:00
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20:00
Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen tackle essential parenting decisions with practical wisdom. They address medication timing concerns, explore the benefits of gene site testing for personalized treatment approaches, and distinguish between parenting instinct versus developed parenting skills. The hosts celebrate autistic joy through recent research …
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A Tough Pill to Swallow: Medicating Autism
36:48
36:48
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36:48
Hosts Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen tackle the challenging topic of medicating autistic children in "A Tough Pill to Swallow: Medicating Autism." They share personal experiences starting medication for their sons around ages 5–6, addressing anxiety, learning difficulties, and behavioral challenges. The episode covers the reality that while only …
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Cold Hard Truths: What We Would Do (Social Media Edition)
23:39
23:39
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23:39
Hosts Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen dive into real social media questions from parents navigating autism challenges. They address sibling aggression, family PTSD, finding affordable help, alternative medicine claims, medical procedures affecting regression, ABA therapy expectations, and holiday modifications. The discussion emphasizes practical …
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Hosts Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen explore the controversial term "virtual autism," coined by Romanian psychologist Marius Zomfier in 2018 to describe behavioral abnormalities in children aged 0-3 exposed to excessive screen time. The discussion clarifies that virtual autism is not real autism and examines the developmental impacts of early scr…
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Cold Hard Truths: Suggestions for RFK Jr.
11:43
11:43
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11:43
Hosts Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen address listener feedback on the title of their episode on siblings, clarifying their intention wasn't to pit neurotypical against neurodivergent siblings, but rather show all siblings united against the challenges neurodivergence can bring to family dynamics. They discuss their recent op-ed about RFK Jr.'s au…
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Oh Brother! (And Sister!): Siblings vs. Neurodivergence
53:42
53:42
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53:42
Hosts Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen welcome their own children, Ethan and Rosalie, to discuss the profound impact of growing up as siblings to neurodivergent family members. The conversation explores "glass child syndrome" - when siblings feel invisible due to the intense focus on a high-needs child. Through candid personal stories, they examine…
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The Refrigerator Moms podcast relaunches with this first episode. Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen dive deep into the pervasive issue of mom guilt that plagues autism parents. Drawing from their 20+ year friendship and experience raising autistic children, they debunk the harmful "Refrigerator Mother Theory" while offering practical strategies for …
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