Parenting an autistic child can feel like you’re on a roller coaster you never signed up for — no seatbelt, endless loops, and zero breaks. Between meltdowns, school calls, appointments, and all the invisible work no one else sees, emotional relief can feel impossible.

But here’s the truth: real, lasting calm doesn’t come from fixing your child or waiting for life to get easier. It comes from shifting your mental playlist — one thought at a time.

In this episode, I share:

• Why relief isn’t about temporary escapes but creating lasting calm
• A real-life story from my morning (school buses, delays, and all!)
• How your brain’s “DJ on repeat” keeps you stuck in stress
• Three simple tools that you can use anytime, even in the middle of a meltdown or at 3 AM when worry keeps you awake:
  1. The Pause Button – hit pause with three grounding breaths before reacting, so you can choose calm over chaos.
  2. The Thought Swap Game – swap out a heavy thought for one that feels even 10% lighter.
  3. Joy Spotting – turn your day into a treasure hunt for small, meaningful joys that shift your focus from what’s broken to what’s working.

And yes, we’re keeping this light and even fun, because relief doesn’t have to be hard work. Wherever you are right now, take a pause with me. You deserve to breathe, reset, and find emotional relief today.

Explore a variety of tailored resources for parents of autistic children on my website: www.lliautism.net.

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube @livelifeinspiredautism for more insights and support.

If you're interested in 1:1 coaching, feel free to email me at [email protected]