Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen tackle controversial parenting scenarios from autism Facebook groups, exploring real dilemmas that leave parents stumped. When a 13-year-old autistic child steals vodka to share with friends, is it a consequence problem or a safety issue? The hosts dissect problematic advice about validating risky behavior and discuss why understanding a child's developmental level matters more than imposing consequences. They also address therapy conflicts when ABA and speech therapy clash, the pressure around "please and thank you," navigating gift-giving with family members, dealing with spouses who won't adapt their parenting approach, and the non-negotiable priority of keeping children safe from danger.

Key Takeaways:

• When an autistic child doesn't understand stealing, start with teaching the concept rather than imposing consequences
• Autistic teens are vulnerable to peer manipulation and may take dangerous risks to fit in with friends
• Before implementing consequences, assess the child's developmental level and what they're actually capable of understanding
• Team meetings are essential when different therapists use conflicting approaches for the same child
• Social norms like "please and thank you" should be taught when developmentally appropriate, not forced prematurely
• Get ahead of gift-giving situations by preparing family members and considering opening presents privately
• When safety is at stake, parents have permission to stop dangerous behavior first and teach later
• Spouse alignment on autism parenting is critical; validate concerns while working toward solutions together
• Consider whether peer relationships are healthy or exploitative when children engage in risky behaviors
• Not all autism parenting advice from online groups is appropriate, even from moderators

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Refrigerator Moms is sponsored by Brain Performance Technologies, a specialty mental health clinic that offers neuromodulation treatments including SAINT (Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy) for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder, as well as MERT (Magnetic e-resonance therapy) for autistic people aged three or older. Learn more at https://brainperformancetechnologies.com

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (00:40) - Teen Steals Vodka Scenario
• (03:15) - Dangerous Advice from Groups
• (04:12) - Understanding Stealing Concept
• (04:48) - Peer Pressure & Manipulation
• (09:24) - Who Are These Friends?
• (10:16) - Severity Level Matters
• (11:56) - Conflicting Therapy Methods
• (12:41) - Please & Thank You Debate
• (14:17) - Gift Giving Strategies
• (16:35) - Prepping Family Members
• (17:22) - Spouse Disagreements
• (19:12) - Dangerous Behavior Dilemma
• (20:32) - Closing Thoughts

Julianna and Kelley dissect "An Inconvenient Study," a documentary from the creators of Vaxxed that claims 54% of American children have chronic illnesses caused by vaccines. The film features Del Bigtree's undercover footage of a Henry Ford Health researcher who conducted a flawed retrospective study comparing vaccinated and unvaccinated children. The hosts connect this documentary's rhetoric to RFK Jr's current HHS proposals for similar Medicare/Medicaid studies, explaining why retrospective designs cannot establish causation and are vulnerable to bias. They emphasize the importance of consulting pediatricians rather than falling for fear-based messaging.

Key Takeaways:

• "An Inconvenient Study" claims all childhood vaccines cause chronic illness in 54% of children
• The documentary centers on a retrospective study that Henry Ford Health rejected for not meeting methodological standards
• Retrospective studies look at existing data but cannot prove causation and are vulnerable to bias
• RFK Jr is proposing similar retrospective studies using Medicare/Medicaid data, which isn't a representative population
• The documentary uses the same rhetoric Kennedy employs about "balance" and hearing anti-vaccine voices
• Scaling up a flawed study design doesn't fix its fundamental problems
• The film is part of the autism industrial complex fear mongering
• Anti-vaccine movement is gaining traction by creating skepticism about settled science
• Parents should consult their pediatricians about vaccine decisions, not documentaries

🔗 Learn More:
Website: refrigeratormoms.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/refrigeratormoms/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/refrigeratormoms
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/refrigeratormoms/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@RefrigeratorMoms

Refrigerator Moms is sponsored by Brain Performance Technologies, a specialty mental health clinic that offers neuromodulation treatments including SAINT (Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy) for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder, as well as MERT (Magnetic e-resonance therapy) for autistic people aged three or older. Learn more at https://brainperformancetechnologies.com

Getting an autism diagnosis can feel like the end of a journey, but it's actually the starting line. Kelley and Julianna walk through the full diagnostic process, from the first red flags to navigating medical diagnoses versus educational evaluations, and why each step matters. They share their own early experiences, break down the difference between screening and formal evaluation, and explain why self-diagnosis simply isn't enough. The conversation covers comorbid diagnoses, disclosure decisions, and practical first steps every family needs to take after receiving a diagnosis.

Key Takeaways

• The three steps of autism diagnosis are monitoring, screening, and formal assessment. Don't skip any of them.
• Self-diagnosis and online quizzes are a starting point only. A formal evaluation by a trained professional is essential.
• A medical autism diagnosis does not automatically qualify a child for school-based services under IDEA. Eligibility is determined by a team.
• 70% of individuals with ASD have at least one comorbid psychiatric disorder; 40% have two or more.
• Comorbid diagnoses like anxiety, OCD, and ADHD often surface over time and need to be revisited regularly.
• Late diagnosis as a teen or adult can provide meaningful self-understanding and relief.
• Treat the post-diagnosis process like a second job. Stay organized, maintain files, and collect every evaluation.
• Have more than one person fill out developmental questionnaires to get a fuller picture of your child.
• Disclosure is a personal decision with no single right answer. Do what works for your child and your family.
• Speed to acceptance and learning to manage anxiety are not one-time tasks. They run through every stage of this journey.

🔗 Learn More:
Website: refrigeratormoms.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/refrigeratormoms/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/refrigeratormoms
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/refrigeratormoms/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@RefrigeratorMoms

Refrigerator Moms is sponsored by Brain Performance Technologies, a specialty mental health clinic that offers neuromodulation treatments including SAINT (Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy) for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder, as well as MERT (Magnetic e-resonance therapy) for autistic people aged three or older. Learn more at https://brainperformancetechnologies.com