🎧 Episode 168 – The Meltdown Action Plan

Download it Here: https://theautismmomcoach.com/autism-meltdown-action-plan-2/

Podcast: The Autism Mom Coach

Hosted by: Lisa Candera, Life Coach for Autism Moms

Autism meltdowns are intense, overwhelming, and often misunderstood—not just for the child, but for the parent as well. In Episode 168 of The Autism Mom Coach Podcast, Lisa Candera shares a groundbreaking, trauma-informed tool designed specifically for autism moms who feel frozen, reactive, or helpless during their child’s dysregulation.

Introducing the Meltdown Action Plan—a step-by-step, easy-to-follow framework that gives parents the tools and structure they need to stay calm and take purposeful action during meltdowns.

Drawing on her personal experience as a solo parent to a teen with autism and her work with hundreds of coaching clients, Lisa explains how to shift from crisis-driven reactions to empowered parenting with her signature MAP Method:

• Meltdown Prep
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• Action During
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• Post-Meltdown Recovery
• 
  

This episode is a must-listen for any parent who’s ever thought:

“I don’t know what to do during a meltdown.”

“I freeze, I yell, or I shut down.”

“Why is this still happening?”

Lisa answers those questions—and more—while offering hope, clarity, and a plan.

Lisa’s new resource includes:

✅ The 3 phases of the MAP Method

✅ Fill-in-the-blank worksheets

✅ Real-life examples from autism moms

✅ Guided prompts to help you regulate yourself before, during, and after a meltdown

👉 Get it here: [Insert direct download link]

📅 Ready for personal support? Book a free consultation with Lisa here:

https://talkwiththeautismmomcoach.as.me/

00:00 – Introduction to Episode 168

00:23 – Why Lisa Created the Meltdown Action Plan

01:35 – The Real Problem With Meltdowns (Hint: It’s Not Just the Behavior)

03:27 – What Is the MAP Method?

03:55 – Phase One: Meltdown Preparation

04:28 – Phase Two: Action During a Meltdown

05:07 – Phase Three: Post-Meltdown Recovery

06:01 – What’s Inside the Free Download

06:30 – Final Thoughts and Invitation to Work With Lisa

• Why trying to “fix” meltdowns often makes them worse
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• The difference between reacting vs. responding
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• What meltdowns signal about your child’s nervous system
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• How to stay grounded even when your child is screaming, hitting, or shutting down
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• Why your own recovery matters as much as your child’s
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• The single shift that helped Lisa stop dreading meltdowns and start preparing for them
• 
  
• How Lisa helps clients create personalized meltdown action plans that actually work
• 
  

• Autism moms dealing with frequent or intense meltdowns
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• Parents who feel overwhelmed, ashamed, or alone
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• Moms who want a clear, repeatable plan they can use during high-stress situations
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• Listeners who value trauma-informed, compassionate, and experience-backed guidance
• 
  

autism meltdown plan, autism meltdown help for parents, what to do during autism...

In Episode 167 of The Autism Mom Coach Podcast, Lisa Candera—a lawyer, life coach, and solo mom to a teenager with autism—tackles one of the most emotionally loaded questions for autism parents: Should I push my child out of their comfort zone or give them more support?

Using a real-life story from a coaching client, Lisa explains:

✅ Why there's no perfect moment to act

✅ How to treat parenting decisions like experiments

✅ What “friction” actually means in your child’s growth

✅ How to move forward even when things don’t go perfectly

✅ And why sometimes... you have to break some chairs

🎧 This episode is a must-listen if you're stuck in second-guessing or afraid of doing too much (or too little) for your child.

🕒 Timestamps / Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction

00:38 – Follow-up from Last Week

01:13 – Real-Life Moments That Raise the Question

02:20 – The Goldilocks Myth of “Perfect Timing”

03:35 – Coaching Story: Rachel’s School Bus Decision

05:08 – Reframing the Outcome

06:00 – Growth = Try, Monitor, Evaluate, Calibrate

06:52 – Final Thoughts + Coaching Invitation

In this episode, autism coach and solo parent Lisa Candera—also known as The Autism Mom Coach—breaks down a question nearly every autism parent wrestles with:

Am I expecting too much or not enough from my child with autism?

Through a real-life story from one of her private coaching clients, Lisa illustrates the emotional push-pull autism moms face when deciding whether to stretch their child or simply let them enjoy the moment. She explores the hidden fear that often drives the urge to do more, and how that fear can overshadow meaningful progress.

Whether you’re feeling pressure to push your child, second-guessing your parenting, or simply wondering what the right amount of expectation looks like—this episode will help you slow down, reflect, and lead with confidence.

🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why “Am I doing too much or not enough?” is the wrong question
• How fear of falling behind drives panic parenting
• Why your child’s success doesn’t mean it’s time to push harder
• The power of parenting from curiosity instead of fear
• Why every win doesn’t need to become a stepping stone

✨ About Lisa Candera:

Lisa Candera is a solo mom, attorney, and certified life coach for autism moms. Through 1:1 coaching, she helps parents regulate their emotions, reduce stress, and support their children with clarity and confidence—even during meltdowns.

🔗 Learn More & Connect:

📅 Book a free consultation with Lisa:

https://talkwiththeautismmomcoach.as.me/

🌐 Website:

https://theautismmomcoach.com

🎙 Listen to the podcast:

https://theautismmomcoach.com/podcast

📸 Follow Lisa on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/theautismmomcoach

In Episode 165, Lisa Canera examines "the space between" - the developmental gap parents observe between their autistic children and neurotypical peers. Drawing from her experience with her teenage son Ben and insights from her coaching practice, Lisa offers practical guidance on responding effectively when this gap becomes more apparent. She provides a balanced perspective on processing emotions rather than defaulting to additional interventions or self-blame.

• How the developmental gap can trigger stress responses in parents
• Why middle school often represents a turning point where social differences become more pronounced
• The counterproductive nature of constantly trying to "catch up" through additional therapies
• Practical strategies for pausing before making reactive decisions
• How acknowledging reality creates space for more intentional parenting choices

• Lisa discusses her son Ben's experience with social skills development as peer interactions became more complex in middle school
• A client's realization when her son's differences became apparent during a track practice that had previously been successful
• Common patterns of parental response when confronted with developmental differences

Lisa currently has two openings in her one-on-one coaching program. This opportunity includes:

• Personalized coaching tailored to your specific challenges
• Access to the group program (only available to current clients and alumni)
• Support for becoming a calm, confident parent your autistic child needs

Lisa Canera is a lawyer, certified life coach, and full-time single mother of a teenager with autism. Her evidence-based approach helps parents navigate the complexities of raising children with autism while maintaining their emotional wellbeing.

Visit theautismmomcoach.com to schedule your consultation call.

In this quick episode, I share a few thoughts on the recent autism headlines—from the latest prevalence data to RFK Jr.’s controversial comments about autism—and how these moments shine a light on the deeply different experiences within our own community.

This is not a political take. It’s a reminder that autism parenting doesn’t look the same for every family—and that true acceptance starts with making space for each other’s stories, even when they differ from our own.

🎧 Listen now.

Are you ready to get the support you need and deserve as an autism mom? Get started now, by scheduling your complimentary consultation call here:

https://talkwiththeautismmomcoach.as.me

Discover how to navigate public meltdowns, reduce anxiety, and heal from the trauma of feeling constantly judged.

In this episode of The Autism Mom Coach, we unpack the PTSD of being “on display” as the parent of a child with autism.

Public meltdowns can trigger deep emotional distress for both the child and the parent. Prolonged exposure to judgmental stares, unsolicited advice, and sudden confrontations often leads to anxiety, hypervigilance, and feelings of fear or helplessness. Drawing from real-life events, this episode shines a light on why these experiences stay with us, how our brains respond to perceived threats, and practical ways to build resilience for you and your child.

If you’ve ever felt criticized, misunderstood, or singled out in public while managing your child’s meltdown, this episode is for you. Gain trauma-informed insights, real-life examples, and actionable tips to help you cope and heal. By addressing both the emotional and practical aspects of public meltdown stress, you’ll walk away feeling more equipped, supported, and empowered in your parenting journey.

• Listen now to Episode 163 of The Autism Mom Coach on your favorite podcast platform.
• Subscribe so you never miss an episode packed with actionable advice for parenting children with autism.
• Connect on social media for more autism-friendly strategies, PTSD awareness, and mental health resources.

It’s April—Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month—and today, we’re talking about what autism acceptance really looks like in real life.

Have you ever felt like all eyes are on you when you're in public with your child? Whether it’s the school drop-off line, the grocery store, or waiting in line at Chipotle, those moments when your child’s behavior stands out can feel like you’re center stage in a performance you never auditioned for.

In this episode, I share my own experience of what it means to be on display as the parent of a child with autism—and how my mindset has shifted from shame and over-apologizing to pride and advocacy.

You’ll hear:

• Why being "on display" used to feel like failure to me
• What changed over time as I redefined what autism acceptance looks like
• The story of a school drop-off panic that left me feeling exposed and mortified
• Why I stopped apologizing for my child’s autism
• A powerful moment on an Amtrak train that reminded me what true inclusion looks like
• Three practical tips to feel more grounded when you’re “that family”

Whether your child is melting down at the playground or wearing a Paw Patrol shirt at 15, these moments are opportunities—not for hiding—but for showing up and modeling what support, advocacy, and love look like in action.

Remember: Autism acceptance starts with us.

🎧 Want support navigating these moments in real time?

Schedule your complimentary consultation here: https://talkwiththeautismmomcoach.as.me/

Have you ever had teachers insist your child is thriving at school, yet at home, they fall apart?

This episode explores autism masking—when autistic children hide their natural behaviors to appear neurotypical. Learn why masking happens, the heavy emotional and sensory toll it takes, and practical steps you can take to support your child.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• What autism masking is and the reasons children engage in it, including avoiding bullying, negative consequences, and internalized shame.
• How masking can mislead educators into thinking your child doesn't need support.
• Why People Think My Child ISN’T Autistic - The Coke Bottle Effect Explained by autistic advocate Orion Kelly.
• Key signs your child might be masking, such as drastic behavioral differences between school and home, frequent bathroom breaks, increased stimming, and physical complaints.

Work with Me: If you're feeling caught between pushing your child forward and holding back to prevent overwhelm, schedule your complimentary consultation today and let's create a plan to support both you and your child effectively.

Book Your Complimentary Consultation HERE.