The Oxygen Mask Podcast

Your child was just diagnosed with autism. Now what? Like they tell you during the airline flight instructions, you need to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. If you don’t, you’ll be of no help to anyone. This podcast series is meant to be that oxygen mask: a breath of fresh air and a pause for parents who are navigating their journey with autism or other developmental differences. Hosted by Beth Dierker, Executive Director of Communities for Engaging Autism, and Tera Girardin, author & photographer of “Faces of Autism.” Both are University of Minnesota LEND Fellows (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) and are autism parents themselves. Themes include self-care while caring for others, becoming an advocate for your child, relationship strains, avoiding burnout and information overload, and learning to trust your internal compass. Listeners will enjoy the conversational approach and connection to resources and connection points. The Oxygen Mask is ideal for the parent of a newly diagnosed child wading through information and decisions that come along with an autism diagnosis. Take a breath with us!