Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism
Welcome to Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism.
Join Michelle Chabolla as she shares her personal journey of raising a child with autism, navigating the challenges, celebrating the victories, and embracing the rewards along the way. This podcast offers honest conversations, real-life experiences, and support for families and individuals impacted by autism.
Whether you are a parent, caregiver, educator, or simply someone who wants to better understand autism on a personal level, this channel is a place for connection, encouragement, and learning.
This page is proudly supported by Gregory’s Gifts. If you are looking for thoughtful and unique gifts while supporting Greg's growing small business, visit: http://www.gregorysgifts.com
Episodes
30 episodes
A 40-Year Friendship That Redefines What’s Possible | Kam & Mike | Episode 30
What does a genuine, lifelong friendship look like?In Episode 30 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Kam and Mike share the story of a remarkable friendship that has lasted more than 40 years. Their conversation reminds us of the ...
Autism Fatherhood & Finding Community with Dr. Jonathan Chism | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 29
In Episode 29 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson welcome Dr. Jonathan Chism, co-founder of the Autism Dads Social Club, for an honest conversation about raising his non-speaking autistic ...
Finding Strength in the Unexpected with Susanna Peace Lovell | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 28
In Episode 28 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson are joined by author, coach, and fellow autism mom Susanna Peace Lovell for an honest conversation about raising her daughter, Arizona, navigating the une...
Friendship, Inclusion & a Calling to Teach with Allysen Ortega | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 27
In Episode 27 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson welcome Allysen Ortega, Gregory’s friend since fifth grade and now a special education teacher.Allysen shares how her friendship wi...
Inclusion, IEPs & Helping Kids Thrive with Kelli Fortner | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 26
In Episode 26 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson are joined by Kelli Fortner, principal of Quitman Elementary, for a real-world look at special education, inclusion, and supporting studen...
High School Success with Doris Champlin | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 25
In Episode 25 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson are joined by Doris Champlin, Gregory's former high school paraprofessional, for a heartfelt conversation about inclusion, advocacy, and helping students ...
The Power of Animals & Connection with LynnLee Schmidt | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 24
In Episode 24 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson welcome LynnLee Schmidt for a conversation about the powerful connection between people and animals.LynnLee shares how meaningful animal e...
Building Independence Through Employment with Derek Crager | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 23
In Episode 23 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson welcome Derek Crager for a conversation about employment, independence, and creating meaningful opportunities for individuals with autism....
Understanding Sensory Processing with Rondalyn Whitney | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 22
In Episode 22 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson welcome occupational therapist Rondalyn Whitney to explain sensory processing and how it affects children with autism.Rondalyn shares practical st...
Unified Sports & Inclusion with Clark Stukey | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 21
In Episode 21 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson are joined by Gregory's former teacher and coach, Clark Stukey, to discuss the life-changing impact of Unified Sports and inclusive education.
Friendship, Acceptance & Inclusion with Mario & Courtney Lopez | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 20
In Episode 20 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson are joined by Mario and Courtney Lopez for a heartfelt conversation about friendship, acceptance, and the lasting impact Gregory has had on their...
Autism Through His Eyes with Lawrence Harris | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 19
In this episode, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson sit down with Lawrence Harris—author, speaker, and entrepreneur—to hear what autism is really like from the inside.Lawrence shares his journey, the challenges of communication and social...
Teachers, Inclusion & Building School Success Together | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 18
In Episode 18 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson are joined by Gregory’s former teacher, Jill Brazil, to discuss inclusion, IEPs, parent advocacy, and the powerful role teachers play in a child’s success...
Special Interests, Hyperfixations & Learning to Navigate Disappointment | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 17
In Episode 17 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson discuss special interests, hyperfixations, and why change and disappointment can be especially challenging for autistic individuals.Throug...
Daily Life Skills, Sensory Challenges & Independence | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 16
In Episode 16 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson talk about the everyday life skills that can make a big difference for a child with autism—from getting dressed and brushing teeth to haircuts, d...
Special Needs Trusts, Benefits & Financial Planning with Mike Walther | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 15
In Episode 15 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson are joined by Mike Walther, founder of Oak Wealth Advisors, for an eye-opening conversation about special needs trusts, government benefits, fina...
Care Guides, Letters of Intent & Planning for Their Future with Randi Gillespie | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 14
In Episode 14 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson are joined by Randi Gillespie of Oak Wealth Advisors to discuss care guides, letters of intent, and planning for the future of a loved one with s...
IEPs, Inclusion & Life Skills with Sharon Vehrs | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 13
In Episode 13 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson sit down with Sharon Vehrs, a former special education teacher who worked with Gregory, to talk about what really helps kids succeed in school—an...
Friendship, Support Systems & Raising Kids Together with Jane Claxton | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 12
In Episode 12 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson are joined by Michelle’s best friend of over 20 years, Jane Claxton, for a heartfelt conversation about friendship, support systems, and raising ...
Masking, Public Awareness & Sensory Overload | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 11
In Episode 11 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson explore the often misunderstood topic of masking in autism, when individuals suppress natural behaviors in public in order to fit in socia...
Autism in High School: IEPs, Life Skills & Great Teachers with Bradd Markusch | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 10
In Episode 10 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson welcome one of Gregory’s favorite high school teachers, Bradd Markusch, for an inspiring conversation about helping students with autism succeed in school...
Autism & Friendship: Social Skills, Bullying & Protecting Kind Hearts | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 9
In Episode 9 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson explore one of the most emotional and misunderstood topics for families raising a child with autism: friendship. They discuss what friendship can ...
Autism in School: IEPs, Paras & Advocacy with Trudy Bauer Martinez | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 8
In Episode 8 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson sit down with Trudy Bauer Martinez, an experienced occupational therapist and Greg’s first paraprofessional during his first year of school, to ex...
Supporting a Child with Autism at Home: What We Did That Worked | Ep. 7
In Episode 7 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson share how Michelle created a structured learning environment at home to support Greg’s development, both before he started school and alongside his formal ...
Speech Therapy for Autism: How Children Learn to Communicate with Suzy Hites | Beyond Expectations Podcast Ep. 6
In Episode 6 of Beyond Expectations: Parenting Autism, Michelle Chabolla and Sean Dobson sit down with Suzy Hites, a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), to explore how speech therapy for autism helps children and ...