Parenting autism from overwhelmed to calm

From Overwhelm to Clarity: Fawn on Parent Support, IEPs, and Real-World Autism Strategies

Feeling pulled in every direction after a diagnosis? In this episode, I sit down with Fawn to show you a calmer path forward.

I brought Fawn on because she blends behavioral science, nervous system regulation, and creativity in a way that actually fits real life. You’ll hear how she helps parents feel less alone, why structure can feel supportive (not suffocating), and what schools often miss when it comes to IEPs and student voice.

She also shares the surprising role music played when her son went nonverbal, the collaborative approach she uses instead of rigid systems, and a simple framework she teaches parents to create steadier days at home. You’ll discover tangible outcomes—like fewer meltdowns, clearer communication, and more agency—without me giving away the steps here.

Listen to learn: - The key shift that turns “I’m stuck” into “I can do this” - How IEP meetings change when the student is truly included - A small tweak that makes executive function supports stick

By the end, you’ll see why “slow down” might be the most helpful phrase for schools, families, and yes—ourselves.

Key Timestamps
0:01 – Why I invited Fawn: possibility over performance
1:12 – Her story as a single mom and how that led to applied behavior studies
13:32 – Music as a bridge when words were out of reach
18:32 – Creating Avary Performance and what makes her approach different
33:05 – “Meet them where they are” in practice
39:57 – Structure that supports, not restricts
47:34 – IEPs, student voice, and what most meetings skip
57:07 – When someone is overwhelmed: the first thing we do
60:59 – Executive function that builds agency
62:47 – The calm-home method I asked her to break down
74:20 – One thing schools could do right now
77:56 – The message every parent and young adult needs to hear

About the Guest

Fawn is a parent coach and educator with a master’s in applied behavior analysis, decades of coaching and trauma-informed work, and a background from Berklee College of Music. She founded Avary Performance to support families, schools, and neurodivergent individuals with collaborative, judgment-free strategies that put the person first.

If this episode helps, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a parent or educator who could use a steadier plan. Want more resources and community support? Connect with me and keep the conversation going.

#Neurodiversity #AutismSupport #ParentingNeurodivergentKids #IEP #ExecutiveFunction