Mother's Guide Through Autism
This podcast is to inspire, support, and build community for mothers raising children with autism. Brigitte Shipman is the host and creator of this podcast and it has been inspired by her son Joseph who has been living with autism for the last 32 years. Together, Brigitte and Joseph hope to offer mothers of autistic children hope for the future. They will be sharing what they have learned in their journey as well as have expert guests on the show to give you knowledge, resources, insights, and inspiration.
Mother's Guide Through Autism
Emotional Regulation Starts With Us: Tools for Neurodivergent Families with Sara Hartley
When a child is emotionally dysregulated, it’s easy for parents to feel unsure, exhausted, or like they’re constantly reacting instead of responding.
In this episode of Mother’s Guide Through Autism, host Brigitte Shipman sits down with Sara Lewis Hartley, a healthcare leader with over 20 years of experience and the author of the Purposefully Me children’s book series, to explore what emotional regulation really means—and how parents can support it without burning themselves out.
This conversation goes beyond surface-level tips. Sara shares practical, compassionate insights about creating emotional safety at home, why regulation starts with the parent, and how understanding emotions—rather than trying to control them—can change the dynamic between parent and child.
💛 In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- Common misconceptions parents have about “big emotions” and behavior
- How parents can regulate themselves first—without guilt or perfection
- How to create a foundation of trust and safety with your kids
- The inspiration behind the Purposefully Me book series
This episode is especially for parents who feel overwhelmed by emotions—both their child’s and their own—and are looking for a more grounded, compassionate way forward.
🎧 You’ll walk away with perspective, reassurance, and ideas you can start using right away.
🔗 Resources & Links
Learn more about Sara Hartley and get her books:
https://saralewishartley.com/
Learn more and join the Chill & Chat Membership:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/chillandchat
Purchase my book A Mother's Guide Through Autism:
https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com/book
Sign up to get news and updates from me: https://www.mothersguidethroughautism.com
Theme song: "Look at the clouds" by Tristan Lohengrin
tristanlohengrin.bandcamp.com