Grandparenting Autism: How to Support without Overstepping
Tue Feb 03 2026
When a family faces the challenges of autism, every member can feel the weight of the world on their shoulders. In this heartfelt episode, Wendy Green and Theresa Lyons, Ph.D. discuss the crucial role grandparents play in supporting their grandchildren diagnosed with autism.
With a focus on communication and understanding, Theresa shares her journey as both a scientist and a parent, highlighting the emotional and practical hurdles families encounter. The episode emphasizes that grandparents should come from a place of curiosity rather than certainty—it's about asking the right questions, like how they can provide help without overstepping boundaries.
Theresa explains the importance of recognizing the spectrum of autism, detailing how different children exhibit diverse behaviors and needs. By offering insights into how grandparents can observe changes and share concerns effectively, the conversation provides tools for building stronger family connections.
Wendy and Theresa’s warm banter, filled with relatable anecdotes and practical advice, turns a daunting subject into a manageable conversation. They encourage listeners to embrace love and support as the guiding principles in navigating the complexities of autism within families.
Takeaways:
Grandparents should approach conversations about autism with curiosity and compassion to foster better understanding.Understanding the spectrum of autism helps in knowing the diverse needs of grandchildren diagnosed with it.It's crucial for grandparents to learn about autism to effectively support their stressed adult children.
Links referenced in this episode:
Email Theresa at: lyons@awetism.netTheresa Lyon's website awetism.netAn additional resource: https://navigatingawetism.com/
Mentioned in this episode:
greenwoodcapital.com
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
More
When a family faces the challenges of autism, every member can feel the weight of the world on their shoulders. In this heartfelt episode, Wendy Green and Theresa Lyons, Ph.D. discuss the crucial role grandparents play in supporting their grandchildren diagnosed with autism. With a focus on communication and understanding, Theresa shares her journey as both a scientist and a parent, highlighting the emotional and practical hurdles families encounter. The episode emphasizes that grandparents should come from a place of curiosity rather than certainty—it's about asking the right questions, like how they can provide help without overstepping boundaries. Theresa explains the importance of recognizing the spectrum of autism, detailing how different children exhibit diverse behaviors and needs. By offering insights into how grandparents can observe changes and share concerns effectively, the conversation provides tools for building stronger family connections. Wendy and Theresa’s warm banter, filled with relatable anecdotes and practical advice, turns a daunting subject into a manageable conversation. They encourage listeners to embrace love and support as the guiding principles in navigating the complexities of autism within families. Takeaways: Grandparents should approach conversations about autism with curiosity and compassion to foster better understanding.Understanding the spectrum of autism helps in knowing the diverse needs of grandchildren diagnosed with it.It's crucial for grandparents to learn about autism to effectively support their stressed adult children. Links referenced in this episode: Email Theresa at: lyons@awetism.netTheresa Lyon's website awetism.netAn additional resource: https://navigatingawetism.com/ Mentioned in this episode: greenwoodcapital.com This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy