Welcome to Hot Topics! In this episode, host Gabrielle Crichlow sits down with Sara Bradford, a remarkable parent who shares her personal journey of raising two children with autism. 

When Sara's son received his diagnosis at just 16 months old, she was initially overwhelmed with fear and resistance, not fully understanding the condition. However, she took it upon herself to dive into extensive research. Through her dedication, Sara discovered that making adjustments to her son's diet by eliminating gluten and dairy resulted in significant improvements in his speech and behavior.

But Sara's journey didn't end there. Along the way, she also came to the realization that she and her husband are on the autism spectrum themselves. This newfound understanding brought a sense of unity and empathy to their family. Inspired by her experiences, Sara has become a passionate advocate, writing children's books that promote neurodiversity and inclusion, hosting a podcast, and even founding a nonprofit organization aimed at supporting employment opportunities for autistic individuals.

Throughout the conversation, Sara emphasizes the crucial importance of viewing behaviors as a form of communication and the power of gaining knowledge to overcome fear and judgment. She shares her own struggles in creating a supportive community, as her extended family initially struggled to understand her children's unique needs. 

Sara's story serves as an inspiring testament to the transformative power of embracing one's differences and finding ways to not only cope but thrive in the face of challenges. Join Gabrielle Crichlow as she engages in a heartfelt conversation with Sara Bradford about the joys and trials of being a parent of a child with a learning disability.

Who is Sara Bradford?
Sara Bradford, CEO of SJ Childs LLC, an autism consulting business created to support families. Sara, her husband, and her two kids are all autistic. She is a member of the Autism Council of Utah. She is a Global Autism Speaker and a podcast host for The SJ Childs Show Podcast. She has partnered with realtors, police training, corporate autism training programs, after-school program training, speaking at national conferences, and hosting her own events. Sara is a children's book author, pen name SJ Childs. She was teaching kindness and inclusion for all.

You can find Sara:
On the web: https://sjchilds.org/
On Facebook # 1: https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsshow/
On Facebook # 2: https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc
In her Facebook group (PODCASTING NETWORK GRP): https://www.facebook.com/groups/3737147029638940/?ref=share
In her Facebook group (Autism Advocates Support Group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/795894134284656/?ref=share_group_link
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/
On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchilds
On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzE1_lOj-ORMJY_85ZErW1g
On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sjchilds

Sara has a podcast called "The SJ Childs Show." Listen and subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/74ysj6qubJpjsOctlhjSCY?si=42b900c180e6433e

Sara also wrote a bunch of children's books! Check them out here: https://sjchilds.org/#sj-childs-books-for-children

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/6zWJo1meSOY
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Original date of episode: October 12, 2023