About this episode
Tara Cohen opens up about her son Will's autism diagnosis and how it transformed her family and career. From navigating meltdowns to discovering AAC as a communication lifeline, Tara shares her honest reflections on parenting, resilience, and hope. What began as a search for a medical ID bracelet led to a career at Lauren's Hope—where she now helps other families feel safe and supported. This heartfelt episode reminds caregivers that advocacy grows from love and that even small acts of compassion can make a life-changing difference. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 03:10 – Early diagnosis and emotions 07:45 – Advocacy and ESE Pre-K 12:30 – Discovering Lauren's Hope 18:40 – Communication with AAC 25:15 – Managing epilepsy 31:00 – Finding silver linings 37:00 – Advice for caregivers Resources Mentioned Lauren's Hope Medical ID Jewelry ESE Pre-K (Florida early intervention) Temple Grandin (2010 film) Children's Mercy Kansas City (neurology and epilepsy care) Child Life On Call Resources Level up your parent toolkit with child life–expert guidance: ? Get SupportSpot on the App Store Want to hear insights from our host, Katie Taylor, Certified Child Life Specialist? ?Subscribe to Katie's Substack Interested in being a guest or learning more about the podcast? Email us at podcast@childlifeoncall.com When parents feel empowered, everyone wins – kids thrive and the care team excels! Links and Resources:
