Chelsea's Vocation

02/22/2026

Meet Layne. She is a 20-year-old queen 👑 who’s already rocking Chelsea’s world with her poetry. And just listen to her giving us all a self-affirming word! 😍More in this week’s podcast episode, “Becoming While Autistic”.

02/11/2026

🤔 What if the way society is structured magnifies challenges for autistic folks?
The social model of disability contrasts with the medical model, which has largely formed the perception of autism. Understanding what that has to do with ableism can help us reposition our interactions with autistic people.
❓ Have you experienced or witnessed ableism? Share your story with us!
Advocacy ChangeMakers Awareness Inclusion Empowerment

02/04/2026

A great opportunity to learn from Wisconsin Family Ties!

Upcoming Parenting Webinar
No More Guessing Games:
Clear Steps to Handle Meltdowns with Compassion
Date: February 18, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CST
Format: Live webinar via Microsoft Teams

We are thrilled to welcome special guest speaker Megan M. Hamm, Ed.S, LPC-S, RPT. Megan is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist with over eighteen years of experience helping families navigate behavioral challenges. She is the owner of Time For A Change Counseling, LLC. With specialized training in trauma and attachment, Megan’s approach is rooted in understanding the underlying causes of challenging behaviors and empowering parents and clinicians with practical strategies to address them.

What We’ll Cover:
This webinar is designed for caregivers who want clear, practical steps to respond to big behaviors without yelling, shutting down, or second-guessing themselves. You’ll learn how to understand what’s underneath the behavior, stay grounded in the moment, and respond in ways that reduce escalation and build connection. Walk away with tools you can use immediately to bring more calm, clarity, and confidence into your home.

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

02/01/2026

It’s good to try new things, but it’s important to honor a child’s protest, too. Part of building healthy relationships is believing a child’s big feelings.

01/28/2026

🌡️ Are you a thermostat or a thermometer in your home? Which do you think better sets up your autistic child for success?

As parents, we can help regulate our kids’ nervous systems by creating safe spaces and accommodating their needs.

🧰 Could you use some strategies to help your child succeed at home, school, and in the community? Listen to this episode and share your favorites in the comments!

01/28/2026

In this week’s episode, Chelsea offers ways families can set up children for success at home, school, and in community outings. This clip might be a hot take on FBAs, or functional behavioral analyses. Entire episode available across platforms Wednesday, 1/28/26.

01/24/2026

“Respected”

As Chelsea’s son Justus has settled into his 20s, being respected is a non-negotiable for him. Think of all the times he was disrespected as a child; whether he was …
🤨 not believed
😞 bullied, marginalized, or left out
😡 deprived bodily autonomy
😰 physically moved by an adult despite his protest
😓 laughed at or mocked
… it all felt like disrespect.

And he won’t tolerate it anymore.

So the profound truth of this message
“Every child
deserves to feel
accepted
safe 🌞 loved
respected
and supported”
just hits Chelsea differently now.

🤍🤍🤍🤍

01/23/2026

Let’s goooo! 2K downloads & views, top 10 episodes, states where you can spread the word, and topics for this year that Chelsea needs guests for.

01/17/2026

Traveling is tough for Justus. His autism craves familiarity, but his adventurous spirit loves a waterpark. So he’s traveling with Mom to Orlando for her podcasting event.

The analogy of stressors being like liquid in a glass is still so relevant for his central nervous system. Here’s a list from his travel day:

✅ “early” wake-up call (that’s anything before 11 a.m. for him)
✅ packing (and realizing with prompting he forgot a few things - but at least correctable before leaving home)
✅ uncertainty of when lunch would be, and where we’d find something safe for him (he has celiac also)
✅ wanting to get to the hotel before 7 p.m. (it’s an OCD thing. We made it by 6:58! 😮‍💨)
✅ realizing he didn’t have his own bathroom in the hotel room (a big deal for him).

So his glass was overflowing - a meltdown.

The good news is some alone time in the room allowed for a pouring out of the overflow, and a great night of sleep (12 hours!) allowed for recovery. Day 2 was much better.

How do you pour water out of your own glass when you’re stressed? Or how do you help your neurospicy loved one co-regulate?

01/14/2026

🧠 Trauma isn’t always about big events; sometimes it’s about the little things that build up over time.

In our latest episode (the 25th!), Becky Aten and Chelsea discuss how understanding can transform our approach to children. It’s about learning and growing together!

What are some ways you’ve learned to co-regulate autistic children?

01/04/2026

So important for families with school-aged children!

Start off the new year with learning from other families about the transition to adulthood for youth with disabilities! Jan. 13, 5:30 - 6:30pm - Register and find all our upcoming sessions at familyvoiceswi.org/events-calendar/