Complex Kids, Simple Solutions

• Sam Mitchell – From Advocate to Advocate: A Self-Advocate’s Journey Through Autism, School, and Self-Discovery

  In Episode 12 of Complex Kids, Simple Solutions, Michelle Choairy welcomes Sam Mitchell, the dynamic host of Autism Rocks and Rolls and a proud self-advocate on the autism spectrum. Diagnosed at age four, Sam has gone from receiving speech therapy and IEP support in school to building a podcast empire, giving TED Talks, and inspiring others to embrace who they are.Together, Michelle and Sam explore what it’s like growing up with autism from the inside out—touching on school challenges, social struggles, parent advocacy, and the moment Sam realized he had to become his own voice. It’s a raw, funny, and insightful conversation between a mom who advocates daily for her complex child and a young man who’s lived it and found his purpose in the process.Whether you're a parent wondering if your efforts are making a difference or someone on the spectrum trying to find your place in the world, this episode is full of honest reflections and uplifting truths.👤 About the Guest Sam Mitchell is a podcast host, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and the President of Autism Rocks and Rolls Corporation. Diagnosed with autism at a young age, Sam has dedicated his career to proving that people with autism are not broken—they’re powerful. Through his podcast and speaking engagements, he inspires neurodivergent individuals to own their uniqueness and educates the world on acceptance and inclusion.🔗 Connect with Sam Mitchell Website: https://www.autismrocksandrolls.com Email: [email protected] Instagram: @autismrocksandrollspodcast TED Talk: Souled Structure 📞 812-699-7811Listen to this episode and more athttps://wisdom4complexkids.com/complexkidssimplesolutions 🎧 Connect with Michelle: Website: www.wisdom4complexkids.com Instagram: @michellechoairy Join the community: Wisdom 4 Complex Kids Facebook Group 💌 Have a question or want to share your story? Email Michelle at [email protected] 🧠 Want simple tools that actually work? Download the free advocacy toolkit: wisdom4complexkids.com/the-ultimate-advocacy-toolkit-pdf

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• Elissa Green Kaustinen: Bridging Medical and School Systems for IEP Success

  In this episode of Complex Kids, Simple Solutions, Michelle welcomes back Elissa Green Kaustinen, FAST Director at Chapman University’s Thompson Policy Institute and a trusted expert on navigating IEPs and special education systems. Elissa brings a rare, deeply collaborative perspective—bridging the often disconnected worlds of healthcare and education for families raising neurodivergent and complex kids.Michelle and Elissa dive into why parents so often feel shut out of the IEP process, what’s really happening behind the scenes in school meetings, and how caregivers can confidently advocate without needing a law degree. They also share the powerful role medical information can (and should) play in shaping school supports—and how Elissa supported Drake through some of his most challenging school transitions.This episode is packed with practical insight, vulnerable storytelling, and a refreshing reminder: you don’t have to navigate these systems alone.👤 About the Guest: Elissa Green Kaustinen is the FAST Director (Families, Agencies, and Schools Together) at Chapman University's Thompson Policy Institute and is based at the Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center. With a background as a school psychologist and district-level specialist, Elissa helps families bridge medical and educational systems to advocate effectively for their child's needs. She brings over two decades of experience in special education systems, program development, and inclusive advocacy—working directly with doctors, educators, and parents to align support plans that truly serve each child.🔗 Connect with Elissa: Website: Chapman University - Thompson Policy Institute Center: Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental CenterListen to this episode and more athttps://wisdom4complexkids.com/complexkidssimplesolutions 🎧 Connect with Michelle: Website: www.wisdom4complexkids.com Instagram: @michellechoairy Join the community: Wisdom 4 Complex Kids Facebook Group 💌 Have a question or want to share your story? Email Michelle at [email protected] 🧠 Want simple tools that actually work? Download the free advocacy toolkit: wisdom4complexkids.com/the-ultimate-advocacy-toolkit-pdf

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• Yvette Holmes: Parenting Through Rare Diagnosis and Building Global Support for TBR1 Families

  In this episode of Complex Kids, Simple Solutions, Michelle welcomes Yvette Holmes, a devoted mother and rare disease advocate based in the Netherlands, whose son Jack was one of the first individuals diagnosed with the genetic disorder TBR1.Yvette shares the emotional and isolating road that followed Jack’s diagnosis, and how that journey led her to create a powerful online community through the TBR1 Facebook group, now a global lifeline for families navigating similar rare paths.Together, Michelle and Yvette talk about the challenges of raising a child with an ultra-rare condition, what it means to step into advocacy as a parent, and how Yvette’s shift from a 20+ year career in finance to disability care reflects a deeper calling to serve families like her own.This episode is about courage, connection, and the power of creating what doesn’t yet exist—for your child, and for others. Whether your child has a known diagnosis or not, Yvette’s story reminds us of the strength that grows from community.👤 About the Guest: Yvette Holmes is the mother of Jack, one of the first children diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder TBR1. She is the founder of the TBR1 Facebook group, a global support network for families impacted by this rare condition. Yvette left a 20+ year career in financial services to work in disability care, where she now blends personal experience with professional purpose to support children with high needs in the Netherlands.Listen to this episode and more athttps://wisdom4complexkids.com/complexkidssimplesolutions 🎧 Connect with Michelle: Website: www.wisdom4complexkids.com Instagram: @michellechoairy Join the community: Wisdom 4 Complex Kids Facebook Group 💌 Have a question or want to share your story? Email Michelle at [email protected] 🧠 Want simple tools that actually work? Download the free advocacy toolkit: wisdom4complexkids.com/the-ultimate-advocacy-toolkit-pdf

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• Maddie Sober: Finding the Right Mental Health Partner for Your Complex Kid

  In this episode of Complex Kids, Simple Solutions, Michelle welcomes Madeline "Maddy" Sober, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) who brings deep expertise—and heart—to supporting complex kids and their families.As Director of Operations and Clinical Supervisor at Mind Health Institute, Orange County, Maddy shares why finding the right mental health professional is critical, what parents should really look for when building their child’s care team, and how to navigate the challenges (and emotions) that often come with it.Together, Michelle and Maddy dive into the real behind-the-scenes process—what it takes to advocate for your child, why mental health support should extend to the entire family, and how early, individualized intervention can change everything.This conversation will leave you feeling more equipped, more empowered, and most importantly, less alone on the complex kid journey.👤 About the Guest: Madeline "Maddy" Sober is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Diplomate of the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies, and a Certified CBT Therapist. She provides individual psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and young adults and supervises clinicians at Mind Health Institute, Orange County. Maddy is passionate about tailoring her approach to each child’s unique needs and is active in leadership, advocacy, and research at national, regional, and county levels. She is currently completing a Ph.D. focused on educating and training therapists in child mental health.🔗 Connect with Maddy: Website: Mind Health Institute, Orange County Educational Resources: Mental Health Resources Instagram: @mhiorangecounty LinkedIn: Mind Health Institute OC Facebook: Mind Health Institute OC on FacebookListen to this episode and more athttps://wisdom4complexkids.com/complexkidssimplesolutions 🎧 Connect with Michelle: Website: www.wisdom4complexkids.com Instagram: @michellechoairy Join the community: Wisdom 4 Complex Kids Facebook Group 💌 Have a question or want to share your story? Email Michelle at [email protected] 🧠 Want simple tools that actually work? Download the free advocacy toolkit: wisdom4complexkids.com/the-ultimate-advocacy-toolkit-pdf

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• Michelle Kennedy, LCSW – The Advocate Inside the System: What Social Workers Want Every Parent to Know

  In Episode 8 of Complex Kids, Simple Solutions, Michelle Choairy sits down with Michelle Kennedy, a licensed clinical social worker who’s spent over a decade navigating pediatric healthcare systems alongside families of medically complex kids. From hospitals to home care, Michelle K. has seen it all—and she’s here to share what really goes on behind the scenes.They talk about the essential role social workers play in advocating for children, coordinating care, and guiding parents through the emotional and logistical overwhelm of complex diagnoses. If you’ve ever wondered what support is available inside the healthcare system—and how to access it—this episode is your roadmap.Expect real talk, insider tips, and powerful moments of advocacy you won’t want to miss.👤 About the Guest Michelle Kennedy, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with over ten years of experience in healthcare. She specializes in pediatric care for medically complex patients and is deeply committed to improving access, communication, and support for families. Michelle works at the intersection of clinical care and advocacy, helping parents feel confident as they navigate healthcare systems. 🔗 Connect with Michelle Kennedy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msimeskennedy/Listen to this episode and more athttps://wisdom4complexkids.com/complexkidssimplesolutions 🎧 Connect with Michelle: Website: www.wisdom4complexkids.com Instagram: @michellechoairy Join the community: Wisdom 4 Complex Kids Facebook Group 💌 Have a question or want to share your story? Email Michelle at [email protected] 🧠 Want simple tools that actually work? Download the free advocacy toolkit: wisdom4complexkids.com/the-ultimate-advocacy-toolkit-pdf

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