Episode 264: How to Navigate Parental Stress, Trauma, and Burnout with Dr. Theresa Lyons

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What happens when you deeply love your child and believe they are exactly who they are meant to be—but the realities of raising a child on the spectrum can still leave you overwhelmed, exhausted, or carrying experiences that are hard to talk about?

In this vulnerable and important episode of The Balanced Parent Podcast, I am joined by Dr. Theresa Lyons, a scientist, autism researcher, and mother of an autistic daughter, to talk honestly about the realities of parenting a child on the spectrum—including the stress, trauma, uncertainty, and emotional toll that parents may experience along the way.

Here are the topics we covered:

  • Why autism can look so different from one child to another

  • How parents can evaluate research and determine what information is actually relevant to their child

  • The emotional realities and challenges of raising an autistic child

  • Why parents may feel shame, guilt, or hesitation about talking honestly about difficult experiences

  • Understanding the difference between an autistic meltdown and a tantrum

  • How repeated meltdowns and stressful experiences can affect a parent's nervous system

  • Recognizing signs that you may be living in a state of chronic stress or hyperarousal

  • How parental regulation influences a child's sense of safety and ability to regulate

  • Using journaling and self-awareness to notice patterns in your reactions

  • Building a support system that meets different emotional and practical needs

  • Why parents don't need to rely on one person to fulfill every kind of support role

  • Finding ways to maintain your identity outside of being an “autism parent”

  • The importance of processing and releasing stored trauma

  • Exploring EMDR and other body-based approaches for trauma recovery

  • Trauma-releasing exercises (TRE), yoga, movement, and other body-based ways to support nervous system regulation

  • How caring for yourself can become a powerful form of modeling for your child

  • Creating a safe and trustworthy relationship where your child can express themselves and learn to trust their own body and instincts

You can connect with Dr. Theresa Lyons and learn more at navigatingawetism.com and awetism.net, and follow Navigating AWEtism on YouTube, Instagram @theresalyons, Facebook @navigatingawetism, and TikTok for evidence-based information, research, and resources for families.

Remember, acknowledging how hard parenting an autistic child can be doesn’t mean you love and accept them any less—it means recognizing that you need support, too.

Tune in to learn how caring for your own nervous system can help you feel more supported, regulated, and connected with your child.