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PODCAST

Refrigerator Moms

Kelley Jensen, Julianna Scott

Born from 20 years of friendship, during which they navigated the trenches of autism parenting and advocacy, the Refrigerator Moms is Kelley Jensen and Julianna Scott’s way of reaching out to parents waging the same battles they were. Their purpose with this podcast is to clear the fog, silence the noise, and find a path through neurodivergence for parents that are stuck between bad choices. They tackle parenting topics such as mom guilt, tantrums, pathological demand avoidance, siblings,

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

21:33

From Vodka to Therapy Conflicts: Tough Situations for...

Refrigerator Moms ·

2026/02/18

Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen tackle controversial parenting scenarios from autism Facebook groups, exploring real dilemmas that leave parents stumped. When a 13-year-old autistic child steals vodka to share with friends, is it a consequence problem or a safety issue? The hosts dissect problematic advice about validating risky behavior and discuss why understanding a child's developmental level matters more than imposing consequences. They also address therapy conflicts when ABA and

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11:37

An Inconvenient Study Review: How Fear Mongering...

Refrigerator Moms ·

2026/02/11

Julianna and Kelley dissect "An Inconvenient Study," a documentary from the creators of Vaxxed that claims 54% of American children have chronic illnesses caused by vaccines. The film features Del Bigtree's undercover footage of a Henry Ford Health researcher who conducted a flawed retrospective study comparing vaccinated and unvaccinated children. The hosts connect this documentary's rhetoric to RFK Jr's current HHS proposals for similar Medicare/Medicaid studies, explaining why

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39:07

Autism Plus: Understanding Comorbid Diagnoses Over Time

Refrigerator Moms ·

2026/02/04

Getting an autism diagnosis can feel like the end of a journey, but it's actually the starting line. Kelley and Julianna walk through the full diagnostic process, from the first red flags to navigating medical diagnoses versus educational evaluations, and why each step matters. They share their own early experiences, break down the difference between screening and formal evaluation, and explain why self-diagnosis simply isn't enough. The conversation covers comorbid diagnoses, disclosure

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12:38

Autism Barbie & The Autism Industrial Complex: What...

Refrigerator Moms ·

2026/01/29

Julianna and Kelley examine the "Autism Industrial Complex" through the lens of Mattel's new Autistic Barbie doll. Drawing from a 2022 book, they break down how autism has become a multi-billion dollar business driven by hope, fear, and claims of science. The hosts critique how ABA therapy, genetic research, and products like Autistic Barbie perpetuate this system while often excluding severely autistic individuals from the conversation. They discuss vaccination fearmongering, corporate

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26:46

Practical Autism Parenting: Bath Time Wins, Vaccine...

Refrigerator Moms ·

2026/01/21

Julianna and Kelley tackle three critical parenting challenges from social media questions. They explore practical solutions for hygiene resistance, including making bath time fun rather than punitive. The hosts address inappropriate vaccination questions directed at autism parents, discussing timing, sensitivity, and respect. They examine the growing concern around Roblox addiction, sharing evidence that unlimited screen time approaches are failing. The episode emphasizes building positive

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13:26

Why Dads of Autistic Kids Struggle Silently (And How...

Refrigerator Moms ·

2026/01/14

Hosts Kelley Jensen and Julianna Scott explore the overlooked mental health struggles of fathers raising autistic children. While extensive research exists on mothers' mental health, fathers remain understudied with only small sample sizes available. The conversation reveals how dads often take a backseat to their partners' needs, struggle with stigma around seeking help, and approach autism acceptance differently than mothers. The episode emphasizes the importance of communication between

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36:36

Is Screen Time the New Smoking? Autism Parenting in...

Refrigerator Moms ·

2026/01/07

Screens have become an unavoidable part of modern parenting, but what happens when unlimited screen time becomes the default for autistic children? Julianna and Kelley explore why screen time is being compared to smoking, examining the advice circulating in PDA communities that promotes unlimited screen access as emotional regulation. They break down the neurological impact of constant digital stimulation, discuss why screens interfere with critical skill development, and share practical

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23:19

Profound Autism Needs 24/7 Care: The Crisis No One's...

Refrigerator Moms ·

2025/12/31

Julianna and Kelley discuss the National Council on Severe Autism's position statement advocating for severe or profound autism to be recognized as its own diagnosis, separate from the broader autism spectrum. They explore the evolution from DSM-IV's three-tier classification system to DSM-5's umbrella approach, examining how this change has impacted service allocation and representation. The conversation highlights the tension between neurodiversity advocacy and the needs of profoundly

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14:20

Cold Hard Truths: The Holidays with Autism

Refrigerator Moms ·

2025/12/24

Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen tackle the unique challenges of holiday celebrations with autistic children. From routine disruptions to the complexity of Santa Claus traditions, the hosts share personal stories of aggression, anxiety, and family adjustments. They discuss practical strategies including one-on-one visits, managing expectations, and creating new traditions that prioritize peace over perfection. The conversation offers honest insights into traveling with autistic children and

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8:47

Cold Hard Truths: Why Haven't I Heard of This?

Refrigerator Moms ·

2025/12/18

Kelley and Julianna explore transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as a breakthrough treatment for autism-related mental health conditions. Kelley shares her professional journey working in a TMS clinic and how she discovered this drug-free, non-invasive therapy when seeking OCD treatment for her son. The hosts discuss why innovative treatments like TMS remain under-marketed despite proven effectiveness and introduce the concept of twice-exceptional (2E) children—intellectually gifted kids

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33:53

Cold Hard Truths: Disinformation: The Refrigerator...

Refrigerator Moms ·

2025/12/10

Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen explore the disturbing history behind their podcast name, tracing the "refrigerator mother theory" from Leo Kanner and Bruno Bettelheim through the 1970s. The hosts examine how mothers were blamed for causing autism through cold, detached parenting—a theory used to institutionalize autistic children. They connect this historical scapegoating to modern vaccine misinformation, discussing Andrew Wakefield's fraudulent research and RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccine

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15:06

Cold Hard Truths: RFK Jr., IDEA, and More Dogs

Refrigerator Moms ·

2025/12/03

Julianna and Kelley tackle RFK Jr.'s latest claim connecting circumcision and autism through Tylenol use, dissecting the contradictions in his ongoing theories. They explore concerns about potential Department of Education cuts and their impact on IDEA compliance, emphasizing that only six states currently meet requirements. The hosts provide practical advice for parents to protect their children's educational rights by going local and understanding state-level entitlements. The episode

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19:03

Cold Hard Truths: What Would We Do? Social Media...

Refrigerator Moms ·

2025/11/26

Hosts Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen dissect real social media posts from autism parenting communities, examining everything from questionable professional advice to the parent coaching industry loophole. They tackle "my house, my rules" parenting strategies, expose the unregulated world of social media parent coaches charging thousands without licenses, and address the challenge of childhood boredom in autism families. With their signature blend of validation and practical wisdom, they

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28:30

Lights, Camera, Autism! On-Screen Portrayals of...

Refrigerator Moms ·

2025/11/20

Julianna and Kelley explore how autism is portrayed in movies and TV, from Rain Man to The Good Doctor. They discuss problematic stereotypes like the savant genius and the burdensome child, examine why most autistic characters are straight white males, and question who these portrayals actually serve. The hosts share their favorites—including Loop, Everything's Gonna Be Okay, and A Kind of Spark—that get representation right by featuring autistic actors and depicting authentic experiences

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15:43

Cold Hard Truths: Mom Friendships

Refrigerator Moms ·

2025/11/12

Hosts Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen explore the complexities of maintaining friendships while raising autistic children. They candidly discuss losing friends who couldn't handle disability, navigating hierarchy within autism mom groups, and dealing with toxic positivity from well-meaning acquaintances. The conversation highlights the importance of finding authentic connections with people who understand your reality without comparison or competition. Through personal stories of both

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16:14

Cold Hard Truths: Chatbots, Suicide, and SAINT

Refrigerator Moms ·

2025/11/05

Julianna and Kelley explore the alarming rise of AI chatbot usage among teenagers and its dangerous implications for mental health. With 72% of American teens using AI chatbots as companions and 5.2 million seeking mental health support from them, the hosts discuss how these platforms can encourage self-harm, medication refusal, and social isolation. They share practical strategies for parents to recognize warning signs, initiate conversations about AI relationships, and establish healthy

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36:34

Something to See Here: Masking and Autism

Refrigerator Moms ·

2025/10/29

Hosts Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen explore autism masking—the conscious or unconscious strategy used by autistic people to appear non-autistic. They clarify common misconceptions, distinguishing masking from behavioral changes and social skills. The discussion covers why people mask, the exhausting nature of constant performance, and the importance of safe spaces to unmask. Through personal examples, they examine workplace dynamics, late versus early diagnosis differences, and the

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23:58

Cold Hard Truths: What Would We Do? Social Media...

Refrigerator Moms ·

2025/10/22

Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen dive into controversial parenting topics trending on social media, examining posts about unlimited screen time for neurodivergent children, the concept of "hermeneutical injustice" in food aversion disorders, and debates around ODD versus PDA diagnoses. They critically analyze how online echo chambers reinforce potentially harmful parenting practices while discussing the importance of balanced approaches to screen time regulation and the dangers of relying

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17:02

Cold Hard Truths: Acceptance

Refrigerator Moms ·

2025/10/15

Hosts Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen explore the concept of "speed to acceptance" when parenting autistic children. Drawing from the five stages of grief, they discuss how quickly moving through denial, anger, bargaining, and depression to reach acceptance can free parents emotionally and help them recognize their child's progress realistically. The hosts share personal stories, including Julianna's pink room painting project, and critique the well-meaning but often unhelpful "Welcome to

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35:06

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): As Easy as ABC

Refrigerator Moms ·

2025/10/08

Hosts Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen dive into Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), exploring its evolution from Ivar Lovaas's pioneering work to modern practices. They address common myths and criticisms while sharing personal experiences of how ABA transformed their families. From potty training to turn-taking and communication skills, the hosts explain why ABA remains a cornerstone therapy for autistic children, how it's covered by insurance, and practical strategies for finding quality

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40 results

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