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PODCAST

Taking Authority Over Autism

takingauthorityoverautism

They call Sheletta Minnesota’s Autism Mom, not just because she has three kids on the spectrum, but because she’s an advocate for parents who have children with special needs. Each week, the best-selling author shares strategies for success on everything from finding scholarships to safety tips.

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

20:45

Helping victims of sexual violence

Taking Authority Over Autism ·

2026/04/08

If you're looking for an opportunity to help victims of sexual violence, Ramsey County is training volunteers to staff its crisis line. Sheletta chats with Liz De La Torre to find out more about the program.

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20:14

Help for Hispanic communities in Washington County

Taking Authority Over Autism ·

2026/03/31

With the trauma that the Hispanic community is experiencing with Operation Metro Surge, one organization is working to address mental health, protective factors, and opioid education in a culturally responsive way. Sheletta chats with Karina Kelton of Raices Latinas Minnesota about the programs and services they provide to Washington County residents.

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21:09

Teaching the Teacher

Taking Authority Over Autism ·

2026/03/24

Sheletta chats with Shelley Neilsen Gatti at the University of St Thomas and Annette Lee from St. Paul Public Schools about a really unique program that provides a non traditional program that creates a pathway to get more diverse teachers in the classrooms.

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18:56

Finding a phone friend for Grandpa!

Taking Authority Over Autism ·

2026/03/17

When Sheletta's father-in-law moved into their home, he felt alone and isolated from his friends. She wishes she had known about Friends & Co. to help him find a phone buddy to chat with to lift his spirits. Featuring Emma Lucchesi from Friends & Co., discussing the ‘Coffee Talk’ program, which connects older adults through meaningful conversation and community.

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20:36

Eat right; have a healthier life

Taking Authority Over Autism ·

2026/03/10

Moms with autism oftentimes go without eating. The long days and even longer nights don't lend themselves to a sit down breakfast with the kids. Dinners can be daunting. So how do you get a nutritious, quick meal? Sheletta found a sweet surprise in the frozen food section at her local Hy-Vee grocery store that allows busy moms to have a tasty treat!

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20:50

Don't be lax, lock up your cannabis.

Taking Authority Over Autism ·

2026/03/03

Cannabis is legal in Minnesota, but that doesn't mean you should be lax about where you store it. Kids with autism are inquisitive and will reach for things they're not supposed to have. Sheletta talks with her friends in Minneapolis about a program that will give you a bag to lock up your goodies, free of charge, so you can keep your kiddos safe.

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20:27

Do your part. Save a Life.

Taking Authority Over Autism ·

2026/02/24

Sheletta chats with her friends at Steve Rummler's Hope Network about how folks in Washington County can help provide naloxone to people in need to prevent opioid overdose deaths.

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25:00

Housing help in St. Louis Park

Taking Authority Over Autism ·

2026/02/17

For families in St. Louis Park who need help upgrading their homes but can't afford it, Sheletta tells you about some funding you can tap into to get it done on the latest episode of her autism podcast.

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20:59

What happens when they get older?

Taking Authority Over Autism ·

2026/02/10

Now, 1 in 34 children in Minnesota has autism, and many school-based programs exist to help meet their needs. But at some point, they'll grow up. What happens when it's 1 in 34 elderly people on the spectrum? What's available for them then? One Minnesota-based organization, Hammer and N.E.R., has a new campaign and hopes to provide the long-term care many parents will be looking for in the future.

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25:05

Employment help for people with autism

Taking Authority Over Autism ·

2026/02/04

Sheletta chats with her friend Dee Torgerson from the Vocational Rehabilitation Office at Minnesota's Department of Employment and Economic Development about how the program helps people with autism prepare for, find and keep a job. https://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/disabilities/

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22:54

Getting your autistic teen to work

Taking Authority Over Autism ·

2026/01/27

As Sheletta's oldest autistic son, Brandon, gets to the age where he can find a job, her biggest challenge is getting him there. She called her friend Barbara Bursack, a mobility manager at GoWashingtonMN.com, to explore safe transportation options and training for him.

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20:39

Getting your autistic kids active

Taking Authority Over Autism ·

2026/01/20

Sheletta is so excited that her autistic kids are getting active in after school programs like theater and debate team. She's encouraging other parents to take a leap of faith and sign up their high functioning children on the spectrum for extra curricular activities. Up first: The Civics Bee!www.ymcanorth.org/locations/center_for_youth_voice/programs/national_civics_bee

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21:01

Mississippi doing better than Minnesota?

Taking Authority Over Autism ·

2026/01/13

There are billboards popping up all over town that say Mississippi students have better reading test scores than children in Minnesota. What in the world? If Mississippi, known for being dead last in education every year, is better than us, what is that saying about our schools? Sheletta's talking to the brilliant brain behind these viral billboards and what conversation he hopes parents will spark with their schools and teachers, especially moms and dads of autistic kiddos.

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21:32

New merger means more services for neurodiverse...

Taking Authority Over Autism ·

2026/01/06

Sheletta chats with her friends at Dakota County Technical College and Inver Hills about the two college communities and their upcoming merger and how it's a win-win situation for neurodivergent students on the latest episode of her autism podcast.

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16:31

Put down that cigarette, pick up the telephone

Taking Authority Over Autism ·

2025/12/31

Start the new year right by breaking some bad habits that you picked up during COVID like smoking. On this week's episode of Taking Authority over Autism, Sheletta shows you how to put down the cigarette and pick up the phone to call Quit Partner at 1-800-QUIT-NOW. They have programs, medication and one-on-one coaching to help you break free from your nicotine addiction. https://www.quitpartnermn.com/

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18:33

Reliable supplemental transportation for your special...

Taking Authority Over Autism ·

2025/12/30

Sheletta is trying to figure out how to get her 7th grader to theater camp and her 8th grader to debate practice while picking up her 5th grader from school all at the same time. Being a divorced parent of three kids with autism, she's got to be careful about how they get to their appointments and after-school activities. She was excited to find out about HopSkipDrive, a supplemental student transportation service that uses vetted CareDrivers to provide rides with just six hours notice.

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20:45

In the midst of all the autism fraud happening in...

Taking Authority Over Autism ·

2025/12/23

Sheletta introduces her listeners to the Minnesota Autism Center Midwest, a trusted autism therapy center that serves children on the spectrum. She chats with MAC Midwest's CEO Christine Bent who has been a leader in healthcare for three decades.

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22:59

How to COPE with stress

Taking Authority Over Autism ·

2025/12/16

Holiday stress is hard, but you don't have to struggle alone. Sheletta chats with Jihan Ali from Hennepin County who shares information about a vital resource that offers help for you to COPE if you're in crisis mode so you can get back to living your best and healthiest life.

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24:46

Black mommas battle for service

Taking Authority Over Autism ·

2025/12/11

Black moms share their experience of fighting for fairness for their autistic children both inside and outside of their homes. Sheletta chats with Vinyarie, a fellow African American autism mom who says a library story time with her son crushed her spirit then made her a crusader for equity for neurodiverse children.

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40:49

Finding the right provider for your Black autistic child

Taking Authority Over Autism ·

2025/12/10

Sheletta chats with Andrea Lawson Founder and Chief Principal Consultant of HealthEQ Solutions, where she partners with organizations to design inclusive systems, about what it looks like to provide culturally competent care to Black neurodiverse children.

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201 results

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