Autism Behind Closed Doors
From Broke Boyz From Fresno by Martin M
April 5, 2026 · 50 min · Season 3 · Episode 38
About this episode
The episode features an interview with autism advocate LaShawn Toney discussing the challenges of raising a nonverbal autistic teen and the support provided by her nonprofit, Jorgia’s Impact.
We sit down with autism advocate and nonprofit founder LaShawn Toney to hear the raw reality of raising a nonverbal autistic teen while navigating a dual diagnosis and constant caregiving. We talk about building Jorgia’s Impact so families feel seen, get real support, and stop carrying the hardest parts alone. • Jorgia’s Impact and why it is named after Jorgia • Autism-friendly events that make families feel safe • Feed a Family and respite support to reduce caregiver stress • What autism is, how the spectrum varies, and what nonverbal can look like • AAC devices and how technology helps communication • The unseen toll on parents, marriages, and autism siblings • Hospital challenges, cystic fibrosis realities, and long stays • Loneliness, burnout, and learning to direct anger at autism not the child • Bullying, disability awareness, and children’s books that teach empathy • School support wins plus gaps in training and safety • Why bus driver training and classroom accountability matter Please give them follow and subscribe to the channel on YouTube at Jorgia's Journey. Instagram and Facebook @Lashawn.Toney and TikTok @Jorgiajourney. Follow us @ brokeboyz_ff on Instagram and…
People in this episode
Host: Martin M
Guest: LaShawn Toney
Topics covered
- autism advocacy
- caregiving
- nonverbal autism
- support for families
- technology in communication
- mental health
- education and training
Keywords
- autism
- nonverbal
- caregiver stress
- AAC devices
- bullying
- disability awareness
- school support
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Jorgia’s Impact
More episodes of Broke Boyz From Fresno
- Real Music Careers Are Built On Strategy And Character · April 30, 2026 · 1h 43m
- What If Your Purpose Starts With One Meal · March 18, 2026 · 56 min
- How Faith, Timing, And Grit Turned A Small-Town Idea Into A Platform · March 1, 2026 · 56 min
- Valentine’s Night At Warnor’s · February 23, 2026 · 48 min
- Ralph Edwards and The Vibecheck Band: The Rise In Fresno! · February 7, 2026 · 59 min
- Finding Joy And Grit In Fresno’s Music Scene · January 25, 2026 · 27 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Broke Boyz From Fresno podcast page.