Parent the Child, Not the Diagnosis | Nora Canzoneri on Autism, Acceptance, and Letting Go
About this episode
Sarah Kernion and Nora Canzoneri discuss the importance of parenting the child rather than focusing solely on the autism diagnosis.
An autism diagnosis changes everything—but it should never become the only thing you see. In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with longtime friend and autism mom Nora Canzoneri for an honest conversation about autism advocacy, caregiver stories, and learning to parent the child before the diagnosis. ⸻ Full Episode Description When Nora Canzoneri’s son Cam received his autism diagnosis in 2018, she walked out of a developmental pediatrician’s office with a diagnosis, a list of books, and instructions to find ABA therapy. Like so many parents beginning an autism diagnosis journey, she was left with more questions than answers. Years later, Nora reflects on what she wishes she had known from the beginning: while autism is an important part of her son’s life, it is not the whole story. Together, Sarah and Nora explore neurodivergent parenting, caregiver experiences, the pressure to act quickly after an autism diagnosis, and the cultural expectations that quietly shape how parents measure progress. They discuss the urgency many families feel to “do everything right,” the grief of letting go of imagined timelines, and the freedom that comes from recognizing…
People in this episode
Host: Sarah Kernion
Guest: Nora Canzoneri
Topics covered
- autism advocacy
- neurodivergent parenting
- caregiver experiences
- cultural expectations
- family travel
- sensory regulation
- anxiety
Keywords
- autism
- neurodiversity
- parenting
- caregiver
- milestones
- family
- acceptance
- anxiety
- sensory regulation
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: ABA therapy, Inchstones
More episodes of Inchstones with Sarah | Autism Parenting & Neurodiversity Insights
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- Beyond the Autism Diagnosis: Seeing the Child Before the Label | Dr. John Gaitanis
- Autism Fatherhood: When My Son Brought Me to My Knees | Tommy of Spectrum in Camouflage
- Why Autism Moms Never Stop Listening for Footsteps with Libby Hudson
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