
Autism. Science. Hope.
From The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide by Candace Dellacona, Offit Kurman
February 2, 2026 · 31 min · Season 3 · Episode 15
About this episode
Dr. Theresa Lyons discusses raising a child with autism and navigating the medical system.
On this episode of The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide , host Candace Dellacona sits down with Dr. Theresa Lyons—a Yale-educated scientist and founder of Navigating AWEtism—to talk candidly about raising a child with autism while navigating the complex medical system. From decoding the autism diagnosis process to building the right healthcare team, Dr. Lyons shares practical guidance, research-backed insights, and a message of real hope for families doing it all. A must-listen for parents balancing special-needs parenting and elder care. 00:00 Introduction to the Sandwich Generation Survival Guide 00:45 Meet Dr. Theresa Lyons: A Yale-Trained Scientist and Autism Advocate 01:40 Dr. Lyons' Personal Journey with Autism 02:41 Navigating the Emotional and Scientific Challenges of Autism 06:43 Building the Right Healthcare Team 09:29 Conventional vs. Functional Medicine 14:25 Scientific Insights and Hopeful Research 23:05 Balancing Care for Children with Autism and Aging Parents 25:01 The Importance of Self-Care and Delegation 28:12 Celebrating Small Victories and Building Support Systems 29:39 Conclusion and Resources For more information on Navigating AWEtism, visit their website…
People in this episode
Host: Candace Dellacona
Guest: Dr. Theresa Lyons
Topics covered
- autism
- healthcare
- parenting
- special needs
- elder care
- support systems
Keywords
- autism
- healthcare team
- parenting
- special needs
- self-care
- research
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Navigating AWEtism, Yale
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- Building a Legacy of Love with Christy Byrne Yates · April 16, 2026 · 33 min
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