Chelsea's Vocation

Betsy Spalla is a finance professional by day, and a perpetual student of humans’ emotions. Mom of two now-adult babies, one of whom is on the spectrum, she was diagnosed with ADHD after the birth of her second child. Her journey as a mom of a neurodivergent human, in light of her own neurospiciness, has given her a keen insight into human behavior. She is adept at helping her people identify their feelings and triggers to make positive change.After Chelsea frames the episode with her three key takeaways about mental health and autism, Betsy brings both her lived experience and neurology to the discussion. She provides another perspective of a neurodiverse family as well as actionable tools for managing a balanced household with mixed neurotypes.Research articles Chelsea refers to in the opening narrative:Ma, S. L., Chen, L. H., Lee, C. C., Lai, K. Y. C., Hung, S. F., Tang, C. P., Ho, T. P., Shea, C., Mo, F., Mak, T. S. H., Sham, P. C., &amp; Leung, P. W. L. (2021). ”Genetic Overlap Between Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder in SHANK2 Gene”. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 15, 649588. <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8111170/#B12">https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8111170/#B12</a> Pettersson, E., Lichtenstein, P., Larsson, H., Song, J., Agrawal, A., Børglum, A. D., Bulik, C. M., Daly, M. J., Davis, L. K., Demontis, D., Edenberg, H. J., Grove, J., Gelernter, J., Neale, B. M., Pardiñas, A. F., Stahl, E., Walters, J. T. R., Walters, R., Sullivan, P. F., … Polderman, T. J. C. (2019). “Genetic influences on eight psychiatric disorders based on family data of 4 408 646 full and half-siblings, and genetic data of 333 748 cases and controls”. Psychological Medicine, 49(7), 1166–1173. <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6421104/">https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6421104/</a> The following topics and terms, in order of their appearance in the podcast, might evoke some curiosity:phenotypic: The observable characteristics or traits in an individual based on the expression of their genes.<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007472.htm#:~:text=Apraxia">apraxia</a> (<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/">MedlinePlus</a>)The DSM-5 establishes <a href="https://iacc.hhs.gov/about-iacc/subcommittees/resources/dsm5-diagnostic-criteria.shtml#table2">three levels of autism</a> spectrum disorder per support needs, with level 3 being the most significant need.DSM-5: The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed., 2013)<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/women-autism-spectrum-disorder/202208/autistic-linear-spectrum-pie-chart-spectrum">Autism Wheel</a>“<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11242919/">Impact of Child Disability on the Family</a>” Reichman, N. E., Corman, H., &amp; Noonan, K. (2008). Maternal and Child Health Journal, 12(6), 679–683.<a href="https://youtu.be/tEmt1Znux58?feature=shared">box breathing</a>Feelings are not facts.Disappointments are inevitable, but misery is optional.Next episode: Dadding Autistic HumansPodcast includes an introduction for episodes 6 and following at the beginning. Transition music, "Taking a Vocation", by Noey Budde. Closing narration for episodes 6 and following.

Dani Jo is a married mama of two autistic girls (well, now women). She definitely never expected to have the “Autism Mama" title but is thankful for the journey and the fierce women she has met along the way. She “bucked the system" as her children were leaving elementary school, as her home school was not implementing their <a href="https://sites.ed.gov/idea/topic-areas/#IEP">IEPs</a>. She spent a few years advocating for choices for special needs children and played a critical role in getting the "<a href="https://dpi.wi.gov/parental-education-options/special-needs-scholarship">Special Needs Scholarship Program</a>" passed in the state of Wisconsin.She's a firm believer in choosing her battles and considers herself a retired Mama Bear.She joins Chelsea for this special Mother’s Day episode of the podcast as part of Chelsea’s “tribe”, takes us through her family’s autism journey, and exposes her own breaking and reframing of what her daughters’ autism means to herself and the greater community.The following topics and terms, in order of their appearance in the podcast, might evoke some curiosity:<a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22430-torticollis">torticollis</a> (Cleveland Clinic)<a href="https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/birthto3/index.htm">Birth to 3</a>: This Wisconsin program for early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families, which is similar to programs in other states, is federally mandated through the <a href="https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/individuals-disabilities/idea">Individuals with Disabilities Education Act</a> (IDEA), Part C.<a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/25094-pediatric-occupational-therapy">occupational therapy</a> (OT)Pervasive Developmental Disorder: In the <a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm/about-dsm/history-of-the-dsm">DSM</a>-IV, which was published by the <a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-the-dsm">APA</a> in 1994, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) was an umbrella for diagnoses including Autism, Asperger's, Rett's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified).Little to no eye contact was a key benchmark in screenings for autism in the early 2000s. See this 2013 <a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/eye-contact-declines-young-infants-autism">NIH article</a>.joint control: An <a href="https://childmind.org/article/controversy-around-applied-behavior-analysis/">ABA</a> technique that aims to help children with autism develop more complex language and cognitive skills by enabling them to respond to multiple stimuli simultaneously.<a href="https://www.easterseals.com/explore-resources/child-development-screening-tool">Easterseals’ child development screening tool</a><a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-apraxia-of-speech/symptoms-causes/syc-20352045">apraxia of speech</a> (Mayo Clinic)<a href="https://www.bacb.com/bcba/">BCBA</a>: Board Certified Behavior Analyst providing ABA as an intervention for autistic children, as certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.<a href="https://recover-from-grief.com/">Jennie Wright</a>'s <a href="https://recover-from-grief.com/7-stages-of-grief.html">7 Stages of Grief</a> (2011)Episode 4: <a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437426/episodes/16646065-chelsea-s-evolution.mp3?download=true">Chelsea’s Evolution</a> Podcast includes an introduction for episodes 6 and following at the beginning. Transition music, "Taking a Vocation", by Noey Budde. Closing narration for episodes 6 and following.

Jess Sciborski has been a dedicated special educator for over 20 years, working with students in grades K-12 with a wide range of disabilities, especially emotional/behavioral disabilities and autism. Currently a 1:1 Special Education teacher for an area educational agency, she is a fierce advocate for student needs, dignity for all, and celebrating neurodiversity. She believes in presuming competence and meeting students where they are. Outside of teaching, she’s a proud hockey mom to an amazing 8-year-old son with autism.We spent a little time in this episode backing up to Autism Awareness and the vibe that accompanied that movement, which was really focused on what “allistics” (non-autistic people) wanted neurotypical people to know about autism. We then covered how Jess has seen the movement shift to Acceptance, and the progression to Affirmation.The following topics and terms, in order of their appearance in the podcast, might evoke some curiosity:<a href="https://sunfieldcenter.com/neuroaffirming-approaches-for-discussing-disability/">neuroaffirming approaches</a> (Sunfield Center)<a href="https://autisticadvocacy.org/2021/04/acceptance-is-an-action-asan-statement-on-10th-anniversary-of-aam/">Autism Acceptance Month</a> (ASAN)<a href="https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/learning-meltdown-vs-autism-tantrum/">autistic meltdown</a> (Autism Parenting Magazine)<a href="https://embrace-autism.com/autistics-and-eye-contact-its-asynchronous/">autism and eye contact</a> (Embrace Autism)<a href="https://drexel.edu/autisminstitute/news-events/news/2023/June/PuzzlePiece/">No puzzle pieces, thank you</a> (Drexel University Autism Institute)<a href="https://www.pacer.org/transition/learning-center/laws/idea.asp">IDEA and Transition</a> (PACER)<a href="https://autismlittlelearners.com/aac-device/">Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)</a> (Autism Little Learners)<a href="https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/echolalia-autism-child/">echolalia</a> (Autism Parenting Magazine)<a href="https://www.edutopia.org/article/4-ways-students-can-take-active-role-their-iep-meetings/">student-led IEP meetings</a> (Edutopia)<a href="https://www.cast.org/what-we-do/universal-design-for-learning/">Universal Design for Learning (UDL)</a> (CAST)<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36237135/">person- vs. identity-first language</a> (Autism)<a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/autism/functioning-labels-autism">functioning labels</a> (Healthline)Podcast includes an introduction for episodes 6 and following at the beginning. Transition music, "Taking a Vocation", by Noey Budde. Closing narration for episodes 6 and following.

Chris Krasovich wears many hats, as a wife, elected official, board member, butterfly raiser, rabid volunteer, stress baker, world traveler, and appointed representative on the Wisconsin Governor's Autism Council, but her favorite hat is her mom hat. Chris has two spectacular children, one of whom is neurospicy, who she laughs with and learns from every day.In this episode, Chelsea chats with Chris about what acceptance means for her, especially since her son Jacob was diagnosed autistic as a young child. The following topics and terms, in order of their appearance in the podcast, might evoke some curiosity:<a href="https://www.un.org/en/observances/autism-day">World Autism Awareness Day</a>: April 2 was designated as such by the United Nations in 2007.ableist/ableism: a belief that being able-bodied or neurotypical is somehow better than being disabled or neurodivergent. (Full episode on this topic scheduled for October.)expressive language: the ability to use words, sentences, gestures, and writing to express oneself, often through spoken language<a href="https://news.uchicago.edu/explainer/what-is-perfect-pitch">perfect pitch</a>: the ability to recognize and produce a specific pitch without relying on a reference note or interval“<a href="https://www.neurosparkhealth.com/blog/what-does-allistic-mean">allistic</a>”: someone who is not autistic<a href="https://reframingautism.org.au/miltons-double-empathy-problem-a-summary-for-non-academics/">double empathy problem</a>: a bi-directional failure of one neurotype (allistic) to have empathy for another's (autistic) experienceNext episode: Practicing NeuroaffirmationPodcast includes an introduction for episodes 6 and following at the beginning. Transition music, "Taking a Vocation", by Noey Budde. Closing narration for episodes 6 and following.

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-vock-910408a/">Sue Vock</a> is a Christ follower, wife, and mom to three, who has worked for nonprofits her entire career. Her daughter Molly is 30 years old, and was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age 17 after years of evaluations. Sue ministered at a church for over 18 years, worked at an autism nonprofit, and is currently the Director of Development &amp; Marketing at Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha &amp; Jefferson Counties. She is currently leading a support group at her church for parents of children with autism, and serving as an advocate and resource for those families and others she has connected with on her journey. Sue believes God has a plan for every child, adult, and family living with autism as we all reflect the image of God in our own circles of influence.It's easy after reading Sue's bio to know why Chelsea wanted her to be the guest for this episode.There's a lot of "noise" in the space between noticing something is different about your child and getting a diagnosis. Quieting that noise allowed Chelsea to hear God's heartbeat again, and it sounded a lot like the peace she remembered before it seemed her parenting journey was flipped upside down.Chelsea and Sue talk about what practicing their Christian faith looked like before children, verses from the Bible that carried them through those years of raising children, and how the faith community might support its neurodiverse members.Content that may be unfamiliar in the order it comes up in the episode:"What to Expect When …" books: "What to Expect When You're Expecting" (Heidi Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg, and Sandee Hathaway; rev. 1996), "What to Expect the First Year" (Heidi Murkoff, 1994), "What to Expect the Toddler Years" (Heidi Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg, and Sandee Hathaway; 1994)<a href="https://www.waisman.wisc.edu/clinics/autism-dd/">Waisman Center</a>neuropsychologist: For the purpose of this episode, a specialist serving as a clinical evaluator and diagnostician. "Clinical Neuropsychology is a specialty field ... dedicated to understanding the relationships between brain and behavior, particularly as these relationships can be applied to the diagnosis of brain disorder, assessment of cognitive and behavioral functioning and the design of effective treatment." (<a href="https://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/neuropsychology">American Psychological Association</a>)Podcast includes an introduction for episodes 6 and following at the beginning. Transition music, "Taking a Vocation", by Noey Budde. Closing narration for episodes 6 and following.

Pete Budde is a devoted husband to his high school sweetheart, Chelsea, and a proud father to two incredible adults, Justus and Noey. A lifelong learner, he finds joy in reading, music, and competition. With nearly 30 years of professional experience, Pete has been fortunate to work alongside exceptional teammates and colleagues, forming lasting friendships along the way. His passion for growth and connection defines both his personal and professional life, making him a valued friend, mentor, and competitor.Pete came to parenting with the preconceptions that the world was tough, and he would have to raise his kids to be ready to take it on. But when his firstborn (Justus) was diagnosed with autism back in 2003, it was his interaction with the neuropsychologist that upended his perspective and set the Budde family on a different track.Chelsea poses questions to her husband that get right to the heart of the transformative power of parental love. That transformation lead to the marital alignment necessary to ride the stressors that come with parenting <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1ABXhXWRgy/">neurospicy</a> children. While studies suggest that the divorce rate is higher among couples parenting autistic children than neurotypical children (<a href="https://www.kennedykrieger.org/stories/interactive-autism-network-ian/whats-truth-about-autism-and-marriage# ">see article</a>), the Buddes doubled-down on collaboration and acceptance -- a strategy that paid off across their family's quarter-century journey in neurodiverse territory.Podcast includes an introduction for episodes 6 and following at the beginning. Transition music, "Taking a Vocation", by Noey Budde. Closing narration for episodes 6 and following.

It seemed to Chelsea that just as she was learning to adult, she had to learn to parent. And then had to learn to be the parent of children with developmental disabilities. She frames her experiences of navigating this journey to nurse <a href="https://recover-from-grief.com/">Jennie Wright</a>'s <a href="https://recover-from-grief.com/7-stages-of-grief.html">7 Stages of Grief</a> (2011).Chelsea explains her initially ableist feelings around autism and her own feelings of overwhelm kept her in the first four stages longer than she would have liked. But once she hit that Upward Turn, with the belief that God was ahead of and beside her, she was able to evolve into the mama bear her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1933310267155080">neurospicy</a> children needed and deserved for her to be.You'll hear Chelsea refer to Emily Perl Kingsley’s poem <a href="https://www.emilyperlkingsley.com/welcome-to-holland">“Welcome To Holland”</a>. Terminology that may be unfamiliar in the order it comes up in the episode:<a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21184-rhabdomyolysis">rhabdomyolysis</a> (Cleveland Clinic)Guillian-Barré syndrome: a rare autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves in response to an infection, which can result in a muscle paralysis that begins in the extremities and, in serious cases, moves toward the body's core organs. (<a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/guillain-barre-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20362793">Mayo Clinic</a>)<a href="https://sunfieldcenter.com/neuroaffirming-approaches-for-discussing-disability/">neuroaffirming</a><a href="https://childmind.org/article/controversy-around-applied-behavior-analysis/">Applied Behavior Analysis</a><a href="https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/individuals-disabilities/idea">Individuals with Disabilities Education Act</a> (IDEA)<a href="https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/what-is-an-iep-individualized-education-programs-explained/2023/07">Individualized Education Plan</a> (IEP)Medical Home model: an approach to providing comprehensive primary care that facilitates partnerships between patients, clinicians, medical staff, and families (<a href="https://www.aap.org/en/practice-management/medical-home">American Academy of Pediatrics</a>)Podcast includes an introduction for episodes 6 and following at the beginning. Transition music, "Taking a Vocation", by Noey Budde. Closing narration for episodes 6 and following.

Chelsea's second-born, Noey, contributes so much valuable insight in this episode introducing them. A recent graduate from Columbia College Chicago, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/noeybudde/">Noey Budde</a> is still very much trying to find their place in the world, but has a great start with an illustrious background in both the humanitarian and creative fields. Noey is an educated composer creating pieces for various forms of media, primarily podcasts (including this one!) and film. When not in their <a href="https://choircartoonist.wixsite.com/noeybudde">studio</a>, they’re found working alongside the bright students of Chicago as a substitute teacher. One of their biggest dreams is to create media that comforts and reassures others on the spectrum and living with neurodiversity that they’re seen and heard.Noey was diagnosed with <a href="https://embrace-autism.com/an-introduction-to-audhd/">autism and ADHD</a> (<a href="https://embrace-autism.com/about/">Embrace Autism</a>), which makes them an "AuDHDer," two decades ago as a three-year-old girl. Noey now identifies as <a href="https://transequality.org/issues/resources/understanding-nonbinary-people-how-to-be-respectful-and-supportive">nonbinary</a>, prefers they/them pronouns, and is using their lived experience as a substitute teacher.From Noey's perspective, learn why an early diagnosis and self-awareness are advantageous.how stigmatism around neurodivergence and Special Education impacted identity.why educators might "ask why" of a student.the purpose behind "<a href="https://www.prosperhealth.io/blog/autism-and-stimming">stims</a>" (blog from <a href="https://www.prosperhealth.io/">Prosper Health</a>).Chelsea uses these terms that might need explanation: autistic masking (full episode on this topic scheduled for October)ableism/ableist thinking (full episode on this topic scheduled for October)<a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1933310267155080">neurospicy</a><a href="https://www.mda.org/disease/mitochondrial-myopathies">mitochondrial myopathy</a> (Muscular Dystrophy Association)<a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21184-rhabdomyolysis">rhabdomyolysis</a> (Cleveland Clinic)perfect pitch: the ability to identify or produce a musical note without a reference tonegross motor coordination: coordinating large muscle movements for activities like walking, jumping, dancing, or balancing, which may appear as clumsiness or difficulty with motor planning<a href="https://youtu.be/Q4BvMOFKgVU?feature=shared">ocarina</a>If it seems like Chelsea had a difficult time honing the content of this episode to keep it around 20 minutes, it's because she did! Luckily, Noey will be back for a June episode on Autism and Gender Identity. Want to see Noey and Chelsea in person? Check out their breakout session at the <a href="https://www.autismgreaterwi.org/2025-annual-conference/">36th Annual Wisconsin Autism Conference</a> on Friday, April 4!Podcast includes an introduction for episodes 6 and following at the beginning. Transition music, "Taking a Vocation", by Noey Budde. Closing narration for episodes 6 and following.

Chelsea introduces her son Justus, who made her a mama, and taught her so very much about <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-neurodivergence-and-what-does-it-mean-to-be-neurodivergent-5196627">neurodivergence</a> (different brain wiring).From the precious story about Mr. Muffin the cat, which illustrates why Justus is often called an "animal whisperer", to the neurotypes Justus rocks in addition to autism (including bipolar disorder, an intellectual disability, and obsessive compulsive disorder), this insight into who Justus is helps inform listeners about the topics that will follow after the next three episodes.There's some discussion, too, about comorbidities, or co-existing conditions Justus has, including a <a href="https://www.mda.org/disease/mitochondrial-myopathies">mitochondrial myopathy</a> and <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/celiac-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352220">celiac disease</a>.From special interests to dysregulated meltdowns, Chelsea explains the fabric of Justus' being, which has helped tens of thousands of students and educators know better and do better in their interactions with autistic people.A glossary of terms, in order of appearance ...PUPPP rash: an itchy rash that sometimes appears during pregnancy. The letters PUPPP stand for pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy. (<a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22374-puppp-rash">Cleveland Clinic</a>)uterine inertia: failure of the uterus to contract with normal strength, duration, and intervals during childbirth (<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/medgen/21802#">National Library of Medicine</a>)sensory perception: processing information perceived through senses of taste, smell, touch, sight, hearing, and others (<a href="https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/sensory-differences/sensory-differences/all-audiences">More on being over- or under-sensitive to sensory input from the National Autistic Society.</a>)gestalt language processing: According to ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association), gestalt language processing (GLP) is a style of language development where children memorize phrases before learning individual words. Children with GLP start by learning "gestalts", which are chunks of language. (<a href="https://www.ppt4kids.com/echolalia-and-the-identification-of-gestalt-language-processors">More from Progressive Pediatric Therapy.</a>)special interests: focused fascinations or passions that occupy much time and attentiondysregulation: a central nervous system reaction to emotional and sensory overloadmeltdown: not a tantrum, but the physiological response to a state of overwhelmmedical social worker: a professional who plays a vital role in the healthcare system by providing support to patients and their families who are facing medical and emotional challenges (<a href="https://joblink.socialworkers.org/career/medical-social-worker">National Association of Social Workers</a>)medical home: an approach to providing comprehensive primary care that facilitates partnerships between patients, clinicians, medical staff, and families (<a href="https://www.aap.org/en/practice-management/medical-home">American Academy of Pediatrics</a>)Podcast includes an introduction for episodes 6 and following at the beginning. Transition music, "Taking a Vocation", by Noey Budde. Closing narration for episodes 6 and following.

Chelsea describes her family as "neurodiverse". What does that mean?Understand the neurodiversity within Chelsea's family through introductions to herself and husband Pete, and their two now grown children, Justus and Noey. Words like "neuromajority" or "neuro-normative" are differentiated from "neurodivergent" as she reveals Justus and Noey's neurotypes as they were discovered during the preschool years.Chelsea explains her goals for the podcast in general, and specifically the first five episodes. Do you know what the neurodiversity paradigm is? Are your approaches <a href="https://sunfieldcenter.com/neuroaffirming-approaches-for-discussing-disability/">neuroaffirming</a>? This podcast episode might be a good place to get your feet wet or dive headfirst!Podcast includes an introduction for episodes 6 and following at the beginning. Transition music, "Taking a Vocation", by Noey Budde. Closing narration for episodes 6 and following.