Shifting Mindsets

Shifting Mindsets is Lauren Tarzia's personal blog series, where lived experience meets professional insight. As an autism mom and speech pathologist, Lauren shares reflections on neurodiversity, belonging and parenting. She invites readers to deepen empathy, challenge assumptions and rethink what inclusion truly looks like in everyday life. Shifting Mindsets isn't about having all the answers. It's about asking better questions, challenging old narratives, and growing together.

A New Season, A New Lens: Learning to Parent My ADHD Son

Spring is the season of change. A shift from cold, heavy days into something warmer and lighter. And it reminds me of a time when I realized that everything I thought I knew about parenting wasn’t working for my child.

Inclusive Together

May 147 min read

Mom smiling hugging smiling son from behind. Son is holding the book "elf"

World Autism Awareness Day: The Moment I Stopped Trying to Fix My Son

It started with a single repeated phrase—and a quiet fear I couldn’t ignore. As a speech-language pathologist, I recognized the signs in my son, but as his mother, I wasn’t ready to accept them. I tried to fix, redirect, and reshape him. Nothing worked. It wasn’t until I stopped trying to change him that I finally saw him—and everything changed.

Inclusive Together

Apr 26 min read

From One Parent to Another: Advocacy in Your Child’s IEP Creates Real Progress

This month’s blog, "From One Parent to Another: Why Planning Early for Your Child’s IEP Meeting Matters", is a heartfelt reflection on the emotional and practical realities of IEP season. It explores why early planning isn’t anxiety — it’s advocacy — and offers encouragement, perspective, and simple guidance to help parents feel more prepared, confident, and supported as they navigate their child’s annual meeting.

Inclusive Together

Mar 116 min read

Mother and daughter with foreheads touching while holding up their hands together to form a heart

Friendship, Kindness, and the Cost of Belonging

February often highlights love and friendship, but for many of us it also reopens old questions about belonging. Growing up, I learned how to mask who I was just to fit in, not to deceive, but to survive.

Inclusive Together

Feb 14 min read

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Shifting Mindsets

A New Season, A New Lens: Learning to Parent My ADHD Son

World Autism Awareness Day: The Moment I Stopped Trying to Fix My Son

From One Parent to Another: Advocacy in Your Child’s IEP Creates Real Progress

Friendship, Kindness, and the Cost of Belonging

Enjoying our blog?

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Don’t forget to subscribe to our email list to stay updated on our latest posts and upcoming events and never miss out on exciting content!

We’d love to hear your thoughts!
Don’t forget to subscribe to our email list to stay updated on our latest posts and upcoming events and never miss out on exciting content!