18 | Caregiver Support & Autism Family Resources | Michele Thorne
When a child receives a diagnosis, families often find themselves navigating an entirely new world of therapies, school systems, appointments, paperwork, emotions, and uncertainty. In the middle of all of that, caregivers are often expected to keep going without enough support themselves.
In this episode of the Autism Family Toolkit Podcast, Brian Keene speaks with Michele Thorne, founder of Care for the Caregiver, about the importance of supporting parents and caregivers throughout the disability journey.
Michele shares her personal story as a mother of two autistic children and explains how her experiences inspired her to build a nonprofit organization focused entirely on caregiver wellness, community, and practical support.
Listen to the Full Episode
This conversation offers encouragement, validation, and practical resources for families who may be feeling isolated, burnt out, or overwhelmed.
Memorable Quote
“You have to find your tribe.”
In This Episode We Discuss
• The emotional challenges many caregivers experience after diagnosis
• Why caregiver wellness matters for the entire family
• Free resources available for autism families
• Educational webinars and support groups
• Visual schedules and visual supports for children
• Parenting courses and behavior support strategies
• Life coaching and guided meditations for caregivers
• Building meaningful community connections
Key Themes From the Conversation
Caregivers Need Support Too
One of the biggest themes throughout this episode is that caregivers often spend so much energy supporting everyone else that they forget to care for themselves.
Michele explains that caregiver isolation, burnout, and emotional exhaustion are incredibly common, especially during the early years after diagnosis.
Community Can Change Everything
Many families feel alone when they first begin navigating disability services or parenting challenges. Michele emphasizes the importance of finding people who truly understand the experience.
Support groups, friendships, and shared lived experiences can provide reassurance, practical advice, and emotional support in ways that are hard to describe.
Resources Should Be Accessible
Care for the Caregiver provides free resources that make support easier to access for families. These include educational webinars, visual schedules, guided meditations, parenting classes, and step-by-step roadmaps for navigating Arizona systems and services.
The goal is to reduce overwhelm and help families feel empowered instead of lost.
Common Questions Parents Ask
Is it normal to feel overwhelmed after a diagnosis?
Yes. Many parents experience grief, uncertainty, stress, or isolation during the early stages of navigating therapies and support systems.
Why are support groups helpful for caregivers?
Support groups can help caregivers feel less alone. They also create opportunities to learn from families who have lived through similar experiences.
What are visual schedules and why do families use them?
Visual schedules use pictures or visuals to help children understand routines and transitions. Many neurodivergent children benefit from visual supports because they provide predictability and structure.
Why This Conversation Matters for Families
Parents and caregivers often become the coordinators, advocates, teachers, schedulers, and emotional anchors for their children. That responsibility can become heavy without support.
This conversation reminds families that they deserve care too. Building community, accessing resources, and finding support are not selfish. They are important parts of helping the entire family thrive.
Resources Mentioned
Care for the Caregiver
https://care4thecaregivers.org
About the Guest
Michele Thorne is the founder and executive director of Care for the Caregiver. Her organization focuses on providing free resources, wellness support, educational programming, and community-building opportunities for caregivers of children with disabilities.
Related Resources for Parents
If you found this episode helpful, you may also enjoy these resources:
• Caring for the Caregiver: Self-Care Tips for Parents of Kids with Special Needs
• Just Diagnosed? A Guide for Arizona Parents Starting the Autism Journey
• Supporting Your Child’s Education: Advocacy Tips & Resources for Parents
• Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy: Supporting Your Child’s Unique Strengths
Explore more parent resources at:
https://pureheartstherapy.com/blog
