Description

Authentic conversations about autism, community, and what really matters.

My journey with this show began with a deeply personal story. When my son was in preschool, his teacher counted over 100 times in one day that he took his shoes off and told us he couldn't learn until he learned to keep them on. This all-consuming focus on his feet, instead of his growth, potential, and real needs, is why I'm here. 

Welcome to Who Needs Shoes, where we have authentic conversations with the people who truly understand the autism community. From parents and self-advocates to teachers, therapists, community leaders, and unexpected allies, every episode explores what really matters for thriving in this world.

This podcast is not about compliance or fixing; it's about loving our children for who they are and who they can be, not through the myopic lens of others. It’s about celebrating the full spectrum of voices that make our community stronger and discovering what support actually looks like when we look beyond the surface.

Every episode asks the deeper question: What do people actually need to thrive?

Topics we explore:

• Education and inclusion strategies
• Community building and advocacy
• Family experiences and perspectives
• Professional insights from the field
• Creative approaches to support
• Stories of resilience and growth

Hosted by: Tanya Manning-Yarde, PhD