Maggie Herndon on Autism, Apraxia, and Finding Her Son's Voice

When Maggie Herndon's son Chase was diagnosed with autism after losing his speech as a toddler, her family entered a world of therapies, uncertainty, grief, and relentless hope. Years later, after discovering the Spellers Method, Maggie began to hear from Chase in a way she had always believed was possible — revealing his intelligence, faith, personality, and powerful desire to advocate for others. In this episode of Moms Like Me , Maggie shares her journey of raising a non-speaking son, reframing autism through the lens of whole-body apraxia, and learning to presume competence even when communication looks different. She opens up about the hard early years, the emotional breakthrough of finally meeting Chase through spelling, and why parents facing a new diagnosis should know that a label does not define their child's future. This conversation is full of honesty, hope, and practical encouragement for families navigating autism, communication challenges, and the search for resources beyond the traditional path.