How Croissants Helped A Mom Let Go: Autism and Living Independently with Rim Smadi
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For the very first guest episode of the All Brains Grow podcast, I couldn’t think of anyone better to start with than my mom, Rim Smadi. She’s the reason this podcast exists. Growing up, I watched her raise my autistic brother, Milo, with what seemed like effortless grace. But when I sat down with her for this conversation, I realized how much strength, sacrifice, and self-discovery it took to get to where we are today.
In this episode, we dive into the journey of raising Milo, who is now a 30-year-old sous-chef living independently. My mom opens up about her fears, the countless therapies we tried, and the pivotal moments that changed everything—including letting Milo walk to the bakery on his own for the first time (spoiler: it involves croissants and a little mischief).
She talks about learning to let go—not in a way that meant giving up, but in a way that gave Milo the freedom to grow. From tantrums to triumphs, this episode is full of raw honesty, wisdom, and the unexpected humor that comes with raising a child with autism.
Topics Covered in This Episode:
- The emotional journey of raising an autistic child.
- How Milo transitioned from non-verbal to a 30-year-old sous-chef living independently.
- The challenges of balancing therapy, education, and intuition as a parent.
- The pivotal moment of letting Milo walk to the bakery alone—and what it taught my mom about independence.
- How my mom shifted her focus from “fixing” to empowering Milo to thrive as himself.
- The importance of family support and trusting your instincts as a caregiver.
- Why sharing your story can inspire others and bring clarity to your own journey.
If you’ve ever wondered how to balance holding on and letting go as a caregiver, or how to believe in someone’s potential even when the odds feel stacked against them, this episode is for you.