Kaelynn Partlow Helping Us Understand Autism — From the Inside Out
by
Chantai Snellgrove 
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Helping Us Understand Autism — From the Inside Out
What if the person helping you better understand autism was also living it herself?
Meet Kaelynn Partlow—an autistic adult, registered behavior technician (RBT), therapist, speaker, and author of Life on the Bridge. You may recognize her from Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum, where she shared her story and offered the world a rare glimpse into her journey navigating Life on the Spectrum with honesty, strength, and heart.
In this interview, Kaelynn shares her unique perspective—someone who not only supports autistic individuals professionally but who also lives with autism herself. Kaelynn’s insights are both personal and practical, providing valuable takeaways for any parent raising a child with special needs.
Why Kaelynn Wrote Her Book
Kaelynn’s book was more than just an idea—it was a solution. After years of sharing tips and stories on social media, she realized that families needed a centralized resource to access all of her content. “My information was scattered everywhere,” she explains. “People would ask for a video link, and I couldn’t find it either. The book brings everything together.”
Real Talk on Strengths and Support
Kaelynn opens up about her learning differences—including dyspraxia and dyscalculia—and how they continue to affect her adult life. She wants parents to understand that autistic individuals can be both capable and need support at the same time. “I didn’t read my first book independently until I was 14,” she shares, “but at 27, I’m writing one.”
Simple Communication Tips That Make a Difference
One of Kaelynn’s most powerful lessons is about how we communicate with our children. She urges parents and teachers to be more specific, using action words (verbs) when giving directions. For example, instead of “Behave in the hallway,” say, “Walk with me in the hallway.” This clarity helps reduce frustration and supports success.
Try This: Conversation Towers
One of the most talked-about tips from her book is a hands-on strategy called “Conversation Towers,” which uses building blocks like Legos to encourage reciprocal conversations. It’s now being used in speech therapy clinics worldwide—and it’s a great way to help your child build communication skills in a playful, visual way.
A Message of Hope
When asked what she wants newly diagnosed families to know, Kaelynn doesn’t hesitate: “There are people out there who will love, accept, and fight for your child. It’s just a matter of finding them.”
Her message is clear: support isn’t just a temporary fix—it’s a life jacket that helps individuals stay afloat, especially when Life’s waters get rough.
Listen & Learn
Want to hear Kaelynn’s story in her own words? Please tune in to our Parenting Special Needs Podcast episode, where she shares even more about her Life, book, and what’s next in her advocacy journey.
Learn more about Kaelynn and her book Life on the Bridge at https://amzn.to/3ZQUvIX.
Because when we understand more, we can support better.
