In this heartfelt episode of EmpowerED with Jessica Flynn, we sit down with Maniva Armstrong—realtor, fitness enthusiast, and passionate advocate for autism awareness. As a mother of two, Maniva shares her personal journey navigating her son Brody’s autism diagnosis, and how it led her to become a dedicated voice for families walking a similar path.

While this conversation only scratches the surface of what we hoped to explore, it lays an important foundation: the often-overlooked challenges of securing a diagnosis, finding early support, and navigating systems that weren’t built with neurodiverse children in mind.

We discuss:

– The early signs and red flags many parents face

– The emotional toll and financial realities of finding resources and care

– The lack of inclusive programming and how families often pay more double for basic participation

– The role of community in supporting neurodivergent children

– How Maniva uses her platform and career to give back—donating a portion of each real estate transaction to Autism Ontario and sponsoring inclusive programs like Special Needs Hockey

🔗 Explore more resources Maniva recommends for families by visiting her Instagram: @manivaarmstrong

This is a conversation that deserves more time—and this episode is just the beginning. Whether you're a parent, educator, or ally, you'll walk away with greater empathy, insight, and ideas for how to support families living with autism every day.