MHNRN | Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | Episode #12

Parents, caregivers, and those walking the autism journey—this episode is for you. My guest, Stacey Ledbetter, is a fellow advocate and problem solver who created NFlyte, a game-changing tool for independent living.

We’re talking about the transition to adulthood, executive functioning, and the power of early support. If you’ve ever wondered how to give your autistic young adult more freedom while keeping peace of mind, you won’t want to miss this!

Notes: 

00:00 – 01:00 Dr. Mary introduces Stacey Ledbetter, founder of NFlyte, a technology solution designed to support autistic young adults in achieving independent living.

Stacey’s Story & the Birth of NFlyte – Helping Young Adults with Executive Functioning and Life Skills

01:01 – 05:45 Stacey shares her journey as a mother of an autistic young adult, discussing the lack of existing technology to help with executive functioning and life skills for young adults.

NFlyte was created from a need that Stacey was unable to fulfill anywhere else. This mobile app provides structure and support for independent living.

NFlyte – A Community for Nutrition & Life Skills for Autistic Young Adults

05:46 – 12:30 NFlyte is a mobile app designed for autistic individuals and those with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD).

Features include:

• Visual scheduling
• Shopping lists & meal planning
• Community Cookbook feature allows users to share autism-friendly recipes.
• Caregiver portal for remote task management

Although it is designed for both families and independent living programs, this app enables caregivers to provide support without micromanaging.

Organizations, such as post-secondary inclusive education programs, can manage multiple users and it helps families transition their young adults to independent living while maintaining oversight.

The Bigger Picture: Autism & Independent Living

18:46- 33:00 Encouraging engagement and collaboration among users, the focus is on nutrition: autistic individuals often have sensory-related food challenges. Autism does not end in childhood—80% of autistic individuals are adults. Many autistic adults fear losing their caregivers and face the risks of homelessness. There is an an urgent need for affordable housing and support networks for autistic adults.

The Power of Early Diagnosis & Support

33:01 – 40:30 Late-diagnosed individuals, especially in minority and female populations, often struggle with masking their symptoms. Dr Mary and Stacey shared personal insights and emphasized the need for early autism diagnosis to gain access to resources.

Find out more about our guest:

Stacey Ledbetter
NFlyte Founder & CEO, nflyte.com

Connect with Us::

Dr. Mary’s Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, & Linkedin 

Mental Health News Radio Network

HEY SIS!

As a devoted pediatrician, specializing in neurodevelopmental disorders, my focus is on guiding and supporting families who have received an autism or ADHD diagnosis.

I am a PCCI trained life and leadership coach.

– Dr Mary