Nicole Dauz and Stasia Sharpe

This Caregiving.com Caring Conversations interview features Nicole Dauz and Stasia Sharpe, who discuss caring for children with rare diseases and autism. Their conversation brings together caregiving parents whose experiences illuminate the realities of supporting children with complex, often poorly understood conditions.

The interview explores the unique challenges of caring for children with rare diseases and autism — navigating uncertain diagnoses, limited resources and research, specialized care needs, advocacy within medical and educational systems, and the emotional journey of parenting a child whose path looks different from what was expected. By featuring two parents in dialogue, the conversation offers mutual understanding, practical insight, and the validation that comes from shared experience. It honors the dedication these parents bring and the resilience they develop.

This resource matters because parents of children with rare diseases or autism often feel isolated and underserved, facing conditions that few people understand and systems that aren’t built for them. Hearing from others on the same path provides connection, ideas, and reassurance. As part of Caregiving.com’s Champions Corner and Caring Conversations, this interview spotlights caregiving voices that deserve to be heard. For parents of children with rare diseases or autism — and anyone seeking to understand their experience — this conversation is meaningful and validating. It is freely available on Caregiving.com.