Autism Knows No Borders: Recent Episodes
Global Autism Project
Discover what’s possible when travel is made accessible.
Dawn Barclay has dedicated over 30 years to working in different areas of the travel industry. Her recent book, Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodivese, offers helpful tips to soothe children’s travel anxieties. Dawn also writes fiction as D. M. Barr and holds leadership roles in several writer organizations.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Why Dawn thinks everyone should travel
- Common struggles families face when traveling
- Practical tips to create a sense of routine, minimize sensory overload, and make a trip enjoyable for the whole family
- Advice for traveling by plane, cruise ship, or car
- Uncommon vacation ideas that might be suitable for families with autistic loved ones
- The importance of building itineraries that include special interests
- Lessons Dawn learned from traveling with her own children
- The difference between a ‘Certified Autism Center’ and an ‘Autism Friendly’ establishment
- How to introduce the idea of traveling and prepare children for a trip ahead of time
To learn more about Dawn Barclay, please visit dawnbarclayink.com.
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Related episodes:
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Autism-Friendly Travel, with Dina Farmer
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RTD | Summer Travel and Holidays, with the Global Autism Community
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
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Discover what’s possible when you share the end goal.
Harald Neerland is the President of Autism Europe, an international association whose main objective is to advance the rights of autistic people and their families and help them improve their quality of life. Originally from Norway, Harald is also a father of a young autistic woman.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Harald’s daughter’s strengths, interests, and living situation
- How Harald assesses her quality of life
- The level of awareness and services available in Norway
- Inclusion vs integration
- Describing autism based on level of need rather than diagnostic criteria
- Autism Europe’s mission, policy work, and research initiatives
- Why researchers and practitioners need to work together
- Bringing mental and somatic health to the forefront of the political discussion
- Objectives Harald wants to complete before the end of his term
To learn more about Harald Neerland and his work, please visit autismeurope.org.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
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Discover what’s possible when we relate through emotions.
A globally recognized thought leader, author, speaker, and social-cognitive therapist, Michelle Garcia Winner is the Founder and CEO of Social Thinking, a company devoted to helping individuals gain stronger social awareness and social functioning skills through the Social Thinking Methodology.
Across her 30-year career, Michelle has created numerous evidence-based strategies, treatment frameworks, and curricula to help interventionists develop social competencies in those they support.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Grouping students based on social needs rather than diagnostic labels
- How to increase social competence through 4 main steps: attend, interpret, problem-solve, and respond
- Complex social concepts, like nuanced perspective taking
- What a typical session at Michelle’s clinic might look like
- Why small talk is embedded in most social situations
- Autistic empathy
- Navigating the dating world
- Maintaining friendships
- Tips for autistic people going into a job interview
To learn more about Michelle and her work, please visit our show notes at socialthinking.com.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
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Discover what’s possible when peers connect.
Originally from France, Stephane Guidon is an Autistic Self-Advocate currently living in the UK. He works for the National Autistic Society as a Senior Branch Engagement officer and Project Lead. The National Autistic Society is the largest autism charity in the UK, dedicated to creating a society that works for autistic people.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Stephane’s journey of self-discovery
- His autistic strengths
- How he relates to his autistic son
- Autism awareness in France
- Stephane’s role at the National Autistic Society
- Key components of a successful peer group
To learn more about Stephane Guidon and his work, please visit our show notes at autism.org.uk.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
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Discover what’s possible when you move towards independence.
This week’s episode is a recording of one of our Global Autism Community exclusive events!
The topic of this roundtable discussion was Transitioning into College, and it was hosted by community moderator Liz Castillo.
Liz began her involvement with the Global Autism Project in 2017 as a SkillCorps volunteer in Kenya, followed by trips to India, Nigeria, Czech Republic, and Poland. She has also completed our Leadership Academy program, served as a SkillCorps mentor to future travelers, and managed our social media and donor communications. Thank you, Liz, for your dedication to our mission and our community.
Also participating in this event were Autistic Self-Advocates Corben Havener and Andrew Bennett, and community member Sofia Matalonga.
What you’ll hear today is the first half hour of this roundtable discussion. Unfortunately, there was a technical error and the rest of the event wasn’t recorded. We thought it was still worth releasing, and I believe you’ll find many of the participant’s insights interesting.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Transitioning from living at home to living in dorms
- Support available at school
Round-table discussions like the one you’ll hear today are open exclusively for members of our online Global Autism Community. We select a different theme each month, and our moderators monitor posts daily to ensure that our online space remains safe and respectful.
If you’d like to attend and participate in any of our future events, you can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when you trust the process.
In today’s episode, we’re continuing to share our recent SkillCorps trip to ASHA, our Global Autism Project partners in Bangalore, India. In our previous episode, I spoke with the staff at the school, and this week you’ll hear from our SkillCorps volunteers.
Our team had a virtual reunion three weeks after returning from our trip. We reviewed what we had learned and reminisced about some of our experiences.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Moments from the trip that surprised, inspired or moved our SkillCorps volunteers
- How we immersed ourselves in Indian culture
- Community outreach
- Each team member’s personal and professional growth
- Advice for future SkillCorps travelers
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Related Episodes:
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Meet Our Global Autism Project Partners in Bangalore, India
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Changing Perspectives in India, with Jayashree Ramesh
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Our SkillCorps program is evolving into something new and exciting! If you’d like to be the first to know what SkillCorps will look like in 2023, make sure to join our waitlist at skillcorps.globalautismproject.org.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when every child becomes your own.
These next two episodes will highlight our Global Autism Project partner site ASHA, from Bangalore, India. ASHA means “hope” in their local language, and it also stands for Academy for Severe Handicaps and Autism. The Global Autism Project has been partners with ASHA since 2018.
For almost 20 years, the Global Autism Project has been providing sustainable clinical, administrative, and leadership training to autism centers around the world seeking guidance. Our SkillCorps® volunteer program has been an opportunity for self-advocates and professionals to travel to our international partner sites and collaborate with their local teachers and therapists.
If you follow our work closely, you may already know that last October we sent 8 teams back in the field for the first time since the start of the pandemic. We were thrilled to see our partners all over the world again!
Our host Rachel led the SkillCorps trip to ASHA and documented some moments throughout the trip. Next week, we'll share stories from our SkillCorps volunteers.
In today’s episode, you’ll hear excerpts from conversations with ASHA's staff about:
- Services provided at ASHA
- Collaboration among local staff
- Teaching Indian culture through art, music, and dance
As our organization continues to evolve and innovate, so does our SkillCorps program. We’ve co-created something new and exciting with our community, and we’ll be making some big changes to trips this year.
If you’d like to be the first to know what SkillCorps will look like in 2023, make sure to join our waitlist at skillcorps.globalautismproject.org.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
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Discover what’s possible when social barriers are removed.
Kaelynn Partlow is an Autistic Self-Advocate and a Registered Behavior Technician, or RBT for short. She recently appeared on the second season of the Netflix reality series, Love on the Spectrum.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- How autism affects Kaelynn’s everyday life
- Kaelynn’s thoughts on how autism was represented on Love on the Spectrum
- Why she thinks autistic people struggle to find love
- What Kaelynn learned about herself from her experience on the show
- Tips for other autistic people in the dating scene
- Kaelynn’s job as an RBT
- Social skills programs
- Neurodiversity-affirming practices
- Greg Hanley’s Skill-Based Treatment
- Kaelynn’s ideas to improve the field
- Advice for other practitioners working with autistic individuals
To learn more about Kaelynn Partlow, follow her on Instagram: @kaelynnvp.
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Related episodes:
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Autism Representation in the Media, with Dr. Kerry Magro
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RTD | Dating & Relationships, with the Global Autism Community
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when connections go deeper.
This week’s episode features our recent cohort of Global Autism Community moderators: Self-Advocates Michelle Vinokurov, Corben Havener, and Mary Johnston.
In June 2022, Michelle, Corben, and Mary joined our team of moderators, which also included Liz Castillo, who was unable to join this recording. The team usually meets to discuss the community’s monthly theme and decide which subtopics they will post about each week. Throughout each month, the moderators take turns monitoring posts daily to ensure that our online space remains safe and respectful.
We are currently taking applications for our next round of moderators to join our team! If you’re interested in developing your leadership skills, expanding your network as an advocate, and stepping outside of your comfort zone, follow the link below to join our team.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Proud moments of 2022
- The team’s experiences as community moderators
- Goals and priorities for 2023
- Advice for future moderators of our community
Apply to join our team here ->>> Global Autism Community Moderator Application
This is a unique opportunity to grow personally, develop professionally, and make meaningful connections!
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when we grow stronger together.
This week’s episode is part 2 of our 2022 Highlights. Today we’ll continue to review some of our favorite moments from this year’s episodes, specifically from 110 to 126.
A huge thank you to our guests for sharing their stories, to our listeners for your continued support, and to our team for all the work behind the scenes.
Special thanks to Anh Ngoc for helping put this highlights episode together, and to our community moderators, Liz Castillo, Michelle Vinokurov, Corben Havener, and Mary Johnston for monitoring posts daily and keeping our online space safe and respectful.
From all of us at the Global Autism Project, we wish you a happy and safe holiday season, and hope you can spend some quality time with your loved ones.
Related episodes:
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Highlights of 2022: Part One, with the Global Autism Community
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Highlights of 2021: Part One, with the Global Autism Community
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Highlights of 2021: Part Two, with the Global Autism Community
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Highlights of 2020, with the Global Autism Community
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when we grow stronger together.
We reached the end of 2022! To celebrate, we’ll be reviewing some of my favorite moments from this year’s episodes – there were so many that this will have to be a two-parter! Part 1 will highlight episodes 92 through 109, and next week 110 through 126.
Since we started working on this podcast almost three years ago, we’ve brought on a wide range of guests, including prominent self-advocates, such as Dr. Temple Grandin, Dr. Stephen Shore, Dr. Kerry Magro, Rachel Barcellona, and Anthony Ianni; parents like Tiffany Hammond and Bobby Rubio; some of our Global Autism Project partners, such as Yaser Aljaaidi from Saudi Arabia and Pooja Panesar from Kenya; and other professionals in the field, such as Dr. Megan Miller from the DoBetter Movement and Camille Proctor from The Color of Autism.
If you’ve been listening to our podcast for a while, this 2022 recap will bring you back to the heartfelt stories we’ve been hearing from our guests. And if you’re joining us for the first time, welcome! This episode will give you a good idea of what Autism Knows No Borders is all about.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when all minds are put to use.
Today we’re bringing back a special guest, Dr. Temple Grandin. My first interview with Dr. Grandin was almost two years ago. She has since released a new book, Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions.
Dr. Grandin is well known for both her pioneering autism advocacy and her lifelong dedication to animal welfare. Through groundbreaking research aimed at understanding her own autistic mind, Dr. Grandin propelled the awareness of autism during a time when very little was known of it. She is an incredible source of hope for children with autism, their parents, and, ultimately, anyone with a dream.
Dr. Grandin became an internationally recognized leader in animal-handling innovations after developing a corral that improved the quality of life of cattle by reducing stress. She has consulted with the USDA and major corporations such as McDonalds, Wendy’s, Burger King, Whole Foods, and Chipotle. Today, half of the cattle in North America are handled in facilities she designed.
Dr. Grandin is also a prominent author, having written several books on autism and animal behavior. She has been featured on various media outlets and programs, including NPR, the BBC, Larry King Live, 2020, Sixty Minutes, and TED, to name a few. In 2010, HBO produced an Emmy Award-winning movie about her life, and later that year, she was highlighted in TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. In 2016, she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. These days, Dr. Grandin continues to write and teaches Animal Science at Colorado State University.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- Object visualizers vs visual-spatial thinkers
- Temple’s ability to think in pictures
- How to screen for visual thinkers at school
- The loss of skilled workers
- How complementary thinkers can work together
- How to improve the school system and properly educate different thinkers
- How can parents encourage the development of skills in visual thinkers
- Executive functioning
- Reading graphic novels
- How to solve the world’s biggest problems
- Advice for visual thinkers
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
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Discover what’s possible when you count your blessings.
This episode is being released a day early in observance of Thanksgiving in the US.
Thanksgiving is a time of togetherness and gratitude. The more you can bring your attention to things you feel grateful for, the more you’ll notice other things to feel grateful for.
According to research conducted at the Greater Good Science Center in Berkeley, California, gratitude is linked to a wide range of benefits, including strengthening your immune system, improving sleep patterns, feeling optimistic and experiencing more joy and pleasure, being more helpful and generous, and feeling less lonely and isolated.
Our podcast team has been reflecting on many things to be grateful for. First of all, we’re grateful for you, our listeners, and your continued support. We’re also grateful for our podcast guests and their willingness to share their story with us. And of course, we’re grateful for our growing Global Autism Community, whose members keep showing up in our online space with commitment to our mission.
We've decided to put together a special Thanksgiving episode about — that’s right, you guessed it, gratitude!
Here’s a compilation of responses from different members of our Global Autism Community, including prominent self-advocates like Dr. Temple Grandin and Thomas Iland. We hope this episode leaves you feeling inspired to reflect on what you’re grateful for this holiday season.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when health extends beyond the body.
This week’s episode is a recording of one of our Global Autism Community exclusive events!
The topic of this roundtable discussion was Health and Wellness. It was hosted by community moderator Mary Johnston.
A 21-year-old Autistic Self-Advocate from New Hampshire, Mary hosts a blog called Autistic Rainbow 15 where she shares LGBTQ+ and disability-friendly tips, as well as information about inclusion and disability rights. A long-time member of our online Global Autism Community, Mary joined the moderator team last summer to help ensure our space remains safe and respectful.
Also participating in this event were Autistic Self-Advocate Michelle Vinokurov, and community members D’John Greer and Liz Castillo.
In today’s conversation, they discuss:
- Mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health
- Self-care
- How to reduce stress levels
- Maintaining routines
- Why sleep is important
- Accepting an autism diagnosis
- Changing habits for self-improvement
Round-table discussions like the one you’ll hear today are open exclusively for members of our online Global Autism Community. We select a different theme each month, and our moderators monitor posts daily to ensure that our online space remains safe and respectful. If you’d like to attend and participate in any of our future events, you can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when art is in the eye of the beholder… and a few other senses.
Austin Lubetkin is an Autistic artist, aerospace-software engineer, and inventor. Austin has synesthesia, a perceptual phenomenon in which stimuli that would typically stimulate one sense can activate other senses at the same time. This has allowed him to create unique and accessible art experiences, some even meant to make people touch and hear colors. He uses his art to spread awareness of various mental conditions.
Austin has already earned a patent as a software engineer, and has filed another patent for one of the first human brain computer interfaces that would allow a fully paralyzed individual to type and control a computer.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- How Austin’s synesthesia influences his art
- His series about mental health
- The future of art and Machine Learning
- Some of Austin’s inventions, including a sensory overload simulator
- Accessible technology
- Misconceptions about autism that he wants to break through his art
- Advice for other autistic artists
To learn more about Austin Lubetkin and his work, please his IG @bocaaust.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when you step into who you can be.
This week’s episode is a recording of one of our Global Autism Community exclusive events!
The topic of this roundtable discussion was Self-Development and Accountability. It was hosted by community moderator Michelle Vinokurov. Based in Florida, Michelle is an Autistic Self-Advocate, a paraprofessional and a Registered Behavior Technician.
Participating in this event were Autistic Self-Advocates Corben Havener, Andrew Bennett, Christina Kaspersen, Robert Schmus, and community member Danielle Terrell.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Mental health
- Self-care routines
- Goal setting and expectations
- Motivation and insecurities
- Responding to diagnoses
- Growth mindset
Round-table discussions like the one you’ll hear today are open exclusively for members of our online Global Autism Community. We select a different theme each month, and our moderators monitor posts daily to ensure that our space remains safe and respectful. If you’d like to attend and participate in any of our future events, you can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when capabilities are more than meets the eye.
Tiffany Joseph is an Autistic Self-Advocate, a single mother of three, and the digital creator behind the IG account Nigh Functioning Autism. She uses her platform to promote the changes she wants to see in the world regarding disability and intersectionality. Tiffany sometimes uses an Alternative Augmentative Communication device, or AAC for short.
Before our interview, I sent Tiffany a list of questions so she could prepare her responses in writing. The voice you’ll hear for most of Tiffany’s side of the conversation is her AAC reading her responses out loud. In instances when she wanted to add more to her response, or answer a follow-up question I asked, you’ll hear Tiffany using her spoken voice, or "mouth words."
After the recording, Tiffany mentioned that her mouth words work better some days than others, and that that day happened to be one that she felt comfortable answering some questions off-script.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Internalized ableism
- Coping with bullying
- The inclusion of Asperger’s diagnosis under the umbrella of autism
- Aspie supremacy
- Finding community online
- Tiffany’s AAC journey
- The different apps she uses depending on the situation
- Misconceptions about AAC
- Some of Tiffany’s ideas to improve the education system
- Why she chose her IG account name Nigh Functioning Autism
- The intersectionality of being Black and Autistic
- What she thinks true inclusion should look like
To learn more about Tiffany and her work, please visit Nigh.Functioning.Autism.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when you turn your vision into reality.
Today we’re bringing back the CEO and Founder of the Global Autism Project, Molly Ola Pinney.
For almost 20 years, the Global Autism Project has been providing sustainable training, coaching, and community for center directors, therapists, and caregivers around the world.
As we enter our second decade, our organization is opening its doors to new forms of collaboration!
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- The Global Autism Project’s new Affiliate program and what affiliates will get access to
- A sneak peek into the training we’re offering for free
- The four pillars of success for any autism center or school
- How Molly herself has experienced transformation from implementing some of the lessons included in our training
- Advice for service providers who want to start or scale their business
Do you work with autistic individuals? Are you thinking of starting your own center, or maybe wanting to scale your business to be able to serve more families?
Click here to discover your impact and join us for a FREE TRAINING!
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when conversations move forward.
This week’s episode is a recording of one of our Global Autism Community exclusive events.
The theme of this roundtable discussion was Controversial Topics. It was hosted live at The 1 in 44 Tour virtual summit, organized by Sara Bradford of The SJ Childs Show.
Participating in this event were Autistic Self-Advocates Stephanie De Kremer, Ryan Litchfield, Michael Gilberg, Jeff Snyder, and Robert Schmus, along with community members Karen Shapiro, Ben Sharif, and Danielle Terrell.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Person-first (vs.) identity-first language
- The puzzle piece symbol
- Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA for short
Round-table discussions like the one you’ll hear today are open exclusively for members of our online Global Autism Community. We select a different theme each month, and our moderators monitor posts daily to ensure that our online space remains safe and respectful. If you’d like to attend and participate in any of our future events, you can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when self-awareness improves relationships.
Paul Micallef is an Autistic Self-Advocate from Melbourne, Australia. A former aerospace engineer with a passion for teaching, Paul publishes videos about autism on his YouTube channel Autism From The Inside. He also offers an autism-friendly online course on emotional intelligence, as well as relationship coaching for autistic people and their loved ones.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Paul discovering his autism
- Some ways he feels misunderstood
- What made Paul decide to cut off his dreadlocks
- Masking and burnout
- Misconceptions about autism
- How Paul learned emotional intelligence
- Reading subtle social cues
- Developing self-awareness and regulating his own emotions
- Relationship management
- Situations in which Paul may or may not disclose his autism
- Changing people’s perceptions about autism
- The Double Empathy Problem
- The 2022 Autism From The Inside Virtual Summit , which starts on September 19th
- Advice for autistic people who are struggling to build relationships
To learn more about Paul Micallef and his work, please visit autismfromtheinside.com.au.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
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Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
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Discover what’s possible when communication is made available.
An educator, designer, and social entrepreneur from Sydney, Australia, Chris McDonald is the Founder and CEO of PicSeePal, a light-tech communication tool for all ages, abilities, and settings.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- The level of autism acceptance and inclusion in Australia
- Why Chris is passionate about working with the autistic population
- PicSeePal’s mission and overall vision
- Communication as a human right
- Limitations of high-tech devices
- Some do’s and don’ts of using Augmentative Alternative Communication, or AAC
- Advice for parents and teachers who feel stuck when their students aren’t progressing
To learn more about Chris and his work, please visit picseepal.com.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when you learn to accept yourself.
Mary Johnston is a 21-year-old Autistic Self-Advocate from New Hampshire. She hosts a blog called Autistic Rainbow 15 where she shares LGBTQ+ and disability-friendly tips, as well as information about inclusion and disability rights. A long-time member of our online Global Autism Community, Mary recently joined the moderator team to help ensure our space remains safe and respectful.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Mary receiving her diagnosis at 12 years old
- Receiving occupational therapy and speech therapy in school
- Coping with bullying and how she processes her feelings
- Her autistic strengths
- A poem she wrote titled “A Letter to My Autism”
- Service animals and our shared love for dogs
- Sensory struggles related to lights, sounds, and close proximity to other people
- Challenges with finding employment
- Her dream job
- Derealization, anxiety, and depression
- What she likes about being a community moderator for the Global Autism Community
- Puzzle piece representation
- Advice for other autistic women
To learn more about Mary, please visit Autistic Rainbow 15.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when you’re ready to have fun.
This week’s episode is a recording of one of our Global Autism Community exclusive events!
The topic of this roundtable discussion was Summer Travel and Holidays. It was hosted by community moderator Corben Havener. Corben is an Autistic Self-Advocate from Indiana who joined our moderator team this last June.
Participating in this event were community members Danielle Terrell, Liz Castillo, and myself.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Dealing with hot weather and changing temperatures
- Amusement parks and roller coasters
- Accommodations such as sensory-processing break areas
- Tips for traveling by plane and car
- Challenges with fireworks during holidays
- Interruptions in routines
- Summer camps
Round-table discussions like the one you’ll hear today are open exclusively for members of our online Global Autism Community. We select a different theme each month, and our moderators monitor posts daily to ensure that our online space remains safe and respectful. If you’d like to attend and participate in any of our future events, you can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when you transform others with kindness.
An Autistic computer scientist, Jim Hogan is both the Principal Innovation Strategist at Google Cloud and the VP of Accessibility in Technology for Google’s Disability Alliance.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Jim losing his brother at a young age
- Being bullied as a child and as an adult
- How autism affects his everyday life
- A traumatic experience working at a hostile environment
- Finding a place to belong at Google
- Psychological safety
- The key to innovation
- Accessible technology
- Disclosure and accommodations at the workplace
- Advice for people who want to be better allies of autistic people
To learn more about Jim Hogan, please visit: Jim Hogan Linkedin.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
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Discover what's possible when you're on the inside looking out.
Sara Bradford is an Autistic Self-Advocate, children’s book author, and the CEO of SJ Childs LLC, an autism-consulting business that supports families. She also hosts her own podcast, The SJ Childs Show. Her husband and their three children are also on the spectrum.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Sara’s recent discovery of her autism and how it affects her everyday life
- Masking and learning to unmask
- Having a deeper connection with her husband and children post diagnosis
- How autism might present differently for men and women
- Important considerations when teaching non-autistic children about autism
- Ideas to promote inclusion and acceptance
- What Sara’s learned about autism advocacy from doing her podcast
- The 1 in 44 Tour Virtual Summit
- Advice for other newly diagnosed autistic women
The 1 in 44 Tour is a virtual summit hosted by Sara Bradford and Maria Daniels. This event will be a great way to hear different perspectives on important topics from a variety of speakers. We’ll be hosting our next community roundtable discussion live at the summit on August 12th at 12:45 pm EST.
If you would like to participate in the community roundtable and go live with us at the summit, please join our online community at community.globalautismproject.org and RSVP to the event.
To learn more about Sara and her work, please visit sjchilds.org.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
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Discover what’s possible when you choose acceptance.
This week’s episode is a recording of one of our Global Autism Community exclusive events.
The topic of this roundtable discussion was Inclusion and Acceptance. It was hosted by community moderator David Sharif, just a few days before his sudden passing last April. I was unable to attend this event, so I had asked David to fill in for me. He did an amazing job facilitating this discussion, and I’m glad he had the opportunity to step up in this way.
Participating in this event were autism self-advocates Jeff Snyder, Mary Johnston, Corben Havener, Olivia Hops, Scott Edgar, and Michelle Vinokurov, as well as community members Danielle Terrell, Ben Sharif, Karen Shapiro, and Liz Castillo.
In today’s conversation, they discuss:
- Coping with different situations
- Teammates or other people that helped the participants feel accepted
- Bullying perseverance
- School assemblies and fire drills
- Teaching non-autistic children about inclusion from a young age
Round-table discussions like the one you’ll hear today are open exclusively for members of our online Global Autism Community. We select a different theme each month, and our moderators monitor posts daily to ensure that our online space remains safe and respectful. If you’d like to attend and participate in any of our future events, you can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org.
Related episodes:
- Honoring the Memory of David Sharif, with the Global Autism Community
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
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Discover what’s possible when curiosity sparks creation.
Today Cassie Harden Scott is back on the show. You may remember her from episode 23 with Rusty Hornig-Rohan and episode 42 with the rest of the Global Autism Project staff.
As our Director of Outreach, Cassie works closely with our international partners to help spread autism awareness and acceptance in their communities. She also designs all of our organization’s branding to make sure our messaging is consistent across our programs.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Why logos are important
- Different iterations of the Global Autism Project’s branding over the years
- The puzzle piece controversy
- Cassie’s creative process designing our new logo and the meaning behind it
- Two upcoming series of this podcast led by Molly and Cassie
To learn more about Cassie and her work, please visit globalautismproject.org.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
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Discover what’s possible when you're given a hand to hold.
Today we are joined by the CEO of the Global Autism Project, Molly Ola Pinney, and Sensory Integration Therapist, Anna Tuzova. Anna is a Ukrainian refugee currently living in Poland.
If you've been following our work closely, you'll know that a few weeks ago Molly visited Poland with a small team to learn how to best support Ukrainian families with autistic loved ones. Since then, we’ve been in direct communication with hundreds of families who need help. Families who have spent weeks in bomb shelters with their children, have had harrowing experiences trying to escape to safety, and are now just wanting to get their children back on track.
The stats are staggering. Over 105,000 families with autistic loved ones are fleeing Ukraine. The immediate needs of this community include housing and specialized services for their children. Unfortunately, the capacity of nearby countries to support these needs is extremely limited, and as such, families are left with little to no resources or hope.
Sadly, this war is not over. In a lot of ways, the struggles of these families have just begun, as they work to rebuild their lives in a new place.
There is a small window of time in which we can easily connect with those who fled Ukraine. Each day that these families are left in limbo, the children experience severe regression and the parents continue to feel lost, helpless, and powerless.
Families are constantly requesting educational services and continuation of care for their autistic loved ones. These would allow parents to start work and provide a routine and basic sense of normalcy for the entire family.
Our organization is on a mission to solve this urgent need now. We have several projects already in the works that will allow us to begin services and recreation opportunities for hundreds of Ukrainian families right away.
You can donate directly to our podcast community fundraising page at: give.globalautismproject.org/podcast
In today’s conversation, Molly, Anna, and I discuss:
- Anna’s life before the war
- Leaving Ukraine and settling in Poland
- Anna’s hopes for the future
- How the Global Autism Project is taking action
- Opportunities for those who want to get involved
- Advice for Ukrainian families with autistic loved ones
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when learning doesn’t hurt.
Ann Beirne is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over two decades of experience working with children and families in a variety of settings. She is the co-author of Understanding Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis: Practical Applications, now in its second edition. The book invites the perspectives of those within and outside the field of behavior analysis to offer commentary on topics including collective bargaining, moral philosophy, neurodiversity, compassionate care, and ethics in research.
Brian Middleton is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst as well as an Autistic Self-Advocate. He is the creator of the Bearded Behaviorist, an initiative dedicated to the dissemination of behavior science and the inclusion of trauma-informed care standards in applied behavior analysis and other human services.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- The history of the Judge Rotenberg Center
- The use of contingent electric skin shock
- Physical and psychological side effects caused by receiving contingent electric shock
- Behavioral principles of reinforcement and punishment
- The Stanford Prison Experiment
- A timeline of legal events leading up to the recent conference at ABAI Boston
- Advice for people who are eager to take action
The Global Autism Project unequivocally condemns the use of painful aversive procedures under any circumstances, including the use of contingent electric skin shock. In accordance with the United Nations, we believe that the use of CESS is torturous and inhumane, and we advocate for the discontinuation of this concerning and unethical practice.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when wellness starts at bedtime.
Emily Varon is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst from California who focuses on sleep-related behavior. With more than 20 years in the field, Emily offers families and clinicians a broader, long-view perspective of sleep, producing more sustainable results over time.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- The correlation between autism and poor sleep
- Common sleep-related behaviors
- Myths about sleep struggles
- How a sleep-deprived child can affect the family as a whole
- How sleep contributes to learning and memory consolidation
- Why we shouldn’t set alarm clocks to wake up
- The importance of a consistent bedtime routine
- Tips to help balance screen dependency
- Day-time napping
- Recovering from sleep-debt
To learn more about Emily and her work, please visit readysetsleep.com.
What tips are you taking away from this episode? Let us know over in our online Global Autism Community.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
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Discover what’s possible when innovation brings connection.
Richard Schreiber is the father of a 16-year-old autistic girl, Katarina, and the Founder of the NYC Autism Community Group in Manhattan, which was created to help parents with children on the spectrum navigate their day-to-day challenges. With a background in tech, Richard’s passion is to bring innovation and career opportunities to autistic individuals so they can better themselves and live the lives they deserve.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Richard receiving his daughter’s diagnosis
- Services she received growing up, including ABA and medical intervention
- A memorable moment when Katarina proved others around her wrong
- How Richard and his wife are preparing their daughter for adulthood
- What he’s learned about himself from being a father
- How society can move towards more acceptance and inclusion
- Support and resources offered at the NYC Autism Community Group
- The NYC Autism Tech, Careers & Innovation Expo, which, due to unforeseen circumstances, has been postponed until September this year
To learn more about Richard and his work, please visit nycautismcommunity.org.
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Related episodes:
-
Neurodiversity Training International, with Jude Morrow
-
Avatars for Autism, with Gary Jesch and Leslie Baldwin
-
Technology and Applied Behavior Analysis in China, with Michael Huang
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when you’re the one behind the wheel.
Andrew Arboe is an autistic self-advocate and the Founder of Driving with Autism, an educational program that helps autistic individuals and their families navigate the way towards becoming a driver. Andrew is also the Director of Community Outreach of Planning Across the Spectrum. You might remember episode 59 with their Founder, Andrew Komarow.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Andrew learning about his diagnosis
- Andrew’s autistic strengths and how autism affects his everyday life
- Why he decided to start Driving with Autism
- Common barriers autistic people face when it comes to driving
- How to limit sensory overload while driving
- Tips for autistic drivers, including what to do if you get pulled over
- Advice for parents whose autistic adolescents are getting ready to drive
To learn more about Andrew Arboe, please visit autismdriving.com.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when community becomes family.
This week we are celebrating the 2-year anniversary of our podcast, as well as the 1-year anniversary of our online community!
It’s been an eye-opening journey that continues to surprise, inspire, and move us. We’ve learned so much from self-advocates sharing their experiences, family members talking about accepting their children’s diagnoses, and professionals discussing best practices in the field of autism services.
We’ve covered a wide range of topics, such as ableism, masking, the neurodiversity movement, intersectionality, disability rights, cultural humility, and international collaboration. A huge thank you to all of our guests for openly sharing your stories and educating us with your perspectives.
Our online Global Autism Community has been alive and growing for one year! Whether they’re autistic individuals, family members, or service providers, our community members have the possibility to share insights, learn different perspectives, and gain momentum to create real change in their own communities. Most importantly, they continue to build strong relationships with each other and feel that they’re not alone.
Today you’ll hear about how the vision for the community came to be, along with direct testimonials from our community members about how they’ve benefited from engaging in our online space.
Thank you to our community moderators who monitor posts daily to ensure that our online space remains safe and respectful. This last year, our moderator team included David Sharif, Jeff Snyder, Kia Burton, and Liz Castillo.
Other team members who help make this podcast happen are our visual creators, Trang Tran and Anh Ngoc, and our sound designer and editor, Marc Aliana.
I’d like to take this moment to reset our intentions for the podcast. There are countless meaningful stories we still want to share with you. We’re going to continue elevating autistic voices and do our best to make sure their perspectives are heard. The world needs access to these important messages so that, together, we can spread awareness, acceptance, and hope.
We want to thank you for your continued encouragement. And, if you’re a new listener, Welcome!
We’ll be re-releasing older episodes throughout the next few months so that you can catch up on any episodes that you might have missed.
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Are you a self-advocate willing to share your experiences and educate others? Are you a professional seeking to hear directly from autistic voices and improve your practice? Are you a family member hoping to support and empower your loved one?
Whatever your role related to autism is, you can join our online Global Autism Community to connect and collaborate with people all over the world.
Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when you’re defined by your determination, dedication, and devotion.
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we release this episode. On April 23rd, we lost one of our most dedicated community members, David Sharif, to an epileptic seizure.
David made a huge positive impact in this world, inspiring everyone around him. He was a dear colleague, genuine friend, and all-around great human. David had a heart of gold and went out of his way to check on others’ comfort and well-being.
Graduating from high school as valedictorian, David prided himself on being a motivational speaker, world traveler, and basketball lover. David was committed to his work as an autistic self-advocate and loved to share his personal experiences to help educate others.
Taking on many roles over the past year in our Global Autism Community, David served as our community moderator, appeared several times as a guest on this podcast, and was preparing to travel to Kenya later this year as a volunteer with our SkillCorps® program.
Our team is still processing what it means to no longer have David here with us. We cannot express in words how much he will be missed. For now, we send our thoughts and support to David’s family.
Since first coming on the podcast in September 2020, David shared many insights and personal experiences with us. He was deeply passionate about empowering others through his own story.
To highlight David's advocacy, we’ve compiled several excerpts from various episodes that he was part of. Topics include:
- Overcoming obstacles
- Requesting accommodations at school and work
- Coping with stress and sensory overload
- Masking and authenticity
- Special interests
Our Global Autism Community held a memorial event for David last Tuesday. In this episode, you'll also hear some stories and memories of David that we shared.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, friends and family of David make donations to the Global Autism Project. We are honored to continue David's advocacy efforts of promoting autism awareness and acceptance worldwide.
You can make a donation here: David Sharif Memorial Donation
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when you act yourself.
Our guest today is Grace Everett. An autistic self-advocate, Grace is also a second-year college student, a theater artist, and an award-winning playwright. Her work in musical theater includes playing the title role in Carrie and Jo March in Little Women.
The first play she wrote, The Last Sunrise of August 1973, won Texas Thespian Playworks in 2019, and several of her other plays have been performed across the US by various youth theaters and professional companies.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Grace finding out about her autism at age 18
- Unmasking
- Queer identity and self-acceptance
- How Grace’s diagnosis influenced her acting
- Increasing autistic representation in the arts
- What Grace likes about writing and acting
- Transitioning into college
- Advice for autistic actors
To learn more about Grace, please visit graceeverett.org.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when representation is nuanced.
This week’s episode is a recording of one of our Global Autism Community exclusive events!
The topic of this round table discussion was Autism in the Media. Participating in this event were autism self-advocates Thomas Iland, Mary Johnston, Robert Schmus, Corben Havener, Andrew Arboe, and David Sharif, as well as community members Danielle Terrell, Ben Sharif, and Kia Burton.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Movies, TV shows, and books with autistic characters
- Implied vs explicit portrayal of autism
- Teaching acceptance through storytelling
- How the media can improve autistic representation
- Autistic writers and actors
Round-table discussions like the one you’ll hear today are open exclusively for members of our online Global Autism Community. We select a different theme each month, and our moderators monitor posts daily to ensure that our online space remains safe and respectful.
If you’d like to attend and participate in any of our future events, you can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org.
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Media described in this episode:
Movies
- Please Stand By
- Music
- The Accountant
- How to Dance in Ohio
- Roman J. Israel, Esq.
- The Reason I Jump
- Adam
- Life, Animated
- Jane Wants a Boyfriend
TV Shows
- Parenthood
- Everything's Gonna Be Okay
- Criminal Minds
- Ghost Whisperer
- As We See It
- Big City Greens
- Atypical
Books
- American Girl by Wendy Walker
- The Way I See It by Temple Grandin
- Defining Autism From the Heart by Dr. Kerry Magro
- My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete
- Uniquely Human by Barry M. Prizant
- Life, Animated by Ron Suskind
- Centered by Anthony Ianni
- The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida
- The Empowerment of My Condition by David Sharif
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when caring is enough to make a difference.
Today’s episode is part two of Team Saudi Arabia’s SkillCorps® journey. If you haven’t yet listened to part one, I encourage you to go back to episode 100 so that you can hear about the first half of the team’s trip.
If you have any personal or professional connection with autism — that is, if you’re a self-advocate, teacher, therapist, or another type of service provider — these two special episodes are meant for you.
Today, you’ll hear excerpts from conversations about:
- Clinical training at our partner site Namaee
- The Namaee therapists sharing insights about their culture
- The impact of our work on future generations of autistic people
- The Namaee staff’s takeaways from our collaboration
- Our team’s personal and professional growth
- Advice for future SkillCorps® travelers
Trips for July 2022 have filled up fast. We’re still taking applications for travel in October to Saudi Arabia and other partner sites, including Ecuador, Dominican Republic, China, India, Indonesia, Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda. Spots are limited so if you’re thinking about applying, now is the time.
Sign up today at skillcorps.globalautismproject.org and use the coupon code “autismpodcast” to waive the application fee.
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Related episodes:
-
SkillCorps Journey with Team Saudi Arabia: Part One
-
Global Autism Project: Our Mission, with Molly Ola Pinney
-
Functional Communication Training in Saudi Arabia, with Yaser Aljaaidi
-
Do With Not For, with Our CEO Molly Ola Pinney
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when caring is enough to make a difference.
We’ve made it to episode 100! To celebrate this huge milestone, we’ve put together this special episode taking you on a journey with our SkillCorps® Saudi Arabia team.
For almost 20 years, the Global Autism Project has been providing sustainable clinical, administrative, and leadership training to autism centers around the world seeking guidance.
Our SkillCorps® volunteer program is an opportunity for self-advocates and professionals to travel to our international partner sites and collaborate with their local teachers and therapists.
If you follow our work closely, you may already know that we recently sent two of our SkillCorps® teams back into the field for the first time since the start of the pandemic. We were thrilled to see our partners again in Saudi Arabia and Kenya.
We usually send out teams of up to 10 people three times a year for two weeks at a time. The team members are complete strangers when they meet for orientation in NY, and by the end of their two-week trip, oftentimes they’ve become close? friends. I still keep in touch with many of the teammates that I’ve traveled with. So far, over 500 volunteers have joined our SkillCorps® Alumni community, and many are repeat travelers.
Each SkillCorps® team has a trip leader, and sometimes a leader-in-training, or LIT for short. I led the team in Saudi Arabia and was accompanied by an LIT, Korey Taylor.
I thought it would be really interesting to document moments throughout the two weeks, so that we could share the experience and give you a glimpse of what happens on a SkillCorps® trip.
After reviewing hours and hours of great content, we realized that trimming down too much would be a disservice to you. So, this episode will be a two-parter.
Today, you’ll hear excerpts from conversations about:
- Learning and self-discovery
- First impressions of Saudi culture
- Openness and flexibility
- Cultural humility
- Building rapport with the staff at Namaee
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Community outreach
- Making an impact
We’re currently taking applications for trips in July and October to Saudi Arabia and other partner sites, including Ecuador, Dominican Republic, China, India, Indonesia, Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda.
Join us today at skillcorps.globalautismproject.org and use the coupon code “autismpodcast” to waive the application fee.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
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Discover what’s possible when love begins with acceptance.
This week’s episode is a recording of one of our Global Autism Community exclusive events!
The topic of this round table discussion was Dating and Relationships. Participating in this event were autism self-advocates Olivia Hops, Thomas Iland, Mary Johnston, Scott Edgar, Taylor Duncan, and David Sharif, as well as community members Danielle Terrell, Ben Sharif, and Kia Burton.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Different ways to meet people
- How to navigate moving from a friendship to a relationship
- Creating a healthy relationship when one person is neurotypical and the other is neurodivergent
- Long-distance relationships
- Memorable dates
- Common challenges autistic people face when it comes to dating
- Dealing with breakups
Round-table discussions like the one you’ll hear today are open exclusively for members of our online Global Autism Community. We select a different theme each month, and our moderators monitor posts daily to ensure that our online space remains safe and respectful. If you’d like to attend and participate in any of our future events, you can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org.
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In preparation for our upcoming 100th episode, we will not be releasing any new content next week. Stay tuned for the release of this special episode on April 1st to kick off Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month. We'll be back on our regular release schedule after that. Take this time to catch up on any previous episodes you might have missed!
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when winning comes second.
Scott Edgar is an autistic voice actor in Orlando, Florida, who has been recently featured in London’s Autism’s Got Talent. He has also participated in the Special Olympics, competing in basketball, bowling, and powerlifting.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- How Scott found out about his diagnosis
- How autism affects his life
- Transitioning into independent living
- Voice acting and where he gets his inspiration
- Differences of autism awareness between England and the US
- Participating in the Special Olympics
Are you also self-advocate willing to share your experiences and educate others? Or are you a professional seeking to hear directly from autistic voices and improve your practice? Are you a family member hoping to support and empower your loved one? Whatever your role related to autism is, you can join our Global Autism Community to connect and collaborate with people all over the world.
Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when you mix your own batter.
Olivia Hops is the owner of Unbaked Bar, an online edible cookie dough shop. An autistic self-advocate from California, Olivia hopes to help autistic adults become successful business owners. She also uses her YouTube channel to spread awareness of how autism presents differently for females.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Olivia finding out about her autism at age 24
- Possible reasons why many young females go undiagnosed
- Some ways in which Olivia masked while growing up
- Selective mutism during meltdowns
- Tips for other autistic business owners
- Advice for newly diagnosed autistic females
To learn more about Olivia, please visit oliviahops.org.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when a goal is set into action.
This week’s episode is a recording of one of our Global Autism Community exclusive events!
The topic of this round table discussion was Setting Goals. Participating in this event were autism self-advocates Thomas Iland, Mary Johnston, Scott Edgar, Andrew Arboe, Jeff Snyder and David Sharif, as well as community members Sarah Bradford, Karen Shapiro, Ben Sharif, and Kia Burton.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Proud moments from 2021
- Personal and professional goals for this year
- Staying motivated
- Tips and strategies to meet milestones
Round-table discussions like the one you’ll hear today are open exclusively for members of our online Global Autism Community. We select a different theme each month, and our moderators monitor posts daily to ensure that our online space remains safe and respectful.
If you’d like to attend and participate in any of our future events, you can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org.
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In observance of President's Day in the US on Monday, February 21st, we will not be releasing an episode next week. We'll be back on our regular release schedule on March 3rd.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when communication is properly aided.
Vidya Banerjee hosts the podcast and blog Autism Family Story. Her 16-year-old autistic son Aarian is non-speaking and communicates with an Augmentative and Alternative Communication device, or AAC for short.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Do’s, don’ts, and common misconceptions about AAC
- Aarian’s rare seizure disorder, called Landau Kleffner syndrome
- Vidya’s hopes for her son
- Her mission as a blogger and podcaster
- Tips for parents
To learn more about Vidya Banerjee, please visit autismfamilystory.com.
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Are you a family member hoping to support and empower your loved one? Or are you a self-advocate willing to share your experiences and educate others? Are you a professional seeking to hear directly from autistic voices and improve your practice?
Whatever your role related to autism is, you can join our Global Autism Community to connect and collaborate with people all over the world.
Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.
----more----
We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when experience informs best practice.
Martin Slyngstad is an autistic behavior specialist from California and the co-author of Chatter Box: My Life with Autism, A Mother and Son’s Perspective.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Martin co-writing his autobiography with his mother
- Coping with anxiety
- Music, snowboarding, and other special interests
- Martin’s work as a behavior specialist
- Ideas to improve the field of Applied Behavior Analysis
- Stimming in the classroom
- Advice for other practitioners working with autistic children
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when travel is for everyone.
Dina Farmer is a Certified Autism Travel Professional, the Founder of Lily & Magnolia Travel, and the mother of a 10-year-old autistic boy. Her goal is to help parents plan autism-friendly family vacations while avoiding stress and overwhelm.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Dina’s passion for traveling
- How traveling with an autistic loved one benefits the world
- Overcoming challenges on a trip
- What it means for an establishment to be an Autism Certified Center
- Requesting accommodations while away from home
- Common questions families ask when thinking about a vacation
- How to make kids feel more included in the planning process
To learn more about Dina and her work, please visit lilyandmagnoliatravel.com.
Other resources:
autismtravel.com
ibcces.org
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
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Discover what’s possible when you trust your interests.
Happy New Year!
I want to kick off 2022 with a fun episode about special interests. This week’s release is a recording of one of our Global Autism Community exclusive events, featuring autism self-advocates Thomas Iland, Mary Johnston, Ryan Litchfield, Jeff Snyder and David Sharif, as well as community moderator Kia Burton.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Fanfiction
- Animals
- Painting
- Traveling
- Advocacy
- Batman
- Star Wars
Round-table discussions like the one you’ll hear today are open exclusively for members of our online Global Autism Community. We select a different theme each month, and our moderators monitor posts daily to ensure that our online space remains safe and respectful. If you’d like to attend and participate in any of our future events, you can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org.
Resources:
The Benefits of Special Interests in Autism
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
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Discover what’s possible when community inspires change.
This week’s episode is part 2 of our 2021 Highlights. Today we’ll be covering some of my favorite moments from episodes 72 to 89. To listen to the highlights from episodes 42 to 71, you can check out part 1 of this special highlights series. And if you’re curious about episodes 1 to 40, you can also listen to our 2020 Highlights episode from last year.
As I was reflecting on these past episodes from 2021, I was overcome with immense gratitude for our community. A huge thank you to our guests for sharing their stories, to our listeners for your continued support, and to our team for putting it all together.
Special thanks to our Global Autism Community moderators, Kia Burton, Jeff Snyder, and David Sharif for monitoring posts daily and keeping our online space safe and respectful.
We’re taking an extended pause of releasing episodes to set goals and intentions for the upcoming year. We’ll be back on our regular release schedule on January 20th in 2022. This will give you some time to catch up on any episodes you might’ve missed or that have caught your interest from listening to our highlights.
From all of us at the Global Autism Project, we wish you a happy and safe holiday season and hope you can spend some quality time with your loved ones!
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
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Discover what’s possible when change inspires community.
We made it to the end of 2021! To celebrate, we’ll be reviewing some of my favorite moments from this year’s episodes. This will be a two-parter due to the volume of content. Part 1 will highlight episodes 42 to 71, and next week we’ll review from 72 to 89.
Since we started working on this podcast almost two years ago, we’ve brought on a wide range of guests, including prominent self-advocates, such as Dr. Temple Grandin, Dr. Stephen Shore, Dr. Kerry Magro, Dani Bowman, and Anthony Ianni; parents like Tiffany Hammond and Bobby Rubio; some of our Global Autism Project partners, such as Yaser Aljaaidi from Saudi Arabia and Pooja Panesar from Kenya; and other professionals in the field, such as Dr. Megan Miller from the DoBetter Movement and Camille Proctor from The Color of Autism.
If you’ve been listening to our podcast for a while, this 2021 recap will bring you back to the heartfelt stories we’ve been hearing from our guests. And if you’re joining us for the first time, welcome! This episode will give you a good idea of what Autism Knows No Borders is all about.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
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Discover what’s possible when you’re true to yourself.
This week’s episode is a recording of one of our Global Autism Community exclusive events.
The topic of this round table discussion was Masking and Authenticity. Participating in this event were autism self-advocates Thomas Iland, Michael Gilberg, Terra Vance, Kate Jones, Jeff Snyder, and David Sharif, as well as community members Colleen Dorsey, Danielle Terrell, and Kia Burton.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- What masking means to different people and its potential dangers
- Situations in which people might feel the need to mask
- Autistic values
- Being authentic
To learn more about the participants in this discussion, please visit:
Thomas Iland - thomasiland.com
Michael Gilberg - michaelgilbergesq.com
Terra Vance - neuroclastic.com
Kate Jones - neuroclastic.com
Jeff Snyder - Going the Distance Blog
David Sharif - IG @david_thetraveler
Round-table discussions like the one you’ll hear today are open exclusively for members of our online Global Autism Community. We select a different theme each month, and our moderators monitor posts daily to ensure that our online space remains safe and respectful. If you’d like to attend and participate in any of our future events, you can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when information fuels advocacy.
Camille Proctor is the mother of a 15-year-old autistic boy and the founder of The Color of Autism, a non-profit organization committed to educating and assisting African American families with autistic children.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- Camille’s son and his interests
- Her ideas to reduce the stigma of autism in the Black community
- Religion’s role in denying autism
- The difficulty of getting a diagnosis
- How to overcome distrust in the healthcare system
- Harmful stereotypes of autistic black people
- What made Camille decide to start the Color of Autism and the different programs they offer
- Experiences specific to Black families
- Ideas to include more Black people in autism research
- How to successfully teach police officers about autism
- Advice for parents who want to be better allies to their autistic children
To learn more about Camille Proctor and her work, please visit thecolorofautism.org.
----more---- Just a reminder, our new Leadership Series courses are now available for professionals in the field of autism services. Check out the latest BONUS episode to learn about how our Leadership Series can help you become a better leader.
Grab your course today at leadership.globalautismproject.org. As a valued podcast listener, take advantage of the promo code autismpodcast for an extra 10% off!
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when you become a better leader.
If you’re a professional in the field of autism services, or interested in leadership in general, this bonus episode is for you.
The Global Autism Project is committed to up-leveling the leadership capacity of those in this field. This is the only way we’re going to make the difference we want to see in the world: all children with autism having access to quality services.
Now, for the first time ever, our training is available completely online in our Leadership Series!
In this episode, you'll hear directly from other graduates how this training has transformed their lives.
Even if you’re still not sure these courses are for you, you can download the FREE Failproof Feedback Checklist so that you never have to fear feedback again.
Are you ready to take bold action to improve the way you lead? Are you ready to take charge of your life?
Grab your Leadership Series course today at leadership.globalautismproject.org!
As a valued podcast listener, take advantage of the promo code autismpodcast for an extra 10% off!
Discover what’s possible when you break the overwhelm cycle.
Today we’re bringing back three special guests: the CEO of the Global Autism Project, Molly Ola Pinney; our partner from Saudi Arabia, Yaser Aljaaidi; and the founder of the DoBetter Movement, Dr. Megan Miller.
For almost 20 years, the Global Autism Project has been providing sustainable clinical, administrative, and leadership training to autism centers around the world seeking guidance.
Our SkillCorps® volunteer program is an opportunity for self-advocates and professionals to travel to our international partner sites and collaborate with their local teachers and therapists.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- 2019’s Global Summit in Bali, Indonesia
- Yaser and Megan’s takeaways from that experience
- Burnout and overwhelm in the field of autism services
- Changing what’s not working in your life
- The evolution of Leadership Academy, a leadership training program created by the Global Autism Project
To learn more about the Global Autism Project’s history and mission, please listen to my conversation with Molly Ola Pinney in episode 2.
To hear more about Yaser Aljaaidiand his work in Saudi Arabia, listen to episode 25.
For more information about Dr. Megan Miller and the DoBetter Movement, check out episode 35.
This week we will be offering Black Friday deals for the Global Autism Leadership Series! These unique courses will never be sold at this low price again! Be sure to visit leadership.globalautismproject.org to grab your course today!
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when the right tools are in your box.
This week’s episode is a recording of one of our Global Autism Community exclusive events! The topic of this round table discussion was Coping with Stress and Sensory Overload.
Participating in this event were autism self-advocates Thomas Iland, Robert Schmus, Mary Johnston, and David Sharif, as well as community members Colleen Dorsey, Danielle Terrell, and Kia Burton.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Triggers in public spaces
- Making stores more neurodiverse-friendly
- Halloween for children with disabilities
- Workplace stressors
- Requesting accommodations
- Conflicts with other people
- The Spoon Theory
- Tips for travelers
Round-table discussions like the one you’ll hear today are open exclusively for members of our online Global Autism Community. We select a different theme each month, and our moderators monitor posts daily to ensure that our online space remains safe and respectful. If you’d like to attend and participate in any of our future events, you can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org.
To learn more about the panelists in this discussion, please visit:
Thomas Iland - thomasiland.com
Robert Schmus - schmus898@gmail.com
Mary Johnston - IG @autisticrainbow15
David Sharif - IG @david_thetraveler
----more----
We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when you redesign the approach.
Originally from Australia and currently living in the US, Lois Letchford is the mother of three young men, two of whom are on the autism spectrum. She has also personally struggled with dyslexia her entire life; however, she now uses it to her advantage as a literary spokesperson for learners who have fallen behind in the traditional classroom.
In her book Reversed: A Memoir, Lois tells the story of her son’s journey of learning to read. Through coaching and workshops at international conferences, TV appearances, and radio stations, she teaches educators and parents how to create flexible learning environments using comprehensive and innovative teaching methods.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- What dyslexia is and how it affects Lois’ life
- Her sons’ autism and their interests
- How a teacher’s negative comment pushed her to become a reading specialist
- Some of the biggest mistakes educators make when teaching kids how to read
- The Deficit Theory
- Her teaching philosophy: MAPS
- Thinking outside of the box to teach autistic children how to read
- Tips to identify trauma in the learning environment
To learn more about Lois Letchford, please visit loisletchford.com.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when obstacles become opportunities.
This week’s episode is a recording of one of our Global Autism Community exclusive events!
The topic of this round table discussion was Overcoming Obstacles. Participating in this event were autism self-advocates Stephanie De Kremer, Cassidy Hooper, Jeff Snyder, and David Sharif, as well as community members Kia Burton and Karen Shapiro.
As with previous live event recordings, the sound quality is a bit inconsistent because we hadn’t originally planned it as a podcast episode. However, I assure you that the stories and perspectives shared are really worth listening to.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Setting boundaries
- Finding a job
- Making friends
- Dating
- Maintaining relationships
Round-table discussions like the one you’ll hear today are open exclusively for members of our online Global Autism Community. We select a different theme each month, and our moderators monitor posts daily to ensure that our online space remains safe and respectful. If you’d like to attend and participate in any of our future events, you can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org.
To learn more about the participants in this discussion, please visit:
Stephanie De Kremer - IG @kiara_wrestler
Cassidy Hooper - The Diverse Butterfly Podcast
Jeff Snyder - Going the Distance Blog
David Sharif - IG @david_thetraveler
----more----
We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when your response is in line with your truest intentions.
With over 20 years of experience working with neurodiverse individuals, Lafaya Mitchell is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the creator of The Lafaya Way, a relational approach that helps to build bridges for effective interactions in difficult relationships and social situations. She is also the mother of three children, two of whom are autistic.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- The types of families that seek her services
- The four core strategies of The Lafaya Way
- What she calls the “emotion soaking phenomenon”
- How a parent’s past experiences might impact their ability to make decisions now
- The different levels of acceptance and how they are tied to a parent’s personal growth
- Some common struggles of parents trying to understand their child’s needs
- The hidden effects of family dynamics
- Why the expression “problem child” is problematic
- Cultural sensitivity and how the Black community responds to her program
- One of the most rewarding experiences she’s ever had working with children on the spectrum
To learn more about Lafaya, please visit lafayaway.com.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when we expand the meaning of independence.
We’ve received great feedback about our previous Global Autism Community episodes, so we’ve decided to release another one!
The topic of this round table discussion was Preparing for Adulthood, and its diverse panel included Dani Bowman, Robert Schmus, Cheryl Albright, and Cammie McGovern.
Dani is an autism self-advocate, animator, illustrator, teacher, and public speaker; Robert is an autism self-advocate, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and writer; Cheryl is an occupational therapist, certified yoga instructor, and autism sibling. Cammie is the mother of a 25-year-old autistic adult and has recently published a book titled Hard Landings: Looking into the Future of a Child with Autism.
Other community members who participated in this event were Jeff Snyder, David Sharif, Kia Burton, and Karen Shapiro.
As with previous community-event recordings, the sound quality is a bit inconsistent because we hadn’t originally planned it as a podcast episode. However, we’ve done our best to improve it, and I assure you that the stories and perspectives shared are really worth listening to.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Support and programs to help transition into adulthood
- Essential skills that children and adolescents ought to learn
- Different adult services available across the US
- Living independently versus in communities
- Applying for college or a job
- Financial planning and budgeting
To learn more about the panelists in this discussion, please visit:
Dani Bowman - danibowman.com
Robert Schmus - schmus898@gmail.com
Cheryl Albright - Soul to Soul Yoga
Cammie McGovern - cammiemcgovern.com
Round-table discussions like the one you’ll hear today are open exclusively for members of our online Global Autism Community. We select a different theme each month, and our moderators monitor posts daily to ensure that our online space remains safe and respectful. If you’d like to attend and participate in any of our future events, you can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org.
----more----
We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when rehabilitation fits the crime.
Tom Oliver is an autism self-advocate, a TEDx Speaker, and an aspiring lawyer from Australia who has dedicated his career to helping autistic individuals caught up in the justice system.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- Autism acceptance in Australia
- Tom’s finding out about his diagnosis
- How autism affects his everyday life
- How Tom became interested in the law
- Three characteristics that are underlying causes of crimes among autistic people
- Challenges autistic people may face in the prison system
- Ideas to mitigate injustices against autistic individuals
To learn more about Tom Oliver, please visit tomoliver.biz.
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Are you a self-advocate willing to share your experiences and educate others? Are you a professional seeking to hear directly from autistic voices and improve your practice? Are you a family member hoping to support and empower your loved one? Whatever your role related to autism is, you can join our Global Autism Community to connect and collaborate with people all over the world.
Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.
----more----
We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when communication breaks down both ways.
Our guests this week are Terra Vance and Kate Jones. Terra is the founder of NeuroClastic, an autistic-led non-profit organization that publishes articles by autistic writers and professionals advocating for autistic representation and human rights. Kate is an artist and visual designer at NeuroClastic.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- Being diagnosed later in life and growing up without proper support
- Anxiety and autistic burnout
- The medical model vs the social model of disability
- The consequences of masking
- The double empathy problem
- How to teach neurotypical children to interact with autistic peers
- Utilizing special interests
- Interdependence and collectivism
- Advice for allies
We also touch on the controversial topic of Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, which Terra and Kate strongly oppose. In previous episodes, you may have heard from Autistic guests who have reported positive experiences from receiving ABA therapy, as well as autistic behavior analysts currently practicing ABA.
As many self-advocates have repeatedly reminded us on this podcast, if you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism. As we intentionally share different, and even opposing views in this space, we encourage you to step outside the realm of right and wrong and engage with the wide range of nuanced perspectives coming from the autistic community on hard topics like this.
I invite you to listen to this episode from a place of openness and curiosity. If you hear something that triggers an immediate thought of, “No, that’s not true!”, I encourage you to pause, and instead ask yourself, “Could this be true?” I know how hard this can be, mainly because it has happened to me many times since we started this podcast... But how much can we really learn if we’re not willing to lean into discomfort? What's possible lives in the realm of curiosity.
If you have any questions or comments, please join us in our online Global Autism Community, where very diverse opinions are continuously engaging in these types of conversations.
To learn more about Terra, Kate, and NeuroClastic, please visit neuroclastic.com.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when everyone gets a chance.
This week’s episode is a recording of one of our Global Autism Community exclusive events. The topic of this round table discussion was Navigating Social Situations, and its diverse panel included Anthony Ianni, Sangeeta Jain, and Vanessa Lista.
Anthony is an autism self-advocate, a former NCAA Division 1 basketball player, and a motivational speaker; Sangeeta is the mother of an autistic young man and she is also our Global Autism Project partner in Chandigarh, India; and Vanessa has an autistic brother and is a kinesiology and psychology student.
Other community members who participated in this event were Mary Johnston, Andrew Bennett, Priya Vijayan, Beverly Sujit, Happy Arora, and Anshul Sharma.
As with previous community events, we hadn’t originally planned to produce a podcast episode from this discussion, but we later thought it would be great to make this conversation available to our podcast listeners as well. We apologize for the inconsistent sound quality, but I assure you that the stories and perspectives shared by our guests are really worth listening to.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Strategies to mitigate misunderstandings in social situations
- Respecting personal space and boundaries
- Teaching social skills to young autistic children
- Teaching peers how to communicate with autistic children
- Action steps towards true inclusion
To learn more about the panelists in this discussion, please visit:
Anthony Ianni
Sangeeta Jain
Vanessa Lista
Round-table discussions like the one you’ll hear today are open exclusively for members of our online Global Autism Community. We select a different theme each month, and our moderators monitor posts daily to ensure that our online space remains safe and respectful. If you’d like to attend and participate in any of our future events, you can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when connection builds confidence.
Our guests this week are Gary Jesch and Leslie Baldwin. Gary is a live animation performer and the founder of Invirtua, a telehealth learning service that uses animated avatars to interact with autistic children. Leslie is Invirtua’s Senior Partner as well as a member of their Board of Advisors. She was previously a manager and special educator at Texas Children's Hospital.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Gary’s inspiration for designing his characters
- Example goals they might target in a session
- Generalizing skills into everyday life
- Academic research that utilizes Invirtua’s technology
- Tips for parents wanting to improve the lives of their autistic children
Gary and Leslie also demonstrate a live interaction with one of Invirtua’s avatars, a fish named Marley.
To learn more about Gary, Leslie, and Invirtua, please visit invirtua.com.
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Are you a professional seeking to hear directly from autistic voices and improve your practice? Are you a self-advocate willing to share your experiences and educate others? Are you a family member hoping to support and empower your loved one? Whatever your role related to autism is, you can join our Global Autism Community to connect and collaborate with people all over the world.
Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when success is measured in belonging.
Cammie McGovern is the mother of a 25-year-old autistic adult and has recently published a book titled Hard Landings: Looking into the Future of a Child with Autism. She has also authored three novels for adults, including Eye Contact; two books for young adults, Say What You Will and A Step Toward Falling; and two books for middle-grade readers, Just My Luck and Chester and Gus. All feature young people with a variety of disabilities at the center.
Cammie is also one of the founders of Whole Children and Milestones, a resource center for children and young adults with disabilities and their families in Hadley, Massachusetts.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- The “Disability Cliff” for autistic adults who turn 22
- Varying types of adult services available across the US
- The movement away from institutional settings and sheltered workshops
- The overlooked value of congregate settings
- Skills parents should prioritize when preparing their kids for adulthood
- Tips for parents whose children are approaching this stage in life
- Sex education
To learn more about Cammie, please visit cammiemcgovern.com.
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Are you a family member hoping to support and empower your loved one? Are you a self-advocate willing to share your experiences and educate others? Are you a professional seeking to hear directly from autistic voices and improve your practice? Whatever your role related to autism is, you can join our Global Autism Community to connect and collaborate with people all over the world.
Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.
----more----
We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey
Discover what’s possible when awareness educates safety.
This week’s episode is a recording of one of our Global Autism Community exclusive events. The topic of this round table discussion is Safety in Public. The diverse panelists include autism self-advocates Rachel Barcellona and Thomas Iland, autism father and host of The Ausome Show, Jamiel Owens, and our Global Autism Project partner from the Dominican Republic, Maricarmen (Kaki) Hazoury.
Other community members present at the event and part of the discussion are Jeff Snyder, David Sharif, Kia Burton, Karen Shapiro, and Ben Sharif.
We hadn’t originally planned to produce a podcast episode from this exclusive event, but we later thought it would be great to make this rich conversation available to our podcast listeners as well. We apologize for the inconsistent sound quality, but I assure you that the stories and perspectives shared by our guests are really worth listening to.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Navigating around the community
- Autism-disclosure ID cards
- Interactions with strangers and law enforcement
- Setting boundaries on social media
Round-table discussions like the one you’ll hear today are open exclusively for members of our online Global Autism Community. We select a different theme each month, and our moderators monitor posts daily to ensure that our online space remains safe and respectful. If you’d like to attend and participate in any of our future events, you can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org.
Also, just a heads up that next week we won’t be releasing a new episode in observance of Labor Day in the US. September is a good time of the year to reset and prioritize your own well-being, and our team will be taking the week off to do just that. I encourage you to find a moment for self-care during this weekend, whatever that means for you. For those of you living in the US, have a safe, happy, and restful holiday weekend. We’ll be back on our regular release schedule on Thursday, September 16th.
To learn more about the panelists in this discussion, please visit:
Rachel Barcellona
Thomas Iland
Jamiel Owens
Kaki Hazoury
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when sustainability is made essential.
Today we’re bringing back our CEO Molly Ola Pinney and our first Global Autism Project partner, Pooja Panesar from Kaizora in Nairobi, Kenya.
For almost 20 years, the Global Autism Project has been providing sustainable clinical, administrative, and leadership training to autism centers around the world seeking guidance. Our SkillCorps® volunteer program is an opportunity for self-advocates and professionals to travel to our international partner sites and collaborate with their local teachers and therapists.
We are currently accepting SkillCorps® applications for travel in 2022! Begin your journey today at globalautismproject.org/skillcorps. As a listener of our show, take advantage of the coupon code AUTISMPODCAST to waive the application fee.
If you’d like to learn more about the Global Autism Project’s history and mission, please listen to our conversation with Molly in episode 2. To learn more about Pooja and her work at Kaizora, listen to episode 9 with her co-director Brooke Jedidah.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- The early days of partnership between Molly and Pooja
- Sustainable support
- How SkillCorps® is different from voluntourism or white saviorism
- What Pooja likes to share about Kenyan culture with SkillCorps® teams
- Advice for future SkillCorps® travelers
To learn more about our organization and the work we do, please visit globalautismproject.org.
Related episodes:
- Do With Not For, with Our CEO Molly Ola Pinney
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when A is for action.
Dr. Stephen Shore is an autistic professor of special education at Adelphi University. He has written several books, including College for Students with Disabilities, Understanding Autism for Dummies, Ask and Tell, and Beyond the Wall.
Currently, Dr. Shore serves on the boards of Autism Speaks, the Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association, the US Autism and Asperger Association, the Scientific Council of OAR, and other autism-related organizations. He formerly headed the Asperger’s Association of New England and was on the board of the Autism Society of America.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- Stephen’s background and how his parents helped in his development
- How autism affects his everyday life
- His strengths related to autism
- Benefits of music for autistic people
- What Stephen describes as “The 4 A's of Autism”
- The controversies surrounding ABA therapy and Autism Speaks
- Awareness of autism around the world
- Meaningful inclusion strategies
- Disclosure and self-advocacy
For more information about Dr. Shore and his work, please visit drstephenshore.com.
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If you’re a self-advocate wanting to share your life experiences, or a professional working in the field of autism education, our SkillCorps® volunteer program is an opportunity you don’t want to miss!
Work alongside our Global Autism Partners to help ensure that all autistic individuals around the world have access to quality education and services.
To learn more about our SkillCorps® program, check out episodes 4, 17, 53, and 66, featuring SkillCorps® volunteers that have been to our partner sites in India, The Netherlands, Indonesia, Dominican Republic, and Kenya, to name a few. Listen to them talk about their transformative experiences and see what SkillCorps® can offer you!
Begin your journey today at globalautismproject.org/skillcorps. As a listener of our show, take advantage of the coupon code AUTISMPODCAST to waive the application fee.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when skills are transferred off the court.
Lisa Pugliese-LaCroix is a Speech-Language Pathologist, a former collegiate tennis player, and the Founder and CEO of Love Serving Autism, a non-profit organization that provides specialized therapeutic tennis instruction for individuals with autism. Love Serving Autism’s mission is to expand life skills, increase community inclusion, and promote independence for individuals on the spectrum.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- How Lisa fuses tennis and speech therapy
- Benefits of playing tennis for autistic individuals
- Strategies and accommodations to help her students succeed
- What she’s learned about the autistic population from teaching tennis
- Adapting services online due to the pandemic
- Advice for parents interested in tennis for their autistic children
For more information about Lisa and her work, please visit loveservingautism.org.
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If, like Lisa, you’re a professional working in the field of autism education, or a self-advocate wanting to share your life experiences, our SkillCorps® volunteer program is an opportunity you don’t want to miss!
Work alongside our Global Autism Partners to help ensure that all autistic individuals around the world have access to quality education and services.
To learn more about our SkillCorps® program, check out episodes 4, 17, 53, and 66, featuring SkillCorps® volunteers that have been to our partner sites in India, The Netherlands, Indonesia, Dominican Republic, and Kenya, to name a few. Listen to them talk about their transformative experiences and see what SkillCorps® can offer you!
Begin your journey today at globalautismproject.org/skillcorps. As a listener of our show, take advantage of the coupon code AUTISMPODCAST (no space and all caps) to waive the application fee.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when you focus your lens beyond the surface.
Alfie Bowen is an autism self-advocate, wildlife photographer, author, and activist based in Suffolk, England. He uses his art to highlight animal emotion and connect people with the natural world.
At just 23 years old, Alfie was recently signed by the UK’s biggest art gallery network, Castle Fine Art. His debut collection Call of the Wild was launched earlier this year, and his first book will be released in September. The documentary An Eye for Detail tells the story of how Alfie’s passion for animals and photography helped him cope with childhood bullying.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- Alfie growing up feeling like an alien on Earth
- His attempts at suicide
- Social skills he’s had to teach himself
- Feeling misunderstood
- His inspiration for becoming a photographer
- How nature has positively impacted his mental health
- Autistic strengths related to photography
- Advice for other autistic photographers
For more information about Alfie and his work, please visit alfiebowen.com.
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If you’re a self-advocate wanting to share your life experiences, or a professional working in the field of autism education, our SkillCorps® volunteer program is an opportunity you don’t want to miss!
Work alongside our Global Autism Partners to help ensure that all autistic individuals around the world have access to quality education and services.
To learn more about our SkillCorps® program, check out episodes 4, 17, 53, and 66, featuring SkillCorps® volunteers that have been to our partner sites in India, The Netherlands, Indonesia, Dominican Republic, and Kenya, to name a few. Listen to them talk about their transformative experiences and see what SkillCorps® can offer you!
Begin your journey today at globalautismproject.org/skillcorps. As a listener of our show, take advantage of the coupon code AUTISMPODCAST (no space and all caps) to waive the application fee.
----more----
We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when constraint unlocks opportunity.
Jayashree Ramesh is the Founder and Director of Academy for Severe Handicaps and Autism, ASHA for short, in Bangalore, India. The Global Autism Project partnered with ASHA in 2018 and we’ve since sent three SkillCorps® teams to their center.
Founded by Molly Ola Pinney in 2003, the Global Autism Project provides sustainable clinical, administrative, and leadership training to autism centers seeking guidance. SkillCorps® is a volunteer opportunity for self-advocates and professionals to travel to our partner sites around the world and work directly with their local teachers and therapists.
We are currently accepting SkillCorps® applications for travel in 2022. Begin your journey today at globalautismproject.org/skillcorps. As a listener of our show, take advantage of the coupon code AUTISMPODCAST (no space and all caps) to waive the application fee.
In this conversation, Jayashree and I discuss:
- The varying perspectives of autism across India
- How Indian mothers and fathers accept autism differently
- What Jayashree loves about working with the autistic population
- Barriers she’s had to overcome when developing ASHA
- Leadership and encouraging teamwork among staff
- Effects of the pandemic on services at her center
- The partnership between the Global Autism Project and ASHA
- What she likes to share about Indian culture with our SkillCorps® teams
- Advice for other professionals interested in starting their own center
You’ll also hear us talk about Global Summit, which was our first annual conference held in Bali in 2019. It was a beautiful and inspiring week for all of our partners from around the world to connect and share ideas, stories, and resources. Global Summit was open for our SkillCorps® alumni to attend and receive continuing education credit as well. Watch our 2019 Global Summit video here.
To learn more about Jayashree and ASHA, please visit ashaforautism.com.
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If you’re a professional working in the field of autism education, or a self-advocate wanting to share your life experiences, SkillCorps® is an opportunity you don’t want to miss!
Work alongside our Global Autism Partners to help ensure that all autistic individuals around the world have access to quality education and services.
If you’d like to learn more about our SkillCorps® program, check out episodes 4, 17, 53, and 66, featuring SkillCorps® volunteers that have been to our partner sites in India, The Netherlands, Indonesia, Dominican Republic, and Kenya, to name a few. Listen to them talk about their transformative experiences and see what SkillCorps® can offer you!
----more----
We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when a mentor guides by example.
Robert Schmus is an autism self-advocate, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey, and a blogger for The Mighty. As a therapist, he currently provides individual and group sessions at a residential home for adolescents with autism and other co-occurring diagnoses.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- How Robert learned about his diagnosis
- His strengths related to autism
- Dealing with anxiety and covid uncertainty
- Dating on the spectrum
- His responsibilities as a social worker
- Ideas to help adolescents transition into adulthood and find a job
- Disclosing his diagnosis to employers
To learn more about Robert and his work, you can contact him via email at schmus898@gmail.com.
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Are you a self-advocate willing to share your experiences and educate others? Are you a professional seeking to hear directly from autistic voices and improve your practice? Are you a family member hoping to support and empower your loved one? Whatever your role related to autism is, you can join our Global Autism Community to connect and collaborate with people all over the world.
Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.
----more----
We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when inclusion is animated.
Dani Bowman is an autism self-advocate, animator, illustrator, teacher, and public speaker from California. Dani founded her company, DaniMation Entertainment LLC, at age 11, and has worked professionally in the animation industry since age 14. Her company has produced nine award-winning animated shorts, a PSA for Autism Society of America, and a music video that premiered at San Diego Comic-Con. DaniMation Entertainment has also illustrated six children’s books and numerous commercial works. Dani teaches animation to teens and young adults with autism and other disabilities at summer camps around the world, in-person and online.
As part of her advocacy work, Dani speaks at autism and neurodiversity conferences about inclusion in the workforce. She has been a keynote speaker at events such as OCALICON (by the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence) in Columbus, OH, the Oklahoma Statewide Autism Conference, Temple Grandin and Friends in Los Angeles, CA, and the Alaska Autism Resource Center Speaker Series (AARC), among others.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- How autism affects Dani’s everyday life
- What she loves about her autism
- Some of the ways in which she feels misunderstood
- What inspires her as an animator
- DaniAcademy workshops and camps
- The skills needed to succeed as an animator
- Advice for other autistics entering the animation industry
To learn more about Dani Bowman and her work, please visit danibowman.com.
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Are you a self-advocate willing to share your experiences and educate others? Are you a professional seeking to hear directly from autistic voices and improve your practice? Are you a family member hoping to support and empower your loved one? Whatever your role related to autism is, you can join our Global Autism Community to connect and collaborate with people all over the world.
Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.
----more----
We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when taking care of yourself lets you take care of others.
This week's guest is Maggie Nunez. Originally from Dominican Republic and currently living in New Jersey, Maggie is a mother of three, two of whom are autistic. Her sons Dariel and Alvin are 16 and 13 years old. As a cancer survivor, Maggie hopes to encourage other parents to prioritize their own health in order to effectively take care of their children.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Maggie's two sons’ autistic strengths
- Challenges her son Dariel has overcome
- Thinking about her children’s future
- What motherhood has taught her about herself
- Autism acceptance in Dominican culture
- Her family’s supportive attitude
- How she takes care of herself
If you’re a parent, how do you practice self-care? You can connect with other parents going through experiences similar to yours, as well as find support and self-care resources, in our Global Autism Community.
Just a reminder, our community is open to anyone related to autism. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a professional in the field, you can participate in these important conversations on our platform.
Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when you live a life you don’t need a vacation from.
Diagnosed on the autism spectrum as an adult, Becca Lory Hector is an active autism and neurodiversity advocate, consultant, public speaker, and author. She offers a 3-unit personal development course for autistic adults called Self-Defined Living: A Path to a Quality Autistic Life. Becca also posts weekly live streams on her YouTube channel to encourage others to share both their challenges and what they’re grateful for.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Becca’s emotional roller coaster of finding out about her autism
- Growing up misdiagnosed and heavily medicated
- Unmasking and prioritizing self-care
- The evolutionary benefit of difference
- What society can do to make life easier for autistic people
- Building on autistic strengths
- Why she decided to develop her course
- How to get out of autistic inertia
- Advice for newly diagnosed autistic adults
To learn more about Becca Lory Hector and her work, please visit beccalory.com.
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Are you a self-advocate willing to share your experiences and educate others? Are you a professional seeking to hear directly from autistic voices and improve your practice? Are you a family member hoping to support and empower your loved one? Whatever your role related to autism is, you can join our Global Autism Community to connect and collaborate with people all over the world.
Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.
----more----
We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when you get the right support.
Our guests today are Sarah Glass and Eliza Cagle. Although they’ve never met in person, Sarah and Eliza have several things in common. They’re both late-diagnosed neurodivergent women, mothers to their respective boys on the spectrum, and Board Certified Behavior Analysts. Sarah has ADHD and Eliza is autistic. They’re also both members of our SkillCorps® Alumni community.
The Global Autism Project provides sustainable clinical, administrative, and leadership training to autism centers seeking guidance. SkillCorps® is an opportunity for self-advocates and professionals to travel to our partner sites around the world and work directly with their local teachers and therapists.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- Sarah and Eliza finding out about their diagnoses as adults
- Support and strategies to reduce sensory overload and improve executive functioning skills
- Strengths related to thinking out of the box and being hyper-focused on certain subjects
- Disclosing their diagnoses at work and requesting accommodations
- How they talk about autism to their kids
- Personal and professional growth from volunteering with SkillCorps®
- Inspiring moments with our Global Autism Partners
- Advice for mothers and other applicants interested in going on a SkillCorps® trip
If you’re a professional working in the field of autism education, or a self-advocate wanting to share your life experiences, SkillCorps® is an opportunity you don’t want to miss. Work alongside our Global Autism Partners to help ensure that all autistic individuals around the world have access to quality education and services.
For more information about our SkillCorps® program, you can listen to episodes 4, 17, and 53, featuring round table discussions with other members of our community.
We are currently accepting applications for SkillCorps® 2022. Begin your journey today at globalautismproject.org/skillcorps.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when autism is not viewed as just a broken version of normal.
Jude Morrow. Based in Ireland, Jude is an autism self-advocate, TEDx speaker, and author. He is also the founder of Neurodiversity Training International, an autism mentoring, training, consultancy, and motivational platform. NTI works with non-profit and Fortune 500 companies using a strengths-based approach to change perceptions and attitudes. Jude’s first book, Why Does Daddy Always Look So Sad?, was published in 2020, and his second book, Loving Your Place on the Spectrum, is scheduled to be released in September of 2021.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- Autism awareness and acceptance in Ireland
- What it was like for Jude to grow up feeling that something was wrong with him
- Why society should move away from the medical model and embrace the neurodiversity movement
- The problem with labels of disorders and disabilities
- Consultation services offered at NTI
- Advice for anyone interested in being an ally of the neurodiversity movement
To learn more about Jude Morrow and his work, please visit https://neurodiversity-training.net/.
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What are your thoughts on the neurodiversity movement? Do you view autism as a difference, as a disability, or as some gray area in between? We’d love to hear your perspective on these topics over in our Global Autism Community.
Just a reminder, the Global Autism Community is open to anyone related to autism. Whether you’re a self-advocate wanting to share your story and educate others, a professional seeking to hear directly from autistic voices and improve your practice, or a family member hoping to support and empower your loved one, you can join our Global Autism Community to connect and collaborate with people all over the world.
Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
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Discover what’s possible when relationships are strengthened by listening.
Vanessa Lista's autistic older brother, Billy, has been her inspiration her whole life. Currently studying kinesiology and psychology in college, Vanessa’s goal is to become a pediatric physical therapist.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- How Vanessa’s relationship with her brother has evolved over the years
- Why she admires Billy
- How she’s been advocating for him from a young age
- Her experiences as a behavior therapist
- What physical therapy is and example goals that can be targeted
- Advice to other siblings of autistic individuals
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Are you a sibling wanting to connect with others going through similar experiences? You can find a supportive network of family members, professionals, and self-advocates in our Global Autism Community. Whatever your role is related to autism, you can participate in these important conversations on our platform.
Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.
----more----
We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
----more----
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when the student’s interests lead the team.
This week’s episode is a recording of a round-table discussion during one of our Global Autism Community exclusive events. The topic is Individualized Education Programs, or IEPs. The panelists include Brian Middleton, an autistic Board Certified Behavior Analyst; Colleen Dorsey, a special education teacher; and Michael Gilberg, an autistic special education and disability rights attorney.
Other community members present at the event and part of the discussion are Jeff Snyder, Mary Johnston, Ryan Litchfield, Jessie Sheahan, and Morgan Ferguson.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- The different roles on an IEP team
- How to reduce combativeness between professionals at IEP meetings
- Finding the sweet spot when writing goals and encouraging independence
- How to best support families throughout the IEP process
- Helpful accommodations suggested by self-advocates in the audience
Some acronyms mentioned in the conversation are IDEA, BCBA, and ABA. IDEA is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which is an American piece of legislation that ensures eligible students with a disability are provided with Free Appropriate Public Education that is tailored to their individual needs. BCBA stands for Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and ABA is Applied Behavior Analysis.
These monthly round-table discussions are open exclusively to members of our Global Autism Community. A new topic is selected based on each month’s theme. If you’d like to attend and participate in any of our future events, you can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org.
To learn more about the panelists in this discussion, you can visit:
Brian Middleton: https://beardedbehaviorist.com/
Colleen Dorsey: @autismausome
Michael Gilberg: https://www.michaelgilbergesq.com/
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
----more----
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Discover what’s possible when a butterfly spreads her wings.
Cassidy Hooper is a 27-year-old autistic self-advocate from Mississippi who also has a rare genetic condition called Turner Syndrome. As the President of The Arc of Northeast Mississippi Autism Now Division, she mentors other autistic people and connects them with resources in their area. Some of her other advocacy work includes volunteering for Autism Grown Up and the Turner Syndrome Foundation. Cassidy also hosts her own podcast called The Diverse Butterfly, in which she spreads awareness about Turner Syndrome and aims to inspire others to follow their goals.
Sadly, shortly after we recorded this interview, Cassidy’s mother passed away from a sudden heart attack. This episode is in memory of Regina Hooper.
Mrs. Hooper was a strong advocate for Cassidy throughout her life, always fighting for what she thought was best for her family. She was a sweet and caring mother, wife, grandmother, and teacher’s assistant who loved children. Regina Hooper will be missed by Cassidy and so many others whose lives were touched by her kind and tender spirit.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- What Turner Syndrome is and how it affects Cassidy’s life
- Receiving her autism diagnosis at 17
- Her learning style and special interests
- The lack of support for adults with disabilities in rural areas of the US
- Advice for other girls and women with Turner Syndrome
To learn more about Cassidy Hooper and Turner Syndrome, you can listen to her podcast The Diverse Butterfly.
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Are you a self-advocate willing to share your experiences and educate others? Are you a professional seeking to hear directly from autistic voices and improve your practice? Are you a family member hoping to support and empower your loved one? Whatever your role related to autism is, you can join our Global Autism Community to connect and collaborate with people all over the world.
Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.
----more----
We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
----more----
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when a mother learns her child’s language.
Nora Alharbi is a teacher and a mother to four children in Saudi Arabia. Her second child, Fares, is autistic. Fares receives services at Namaee Center, our partner site in Riyadh.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- The level of autism awareness in Saudi Arabia and what services are available for families there
- How Nora came to accept her son’s autism
- Fares’ autistic strengths and relationship with his siblings
- How his communication skills have developed since attending Namaee Center
- Advice for other parents who may be struggling with accepting their child’s diagnosis
Are you a parent wanting to connect with other parents who may be going through similar experiences? You can find support and resources in our Global Autism Community.
Just a reminder, our community is open to anyone related to autism. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a professional in the field, you can participate in these important conversations on our platform.
Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.
----more----
We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
----more----
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when support includes all ages.
Ryan Litchfield is an autism and disabilities self-advocate from Massachusetts. Diagnosed with autism at the age of two, Ryan underwent Applied Behavior Analysis therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Since his high school days, Ryan has been sharing his life journey with various agencies, communities, and organizations, and he is known by people around him to have a “fighting spirit.”
With a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies and a Certificate in Aging Services, Ryan specializes in older adults with disabilities, guiding and supporting them to pursue their goals while promoting compassion, empathy, and kindness. Ryan has also had several blogs published in the Organization for Autism Research (OAR).
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- The services Ryan received growing up
- His perspective on ABA therapy
- How autism affects his life
- Communication breakdowns in social situations
- The need for research about older adults
- How professionals can provide better support for their clients
To learn more about Ryan Litchfield and his work, please visit his website ryansvoice.blog.
Resources:
https://ryansvoice.blog/2019/03/09/gerontological-research-needed-to-gain-a-further-understanding-of-autism-in-older-adults/ https://ryansvoice.blog/2020/09/20/autism-and-mental-illness-connected-or-distinct-vlog-2/ ----more----
Are you a self-advocate willing to share your experiences and educate others? Are you a professional seeking to hear directly from autistic voices and improve your practice? Are you a family member hoping to support and empower your loved one? Whatever your role related to autism is, you can join our Global Autism Community to connect and collaborate with people all over the world.
Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.
----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
----more----
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when financial freedom is in your pocket.
Andrew Komarow is a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Neurodiversity Professional. He’s also the Founder of Planning Across the Spectrum, a company based out of Connecticut that specializes in helping individuals, families, or employers of those with autism and other disabilities pursue financial independence.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- Andrew discovering his own autism as an adult
- How autism affects his life
- Common struggles with financial planning that autistic individuals face
- Services offered by his team at Planning Across the Spectrum
- Alternatives to guardianship
- Benefits of hiring neurodiverse staff
To learn more about Andrew and his work, please visit Planning Across the Spectrum.
Resources:
Aphantasia FAQ
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Are you a self-advocate willing to share your experiences and educate others? Are you a professional seeking to hear directly from autistic voices and improve your practice? Are you a family member hoping to support and empower your loved one? Whatever your role related to autism is, you can join our Global Autism Community to connect and collaborate with people all over the world.
Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.
----more----
We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
----more----
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when the audience takes the mic.
This week, we are celebrating the one-year anniversary of our podcast! It’s been an eye-opening journey that continues to leave us surprised, inspired, and moved.
We’ve learned so much from self-advocates sharing their experiences, family members talking about accepting their children’s diagnoses, and professionals discussing best practices in the field of autism services.
We’ve covered a wide range of topics, such as ableism, masking, the neurodiversity movement, intersectionality, disability rights, cultural humility, and international collaboration. A huge thank you to all of our guests for openly sharing your stories and educating us about your perspectives.
In today’s episode, we’ll be highlighting some of our dedicated listeners who have continuously supported this podcast over the last year. We want to give our community a chance to express what they’ve taken away from listening to the show. You’ll hear from Cameron Burrell, Griffen Wharbolt, Swathi Srinivas, Mary Johnston, Carrin Whitehurst, Nicole Ezcurra, Colleen Dorsey, and Liz Castillo.
I’d like to give a special shout-out to Liz, who had been working as a Global Autism Project team member until the beginning of this month. She just recently had her second child and is busy embarking on a new chapter, but she’ll always be a part of the team. Liz had been cultivating relationships with our community on social media since we launched the podcast. Not only did she ensure our guests’ messages reached our followers, she also encouraged our audience to listen with an open mind. Liz has played an integral role in reminding us to do with the autistic community and not for them. This compilation episode was actually her idea. She’s been a trusted colleague, a dear friend, and just such a beautiful human all around. We wish you all the best in your new endeavors, Liz!
Other team members who help make this podcast happen are Trang Tran and Linda Zheng. Trang, thank you for creating our beautiful visuals and audiograms week after week. Linda, thank you for managing guest relations and keeping us organized. And of course, this podcast wouldn’t even be possible without Molly believing in the idea from day one.
Episodes mentioned:
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Why the World Needs All Kinds of Minds, with Dr. Temple Grandin
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Bullying, Breakthroughs, and Basketball, with Anthony Ianni
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Music Therapy and Autism in Australia, with Pamela Fisher
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The Ability Beyond Disabilities, with Rachel Barcellona
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Special Education and Disability Rights, with Michael Gilberg
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Social Media and Intersectional Advocacy, with Tiffany Hammond
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Finding Strength in Adversity, with Russell Lehmann
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Neurodiversity in Popular Cartoon Characters, with Jeff Snyder
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Autism in the Black American Community, with Maria Davis-Pierre
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Occupational Therapy and Yoga for the Special Child, with Cheryl Albright
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Are you a self-advocate willing to share your experiences and educate others? Are you a professional seeking to hear directly from autistic voices and improve your practice? Are you a family member hoping to support and empower your loved one? Whatever your role related to autism is, you can join our Global Autism Community to connect and collaborate with people all over the world.
Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.
----more----
We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
----more----
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
----more----
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when values inform the method.
Mari Cerda is an Autistic Board Certified Behavior Analyst who consults with teachers and schools to provide professional development training on various neurodiversity-affirming topics. She is also completing her doctoral program at Texas Tech University.
As a Latina Mestiza, Mari is passionate about supporting displaced migrant families and their children with disabilities who enter the school system. She is the co-founder of The LEAP Institute, a non-profit whose mission is to increase equitable access for marginalized groups entering into the field of applied behavior analysis, or ABA. Through her Instagram account @the.blingual.bcba, Mari hopes to educate and mediate between the worlds of autism and ABA.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- Mari’s process of discovering and accepting her late diagnosis
- How autism is understood in Native and Latinx cultures
- The intersectionality of neurodiversity and race
- Her collectivist approach to providing services
- Ideas to bridge the divide between the Autistic community and ABA
Before we get into the interview, I’d like to clarify a couple of terms that came up in case you’re not familiar with them. The first one is “ableism,” which is discrimination or social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior. Ableism can manifest as an attitude, stereotype, or offensive comment or behavior.
The second term is “extinction-based,” which refers to an ABA strategy used to reduce unwanted behaviors. For example, imagine a child is screaming because they want a piece of chocolate. We could give the child some chocolate so they would stop screaming, but that could actually have the opposite effect, leading the child to scream every time they want chocolate. In contrast, an extinction-based procedure would entail not giving the child any chocolate when they are screaming in order to reduce that behavior. Extinction-based procedures are controversial because they can be traumatic for learners. Side effects may include anger, frustration, and in some cases even depression.
I truly believe that, when implemented with a compassionate, client-centered approach, the science of ABA can help individuals reach goals that will enable them to live fulfilling lives. We have a lot of unlearning to do as a field, and we need guidance from autistic voices to ensure that our services are in line with neurodivergent values.
Are you a self-advocate willing to share your experiences and educate others? Are you a professional seeking to hear directly from autistic voices and improve your practice? Are you a family member hoping to support and empower your loved one? Join our Global Autism Community to connect and collaborate with people all over the world.
We already have a growing number of members with different roles related to autism getting to know each other and engaging in these important conversations.
You can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.
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Resources:
The Double Empathy Problem
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when instead of teaching someone to fish, you ask them what they like to eat.
The CEO and Founder of the Global Autism Project, Molly Ola Pinney, is back on the show to talk about the motto that drives our work: #DoWithNotFor.
For almost 20 years, the Global Autism Project has been providing sustainable clinical, administrative, and leadership training to autism centers seeking guidance around the world. Our SkillCorps volunteer program is an opportunity for self-advocates and professionals to travel to our international partner sites and collaborate with their local teachers and therapists.
If you’d like to learn more about the Global Autism Project’s history and mission, please listen to my conversation with Molly in episode 2.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- The meaning of doing with others and not for them
- The "Essential, Preferable, Preferable to Me" framework
- Doing with the Autistic community
- The importance of listening
We also make two big announcements that we think will have a huge impact on the autism community. Stay tuned until the end to hear them!
To learn more about our organization and the work we do, please visit globalautismproject.org.
Watch Molly explain on the TEDx stage why doing things for others doesn't help.
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Applications for SkillCorps® 2022 are open now! If you’re a self-advocate or a professional in the field of autism services, visit globalautismproject.org/skillcorps and reserve your spot today.
Doors to our Global Autism Community platform are also open! However you’re connected to autism, there’s a place for you at community.globalautismproject.org. Join a group of passionate changemakers and transform how the world relates to autism.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
----more----
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when you come to life.
Thomas Iland is an autism self-advocate, Toastmasters International Accredited Speaker, Certified Human Potential Coach, Professional Diversity & Inclusion Consultant, and TEDx speaker. He’s also the author of Come to Life, a book that aims to help youth engage in an active process of self-discovery. Tom has been honored as one of Junior Chamber International’s ‘Ten Outstanding Young Americans,’ and he currently provides coaching for families on the autism spectrum to help them reach their full potential.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- Tom’s journey of becoming a public speaker
- Strategies for delivering a good speech
- How autism influences his public speaking
- The importance of parents accepting their child’s diagnosis
- How Tom learned to empathize with others
- The meaning behind his motto, “Know yourself, love yourself, be yourself.”
Tom also offers advice for other self-advocates who may want to pursue a career in public speaking.
To learn more about Thomas Iland and his work, please visit cometolifecoaching.com
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our Facebook group: Autism Knows No Borders
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when a mother’s love transcends her own home.
Our guest today is Mrs. Jie Bing Zhang. As a mother of a 21-year-old autistic young man, Mrs. Zhang is the founder of Huicong Children Rehabilitation Center in Nanchang, China. She is also one of our Global Autism Project partners.
The Global Autism Project partnered with Huicong in 2017, and we have since sent 3 SkillCorps volunteer teams to provide hands-on sustainable training to their teachers and staff.
For this interview, our podcast intern, Linda Zheng, interpreted from Chinese to English for us. Thank you, Linda, for your effort to ensure Mrs. Zhang’s message is understood.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- The level of autism awareness in China
- What it was like for Mrs. Zhang to receive her son’s diagnosis
- Why she started her own autism center
- The types of services they offer
- The partnership between Global Autism Project and Huicong
To learn more about Mrs. Zhang and her work, please visit our show notes at autismknowsnoborders.com.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
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Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our Facebook group: Autism Knows No Borders
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
----more----
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when collaboration journeys onward.
Today we’re featuring two members of our SkillCorps® Alumni community: Natalie Odio and Christina Flores.
Natalie is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, or BCBA, and Christina is a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst, or BCaBa. Both from Miami, Natalie and Christina host a podcast called MOnday Morning Coffee, where they aim to ease Monday mornings by discussing topics related to emotional support for other professionals in the field.
The Global Autism Project provides sustainable clinical, administrative, and leadership training to autism centers seeking guidance. SkillCorps® is an opportunity for self-advocates and professionals to travel to our partner sites around the world and work directly with their local teachers and therapists.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Why Natalie and Christina are passionate about working with the autistic population
- The reasons for starting their podcast
- Personal and professional growth from doing SkillCorps®
- Cultural humility
- Fundraising for volunteer trips
- Lessons applied to coping with the pandemic
- Tips for future SkillCorps® travelers
To learn more about Natalie and Christina, please you can follow them on Instagram @onwardbehavior and check out their podcast MOnday Morning Coffee. ----more----
SkillCorps® is more than a two-week trip — it’s a movement for change. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we’ve had to temporarily pause travel to our international partner sites. The exciting news is that our team is finally reassembling to explore what SkillCorps® will look like in the future.
If you’re a professional working in the field of autism education, and you’re looking to advance your life and career, SkillCorps® is an opportunity you don’t want to miss.
For more information about our SkillCorps® program, please listen to episodes 4 and 17, featuring round table discussions with other members of our community.
Join our waiting list at globalautismproject.org/skillcorps to be the first to know when applications open again and stay tuned for announcements coming up soon.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our Facebook group: Autism Knows No Borders
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
----more----
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when authenticity gets the part.
Dr. Kerry Magro is an autism self-advocate, international motivational speaker, best-selling author, entertainment consultant, and non-profit founder.
Kerry is the author of the Amazon Best-Seller Defining Autism From The Heart, Autism and Falling in Love, and I Will Light It Up Blue. He also contributed to College for Students with Disabilities: We Do Belong (featuring other prominent advocates such as Temple Grandin and Stephen M. Shore), presented a TEDx talk titled “What happens to children with autism when they become adults?”, and currently blogs for several organizations, including Autism Speaks and The Mighty.
As an entertainment consultant, Kerry has worked on the films Jane Wants a Boyfriend and Joyful Noise, starring Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton, as well as on the HBO series Mrs. Fletcher.
His non-profit organization, KFM Making a Difference, aims to break down barriers for people with special needs by granting college scholarships to adults with autism.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- How autism has impacted Kerry’s life
- How to prepare for transitioning to adulthood
- Autism representation in the media
- Common challenges people on the spectrum face when looking for a partner
For more information about Kerry and his work, please visit:
Kerry's website: kerrymagro.com
Kerry's FB page: Kerry’s Autism Journey
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our Facebook group: Autism Knows No Borders
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
----more----
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when a child can fly free.
Bobby Rubio is the writer and director of the Pixar SparkShort Float, which is a short animated film inspired by his relationship with his autistic son, Alex. Float is available for streaming on Disney+. For a limited time, you can also watch Float on Pixar's YouTube channel.
Currently a Story Artist at Pixar, Bobby is known for his work on Hercules, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, and Incredibles 2, which earned him an Annie Awards nomination for Outstanding Achievement for Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production. Bobby is also the creator and owner of his independent comics and intellectual properties: Alcatraz High, 4 Gun Conclusion, and Neighborhood Legend.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Bobby’s journey of accepting his son’s autism
- The creative process of producing Float
- The stigma of mental health within the Filipino community
- Tips for parents whose children have received an autism diagnosis
----more----We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our Facebook group: Autism Knows No Borders
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
----more----We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when all notes are heard.
Today we’re featuring two members of the ASD Band, lead vocalist Rawan Tuffaha and drummer Spenser Murray, joined by their manager, Andrew Simon.
Comprised of musicians on the autism spectrum, the ASD Band was formed by Canadian charity Jake’s House to raise awareness and highlight strengths related to autism. If you’d like to learn more about Jake’s House, please listen to episode 44 featuring its co-founder, David Bodanis: Support Across the Lifespan at Jake's House in Canada.
The ASD Band has performed with Roger Hodgson of Supertramp, and their covers of Shawn Mendes, Sonny & Cher, and Marvin Gaye are available on streaming platforms. In the intro, you'll hear a short sample of the band performing “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- The serendipitous creation of the ASD Band
- Rawan and Spenser's musical influences
- How autism helps their musical abilities
- Misconceptions about autism
- Tips for people on the spectrum who may be interested in joining a band
For more information about the ASD Band, please visit:
Jake's House
ASD Band “I Got You Babe”
Spenser's Band: Lime Ricky
Spenser’s YouTube: PlayerPunk6
Rawan’s YouTube: Rawan Singer 77
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our Facebook group: Autism Knows No Borders
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
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Discover what’s possible when education is measured beyond grades.
Michael Gilberg is an autistic special education and disability rights attorney based in New York and Connecticut. Growing up with undiagnosed Asperger’s Syndrome, he offers his clients a level of insight and empathy that is unique to his personal experience.
In today’s conversation, we discuss:
- Michael’s lack of educational services as a child
- What he’s learned about friendship
- Misconceptions about autism
- Feeling stuck between autistic and neurotypical
- The challenge of defining what “normal” means
- The right to an appropriate education
For more information about Michael Gilberg and his work, please visit michaelgilbergesq.com.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. ----more----
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our Facebook group: Autism Knows No Borders
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
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Discover what’s possible when safety invites honesty.
Ayu Suparman is a mother to two young boys, the eldest being on the autism spectrum. Living in Singapore, she and her husband host a podcast called Parents Made Special, in which they share information and resources for families in their community.
In today’s conversation, Ayu talks about the different levels of autism awareness across Singapore’s cultural landscape, the types of services available for families, the questions she asks herself regarding her son’s future, how she and her husband work as a team, and why they started their podcast.
For more information about Ayu Suparman, please follow her journey on Instagram @hitaandayu.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our Facebook group: Autism Knows No Borders
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
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Discover what’s possible when fiction comes to life.
Jeff Snyder is an autism self-advocate from Massachusetts. As a public speaker, he is passionate about bringing awareness to special education and employment support. In 2020, Jeff contributed to This is Autism, a book by Jessica Leictweisz and Aidan Allman Cooper in which he gave his account of growing up with autism. Jeff is also a moderator of our Autism Knows No Borders Facebook group.
Some of the topics we discuss in today’s conversation include neurodiversity in movie characters, dealing with sensory issues, and accommodations during school safety drills. Jeff also offers advice about how to respond to someone experiencing a sensory overload.
For more information about Jeff Snyder, please visit:
Jeff Snyder, Disabilities Self-Advocate
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our Facebook group: Autism Knows No Borders
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
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Discover what’s possible when you start to examine your own biases.
Maria Davis-Pierre is a mother to an 8-year-old girl on the autism spectrum, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and the Founder and CEO of Autism in Black Inc., an organization dedicated to raising autism awareness and reducing the stigma within the Black community. Maria is also a coach, speaker, advocate, and author. She has been featured in Forbes, the New York Times, and Counseling Today, and her book The Self-Care Affirmation Journal was published in 2018.
In today’s conversation, Maria talks about the challenges of receiving her daughter’s diagnosis and explains why she started Autism in Black. As a Parent-Child Interaction Therapy intern, she describes how PC-IT can benefit families who are dealing with behavioral challenges.
We discuss how religion, misunderstanding of autism, and distrust of the health care system contribute to misdiagnosis. We also address the lack of research on autism in the Black community and why this problem leads to culturally-insensitive assessments and treatment plans.
Maria shares some of her experiences as a Black parent, including dealing with stress and being judged according to stereotypes.
For more information about Maria Davis-Pierre, please visit autisminblack.org and follow her on Instagram @autisminblack.
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Resources:
Racialized Emotion Recognition Accuracy and Anger Bias of Children’s Faces ----more----
Related Episodes:
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Growth, Diversity, and Cultural Humility, with Brandy Collins and Crystal Thompson
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Social Media and Intersectional Advocacy, with Tiffany Hammond
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
----more---- Follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast
Join our Facebook group Autism Knows No Borders
Subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project
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Discover what’s possible when you march to the beat of your own drum.
Marcus Boyd is an autism self-advocate, musician, professional DJ, and clothing line owner. As a music producer and composer, he has collaborated with artists such as Lil Wayne and Marques Houston. A short documentary about Marcus’ life, titled My First Word, was released in November of 2020.
In this conversation, Marcus opens up about the different layers of his childhood trauma, including growing up in abusive foster care homes, being admitted into several mental institutions, and not speaking until the age of 13. He talks about how he overcame his many obstacles, his autistic strengths that have helped his music career, and what made him decide to become an autism advocate.
It’s Marcus’ birthday this upcoming Sunday the 31st. So, from all of us at the Global Autism Project, happy birthday, Marcus!
For more information about Marcus Boyd, please visit autismactivistmarcusboyd.com.
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Follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast
Join our Facebook group Autism Knows No Borders
Subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project ----more----
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Discover what’s possible when everyone has a place they belong.
David Bodanis is a father to three young men, two of which are on the autism spectrum. David and his wife Irene are the founders of Jake’s House, a charitable organization based in Canada whose mission is to support individuals on the spectrum throughout their lifespans. They offer four core initiatives: annual holiday parties, the Legends Mentoring Program, employment mentoring, and inclusive housing solutions.
In this conversation, David talks about the dynamic between his three sons growing up, how the understanding of autism in Canada has changed over the last 20 years, and why he and his wife decided to start Jake’s House.
David also describes a recent, exciting project at Jake’s House in which they formed the band ASD, comprised of young musicians with autism.
For more information about Jake’s House, please visit jakeshouse.ca.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when your life is not defined by a single identity.
Tiffany Hammond is an autism self-advocate, a mother to two boys on the spectrum, and the voice behind the blog Fidgets and Fries. As a Black and autistic woman, Tiffany aims to educate others about autism and intersectional advocacy.
In this conversation, Tiffany describes how she became aware of her differences, the guilt she felt after her first son was diagnosed, and how she finally accepted her own autism.
Tiffany shares the journey of her advocacy work, how she feels about being an Instagram influencer, and why she felt conflicted about her sudden social media growth after the death of George Floyd.
Other topics we discuss are the division within the autism community and the overlap between intersectionality and neurodiversity.
To learn more about Tiffany Hammond, please visit:
Instagram: @fidgets.and.fries
Twitter: fidgetsandfries
Website: fidgetsandfries.com
Patreon: patreon.com/tiffanyhammond
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when a team is built on strong values.
Happy New Year!
I’d like to kick off 2021 with a special episode featuring our Global Autism Project team. I’m joined by our CEO and Founder, Molly Ola Pinney, as well as five other members of our core staff: Cassie Harden Scott, Mandy Childs, Liz Castillo, Trang Tran, and Aja Davis.
The seven of us have weathered through 2020 together and supported each other from different corners of the world, especially during a time when the organization was on very unstable ground. I think many people will agree that you learn a lot about someone when you go through a pandemic with them, and certain bonds can even be strengthened when put under pressure.
One thing I love about this team is our ability to communicate effectively and take action when needed. This has allowed us to shift our work and step into new possibilities with confidence.
I wanted you to get a sense of our true team culture, so we’ve left some parts unedited for you to hear for yourself how we really treat each other like family.
In this conversation, you’ll have a chance to meet the staff behind the scenes and learn some fun facts about us. We discuss which values of the organization we most connect with, some obstacles we’ve overcome together, and how the company culture came to be what it is today. We also talk about what we’ve learned from 2020 and what we look forward to in the coming year.
If you’d like to learn more about the Global Autism Project’s history and mission, please listen to episode 2 with Molly. You can also listen to episode 23 to hear more about Cassie’s role as Director of Outreach.
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We appreciate your time and look forward to sharing more stories with you this year. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what's possible when stories from around the world inspire change.
We made it to episode 41! I know 41 doesn’t sound like a magical number, but this will be the last episode we’ll be releasing this year, so I thought it would be nice to review some of my favorite moments from our first 40 episodes.
Since we started working on this podcast almost a year ago, we’ve brought on a wide range of guests, including prominent self-advocates like Temple Grandin and Michael John Carley, autism parents like Eileen Lamb and Jamiel Owens, some of our Global Autism Project partners like Yaser Aljaaidi from Saudi Arabia and Sangeeta Jain from India, and other professionals in the field like Dr. Megan Miller and Robert and Nadine Schramm.
If you’ve been with us for a while, this 2020 recap will bring you back to the heartfelt stories we’ve been hearing from our guests. And if this is your first time listening to us, welcome! This episode will help you get a good idea of what Autism Knows No Borders is all about. Either way, I hope that you’re left feeling inspired to create some change in your own communities.
As I was reflecting on these past episodes from 2020, I was overcome with immense gratitude for our community. A huge thank you to our guests for sharing your stories, to our listeners for your continued support, and to our team for putting it all together. Special thanks to Linda, our podcast intern, for joining us at just the right moment when we needed you most, to Tarik Davis for lending us your voice for our intros and outros, to Tremayne Ebanks for video production, and to Marc Aliana for music, audio and text editing, and all-around moral support. Of course, none of this would have been possible if Molly hadn’t believed in my little idea last year.
From all of us at the Global Autism Project, we wish you a happy and safe holiday season and hope you can spend some quality time with your loved ones in some shape or form, even if it happens to be through a screen. We’ll be back on our regular release schedule on January 7th in 2021!
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when a company is led with care.
Jenny Llorca is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and the Chief Clinical Director of Early Autism Services. EAS is an international company that provides individualized ABA therapy to children with autism in the US, India, and Australia.
This year, after significant and impressive growth, EAS was facing challenges that are common with large companies that grow rapidly. They were struggling to cultivate company culture across their local branches, and levels of employee satisfaction were dipping. With a determination to shift their company environment, Jenny and the board of executives at EAS took action and hired the Global Autism Project to step in.
For close to 20 years, the Global Autism Project has been providing coaching and training to autism service providers and organizations worldwide to help them scale, thrive, and realize their visions. This summer, we worked with the EAS directors to make our Leadership Academy program accessible to over 90 members of their staff. We tailored our training to meet their needs and delivered the program as a 6-week online course that included video lessons, worksheets, downloads, live virtual classrooms, and small group coaching.
We recently released a case study that details the challenges EAS faced, our approach and design of Leadership Academy, and the outcomes measured through pre-and post-surveys. The results have been overwhelmingly positive. 100% of participants reported new skill acquisition in one or more of four key areas: time and task management, decision-making, integrity, and effective communication. Zero participants reported that they were in a state of burnout after Leadership Academy, compared to 24% from before. 94% of participants said that they would recommend Leadership Academy to other professionals in the field.
You can access the full case study here: EAS Case Study. We’re excited to announce that we’re looking for the right company to participate in our next case study. If you think yours would be a good fit, get in touch with us through the link on the page.
In this conversation, Jenny describes how attending Global Autism Project’s in-person Leadership Academy earlier this year inspired her to invest in her own team. We discuss some of her personal breakthroughs and the gains she’s noticed in her staff. Jenny explains how Leadership Academy has transformed the company culture at EAS and, most importantly, the services they provide families.
You’ll hear us mention SkillCorps, which is our volunteer program that has been put on hold due to COVID travel restrictions. For more information about the training we provide our international partners, please listen to episode 2 with our CEO, Molly Ola Pinney.
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Related episodes:
- Leadership Lessons Learned, with Molly Ola Pinney
BONUS: Join the Training That Transformed My Life, with Rachel Harmon
Discover what’s possible when different brains come together.
Dr. Temple Grandin is well known for both her pioneer work as an autism advocate and her lifelong dedication to animal welfare. Through groundbreaking research aimed at understanding her own autistic mind, Dr. Grandin propelled the awareness of autism during a time when very little was known of it. She is an incredible source of hope for children with autism, their parents, and anyone with a dream.
Dr. Grandin became an internationally recognized leader in animal handling innovations after developing a corral that improved the quality of life of cattle by reducing stress. She has consulted with the USDA and major corporations such as McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, Whole Foods, and Chipotle. Today, half of the cattle in North America are handled in facilities she designed.
Dr. Grandin is also a prominent author, having written several books on autism and animal behavior. She has been featured on various media outlets and programs, including NPR, BBC, Larry King Live, 2020, Sixty Minutes, and TED, to name a few. In 2010, HBO produced an Emmy Award-winning movie about her life, and later that year, she was highlighted in TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. In 2016, she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. These days, Dr. Grandin continues to write and teaches Animal Science at Colorado State University.
In this conversation, Dr. Grandin explains how her ability to think in pictures helped her to empathize with animals in the early days of her career and why she thinks the world needs different brains to work together. She talks about the future of cattle and the dangers of genetic modification — in animals and humans. We discuss how to increase employment for autistic adults, how to promote curiosity among children, and how to stay balanced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other topics we cover include the classification of autism under a single umbrella, the neurodiversity movement, ABA therapy, and teaching autism awareness in schools.
Listen until the end of the conversation to hear Dr. Grandin’s advice for autistic self-advocates.
For more information about Dr. Grandin and her work, please visit:
https://www.templegrandin.com/
https://www.grandin.com/ ----more----
We still have a few seats available at the next Global Autism Project Virtual Leadership Academy. Leadership Academy is a 6-week online course that will strengthen your skills to lead with confidence in everything that you do — whether it’s improving staff retention in your business, having hard conversations with supervisees, or empowering others to take ownership of their work. For more information about Leadership Academy, listen to my Black Friday bonus episode. Sign up today and use the promo code AUTISMPODCAST at check out to receive a special discount!
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when diversity strengthens the workplace.
Our guests today are Stephanie De Kremer and Russell Botting. Stephanie and Russell are employees at Auticon, which is an IT consulting business that employs over 200 adults on the autism spectrum as IT consultants. Stephanie is one of them, and Russell is her job coach. They work together at Auticon’s office in London, England.
With branches across the UK, US, Canada, Germany, France, Switzerland, and Australia, Auticon is an international social enterprise whose mission is to improve the employment prospects of autistic people. They aim to provide high-quality careers for skilled autistic adults, shift perceptions in the workplace by placing consultants into client teams, and act as a catalyst for clients to bring more neurodiversity to their wider workforce.
In this conversation, Stephanie and Russell discuss their experiences working at Auticon and offer ideas about how other companies could increase neurodiversity in the workplace. They also talk about what services are available to families in the UK from diagnosis to adulthood.
Stephanie explains what it was like for her to find out about her autism later in life and what she wishes neurotypicals would consider when communicating with her. She also shares her special interests and strengths related to autism.
For more information about our guests and the work that they do, please visit Auticon UK. To learn more about Stephanie's wrestling career, you can follow her on Instagram @kiara_wrestler.
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Related episodes:
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Accessibility at the Forefront, with Haley Moss
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Rethinking Unemployment and Sex Education, with Michael John Carley
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out the short survey in our show notes to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what's possible when you uncover your blind spots.
In this bonus episode, I share how attending Global Autism Project's Leadership Academy shifted how I relate to work, relationships, and anything else that happens in my life.
Leadership Academy will empower you to lead with confidence in everything that you do — whether it’s improving staff retention in your business, having hard conversations with supervisees, or empowering others to take ownership of their work. The great news is, Leadership Academy now available for you to access online as a 6-week course!
Don’t miss out on these opportunities to elevate your leadership to the next level and plan for a successful new year.
If you’re still not sure if Leadership Academy is for you, take this 2-minute QUIZ to learn where you are in your leadership journey and what steps you need to take next.
Are you ready to take bold action that will help you improve the way you lead? Are you ready to take charge of your life?
I hope to see you in our virtual classroom!
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Although Black Friday is over, I wanted to let you know that we still have a few seats available at the next Global Autism Project Virtual Leadership Academy. Sign up today and use the promo code AUTISMPODCAST at check out to receive a special discount!
Discover what’s possible when you engage your inner leader.
The CEO and Founder of the Global Autism Project, Molly Ola Pinney, is back on the show to talk about all things leadership.
The Global Autism Project provides sustainable clinical, administrative, and leadership training to autism centers seeking guidance. SkillCorps is an opportunity for self-advocates and professionals to travel to our partner sites around the world and work directly with their local teachers and therapists.
If you’d like to learn more about the history of the Global Autism Project and the mission that drives our work, please listen to my conversation with Molly in episode 2.
In today’s conversation, we discuss why leadership training has always been at the foreground of the support we provide, what values are important to her as a leader, and how her leadership skills have evolved over the years.
Molly opens up about her fears from the early days of the organization and shares how she’s learned to overcome them. She explains what this year has taught her and why she thinks decisive action is only one aspect of being a strong leader.
With close to 20 years of experience providing leadership training to professionals around the world, Molly announces an exciting, new initiative at the Global Autism Project. Our transformational leadership program is now available for you to access, all from the comfort of your own laptop!
If you want to learn how to communicate and collaborate effectively, identify the root causes of roadblocks in your life, and embrace your role as a leader, I really encourage you to stay with us until the end of this episode to hear more about the program.
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Take this 2-minute QUIZ to discover where you are today in your leadership journey as an autism service provider! Then, get our top tips on how to step up to the next level of leadership in your career!
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We still have a few seats available at the next Global Autism Project Virtual Leadership Academy. Sign up today and use the promo code AUTISMPODCAST at check out to receive a special discount!
Discover what’s possible when motivation leads the way to positive relationships.
Our guests today are Robert and Nadine Schramm. Robert is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, a former special education instructor, and a published author. Nadine is an Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior Consultant and leads their Knospe-ABA office in Germany. Robert and Nadine offer consultation, education, and workshop services to families who are looking for support, whether or not their children have received autism diagnoses.
In today’s conversation, we discuss Robert and Nadine’s efforts to disseminate Applied Behavior Analysis in Germany and the kinds of services currently available for families. Originally from Germany, Nadine shares how the attitudes towards autism in her community have changed over the years.
We also talk about Robert’s books, which have been translated into several languages. His first book, published in 2007 and updated in 2011, is titled Motivation and Reinforcement: Turning the Tables on Autism. His second book, The 7 Steps to Earning Instructional Control, was co-written with Dr. Megan Miller, whom we also featured in last week’s episode. Robert explains how to apply the 7 Steps and why the principles behind them are useful for anyone interested in creating a strong learning environment.
For more information about Robert and Nadine Schramm, please visit Robert Schramm Consulting.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
----more---- We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when you welcome different perspectives.
Dr. Megan Miller is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst based in Florida. She is the founder of the Do Better Movement, a professional development initiative for behavior analysts aimed at creating humane, culturally-informed, and compassionate interventions. Megan also co-wrote the book The Seven Steps to Earning Instructional Control with Robert Schramm, which was published in 2014.
In today’s conversation, we discuss how Megan became involved in the field, what she’s learned from working internationally, and why she decided to start the Do Better Movement. She shares three examples of areas she believes behavior analysts should focus on to improve their clinical skillsets.
For more information about Dr. Megan Miller and her work, please visit the following links:
Do Better Movement Do Better Collective
Facebook: Do Better Movement ABA
Instagram: @drmegandobettermovement ----more----
We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when you create what you’re looking for.
Sangeeta Jain is the mother of a 21-year-old young man with autism, Suvrat. Her older daughter Shreya was featured in episode 6 of this podcast, where she talked about growing up with a sibling on the spectrum. Sangeeta is also the vice-principal at SOREM, a school for children with disabilities in Chandigarh, India.
The Global Autism Project partnered with SOREM in 2010. We have since sent close to 30 SkillCorps volunteer teams to provide hands-on sustainable training to their teachers and staff.
In today’s conversation, Sangeeta talks about the understanding of autism in India and the lack of standardization in the services available there. We also discuss her son’s diagnosis, the relationship between her two children, and what she envisions for Suvrat’s future.
Sangeeta also shares how SOREM has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and what she’s learned about leadership over the years. As one of the original Global Autism Partners, Sangeeta tells a special anecdote from when a particular SkillCorps volunteer team visited her country.
For more information about SOREM, please visit their website http://soremspecialchildren.org and follow them on Instagram @soremcare36.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Just a reminder that we are still taking donations for our COVID-19 Partner Relief Fund. Since the start of the crisis, our partners all over the world have been adapting their services to support some of the most vulnerable children and their families.
The good news is that you can help ensure schools like SOREM continue running services by making a donation today. 100% of your donations to the Partner Relief Fund go directly to our partners who need it most. You will be supporting internet access for remote teaching, educational materials, and protective equipment. You can make a difference today by supporting families and their children in our partners’ communities. Donations can be made at globalautismproject.org.
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Discover what’s possible when you relentlessly shoot for your goals.
Anthony Ianni is an autism self-advocate, a sought-after motivational speaker, and a former basketball star.
As the NCAA’s first Division 1 college basketball player with autism, playing for Michigan State University, Anthony surpassed all limitations that doctors had predicted for his life. He currently works for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and travels the country as part of the Relentless Tour, advocating against bullying and educating students about autism. Anthony’s memoir, Centered, is expected to be released in early September 2021.
In this conversation, Anthony shares how he coped with bullies growing up, how his parents told him about his autism, and why he was driven to prove others wrong. We also talk about his basketball career and how his autism affected his relationships with his teammates. Listen until the end to hear Anthony’s advice for parents who may be concerned that their child is being bullied.
For more information about Anthony Ianni and his work, please visit his website Relentless Tour and follow him on Instagram @aigamechanger44.
----more----Resources:
IAN Research Report: Bullying and Children with ASD
Investigating Bullying as a Predictor of Suicidality in a Clinical Sample of Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The 3 R’s for Bullying Prevention: Recognize, Respond and Report
A Helpful Online Safety Guide for People With Autism Spectrum Disorders
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when you beard the lion in his den.
Brian Middleton is an autism self-advocate, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and the host of the Oh Behave! podcast. He is also the creator of the Bearded Behaviorist, an initiative dedicated to the dissemination of behavior science and the inclusion of trauma-informed care standards in Applied Behavior Analysis and other human services.
In this conversation, Brian shares what it was like for him to be bullied in school and how he learned about his autism as an adult. We also discuss his theory around why autism can be seen as both a disorder and a neurotype, the disagreement between the neurodiversity movement and the field of ABA, and the basic components of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, also known as ACT.
For more information about Brian Middleton and his work, please visit: Bearded Behaviorist.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when stigma is shattered by courage.
Evas Kyomugisha is the founder and owner of Silver Bells, an autism center in Kigali, Rwanda. Silver Bells offers comprehensive services for families, including Applied Behavior Analysis, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Music Therapy.
The Global Autism Project partnered with Silver Bells in April 2019. We have since sent two SkillCorps volunteer teams to provide hands-on training to their staff.
In today’s conversation, Evas and I discuss the stigma around autism in Rwanda, the lack of services in her community, and the pain she feels from having to turn away families who cannot afford to pay for them. She also highlights the country’s progress in social reform since the genocide in 1994.
Evas talks about what she’s learned from working with autistic children, how she leads her multidisciplinary team, and how the COVID-19 crisis has affected services at her center.
For more information about Evas Kyomugisha and her work, please visit: Silver Bells.
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Discover what’s possible when the learning environment is set up for growth and success.
Sasha Long is a former special education teacher, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and the Founder and President of The Autism Helper, a company that shares resources and strategies online for parents and teachers of children with autism.
As a professional with experience on both sides of collaborative efforts, Sasha brings us some ideas on how to improve communication between teachers and specialists. We also discuss her leadership style as a business owner, some of the common challenges faced by teachers, and the importance of empowering paraprofessionals in the classroom.
For more information about Sasha Long and her work, please visit: The Autism Helper.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when the world says no, but mothers say yes.
Our guests today are Catherine Verhoeff Shauf, Enesa Muratovic, and Moji Swartjes. These three strong and determined women are mothers of children on the autism spectrum. Another thing they all have in common is that they are ex-pats living in the Netherlands. Catherine is from the US, Enesa is from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Moji is originally from Nigeria but has also lived in the US and Scotland.
Catherine is the founder and owner of Stichting REACH, an autism center in The Hague that applies a multidisciplinary approach based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. Both Enesa’s son and Moji’s receive services there.
The Global Autism Project partnered with REACH from 2017 to 2019. We sent five SkillCorps volunteer teams to provide hands-on training to their therapists. As the Global Autism Project’s Regional Coordinator in Europe last year, it was exciting for me to witness the center’s growth.
In today’s conversation, our guests discuss the attitudes around autism in the Netherlands compared to those in their respective home countries, the challenges they have faced in accessing proper services, and their ideas on how to promote autism inclusion within their community.
Catherine talks about her journey of creating REACH and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected services at the center. Catherine, Enesa, and Moji also comment on how they dealt with managing stress during the quarantine and offer advice for parents to combat burnout.
For more information about Stichting REACH, please visit http://stichtingreachholland.nl/
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when you balance your body and stretch your mind.
Cheryl Albright is an occupational therapist, certified yoga instructor, and autism sibling. She is the owner of Soul to Soul Yoga, a studio offering yoga therapy for adults and children of all abilities.
In today’s conversation, Cheryl explains what occupational therapy is, how she became involved in the field, and why she applies a trauma-informed approach when treating children with autism. We also discuss the benefits of practicing yoga and self-regulation techniques.
For more information about Cheryl Albright and her work, please visit her websites:
Special Sib
Soul to Soul Yoga
----more----Resources:
Integrating a Neurosequential Approach in the Treatment of Traumatized Children
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when a global community is built on resilience.
We have a very special episode today, featuring a few of our Global Autism Project staff and partners. Actually, more than a few... There are a total of 13 people in this episode! This conversation offers a glimpse into the deeply rooted relationships of our Global Autism Community.
Here’s a little bit of context:
For over 17 years, the Global Autism Project has partnered with international autism centers to provide sustainable clinical, administrative, and leadership training. Three times a year, we’ve sent SkillCorps volunteer teams to our partner sites around the world to work directly with their local teachers and therapists.
When COVID-19 hit, we were forced to cancel all international travel and innovate new programs to stay afloat as an organization. Throughout this time, we’ve continued to meet with our partners every month over large Zoom calls. It’s always fun to see a mosaic of faces from across the globe on a single screen.
We recently thought it would be exciting for our followers on social media to join a call with our partners. So, during our meeting last week, we went live on Facebook and our partners shared the impact that the pandemic has had on their centers, the current situation in their respective countries, and some positive takeaways they’ve gained from this crisis. The audience was able to follow along and contribute questions in real-time.
Our CEO and Founder, Molly Ola Pinney, led the discussion between some of our staff and eight of our partners, many of which you might recognize from previous episodes. They called in from Kenya, India, China, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Rwanda.
We had originally scheduled a different episode for this week; however, right after we hung up, we realized that the content of our call was really worth sharing with you as well. As one could expect from a live call with 13 participants from 13 different locations across the world, we had some sound issues, but we have done our best to correct them for this podcast.
Just a reminder that you can find this conversation and all of our interviews on our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project.
For more information about our work, please visit globalautismproject.org.
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Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, our partners have been adapting their services to support some of the most vulnerable children and their families. The unfortunate reality is that many of them are receiving little help from their governments, or none at all.
The good news is that you can help ensure their schools continue running services by making a donation today. 100% of your donations to the Partner Relief Fund go directly to our partners who need it most. You will be supporting internet access for remote teaching, educational materials, and protective equipment. You can make a difference today by supporting families and their children in our partners’ communities. Donations can be made at globalautismproject.org.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when you acknowledge your needs and ask for help.
Our guests today are two autism self-advocates: Thomas Iland and David Sharif.
Thomas Iland is a Certified Public Accountant, distinguished Toastmaster, Certified Human Potential Coach, and author of Come To Life, a book that aims to help youth discover their own potential.
David Sharif is a Magna Cum Laude graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Peace and Justice Studies. He currently works as a job coach supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in building fulfilling, independent lives.
In today’s conversation, we discuss their experiences requesting accommodations at school and in the work environment, the benefits of traveling and learning about different cultures, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their personal and professional lives.
For more information about Thomas Iland, please visit: https://thomasiland.com/
For more information about David Sharif, please visit:
https://davidsharifautismadvocate.wordpress.com/projects/
https://davidsharifglobalwareness.wordpress.com/
----more----Resources:
https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit-excerpt/accommodations-job
https://daivergent.com/blog/neurodiversity-in-the-workplace
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when every child is given a voice.
Yaser Aljaaidi is the Co-Founder and Clinical Director of Namaee Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The staff at Namaee provide behavioral therapy services to early learners in their community. The Global Autism Project partnered with Namaee in 2018, and we have since sent two SkillCorps volunteer teams to provide sustainable hands-on training.
In today’s conversation, Yaser explains how autism is understood in Saudi Arabia and what services are available to families from diagnosis to adulthood.
As the first Registered Behavior Technician to become certified in his country, Yaser shares how he began working with the autistic population and why he created the Give Me A Voice program to target communication skills. He describes the challenges he has faced over the years and offers advice to other practitioners who are thinking of starting their own centers.
Like many of our partner sites around the world, Namaee was forced to shut down at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yaser explains how the staff and families transitioned to telehealth services and reflects on what he has learned about leadership during this time.
We discuss Namaee’s partnership with the Global Autism Project, his main takeaways from our 2019 Global Summit, and why he admires SkillCorps volunteers.
For more information about Yaser Aljaaidi and Namaee Center, please visit their website: Namaee.
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Just a reminder that we are still taking donations for our COVID-19 Partner Relief Fund.
Our partners across the globe share our vision of creating a world where every person with autism can reach their potential, no matter where they live. As a result of COVID-19, most of these schools and autism centers have shifted their work to support their students remotely, with many of them volunteering their time.
100% of your donations to the Partner Relief Fund will go directly to our partners who need it most, like Yaser from Namaee. You will be supporting internet access for remote teaching, educational materials, and protective equipment. You can make a difference today by joining us to create better opportunities for these children at risk. Donations can be made HERE via Facebook or HERE via GoFundMe Charity.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when love transforms grief into acceptance.
Jamiel Owens is the host and creator of The Ausome Show, a co-host of The Ben & Jay Show, and an all-around public server. As the father of a 12-year-old boy with autism, Jamiel encourages other fathers to open up about their feelings regarding their children’s diagnoses.
In today’s conversation, Jamiel shares what it was like to learn about his son’s autism, how he’s evolved as a father, and what his son has taught him about life.
He describes the challenges of raising an autistic child in the Black community and offers possible solutions that could help improve communication between law enforcement and families impacted by disabilities.
For more information about Jamiel Owens and his work, please visit his Instagram accounts @theausomeshow and @benandjshow.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when community outreach begins with empowerment.
Our guests today are two members of our Global Autism Project family: Cassie Harden Scott and Russel Hornig-Rohan, or Rusty for short.
Cassie and Rusty have been involved with the Global Autism Project for over 6 years. Both of them began as volunteers on SkillCorps trips to several of our partner sites – including Centro ACAP in the Dominican Republic, which you may remember from Episode 20. SkillCorps is an opportunity for self-advocates and professionals to visit autism centers around the world, working directly with their local teachers and therapists while providing sustainable training. If you’d like to know more about our SkillCorps volunteer program, please listen to episodes 4 and 17, featuring round table discussions with a few other members of our community.
Over time, Cassie and Rusty each stepped into roles related to outreach and advocacy. Cassie is currently our Director of Outreach and works closely with our partners to help spread autism awareness and acceptance in their communities. Rusty is an autism self-advocate, as well as a polyglot whose impressive abilities have helped his teams cross language barriers while abroad.
In today’s conversation, Cassie and Rusty share how they got involved with the organization and why they’re passionate about its mission. They also reminisce about trip highlights and recount fun stories from when they were working together at our office in Brooklyn, New York.
We discuss some of the different outreach initiatives that can be carried out, from supporting parents and professionals to giving presentations at universities. Stay tuned until the end of the episode to hear about ways to engage in advocacy work from your own home.
For more information about our work, please visit globalautismproject.org.
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Just a reminder that we are still taking donations for our COVID-19 Partner Relief Fund.
Our partners across the globe share our vision of creating a world where every person with autism can reach their potential no matter where they live. They are dedicated to providing access to quality, culturally-appropriate education, and equal opportunities in their communities.
As a result of COVID-19, our partners have shifted their work to support their students remotely, with many of them volunteering their time, and they will continue to do so as long as they can.
100% of your donations to the Partner Relief Fund will go directly to our partners who need it most. You will be supporting internet access for remote teaching, educational materials, and tuition scholarships. As our partners adapt and innovate to meet the urgent challenges presented by COVID-19, we’re inviting you to join us and help create a better future for these children at risk.
Today we are excited to announce that Early Autism Services will be matching the next $10,000 in donations to the Partner Relief Fund. That means that the next $10,000 in donations will be matched dollar for dollar by Early Autism Services.
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to donate to the Partner Relief Fund, the time is now. Make your donation count by doubling your impact with the support of Early Autism Services. You can make a donation directly on our website at globalautismproject.org.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when music unlocks hidden strengths.
Pamela Fisher is a Registered Music Therapist from Sydney, Australia. She is skilled in voice, guitar, piano, improvisation, and clinical supervision. With over 15 years of experience specializing in groups and individuals with autism, Pam provides music therapy services both in-person and online.
In today’s conversation, Pam gives us a brief history of autism awareness in Australia and explains which services are covered by government funding. She defines what music therapy is and shares how she got involved in the field. We talk about different populations who can benefit from services and discuss some common misconceptions.
Through simulating various musical interventions, Pam demonstrates different goals she may work on in a session. We also point out the benefits of collaborating with behavior analysts and speech therapists when writing programs.
Pam has created a musical kit to target different sensory needs a child may have. You can purchase a kit and inquire about her online music therapy services here: The Musical Nest.
For more information about Pamela Fisher and her work, please visit her website: musicalmonkeys.com.au.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when education is informed by science.
Michael John Carley is an autism self-advocate, author, and consultant. This pioneer in the world of autism advocacy was one of two people on the spectrum to address the US Congress in their first-ever hearings on autism. The truth is I could spend the rest of this episode listing Michael’s accolades, but I really want you to listen to our conversation, so here’s my best effort to sum up his career highlights.
Michael was the Founder of GRASP — the largest organization in the world comprised of adults on the autism spectrum — and the Founding Executive Director of ASTEP, now called Integrate, whose mission is to help organizations identify, recruit, and retain professionals on the autism spectrum. He has presented at almost 150 conferences, hospitals, universities, health care organizations, school districts, and Fortune 1000 companies.
Michael has appeared in a wide variety of media outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, BBC News, and NPR, to name a few. He has participated in a TED Talk and was featured in the documentaries On the Spectrum and Off the Rails. His articles and columns have been published in magazines such as Autism Spectrum News, the Huffington Post, and Sinkhole. He has also published two books and is currently waiting to publish a third. His first book is titled Asperger’s from the Inside Out, and the second, Unemployed on the Autism Spectrum: How to Cope Productively with the Effects of Unemployment and Jobhunt with Confidence.
Before his career in autism advocacy, Michael was a playwright in New York, as well as the United Nations Representative of Veterans for Peace, having spent time in Cuba, Bosnia, and Iraq.
In this conversation, Michael recounts his journey of discovering his diagnosis, which came shortly after his son’s. He explains how autism impacts his daily life and what he thinks is the only detriment for people on the spectrum.
We talk about the importance of support groups being led by autistic people, how to process unemployment in a healthy way, and the need for a comprehensive sexual education curriculum for young people with autism.
For more information about Michael John Carley and his work, please visit michaeljohncarley.com.
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Resources:
Autism Without Fear: Schools Need to Bring Back Skilled Trades—A Conversation with Temple Grandin, Ph.D.
The Ethical Slut
Savage Lovecast
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when quality care is cultivated from within.
Maricarmen Hazoury, or Kaki for short, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and the co-founder of Centro ACAP, an autism center in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The Global Autism Project partnered with Centro ACAP in 2018, and we have since sent three SkillCorps® volunteer teams to provide sustainable hands-on training.
In today’s episode, we discuss the history of autism awareness in the Dominican Republic and the types of autism services currently available. Kaki explains how she became involved in the field and why she is passionate about using Applied Behavior Analysis to help families. She also emphasizes the need for a Spanish-speaking certification board and provides examples of why the current Code of Ethics for Behavior Analysts is not completely relevant to Dominican culture.
Since mid-March, the Dominican Republic has been hit hard with a growing number of COVID-19 cases. Kaki talks about their transition to telehealth services during their lockdown and the measures they are taking now that the center is open again.
Kaki also describes how her leadership style has changed over the years, what she’s learned from partnering with the Global Autism Project, and which aspects of Dominican culture she is most excited to share with our SkillCorps volunteer teams when they visit.
For more information about Kaki and Centro ACAP, you can follow them on Instagram @centroacap.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when communication operates beyond words.
Jeannette Washington is a certified teacher, speech pathologist, and coder. She is also the author of Technical Difficulties: Why Dyslexic Narratives Matter in Tech.
Jeannette partners with companies, like Microsoft, to help them weave inclusion into their identities.
In today’s episode, Jeannette describes what speech therapy is, who can benefit from it, and how it is sometimes misunderstood.
With many years of experience providing services to people with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, Jeannette discusses how autism and dyslexia overlap and why she thinks that differently-minded individuals can – and should – contribute to the tech industry.
Jeannette also explains what an AAC device is, and offers advice for parents who are trying to assist their children in increasing their communication skills.
I’d like to give a shout out to one of our listeners, Kelly Cotter, for contributing to today’s interview with a question regarding collaboration between speech therapists and behavior analysts. If you would like to stay updated on future episodes, and possibly submit a question for an upcoming guest, please follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and send us a message.
To learn more about Jeannette Washington and her work, please visit her website bearlyarticulating.com and follow her on Instagram @bearlyarticulating.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when difference becomes an asset.
Haley Moss is an attorney, author, artist, speaker, and autism self-advocate. At only 25 years old, she has already published two books. The first is titled Middle School: The Stuff Nobody Tells you About, and the second is A Freshman Survival Guide for College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Stuff Nobody Tells you About. Her writing and artwork have been featured throughout media outlets such as The Huffington Post, Teen Vogue, and CNN, to name a few. Haley is currently working on a third book, in which she aims to demystify stigmas around disability within the legal profession. Haley also hosts a podcast called Spectrumly Speaking, with Dr. Lori Butts.
In today’s show, Haley shares how she navigated social norms during her school days, what a sensory overload experience feels like for her, and how her strengths as an autistic person have advanced her career.
As an attorney, Haley offers valuable insight about the history of the Americans with Disabilities Act and explains why employers need to strive for inclusion and accessibility in the workplace.
Other topics we discuss are benevolent ableism, the effects of social media on the neurodiversity movement, whether autism is a disorder or a difference, and the dangers of eugenics.
To learn more about Haley Moss and her work, please visit her website haleymoss.net and follow her on Instagram @haleymossart.
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Resources:
Autism in the Workplace (2016)
Why is the Autistic Unemployment Rate So High (2018)
Labor Force Statistics for People with Disabilities (2019)
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when cultural humility prompts curiosity and understanding.
This week's guests are Brandy Collins and Crystal Thompson.
Brandy is the founder and owner of Guiding Light Concepts, an autism center in Killeen, Texas. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, or BCBA, and a Certified Brain Injury Specialist with over 12 years of counseling experience. Brandy has dedicated her life to advocating for children and young adults in her community.
Crystal is the founder and owner of Believe Autism in Jacksonville, Florida. Also a BCBA, Crystal combines her passion to help children with autism and their families with her love for dance, as well as provides various opportunities through art classes, tutoring, and support groups.
Brandy and Crystal are members of our SkillCorps® Alumni community, having traveled with the Global Autism Project on SkillCorps volunteer trips to several of our partner sites, including SOREM in India and Rumah Tiara in Indonesia — which you may remember from episodes 6 and 16.
The Global Autism Project provides sustainable clinical, administrative, and leadership training to autism centers seeking guidance. SkillCorps is an opportunity for self-advocates and professionals to travel to our partner sites around the world and work directly with their local teachers and therapists. For more information about our SkillCorps program, please listen to episode 4, featuring a round table discussion with three members of our community.
As a SkillCorps alum myself, it was really fun to hear Brandy and Crystal describe how they’ve grown both personally and professionally from participating in our volunteer trips. We talk about their takeaways on supervision, teamwork, and cultural humility.
You’ll hear us mention Leadership Academy, which is a workshop our organization provides to prepare future SkillCorps trip leaders. Another term I use in the interview is RBT, which stands for Registered Behavior Technician. This is the direct-care level position that usually works 1:1 with clients.
In today's episode, Brandy and Crystal candidly share their experiences as Black women in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, their views on how the stigma around disabilities makes it harder for families in under-resourced areas to access services, and some of their ideas to make the field more diverse.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when perseverance and determination spread awareness one step at a time.
Maharani Putri Kusuma, or Rani for short, is the co-founder and owner of Rumah Tiara, an autism center in Jakarta, Indonesia. She has been receiving training from the Global Autism Project since 2013. So far, we have sent 13 SkillCorps® volunteer teams to Rumah Tiara to provide sustainable hands-on training.
For this interview, Rani was joined with Vya Mawarni, a former therapist at Rumah Tiara who interpreted from Bahasa to English for us. I want to give a special thank you to Vya for all of the effort she put into making sure Rani’s message was understood.
In today’s episode, we discuss the level of autism awareness in Indonesia, the stigma associated with the diagnosis, and the types of services available for families. Rani also describes how she became involved in the field and why she loves working with children with autism.
Rani talks about some of the challenges she has faced as a business owner, including the ongoing financial struggles resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Her staff at Rumah Tiara stay positive knowing that they are helping children who might otherwise not have access to therapy.
Rani reflects on her partnership with the Global Autism Project and reminisces about moments she holds dear from the times she has hosted SkillCorps volunteers. She also explains which aspects of Indonesian culture she is most excited to share with our teams when they visit.
For more information about Rani and Rumah Tiara, you can visit their website and follow them on Facebook.
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Just a reminder that we are still taking donations for our COVID-19 Partner Relief Fund.
Our partners across the globe share our vision of creating a world where every person with autism can reach their potential no matter where they live. They are dedicated to providing access to quality, culturally-appropriate education and equal opportunities in their communities.
As a result of COVID-19, our partners have shifted their work to support their students remotely, with many of them volunteering their time, and they will continue to do so as long as they can.
100% of your donations to the Partner Relief Fund will go directly to our partners who need it most. You will be supporting internet access for remote teaching, educational materials, and tuition scholarships. As our partners adapt and innovate to meet the urgent challenges presented by COVID-19, we’re inviting you today to join us and help create a better future for these children at risk. You can make a donation directly on our website at globalautismproject.org.
To learn more about our Partner Relief Fund, please listen to episode 10 with our CEO, Molly Ola Pinney.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when the shadow of stereotypes is illuminated by humor and art.
Timothy Boykin is an autism self-advocate, author, singer, and influencer. With almost 40K followers on TikTok, Tim uses his platform to promote autism acceptance and bring attention to racial inequality.
In today’s conversation, Tim and I discuss what it was like for him to learn about his diagnosis, how he dealt with bullies throughout school, and why he wants to shine a positive light on autism.
As a Black autistic male, Tim explains strategies his mom taught him so that he would stay safe during encounters with police officers. He also shares experiences in which he felt he was discriminated against because of his race.
You can watch Tim's videos on TikTok @timboykin and Instagram @kidish_bambino.
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Resources:
Anxiety and Autism
Depression and Anxiety by Race
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when behavioral science is creatively broadcasted.
Ryan O’Donnell is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, videographer, and entrepreneur. Through quick and easy-to-digest YouTube videos, he makes behavioral science publicly accessible so people of all ages can experience their version of success.
In the summer of 2019, Ryan collaborated with the Global Autism Project to document our training approach and highlight our partners at Kaizora Center for Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, in Kenya. You can watch these videos on his YouTube channel, The Daily BA.
In previous episodes, we’ve talked about how Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, can be used to effectively treat individuals with autism. Given Ryan’s passion for disseminating behavioral science, and how it is often misunderstood, I thought he’d be the perfect person to come on the show and explain what it is exactly.
Ryan provides a condensed history of behavioral science — from early controversial practices of behavior modification to modern ABA used in autism services — as well as relatable examples of its applications.
Ryan also shares his experiences from working with the adult population and describes the different services that are available for families.
For more information about Ryan O'Donnell and the work he’s doing, please visit his website: The Daily BA.
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Discover what’s possible when someone fosters motivation by encouraging autonomy.
Today’s guest is Katerina Cizkova. Katerina is a psychologist and a Clinical Director at ABA Centrum, an autism center in Prague, Czech Republic.
The Global Autism Project partnered with ABA Centrum in 2016. We have since sent nine SkillCorps® volunteer teams to provide sustainable hands-on training.
Katerina and I worked closely together last year as she was completing the supervision hours required by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, or BACB. She is doing amazing work at ABA Centrum, and I am so proud to know her as a partner, colleague, and friend.
In this conversation, we discuss the types of services available for individuals with autism in the Czech Republic, the potential harm of implementing interventions that are not evidence-based, and some of the ethical considerations to review when designing programs.
Here is a link to view the documentary Katerina mentions about autism in the Czech Republic: Children of the Full Moon.
Katerina is passionate about Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA. She talks about how she became involved in the field, why she thinks ABA is sometimes misunderstood by parents and professionals, and how she views the changes to the BACB’s international credentialing.
At the time of recording, on April 23rd, ABA Centrum was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Katerina describes the center’s transition to online services and how they keep parents engaged from a distance.
For more information about Katerina Cizkova and ABA Centrum, please visit their website: ABA Centrum.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when communities are built on dignity, fairness, and respect.
This episode was originally scheduled to be released later in the month; however, in light of recent events, we have decided to move it forward.
Today’s guest is Joy Johnson, M.Ed, M.S. Joy is a behavior specialist, inclusion specialist, autism self-advocate, and leader in the black autistic community. As the mother of an individual with autism, and as someone on the spectrum herself, she offers an interesting perspective to individuals, families, and organizations who are looking to improve the lives of those impacted by autism.
Joy advises parents about the benefits of ABA therapy and the importance of teaching social skills, including how to interact with police officers. She empowers parents and children by promoting preparedness rather than fear.
In this conversation, Joy explains what services she received growing up, how she related to peers in high school, and why she struggled after having her first child.
Having lived in Germany for seven years, Joy talks about the country’s education system and attitudes towards autism.
We also discuss the functions of self-stimulatory behavior, the consequences of masking, and the frustrating lack of support for adults with autism in the US.
To learn more about Joy and the work she does, please visit: Autism Support Services.
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On behalf of the Global Autism Project, I would like to share our organization’s official statement in response to current events and racial equality:
“While it is hard to find the right words to describe the outrage and grief over the violent and senseless death of yet another black person, we understand the importance of taking a stand for justice in this moment. The Global Autism Project is founded on the values of inclusion and equity and we will not sit back in silence in the face of such intolerance and disregard for the lives of black people. We condemn all acts of hatred, prejudice, and racism.
As we join you in solidarity, we, as an organization will actively be supporting the black community by engaging in these important dialogues and not turning a blind eye to your pain. We are committed to working with you to create a world that is truly free, just, and equitable for all. Our very own CEO has started a social media group for all people who want to take action and learn.
Our hearts go out to everyone in our community dealing with the pain and fear over losing their lives and those of their loved ones. We are here to let you know that we acknowledge your feelings, we see you, we hear you, we value you and we stand with you – now and always!
Thank you for being part of our global community, committed to opportunity and safety for all people.”
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when someone lifts her mask and embraces true beauty.
Rachel Barcellona is an autism self-advocate, model, author, singer, actress, and pageant winner. She is also a SkillCorps Alumni, having traveled with the Global Autism Project on a volunteer trip to the Czech Republic in 2018.
Since getting diagnosed at three years old, Rachel tried to fit in with neurotypical society. However, she always felt that she was different. Encounters with bullies throughout her life, and many years of suffering from depression, motivated her to create an online platform called The Ability Beyond Disabilities. Rachel encourages others to focus on what they can do rather than on what they can not.
As a multi-title beauty queen, Rachel wants to change people’s views on pageantry, from the image of brainless barbie dolls to that of strong women striving to make a difference.
In this episode, Rachel and I discuss some of the different perspectives within the #ActuallyAutistic movement. We also talk about the appropriateness of the puzzle piece symbol, the use of person-first or disability-first language, and the media’s portrayal of autism.
To learn more about Rachel Barcellona, you can follow her on Instagram @rachelbarcellona and visit her website: rachelbarcellona.com. ----more----
I also would like to remind you that we are still taking donations for our COVID-19 Partner Relief Fund. All proceeds will go directly to helping ensure our partner schools remain open by paying for rent, materials, and services. You can make a donation at globalautismproject.org. For more information, please listen to episode 10 with our CEO, Molly.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when we extend a helping hand and truly make a difference.
The CEO and founder of the Global Autism Project, Molly Ola Pinney, is back on the show.
The Global Autism Project partners with autism centers around the world. Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, our partners have been adapting their services to support some of the most vulnerable children and their families. These dedicated changemakers continue to inspire us with their perseverance and flexibility.
In previous episodes, we’ve featured our partners from China, Ecuador, Kenya, and Tanzania, among other guests. We’ll continue to bring you community leaders from all over the world, including Saudi Arabia, Czech Republic, and Indonesia, to name a few.
All of our partners are doing the best they can, yet their schools are in danger of permanent closure. In this episode, Molly shares an important announcement in response to these unprecedented circumstances. Watch Molly's video message to see our partners at their schools.
You can take bold action right now by making a donation here: COVID-19 Relief Fund.
If you’d like to learn more about the history of the Global Autism Project and the mission that drives our work, please listen to my conversation with Molly in episode 2.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when team members effectively collaborate to transform people’s lives.
Pooja Panesar is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and the first professional to practice Applied Behavior Analysis in East Africa. Brooke Jedidah is a Speech and Language Pathologist, Psychologist, and Clinical Child Neuropsychologist. Both of these phenomenal leaders are Co-Directors of Kaizora Center for Neurodevelopmental Therapies in Nairobi, Kenya and Kaizora Child Development Center in Dar Es Salam, Tanzania.
In this episode, Pooja and Brooke compare the understanding of autism in Kenya and Tanzania, and they describe the challenges of educating families about evidence-based interventions. Parents in their communities often turn to religious practices before trusting science as they progress through different stages of grief.
Back in 2010, when Kaizora was just Pooja, and the Global Autism Project was just our CEO Molly Ola Pinney, the two entrepreneurs supported each other to create what partnership with the Global Autism Project looks like today. You can hear Molly’s side of the story in episode 2.
Over the years, Kaizora has established itself as the leading autism center in Africa. In April of 2019, Pooja and Brooke merged their services to provide affordable packages under one roof. Today, both of their centers in Kenya and Tanzania offer a range of services, including Applied Behavior Analysis, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Special Education, and Vocational Training.
I visited the center in Kenya twice last year and was inspired by the staff’s dedication to their students’ progress. Pooja and Brooke stress the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, which they encourage by scheduling weekly training sessions led by alternating departments.
In this conversation, Pooja and Brooke comment on each other’s leadership styles and explain how they work together to balance out their strengths. Listening to them speak, I could sense the deep respect they have for each other as colleagues. They also provide insights on how to run a business with the right mindset and an open heart.
A huge struggle for Kaizora has been to deliver quality services for families who can not afford it. Pooja and Brooke have recently developed Kaizora Foundation, an organization aimed to raise funds for their centers and ensure that they will no longer have to turn children away. You can make a donation to their cause here: Kaizora Foundation.
We also discuss the impact of Covid-19 on Kaizora. Since recording this episode on April 7th, their center in Kenya has reopened its doors, taking extra precautions to use protective equipment and sanitize thoroughly. Understandably so, student attendance is not at regular capacity.
Their center in Tanzania eventually had to close for an indefinite amount of time. Staff from Kenya are currently running online sessions for their students in Tanzania because they don’t have enough laptops for therapists to use. They also continue to face challenges with unstable internet connections and frequent power outages.
On this note, I would like to apologize for the inconsistent quality of our call. Unfortunately, we had some issues with the internet connection but we’ve done our best to correct the sound, and I’m sure you will still find much value in Pooja and Brooke’s story.
The two Co-Directors are remaining positive and confident that they will come out of this crisis having learned innovative ways to run their organizations and will continue to support the families in their communities with whatever resources they have.
To learn more about Pooja, Brooke, and the team at Kaizora, please click here: Kaizora.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when someone chooses to break down walls with vulnerability.
Russell Lehmann is a motivational speaker, poet, author, and autism self-advocate. In 2018, Russell was awarded Reno-Tahoe’s “Most Outstanding Young Professional Under 40.” He has already published two books. The first is called Inside Out: Stories and Poems from an Autistic Mind, and the second is On the Outside Looking In. Russell leans on writing as an outlet for his pain. Stay tuned until the end of the conversation to hear him recite one of his poems.
Growing up as a social recluse with no one to trust, Russell decided to use the stories of his struggles to connect with an audience and initiate vulnerable dialogue. Public speaking gave him a purpose to be a voice for the unheard.
Russell travels the world spreading hope, awareness, and compassion, while also striving to erase the stigma and stereotypes associated with having a disability. Individuals diagnosed with autism are at a higher risk of developing comorbid mental health disorders. Russell aims to shift society’s perspective on invisible disabilities.
In this conversation, Russell and I touch on the topic of ableism and the complexities around using labels to identify people. We discuss what he’s learned about himself through public speaking and the ways he feels misunderstood by others around him.
Russell lets us into his world and describes the extent to which his obsessive-compulsive disorder impacted his life as a child. He explains how he copes with his symptoms today and also gives us a glimpse of the stressful thought process that takes over him during social interactions.
You can learn more about Russell Lehmann and his work here: The Autistic Poet.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when parents mobilize to build a community of ambassadors.
Mafer Chang is the founder of Centro Enigma, an autism center in Ecuador.
The Global Autism Project has been partnered with Centro Enigma since 2018. We have sent 4 SkillCorps® teams to collaborate with their teachers and provide training in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). You can hear more about our SkillCorps program in episode 4.
Since opening her first center in Guayaquil in 2015, Mafer has expanded her reach to two other cities, Samborondon and Manta. She had plans to open a fourth center in Portoviejo this April, however, that has been put on hold as a result of limitations to the coronavirus pandemic.
When this episode was recorded on March 20th, Ecuador was on its 5th day of mandated lockdown. Mafer had just closed Centro Enigma a few days before and was transitioning to offer online services for families.
Now, seven weeks later, Guayaquil is known as the “Little Wuhan” of Latin America, with over 20,000 cases of COVD-19. Like many other places in the world without an economic safety net, Mafer's community has been hit hard financially. The staff at Centro Enigma are currently volunteering their time to make sure families continue to have access to support.
In this episode, Mafer explains what services are available for children with autism in Ecuador from the step of diagnosis. It is difficult for parents to differentiate between services that are evidence-based and those that are not. Mafer also talks about some of the myths surrounding ABA in her community.
We discuss how her journey to become a certified Behavior Analyst has been affected by the international process changes made by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).
Mafer describes some of the breakthroughs she had during the early years of developing Centro Enigma, including learning how to motivate and retain therapists.
Each year on World Autism Awareness Day, the staff at Centro Enigma holds big events in different cities across Ecuador. Mafer recounts how their efforts to spread awareness have grown over the years, starting with a small group of 5 students and later expanding to a long list of families who want to participate.
Mafer empowers parents to be involved in their children’s therapy from day one. This has prepared families to jump in and work with their kids at home now that their centers are closed during the quarantine. She expresses the heartfelt joy she has experienced from hearing parents speak differently about their children’s autism.
Despite the challenges she is facing, Mafer is determined to provide quality services to the families of Centro Enigma and continue to engage the community of parents she has already built.
You can learn more about Mafer Chang and her work here: Centro Enigma.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when someone counters assumptions by starting conversations with an open heart.
Shreya Jain is the CEO and founder of Reservoir, India’s largest digital community of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. At only 25 years old, Shreya has built a safe space to connect families with resources and professionals. The team at Reservoir is driven by a passion to make India a truly inclusive country for people who are differently-abled.
Shreya describes the relationship she has with her younger brother, Suvrat, who has autism. Although they grew apart at some point, Suvrat is now Shreya's inspiration.
Shreya’s mother, Sangeeta Jain, has been working closely with the Global Autism Project for several years. In 2010, we partnered with SOREM in Chandigarh, and have since sent over 20 SkillCorps® teams to provide hands-on training to the teachers and staff at the school. You can hear more about our SkillCorps program in episode 4. We hope to have Sangeeta on the show in the future to talk more about the work at SOREM and her experiences as a mother.
Shreya and I discuss the understanding of autism in India and what it was like for her family when her brother would repeatedly get rejected by different schools. She details her first lessons of advocacy and why it’s important to educate children about autism at an early age.
Shreya reflects on the reasons she left the pharmaceutical industry for a path of entrepreneurship. I could feel the passion in her voice as she expressed her strive to create something fulfilling and wholesome.
You can learn more about Shreya Jain and her work here: Reservoir.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when innovative technology empowers parents to interact with their children in new, creative ways.
Michael Huang is the president and co-founder of UPlus Academy, an autism center in Nanjing, China.
With a background in IT, Michael describes the moment when he discovered he could utilize his multi-media technologies to help children with autism. It was fascinating to learn about the ways he and his staff are using 3-D mapping rooms to teach communication and generalization in the natural environment.
The Global Autism Project partnered with UPlus in January 2019. Since then, we have sent three SkillCorps® volunteer teams to provide sustainable clinical training to their teachers. We have also created an authorized curriculum to administer the six courses required by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board.
Earlier this year, we learned of the impact the coronavirus was having on our partners in China. We immediately scheduled video calls and closely worked together to create solutions for their students in quarantine.
Now, three months after they were forced to close their centers, Michael shares the current situation in his region, as well as his determination to not lay off any of his staff amidst the crisis. By offering online parent training, the staff at UPlus have motivated parents to transition to home programming. They even created an app for parents to track their children’s progress.
You can learn more about Michael Huang and UPlus Academy here: UPlus.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.
Discover what’s possible when you step outside of your comfort zone and embrace the unknown.
Andrew Bennett, Brittney Paye, and Jessie Sheahan have all traveled with the Global Autism Project over the years on SkillCorps® volunteer trips to our various partner sites, including ABA Centrum in the Czech Republic and SOREM in India.
As our CEO Molly mentioned in episode 2, SkillCorps is an opportunity for professionals and self-advocates to provide meaningful training to our partners around the world.
We send out teams of up to 10 people three times a year for two weeks at a time. The team members are complete strangers when they meet for orientation in NY, and by the end of their two-week trip, oftentimes they’ve become best friends. I still keep in touch with many of my teammates that I’ve traveled with. So far, over 400 volunteers are part of our Skillcorps Alumni community, and many are repeat travelers.
Each SkillCorps team has a trip leader and sometimes a leader-in-training. Andrew, Brittney, and Jessie have all attended Leadership Academy, which is a 3-day workshop that we offer for future trip leaders to discover their leadership style.
Time and again, SkillCorps alumni have expressed to us that their two-week trips have transformed their lives and relationships. Andrew, Brittney, and Jessie open up and share what they’ve learned about themselves, and how they continue to apply these insights to their personal and professional growth.
All three guests have different backgrounds related to autism. Andrew is an autism self-advocate and Registered Behavior Technician, working with children on the spectrum. He tells an inspiring story about his outreach initiatives on a SkillCorps trip to the Czech Republic.
Brittney is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who implements Applied Behavior Analysis to train dogs. Having been on almost 10 SkillCorps trips, she reflects on how building her leadership skills has empowered her to take a stand in different aspects of her life.
Jessie is a licensed school psychologist and uses ABA strategies in her daily work. She describes how working with a diverse team of professionals on trips allows for more collaboration and better communication with partners.
You'll hear us introduce the clinical training model that is implemented on our SkillCorps trips. We talk about why it’s important to always prioritize sustainability, and we discuss how using the Socratic approach fosters critical thinking skills in the learner.
As an organization, a big part of our responsibility involves respecting the values of the cultures we work with. Our guests today share what cultural humility means to them and how they practice it on SkillCorps trips.
Make sure you listen until the end of the conversation to catch helpful tips for future volunteers.
You can find more information about our SkillCorps program at globalautismproject.org.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when an autistic self-advocate courageously shares her stories online.
Eileen Lamb is an autistic self-advocate whose son is also on the spectrum. Eileen hosts a blog called The Autism Cafe, where she posts articles and resources for parents. She published her first book last August, called All Across the Spectrum. You can also find her photographs on Instagram @theautismcafe.
In this episode, Eileen and I discuss her son’s diagnosis and his progress from receiving Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services. It was especially interesting to hear about her experience receiving a diagnosis as an adult. I really appreciate her candor as she takes us on her journey, from growing up feeling different to the mixed emotions when she learned of her own autism.
Eileen is originally from France; therefore, we touch on the surprising differences in attitudes towards autism between France and the US.
For the first time in a public space other than on her blog, Eileen shares a traumatic incident that involved Child Protective Services and left her feeling betrayed by her son’s ABA team.
We also delve into the controversy of ABA therapy and the myths surrounding it. Eileen opens up about how hard it’s been to receive online attacks from other self-advocates and how she handles those criticisms today.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what’s possible when the answer to how is YES.
Molly Ola Pinney is the CEO and founder of the Global Autism Project. She is also the #1 supporter of this podcast.
In this episode, you’ll hear Molly give a history of our organization, highlighting important turning points over the last 17 years. As an employee, it’s always fun for me to hear about how the organization has evolved — from the heart of a 23-year-old with a mission to change the world, to a global movement involving almost 20 countries.
Molly tells us of her early years in Ghana and also reflects on how the understanding of autism in Africa has changed since then. Although the stigma is still real, there has been an increase in the awareness that autism is not caused by evil spirits.
Molly explains how our SkillCorps® volunteer program works and why it differs from voluntourism. Watch Molly's TEDx Talk to learn why doing things for others doesn't help.
We describe the relationships we have with our partners and share stories from our first Global Summit held in August of 2019. Check out our Global Summit video to see our partners in action.
Molly illustrates how decisive action in leadership helped her to respond appropriately to the coronavirus crisis back in January. We discuss the impact this has had on the work we do as an organization, and why she sees this pause as an opportunity.
We also talk about how traveling internationally with SkillCorps® has actually prepared some of our volunteers to better cope with the current climate of uncertainty.
For more information about our work, please visit: globalautismproject.org.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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Discover what's possible for the Global Autism Community.
In this brief introduction, I want to give you an idea of what the Global Autism Project is, who I am, and what this podcast is about. For more information about our movement, please visit globalautismproject.org.
I recorded this episode on April 18th, 2020. Of the first five episodes released for the launch, this one just happened to be recorded last. It was done on a Saturday night, at around 8:15 pm. We had just come back from clapping alongside our neighbors on our balcony. Every night at 8:00 pm, all of Spain cheers for the healthcare practitioners working on the frontlines during this coronavirus pandemic. The homage also serves as a daily reminder that we are all in this together.
I waited for silence in the streets to record one last take. By this point, I was exhausted from a long day of editing. I gathered some energy and powered through, knowing that this introduction would be important. It would set the tone for the whole podcast, and our message needed to be delivered clearly.
As I was recording the last couple of minutes, I couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional. All of the months of preparation were soon coming to fruition. I was suddenly very aware of the impact this show may have on our community. I thought of my colleagues, our partners, our SkillCorps® family. I was inspired by the fact that, even though we have all been affected in different ways by the current global crisis, we still remain united to encourage compassion for the autistic population. This podcast is our platform in the world at this crucial moment in history.
You may hear me choke up at some point. I was torn about giving it another try, to present a cleaner ending without my voice quivering, but I decided to leave this take as is. This is me, raw and exposed. As you listen, I invite you to sense what I was feeling in those last couple of minutes. I hope you find inspiration through my story and understand why this mission means so much to me.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.
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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.