Autism Grown Up Podcast: Recent Episodes
Autism Grown Up Podcast
How do we prepare for and navigate adulthood? What are the resources out there that can help me? How can we all work together to promote the success of autistic people in the workplace, community, and at school?
This podcast is an extension of the Autism Grown Up Resource Center for autistic adults, families, and professionals. Note that the needs of the autism community are HUGE and we are a small non-profit just getting started with resources. Not every episode may be for you and we aim to provide ideas and suggestions for individualization. Pick and choose what you need!
The Personal Care Toolkit is one of the many resources within the growing collection of resources in the AGU Lifespan Toolbox. Each week, we'll be sharing the audio from each toolkit so you can also listen in and learn more about these important topics.
In this Personal Care Toolkit, we’ll be focusing on what personal care looks like as well as building supports starting with the individual. Each individual is in a different place and may benefit from learning about ideas and ways to support or seek support. Professionals, family members, and community members can gain a lot of insight from this resource and can share this at home and in their work.
ABOUT THE LIFESPAN TOOLBOX:
The Lifespan Toolbox is a free online resource for the autism community. The Toolbox consists of toolkits for each topic area important to the lifespan, particularly preparing for and navigating adulthood. This information is applicable for those who have a younger child on the autism spectrum, teens, and adults. In our experience, it’s never too early to be thinking about adulthood.
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/podcast
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: https://www.autismgrownup.com/donate
LIFESPAN TOOLBOX: https://www.autismgrownup.com/toolbox
The Transition Planning Toolkit is one of the many resources within the growing collection of resources in the AGU Lifespan Toolbox. Each week, we'll be sharing the audio from each toolkit so you can also listen in and learn more about these important topics.
In this Transition Planning Toolkit, we’ll be focusing on what transition planning can look like as well as building high-quality transition plans. Each individual is in a different place and may benefit from learning about ideas and ways to support or seek support. Professionals, family members, and community members can gain a lot of insight from this resource and can share this at home and in their work.
ABOUT THE LIFESPAN TOOLBOX:
The Lifespan Toolbox is a free online resource for the autism community. The Toolbox consists of toolkits for each topic area important to the lifespan, particularly preparing for and navigating adulthood. This information is applicable for those who have a younger child on the autism spectrum, teens, and adults. In our experience, it’s never too early to be thinking about adulthood.
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/podcast
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: https://www.autismgrownup.com/donate
LIFESPAN TOOLBOX: https://www.autismgrownup.com/toolbox
The Guardianship + Alternatives Toolkit is one of the many resources within the growing collection of resources in the AGU Lifespan Toolbox. Each week, we'll be sharing the audio from each toolkit so you can also listen in and learn more about these important topics.
In this Guardianship + Alternatives Toolkit, we’ll be focusing on what guardianship can look like as well as supporting its less restrictive alternatives. Each individual is in a different place and may benefit from learning about ideas and ways to support or seek support. Professionals, family members, and community members can gain a lot of insight from this resource and can share this at home and in their work.
ABOUT THE LIFESPAN TOOLBOX:
The Lifespan Toolbox is a free online resource for the autism community. The Toolbox consists of toolkits for each topic area important to the lifespan, particularly preparing for and navigating adulthood. This information is applicable for those who have a younger child on the autism spectrum, teens, and adults. In our experience, it’s never too early to be thinking about adulthood.
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/podcast
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: https://www.autismgrownup.com/donate
LIFESPAN TOOLBOX: https://www.autismgrownup.com/toolbox
The Adult Services Toolkit is one of the many resources within the growing collection of resources in the AGU Lifespan Toolbox. Each week, we'll be sharing the audio from each toolkit so you can also listen in and learn more about these important topics.
In this Adult Services Toolkit, we’ll be focusing on the beginning and early stages of applying for adult and community-based services. Each individual is in a different place and may benefit from learning about ideas and ways to support or seek support. Professionals, family members, and community members can gain a lot of insight from this resource and can share this at home and in their work.
ABOUT THE LIFESPAN TOOLBOX:
The Lifespan Toolbox is a free online resource for the autism community. The Toolbox consists of toolkits for each topic area important to the lifespan, particularly preparing for and navigating adulthood. This information is applicable for those who have a younger child on the autism spectrum, teens, and adults. In our experience, it’s never too early to be thinking about adulthood.
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/podcast
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: https://www.autismgrownup.com/donate
LIFESPAN TOOLBOX: https://www.autismgrownup.com/toolbox
The Voting Toolkit is one of the many resources within the growing collection of resources in the AGU Lifespan Toolbox. Each week, we'll be sharing the audio from each toolkit so you can also listen in and learn more about these important topics.
In this Voting Toolkit, we’ll be focusing on voter education at any age and how to promote voting as a self-advocacy skill. Each individual is in a different place and may benefit from learning about ideas and ways to support or seek support. Professionals, family members, and community members can gain a lot of insight from this resource and can share this at home and in their work.
ABOUT THE LIFESPAN TOOLBOX:
The Lifespan Toolbox is a free online resource for the autism community. The Toolbox consists of toolkits for each topic area important to the lifespan, particularly preparing for and navigating adulthood. This information is applicable for those who have a younger child on the autism spectrum, teens, and adults. In our experience, it’s never too early to be thinking about adulthood.
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/podcast
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: https://www.autismgrownup.com/donate
LIFESPAN TOOLBOX: https://www.autismgrownup.com/toolbox
The Research Toolkit is one of the many resources within the growing collection of resources in the AGU Lifespan Toolbox. Each week, we'll be sharing the audio from each toolkit so you can also listen in and learn more about these important topics.
In this Research Toolkit, we’ll be focusing on the types of research we often rely on as well as discussing some of the ways we can find trusted resources. Each individual is in a different place and may benefit from learning about ideas and ways to support or seek support. Professionals, family members, and community members can gain a lot of insight from this resource and can share this at home and in their work.
ABOUT THE LIFESPAN TOOLBOX:
The Lifespan Toolbox is a free online resource for the autism community. The Toolbox consists of toolkits for each topic area important to the lifespan, particularly preparing for and navigating adulthood. This information is applicable for those who have a younger child on the autism spectrum, teens, and adults. In our experience, it’s never too early to be thinking about adulthood.
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/podcast
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: https://www.autismgrownup.com/donate
LIFESPAN TOOLBOX: https://www.autismgrownup.com/toolbox
The Getting a Job Toolkit is one of the many resources within the growing collection of resources in the AGU Lifespan Toolbox. Each week, we'll be sharing the audio from each toolkit so you can also listen in and learn more about these important topics.
In this Getting a Job Toolkit, we’ll be focusing on the realities of getting a job today as well as discussing some of the specific needs autistic people have related to this topic. Each individual is in a different place and may benefit from learning about ideas and ways to support or seek support. Professionals, family members, and community members can gain a lot of insight from this resource and can share this at home and in their work.
ABOUT THE LIFESPAN TOOLBOX:
The Lifespan Toolbox is a free online resource for the autism community. The Toolbox consists of toolkits for each topic area important to the lifespan, particularly preparing for and navigating adulthood. This information is applicable for those who have a younger child on the autism spectrum, teens, and adults. In our experience, it’s never too early to be thinking about adulthood.
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/podcast
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: https://www.autismgrownup.com/donate
LIFESPAN TOOLBOX: https://www.autismgrownup.com/toolbox
The Support Network Toolkit is one of the many resources within the growing collection of resources in the AGU Lifespan Toolbox. Each week, we'll be sharing the audio from each toolkit so you can also listen in and learn more about these important topics.
In this Support Network Toolkit, we’ll be focusing on relationships as well as discussing some of the specific needs autistic people have related to this topic. Each individual is in a different place and may benefit from learning about ideas and ways to support or seek support. Professionals, family members, and community members can gain a lot of insight from this resource and can share this at home and in their work.
ABOUT THE LIFESPAN TOOLBOX:
The Lifespan Toolbox is a free online resource for the autism community. The Toolbox consists of toolkits for each topic area important to the lifespan, particularly preparing for and navigating adulthood. This information is applicable for those who have a younger child on the autism spectrum, teens, and adults. In our experience, it’s never too early to be thinking about adulthood.
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/podcast
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: https://www.autismgrownup.com/donate
LIFESPAN TOOLBOX: https://www.autismgrownup.com/toolbox
The Relationships Toolkit is one of the many resources within the growing collection of resources in the AGU Lifespan Toolbox. Each week, we'll be sharing the audio from each toolkit so you can also listen in and learn more about these important topics.
In this Relationships Toolkit, we’ll be focusing on relationships as well as discussing some of the specific needs autistic people have related to this topic. Each individual is in a different place and may benefit from learning about ideas and ways to support or seek support. Professionals, family members, and community members can gain a lot of insight from this resource and can share this at home and in their work.
ABOUT THE LIFESPAN TOOLBOX:
The Lifespan Toolbox is a free online resource for the autism community. The Toolbox consists of toolkits for each topic area important to the lifespan, particularly preparing for and navigating adulthood. This information is applicable for those who have a younger child on the autism spectrum, teens, and adults. In our experience, it’s never too early to be thinking about adulthood.
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/podcast
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: https://www.autismgrownup.com/donate
LIFESPAN TOOLBOX: https://www.autismgrownup.com/toolbox
The Self-Advocacy Toolkit is one of the many resources within the growing collection of resources in the AGU Lifespan Toolbox. Each week, we'll be sharing the audio from each toolkit so you can also listen in and learn more about these important topics.
In this Self-Advocacy Toolkit, we’ll be focusing on self-advocacy as well as discussing some of the specific needs autistic people have related to this topic. Each individual is in a different place and may benefit from learning about ideas and ways to support or seek support. Professionals, family members, and community members can gain a lot of insight from this resource and can share this at home and in their work.
ABOUT THE LIFESPAN TOOLBOX:
The Lifespan Toolbox is a free online resource for the autism community. The Toolbox consists of toolkits for each topic area important to the lifespan, particularly preparing for and navigating adulthood. This information is applicable for those who have a younger child on the autism spectrum, teens, and adults. In our experience, it’s never too early to be thinking about adulthood.
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/podcast
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: https://www.autismgrownup.com/donate
LIFESPAN TOOLBOX: https://www.autismgrownup.com/toolbox
The Physical Activity Toolkit is one of the many resources within the growing collection of resources in the AGU Lifespan Toolbox. Each week, we'll be sharing the audio from each toolkit so you can also listen in and learn more about these important topics.
In this Physical Activity Toolkit, we’ll be focusing on physical activity as well as discussing some of the specific needs autistic people have related to this topic. Each individual is in a different place and may benefit from learning about ideas and ways to support or seek support. Professionals, family members, and community members can gain a lot of insight from this resource and can share this at home and in their work.
ABOUT THE LIFESPAN TOOLBOX:
The Lifespan Toolbox is a free online resource for the autism community. The Toolbox consists of toolkits for each topic area important to the lifespan, particularly preparing for and navigating adulthood. This information is applicable for those who have a younger child on the autism spectrum, teens, and adults. In our experience, it’s never too early to be thinking about adulthood.
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/podcast
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: https://www.autismgrownup.com/donate
LIFESPAN TOOLBOX: https://www.autismgrownup.com/toolbox
The Friendship Toolkit is one of the many resources within the growing collection of resources in the AGU Lifespan Toolbox. Each week, we'll be sharing the audio from each toolkit so you can also listen in and learn more about these important topics.
In this Friendships Toolkit, we’ll be focusing on making friends as well as discussing some of the obstacles. Each individual is in a different place and may benefit from learning about ideas and ways to support or seek support. Professionals, family members, and community members can gain a lot of insight from this resource on framing friendships and supporting them, as well as, how to be a better friend to someone on the autism spectrum.
ABOUT THE LIFESPAN TOOLBOX:
The Lifespan Toolbox is a free online resource for the autism community. The Toolbox consists of toolkits for each topic area important to the lifespan, particularly preparing for and navigating adulthood. This information is applicable for those who have a younger child on the autism spectrum, teens, and adults. In our experience, it’s never too early to be thinking about adulthood.
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/podcast
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: https://www.autismgrownup.com/donate
LIFESPAN TOOLBOX: https://www.autismgrownup.com/toolbox
The Transportation Toolkit is one of the many resources within the growing collection of resources in the AGU Lifespan Toolbox. Each week, we'll be sharing the audio from each toolkit so you can also listen in and learn more about these important topics.
In the Transportation Toolkit, we’ll be focusing on the transportation options as well as discussing some of the obstacles to transportation for autistic people. Each individual is in a different place and can benefit from learning about the options available to them.
Certain types of transportation can be difficult to manage for some, and there are also other considerations such as geographic area, transportation options in your local community, and accessibility. We’ll be covering public transportation as well as briefly other personal, private options such as driving and rideshare.
ABOUT THE LIFESPAN TOOLBOX:
The Lifespan Toolbox is a free online resource for the autism community. The Toolbox consists of toolkits for each topic area important to the lifespan, particularly preparing for and navigating adulthood. This information is applicable for those who have a younger child on the autism spectrum, teens, and adults. In our experience, it’s never too early to be thinking about adulthood.
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/podcast
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: https://www.autismgrownup.com/donate
LIFESPAN TOOLBOX: https://www.autismgrownup.com/toolbox
Alliance of Disability Advocates (ADANC) is a federally recognized Center for Independent Living (CIL) established in 1999 (then Universal Disability Advocates). Funding for Centers was authorized by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (The Act). ADANC works diligently to ensure individuals with significant disabilities have every opportunity to live as independently as possible in the community of their choice.
In this episode, I will be talking with Gerald Parrish, a Community Inclusion Consultant from the ADANC about Travel Training.
What is Travel Training?
- One-on-one instruction that teaches seniors and people with disabilities how to travel safely and independently using public transportation.
- Participants learn travel skills to meet their individual needs while using a specific bus route.
- These routes can consist of traveling to school, work, or a community destination such as malls, movies, the library, or just a friend’s house.
- Each individual’s needs and abilities differ so training and length of training vary with each person.
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu
There numerous reasons why we're covering this topic in this episode:
- parents and profesionals are looking for activities and opportunities to fill their person's day with activities they enjoy;
- self-advocates are looking for this info as well and perhaps people who understand and may want join;
- a dearth of opportunities in adulthood;
- growing need to get ideas for this upcoming winter and continued lockdowns and closures.
Read more from one of our most popular blog posts: Activities for Autistic Adults
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu
It's no secret that starting at Thanksgiving and for the rest of the holidays in 2020, celebrations are going to look a little bit different this year. Kicking off our first official co-hosting episode, Rory and Tara - the now father-daughter duo - discuss and share 5 ways we're keeping the holidays fun AND still safe this year.
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu
Aaaand we're back! With a new season, new co-host, and more news to share.
More about Rory Regan:
Rory is a super proud father to 4 children, including 2 sons on the autism spectrum (Tyler & Tanner), an Air Force veteran, and is an advocate in the autism community. He enjoys sharing what he's learned along the way, what he's continuing to learn as his sons navigate adulthood, and promoting the Autism Grown Up vision and mission for other families to be able to have the resources they need.
Listen to Rory's episode from earlier this year, Episode 43
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu
Andrew Komarow is the Founder of Planning Across the Spectrum and specializes in helping any self-advocating client or families with autism and intellectual disabilities. Planning Across the Spectrum is a company designed for more than just financial planning. Andrew created a resource to provide expert guidance and valuable resources for life decisions that are either unknown, not easily accessible or can be complicated to pilot for someone with special needs.
Andrew is a passionate advocate for autism awareness in his community and for his work as a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP™). He has always worked toward helping his clients gain financial security now and for their future. Putting both of these interests together, Andrew was inspired to launch Planning Across the Spectrum.
Andrew provides a unique planning perspective for those with special needs, their caregivers, and their families because he has “walked in their shoes.” He has experienced the medical, social, educational, legal, vocational, and relational issues that come with being a member of the autism community. Due to this, he can provide specialized aid to his clients, and most importantly, he understands that every situation is unique.
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu
Eric Jorgensen is the founder and owner of Special Needs Navigator. He started it to help families and professionals navigate the maze of benefits, resources, and services. As a dad with an adult son with Autism, ID and other challenges; Eric experienced first-hand the challenges of getting clear and direct instructions about what he needed to do to help his son prepare to transition from school into the work force. He was widowed the same year he retired from the Navy when he needed support the most. Eric's focus is ensuring the families he works with don't experience the same headaches and stress. In addition to families, Eric works with professionals – providing back office support and answers to experts like financial advisors, social workers, attorneys and trust officers – around the country.
In this episode, we talk about the shared frustration of navigating the adulthood disability services system, what he’s learned along the way in helping families, and 3 actionable steps that families can do now to get started with navigating their own maze of benefits, resources, and services.
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu
Jeff Snyder is an autistic self-advocate, speaker, and is very active online sharing his work, insights, and experiences. He was diagnosed with autism at 21 months old and has accomplished so much in his life ranging from being the first student with autism to complete his education in his town's school district to getting his own apartment at age 25, plus working in the retail industry for 13 years.
Now as an autism self-advocate, he is looking to serve as an inspiration to others that were just like him once. He runs both a Facebook group and a Facebook page devoted to his advocacy and in addition, is also an avid traveler and a writer of fanfiction - which set him on his path to becoming more vocal and involved in the community online and doing presentations to share his experiences in special education and employment.
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu
In today's solo episode, I get into the ongoing changes we've been experiencing and continue to experience due to the COVID 19 pandemic. We've been through really hard times with closures, and more questions arise with reopening, possibilities of closures again, and ongoing and lasting changes in our communities. I share 3 tips / guidelines to support you, your family, your students through the next while of the pandemic. This is a good episode and resource to return to, reference, and encourage you on those rough days and everything in between. These are also great to think about when we want to get back to the basics of what life is really about and pursuing a meaningful quality of life for ourselves.
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOW NOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
SUPPORT FUTURE EPISODES OF THE PODCAST: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu
Spectrum Works was founded by Ann Marie Sullivan to address a critical disconnect between an 80% unemployment rate for individuals on the autism spectrum and their value to the workforce as employees with inherent skills and abilities.
Here’s some background on what Spectrum Works does: the Spectrum Works signature Job Training and Employment Program incorporates integrated on-the-job training, classroom-based learning with a focus on soft skills, and competitive employment opportunities via partnerships with participating companies. They employ highly skilled Job coaches co-locate within the companies to master the students’ responsibilities in order to properly instruct and mentor them throughout the lifecycle from training to placement as interns and employees.
And now their Online Remote Work and Learning Program is a recently added distance learning version of the signature program delivered through live video conferencing. It incorporates office work assignments, career building skills, and job readiness training and is offered virtually to high schools and individuals with autism across the nation. This programming is available to young adults with autism aged 16 and above who are in high school or post-high school.
In this episode, we discuss challenges in the transition to adulthood related to employment, how Ann Marie had a plan for Spectrum Works and worked to get the non-profit off the ground and running with collaborations with high schools and businesses. Since the start of the pandemic, Ann Marie and her team pivoted to create their Online Remote Work and Learning Program - you’ll want to hear how they made this happen and learn more about the opportunities with this program! We also get into actionable steps for businesses and employers to do to build effective and sustainable Diversity and Inclusion programs in the workplace.
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOW NOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu
Eric Chessen, M.S. is the Founder of Autism Fitness and creator of the PAC Profile Method. Eric has spent nearly 20 years developing successful fitness and adapted PE programs for the ASD population of all ages and abilities levels. His work has been featured on VICE Media, Yahoo News, and Eric has presented for TEDx. He lives in Charlotte, NC.
In this episode, we discuss how Autism Fitness got started: Eric saw a need to create fitness programming that is actionable and combines his background in fitness and autism; how fitness is best when individualized and applied to one’s daily living and their own version of a better quality of life; we break down the PAC Profile Method - what does PAC stand for (Physical, Adaptive, and Cognitive); and Eric provides 3 actionable steps for families and individuals to start working on long-term physical skills.
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
SUPPORT AUTISM GROWN UP: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu
Alicia Trautwein is an autism advocate, writer, motivational speaker, and dedicated mom of four. Alicia's desire to advocate for Autism comes from her own autism diagnosis and that of her three children, niece, and brother. Her life's mission is to educate on autism acceptance and change the world for future generations of autistic individuals. Her blog and website, The Mom Kind is an amazing resource where she shares her journey and resources for families. We discuss her own self-diagnosis, common issues that autistic women face as they receive their own diagnosis - including misunderstanding, misdiagnosis, and a whole lot of frustration - as well as parenting as an autistic and parenting multiple children on the autism spectrum. We also get into current events and what life is like at home during the pandemic. AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/ AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
This week on the podcast I am doing this solo! I'm sharing how Autism Grown Up got started and how I'm finding my way (and continue to work at it) through 5 major lessons over the past 2 years. I wanted to share this and some of the details of running a non-profit online focused on autism in adulthood. I hope you find this episode to be a fun chat to kick up your feet and relax to - we all need a moment like that! AUTISM GROWN UP WEBSITE: https://www.autismgrownup.com AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/ AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
Sean Sullivan is an autistic self-advocate and is the Founder and Executive Director of the I Know Autism Foundation. His hobbies include watching anime, blogging, and spending time with his family. In our conversation today, we discuss Sean’s experiences growing up and navigating adulthood, why he founded the I Know Autism Foundation, and what he hopes to achieve in the future. AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/ AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/ AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/ AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu
Holly Blanc Moses is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Licensed Psychological Associate, and Licensed Professional Counselor with 20 years of experience in applied behavior analysis and behavior therapy. Holly and I discuss "challenging behavior" and why it's important to challenge ourselves as caregivers + professionals in these discussions because it does have negative implications.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu
Samuel Huber is an autistic advocate who is 31 years old and lives in Bridgeport, PA, with his wife Gisette and son Sky. He was diagnosed with ASD at 14 years old. It is his life’s work to be an independent musician and public speaker on ASD to teach others how to put a positive spin on their lives. On his YouTube channel and Instagram, Samuel gives insight on the autistic perspective on a wide variety of topics related to adulthood.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu
Today I’m chatting with 2 guests - both representing different perspectives of a program called the Neurodiversity in the Workplace Initiative. They are based out of Philadelphia and work with businesses and potential candidates on the autism spectrum nationally to promote neurodiversity in the workplace. We have Amanda Zorzi who is an Employment and Training Specialist and Austin Martin who is a graduate/member of the training program.
In this episode, you will learn more about:
- The mission of Neurodiversity in the Workplace (NITW)
- NITW’s model of training employers and future employees
- How they’ve adjusted the hiring process with employers to better display work skills and talents
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu
After many years of working as a high school English teacher and special educator, Corinne Levitt decided to change direction and work primarily with adolescents with special needs and developmental differences. She wrote Exceptional Minds Across the Autism Spectrum in recognition of the need to promote the important role an enriched educational experience can have on the lives of students who stand to benefit the most from best teaching practices. Her background in learning disabilities, psycholinguistics, and the arts enabled her to "teach to the talent" while encouraging her students to discover and explore their potential. She inspires other educators to re-examine what lies behind our current understanding of the autism spectrum and learning differences, in order to create a school culture based on dignity, respect, social inclusion, and the right to a meaningful education.
In this episode, you will learn more about:
- Developing a child's strengths and not becoming locked into labels.
- Recognizing the adolescent years as an important opportunity for learning and developing new skills and talents as we prepare students for the future.
- How to see past deficits and recognize the innate potential of all students to learn and thrive.
Let’s jump into my interview with Laurie Hellman!
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu
Laurie Hellmann has spent the last 15 years fiercely navigating through therapies, medications and countless other medical and personal challenges with her son, Skyler, all while continuing to fight for and be the voice for other families with a loved one on the autism spectrum. She also has a 15-year-old neurotypical daughter who is just now starting to express that being a sibling of autism is not for the weak because it means that every day is a whirlwind and you never know what to expect. Laurie started a podcast in the Fall of 2019 entitled “Living the Sky Life” to further document and bring a voice to the often-unspoken struggles that families with special needs children, and specifically teenagers, face day to day. Laurie also wrote a memoir, “Welcome to My Life – A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism” that is available for pre-order on Amazon and will be released on June 26th! In this episode, you will learn more about:
Laurie’s journey as a special needs mom, her son Skyler is 17
The idea and writing process for her memoir
Her desire to expand the conversation about autistic children aging out of services with few options for programs and resources as an adult
Learning about promoting independence and other areas as your child grows up
Let’s jump into my interview with Laurie Hellman! AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/ AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/ AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/ AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu
Dr. Temple Grandin is a prominent author and speaker on both autism and animal behavior. She is one of the most famous autistic self-advocates out there and has written extensively on her experiences growing up and navigating every day as an autistic person. One of which was adapted to an Emmy-winning HBO film. Currently, she is a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. In this episode, you will learn Temple’s thoughts on:
What’s important to focus on in adulthood
Defining executive functioning and self-advocacy
Skills for getting and keeping a job
Neurodiversity-affirming workplaces
Let’s jump into my interview with Dr. Temple Grandin! AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/ AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/ AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/ AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu
Dr. Lisa Peña is a Today Show Parenting Team contributor and the founder of the nonprofit The M.o.C.h.A.(TM) Tribe which stands for (M)oms (o)f (C)hildren that (h)ave (A)utism. She directs a one day wellness retreat for special needs mommas each year called The Ultimate M.o.C.h.A. Session. She is the writer behind the blog The M.o.C.h.A. Tribe Diaries and the author of the book, "Waiting for the Light Bulb". She is a rookie author but a professional mother of a child with an incredibly unique subset of autism called, pathological demand avoidance (PDA). Dr. Peña is also a proud coach’s wife, a clinical pharmacist, passionate public speaker and a busy mom of three who happily resides in South Padre Island, TX. In this episode, you will learn:
Lisa’s work with her non-profit, the M.o.C.h.A.(TM) Tribe, and collaborating with other autism moms
About the writing process and creation of her first book, “Waiting for the Light Bulb”
About pathological demand avoidance (PDA) and how Lisa put the pieces together about this diagnosis with her child
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/ AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/ AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/ AUTISM GROWN UP DONATIONS: www.autismgrownup.com/support-agu
Esteamed Coffee is a non-profit coffee shop and bakery in downtown Cary, NC opening in November 2020. Esteamed Coffee will employ people with visual, communication and intellectual/developmental differences in a life participation model of community, while esteeming people with differing abilities. Co Founders and friends Angie Hudson and Tamara Lapsley started Esteamed Coffee in 2017 and are now only months away from bringing their dream to reality!
In this episode, you will learn:
- The beginning of Esteamed Coffee and what kick-started its mission
- The process of getting a non-profit organization like this started
- How to support Esteamed Coffee from wherever you are and support similar organizations in your community
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Bronson Layton is a 22-year-old autistic self-advocate, YouTuber, and currently a senior in college majoring in English. He started his YouTube channel, Brons Over Brains, just over a year ago and creates videos that entertain and educate. His goal is to become a Professor of English. In this episode, you will learn:
The beginning of Bronson’s YouTube journey and what kick-started it for him
What topics Bronson is interested in and has covered in his videos
Bronson’s best pieces of advice to autistic teens and young adults as they go through challenges in high school and college
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/ AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/ AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
Lisa is the founder and CEO of MERGE Inclusion Consulting where she provides comprehensive consultation, staff training and systems implementation to community entities committed to recreation, sport and social program inclusion of persons with diverse abilities. She has spent 35 years supporting individuals with IDD to be active and engaged within their community through her work as a direct support professional, Director of the Sollar Wellness Center, and the South Shore YMCA as its first-ever Associate Director of Inclusion.
Lisa and I discuss what authentic inclusion looks like for recreational programs, how she works with organizations to broaden their perspective of what inclusion means, and how she defines what she calls authentic inclusion. Authentic inclusion is the work we do to create systems-level changes to be inclusive in their culture and its reflected in their practices. Lisa also shares what’s doing to adapt and pivot to needs during this time of uncertainty. She’s leading a webinar called Inclusion is Not Cancelled and focuses on “keeping the social” of social distancing and argues for a language shift to be physical distancing, but using this time to still build inclusion into organizations.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Becca Lory Hector, CAS, BCCS was diagnosed on the autism spectrum as an adult and has since become a dynamic autism advocate, consultant, speaker, and author with dual certifications as a Certified Autism Specialist (CAS) and Cognitive Specialist (BCCS). With a focus on living an active, positive life, her work includes autism & neurodiversity consulting; public speaking engagements; a monthly blog, “Live Positively Autistic”; a weekly YouTube news show, “Neurodiversity Newsstand,”; and being an Assistant Editor/Feature Writer for Spectrum Women Magazine. An animal lover with a special affinity for cats, Becca spends most of her free time with her many animals, her husband Antonio Hector, and their Emotional Support Animal (ESA), Sir Walter Underfoot.
Becca and I discuss her path to self-determined decision making, with her ASD diagnosis as a jumping off point, and how it’s so critical that other autistics learn and practice this skill. She’s interested in quality of life, specifically creating quality of life assessments with autistic measures because these are typically created for the neurotypical person.
“There are so many people telling autistic people what to do and that can be dangerous. It’s important for us to pursue the quality of life that we want.” - Becca Lory Hector
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Beth Rosenberg is the Founder and Executive Director of Tech Kids Unlimited, a not-for-profit organization based in New York City. Beth has a background in special needs and technology, which informs how Tech Kids Unlimited began and its educational + student/staff ratio model. Tech Kids Unlimited seeks to open up the field of technology to students with disabilities, especially those on the autism spectrum to help them become the techies of tomorrow. Speaking of, Beth and I discuss her goals in promoting employability and implementing programming to support work-based learning experiences, such as internships and courses focused on technology skills that translate to the workplace. Plus bonuses that I enjoyed hearing about: the sense of community they’ve cultivated, collaborations with peers, teaming amongst staff, and self-determination to pursue your own interests. AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/ AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/ AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/ AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
For this week’s episode, we are chatting with Ray Hemachandra, who is the father of Nicholas Hemachandra, a 19-year-old autistic and intellectually disabled young man. Ray and his son are based in western North Carolina, where he speaks and writes about autism and neurodiversity. In this episode, we take a deep dive into neurodiversity and what he refers to as authentic self-determination. This is a great episode for parents and professionals supporting individuals on the spectrum who are growing up because supporting self-determination and support networks are important well before an autistic person becomes an adult.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Rachel Worsley is the Founder and CEO of Neurodiversity Media - an online agency based in Australia. She integrates her background in journalism, law, and personal experience as someone with ADHD and who was recently within the past couple of years diagnosed autistic. Ever since launching Neurodiversity Media within this last year, her insightful, innovative work has taken off on LinkedIn. Neurodiversity Media creates accessible information resources to empower the neurodivergent population to fulfill their potential through the dignity of work. They are a content marketing agency supporting organizations with their content creation about neurodiversity and shaping content about people with disabilities. They publish a newsletter called NeuroWork that you should definitely sign up for! You’ll receive news, views, and resources about neurodiversity at work directly to your inbox. AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/ AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/ AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/ AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Kirt Manecke is an award-winning author who has written books on topics such as customer service and sales skills, social-emotional learning, social and career. He’s from Michigan and shares a lot of great local resources to his area if you’re from up there! The book we discuss today is Smile and Succeed for Teens, which as he shares in the episode - Dr. Temple Grandin read it and called him right away to leave a testimonial for this book as a tool for teens and young adults as they enter the workforce and seek employment. These are tangible skills that schools are now incorporating in their curricula. This answers a common concern we have when it comes to a tremendous need for preparation for the realistic aspects of work while in high school. He has helpful chapters on clear expectations in the workplace, volunteering, and running your own business which many young adults are focusing on. AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/ AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/ AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/ AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Haley Moss is an autistic advocate, attorney, artist, author, and speaker. She is a leader on disability inclusion, autism, neurodiversity in the workplace, employment policy, accessibility, and lawyers and disabilities.
We discuss finding and pursuing your interests, pushing through to your goals, and the importance of finding and listening to autistic self-advocates in the autism space.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
This week we have Julie Hornok on the show! She is an autism parent, advocate, author, and event planner. Her book, United in Autism: Finding Strength Inside the Spectrum shares stories from autism parents/caregivers, and her non-profit plans and facilitates emotional support events for autism parents/caregivers.
Being an autism caregiver is truly a unique experience with its own journey, strengths, and challenges. Parents and caregivers of autistic loved ones across the lifespan can also benefit from finding and engaging in the types of groups we discuss - from online to an in-person Special Needs moms retreat that Julie is collaborating with other parents to plan and facilitate.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Friendships can be a challenge to begin and navigate for many teens and young adults on the autism spectrum. Over 61% of teens on the spectrum experience bullying and social isolation, leading to increased mental health challenges, such as depression and suicidal thoughts. As a result, many people have become interested in starting social clubs or meet-ups in their area. (Note: this is a time sensitive issue, and we hope the opportunities to have social experiences in our community will become an option again sometime soon).
Our guests this week are from a non-profit organization called Erin’s Hope for Friends, which is on a mission to create lasting relationships through joyful interactions with teens and young adults on the autism spectrum. It was founded by the Horst family, in their daughter’s loving memory. Erin was a teen with Asperger’s who faced many challenges and decided to take her life. They started their first clubhouse in Georgia and have since opened a couple more and are working on expanding their base into Lexington, Kentucky. They have a teen program and are currently building out their young adult program called E’s Essentials to focus on the intersection of life skills through their social programming.
The mission of this organization is incredible and has a staff that is passionate about meeting the needs of their participants as they grow up and navigate their teen years with each other and most importantly, not alone. I am so excited for our guests to share more about their programming, connections within the community, and their advice to get started in your community.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY:https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Housing is a major gap and need in adulthood. This week, I chat with Desiree Kameka, the Director of the Autism Housing Network. They provide information and resources online all about housing - from a network of housing communities, to starting your housing search, to advocacy and policy work in making housing accessible to all.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
As we get into adulthood services, there are a variety of options and services that an adult with IDD can opt into. One of those options is day habilitation programming. In this episode, I chat with Joe Spreitzer, the founder of ABLE Adults, a day program located in Stirling, New Jersey. Joe is a former special education teacher who saw a tremendous need for programming for adults with disabilities in his community after working in the schools and with other services. We get into Medicaid service definitions, what the day-to-day programming looks like, and how it's important to promote opportunities for learning - - learning doesn't stop in adulthood!
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Today's episode is a solo one, where I share more info about our latest bimonthly resource: High-Quality Transition Planning in High School. Each high school and IEP team does transition planning differently, but what are the ways that can best support and prepare the student for life after high school?
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Today's guest is Cassidy Hooper, who is an autistic self-advocate from Mississippi and now as of this week... our AGU Online Community Manager! We discuss the importance of finding your support network/your community/your people to turn to, how she's been able to rely on her family and local community as well as cultivate one online.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Today's guest is Dr. Shuting Zheng, a postdoctoral research scholar at UC-San Francisco. She shares what she's learned from splitting her time in research and clinical settings, her work on eye-tracking and heterogeneity of ASD, and making ASD diagnostic and research assessments more realistic and ability-based instead of deficit-focused.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
*Disclaimer: This episode was recorded in January 2020 and the UCSF STAR Center for ASD and NDDs has been renamed to the UCSF Center for ASD and NDDs.
This week we have Dana Kelsey (from @autism_irl) on the podcast! She's a fellow autism sibling of an autistic brother - so you know we gotta talk about that! I love following her adventures online with her brother Rob and we share commonalities in interests between our brothers. We also delve into the sometimes unfortunate realities of adult services and programming and some gaps in supports including autism training and pay.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Let's kick February off with #blackautistic pride! In this episode, we get to chat with Kayla Smith, the creator of #AutisticBlackPride/#BlackAutisticPride and is incredibly active online. We discuss intersectionality, the challenges of sharing your voice online, as well as her life as a college student trying to drum up more autism support on campus.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Castle J. Colder is on the show today! He shares his experiences in discovering art as his passion and pursuing it for a career, his ASD diagnosis as an adult, and why he believes mental health is an incredibly important conversation.
More about Castle: He was born and raised in Georgia. He creates comic art and illustrations on paper and digitally, all inspired by comics, video games, and more. You can follow him along on Instagram and Twitter.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Our Guest
Juliana Fetherman is the 23-year-old founder and CEO of Making Authentic Friendships LLC, an interactive web app that enables children (ages 13+) and adults with special needs to make friends. It matches users based on age, diagnosis, interests and geographic location. It is called Making Authentic Friendships, MAF, which is also her brother's initials. Juliana's brother is 21 and has autism and ADHD. He is very lonely due to his lack of friends and he inspired this initiative.
We delve into the major reasons why MAF began, some things she's learned along the way (including learning how to run a startup), and what is working for current users of the app.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Today I get to talk with my dad on the show! [Finally, right?!}
Rory Regan is a super proud father to 4 children, including 2 sons on the autism spectrum (Tyler & Tanner), an Air Force veteran, and is an advocate in the autism community. He enjoys sharing what he's learned along the way, what he's continuing to learn as his sons navigate adulthood, and promoting the Autism Grown Up vision and mission for other families to be able to have the resources they need.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
We're doing a solo episode today! Just Tara today sharing some major updates, behind the scenes, and projects occurring at Autism Grown Up. Essentially, all the happenings!
We also share a few key ways you can now get involved with our work at Autism Grown Up:
1. Submissions
- Write a guest blog article for the blog (autismgrownup.com/submissions)
- Submit a guest interview for the Podcast (autismgrownup.com/futureguest)
- Submit a community organization for the Community Spotlight Series (email hello@autismgrownup.com)
2. AGU Ambassadors
Our AGU Ambassadors are key members of our community. Autistic adults. Family members. Professionals. Friends. Colleagues. And more. We work together to share, create, and connect with others in our community to learn more about planning for and navigating autistic adulthood life.
Learn more and sign up at autismgrownup.com/aguambassador
3. Donate
- Support the resources, community, and resource center (https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup)
- Support training and education development programming (autismgrownup.com/donatetoagu)
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
For today's episode I chatted with Doug Blecher from Autism Personal Coach and the Autism Stories podcast. We delved into the behind the scenes of how and why Autism Personal Coach was created, and where they are today: with a growing base of coaches that serve adults on the autism spectrum to support them in meeting their personal goals.
Doug has worked with individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder for the past 17 years in residential and community settings. He founded Autism Personal Coach seven years ago as a result of seeing the growing need of Autistic adults and teens to access proper supports at home, work, school, and in the community so they can be the best version of their authentic selves. In 2015 Doug was awarded the community innovator award at the Milestones National Autism Conference for the work of Autism Personal Coach and continues to learn from Autistic people every day.
This is such an incredible model to support autistic adults and I always enjoy talking with Doug about services and what's working out there. Thanks again, Doug!
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
For today's episode I chatted with Megan Carranza from the Adventures in Autism podcast. I loved getting the chance to talk with her about behind the scenes of starting and running her podcast as well as life as an autism parent. Megan's always a joy to talk to and I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did!
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
For today's episode I'm sitting with a chocolate shop owner local to me in North Carolina. This isn't just any old chocolatier - this is also a place specifically started to hire employees with disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder.
Dan Friedman is the owner of Special Treats located in Chapel Hill, NC, and he's also an autism dad. Special Treats sells products created by small businesses led by or consisting of employees with disabilities as well as creates and sells their own special treats. Learn more below and click through to buy some of their products!
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Today we get to chat with Maria Davis-Pierre, the owner and CEO of Autism in Black, Inc.
Here's more about Maria and Autism in Black:
The organization aims to bring awareness to Autism Spectrum Disorder and reduce the stigma associated with the diagnosis in the black community.
As a licensed therapist, Maria primarily works with parents to provide support through education and advocacy training. Her passion for working in the field stems from her personal journey with ASD when her daughter received the diagnosis at a very early age.
In addition to therapy, Maria dons many other titles including coach, speaker, advocate, and most recently author. Her first published work, a Self-Care Affirmation Journal, is currently available for purchase on Amazon. Maria’s unique approach to coaching and counseling exemplifies her drive and motivation toward greater acceptance and overcoming the barriers and personal struggles associated with raising a child on the spectrum. Connect with her today and allow her to partner with you through your ASD journey.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
In today's episode, I sit with members from A Special Blend a non-profit business and coffee shop located in Greensboro, NC. DeeDee Ungetheim (President of the Board) and Terri Ramsey (Board Member + Volunteer Coordinator) join us as they share about the inception of the idea, to raising over $300,000 in their local community, to where they are today in training employees with disabilities for employment.
A Special Blend's mission is to employ adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a setting that interacts with the community. They aim to improve the quality of their lives and to broaden the public's perception of people with disabilities.
In this episode, we get into A Special Blend's core messaging of being a Community in a Cup and how they intentionally reflect this on a day-to-day basis from starting as a coffee shop (with dang good coffee!), to empowering both individuals with and without disabilities to get involved, and so much more.
As of this recording, A Special Blend is turning 1 year old; so if you live nearby in Greensboro you should stop by their events this month, say hi, and celebrate them, their employees, and community.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
It's the last Thursday of October, and you know what that means! It's the October Q+A episode! This week, we recorded live in the Autism Grown Up Community and briefly answered a couple of questions there.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
At the start of this episode, we get into some personal and family updates as well as some Autism Grown Up at-large updates - and we've got some great ones! I'm so excited that Autism Grown Up is now a non-profit! More info to come on how you can help support our mission and get the word out about our Resource Center + Community (which this podcast is an arm of) and our services.
And then, we get to wrap up our National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) mini-series of sorts with information on what's out there to promote autism @ the workplace today, from thinking early, to being an informal mentor in your workplace, and getting the word out on shifting attitudes on autism and employment.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
A common challenge that many autistic individuals face as well as their families is staying active, more especially, staying physically active. A few years ago, the CDC reported that adolescents on the autism spectrum have a higher likelihood of obesity in comparison to their peers. In fact, about 32% of autistic teens are overweight or obese. This has been a challenge for my family with both of my brothers, as we try time and again ways to stay healthy and active, in ways that a) my brothers enjoy and b) that we can do together (we found these two aspects to be the active ingredients for us).
One day as I was looking through posts in my local Autism Society chapter Facebook group, I saw some posts from a fitness instructor named Ryan Bost. He was sharing about his classes and that he was actively recruiting individuals with disabilities, specifically on the autism spectrum to join in.
From there, I couldn't wait to get him on the podcast to learn more about his experiences leading up to now and what he's learning working in our community. And that's exactly what we get into, as well as his journey to becoming an Autism Exercise Specialist, stories from classes, and ultimately how he's become so passionate and engaged in connecting and building relationships with students and clients.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Did you know that October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month? To mark the month, for our solo podcast episodes I'll be diving deeper into some of the latest findings when it comes to the autism @ the workplace movement.
This includes sharing findings around employers' experiences in hiring and working with autistic employees. We'll also pull in from my professional experience to shape and shift employer and employee attitudes towards autism. Like working towards increasing buy-in and building inclusive practices in the day-to-day.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Today, I invited Kenzie Clark from Able Transition Consulting, LLC to share her work in helping families and individuals with disabilities transition to adulthood here in the Triangle in North Carolina.
Through her services, she helps pave a path forward through providing concrete skill-building support, a person-centered plan, resources, trusted advisors and an overview of what the transition process entails, what it means and how to specifically prepare.
My conversation with Kenzie illuminates so much about the transition process. Some families have no idea where to start within their community or even what their state or county offers in services. They may have recently moved to the area or unfortunately, just didn't access that information because there isn't really any one person or role devoted to sharing community resources and services with families of an autistic child and IDD.
This is often the exact place where Kenzie begins her work, she's created a helpful tool, a resource guide that she shares with families she works with. And this is just the start of her work, she explains how she creates a person-centered plan and connects families with trusted legal advisors regarding financial planning for the short- and long-term.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
This month's super Q: What Should We Focus on for Success in Adulthood?
I realized we have this information stored in our AGU community - under workshop tabs.
For more information, check out NTACT's resources and our free workshop in the AGU community, where we go more in-depth about what areas to focus on at each stage of life with videos, workbooks, and more.
14 factors/areas pulled from research and recommendations across 5 domains:
Skill areas:
1) Social skills
2) Self-advocacy
3) Self-care/independent living
School experiences:
4) Inclusion in general ed
5) Career and technical education
6) Student support
Planning Practices:
7) Program of study
8) Goal setting
Community Experiences:
9) Community experiences
10) Interagency collaboration
11) Work experience
12) Transition program
Adult expectations and experiences:
13) Parental/staff expectations
14) Parental involvement
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Bill Dusch, Ph.D. is #ActuallyAutistic, a Physics Ph.D., and a data scientist. He's also a really great friend of mine whom I really appreciate stopping by to have this conversation with me to share with you.
We discuss his path to his chosen career through special interests, figuring out what's the deal with social communication and breakthroughs he's had along the way, grad school (of course, right? Get 2 former grad students in a room, and we're gonna talk about it!), and how his life led to where he is today!
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Let's get into the big picture of ASD employment.
I'm hoping for this episode to be the beginning of a discussion here on the podcast and in our Autism Grown Up community.
As you listen to this episode and what I share, I want you to think about questions you have when it comes to employment (whether that's employment with your autistic child that's now or soon will be an adult, for you as an autistic adult, your students, or your clients) and ideas for your next steps.
We get into research findings surrounding employment, what underemployment looks like, and why it's important to be talking about this area and fill the gaps in support.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Elisabeth Rubin is a NC-based Occupational Therapist or OT. She currently works in early intervention with little ones referred to her through the organization she works in.
She began her autism training at Camp Royall (a summer and year round camp for individuals on the autism spectrum here in NC and a place neither of us can get enough of), worked at the TEACCH center in Chapel Hill, NC, and then pursued her Master's in OT at Colorado State.
We talk about her day to day professional life as an OT, working with kids in the home setting and with their families, as well as take a deep dive into some of the major skills or domains she commonly works on with families. Particularly self-regulation and coping skills, and how they are still ones to focus on across the lifespan and can prevent so many now adults from accessing the supports, employment, and community they need.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
It's the last Thursday of the month, which means that we're doing a Q&A! This is our first one ever, so thank you very much to those who submitted questions.
We've received a few questions and today I'm picking one from one of our members in the Autism Grown Up community online. You can join us in the community at community.autismgrownup.com
And you can submit your question at http://bit.ly/aguquestion
This gives us a chance to do a deep dive into the what, why, and how of various topics related to autism, growing up, and adulthood. And therefore to give space to an area that isn't covered as often, especially in this area and age span.
So today's question is centered on wanting to learn more about...scheduled routines.AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
My sister Tasha Regan is on the podcast today!
In this episode, we give you a glimpse of another autism sibling's life. Which is also very different than my experience, and also goes to show that no two autism siblings are the same as well.
I love that she is so honest in sharing her experiences, even the not always the glorious and #blessed experiences. Sibling relationships are complicated, nuanced, very special, as Tasha can attest to this. And this episode one that I hope you find helpful as you think about your family and the families you know and work with.
You'll also get a chance to hear our brother Tanner at times - he pays us a visit at one point too!
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
We’re quickly approaching the back-to-school season!
It’s a big change for everyone, and returning to school every fall is one of the biggest annual transitions for autistic children and teens.
There’s a lot up ahead to adjust to, such as new routines, teachers, classes, classmates, bus schedules, and even perhaps a new school.
Today we'll be chatting about how can families ease the back to school transition for their kids on the spectrum (and themselves).
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
In today’s episode, I’ll recommend a few ways you can avoid the summer slide, keep your child on track, and get them ready for the upcoming school year by the end of the summer.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Let's get into another major question parents have during the summer: How can I get my child to try something new?
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Summer is here and so is the heat!
I get a lot of questions from parents when it comes to things they should do this summer with their child on the spectrum. So here is that post!
Here are some tips to help you figure out what you can do this summer with your child on the spectrum and your family.
These are some family-based activities and 1:1 or smaller group ones too.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Looking for ways to support your teen on the autism spectrum with independent living skills, self-advocacy, vocational skills, and more? This post will share easy to use strategies you can put into place to teach, support, and practice all these skills and more with your autistic teen.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
As your child with autism reaches adulthood, there are a few things to consider before they graduate from high school. These topics include the transition to adult services, college, job, or living situation - all covered in this episode!
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Our kids with autism spectrum disorder are growing up. Just like every other kid. In a way, that is definitely one thing you can expect to occur in your very busy life as a parent. And just like every other kid, puberty seems to pop up out of nowhere. I’m there with you – it seems like just yesterday my youngest brother Tanner, was running around in diapers acting out scenes from Dora the Explorer with me. And now he turned 19 last November!
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Technology is a bit of a big deal in the ASD population (and that’s an understatement). People on the autism spectrum and their families use technology for a number of uses. Sure, there are a lot of negative experiences, but the benefits can outweigh these with some support. This post will share options in how individuals with ASD use technology and to encourage you to think about ways to incorporate them in your child’s day-to-day. Specifically, I’ll share several options, routes, and ideas about using technology in the home, school, and community, and all the places you go. In this guide, technology refers to any devices (computers, smart phones, tablets) and programs on them (apps!)
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Did your child just receive an autism diagnosis, recently move into a new area, your child transitioning into adulthood, or if you’re just looking for more resources to access in your community – this is the post for you! In this blog post, I’ll be covering how to navigate local community for services and resources for your child with autism and family. It’s easy to feel isolated with autism in your life, but thankfully there are so many ways to connect with others and organizations, so you’ll never have to feel alone.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
As my students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were in their final years of high school, their parents and teachers would often ask me what their living options would be once they graduated from high school and reached adulthood. Today's episode answers their questions as well as yours regarding independent living options for adults with ASD.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
First of all, why is getting organized important? Organization is an often-reported issue from individuals on the autism spectrum and their parents and families. Being organized allows our children to be prepared, build independence, and lessens stress and anxiety for them (and all of us.) In this post, I’ll share ways to get your child with autism more organized and to encourage creative ways to get this done.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
I'll share ways for you to discover and connect with a community of your choosing and creating.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
So many of us share time and time again that there’s really nothing in our local community when it comes to our kids, teens, and adults on the spectrum. So go ahead and start something!
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
In this episode, we'll be talking about some tangible steps towards shifting our own autism awareness to acceptance.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Today it's story time. I share a recent experience my family and I had in my local community, specifically in response to my brothers who are adults on the autism spectrum.
In comparison to other experiences that we (and others' of course) have had, it's nowhere near how disappointing and devastating community's reactions can be to those on the autism spectrum. But it's still eye-opening and worth sharing, especially with it being April and Autism Awareness Month.
We still have a long way to go with awareness, understanding, and acceptance. But I think we'll get there through conversations and continued experiences out in the community.
From here, I'm curious in what ways you have handled, managed, and/or navigated such negative experiences in your community? Let me know - you can send me an email at hello@autismgrownup.com or find me online and send me a message.
In terms of action steps, stay tuned for Thursday, where I share ways we can shift from Autism Awareness (and increase it of course) to acceptance.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
I'm so excited to share some updates and let you know what you can expect from the podcast in the future...in short: it's gonna be fun!
Our new release schedule will be:
Tuesdays -- Current topics + events + interviews
Thursdays -- From the blog
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
It's Autism Awareness Month! But for many reasons (and many great reasons), there's a lot of topics to bring to the table when we celebrate this month.
One topic I feel gets overlooked pretty often is adulthood and what autism in adulthood currently looks like for the community.
There's so much to do in this area, and given the awareness it so desperately needs, we can get empowered as a community and work together to promote more opportunities, pave the way for success, and create meaningful and fulfilled lives with the autistic adults whom we love and work with.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
In Episode 06, we'll be covering professions in the autism field, 2) professionals who work with individuals on the autism spectrum, and 3) trajectories to work in these fields.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
In Episode 05, we'll be talking about what to expect when your child reaches puberty, 2) how to prepare for it, and 3) the types of healthy habits you can help instill today!
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
In this episode, we'll be covering the types of peer strategies you can use in your classroom, 2) tips to implementing so everyone benefits, and 3) ways to generalize across settings.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
Let's get into how to create and adapt social stories!
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
We'll get into a step-by-step process to help you figure out the self-care support you need as an autism parent.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup
An introduction to Autism Grown Up as an autism resource and podcast.
AUTISM GROWN UP COMMUNITY: https://community.autismgrownup.com/
AUTISM GROWN UP INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismgrownup/
AUTISM GROWN UP SHOWNOTES: https://www.autismgrownup.com/agupodcast/
AUTISM GROWN UP PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/autismgrownup