The Autistic Me Podcast: Recent Episodes
C. S. Wyatt
Featuring autistic individuals speaking about their experiences and their identities — including and beyond autism. We will also speak to family members, support providers, experts, and others interested in joining an autistic-centered conversation.
Recorded 13 October 2023
The Chintan Project empowers businesses to discover their larger purpose, draw strength from the challenges they face, and leverage their unique offering to impact the world.
https://www.chintanproject.com
- Amit Chintan Ramlall, Autistic Polymath and Consultant
- Dr. Kumar Ramlall, Medical Doctor and Father of Amit
- Pratima Ramlall, Ph.D., Scientist and Mother of Amit
Pratima and Kumar decided to name their son: “Amit” meaning Infinite in Sanskrit, and “Chintan” meaning Thinking.
Dr. Kumar Ramlall, CEO and Co-Founder Chintan Project “The Human Behavior Advisors”
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/neurodiversity
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Podcast 0118; Season 7, Episode 11; 10 September 2024
Scot Marken, recorded on 4-Oct-2023
EdRedefined.com
https://www.edredefined.com/
EdRedefined was created to make college and other postsecondary programs more inclusive, help students build their skills, and provide ongoing support so that students will thrive and be happy.
OUR APPROACH
- We believe individuals with disabilities are just that...individuals. Each person has unique strengths and talents.
- We believe individuals can continually build their skills; some of these will be mastered over time, while others may require continual support.
- The voice of a student with disabilities is most important. We utilize Person Centered Planning, a widely respected process of continually listening to and learning what is important to an individual with disabilities in partnership with the student’s family.
- We believe students will be successful and retention and graduation rates will increase as students have greater access to high-quality and sufficient levels of support.
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/neurodiversity
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Jason Dietrich, Neurodiverse STEM Educator
Originally recorded on 15 September 2023
Jason Dietrich writes: I am interested in increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM as well as building a solid foundation for STEM literacy. Ours is a technology-based society, therefore, I seek to build computational literacy and develop critical thinkers capable of analyzing and integrating data to formulate solutions to complex real-world problems requiring innovation and creativity. I also strive to use innovative, tailored instructional methods, especially for those challenged in mathematics, which is often a barrier to STEM careers. It is critical to make STEM learning more meaningful and inspiring to students. Finally, I am eager to promote STEM engagement activities through NASA’s missions to inspire a diverse future STEM workforce. I am experienced in training and development, global education policy and methods, statistical analysis, curriculum development, and assessment strategies. In addition, I have been mentored by a current NASA STEM Engagement Specialist. I have created a process for a NASA app design to identify hidden barriers involved with STEAM engagement.
Virginia Space Flight Academy's (VASFA) website and social media:
- For more information: camp@vasfa.org
- Website: https://www.vasfa.org
- FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/VaSpaceFlightAcademy
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vaspaceflightacademy/
- Twitter: @VaSpaceAcademy
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/neurodiversity
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Podcast 0116; Season 7, Episode 9; 25 July 2024
Note: Originally Recorded 13 September 2023
Dez Rock: Tech CEO on the Benefits of ADHD
Dez Rock is the CEO of SIEMonster, and a neurodivergent leader. Dez knows that having ADHD has been anything but a detriment to her career – her ability to see the world as a puzzle (and manage all of the pieces) has made her an exceptional leader. Her passion for equity shines through in everything she does, and she strives to move through the world with authenticity and empathy.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exploring-neurodiversity-and-adhd-with-dez-rock/id1481135244?i=1000616595573
https://siemonster.com/about-us/
https://siemonster.com/
Dez Rock has been an entrepreneur for over 20 years. Mentoring others on career and negotiation skills, she has now focused in on her own business, dropping out of law school to start SIEMonster several years ago.
Dez’s greatest strength is always seeing the big picture. A start-up requires a person who can always fight all fronts without losing perspective and making things personal; this is where she excels.
Dez’s mind works at a fast pace. With her ability to see solutions and paths like puzzle pieces, she has managed to take a great idea to market and make it grow. She sees every challenge as an opportunity and thrives well under pressure.
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/neurodiversity
- https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Podcast 0115; Season 7, Episode 8; 10 July 2024
NOTE: Originally Recorded 18 August 2023
Offering the perspective of an educator and consultant, Jenny Sandler joins us on this episode to discuss how families and schools can support autistic students. With a master of arts degree in literacy and a masters of education in autism supports, Jenny promotes best practices for teaching neurodiverse students.
Jenny’s website is homeschooluk.com, where you can learn more about her and the services she provides to families and schools.
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/neurodiversity https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Originally recorded 14 June 2023
About Bliss Road:
In this sometimes funny, often devastating memoir, Martha Engber describes the arduous journey toward discovering the invisible roadblock that ran her life off course: her psychological distress is the result of being the neurotypical daughter of a dad with undiagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder, a condition that affects over 75 million people worldwide. Martha uses personal anecdotes and research about the emergence of ASD as a diagnosis to explain the psychological, emotional and social challenges she faced as a child, then as an adult and parent. Along the way, she shows the sometimes harrowing, but eminently rewarding, route others can follow to chase down the source of their family angst and so reach a more blissful future.
Martha Engber is the author of Winter Light, an IPPY Gold Medal Winner in Young Adult Fiction. Her other books include the novels The Falcon, The Wolf and the Hummingbird, and The Wind Thief, and the Resource for Writers, Growing Great Characters from the Ground Up. A speaker and workshop facilitator, she’s had dozens of short stories and poems published in literary magazines and a play produced in Hollywood. She lives in California with her husband, bike and surfboard. She invites readers to connect via her website, MarthaEngber.com.
Order Bliss Road on Amazon. [https://amzn.to/4avGAKu]
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
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Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/neurodiversity https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Note: Recorded 7 June 2023
Originally Scheduled for September 2023
Sarah Stelmach-Brown is a caregiving advocate with a major focus on autism and Alzheimer’s disease and the host of the podcast “Caregiver Chronicles.” She is the mother of two boys on the autism spectrum.
Sarah worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Technician at assisted living facilities, nursing homes and in-home care before leaving in July of 2021 after experiencing caregiver burnout. She is raw and passionate as she speaks about her experiences as a caregiver in both personal and professional settings.
Sarah is not afraid to tackle serious topics but also uses her wit to bring levity to almost any situation. She uses her podcast to help caregivers from all walks of life connect to others and gets their messages out about making the world a better place for those we care for and those who care for us.
https://thewholecarenetwork.com/caregiver-chronicles-podcast/
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sarah4903
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caregiver-chronicles/id1527943242
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/neurodiversity
-
https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Normal life has made it difficult this fall to maintain the podcast, my blogs, and my social media accounts. I have no idea how other working parents with podcasts and blogs manage to produce any content during a school year.
Trying to produce episodes at least monthly proved beyond my stamina.
After months like November, I find myself envying full-time creators who earn a living producing quality podcasts, videos, blog posts, and social media. They have tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of subscribers and followers. Their podcasts have sponsors. Many of them have small teams or they outsource editing and transcription of content.
And then there are the dedicated hobbyists. That’s me: a slightly insane, certainly overwhelmed, and sometimes on-schedule hobbyist.
Podcast 0111; Season 07, Episode 04; 4 December 2023
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/neurodiversity
- https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
David Villec is the neurodiverse father of Tiger, a 10-year-old autistic savant. Dave discusses his personal challenges and those of Tiger.
The Autistic Tiger is 10-year-old Tiger Villec and his namesake character, also known as “TAT.” Tiger is a world-renowned artist with the unique ability to draw upside down and draw with incredible detail. You may have seen him on TV or your favorite comic-cons.
Recorded in late May 2023.
- https://www.instagram.com/tigervillec/?hl=en
- https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092294232399
- https://www.facebook.com/theautistictiger/
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjXeGSMLbX4pFQHpG4A1szA
- https://www.tiktok.com/@theautistictiger
- https://linktr.ee/theautistictiger
The Autistic Me on Social Media * Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ * Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ * Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
How can parents support their disabled children into adulthood? Will our children find meaningful places in society? Sadly, workplaces don’t always accommodate differences.
Mark Lyons and his wife are former teachers. With their son Samuel, they operate SammySocksEtc, an online store offering cozy socks, coffees, and teas. Like many disabled adults, Samuel struggled with traditional employment. The Lyons sought to provide Samuel with a safe and supportive work environment.
SammySocksEtc is online at:
- https://www.sammysocksetc.com
- https://sammysocksetc.com
- https://www.facebook.com/SammySocksEtc
- https://twitter.com/SammySocksEtc
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXzwTs8IU9o
The Autistic Me
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Podcast 0108; Season 7, Episode 1; 15 August 2023
It’s back-to-school season again, which also marks a new season of this podcast. Unfortunately, the new school year might be the busiest our family has experienced. I anticipate challenges producing new podcast episodes on a regular schedule.
What little free time we will have might be on weekends, and I don’t wish to give up family weekends for anything else.
My impulse, whether from autism, ADHD, or something else, is to be productive. Yet, I constantly feel anxious because my to-do list grows faster than I complete the tasks. If I tell myself a podcast “must” be produced weekly, I feel horrible when that goal isn’t met. Therefore, I am aiming for monthly episodes of Perspective on Neurodiversity. I believe that a single episode per month is what I can reasonably produce in the time available.
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/neurodiversity
https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Dr. Bibi Pirayesh is an educational therapist and learning rights advocate based in Los Angeles, CA. She has spent the last 15 years working with hundreds of children, parents, teachers, and schools to enhance the lives of children with learning disabilities. She regularly speaks on neurodiversity, educational therapy, and learning disability as a social justice issue on podcasts and stages and as a university lecturer.
As a first-generation immigrant and English language learner, she draws on a unique multicultural perspective, years of specialized education on these topics, and over a decade of community experience and advocacy. Helping parents, students, and teachers recognize the power they hold is shifting our systems toward equity and inclusion is her passion. Outside of work, she is an avid traveler and dog mom to "Booboo," everyone's favorite therapy dog.
- https://www.oneofonekids.org/about/
- https://www.oneofonekids.org/community/
In 2020, in response the school shutdowns and the isolation and mental health crisis of the pandemic, Dr. Pirayesh launched the Difference is Not Deficit Project. This project aims to build community through the power of sharing stories
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Elizabeth Bennett, Life Coach for Families
With over 35 years of teaching, administration, and coaching experience, Elizabeth offers a unique blend of leadership, vision, and vast knowledge background. She is a retired award-winning school principal with a relentless passion for empowering people to take on their lives with joy and love. Elizabeth is dedicated to sharing her desire to create positive and connected relationships, focusing on community and business leaders, educators, and especially parents. (and yes, I even work with teens to help them see alternative perspectives.)
https://www.courageousnetwork.com/
Book: Courageous Conversations: A Guide for Parents to Understand and Connect with Their Teen, by Elizabeth Bennett
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
From Marinda K Dennis:
I wanted to share my story in hopes of helping others who are struggling with grief right now, especially those on the spectrum. My 15-year-old daughter took her life this past year. She was bright, vibrant, and full of life.
Her 12-year-old brother, Andrew, is autistic. It has been quite the journey attempting to navigate my own grief while helping him through his. She was his world. He was her little shadow who followed her everywhere and wanted to be just like her in everything he did. He is now lost without her.
I want to share what I have learned, what we have been through, and what has led us on this journey of trying to help others heal from pain.
Andrew was in a fatal car accident with his father five years ago, and Andrew sustained multiple life-threatening injuries. We had to ensure that he was stabilized before we could even tell him that his father did not make it. It has been a long and hard journey for him through the years, and yet he's thriving right now despite it all.
Links and books:
Website: www.energy-threads.com
Grief Anthology: https://a.co/d/32mFIW5
Suicide Book Recommendation: Aftermath https://a.co/d/cvQq7eF
Marinda K Dennis
Energy Threads LLC, Owner, Author, and Editor
MA, MFA, Adjunct Professor of English,
DA Student of English Pedagogy, MA Student of Publishing
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
SURJ BIO:
For as much as he’s known for creating soundtracks to people's daily lives, SURJ asserts himself as a storyteller, first and foremost. His songs engage audiences everywhere by converting the magic around him into anthems we can all sing. After introducing himself with his debut album All Things True, he landed a global smash with band Space Between Us in the form of “Filter” & "Paris In Spring" SURJ is kicking off 2023 with a new chapter of music that celebrates the importance of living in the now and untangling the complexities of life. Hear his most personal story yet on his second full-length solo album, The Light Between the Oceans.
The Light Between the Oceans is an anthem of hope for uncertain times. So many of us are walking around with more than we can carry on. Being our adult selves can be so different from what we thought our adult selves would be like. Realizing growing up is not what we thought it was, life is not going to look the way we think it is, and even when it does, it doesn't make us happy. Realizing the ultimate light in our lives, it is crucial to avoid just running through the motions. "This snapshot, I pray, gives you a reservoir of hope based on a foundation full of light," says SURJ.
SURJ Links:
- https://www.instagram.com/surjsh_/
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEe_QBvfhknpr2BFtFiSHBA
- LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/spacebetweenus
- Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/surj/1532983812
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5zO88ESqebxRGgFBwcmeyD?si=wOqLa_jcQjyr0DrETH8AOA
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Josh Stehle is an autism author, speaker, advocate, and leader from Philadelphia, PA. His debut book, I am a Superhero Expert, explores autism awareness from his perspective as the brother of Zach Stehle, an autistic young adult.
Book: I am a Superhero Expert
- Tiktok: @thestehle.bros
- Instagram: @thestehle.bros
- Personal Instagram: @joshstehle
- Facebook: The Stehle Bros Autism Awareness
- Website: https://www.josh-stehle.com
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Allen Wolf describes The Sound of Violet:
The Sound of Violet is about a man who believes he found his perfect soulmate, but his autism keeps him from realizing she's actually a prostitute. The novel allows readers to experience a love story between two people who are unlikely to fall in love. The main character is autistic, and I mainly wrote the novel from his perspective. He's very trusting, so when he meets Violet, he believes she's an actress when she's actually a prostitute. I wanted the reader to experience the rollercoaster of the relationship mainly through his eyes with glimpses into Violet's world.
From Allen’s website:
Allen is an award-winning filmmaker, novelist, and game creator based in Los Angeles. He is also the host of the Navigating Hollywood podcast. His debut novel The Sound of Violet was described as “Entertaining, well-paced, and highly visual,” by Kirkus Reviews. Allen wrote, directed, and produced The Sound of Violet, the movie adaption of his novel that will be released in 2022. The screenplay won numerous awards and the film will bring awareness to human trafficking and autism. His previous film, In My Sleep, won multiple festival awards. Allen has also created five board games that won 39 awards.
Allen Wolf Online:
- The Sound of Violet: https://www.thesoundofviolet.com
- Website: https://allenwolf.com
- Navigating Hollywood Podcast: https://allenwolf.com/podcast/
The Sound of Violet information:
- Book / Movie Website: TheSoundofViolet.com
- Twitter: @soundofvmovie
- Facebook: @soundofvmovie
- Instagram: @soundofvmovie
- Media Room: AllenWolf.com/Media-Room
Allen’s Previous Podcast Appearance:
- https://www.tameri.com/wordpress/autisticme/2021/11/16/podcast-episode-077-allen-wolf-and-the-sound-of-violet/
The Autistic Me on Social Media * Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ * Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ https://autisticme.libsyn.com/neurodiversity * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ * Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Laura Hernandez is the CEO and founder of Mama Systems, a coaching business that helps moms create peace in their homes through systems. So many of us are simply reacting to life and surviving motherhood that we are missing out on the people we love and the things we want to be doing.
In this episode, Laura discusses Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), and other forms of neurodiversity.
Laura’s family story of fostering, adopting, and special needs has shaped not only her life but has also brought about this company that has coached hundreds of moms to peace in their homes.
https://www.mamasystems.net/
https://www.mamasystems.net/creating-chores
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Recording Number 100! Of course, it’s about education because that’s what dominates my life. Specifically, this is a reflection on reaching the end of our homeschooling experience.
Children who have been in the foster care system and through the adoption process don’t have the same sense of security other children often have. If we had raised the girls from birth, without the years of legal uncertainty, they’d know we’re always here to support them. They’d be less risk-averse. They’d trust us to love them no matter what.
When your formative years were spent caring for yourselves emotionally and feeling like the adults might abandon you, school presents a lot of emotional challenges. Education practices themselves can be traumatic.
The Autistic Me
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Kirsten Fowler is the author of Family, Faith, and Fragile X: The Raw Story of a Mother With Three Special Needs Children. She resides in Utah with her husband and four children, three of which have Fragile X Syndrome.
She loves music, art, theater, and occasional adventures. Amidst her challenges, she tries to laugh rather than cry, has a good sense of humor, and shares her experiences to help others find hope and joy.
https://kirstenfowler.com
This is my website where listeners can find a direct link to my book on Amazon as well as a link to a list of hundreds of helpful items to purchase with link where to buy them. There are also more stories from my life to read there.
Family, Faith, and Fragile X: The Raw Story of a Mother with Three Special Needs Children. (May 2022)
Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3RybkBG
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Dr. Walt Karniski, author of the new book ADHD Medication: Does It Work and Is It Safe?
Dr. Karniski is a developmental pediatrician trained at Boston Children’s Hospital. He was director of the Division of Developmental Pediatrics at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, for fifteen years. He then opened a private practice and, for twenty years, evaluated and treated children with ADHD, autism, anxiety, learning disabilities, and other developmental difficulties. During that time, he developed and operated three private schools for children with ADHD, anxiety, and learning disabilities. Over the forty years he has been practicing, he has evaluated and treated close to ten thousand children, conducted numerous studies of brain activity in children, and has been director of a child abuse program and a program for enhancing development in children born prematurely. Dr. Karniski approaches each child as a unique individual with distinctive strengths and weaknesses, where the diagnosis does not matter as much as understanding the specific needs of that child. His new book is ADHD Medication: Does It Work and Is It Safe? (Roman & Littlefield, May 15, 2022). — From the publicist for Walt Karniski, M.D.
Learn more at: https://adhdmedicationbook.com/
Book: ADHD Medication: Does It Work and Is It Safe? https://amzn.to/3jpY9HL
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Matthew J. Brownstein is the CEO of Anahat Education Group and the Executive Director of the Institute of Interpersonal Hypnotherapy. Matthew founded the International Association of Interpersonal Hypnotherapists, and OnlineMonastery.com where he teaches the Anahat Meditation System. He is the author of five books, including The Sacred Geometry of Meditation, The Sutras on Healing and Enlightenment, and Interpersonal Hypnotherapy.
Matthew is a student and teacher of A Course in Miracles and offers free classes on Meditation, Hypnotherapy, Spiritual Growth, and Life Mastery Work through the Institute. He is the founder of the Interpersonal NLP Society, Silent Light Publishers, and IGE Business Networking Groups. When not working on the Vision of Anahat Education Group, Matthew enjoys hiking, kayaking, yoga, and meditation from his home in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York.
Monday Night Conscious Community Classes – Over 500 hours of free online class recordings on hypnotherapy, meditation, spirituality, healing, and more: https://www.instituteofhypnotherapy.com/conscious-community-classes/
- Illuminated Mind Podcast: https://www.instituteofhypnotherapy.com/podcast/
- Books: https://www.instituteofhypnotherapy.com/products_tag/featured-books/
- Free Meditation Training: https://www.onlinemonastery.com/
- General Information for Hypnotherapy Training: https://www.instituteofhypnotherapy.com/
- About Matthew J. Brownstein: https://www.instituteofhypnotherapy.com/about-matthew-j-brownstein/
The Autistic Me on Social Media * Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ * Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ * Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
DJ Stutz, is an Early Childhood Specialist with more than 20 years of teaching experience. DJ has an immense love for children with five of her own, 12 grandchildren and 70 nieces and nephews. She understands the challenges and concerns that come with parenting. She offers parent coaching in group or one-on-one sessions to support parents in their most important job.
On her podcast, Imperfect Heroes: Insights Into Parenting, DJ and her guests share knowledge and experience through thoughtful episodes whose subject matter is designed to help parents develop the confidence and peace to be a great parent and an imperfect hero raising independent, productive, and happy children.
https://www.littleheartsacademyusa.com
DJ’s parent company is Little Hearts Academy, where they have several free resources and access to group coaching and one-on-one coaching.
The Autistic Me on Social Media * Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ * Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ * Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Michaell Magrutsche is truly a multimedia artist: a painter, photographer, music composer, digital artist, and author. A former Newport Beach, California, arts commissioner, Michaell promotes the value of public art. He is also the author of five books and a podcast producer.
Michaell describes himself as an “outside the box” thinker. He often explores the paradox of why 95% of worldwide artists exist at the poverty level. Why are artists expected to be proud of being poor? Without creativity, including the arts, there would be no man-made systems. Without art, there would be no world as we know it.
Michaell seeks to discover patterns within art that foster creative communication. He also identifies “art values” outside any system, which raises our human potential.
MICHAELLM.com
#TheSmartofArt
- https://anchor.fm/michaellart
- https://michaellm.com
- https://michaellm.com/self-aware-art-education
Essay:
How Can Systems Make Us Sub-Human? The Rediscovering of Our Human Worth and Our Inherent Superpowers
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-can-systems-make-us-subhuman-michaell-magrutsche-magrutsche/
The Autistic Me on Social Media * Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ * Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ * Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Surj is an autistic self-advocate, musician, and member of the band Space Between Us.
Space Between Us is a London band of four friends Surj (lead vocals and guitar), Matthew (lead guitar), Suneel (bass) & Joff (drums). To date they have released three albums and have just released their new album ‘how are you really’ This album is a collection of songs about a journey — exploring the challenges, heartache, and joys of coming to terms with who we all actually are. ‘how are you really’ aims to ask ourselves and others to see the reality of where we are and rejoice in the good as well as the bad, there’s an exciting, uncharted world of possibility out there — let’s choose to be in now.
- https://www.instagram.com/spacebetweenusmusic/
- https://linktr.ee/spacebetweenus
- https://music.apple.com/us/album/how-are-you-really/1627697832
The Autistic Me on Social Media * Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ * Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ * Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Kathy Carter is a UK-based online therapist serving a predominantly autistic client case. She trained with the UK College of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy, a leading training provider specializing in cognitive-behavioral theory and practice. Kathy is registered in the UK with the General Hypnotherapy Register, the National Hypnotherapy Council and the Complimentary & Natural Healthcare Council. She’s also the neurodiversity advisor for the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy’s editorial board.
Kathy also works with the Irish organizations “Thriving Autistic” and “The Adult Autism Practice,” offering support to newly diagnosed autistics.
Additionally, she works as a school counselor at a junior school, where many of the ten and eleven-year-old children she works with are Neurodiverse.
For more information: https://www.arrivetherapy.co.uk
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
When advocates discuss Neurodiversity, we include ADHD alongside autism, and many autistics also have ADHD diagnoses. As this audience knows, my daughters and I all have ADHD diagnoses. Our struggles differ, however, because ADHD takes many forms.
On this episode of the podcast, I’m being joined by mental wellness advocate Carolina Gutiérrez. Carolina describes her ADHD as a superpower. She’s harnessed her energy as a serial entrepreneur, health advocate, and counselor.
Business Consulting: https://bizinorder.com
Podcast Appearances: https://bookcarolina.com
As a serial entrepreneur that started her first business at 12, Carolina Gutiérrez is a passionate Mental Wellness advocate. She guides business owners and seekers alike on the importance of intuition first, challenging you to think about work from the inside out. With her business & counseling skills, Carolina brings peace, time, and profits to business owners feeling overwhelmed.
As an implementer, with her unique ability to speak to the energy of business and feelings, she taps into the spirit of purpose-driven entrepreneurs to enable them to deliver on their promise to make the world a better place. Carolina intuitively weaves practicality with purpose and mission while encouraging her clients to do the same.
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
The back-to-school season is upon us. For our family, that means preparing paperwork for IEPs or 504 Plans. Yes, it’s time again for the alphabet soup of special education jargon.
Your student with an ASD, ADHD, SLD, or ID might need an IEP with a BIP to ensure an LRE for the FAPE within a public school. Don’t feel too bad if you didn’t understand all of that.
How bad is the alphabet soup? A guide for parents provided by the Texas Education Agency, also known as the TEA, lists more than 120 acronyms used in special education. An appropriate response, when presented with this list, is W-T-F.
When you’re the parent of a Neurodiverse student, your perspective on education is shaped by how difficult obtaining the legally mandated supports might be.
The Autistic Me on Social Media * Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ * Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ * Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Perspectives on Neurodiversity vary based on our experiences. I am a father, a husband, and an autistic self-advocate. My understanding of Neurodiversity has changed as I keep learning from the experiences that come with those roles.
I am Christopher Scott Wyatt, creator of The Autistic Me blog, and for the last five years, I have hosted this podcast.
As I began working on season six of the podcast, I realized it needed a new name. What began as an effort to share my autistic experiences became a podcast about Neurodiversity more broadly. This podcast features discussions about the countless Perspectives on Neurodiversity, with The Autistic Me, C. S. Wyatt, as your host.
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Note: Podcast cover logo includes: “Infinity Circle Dot Logotype” by vector1st
https://unlimphotos.com/22925144/infinity-circle-dot-logotype.html
https://unlimphotos.com/
I recharge outside. My wife can attest that I buy too many plants and dream of even more. My dream is a personal park with various garden themes: an English rose garden, a Japanese garden with a koi pond, a colorful cottage garden.
Podcast Episode 0089, Season 5, Episode 20; 28 June 2022
Joining us for this episode is travel expert Dawn M. Barclay, author of Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse.
Dawn M. Barclay has spent a career working in different aspects of the travel industry, starting as an agent with her parents’ firms, Barclay Travel Ltd and Barclay International Group Short-Term Apartment Rentals, and then branching out into travel trade reporting with senior or contributing editor positions at Travel Agent Magazine, Travel Life,Travel Market Report, and most recently, Insider Travel Report. She is a mother of two and resides in New York’s scenic Hudson Valley. She also writes fiction as D.M. Barr and holds leadership roles in several writer organizations.
www.dawnbarclayink.com
https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538168660/Traveling-Different-Vacation-Strategies-for-Parents-of-the-Anxious-the-Inflexible-and-the-Neurodiverse
Contributing Editor InsiderTravelReport: www.travelingdifferent.com
Writing fiction as D. M. Barr: www.dmbarr.com
George Bailey is a father of five children, two of whom are autistic. He and his wife are also Neurodiverse; George has ADHD and his wife is a self-diagnosed autistic.
He earned a Juris Doctor from Washington University in St. Louis, a master of arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and a bachelor’s degree in Chinese from Brigham Young University. George is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, German, and Danish.
I was curious about his title “President Sleep Talker” of zPods. In that role, he promotes the importance of sleep and discusses the potential benefits of zPods, sensory-friendly beds for high-energy children, including those with autism.
George mentions several books during the conversation. Here are some of the titles he considers valuable resources:
- Why We Sleep, by Matthew Walker [https://amzn.to/3x91sWf]
- The Sleep Solution, by W. Chris Winter [https://amzn.to/38Mf1TD]
- Sleep Smarter, by Shawn Stevenson [https://amzn.to/3MgkVKp]
George and I avoided making this episode all about zPods, which was important to me. We enjoyed chatting about parenting, Neurodiversity, and our shared interest in entrepreneurship.
Some autistic adults I know take a month-long break social media during April. April is a month of inspiration porn and martyr mothers, autism cures and absurd ABA success anecdotes.
Others take the opposite approach, making it their mission to respond to every article, blog post, tweet, or discussion about autism they can find. They set Google alerts and track autism hashtags.
Those avoiding April and those attacking it are all responding to the trauma of how the world around us responds to autistics.
Children’s voices are rarely heard when discussing healthcare experiences. Mayo Clinic Press has brought together Mayo Clinic physicians, young patients, and author-illustrator Hey Gee to collaborate on the new "My Life Beyond" series. Titles in this new series include:
- My Life Beyond Diabetes
- My Life Beyond Leukemia
- My Life Beyond Bullying; and
- My Life Beyond Autism.
My Life Beyond Autism draws from the imagination and experiences of 13-year-old C. Ano, a Mayo Clinic patient.
Hey Gee aka Guillaume (Gee) Federighi, is an award-winning French / American artist and illustrator based in New York. His is the owner and creative director of Hey Gee Studio. His long list of clients includes Perrier, Heineken, BP, Keller Williams, City & State Magazine.
- Book Page: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/My-Life-Beyond-Autism/Hey-Gee/My-Life-Beyond/9781893005778
- Hey Gee’s Author Page: https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Hey-Gee/192178737
- Hey Gee Studios:
https://www.heygee-studio.com
https://www.instagram.com/heygee_studio/ - https://twitter.com/GeeFederighi
- https://www.behance.net/guillaume_federighi
Since 2010, there have been at least three dozen significant autistic characters in feature films and four dozen autistic characters in literary fiction. And, of course, we’ve also seen more autistics on series television. “The Good Doctor,” “Atypical,” and Amazon’s new series “As We See It” are just three quick examples of series with autistic lead characters.
Today we will be discussing the new feature film Tyson’s Run with writer-director Kim Bass and the film’s star, Major Dodson.
Tyson’s Run follows fifteen-year-old autistic Tyson Hollerman as he attends public school for the first time. While helping his father, the school’s head football coach, clean up during the team’s practice, Tyson befriends champion marathon runner Aklilu. Tyson becomes determined to run his first marathon in hopes of winning his father's approval.
Tyson’s Run will open in theatres on March 11, 2022.
Tyson’s Run website: https://tysonsrun.com
Major Dodson - Tyson Hollerman
MAJOR DODSON is best known for his role of Sam Anderson on AMC’s International smash hit series “The Walking Dead.” Other projects include LEFT BEHIND, “American Horror Story,” and “Revolution.” Dodson is currently featured in the inspirational drama TYSON’S RUN in theaters Spring 2022. Dodson currently resides in Los Angeles, Calif.
Kim Bass - Writer & Director
Bass is an Emmy-nominated screenplay and teleplay writer best known for his work on “In Living Color,” “Sister, Sister” and the Nickelodeon sitcom “Kenan & Kel.” During his over twenty-five year career, Bass has worked as a writer for almost all of the major Hollywood studios and television networks as well as many prominent and independent film and television production companies including: Warner Brothers Studios; Twentieth Century Fox Studios; Disney Studios; Sony Pictures Studios and others. Currently, Bass is in post-production on his latest film, HeadShop, and pre-production on a faith-based Christmas film, Mother Johnson's Miracle Christmas, scheduled to begin principal photography in the spring of 2022.
Gabi and Mary Angelini of Gabi’s Grounds join The Autistic Me for this episode of The Autistic Me. Gabi discusses her quest for fulfilling employment, being bullied, and much more.
From Gabi and Mary:
Gabi is a 24-year-old active, motivated adult with Down Syndrome. When she wanted to find a job, she searched and applied for many positions but could not get hired. She has big dreams and wants to be a productive member of society as well as to be active in the workplace.
There are many others like her, with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Currently, 82.5% of IDD individuals of all ages are unemployed. We launched Gabi’s Grounds Coffee in 2017 to give her and others the opportunity to be productive, responsible employees.
We are not just telling people they should hire people with disabilities; we are doing it! We are leading by example. We have just secured warehouse space in Raleigh and hired 34 people with special abilities and we are searching for a suitable location for a storefront.
As a result of the launch and continued work of Gabi’s Grounds, Gabi herself has blossomed into a creative, confident, woman who goes around the country inspiring others with IDD. She was honored with the 2019 Self-Advocate of the Year Award by the Triangle Down Syndrome Network.
Our success will be measured in the number of individuals with special abilities we hire and in their level of increased self-fulfillment in having a meaningful job and participation in our education programs.
Gabi's Grounds Coffee and Gabi's PALS (Packaging, Assembling, Labeling, Shipping)
Website: https://www.gabisgrounds.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gabisgrounds/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabisgrounds
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_TXSCCgUN91y-W89GI09ew?
#BrewingEmpowerment
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Samuel Levine is a Professor of Law and Director of the Jewish Law Institute at Touro Law Center, which is part of the Touro College and University System. His work Was Yosef on the Spectrum? Understanding Joseph Through Torah, Midrash, and Classical Jewish Sources offers a unique examination of the life of Joseph (Yosef).
Yosef's behaviors, interpersonal relationships, and personal development are often difficult to understand, and at times seem to defy explanation. This book offers a coherent and cohesive reading of the well-known Bible story, presenting a portrait of Yosef as an individual on the autism spectrum. Viewed through this lens, Yosef emerges as a more familiar and less enigmatic individual, exhibiting both strengths and weaknesses commonly associated with autism spectrum disorder.
Professor Levine:
- Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/samuel.j.levine
- Faculty Page: https://www.tourolaw.edu/AboutTouroLaw/bio/194
- SSRN Author Page: https://ssrn.com/author=328329
Prof. Levine has served as the Beznos Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University College of Law, and he has taught at the law schools of Bar-Ilan, Fordham, Pepperdine, and St. John's Universities. He has published two books and more than 60 law review articles and book chapters, and he has lectured throughout the United States on the subjects of Legal Ethics, Jewish Law, Criminal Law, Law and Religion, Constitutional Law, and Disability Rights.
Professor Levine has been described in the pages of the Notre Dame Law Review as “one of the leading legal-ethics and professional-responsibility scholars of his generation,” and in 2016, he received the Sanford D. Levy Award from the New York State Bar Association's Committee on Professional Ethics, in recognition of his contributions to the field of legal ethics. He has been described by the Detroit Legal News as “one of the world’s foremost experts on the interplay of Jewish and American law.” In 2021, he received the Touro College Presidential Faculty Excellence in Scholarship Award.
The end of 2021 proved difficult, and 2022 isn’t off to a good start. Parental responsibilities once again derailed blogging and podcasting efforts. Pandemic parenting compounds the challenges of supporting our daughters. Despite our exhaustion, we have to keep the girls on track. This is yet another podcast episode reflecting on the challenges of these unusual times. Let us hope 2022 eventually transitions to normalcy. The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Podcast Episode 0080, Season 5, Episode 11; 04 January 2022
Tracee Garner, author of Disability: An Anecdotal Field Guide for the Rest of Us
Tracee Garner is a case manager for a nonprofit, a prolific novelist, and a writing coach. She’s also a passionate self-advocate for the disabled. Tracee was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of two. While in elementary school, Tracee received her first wheelchair.
In January 2022, her new book Disability: An Anecdotal Field Guide for the Rest of Us will be released. The book explores issues of physical and mental health alongside the challenges of employment, transportation, and working with care providers.
- Disability: An Anecdotal Field Guide for the Rest of Us: https://amzn.to/3ClWA0E
- Whatever May Come: A Jameson Family Novel: https://amzn.to/3Cj54pj
- Tracee’s website: http://www.traceegarner.com/
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Podcast Episode 0079, Season 5, Episode 10; 14 December 2021
From Jude:
Loving Your Place on the Spectrum is a guide for living a happy and successful autistic life. Jude combines his own experiences as an autistic man with the stories of others to provide a handbook to help autistic individuals navigate life’s major changes, from childhood to college, jobs, and relationships. Each chapter identifies common issues faced by autistic people of a particular age or social group and explains how educators, teachers, parents, and professionals can be supportive through all these life stages.
Jude Morrow is an autistic entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, consultant, philanthropist, and the founder of Neurodiversity Training International. His journey to becoming a proud autistic adult is chronicled in his first book Why Does Daddy Always Look So Sad? which also follows Jude’s experience of being an autistic dad to his non-autistic son, Ethan. Jude graduated with an honors degree in social work in 2012 and brings his personal and professional experiences to all the work he does.
- Neurodiversity Training International (neurodiversity-training.com)
- Why Does Daddy Always Look So Sad? (https://amzn.to/3DWw7HZ)
- Loving Your Place on the Spectrum (https://amzn.to/3IP1CHo)
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Podcast Episode 0078, Season 5, Episode 9; 30 November 2021
Scott Frasard discusses Running for Autism, a project of the Ordinary Marathoner Foundation.
Dr. Frasard lives in Pflugerville (Austin), TX and is an avid runner/triathlete of almost 10 years. He is a certified Race Director and ran a company that produced virtual running events to raise money for non-profit animal rescue organizations.
Professionally, Scott has been an adult educator for 26 years, has two master’s degrees, and a PhD. He teaches a wide variety of topics in the medical field, statistics, leadership, teacher development, evaluation, and nonprofit governance.
Scott was diagnosed as autistic in March 2020 and has incorporated neurodiverse advocacy into his work and research to help raise awareness, acceptance, and appreciation of the neurodiverse population. We’re not less, we’re just different.
https://www.ordinarymarathonerfoundation.org
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Allen Wolf describes The Sound of Violet:
The Sound of Violet is about a man who believes he found his perfect soulmate, but his autism keeps him from realizing she's actually a prostitute. The novel allows readers to experience a love story between two people who are unlikely to fall in love. The main character is autistic, and I mainly wrote the novel from his perspective. He's very trusting, so when he meets Violet, he believes she's an actress when she's actually a prostitute. I wanted the reader to experience the rollercoaster of the relationship mainly through his eyes with glimpses into Violet's world.
From Allen’s website:
Allen is an award-winning filmmaker, novelist, and game creator based in Los Angeles. He is also the host of the Navigating Hollywood podcast. His debut novel The Sound of Violet was described as “Entertaining, well-paced, and highly visual,” by Kirkus Reviews. Allen wrote, directed, and produced The Sound of Violet, the movie adaption of his novel that will be released in 2022. The screenplay won numerous awards and the film will bring awareness to human trafficking and autism. His previous film, In My Sleep, won multiple festival awards. Allen has also created five board games that won 39 awards and is also a speaker.
Allen Wolf Online:
- Website: https://allenwolf.com
- Navigating Hollywood Podcast: https://allenwolf.com/podcast/
The Sound of Violet information:
- Book / Movie Website: TheSoundofViolet.com
- Twitter: @soundofvmovie
- Facebook: @soundofvmovie
- Instagram: @soundofvmovie
- Media Room: AllenWolf.com/Media-Room
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Published in September 2021, Navigating Autism: 9 Mindsets for Helping Kids on the Spectrum by Temple Grandin and Debra Moore offers a positive approach to supporting young autistics. I can see my daughters and myself in some of the passages. The research citations appeal to my desire for evidence, too.
Like most autistics and parents, I rarely agree with most autism guides and texts. We’re too often reduced to our deficits. And, I don’t always agree with my colleagues. But, Dr. Grandin always makes me think. It was a pleasure to meet Dr. Moore and I’m fascinated by her research in the area of Internet addiction.
Temple Grandin is a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. She might be the best-known autistic self-advocate in the United States. I have been privileged to meet her in person at conferences and enjoy listening to her discuss animals, science, and engineering. She has said that many people she meets in construction and manufacturing are likely Neurodiverse.
Dr. Debra Moore is a psychologist who promotes therapies with a focus on strengths, not deficits. She has written extensively on the need for a positive model of autism. Dr. Moore encourages parents, caregivers, and educators to consider the needs of autistics in adulthood. Autistic children grow up and need skills for success.
Grandin and Moore:
- Navigating Autism: https://amzn.to/3wwrF0c
- The Loving Push: https://amzn.to/3qiKBPa
Dr. Grandin:
- Thinking in Pictures: https://amzn.to/31MfSQk
- The Way I See It: https://amzn.to/3CZJ5F9
- Different, Not Less: https://amzn.to/3o744Q6
Dr. Moore:
- The Nine Degrees of Autism (Contributor): https://amzn.to/3wtKXDD
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Lois Letchford’s dyslexia came to light at the age of 39, when she faced teaching her seven-year-old non-reading son, Nicholas. Examining her reading failure caused her to adapt and change lessons for her son. The results were dramatic. Lois qualified as a reading specialist to use her non-traditional background, multi-continental experience, and passion to assist other failing students. Her teaching and learning have equipped her with a unique skillset and perspective. As a teacher, she considers herself a “literacy problem-solver.”
Reversed: A Memoir is her first book. In this story, she details her dyslexia and the journey of her son’s dramatic failure in first grade. She tells of the twist and turns that promoted her passion and her son’s dramatic academic turnaround.
www.loisletchford.com
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
One of the ways bloggers and podcasters build their audiences is through hosting other content creators. We're all in this together, sharing our stories and promoting a sense of community. This episode of The Autistic Me Podcast features Sam Mitchell, host of Autism Rocks and Rolls.
Sam's website is autismrocksandrolls.com.
Sam's mother, Gina Mitchell, helps with the marketing and networking side of Autism Rocks and Rolls. Gina also teaches eighth grade, with a degree in English and social studies education. She earned a master’s degree in education, specializing in gifted and talented education (GATE). You can learn more about Gina on the Autism Rocks and Rolls website.
Podcast Episode 0074, Season 5, Episode 5; 26 October 2021
The Autistic Me on Social Media * Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ * Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ * Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
How do Neurodiverse kiddos feel about homeschooling and virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic? For this episode, my daughters Leigh and Anne discuss what it has been like to study at home. They like it, but they also miss being around other children.
They get to play with Leigh's cat companion, Rocky. We take nature walks. It's not all bad, studying with Dad.
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Susan and I obtained a third-party neuropsychological evaluation for our oldest daughter, Leigh, to ensure she receives the public education supports mandated by federal law. Many parents don’t realize you can obtain and submit an independent evaluation to a school district.
What are the benefits of an independent special education evaluation? Should your family consider requesting a “second opinion” if you’re unsatisfied with a school-provided evaluation?
Dr. Jerry Turner, the president of IEP, Inc., is a Licensed Educational Psychologist (#2966), Consulting Psychologist (APA), former Special Education Director and lead school psychologist. He’s also an author, private pilot, Marine combat veteran, and adjunct college professor. He has been a middle and high school teacher and guidance counselor.
Dr. Jerry Turner * Dr. Jerry Turner's website: https://www.drjerryturner.com * My Child Learns Differently: The Parent's Guide to Special Education * Special Education Guide: for Teachers and Administrators * So, You Are a School Psychologist: A Guide for Interns and First Year Psychologist
The Autistic Me on Social Media * Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ * Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ * Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
A follower wrote: Do your children eat anything other than chicken nuggets? My child won’t eat fruits, vegetables, or most meats. It’s cereal, chips, and nuggets.
Susan and I are fortunate. The girls and I eat mostly healthy foods. Fruits, vegetables, roasted chicken, turkey, and most fish aren’t a problem. It might be because we’ve never been a fast-food family. We prepare most meals at home. Fruits are the go-to snack. Salads are common.
That doesn’t mean there are no food challenges in our home, though. For this episode, I’ve invited the girls to chat with me about their food preferences.
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Stop with the “Spoon Theory” metaphor. Allow me to choose my own metaphor for my lived experiences as an autistic with other disabilities. In this episode of The Autistic Me, I explain why cycling reminds me of life in general. Sharing the road with other people contributes to every cyclist’s anxiety. You never know what the cars and trucks around you might do. Too often, I feel like a cyclist surrounded by SUVs that are driven by people talking on their cellphones while reaching for cups of coffee.
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
My name is Christopher Scott Wyatt and since 2007 I have been blogging as The Autistic Me. I launched this podcast during the 2017-18 school year.
I assume you’re listening to this trailer because you’re interested in autism. I certainly cannot imagine another reason you stumbled into a podcast named The Autistic Me.
Since I’m not known for my bright and cheery self-promotional nature, I’ll stick to what I do best: blunt honesty. Maybe you’ll still subscribe to the podcast.
This podcast has rarely managed a weekly or biweekly schedule. This podcast and the blog are things I try to do around my other responsibilities. I do my best to release episodes twice a month or more, but I often fail to hit that goal.
What could be more important than dreaming of podcast or YouTube stardom? Don’t I want to monetize my social media presence? Doesn’t everyone with a podcast want to become a social media influencer?
I am parent, working from home and doing my best to homeschool two young Neurodiverse daughters in the midst of a pandemic. Before that, my wife Susan and I were the girls’ foster parents.
Sure, I’d love for this podcast to generate some income, but I have never had the time or energy to beg for interviews and promote myself on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or whatever is poplar at the moment.
That’s actually why you should listen to The Autistic Me.
This podcast is about real life. I’m an exhausted parent, an imperfect husband, a freelance writer, a former educator, and an authentic diagnosed autistic struggling to hold things together day after day.
I’m not one of the super parent influencers who can juggle work, parenting, and high-production value YouTube videos.
There are funnier blogs and podcasts. Much, much funnier. Yes, there are entertaining podcasts hosted by funny autistics. I hope to have some of those funny people on this podcast to ask how they manage to be so charmingly witty.
There are more informative podcasts about autism research and current publications. I assume if you want autism news you can set a Google, Apple, or Bing news alert for the keyword “autism.” I don’t want to be an aggregator of news headlines.
The Autistic Me is about life as an autistic individual. But, it’s not just my autistic perspective. I wouldn’t want to listen to 30 or so episodes a year of my whining about daily life. That would be pretty boring. I chat with Neurodiverse guests, including my daughters. Authors, scholars, and other parents have appeared on the podcast, as well.
Subscribe and give The Autistic Me a chance. I’ll be here, Christopher Scott Wyatt, speaking as The Autistic Me.
It might even be entertaining once in a while.
Thank you.
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Please let this end! Yes, it's yet another year of pandemic podcasting if we don't start enforcing mask mandates, social distancing, and vaccination. The Autistic Me loves the isolation, but I'm tired of the anxiety. Let's take responsibility for ourselves and our communities to end the COVID-19 experience.
I fear that COVID-19 outbreaks will divide this school year. There won’t be anything normal about this school year.
Many schools started early, trying to make up for lost class time. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that many of those schools now have dozens of COVID-19 cases, including both students and staff.
After schools return nationwide, more clusters will be detected. By three or four weeks into the school year, we should have a clear picture of the trends among younger students, too. Remember, children under 12 are unvaccinated.
I understand the risks are low. However, COVID risks are preventable. These aren’t beyond human control.
The Autistic Me on Social Media * Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ * Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ * Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Laura Reber is a school psychologist and founder of Progress Parade. At Progress Parade, they know what makes you different makes you strong. They provide 1:1 online tutoring with hand-picked specialists for students who have been diagnosed with ADHD, learning disabilities, executive functioning challenges, autism and more. Laura works with a team of school psychologists and specialized teachers to create personalized approaches for homework support, academic intervention, homeschooling, unschooling, and more.
Laura graduated valedictorian with a Bachelor's in Psychology from Truman State University and continued to earn her Specialist in School Psychology (SSP) from Illinois State University. She has been working as a school psychologist for over a decade. With her teams of tutors, she has successfully supported over 1000 students in turning learning challenges into life-changing achievements.
https://www.progressparade.com
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Gary Martinez is a fitness trainer and father of Monica, a 15-year-old autistic young woman. He describes his choice to leave a “Big Box” fitness center for independent fitness training as becoming “an athlete for life” focused on Monica. Gary integrates sensory activities into Monica’s daily routine, balancing her mind and body to help her succeed. His experiences with exercise and overall fitness have led Gary to help others prevent or reduce autistic meltdowns with natural strategies.
Gary: https://www.instagram.com/gary_martinez_jr/?hl=en
The Autistic Me on Social Media * Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ * Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ * Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Throughout the experience of pandemic parenting, I held onto the hope for productivity. However, my focus quickly shifted from my creative works to educating my daughters and their needs have remained my primary concern. As the pandemic seems to be waning, Susan and I now wonder if we might finally have some time for our interests.
The Autistic Me on Social Media * Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ * Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ * Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Our daughters and I have had a fair number of neuropsych assessments. The girls both have a list of official diagnostic labels. The three of us have ADHD in common. On her ninth birthday, we began yet another neuro-psychological assessment for Leigh, our eldest daughter. There’s always another assessment, it seems.
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
John Ordover is a man of many talents. A creative consultant, a writer, an editor, and a stand-up comic. He’s even appeared as an extra in some of my favorite television shows. John also advocates for the autistic community as the father of an autistic young adult and the partner of an autistic wife. I first met John virtually while he was finishing his book Lie There and Lose Weight: How I Lost 100 Pounds by Doing Next to Nothing. I came to know John as a proud parent who celebrates his son’s accomplishments instead of mourning his son’s autism. As an autistic parent, I appreciate the positive attitude John brings to our community.
John also happens to be the co-creator of the book series Star Trek: New Frontier. My wife and I enjoy Star Trek, so I hope to slip in a bit of Trek talk during this episode.
SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2021, AT 7:45 PM CDT – 9:30 PM CDT
FULLY IMMUNIZED LIVE ORDOVER!
Broadway Comedy Club
https://www.facebook.com/events/449818696436771/?ti=ls
Lie There and Lose Weight: How I Lost 100 Pounds By Doing Next to Nothing
https://amzn.to/3sNGPuG
It's my thirteenth annual rant about Autism Awareness Day and Month. If you’re an autistic, let us promote Autistic Pride Month together. Join me. Do you want to be an ally? Tell people that April is Autistic Pride Month and a month for learning about autistics and their history.
It’s April 2 as I record this episode and I’m already tired of the ads I’m seeing on television, hearing on the radio, and reading online. I can’t wait for April to end so I don’t feel so frustrated and angry.
The Autistic Me on Social Media * Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ * Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ * Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
The Autistic Therapist, Kate McNulty, discusses her book Love and Asperger’s. We also discuss gender identity, sexuality, and the challenges faced by autistics in relationships with neurotypical partners.
About Love and Asperger’s
Kate McNulty is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and certified relationship therapist through the Gottman Institute of Seattle, Washington. She is a certified sex therapist and member of the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). You can learn more about McNulty on her website, AutisticTherapist.com.
McNulty is the author of Love and Asperger’s: Practical Strategies to Help Couples Understand Each Other and Strengthen their Connection. Love and Asperger’s is published under the Rockridge Press imprint of Callisto Media.
Lover and Asperger’s on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Pi19Gy
Kate McNulty:
- https://autistictherapist.com
- https://twitter.com/AutisticLCSW
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Productive. I want to be productive. More precisely, I want to know I am contributing to our family by producing work that earns an income.
I'm one of the 85% of autistic adults with a college degree and no full-time employment. That's our reality. Don't tell me we are accepted. Don't tell me everything is better with an education. The degree merely proves I'm capable, not that I have the social skills necessary to navigate most workplaces. Change is needed. It's too late for me, but not the next generation.
The Autistic Me on Social Media * Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ * Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ * Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
One year. The novel coronavirus pandemic has dragged on long enough. I’m tired of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic. It’s not that I have big plans for the end of the pandemic. We’re not immediately taking or trip or attending a concert. It is the anxiety that accompanies basic tasks that exhausts me. I want that anxiety to go away.
Needing a Break from this Break
No matter how much you might love your partner and your children, there’s a limit to how much together time most of us can endure. A year of together time is too much. I look forward to night when everyone else is asleep. I miss being able to escape to cafes and diners, where I would sit and write or work on projects while consuming massive amounts of tea or coffee.
Susan and I both need “me time” without each other or the girls. We need a break from this never-ending break from social obligations.
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Catherine (“Cat”) Guimard-Payen provides life coaching to autistic women, but that’s not why I asked her to join us on The Autistic Me Podcast. Catherine is also autistic and the parent of four Neurodiverse children, two with autism and two diagnosed as multi-dis, which means they have multiple neuropsychological differences.
Catherine and her family live in France. As our casual chat reveals, French autistics face similar challenges to those encountered in the United States, Canada, Australia, England, and elsewhere. We discuss how the experiences of our children aren’t unique.
As the father to two Neurodiverse daughters, I want them to have role models like Catherine Guimard.
You can learn more about Catherine’s work at:
- Website: https://spiritualonlinebusinessacademy.com
- YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTeI9M9Rqoy88roOBP5rzTw
- EMail: info@spiritualonlinebusinessacademy.com
The Autistic Me on Social Media
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Every year on March 1, the disability community gathers across the nation to remember disabled victims of filicide–disabled people murdered by their family members or caregivers.
Filicide, the murder by one's parents, is one of the top three causes of death in children under five. It is one of the top five overall causes of death among all children and teens. Autistic children are particularly vulnerable, as parents use the “trauma” of having an autistic child as a legal defense.
Encounters with police can also be dangerous for autistics, especially autistic persons of color. Individuals with a mental illness, including autism, are 16 times more likely to die during an encounter with police, the highest of any group studied. From 2013 through 2015, data show half of the police encounter deaths were people with mental illnesses or cognitive differences.
- https://autismmemorial.wordpress.com
- https://disability-memorial.org
- https://autisticadvocacy.org/melmemorial/
- https://autisticadvocacy.org/projects/community/mourning/
Guest:
Peter Joseph Gloviczki (Ph.D., University of Minnesota, Mass Communication, 2012) examines representation in the digital age. He is particularly interested in the ways that memorialization and mediated narration either hold space for or obscure voices that are most often othered or excluded in mediated discourses. He works as an associate professor of communication at Coker University. He also serves as an assistant editor of the Journal of Loss and Trauma (Taylor & Francis). Gloviczki is active in both the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) and the Carolinas Communication Association (CCA). His first book is Journalism and Memorialization in the Age of Social Media (Palgrave Macmillan, 2015) and his second book Mediated Narration in a Digital Age: Storying the Media Worldis forthcoming in the Frontiers of Narrative Series with University of Nebraska Press.
Daddy tends to be a pushover when the girls ask to learn. This time, they wanted to learn how the podcasting gear works. So, we set up the Zoom R16, three microphones, and off we went. This episode is the product of our 90 minutes of learning together.
The girls discuss sensory processing, ADHD, therapeutic supports, and school. The classroom "wiggle tables" still upset me. Public school wasn't always working for the girls.
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
Peter Joseph Gloviczki is the author of three collections of poetry: the weight of dandelions (Salmon Poetry, 2019), American Paprika (Salmon Poetry, 2016) and Kicking Gravity (Salmon Poetry, 2013). His fourth collection, What's Left to the Imagination is Everything, is forthcoming from Salmon Poetry in 2023. His poems have appeared in Beloit Poetry Journal, Hayden's Ferry Review, New Orleans Review and elsewhere.
Additional Links:
https://youtu.be/PD2_uKaugPI - Amanda Gorman, National Youth Poet Laureate.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Mali - Taylor Mali, Slam Poet
https://youtu.be/WKoVNqjNqtY - The Power of Poetry, with Helena Bonham Carter
https://youtu.be/8cKDOGhghMU - Langston Hughes reads The Negro Speaks of Rivers
http://www.djsavarese.com - David James Savarese, Autistic Poet
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Oliver - Mary Oliver, National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize recipient
https://amzn.to/3cWHSnI - Autism and Representation on Amazon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Dobyns - Novelist and Poet
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Addonizio - Novelist and Poet
https://youtu.be/rTUWQyRMs7g - Philip Levine on The Writing Life
https://the-art-of-autism.com/tag/autistic-poets/ - Art of Autism, Autistic Poets
https://www.salmonpoetry.com – Publisher Salmon Poetry
http://www.boxcarpoetry.com/033/review_peter_joseph_gloviczki_baez.html
Roy Richard Grinker is a Professor of Anthropology and International Affairs at George Washington University. His books include Unstrange Minds: Remapping the World of Autism.
I met Dr. Grinker in May of 2007 while he was promoting Unstrange Minds, my favorite book on autism's history. The opportunity to speak to him about his new work, Nobody's Normal: How Culture Created the Stigma of Mental Illness was an honor.
Press Release:
Approximately twenty percent of all American adults—around 60 million people—live with a mental illness. But due to the lingering legacy of shame and secrecy around mental health, sixty percent of them receive no treatment. In NOBODY’S NORMAL: HOW CULTURE CREATED THE STIGMA OF MENTAL ILLNESS, anthropologist and professor Roy Richard Grinker chronicles the progress and setbacks in the struggle against stigma, from the 18th century through America’s major wars and into today’s high-tech economy In this uplifting book, infused with poignant human-interest stories, he shows us that in the 21st century we are finally getting closer to ending the discrimination, fear, and marginalization that has long impeded the social and therapeutic supports that reduce suffering.
Misunderstandings about autistic traits have led to challenges most of my life. I blamed myself for the prejudices of others. I embraced and internalized ableism, disliking myself for being me.
Enough. Five decades of feeling like I’m inferior? This must stop. I’m far from alone, as other autistics bring their energy to this cause. I hope to feature those voices on The Autistic Me platforms.
The Autistic Me:
Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme
The Autistic Me struggles with friendships. Autism exists on a spectrum and so does introversion. I cannot separate my autism from my introversion. I am content sitting and writing alone.
The Autistic Me projects connect me with many other people. I do appreciate that.
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
Creating content for The Autistic Me isn't easy. I'm a perfectionist with low self-esteem, always certain the podcast and blog aren't good enough. Why do I continue producing new content? Because people tell me that The Autistic Me helps them understand autistic experiences.
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
Autistic masking and struggles to "fit" into groups leave us exhausted physically and mentally. Learn some tips for self-care and hear some honest reflections on autistic burnout.
Daniel Sansing and Ben Sorensen discuss the autistic need for self-care. Follow Ben at BenSorensen1 on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Ben:
- https://www.bensorensen1.com
- https://www.facebook.com/BenSorensen1/
- https://allmylinks.com/bensorensen1
Daniel Sansing and I discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic encourages colleges and universities to reconsider how we support autistic students in higher education. Is online education an accommodation or does it leave out important life skills?
Guest:
Daniel Sansing, MEd., Literacy and Second Language Studies
Adjunct Assistant Professor of English and Student Success
University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College
I’ve learned a lot about teaching over the last 30 years. Like everyone else, I’ve been learning about teaching since my first day as a student. Unfortunately, the lessons suggest that education is broken, and so is the profession of teaching. Or, as a colleague once told me, “We don’t need no stinking autistics.”
Order matters to me, and it matters to many autistics. We like things done a certain way, especially if there are rules or guidelines provided.
Directions offer rules, or at least some guidelines. Ignoring directions feels wrong to me.
This podcast is scheduled for Election Day in the United States, November 3, 2020. Though I have some interesting episodes with guests recorded, I decided this was not the week for episodes on education or general health topics. Instead, the election of 2020 is a reminder that this has been a challenging year around the globe. Sometimes, it’s good to step back, take a deep breath, and realize that surviving difficult times is an accomplishment.
Halloween will be spent at home with our daughters. Thanksgiving, too. And Christmas. The holidays join birthdays and anniversaries as events we spend at home. Every year I post to The Autistic Me blog some thoughts on the holidays. I’ve also recorded a couple of podcasts about surviving the chaos of holidays. With the COVID-19 pandemic, this winter holiday season isn’t like what I’ve blogged or spoken about in past years.
We’ve lived in four states. Now, in Central Texas, we’re home. Central California was the fire and brimstone Hell. Minneapolis was the frozen Nordic Hell. Pittsburgh? The drivers are from Hell. Here outside Austin, we’re enjoying good weather… and not driving.
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
The Autistic Me existed before I became Daddy Scott. Parenthood isn’t easy for anyone. Being foster parents and adoptive parents includes some extra challenges. In this podcast episode, I reflect on our five years as a family.
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
On the first day of class, I usually tell my students I’m not an expert on most topics. When I don’t know something, I admit it. And then, I obsessively try to fill in the gaps in my knowledge.
I cannot comprehend not seeking out more information on almost any topic. I’ve looked up some pretty odd things because my ignorance upset me.
Autistics sometimes forget that we immerse ourselves in our fascinations. Though I don’t assume everyone shares my interests, I forget that most people aren’t interested in my favorite topics.
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
The quirky, witty, caffeinated, and bearded Australian media personality Ben Sorensen talks with us about humor, masking, and life-hacking. Follow Ben at BenSorensen1 on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Ben:
- https://www.bensorensen1.com
- https://www.facebook.com/BenSorensen1/
- https://allmylinks.com/bensorensen1
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
The quirky, witty, caffeinated, and bearded Australian media personality Ben Sorensen talks with us about humor, masking, and life-hacking. Follow Ben at BenSorensen1 on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Ben:
- https://www.bensorensen1.com
- https://www.facebook.com/BenSorensen1/
- https://allmylinks.com/bensorensen1
The Autistic Me:
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
I’ve always been anxious. I was probably born anxious. Is that an autistic trait? It seems to be one I share with most autistics I meet.
Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
The most-read blog post on The Autistic Me discusses the research on autistics making other people uncomfortable almost instantly.
Dozens of research studies replicate the finding that autistics, something about us, instantly makes other people apprehensive, uncomfortable, and anxious.
Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
The pandemic has taught me that I would like to continue teaching online or working remotely, homeschooling our daughters, and limiting errands to the essentials.
I'm sorry this has hurt so many businesses. I do empathize with the economic suffering of others. But, I don't imagine we'll be rushing to get out and about in a year or two.
The Autistic Me is quite comfortable at home with my family and our large collection of books.
Thank you for listening to The Autistic Me Podcast. I am Christopher Scott Wyatt.
Remember that we are on Facebook. My wife and I monitor The Autistic Me on Facebook, @AutisticMe on Twitter, and, of course, we have The Autistic Me blog, which is easy to find using Google or Bing.
Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
Autistics often find technology easier to deal with than people. Some prefer animals, some prefer music. I like things that are predictable and follow rules.
https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
https://twitter.com/autisticme
Do my autistic traits change based on my diet? Only if you try to take my pastries, cookies, or donuts from me!
https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
https://twitter.com/autisticme
The holiday season includes a lot of sensory inputs, social interactions, traveling, and more. In this episode, I offer a few tips based on our experiences as a family.
https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
https://twitter.com/autisticme
Getting to sleep and staying asleep are difficult for me and many autistics. A parent asked me for advice, but I'm still trying to find my own solution to the challenges of sleep.
http://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
https://twitter.com/autisticme
Driving requires a lot of cognitive focus, which isn't easy with constant sensory input. Autism complicates what some people take for granted. In the United States, driving can be nearly essential for education, work, and medical care.
http://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
https://twitter.com/autisticme
My theory is that a need for order and predictability corresponds to a desire to reduce cognitive overhead. I seek to control my workspace, my spaces at home, and my belongings. I don't seek to organize spaces that are not mine, unlike some of the OCD individuals I know. Your space can be messy - but not mine. You can use whatever pencil you want - I'll use my favorite brand.
http://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
https://twitter.com/autisticme
My wife and I are like other parents: unsure of ourselves and doing our best to be good role models. If there is something different about being an autistic parent, I'm not sure what that might be.
Note: Forgive the quality. Recorded in an empty room in our new house with horrible echoing.
I hope this third season of The Autistic Me Podcastmeets audience expectations. If you leave comments or email me, I’ll do my best to address the issues of concern. It would be nice to have more guests and maybe a cohost or two for some open-ended discussions. Please share your suggestions.
http://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
https://twitter.com/autisticme
The Autistic Me blog posts mentioned:
- Moving to Texas: https://www.tameri.com/wordpress/autisticme/2019/07/15/now-posting-from-texas/
- Parents by Choice: https://www.tameri.com/wordpress/autisticme/2019/04/26/autistic-parent-by-choice-keep-objections-to-yourself/
- Marriage: https://www.tameri.com/wordpress/autisticme/2019/01/22/is-your-marriage-normal/
- https://www.tameri.com/wordpress/autisticme/2017/05/23/the-question-starts-youre-married-so/
- https://www.tameri.com/wordpress/autisticme/2016/11/09/terrible-horrible-no-good-very-bad-year-but/
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I am not a success. I am not an academic inspiration story.
I could write a book about my experiences as a student and educator. I’ve started just such a project several times, and each time I’ve decided it isn’t helpful since it is one failure after another. There’s a lot more to say than what follows, but it’s enough to remind people that education is no better than any other path for an autistic individual.
I’d argue education is difficult for any disabled person. Higher education is particularly uninviting and unsupportive.
The assumption is that because I have completed various degree programs, I must have mastered how to succeed in higher education. The reality is more complex. Yes, I do have two terminal degrees, a doctorate and a master of fine arts, but the journey towards those degrees was fraught with academic and social failures.
If you have questions or thoughts, visit the blog or join our community on Facebook.
http://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
https://twitter.com/autisticme
Daniel Sansing discusses his interest in writing and communication theories. Sansing studies academic composition and teaching composition courses.
The myth that autistics are only concrete thinkers dismisses the uniqueness of individuals. Yes, some of us are concrete thinkers... and we can still study theories, too.
I study rhetoric and writing, but not first-year college composition, which is a course designed to help students transition into higher education.
Three topics generate the most traffic to The Autistic Me: Relationships, Education, and Employment. I'm not really an expert in any of these areas, but people seem to assume I know something.
If you have questions or suggestions, be sure to visit the blog page, Facebook, or Twitter.
http://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
https://twitter.com/autisticme
Daniel Sansing discusses the complications of disclosing an autism diagnosis. When do we tell friends, family, schools, and employers? What are the risks and benefits of disclosing we are autistic?
Heather Conroy, the co-founder of Evolve Coaching, discusses coaching autistic individuals as they develop life and employment skills.
Visit Evolve on the web at https://www.evolve-coaching.org
Do autistics have more health problems and injuries? I believe so, based on my experiences. It is difficult for me to notice warning signs that might alert neurotypical individuals. With sensory overload, new inputs are ignored or unnoticed because we process so much input. When we don't "hear" what our bodies are trying to express, we end up with medical emergencies.
We discuss house hunting with Prof. Dayna Goldstein. For the neurodiverse, spaces need to meet our distinct needs. The wrong space can cause stress and make it difficult to decompress.
Joe Farrell discusses the Joey Travolta Film Camp, Arts for Autism, and Evolve coaching.
Joe moved to Pittsburgh in 2008 to pursue his Master's of Science in Education and Community Agency Counseling degree from Duquesne University and began working with children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and Substance Abuse Disorders.
His main focus is empowering individuals to live independent and integrated lives. Joe incorporates techniques from Behaviorism, Cognitive Therapy, and Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy into his Coaching. Joe enjoys hiking, biking, and backpacking and he is also a member of the Steel City Beard and Moustache Club, where he gets to talk about having facial hair and host charitable events for local Non-profit Organizations.
People ask me how an autistic parent can be a foster-to-adopt parent. I might not be perfect, but with my wife's support, I do okay as a father and I'm always trying to be better.
- Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
- Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
Prof. Dayna Goldstein discusses diversity within the neurodiversity community. She reminds us that neurodiversity isn't limited to autism and includes women.
Apologies for low-quality phone interview audio.
Autistic visual artist and advocate Bobby Roma discusses the ways in which autistics are devalued by society because our thinking processes seem strange to others.
Interview with visual artist Bobby Roma, part one. Bobby reflects on his experiences in the workplace and his pursuit of a career in the film industry.
We open Season Two chatting with Grayson Rumsey, a 20-year-old autistic self-advocate, creative writer, performing artist, and member of the LGBTQ+ community.
The Autistic Me Podcast returns for Season Two with more guests and a broader variety of topics, starting September 4, 2018.
Success requires cultural knowledge expected of the middle and upper classes. We're doing a lot of summer enrichment to give our daughters every opportunity we can for them to "fit in" with peers. That we can provide such experiences is also a privilege.
Summer demands a lot of social energy, especially for parents. For autistics, the never-ending social calendar of summer can cause serious autistic burnout. Host C. S. Wyatt discusses his need to find a balance between social demands and self-care.
Pennsylvania House Rep. Dan Miller (PA-42) discusses his efforts to highlight mental health and disability issues at the state level. He also calls on advocates to reach out to elected officials.
Daniel Sansing and C. S. Wyatt discuss dating, marriage, and the work required to maintain relationships for an autistic individual. Relationships challenge everyone, but autism increases those difficulties. Daniel has been married for 16 years and has a Neurodiverse family.
I’m Christopher Scott Wyatt. I’m autistic and I’m unemployed.
Only 14 percent of autistic adults are employed in their communities. A third of autistic adults are considered college and career capable, but less than half of that group are employed full or part-time.
Bricolage Production Company
presents
The Forest of Everywhere
May 17 - June 3, 2018
An enchanted open-world adventure where kids can be themselves! Dig for bugs, play magical instruments, and help our furry animal friends explore the forest.
A colossal storm has rearranged the entire globe, causing whole cities to change locations! Swept up from all across the world, our furry and feathered animal friends have found refuge in a beautiful Enchanted Forest. Help Don Key the dancing burro, Esther the singing ostrich, and Simon the napping alpaca adjust to their new home as you dig for bugs, play instruments, and make your mark in the chalk cave.
This fully accessible experience takes your kids out of their seats and into a real-life adventure. They’ll explore an open-world environment, have one-on-one interactions, and play without the restrictions and rules of traditional theater. Sitting is not a requirement. Being quiet for long periods of time is not a requirement. The Forest of Everywhere was built with children on the autism spectrum and their families in mind and is a place where all kids can be themselves.
Lu Randall of the Autism Connection of Pennsylvania discusses how to approach your child's school to seek an IEP or 504 Plan.
An introduction to the IEP (Individualized Education Program) and 504 Plan processes. For more information, visit The Autistic Me blog for this episode.
The "unwritten curriculum" of social interactions penalizes autistic students and others with differences in the classroom setting. Teachers are trained to foster active and engaged communities, valuing peer interactions and class participation. The emphasis on social skills draws attention to the defining characteristic of autism: social communication deficits.
Lu Randall of the Autism Connection of PA joins us again to discuss these challenges faced by autistics and how training helps teachers, parents, and peers appreciate autistic differences.
Daniel Sansing is a husband, father, and college instructor. He has also worked as a reporter. Daniel is also autistic, and in this episode, he offers insights from his experiences with other diagnoses and finally obtaining the autism diagnosis.
Daniel's children and his wife are neurodiverse.
Media accounts overlook neurodiverse parents, members of the autistic community I hope to highlight.
For transcripts, visit The Autistic Me blog.
An interview with Lu Randall, Executive Director of the Autism Connection of Pennsylvania. Learn why connecting services are needed in the autism community and what services the Autism Connection provides.
Visit www.autismofpa.org for more information on the organization.
The planned episode for this week wasn't ready on time. Why? Because I badly estimated the time required for post-production and transcription. At least I admit my challenges with time and planning in this episode and will release the planned episode this week.
Consider this an unplanned bonus look at my life.
Introducing The Autistic Me Podcast and host Christopher Scott Wyatt.
The transcripts of all episodes are available on The Autistic Me blog.