Episode Summary We’re in the bathroom today! In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Noelle Patno, a PhD in molecular metabolism and nutrition and the Chief Science Officer of Bened Life . We dive deep into the gut-brain connection, discussing how our gut microbiome influences both physical and mental health. Dr. Patno shares her personal journey from facing colon cancer to becoming an advocate for dietary management and gut health, particularly in relation to autism...
Aug 13, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Episode Summary In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, host Janeen Herskovitz welcomes mindset coach Dawn Mariotti. They explore the transformative power of mindset, discussing how our beliefs shape our actions and the importance of overcoming limiting beliefs. Dawn shares her personal journey and insights on creating a vision for the future, as well as practical tips for parents and caregivers of autistic and neurodivergent individuals. Key Topics Discussed The importance of mindset i...
Jul 29, 2025•43 min
Episode Summary Welcome to the art room today! In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, host Janeen Herskovitz welcomes Kelly DeSousa, a skilled art therapist from Jacksonville, Florida. Together, they explore the transformative power of art therapy, its methodologies, and its unique support for the neurodivergent population. This heartfelt episode is a celebration of art’s healing potential and its role in fostering connection and self-expression, especially for neurodivergent individua...
Jul 01, 2025•57 min
Episode Summary We’re in the doctor’s office today with Dr. Kristin Sohl! In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Sohl, the founder of Echo Autism . We delved into the innovative program she developed in 2015, which connects general practitioners with autism specialists through video conferencing. This initiative aims to enhance access to best practices, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Dr. Sohl shared her insights on the importa...
Jun 17, 2025•46 min
Episode Summary We are in the therapy room today, and I’m thrilled to welcome Erica Whitfield to the Autism Blueprint Podcast. As a specialist in working with gifted and neurodivergent children and teens, Erica brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our discussion. Did you know that a study from the Carver College of Medicine found that kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and an IQ higher than 120 are six times more likely to have suicidal thoughts? This alarming statistic underscor...
Jun 03, 2025•41 min
Episode Summary In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, we’re on retreat with Brigitte Shipman and Maureen Brice, two inspiring autism moms and life coaches. Together, we explore the challenges and triumphs of parenting children on the autism spectrum, emphasizing the critical importance of self-care for mothers. Brigitte and Maureen share their personal journeys, discussing the struggles they faced and the valuable lessons learned along the way. We delve into common misconceptions abou...
May 19, 2025•41 min
Episode Summary In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Elizabeth Vosseller, a speech-language pathologist with nearly 30 years of experience specializing in complex communication needs. We explored the transformative method of Spelling to Communicate (S2C), which emphasizes the importance of motor planning in communication and the critical concept of presuming competence in non-speaking and limited speaking individuals. Elizabeth shared her journey i...
Apr 28, 2025•52 min
Summary In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, I am joined by Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum, a leading expert in selective mutism and the president of the SMART Center in Pennsylvania. We explore the often misunderstood condition of selective mutism, discussing its critical differences from nonverbal autism and the importance of recognizing it as an anxiety disorder rather than a choice not to speak. Dr. Blum shares her personal journey into this field and introduces her innovative treatment a...
Apr 15, 2025•58 min
Episode Summary In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, we welcome author Kathleen Somers to the family room. Kathleen shares her poignant memoir about raising a son diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, (now referred to as autism.) Kathleen’s journey highlights the unique challenges and triumphs of parenting a child on the autism spectrum, offering insights into the complexities of social interactions and the importance of understanding individual needs. Together, we discuss the evolving...
Apr 01, 2025•43 min
Episode Summary: In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, I had the pleasure of welcoming back Katherine Scott, a licensed marriage and family therapist from Puzzle Peace Counseling in North Florida. We discussed the insights gained from our ongoing therapy group, “Love Beyond Labels,” which focuses on individuals in romantic relationships with neurodivergent partners. Katherine shared her observations about the power of community and validation, highlighting how participants learned to ...
Mar 04, 2025•41 min
Episode Summary In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, host Janeen Herskovitz shares her personal journey of managing stress following a challenging trip to Asheville with her family. She discusses the unique stressors that come with being a parent of an autistic child and how acute stress can significantly impact emotional well-being. Janeen explores the four trauma responses—fight, flight, freeze, and fawn—and provides practical strategies for recognizing and managing these responses...
Feb 18, 2025•30 min
Episode Summary In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, Janeen shares a gripping story about her family’s unexpected adventure during a recent trip to Asheville, North Carolina, coinciding with Hurricane Helene. Joined by her husband, Joe, they recount their experience of waking up to a power outage and the chaos that ensued as they navigated rising water, fallen trees and blocked roads. They discuss the emotional challenges of evacuating with our grown, neurodivergent children, Ben and...
Jan 28, 2025•58 min
Episode Summary In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, we’re in the classroom today with Rosalia Rivera, an expert in body safety education. Our conversation centered around the critical importance of teaching children about their bodies, boundaries, and consent, particularly in the context of preventing abuse. Rosalia introduced the concept of “body safety,” practical ways to start these conversations, emphasizing that it’s never too late to begin, whether your child is two or thirtee...
Nov 21, 2024•56 min
Episode Summary In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Kari Baker, a remarkable mom who has transitioned from a successful career in corporate finance to becoming a passionate advocate for families with neurodivergent children. Kari shares her personal journey as a mother to her son, Brady, who was diagnosed with autism, and the profound impact this diagnosis has had on her life and perspective. Kari candidly discusses the emotional turmoil she exper...
Nov 07, 2024•50 min
Episode Summary In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, I am joined by my friend and colleague, Katherine Scott, a licensed marriage and family therapist based in North Florida. Together, we delve into the complexities of neurodivergent relationships, particularly focusing on couples where one partner is neurodivergent and the other may be neurotypical or also neurodivergent. Katherine shares her insights from her practice, discussing common challenges faced by these couples, such as di...
Oct 31, 2024•47 min
Episode Summary In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Rachael Dunkle, a licensed clinical professional counselor and certified high conflict divorce coach. Rachel shared her journey into the mental health field, which was inspired by her personal experiences with trauma and addiction, as well as her own high conflict divorce. We delved into the definitions of trauma and narcissism, discussing how these concepts manifest in relationships, particularl...
Sep 17, 2024•49 min
Episode Summary: In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, I had a conversation with autism specialist, Katherine Scott about preparing for back to school. “Miss Kat,” a licensed marriage and family therapist, shared valuable insights on the struggles parents and children face during this time. We discussed the pressures of success, challenges in school administration, bullying, and the impact of technology on children’s development. Miss Kat emphasized the importance of creating a peacef...
Sep 02, 2024•45 min
Episode Summary: In this episode, I had the pleasure of welcoming Jan Stewart, a dedicated mother and advocate for neurodivergent individuals, back to the Autism Blueprint Podcast. Jan shared valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of raising her children, Andrew and Ainsley, who are now thriving in their respective careers. Jan discussed the importance of preparing for the transition into adulthood for neurodivergent individuals, emphasizing the need for services and supports, includ...
Aug 26, 2024•45 min
Podcast Episode Synopsis: In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, host Janeen Herskovitz, welcomes author and advocate Jan Stewart to share her journey of raising children with mental health and neuro-developmental disorders. Jan Stewart’s award-winning memoir, “ Hold on Tight, A Parent’s Journey Raising Children with Mental Illness, ” serves as a guide for parents navigating similar challenges. Janeen and Jan discuss the importance of perseverance and embracing medications and therapy ...
Aug 06, 2024•51 min
In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, we’re in the home office speaking with Lisa Gomez, the Assistant Secretary for Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) . Lisa shared valuable insights into how EBSA works to protect the retirement and health plans of American workers and their families. Throughout the episode, Lisa discussed the mission of EBSA , which is to ensure the security of retirement, health, and other job-based benefits. She highlighted the importance of mental h...
Jul 03, 2024•47 min
In This Episode In this episode Janeen speaks with Meg Applegate, who shares her powerful story of being a survivor of the troubled teen industry. Meg opens up about her experiences of being undiagnosed autistic throughout her life and the trauma she faced during her time in congregate care facilities from the ages of 15 to 18 and a half. Meg Applegate’s story sheds light on the harsh realities of the troubled teen industry, where punitive techniques and behavior modification are used under the ...
Jun 18, 2024•54 min
In this episode, we’re in the theater chatting with Janeen’s daughter, Rebekah, who has returned to the podcast for the second time after several years. Rebekah, now 24 years old, shared her journey from being a theater-loving kid to a young adult navigating life with neurodiversity. As our new Creative Consultant at Autism Blueprint, Rebekah discussed her experiences growing up with a brother diagnosed with autism and how it shaped her perspective on her own neurodiversity. In This Episode Rebe...
May 28, 2024•53 min
In this episode, we’re in the library where I had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Wendela Marsh for the second time on Autism Blueprint. Dr. Wendy shared valuable insights on the significance of person-first language and the evolution of her book series, “Adulting While Autistic.” We delved into the challenges faced by autistic adults living independently. Join us as we embark on a journey of understanding and acceptance with Wendy’s compassionate and inclusive perspective on supporting the neurod...
May 15, 2024•53 min
In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, Janeen welcomes Dr. Sourav Sengupta, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, to discuss important topics related to children’s mental health. The conversation delves into the role of medication in treatment, the importance of untangling complex stories, and the significance of working with systems to support children with emotional challenges. Dr. Sourav also introduces Hopscotch Play , an innovative online platform designed to enhance therapy sessio...
Apr 16, 2024•56 min
Today I am joined by the insightful and compassionate Katherine Scott , a licensed marriage and family therapist at our private practice. Known for her expertise in working with neurodivergent individuals, Katherine brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our discussions. In today’s episode, we explore the complex dynamics of needs versus wants, shedding light on the challenges faced by individuals on the spectrum. So, grab a seat on Miss Kat’s Couch, as we unravel the intricacies of navi...
Mar 21, 2024•44 min
In today’s episode, we’re traveling overseas to chat with a special guest, Jude Morrow, a renowned autism advocate and author. Jude shares his personal journey from the medical model of disability to the neurodiversity lens, and how it has shaped his work in advocating for the rights and dignity of neurodivergent individuals. We discuss the importance of embracing neurodiversity, the challenges faced by autistic women and girls in obtaining accurate diagnoses, and the need for a shift in languag...
Feb 15, 2024•44 min
Today we’re in your wallet, talking about the complex issue of autism and consumerism. When parents are vulnerable and faced with consumerism while trying to find the right care for their child, the results can be financially and emotionally devastating. In this episode Janeen shares her experience and what to look out for on your journey. This episode is sponsored by The Peer Network Sometimes the journey to well-being feels overwhelming. But you don’t have to walk it alone. Welcome to the peer...
Jan 31, 2024•27 min
Today we’re in the family room talking about support from extended family and friends. It’s not an easy task for autism families to get the support we need from the people we love. This episode is designed to share with them and make it a bit easier. This is a replay. The original episode aired 8/3/2022 This episode is sponsored by The Peer Network Sometimes the journey to well-being feels overwhelming. But you don’t have to walk it alone. Welcome to the peer network , where connection meets com...
Jan 17, 2024•32 min
This episode is sponsored by The Peer Network. Sometimes the journey to well-being feels overwhelming. But you don’t have to walk it alone. Welcome to the peer network , where connection meets compassion through telehealth peer support. At the peer network , their certified peer support specialists are more than just trained professionals. They are individuals who have walked their own path of recovery and resilience. They understand, because they’ve been there. Imagine having someone who listen...
Dec 21, 2023•42 min
We’re in the workplace today talking with cofounder and COO, Tom D’Eri. Tom shares his experience growing up with an autistic brother and helping to create a sustainable employment opportunity for him and so many others. In This Episode You Will Discover How his family came up with the idea for Rising Tide Car Wash. Tom’s experience as an autism sibling and how it shaped his own future. How accommodations in the workplace became insights for his team. How workplace design is crucial to support i...
Nov 22, 2023•50 min
