A great and harmful myth perpetuated for decades is that autistic people are incapable of deep connection, empathy, and loving relationships with others. Over the years, diagnostic criteria have included wording to this effect. We now know that this generalization is inaccurate, largely due to an understanding that autistic children and adults may “show up” in different ways in relationships. As with all people, however, the desire to connect and develop trusting and loving relationships is clea...
Feb 16, 2024•54 min•Ep. 99
Temple Grandin on Understanding Different Minds: Its importance in Education, Life Skills and Eventual Employment for Younger Autistic Individuals One of the many groundbreaking contributions that Dr. Temple Grandin has made in her career is increasing awareness of different learning styles demonstrated by autistic and neurodivergent individuals. Her work has been applied in enhancing employment opportunities and education for older autistic individuals, but less so for younger children. In her ...
Feb 02, 2024•53 min•Ep. 98
In recent years, there has been increasing interest in a range of medical conditions experienced by individuals diagnosed with autism and other neurodivergent conditions. Autistic and neurodivergent individuals, diagnosed and undiagnosed, may present with complex conditions that cause considerable discomfort and pain, and that have a significant detrimental impact on quality of life. In some cases, concerns about medical conditions may be the “gateway” issues that lead to a diagnosis of autism, ...
Jan 19, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 97
Jaya Ramesh and Priya Saaral , both neurodivergent professionals and parents of neurodivergent children bring a unique perspective to the challenges and gifts of raising children of color. Based on their new book, Parenting at the Intersections , we discuss the barriers that families of color face over and above those encountered by all families who have children with neurodevelopmental differences, as well as all that can be learned in each family’s journey. Find out more about the episode, and...
Jan 05, 2024•57 min•Ep. 96
How to Dance in Ohio is a heart-filled new musical that explores what it means to belong, the courage it takes to put yourself out in the world, and the universal need to connect. The musical follows the challenges and triumphs faced by a group of seven autistic young adults at a counseling center in Columbus, Ohio. The center arranges a spring formal dance, and encourages them as they encounter love, fear, stress, excitement, and hope along the path to human connection. We speak with Linda J. W...
Dec 22, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 95
In his first description of autism, Leo Kanner noted that “insistence on preservation of sameness” was a distinguishing characteristic of autistic individuals. This may be manifest in a number of characteristics including “resistance to change” and the need to maintain routines that have been established in daily activities. Often such patterns may be manifest throughout the lifespan and too often, are described primarily as problematic and as a “symptom” of autism. But what if rather than viewi...
Dec 08, 2023•57 min•Ep. 94
Autistic and other neurodivergent people of all ages are vulnerable to many factors, both internal and external, that may lead to anxiety and phobias. Dr. Karen Levine’s publications and clinical innovations have directly addressed these challenges in respectful and insightful ways. We discuss ways to understand such challenges and provide support based on a deeper understanding of the experiences shared by autistic individuals and neurodivergent individuals. Karen discusses her approach focusin...
Nov 24, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 93
One of the most challenging behavioral patterns observed in neurodivergent individuals with developmental challenges (and, in fact, all children!), is when they verbally or nonverbally communicate “NO”. In fact, the term “Non-compliance” has been the most frequently used phrase when characterizing refusal or protest behavior, and such behavior most often raises the “ire” of an adult partner. In approaches that focusing only on the surface behavior, and do not explore the “deep why”, reducing “no...
Nov 10, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 92
Dr. Mary Doherty founded Autistic Doctors international to unify autistic voices who work in medical and health care to “have a seat at the table” in establishing policies and practices sensitive to the needs of neurodivergent individuals. She believes that the lived experience of autistic professionals is essential to shift medical and healthcare practices to be more effective and neuroaffirming. Barry and Dave discuss these issues with Mary. Find out more on our website See Privacy Policy at h...
Oct 28, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 91
Amanda Diekman discusses and provides examples of the approach she refers to as “Low Demand Parenting” and presents this approach in contrast to advice often given to parents of autistic and other neurodivergent children. With her lived experience as a mother of three neurodivergent children, and as an autistic person, she challenges many mainstream beliefs about raising children, especially those who are defined as having behavioral patterns perceived as problematic by others. Her work prioriti...
Oct 13, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 90
It is widely recognized, but unfortunately, that most attention is paid to understanding and supporting autistic individuals in their childhood years, but much less so in middle-aged and older individuals. The result is a critical need for understanding of the experience of autism in older and late-diagnosed individuals, both from a research and support need perspective. These issues are discussed with Christine Jenkins , an autistic advocate and professional with expertise and personal experien...
Sep 29, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 89
Dr. Peter Vermeulen , a Belgian Psychologist, is an important international voice in his constructive criticism of popular views on understanding the autistic experience. He is one of the rare professionals who dedicates much of his time and effort to applying the most recent research on human cognition to thinking deeply about the inner experiences of autistic people. And he does so in the service of making direct links to implications and strategies for support. In this episode, Barry and Dave...
Sep 15, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 88
The experience of autism creates complex relationships for many in a shared community, that can result in misunderstandings and even anger directed to others. People in these relationships include autistic individuals, parents, family members, educators, therapists, and many significant others. That said, there is also great potential for loving, mutually supportive and trusting relationships, but that takes work. Elaine Hall wears many hats, as a neurodivergent parent-professional, author, spea...
Sep 01, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 87
An understanding of the experiences of non-speakers, or those with minimal speech, is an essential part of the neurodiversity movement. With the appropriate supports, including AAC technology, non-speakers who were silent for years, are now capable of sharing their experiences and their feelings about being misunderstood and too often mistreated. Elizabeth Bonker , a non-speaking autistic woman, discusses her journey and her commitment to educating society and supporting the millions of neurodiv...
Aug 18, 2023•40 min•Ep. 86
Chris Antao is the lead Surf Therapist, Trainer and EMT at his non-profit, Gnome Surf Therapy. He has grown Gnome Surf into the fastest growing Surf Therapy Organization globally. As founder and Executive Director, Chris has completed over 3,000 hours surfing with athletes of various ages and abilities, making him one of the most experienced Surf Therapists globally. He was an early contributor to the International Surf Therapy Organization, where he helped mold best practices in surf therapy. H...
Aug 04, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 85
Jory Fleming is an accomplished academic, a Rhodes Scholar and a delightful person who has many interests and passions. He also has a unique ability to reflect on his own thought processes and discuss the complexities of the autistic mind in a manner that is both engaging and enlightening. Barry and Dave have a fascinating discussion with Jory about his personal journey, and his deep interests and special talents in a manner that provides helpful insights into understanding the autistic experien...
Jul 21, 2023•58 min•Ep. 84
EPISODE 83 - A Discussion with Terra Vance: Autistic Social Activist and Founder of NeuroClastic Terra Vance discusses her work in developing NeuroClastic , the social justice on-line community that brings awareness and action to many social justice issues faced by neurodivergent and marginalized individuals. In this episode, she shares her background leading to her focus on social justice issues, and her current efforts to support individuals who too often have few resources to experience and o...
Jul 07, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 83
John Summers is an historian, and the father of a 12-year-old autistic son. He holds strong feelings about Applied Behavior Analysis after many years of stressful experiences for his son, and for him as a father. He also has major concerns about the institutionalization of ABA in autism treatment, and bureaucracies that hold significant power over how disabled individuals are educated and treated. John discusses these issues from the perspective of an historian interested in the development and ...
Jun 23, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 82
Autistic individuals often experience, a complex array of co-occurring conditions that impact academic achievement, including language-based learning disabilities, dyslexia and ADHD. Dr. Daniel Franklin , a specialist in language-based learning disabilities and other neurodivergent conditions shares his expertise clinical and research expertise, and provides practical suggestions to support students and older individuals. Visit the episode's website for more info See Privacy Policy at https://ar...
Jun 09, 2023•54 min•Ep. 81
We all know that relationships with non-human animals play an important role in quality of life for all people, and especially so for autistic and neurodivergent people. With a lifetime of experience in such relationships, Becca Lory Hector shares her professional expertise and discusses her personal experiences as an Autistic Professional, with special attention to the obligation we all have in forming and nurturing mutually satisfying relationships and connections with non-human animals. Visit...
May 26, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 80
A parent’s perspective and reaction to receiving an autism diagnosis is often shaped by how autism is presented to them, their previous experiences and preconceptions about autism, or a combination of the two. The same may be true for an autistic person receiving a diagnosis for the first time. Too often, a major source of stress and misunderstanding is when autism is presented as a verdict. That is, the diagnosis in and of itself will determine the quality of life for a child, person, or family...
May 12, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 79
Nutrition and feeding are common issues of concern for parents of autistic family members, and for autistic people themselves. With appropriate nutrition, quality of life is improved due to enhanced physical and mental health and improved relationships with those who play a role in supporting good nutrition and successful feeding interactions. Yaffi Lvova , a neurodivergent Dietitian Nutritionist provides crucial information and advice for family members and autistic people. More info about the ...
Apr 28, 2023•59 min•Ep. 78
Kim Clairy is an autistic occupational therapist who brings a variety of perspectives in educating others about autism, eating disorders, and sensory processing conditions. Initially diagnosed with a severe eating disorder, she faced a healthcare system that was ill-prepared to understand the complexities of her conditions, and that prescribed treatments that were not only not helpful, but in some ways, damaging. With the support of her husband, and a passion to be self-educated, she has emerged...
Apr 14, 2023•59 min•Ep. 77
Tiffany Hammond wears many hats. First, she is the loving mother of two autistic children, a developmental psychologist who provides professional consultation and she has a huge network with her Instagram following on “Fidgets and Fries” . Based on her experiences as both a professional and a mother, as well as the way she has been treated herself as an autistic person, she has become a fierce, social justice activist. She also is a talented writer. We discuss issues she feels passionately about...
Mar 31, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 76
One of the most important life decisions for all young people, is whether to consider going to college, and if so, how to deal with the challenges in applying and selecting the best match. For many reasons, this process has additional layers of added complexity for neurodivergent teens and older individuals. Eric Endlich, Ph.D. shares advice from his decades of experience in supporting families and college-bound young adults in helping them to ask the most important questions, and ultimately, ma...
Mar 17, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 75
The issue of loss and grief reactions of autistic people has only received serious consideration in recent years. Decades of behavioral perspectives about autism, which prohibited serious consideration of feelings and internalized relationships prevented crucial issues such as loss and grief from getting the attention needed to better understand and support people on the autism spectrum. Dr. Ken Doka , a recognized expert and authority on loss and grief, and Lisa Morgan , an autistic professiona...
Mar 03, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 74
Accessing support for healthcare and navigating medical and health related services is one of the greatest stressors reported by parents, family members, and autistic people themselves, Future physicians and nurses receive very little, if any training about the best ways to support autistic individuals and their families in healthcare settings. In many cases, the information they receive it is out of date, or based on misunderstandings of the behavior of autistic people, especially under stressf...
Feb 17, 2023•54 min•Ep. 73
Barry and Dave discuss the process of building trust between autistic and neurotypical people. Barry shares 8 proven strategies to help clinicians, educators, and other professionals earn a trusting relationship with autistic people and their families. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Feb 03, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 72
“My Mother’s Apprentice” – The Special Qualities of my Upbringing. A Discussion with Gyasi Burks-Abbott Gyasi Burkes-Abbott has a unique perspective as a late-diagnosed autistic man, who is African-American and raised by his mother in a white-dominated culture. In today’s episode, he discusses how his mother was vigilant about exposing him to role models in black literature and culture, and how his upbringing led to a strong sense of identity, confidence and purpose. He shares the special way hi...
Jan 20, 2023•57 min•Ep. 71
Many of you may be aware of the fact that “Avatar: The Way of Water”, the follow up of the 2009 "Avatar", was just released. One of the stars is Sigourney Weaver, and we had the great pleasure of interviewing Sigourney with Ros Blackburn, a great friend of ours who is an autistic women from England. We invite you to listen again, or for the first time, to the episode we did with them. We have a discussion with Ros Blackburn, an autistic friend, colleague and international speaker from the UK who...
Jan 13, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 70
