Eric Garcia is one of the very few autistic and neurodivergent journalists on the national scene, based in Washington, DC and covering congress and the Trump administration. Barry, Dave and Eric discuss his role as an autistic journalist, and his coverage of Washington, DC politics, and current stories that impact the autistic and neurodivergent community. Learn more on our website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/priva...
Apr 11, 2025•51 min•Ep. 129
As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Ross Greene believes that many approaches that are used with students with challenging or concerning behaviors have taken the wrong approach to helping students learn and develop trust in their learning environments and others. As the founder of the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions Model, his goal is to change disciplinary practices to practices based on deeply understanding each child or student’s perspective, and helping them problem solve ...
Mar 28, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 128
As they have entered their fourth year as partners in Uniquely Human: The Podcast, Barry and Dave are still astounded by its success and how much our wonderful and loyal audience keep asking for more. But one perplexing question has remained unanswered, why does it work? Barry and Dave reflect on this issue, and believe the answer can be found, in part, by applying a neurodiversity lens. Simply put, Barry and Dave have different brains! And so do their wonderful guests! I...
Mar 14, 2025•59 min•Ep. 127
As a trans autistic man, and a social psychology professor, Dr. Devon Price is intimately familiar with issues of masking, and the impact that masking may have on the social and emotional well-being of individuals. In this episode, Devon, Dave and Barry delve deeply into these issues and discusses skills that Devon believes are critical for helping neurodivergent individuals unmask their lives and live more authentically. Find out more on our website! See Privacy Policy at https://ar...
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 126
Feb 14, 2025•44 min•Ep. 125
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 124
Indigenous cultures often have a very different view of raising children who receive diagnoses of autism or other neurodivergent conditions. These differences impact how families and children are supported, but also may result in difficulties when families need to interface with non-indigenous cultural professionals and systems to acquire services that may be helpful. Barry and Dave discuss these issues with Grant Bruno and Otilia Johnson , two parent-professionals from indigen...
Jan 17, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 123
Two of the major priorities that are now being addressed in the autism and neurodivergent communities are the development of friendships and social relationships, and how to address bullying. Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson , Clinical Professor at UCLA, has focused on both of these issues over the past two decades, from a research as well as a programming perspective. She describes the PEERS program, now being implemented in over 150 countries, as well as bullying prevention with Barry and Dave. Learn ou...
Jan 03, 2025•56 min•Ep. 122
Neurodivergent children and their caregivers face unique challenges when a child needs to be brought into hospitals or similar medical settings. Unfortunately, many physicians working in emergency medicine and in hospital settings have little training in supporting children and families under the circumstances. Barry and Dave discuss these issues with Dr. Felix Kreier , an autistic physician working in Amsterdam, Netherlands, who has expertise and experience in working with neurodivergent childr...
Dec 21, 2024•59 min•Ep. 121
One of the most exciting areas of innovation over the past few decades for children and adults with communication challenges and their families is augmentative and alternative communication options. Barry and Dave discuss a wide range of issues related to AAC with Rachel Madel , a speech-language pathologist who focuses on AAC in her LA – based practice serving children and adult clients, and their families. Find out more on our website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califor...
Dec 06, 2024•55 min•Ep. 120
Polyvagal theory has emerged over the past few decades as an important construct in psychology and neurophysiology to help explain human reactions, especially when a person is under stress. It addresses a deeper, neurological basis to for understanding fight, flight and freeze responses, that have been misunderstood for years when observed in neurodivergent individuals. Polyvagal theory also provides guidance for approaches to support individuals of all ages. Barry and Dave discuss polyvagal the...
Nov 22, 2024•57 min•Ep. 119
Emotional regulation is being embraced by parents, neurodivergent individuals educators and therapists as an important concept underlying respectful and developmentally informed practices for supporting autistic and neurodivergent individuals. As founder and Director of Children's Autism Services of Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), Terri Duncan , CCC-SLP has prioritized emotional regulation as foundational to services provided to children and families. From these experiences, she has recently publish...
Nov 08, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 118
Neurodivergent children and their caregivers face a unique set of challenges in ensuring that they have access to appropriate services supporting dental and oral health. Unfortunately, due to some of these challenges, many children grow up without appropriate supports, and experience long-term negative physical and mental health repercussions. Barry and Dave do a deep dive into these issues with Dr. Rose-Marie Daly , who has a high level of expertise and experience in working with neurodivergent...
Oct 25, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 117
As a deeply reflective, and insightful individual, Becca Lory Hector has constructed a life and career of sharing what she has learned about growing up autistic, without a diagnosis until adulthood. With her engaging new autobiographical work, she once again demonstrates that lived experience is the best teacher, especially when shared generously with others who benefit from her wisdom. Becca, Dave and Barry have an engaging discussion that amplifies important issues of great interest for parent...
Oct 11, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 116
One of the most important cutting-edge discoveries for autistic and neurodivergent individuals is that non-speakers, many of them previously thought to be intellectually disabled and non-communicative, are now able to demonstrate their knowledge and share their experiences through supported communication. With their guest, psychology professor Dr. Vikram Jaswal , Barry and Dave discuss recent research and our evolving understanding of non-speakers who were and still are so misunderstood. Learn m...
Sep 27, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 115
Gestalt language Processing and Natural Language Acquisition: A Discussion with Marge Blanc, CCC-SLP, and Alex Zachos, CCC-SLP Gestalt language processing and natural language acquisition are topics that have received a great deal of attention in recent years, grounded in research that goes back to the 1970s. These concepts have helped to explain and describe a process, often observed in autistic children and those with other neurodevelopmental conditions, in children move from the early use of ...
Sep 13, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 114
Strategies for Successful Transitions Back to School for Parents and Professionals a conversation with Dave and Barry Supporting successful transitions back to school is critical for maximizing success for the whole school year. Join us as we throw back to episode 31st, where Dave and Barry shared a lively discussion about challenges and creative strategies to help children of all ages to get off to a good start in this coming school year. Find out more on our website. See Privacy Policy at http...
Aug 30, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 113
A great deal of attention is given to different treatment approaches for supporting communication and relationships with children with social learning differences. However, how we actually speak to children in therapeutic and every day interactions, is given relatively less attention. Through her publications and presentations, Linda Murphy has devoted much of her recent work to supporting therapists, educators, and parents in providing more facilitative styles of language that have been shown t...
Aug 16, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 112
Neuro-affirming care and the clinical profile of PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) are two critical issues that have risen to forefront of autism services and supports for individuals and families. In this lively and deeply informative discussion, Dr. Taylor Day speaks with Barry and Dave about how she understands and addresses these important areas in her clinical practice. Learn more on our website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19...
Aug 02, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 111
A recognized significant challenge for autistic and neurodivergent families and individuals and families is maintaining a lifestyle that supports physical health and well-being. Belden Long and Kara Wilkinson , as professionals and with expertise in addressing physical health, report on findings of their research as well as their personal experience in supporting autistic individuals and families. From their work, they provide practical suggestions. Learn more on our website See Privacy Policy a...
Jul 19, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 110
Ellen Galinsky is a respected and renowned expert in child development, and in this episode, she discusses crucial issues she has researched and worked on directly in supporting healthy cognitive, social and emotional development in children and teens. Barry and Dave discuss a range of developmental issues with Ellen and their relevance in understanding and supporting autistic and neurodivergent individuals and their families. Find out important resources on our website See Privacy Policy at htt...
Jul 05, 2024•51 min•Ep. 109
Creating Connection in Drumming and Rhythm-based Activities: A Discussion with "Master Teaching Artist" Bob Bloom. As a “Master Teaching Artist”, Bob Bloom uses drumming, rhythm and singing to create fun and engaging experiences for children and their families, and adults. Specifically, he provides programs to help all children, neurotypical and neurodivergent, become connected to others and their own internal rhythms in activities in schools, community settings and in a variety of venues. In th...
Jun 21, 2024•55 min•Ep. 108
Siblings of children and family members with autism and other conditions live and grow up in a unique space in their relationships within the family. Their lived experience may present challenges, as well as unique opportunities for growth in supporting their autistic or neurodivergent sibling. Barry and Dave engage in a wide-ranging discussion with Emily Holl , who is both a sibling and a professional who has focused on sibling issues for much of her life. Find out more on our website! See Priv...
Jun 07, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 107
Ezra is a major motion picture that tells the story of a family, across generations, that has a deep love for a young autistic boy. The film authentically conveys the challenges that a family faces when confronted with societal expectations and insensitive professionals who has little understanding or respect for a child that sees the world through a different lens. It also beautifully portrays those rarefied times when other people, even strangers, see the beauty, the honesty, and the inspirati...
May 24, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 106
The history of autism is replete with diametrically opposed representations of the autistic experience as either a blessing, or a tragedy. These varying beliefs may be held by professionals, family members, and even autistic individuals themselves. Of course, such extreme views do not accurately portray the complexities involved, which often fall somewhere between these two extreme representations. Barry and Dave discuss such complexities with a goal of honoring the experience of each individual...
May 10, 2024•58 min•Ep. 105
Shannon Rosa and Carol Ann Greenburg are parent-professionals and partners in developing and sharing their on-line resource, A Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism, one of the very first resources to provide valuable information to the autistic and neurodivergent communities. In their own words, the mission of TPGA is to be a a one-stop source for carefully curated, evidence-based, neurodiversity-steeped information from autistic people, parents, and autism professionals. They emphasize that autism...
Apr 26, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 104
Episode 103 • Understanding Autism: A Discussion with Autistic Film Producer and Director, Scott Steindorff Scott Steindorff , an accomplished autistic film producer and director travelled the world to make his new film, “ Understanding Autism “. Barry and Dave discuss Scott’s personal experiences leading to his motivation and goals in creating this feature length documentary. Visit the Episode's webpage for more info and resources See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California P...
Apr 12, 2024•55 min•Ep. 103
Episode 102 - Insights into Neurodivergence Following Brain Surgery: A Discussion with Jacki Edry, Autism Advocate, Parent and Cancer Survivor. Jacki Edry’s personal journey as a brain surgery survivor and parent of autistic and neurodivergent children provides unique insight into the neurodivergent experience. Additionally, her courage and persistence during her ongoing process of recovery, and her desire to help others based on her experience is an incredible story from which we all can learn....
Mar 29, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 102
One of the least understood, and most marginalized groups of autistic people are those who are non-speaking, or who have minimal or unreliable speech due to neurologically-based motor speech disorders. Nonspeakers’ “voices” are now being heard, and what they have to say is shattering erroneous stereotypes about those for whom speech is not their primary mode of communication. Harmful beliefs about how speech and behavior are accurate reflections of a person’s intelligence and social awareness ar...
Mar 15, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 101
We are celebrating our 100th Episode! We couldn't have done this without you, our Uniquely Human Community. Thank you! Love on the Spectrum is an Emmy award-winning Netflix reality TV show that follows young adults on the autism spectrum as they explore dating, love, and relationships. The show is based on an Australian version of the same name. Dave and Barry join Elaine Hall , who consults to the show and helped with casting, and with Steve and David , two autistic cast members, in a discussio...
Mar 01, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 100
