Mindee Pinto currently teaches early childhood special education, specializing with children diagnosed on the autism spectrum, in Palatine Illinois. Mrs. Pinto holds a bachelors degree in speech/language pathology and masters degree in early childhood special education. She lives with her husband Michael in Deerfield Illinois, with a their beautiful daughter Jillian. Judy Cohen has been employed by the Milwaukee Public School system in special education for over 25 years. She began her career as a special education classroom teacher and for the last 17 years has been a diagnostic teacher in the school system. Mrs. Cohen also owns Lakeside Educational Services in Milwaukee. LES specializes in academic coaching/tutoring, as well as teaching and reinforcing organizational/study skills. Mrs. Cohen lives with her husband Jeff of 37 years and has two grown children. The book, Mikey explains how a young child with autism sees, hears, and feels the world around him in his school environment. Mikey is not just intended for educators; although, all teachers should read it to their classes. It is intended to educate adults as well as young children to increase their awareness and understanding of the child with autism. This book, and others to follow, was inspired by my vast experiences as a teacher working with children with autism.

Today on Autism Spectrum Radio we continue to explore the significance of the new CDC statistics for autism diagnosis.  We are happy to welcome back Areva Martin, Media Expert and Host, Author and Award Winning Attorney and Autism Advocate.  Areva Is Founder and President of Special Needs Network, Inc., one of CA’s leading autism nonprofit organizations. Areva Martin is known to audiences around the country for her regular appearances on Dr. Phil, Nancy Grace, Anderson Cooper AC 360 and a host of other national news and talk shows. She is a Harvard-trained attorney, author and nationally recognized autism spokesperson. Her 2nd book, The Everyday Advocate, is a must read for parents and professionals. Founder and President of Special Needs Network, Inc., Areva is often referred to as America’s Everyday Advocate for her passionate and relentless work on behalf of women and children.

Sara Gershfeld is a blog contributor for the Huffington Post, and the author of this wee's blog entitled  “April in Autism, is Awareness Enough?” Sara works as Behavior Analysis & Performance Improvement Consultant and is also the founder of Love My Provider. LoveMyProvider emerged in 2011 with a mission to help passionate parents find meaningful providers for their special needs child. They aimed to channel their energy into highlighting innovative organizations that are changing the way children receive services for the better.  Sara has also served as a Board Member for the Association for Science in Autism Treatment as well as an Adjunct Professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Join in our conversatin as we discuss awareness, appropriate services and what more is needed for the autism community.

This week on Autism Spectrum Radio we are are talking with some of the best experts when it comes to life with autism...parents and self advocates. Our host Rob Haupt is excited to welcome three of the authors of The Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism. Join us for a lively and informative discussion about the importance of good treatment and how to choose it, as well as valuable insights on advocacy. Shannon Des Roches Rosa writes about autism, parenting, evidence-based approaches, iPads, vaccines, and geekery at www.Squidalicious.com, as BlogHer.com's contributing editor for parenting kids with special needs, and as a co-founder and editor of TPGA. Jennifer Byde Myers is an editor and co-founder of TPGA. She writes at www.jennyalice.com, chronicling her family’s journey from diagnosis to daily living with her son’s special needs. Carol Greenburg, executive director of Brooklyn Special Needs Consulting, is a special education consultant and lay advocate in private practice. Her unique perspective as an adult with Aspergers Syndrome and as the mother of a severely language-delayed autistic child, informs all of her work. • http://www.thinkingautism.com • twitter @thinkingautism • Facebook www.facebook.com/thinkingpersonsguidetoautism

We continue our discussion of a wide range of topics that relate to the autism community. One thing that every family touched by autism needs is hope. Encouraging words and stories of another’s success can go a long way in helping a parent ready themselves for new challenge and another day. This week, Rob is excited to welcome author Nancy Burrows to our show to share stories from the latest edition of the Chicken Soup series which was written for the autism community. Nancy Burrows is a freelance writer who lives in Baltimore, MD.  She has an 11 year old son, James who is on the spectrum. Nancy is co-author of "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Raising Kids on the Spectrum", published in April, 2013. All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by Autism Spectrum Therapies (autismtherapies.com) and Trellis Services (trellisservices.com) and Learn It Systems (learnitsystems.com)

This week we explore a sensitive and perhaps under addressed topic, the experience of grief and loss for children and teens with autism. In the course of life, it is inevitable that we are all touched by the loss of a loved one and yet it is not a topic we may think to prepare for. Families with a child who has autism can easily be caught at a loss for what to do or how to best support their child’s natural but painful experience of grief. This week, host Rob Haupt looks at the complexities of supporting children and teens during this vulnerable time. Rob is happy to welcome author Karla Helbert to share her insights as psychotherapist and bereavement counselor who specializes in serving the autism community. Karla Helbert is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and has been working as a therapist since 2000. She operates a private psychotherapy practice with a focus on loss, grief and bereavement and specializes in therapy for people with autism spectrum disorders. Prior to opening her private practice, Karla worked for 13 years for a private non-profit organisation serving children, adolescents and adults with autism. She also facilitates bereavement support groups for local hospices and for the MISS Foundation, an international non-profit helping families grieving the death of a child. As a bereaved mother and a trained therapist, she has a deep personal, as well as clinical, understanding of the difficult issues facing those grieving the deaths of loved ones. All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by Autism Spectrum Therapies (autismtherapies.com) and Trellis Services (trellisservices.com) and Learn It Systems (learnitsystems.com)

This week, we we explore the important role of our autism dads. Host Rob Haupt is excited to welcome Author, advocate and TV Personality Rodney Peete to the show. NFL veteran quarterback Rodney Peete, best known for his leadership and a winning attitude. Winner of the 1988 “Johnny Unitas Award” for Best Senior Quarterback, and the 1988 Pac-10 Player of the Year. He spent 16 successful years in the NFL. During those 16 seasons, Peete was named to various All-Rookie teams, led two different franchises to the playoffs and had a winning record as a starting QB. Peete went right from the gridiron to co-hosting “the Best Damn Sports Show Period” on Fox. Peete can also be seen hosting a variety of NFL and College preview and recap shows for Fox, Fox.com and currently ABC’s Sports Zone. He is co-founder of the HollyRod Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) organization established to generate funds to fight Parkinson’s disease, children suffering from Autism, and improve the quality of life for those in need. In March 2010, Peete Authored his first book titled “Not My Boy” A Father, a son and a Families Journey with Autism. Peete is a member of the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, The USC Hall of Fame and he serves on the Board of Governors at his alma mater.  Peete made a smart acquisition of his own on June 10, 1995, when he married the lovely television star Holly Robinson (21 Jump Street, Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, For Your Love.).  The Peetes are proud parents of four beautiful children, twins Ryan Elizabeth and Rodney Jackson, Robinson James and the youngest, Roman Matthew.  The family resides in Los Angeles. All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by Autism Spectrum Therapies (autismtherapies.com) and Trellis Services (trellisservices.com) and Learn It Systems (learnitsystems.com)

Our guest Julie Diep :  I am the founder and Executive Director of OC Autism.  Our mission is "to ensure the highest standard of care in our community."  We believe in empowering parents and professions with the necessary tools to succeed. I have a Masters in Speech-Language Pathology from Loma Linda University (LLU) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from National University (NU).  I hold a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA), a Credential in Clinical or Rehabilitative Services and a California State license.  I have over 17 years of experience in the field as a Bilingual Vietnamese SLP and a currently a BCBA Candidate.  I am the owner of New Hope Therapy Center in Orange County, specializing in ASD, Medical Speech Pathology (serving adults and children) and Special Education Rights (working as an expert witness and IEE assessor).  All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by Autism Spectrum Therapies (autismtherapies.com) and Trellis Services (trellisservices.com) and Learn It Systems (learnitsystems.com)

This week we examine the misconceptions and challenges for non-verbal individuals with autism.  Technology continues to expand the options of communication for non-verbal individuals but there is still a need for more advocacy and opportunity to share their voice. We are excited to welcome author Ido Kedar to the show to discuss (through voice output) his book Ido in Autismland, Climbing Out of Autism’s Silent Prison.   Ido Kedar is a 16 year old boy with severe autism. He communicates by typing without tactile support on an iPad or letterboard. He is a general education student in the 10th grade taking a full, unmodified class load.  He is the recent author of Ido in Autismland: Climbing Out of Autism’s Silent Prison, which is available on Amazon. He blogs on autism at www.idoinautismland.com and can be followed on twitter and facebook. Ido presents frequently on autism at conferences  and classes. My goal is to help people to better understand non-verbal autism in terms of symptoms, treatment, education, communication and research. I try to explain autism from the inside out . In my book, blog and speeches I strive to help people see that the potential to communicate exists in so many other people with non-verbal autism. It is my hope that they too can be liberated from their silence and isolation and get a true education. All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by Autism Spectrum Therapies (autismtherapies.com) and Trellis Services (trellisservices.com) and Learn It Systems (learnitsystems.com)

Are you attending the 32nd annual Western CalABA Conference? Dr. Daniel Shabani, President of the California Association of Behavior Analysis visits Autism Spectrum Radio to tell us why the experience is valuable for parents. The California Association for Behavior Analysis will host the 32nd Annual Western Regional Conference on Behavior Analysis February 28 – March 2, 2014. The conference offers information, resources, and professional development opportunities for Board Certified Behavior Analysts, Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, social workers, speech-language pathologists, regular and special educators, students in those and related fields, and consumers of behavior analysis services.  Daniel Shabani received his Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis from Western Michigan University following an undergraduate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles and a master’s degree from the University of the Pacific. Currently, Dr. Shabani is the president of the California Association for Behavior Analysis and runs a private practice in Southern California. He has authored a number of publications on assessment and treatment of behavior problems, as well as reviewed trends within the field of behavior analysis. Dr. Shabani’s current research interests include radical behaviorism, the assessment and treatment of severe behavior disorders, verbal behavior, and instructional designs. All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by Autism Spectrum Therapies (autismtherapies.com) and Trellis Services (trellisservices.com) and Learn It Systems (learnitsystems.com)