All Autism Talk

In this episode, we speak to the young women who is the focus of the award-winning documentary, Best and Most Beautiful Things.   In rural Maine, a bright and magnetic 20-year-old woman named Michelle Smith lives with her mother Julie. Legally blind and on the autism spectrum, Michelle defies labels as she chases big dreams with humor and bold curiosity. After graduating from Helen Keller’s alma mater, she finds herself unemployed and isolated. Searching for community, Michelle explores an uncensored world online and experiences a provocative sexual awakening. Her joyful story of self-discovery celebrates outcasts everywhere. From New York Times Review: What happens to children with serious disabilities when they reach adulthood? They disappear, at least as far as most of society is concerned. “Best and Most Beautiful Things” is a remarkably forthright documentary about a young woman in Maine, Michelle Smith, who rebels at the idea of becoming invisible and wants desperately to find a place in the grown-up world and to find herself in the process. Ms. Smith is legally blind and has Asperger’s syndrome. The filmmaker, Garrett Zevgetis, followed her over several years but focuses on the pivotal time when she is entering her 20s. It’s a difficult transition for someone with disabilities — the end of the schooling years, with their structure and relative safety. All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by Autism Spectrum Therapies (autismtherapies.com) , Trellis Services (trellisservices.com) and Learn It Systems (learnitsystems.com)

Dan McManmon College Internship Program (CIP). Dan’s father, Michael McManmon, founded CIP in 1984 and was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome in his late 50’s. The experience and relationship growing up with his father have had a profound effect on his understanding and compassion of Autism, ADHD and related learning differences. Dan is a member of the Autism Asperger’s Network (AANE), Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA), Autism Society of America (ASA), and the Young Presidents Organization (YPO). His co-authored work on Reframing was published in the Autism File Magazine and he is currently working on Autism & LD: An Active Learning Teaching Toolkit to be released by Jessica Kingsley Publishers in 2015. All Autism Talk is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (www.learnbehavioral.com) and the LEARN Provider Network.

Gail Singer-Chang holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, MA in Clinical Psychology, MS in Counseling, BA in Journalism, and is a credentialed School Counselor. She serves as the Sr. Executive Director of the Office of Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration & Chair of the Dept. of Social Medicine & Healthcare Leadership at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific at Western University of Health Sciences. She spent several years working with populations ranging from elementary school students to U.S. Marines. Prior to coming to WesternU, she taught at Concordia University & Cal State Fullerton. She has spent nearly the last 2 decades teaching behavioral medicine & various topics such as physician-patient communication to osteopathic medical students. She leads a large scale study on health profession student emotional intelligence (EQ). She is the Founding Chair of FACE: Faculty for Autism Collaboration & Education. This diverse group promotes inter-professional perspectives on autism. FACE’s show “Autism Intersection” can be found streaming on The Autism Channel.   All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by Autism Spectrum Therapies (autismtherapies.com) and Trellis Services (trellisservices.com) and Learn It Systems (learnitsystems.com)

ASLA is partnering with Leaps n Boundz, leaders in providing adaptive sports, recreation and social programming for individuals with special needs to present Camp NAVIN a Residential Camp for young adults, age 18-30 with developmental disabilities. To encourage individual independence and friendship building. Kim Sinclair - Kim brings more than 20 years of experience in both corporate and non-profit environments to ASLA. Her career includes Fortune 100 experience in business and information technology, and most recently, contributions to a number of local non-profit organizations in the Los Angeles area.  Her non-profit experience includes leadership roles at Golden Heart Ranch, FRED Conference, and South West SELPA. With a 13-year-old son with special needs, Kim is no stranger to the special needs community.  This involvement opened the door to non-profit organizations with a focus on processes, fundraising, and program administration and development. Heather Hallam - With over 14 years of camp experience including overnight and day camps, there's nowhere Heather would rather be than outdoors with a group of campers! Heather started working with campers with special needs at Camp Courageous of Iowa and was excited to take on the challenge of Camp Director at Leaps n Boundz upon moving to Los Angeles. This is her 4th summer with Leaps n Boundz and she is excited to be partnering with ASLA to bring the camp experience to our young adults this summer!  All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by Autism Spectrum Therapies (autismtherapies.com) and Trellis Services (trellisservices.com) and Learn It Systems (learnitsystems.com)

Kristin is the Founder, Board Chair and Executive Director of Autism Deserves Equal Coverage, an organization that helps families and providers access health care treatment through private insurance. As part of a more than 20-year career in health care marketing and reimbursement, Kristin has advocated for autism related causes since 2006.  She led a multi-year statewide effort to pass autism insurance reform in California and was a principal drafter of SB 946, signed into California law by Governor Jerry Brown in 2011. Subsequent to the passage of SB 946, Kristin was appointed to the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC)’s Autism Advisory Task Force to help draft recommendations regarding medically-necessary behavioral health treatment. All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by Autism Spectrum Therapies (autismtherapies.com) and Trellis Services (trellisservices.com) and Learn It Systems (learnitsystems.com)

Ron Sandison works full time in the medical field and is a professor of theology at Destiny School of Ministry. He is an advisory board member of Autism Society Faith Initiative of Autism Society of American. Sandison has a Master of Divinity from Oral Roberts University and Charisma House is publishing his book on 4/5/16, A Parent’s Guide to Autism: Practical Advice. Biblical Wisdom. He has over 10,000 Scriptures memorized including 22 complete books of the New Testament. Ron and his wife, Kristen, reside in Rochester Hills, MI, with their pet rabbit, Babs, and cat, Frishma. You can contact Ron at www.spectruminclusion.com or email him at sandison456@hotmail.com All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by Autism Spectrum Therapies (autismtherapies.com) and Trellis Services (trellisservices.com) and Learn It Systems (learnitsystems.com)

LeeAndra M. Chergey was born in the Midwest, but grew up in a pastoral area south of Los Angeles. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and currently runs her own home staging business. When LeeAndra isn’t writing, she enjoys running, knitting, and reading. She lives in Simi Valley, California with her husband of twenty years, Dan, her two children, Jenna and Ryan, and a black lab, Ranger. All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by Autism Spectrum Therapies (autismtherapies.com) and Trellis Services (trellisservices.com) and Learn It Systems (learnitsystems.com)

Karen Kabaki-Sisto, is a certified speech-language pathologist helping children with autism all over the world. Her passion is to equip kids with the power to communicate confidently and grow closer bonds with others. She is the founder of Autism Breakthrough Solutions and inventor of “I Can Have Conversations With You!™”, an interactive app that is available on the App Store for the iPad. She regularly posts empowering articles and YouTube videos at her website www.iCanForAutism.com and is a frequent guest contributor to popular autism publications. All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by Autism Spectrum Therapies (autismtherapies.com) and Trellis Services (trellisservices.com) and Learn It Systems (learnitsystems.com)

Kristin Jacobson, Founder, Board Chair, President & Executive Director ADEC Foundation As part of a more than 20-year career in health care marketing and reimbursement, Kristin has advocated for autism related causes since 2006. She led a multi-year statewide effort to pass autism insurance reform in California and was a principal drafter of SB 946, signed into California law by Governor Jerry Brown in 2011. Subsequent to the passage of SB 946, Kristin was appointed to the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC)’s Autism Advisory Task Force to help draft recommendations regarding medically-necessary behavioral health treatment. In 2009, Kristin co-founded Autism Deserves Equal Coverage to help families and providers access health care treatment through private insurance and in 2013 founded Autism Deserves Equal Coverage Foundation as a companion non-profit organization. She also is a member of the Consumer Advisory Panel to the California Department of Insurance under Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. She has been featured as an autism insurance expert by many news organizations, including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, National Public Radio, KQED, KGO, ABC, NBC and Fox News. All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by Autism Spectrum Therapies (autismtherapies.com) and Trellis Services (trellisservices.com) and Learn It Systems (learnitsystems.com)

Suzanne leads educational and clinical programming at Trellis Services, a progressive and innovative agency that provides comprehensive services for children with autism.  Our defining goal is to teach children that learning is a fun, playful, and interactive experience. Suzanne holds a master’s degree in school counseling psychology from Western Maryland College and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from The University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Suzanne began her career at the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s LEAP program and ultimately moved to become a classroom teacher. She has over 15 years of professional experience designing and implementing highly successful treatment programs that meet the academic and behavioral needs of children with autism.  She recently completed her coursework for her BCBA. Suzanne is also trained in the implementation of the ADOS, a tool used in diagnosing children with autism. All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by Autism Spectrum Therapies (autismtherapies.com) and Trellis Services (trellisservices.com) and Learn It Systems (learnitsystems.com)