Autism Stories

"I wanted to expand it so that people could express themselves in any possible way, whether that's a math formula about how it feels to be engaged with an animal, or a sculpture about being bullied or rejected, or a painting about the great gift of sensory expansiveness that we enjoy. It's been neat to watch that process unfold for people. There's no limit to the way folks can communicate", says Dawn Prince Hughes. Dawn joins this episode to discuss an ethnography project exploring autistic culture, the children's book she recently wrote, and the decades of work she has done with animals. To learn more about Dawn's ethnography project visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autismethnography . If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"I don't think anyone should assume that they're unlovable or unworthy if they don't have any friends or a job right now. Our worth is much deeper. We're all just temporarily abled, but also temporarily friended, and temporarily employed. Why base our worth on something that will change for all of us throughout life?" , says Amanda Bancroft. Amanda joins this episode to discuss listening to others' Autism Stories, social entrepreneurship, and tiny houses. To learn more Amanda visit https://makeripples.org . If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"I would love to live in a world where it doesn't have to be so brave to share your truth. I don't think we would call a neurotypical woman brave for writing an article about her personal life. Women and men are doing that every hour of every day as we speak right now. There are probably  billions of those types of articles or listicles that are being circulated right now. We don't think of them as brave, we think this is life," says Lucy Aiken. Lucy joins this episode to discuss the impact of sharing your truth, being a performer in many genres, and creating a one woman show. To learn more about Lucy visit https://www.lucyaiken.com/ . If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"In the high vibrational state, which is where we all want to be (of course some days are better than others), we are emanating this sense of love and peace and compassion. You're kind of growing a higher personal power, but you're also being able to just be yourself, your true authentic self, and allowing others to see you for the confident person you are," says Ariel Cullison. Ariel joins this episode to discuss high vs low vibrational states, non-traditional forms of therapy, and growing her social media platform. To learn more about Ariel visit  https://www.instagram.com/ariel.cullison/   If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"First of all, everybody is a person and everybody counts. And it comes down to the idea that we should never give up on any human; we should never leave anyone completely on their own with no hope. Everybody needs somebody in their corner, especially when everybody has left their corner. As a defense lawyer, I am very cognizant that I may be the only person left standing with this individual," says Christine Sunnerberg. Christine joins this episode to discuss being a criminal defense attorney, social justice within the context of the autistic experience, and support groups for autistics. To learn more about Christine and Partners for Justice visit: https://www.partnersinjustice.com .

"There's so many talented artists and writers, but they don't get showcased because they are somebody that's disabled, autistic, or ADHD. We saw that barrier and we want to create an avenue for the people that can't get published, whether they can't get published because of the politics of publishing, or because they don't have the energy, mental health, or the ability to go through the steps. We wanted to remove that issue," says Tas Kronby. Tas joins this episode to discuss their creation of Neurodiversity Times Magazine, being part of a D.I.D. System, and their other exciting projects that will be happening this year. To learn more about Tas and Neurodiversity Times Magazine  visit https://tasthewriter.com/coming-soon-in-2023/ . If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"It's mental health care, but it unfortunately doesn't mean that the people who facilitate it understand autism. I know that may be a broad statement here, but in my personal experience, even in grad school I think I was the only person with documented ASD, and I always felt that I had to keep my professors on their toes. Any place I worked, the feeling that they're not really expecting someone like you to be within their ranks is quite palpable," says Michael Macedo. Michael joins this episode to discuss being a therapist, his experience as an outpatient clinician, and running for his college cross country team. To learn more about Michael visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-d-macedo-lcsw-0417a873/ If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"I wanted it to feel even though it takes place in the modern day, it's kind of an unearthed story. Because it's a story of people that have always been there, yet, never been truly acknowledged up until more recent times. Hopefully, we'll be acknowledged. The day that disabled people have opportunities and have opportunities on screen, and I don't have to make it myself, that'll be a happy day for me," says Justin Janoson. Justin joins this episode to discuss his tv show  What's the Rule and starting his media company IndEP media. To learn more about Justin and What's the Rule visit https://www.indepmedia.com/whatstherule  If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"Regulation comes in different forms depending on what is dysregulating a person. It could be trying strategies of proprioceptive input, having fidgets or body engagers available, or feeding the brain with high-cognitive materials. My wonderful CRPs vary in their approaches, but all work hard to help me regulate," says Jack Haynes. Jack joins this episode to discuss the importance of regulation with communication partners and why the holidays can be very stressful to non-speakers. If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"Everyone is allowed to have their opinions, but those aren't my responsibility. The only thing I'm committed to is conveying myself the way I intended, and making sure those like me know that too. It also helps a lot that my team believes in me so I don't have to worry about miscommunication because I know they have my back," says Justice Killebrew. Justice joins this episode  discuss his keynote at the AAC conference Communication Always Matters All Ways and being a voice character on the Netflix Show "Ada Twist, Scientist". To learn more about Justice visit https://www.instagram.com/whatsjsaynow/ . If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.