Autism Stories

""Although it's a biological function, it's not something straight forward. It's not that you just hover the baby somewhere near the breast and it works. There's a complex range of positioning, attachment, the baby's suck needs to be right. Often, babies are born with an extra little piece of skin under their tongue. That means that their tongue can't move enough to actually help release milk," says Dr. Aimee Grant. Aimee joins us to discuss her research on breastfeeding, executive functioning and sensory challenges in breastfeeding, and the advantages autistic researchers have. when they do qualitative research. To learn more about Aimee visit https://twitter.com/DrAimeeGrant Be updated on the latest Autism Stories episode by subscribing on your favorite podcast listening platform. If you could give us a positive rating and review on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you want  to reduce your overwhelm and help get your needs met and desires fulfilled then book a free zoom call now with Autism Personal Coach https://calendly.com/autimspersonalcoach/60min. If you are not comfortable with video then we can turn your video off for the call. 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 wasn’t until I was 10 years old that I was introduced to supported typing and Alternative Augmented Communication, or AAC. By having the tactile input I needed, I was able to point to letters on a letterboard, to say exactly what I wanted to say, how I wanted to say it. For the first time, I was able to fully express myself. I soon learned to type on a keyboard with voice output, so it would speak aloud what I had typed. Then I began taking mainstream classes, and I took poetry, and speaking at conferences. And now, at last, I became a contributing member of society. I want to say that, in spite of my great love for writing and painting, my greatest passion is to speak out, to make AAC a mainstream part of the school system so it will be available for everyone. This is where my autism story began to have wings," says Sydney Edmond. Sydney joins this episode of Autism Stories to discuss her advocating work  for the use of AAC , her love of painting and writing, and being a contributor to the book "Life after Lockdown" that resets perceptions of autism. To learn more about Sydney visit https://www.facebook.com/sydney.edmond.9 Be updated on the latest Autism Stories episode by subscribing on your favorite podcast listening platform. If you could give us a positive rating and review on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you want  to reduce your overwhelm and help get your needs met and desires fulfilled then book a free zoom call now with Autism Personal Coach https://calendly.com/autimspersonalcoach/60min. If you are not comfortable with video then we can turn your video off for the call. 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.

"When looking for a communication partner, I need to see if I connect with them, and I can tell if I will connect with them almost instantly, because I need to trust them with so many important aspects of my life. They become more than just a CRP; they become my family. They need to be patient, but also push me to do the most I can do," says Ben Breaux. Ben joins this episode of Autism Stories to talk discuss what making a good communication regulation partner, why he decided to take the homeschool route, and what he plans to study in college. To learn more about Ben visit https://www.facebook.com/benbreauxautisticspeakshismind/ Be updated on the latest Autism Stories episode by subscribing on your favorite podcast listening platform. If you could give us a positive rating and review on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you want  to reduce your overwhelm and help get your needs met and desires fulfilled then book a free zoom call now with Autism Personal Coach https://calendly.com/autimspersonalcoach/60min. If you are not comfortable with video then we can turn your video off for the call. 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.

"We should ask rather than making assumptions. For example, I've had managers say to me, "I've got an autistic member on staff. Does this mean I shouldn't Teams call them?" And my answer to that is, "Please go away and ask that member of staff because we're all individuals," says Charlie Hart. Charlie joins this episode of Autism Stories to discuss her experience working in human resources, being an ally to autistic co-workers,  and how running has been helpful in her life. To learn more about Charlie visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/ausomecharlie/ Be updated on the latest Autism Stories episode by subscribing on your favorite podcast listening platform. If you could give us a positive rating and review on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you want  to reduce your overwhelm and help get your needs met and desires fulfilled then book a free zoom call now with Autism Personal Coach https://calendly.com/autimspersonalcoach/60min. If you are not comfortable with video then we can turn your video off for the call. 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.

"My work is very sensory. I experience and respond to the world very directly through my senses, and as I'm speaking to you or when I write, it is actually a translation. My words are not directly from my immediate experience. I feel that my work and my work with Simon expresses the rich and abundant ecology that is outside neurotypical expression. We want to validate our autistic sensory communication as a real, valuable, and important communication style," says Dawn-joy Leong. Dawn joins this episode of Autism Stories to discuss her art exhibit that engages you in the sensory world. To learn more about Dawn please visit https://dawnjoyleong.com/. Be updated on the latest Autism Stories episode by subscribing on your favorite podcast listening platform. If you could give us a positive rating and review on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you want  to reduce your overwhelm and help get your needs met and desires fulfilled then book a free zoom call now with Autism Personal Coach https://calendly.com/autimspersonalcoach/60min. If you are not comfortable with video then we can turn your video off for the call. 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 wasn't a natural athlete at 4 years old. I'm still not a natural athlete to this day. It's all about understanding and being able to speak in the language that your students understand, and that's a language that is inherent. Being autistic is my natural language, so it definitely is an advantage comparing to people who are not on the spectrum. There's more of a learning curve, whereas it just naturally clicks for me when someone on the spectrum needs an instruction," says Andrew Ackner. Andrew joins this episode of Autism Stories to discuss sports and fitness programs he created by autistic athletes for autistic athletes. To learn more about Andrew and Autastic Athletics please visit https://autastic-athletics.com/. Be updated on the latest Autism Stories episode by subscribing on your favorite podcast listening platform. If you could give us a positive rating and review on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you want  to reduce your overwhelm and help get your needs met and desires fulfilled then book a free zoom call now with Autism Personal Coach https://calendly.com/autimspersonalcoach/60min. If you are not comfortable with video then we can turn your video off for the call. 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 know how to write a research paper basically. I don't know how to creatively sit and just write feelings, that's not my thing. Its difficult, he'll give me a topic. I find it helpful if he gives me something  first. He'll say tell me about your worst vacation then I'm able to flow out ideas from there. Now I've started doing that at home myself where I'll pick out my own ideas from home and write them down," says Audra Sisak. Audra joins this episode of Autism Stories to talk about doing stand up comedy, dating for the autistic and disabled community, and her work as a therapist. Be updated on the latest Autism Stories episode by subscribing on your favorite podcast listening platform. If you could give us a positive rating and review on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you want  to reduce your overwhelm and help get your needs met and desires fulfilled then book a free zoom call now with Autism Personal Coach https://calendly.com/autimspersonalcoach/60min. If you are not comfortable with video then we can turn your video off for the call. 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.

"We stay committed and consistent in these jobs or in these situations, whether it's a living situation or a relationship. We stay in them in that dedicated, committed-consistent way, and sometimes we need to just let things go. It is not so easy for us to let things go, or to recognize that we're enjoying the habit of it," says Becca Lory Hector. Becca makes her return to Autism Stories to discuss the concepts of commitment and consistency in relation to the challenges and triumphs of this for autistics. To learn more about Becca please visit https://beccalory.com/. Be updated on the latest Autism Stories episode by subscribing on your favorite podcast listening platform. If you could give us a positive rating and review on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you want  to reduce your overwhelm and help get your needs met and desires fulfilled then book a free zoom call now with Autism Personal Coach https://calendly.com/autimspersonalcoach/60min. If you are not comfortable with video then we can turn your video off for the call. 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.

"There is so much more to being a PDAer than just demand avoidance. There's this incredible, insistent, inherent drive for equity, equality, social justice. There's this beautiful sensitivity, and, again, this incredible, persistent drive for autonomy and freedom. The one thing I will say though is I really respect the way the research is conducted around PDA. There is an active involvement with those who identify or are recognized as PDAers," says Kristy Forbes. Kristy joins this episode to discuss those with a PDA profile, supports that can be helpful to those with this profile, as well as we talk about autistic culture and why understanding about this is so important. To learn more about Kristy please visit https://www.kristyforbes.com.au/. Be updated on the latest Autism Stories episode by subscribing on your favorite podcast listening platform. If you could give us a positive rating and review on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you want  to reduce your overwhelm and help get your needs met and desires fulfilled then book a free zoom call now with Autism Personal Coach https://calendly.com/autimspersonalcoach/60min. If you are not comfortable with video then we can turn your video off for the call. 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 think in the autistic world especially, there's sort of a stereotype that an adult autistic person is either going to be unemployed or in IT. Those are kind of our only options. But that's not true at all! We're such an incredibly diverse group of people with so many different skill sets that if you can throw a dart at any field, you're gonna find some autistics there," says Luka Brave. Luka Brave joins this episode to discuss their diverse experiences inside and outside of the autistic community that led to them coaching other autistics. Be updated on the latest Autism Stories episode by subscribing on your favorite podcast listening platform. If you could give us a positive rating and review on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you want  to reduce your overwhelm and help get your needs met and desires fulfilled then book a free zoom call now with Autism Personal Coach https://calendly.com/autimspersonalcoach/60min. If you are not comfortable with video then we can turn your video off for the call. 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.