Uniquely Human: The Podcast

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! In this fun episode, we take a deep dive into a mini analysis of what Barry and Dave each bring to the podcast that is revealed by applying a neurodiversity lens.Find out more on our website!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 indigenous cultures in Canada and the US. A particular emphasis in the discussion is on what non-indigenous professionals can do to better serve these communities, as well as what can be learned from indigenous values and beliefs about raising children.Learn more on our websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 out more on our websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 children and supporting their caregivers, and who understands how critical the provision of compassionate and comprehensive care is, being neurodivergent himself.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 theory with Sean Inderbitzen, an autistic mental heah therapist who recently published a book on this topic, “Autism in Polyvagal Terms: New Possibilities and Interventions“. Find out more on our websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 published a book focused on implementing services with emotional regulation as a priority. Terri discusses with Barry and Dave how emotional regulation has become so central to her practice, and to her center. Find out more on our websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.