Uniquely Human: The Podcast

Inspired by their NY Times best selling book, John Donovan and Caren Zucker discuss their mission in producing their film, “In a Different Key”. Their engaging  film includes an historic perspective built around the life of Donald Triplett, the first autistic child diagnosed by Leo Kanner, as well as many profiles and voices of autistic people sharing their experiences and challenges.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Josh Feder, a child and family psychiatrist, delves into the appropriate use of medications for autistic individuals. He emphasizes seeing medications as part of holistic plans for supporting neurodivergent individuals. Topics include navigating neurodiversity, challenges in obtaining proper care, exploring ADHD medications and long-term risks, and creating comprehensive treatment plans. The discussion also touches on challenges faced by autistic adults in medical settings and the importance of personalized medication management.

The concept of neurodiversity and its application is currently one of the hottest issues of discussion and consideration, both within and outside autism and disability culture. Barry and Dave have a wide-ranging conversation that addresses the origin of neurodiversity, current debates about boundaries and terminology, and how the concept has evolved in recent years. They go onto discuss implications of our evolving understanding of neurodiversity for education, employment, and supporting a more respectful and inclusive approach to differences across all human beings.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It is well known that a major challenge for autistic and neurodivergent individuals of all ages is developing a healthy lifestyle that supports fitness, and emotional well-being. Belden Long and Rosie White, NCAA and Olympic elite athletes, with additional expertise in occupational therapy, yoga, and movement approaches to fitness, have dedicated their current careers to helping neurodivergent individuals and their families live healthier lives. They discuss their motivations for doing so, and the philosophy underlying JustB, their on-line suite of programs designed to making a healthier lifestyle more accessible.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As autistic individuals become increasingly involved in contributing to the performing arts, a relatively new role is that of autistic playwrights developing bodies of work admired for their creativity and impact. Dave Osmundsen, one such playwright, is experiencing success and recognition for his contributions. Dave discusses his development as a playwright, and the themes that he finds most exciting to explore in his plays.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Autistic individuals are more likely to attempt suicide at rates alarmingly highly than in the non-autistic population. In this episode, Barry and Dave discuss critical issues regarding suicide and mental health with autistic professional, Lisa Morgan, based on her personal experiences and her professional mission to educate others around the risk factors and prevention. In particular, Lisa advocates for approaches that are based on the unique experiences of autistic people, she challenges approaches to prevent suicide that are not well adapted to autistic people, and she discusses the concept of a strength-based approach to suicide prevention.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A podcast conversation with Lauren Ober delves into her late diagnosis of autism, struggles in school, and successful career. They discuss similarities in experiences and her new podcast. Topics include navigating neurodiversity, communication challenges, embracing uniqueness, and fostering understanding of diversity.

Thrilled to announce a new collaboration with Pushkin Industries, we’re sharing a special preview of a new podcast, The Loudest Girl in the World. For years, journalist and podcast host Lauren Ober wasn’t all that jazzed about herself. She was always getting in trouble, she had a lot of sensory issues and her anxiety felt off the charts. And then, she found out why — she was autistic. The Loudest Girl in the World tells the story of Lauren’s journey to understand what it means to be on the autism spectrum and how to live life as a newly diagnosed autistic person. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There is a significant divide between autistic advocates and parents of autistic children. Parents may feel attacked for their lack of understanding, and autistic adults who offer insight and guidance may also be met with rejection. Professionals face their own challenges in supporting autistic people. Limited by information that often excludes autistic perspectives, professionals may inadvertently contribute to this divide.  Meghan Ashburn, a mother of two autistic boys of color, and Jules Edwards, an Ojibwe autistic mother, were no strangers to this tension. This book explores the rift between these communities and encourages them to work towards a common goal. Providing context to dividing issues, the authors use their own experiences to illustrate where they’ve messed up, where they’ve got things right, and what they’ve learned along the way. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Supporting successful transitions back to school is critical for maximizing success for the whole school year. Join us as we throw back to episode 31st, where Dave and Barry shared a lively discussion about challenges and creative strategies to help children of all ages to get off to a good start in this coming school year.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.