Autism Knows No Borders

Did you go through a process to accept your autism diagnosis? What was it like to understand that autism is a part of who you are? Autistic Self-Advocate Mary Johnston shares a very moving poem she wrote, titled “A Letter to My Autism” that describes her experience. In Autism Tips & Tools, we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you! This conversation with Mary Johnston was originally released on August 25, 2022. Would you like to hear Mary talk about derealization and how she processes her feelings? Click the link below for the full conversation and be sure to subscribe to hear more from people connected to autism inspiring change and building community.  Derealization and Processing Feelings, with Mary Johnston Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when you speak your truth. How do autism and ADHD interact in everyday life? Whether you know from personal experience, or you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live with both diagnoses, you’ll want to listen to this episode with BCBA Dr. Shelby Dorsey, a late-diagnosed autistic ADHDer and mother of two neurodivergent children. This episode is part one of our conversation with Shelby Dorsey, and we discuss: What it was like for Shelby to receive her diagnoses later in life How she felt misunderstood growing up Understanding autistic strengths and challenges How society responds differently to people with autism vs ADHD Thriving in social interactions and personal relationships as an autistic individual Why Shelby values authenticity over social pleasantries How her family operates in a flexible, non-traditional way to accommodate their neurodivergent needs  To learn more about Dr. Shelby Dorsey and her work, you can follow her on Instagram @drshelbydorsey. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Are you or anyone you know a woman entrepreneur, or a Black-American business owner? Have you or they ever felt like you’ve had to prove yourself in your field? Crystal Thompson and Brandy Collins talk about their experiences as female, Black-American business owners in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you! This conversation with Crystal Thompson and Brandy Collins was originally released on May 25, 2023. Would you like to hear Brandy and Crystal discuss the stigma around autism within the Black-American community? Click the link below for the full conversation and be sure to subscribe to hear more from people connected to autism inspiring change and building community.  Growth, Diversity, and Cultural Humility, with Brandy Collins and Crystal Thompson Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when art becomes your voice. Whether through visual arts, music, dance, or theatre, art can foster community, self-expression, and personal growth. In today’s roundtable discussion, Global Autism Community members share their experiences with art. This roundtable was facilitated by community moderator Adrian Sanchez, and features Autistic Self-Advocates Robert Schmus and Sara van Koningsveld. Among other things, we discuss: Art as a vital outlet for self-expression How creativity can help autistic individuals articulate their feelings Famous autistic artists paving the way for representation in the arts Ways to turn art into a career Imposter syndrome as a common challenge for artists Accessibility in art education Art as a tool for positive change Join us today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.  ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

What does it mean to do with and not for? The CEO of the Global Autism Project, Molly Ola Pinney, talks about how creating sustainable change begins with listening – from building local capacity of autism services with our international partners to understanding the needs of the Autistic community.  Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you! This conversation with Molly Ola Pinney was originally released on April 15, 2021. Would you like to get more practical insights into our framework for decision-making? Click the link below for the full conversation and be sure to subscribe to hear more from people connected to autism inspiring change and building community.  Do With Not For, with Our CEO Molly Ola Pinney Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project  We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey. 

Discover what’s possible when you flex your mind.  How can we stay in the present moment and open our mind to difficult thoughts and feelings? If you want to know how to enhance your emotional and cognitive flexibility, stay with us for this episode with Dr. Steven C. Hayes. Steven Hayes is a clinical psychologist, a researcher, the originator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Relational Frame Theory, and a co-developer of Process-Based Therapy. He has spent the past four decades studying how to ease human suffering and is one of the most cited psychologists in the world, having published 47 books and nearly 700 scientific articles. This episode is part two of my conversation with Steven Hayes. We discuss: How Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can help autistic people  Where the concept of “normal” came from and how it’s been harmful to the autistic community Why Steven thinks Behavior Analysts should care about ACT How ACT can help families Tips for clinicians seeking to integrate ACT into their practice To learn more about Dr. Steven Hayes and his work, please visit  advocacy work, please visit stevenchayes.com. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

How might autism change team dynamics in sports? Anthony Ianni talks about how being autistic affected his relationship with his teammates. Anthony Ianni is an Autistic Self-Advocate, motivational speaker, and former basketball star. Anthony was the first ever NCAA Division I college basketball player with autism, playing for Michigan State University. Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you! This conversation with Anthony Ianni was originally released on October 29, 2020. Would you like to hear about how Anthony’s experiences being bullied compelled him to become a motivational speaker? Click the link below for the full conversation and be sure to subscribe to hear more from people connected to autism inspiring change and building community.  Bullying, Breakthroughs, and Basketball, with Anthony Ianni Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when you flex your mind.  How can we navigate life’s inevitable challenges more effectively? If you’d like to know how to be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances, instead of rigidly resisting them, stick around for this episode with Dr. Steven C. Hayes.  Steven Hayes is a clinical psychologist, a researcher, the originator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Relational Frame Theory, and a co-developer of Process-Based Therapy. He has spent the past four decades studying how to ease human suffering and empower people towards a life based on their own values. With 47 books and nearly 700 scientific articles published, Dr. Hayes is one of the most cited psychologists in the world, and his work has been celebrated with several prestigious awards. This episode is part one of my conversation with Steven Hayes. We discuss: How Acceptance and Commitment Therapy works The true meaning of acceptance Psychological flexibility and self-awareness as key to well-being and personal growth The importance of honoring your own personal journey To learn more about Dr. Steven Hayes and his work, please visit  advocacy work, please visit stevenchayes.com. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Our Global Autism Community members talk about what affirming means to them, and how masking affects autistic individuals. Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you! This roundtable discussion was originally released on October 5, 2023. Would you like to hear about best practices, client dignity, and how to create inclusive environments that respect the autonomy and individuality of autistic individuals? Click the link below for the full conversation and be sure to subscribe to hear more from people connected to autism inspiring change and building community.  Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices, with the Global Autism Community Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when you acknowledge those who can’t speak for themselves. Does the social model of disability work for people with profound autism? Stay with us if you’d like to hear Eileen Lamb, an Autistic Self-Advocate and the mother of a boy with profound autism, share her ideas on this topic. This episode is part 2 of my conversation with Eileen, and we also discuss: Her role as the Senior Director of Social Media at Autism Speaks The controversy around Autism Speaks and how this organization has evolved in the last decade Why Eileen thinks it’s important to make a distinction between different degrees of autism Black-and-white thinking Eileen’s tips for other autistic self-advocates To learn more about Eileen Lamb and her advocacy work, please visit The Autism Cafe. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

What does autism awareness look like in Ecuador? Our Global Autism Project partner from Ecuador, Mafer Chang, talks about how World Autism Awareness Day events in Ecuador have evolved to include more community participation and how she and her team keep parents engaged in services at Centro Enigma.  Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you! This conversation with Mafer Chang was originally released on May 27, 2020. Would you like to hear more about Mafer and the work she does in Ecuador? Click the link below for the full conversation and be sure to subscribe to hear more from people connected to autism inspiring change and building community.  Parent Engagement in Ecuador, with Mafer Chang Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when you acknowledge those who can’t speak for themselves. How does having a son with profound autism shape family dynamics? Eileen Lamb, an Autistic Self-Advocate and the mother of three children including a boy with profound autism, is back on the show to share some updates about her family and advocacy work. Eileen is also a writer, photographer, podcast host, and the founder of The Autism Cafe, a blog with articles and resources for other parents of children on the spectrum.  This episode is part one of our conversation with Eileen. We discuss: Her children’s development, progress and challenges, including her daughter’s selective mutism Eileen’s two most recent books: And Yet - Here You Are and Be the One  Lessons in motherhood Personal growth and self-discovery Advice Eileen would give to her younger self To learn more about Eileen Lamb and her advocacy work, please visit The Autism Cafe. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

How does the experience of Black families with autistic loved ones differ from that of other cultures? Maria Davis-Pierre shares how to develop culturally-responsive treatment plans, as well as how stress and burnout might impact Black families differently. Maria is the mother of an autistic young girl, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and the Founder and CEO of Autism in Black Inc., a Florida-based organization dedicated to raising autism awareness and reducing the stigma within the Black community. Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you! This conversation with Maria Davis-Pierre was originally released on September 4, 2021. Would you like to hear about how religion, misunderstanding autism, and distrust of the health care system contribute to misdiagnosis in Black American children? Click the link below for the full conversation and be sure to subscribe to hear more from people connected to autism inspiring change and building community.  Autism in the Black American Community, with Maria Davis-Pierre | TBT Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when you transform others with kindness.  Have you ever been mistreated at work for being autistic? Or do you have autistic coworkers whom you’d like to help feel included? If either applies to you or anyone you know, you’ll want to listen to this conversation with Jim Hogan, an autistic computer scientist who has helped Google be more neuroinclusive. Among other things, we discuss: Jim losing his brother at a young age Being bullied both as a child and as an adult How autism affects Jim’s everyday life Traumatic experiences working in a hostile environment Finding a place to belong at Google  Fostering psychological safety in the workplace The key to innovation in tech Examples of accessible technology Disclosing your autism and asking for accommodations at the workplace Advice for people who want to be better allies of autistic people —--------- This conversation with Jim Hogan was originally released on August 4, 2022. Jim is both the Principal Innovation Strategist at Google Cloud and the VP of Accessibility in Technology for Google’s Disability Alliance.  ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

What are the benefits of music therapy for autistic people? Listen to Registered Music Therapist Pamela Fisher demonstrate different goals she may work on in a session.  Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you! This conversation with Pamela Fisher was originally released on August 13, 2020. Would you like to hear Pamela Fisher talk about a musical kit she’s created to target the different sensory needs a child may have? Click the link below for the full conversation and be sure to subscribe to hear more from people connected to autism inspiring change and building community.  Music Therapy and Autism in Australia, with Pamela Fisher | TBT Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when you mix your own batter.  Do you know any recently-diagnosed autistic women trying to figure out what support they need? This episode is part two of my conversation with Olivia Hops, a late-diagnosed Autistic Self-Advocate and YouTuber from California. She talks about how she’s learned to manage anxiety and meltdowns since receiving her autism diagnosis. Among other things, we discuss: Selective mutism during meltdowns The importance of coping mechanisms and support systems Olivia’s autistic strengths Resources for other autistic business owners Tips for newly diagnosed autistic females To learn more about Olivia Hops and her work, please visit https://oliviahops.org/. —--------- This episode is part one of our conversation with Olivia Hops, which was originally released on March 3, 2022.  Olivia is the owner of Unbaked Bar, an online edible cookie dough shop, and her mission is to help autistic adults become successful business owners. She also uses her YouTube channel to spread awareness of how autism presents differently for females.  ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast  Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community  Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project  We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey 

How can professionals in the school setting work together to improve student outcomes? Sasha Long has a unique perspective, given her experience on both sides of collaborative efforts. Listen to her ideas on how to improve collaboration between teachers and specialists. Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you! This conversation with Sasha Long was originally released on October 8, 2020. Would you like to hear Sasha Long talk about common challenges teachers face and ways to empower paraprofessionals in the classroom? Click the link below for the full conversation and be sure to subscribe to hear more from people connected to autism inspiring change and building community.  Classroom Tips and Strategies from The Autism Helper, with Sasha Long | TBT Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey 

Discover what’s possible when you mix your own batter.  Why are so many autistic females late-diagnosed? If you’ve ever asked this question yourself, listen to Olivia Hops, a late-diagnosed Autistic Self-Advocate and YouTuber from California, explain some of the possible reasons. Among other things, we discuss: Olivia’s journey of being diagnosed with autism at age 24 The underdiagnosis of females on the spectrum Some ways in which Olivia masked while growing up How autism affects her daily life Building a business as an autistic adult To learn more about Olivia Hops and her work, please visit https://oliviahops.org/. —--------- This episode is part one of our conversation with Olivia Hops, which was originally released on March 3, 2022.  Olivia is the owner of Unbaked Bar, an online edible cookie dough shop, and her mission is to help autistic adults become successful business owners. She also uses her YouTube channel to spread awareness of how autism presents differently for females.  ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast  Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community  Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project  We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey 

Do social interactions sometimes feel like they come with an unwritten rulebook you never received? Listen to these tips from Eren Niederhoffer, an Autistic Self-Advocate, community networker, and public speaker.  Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you! This conversation with Eren Niederhoffer was originally released on June 27, 2024. Would you like to hear Eren talk about how to establish safe social environments? Click the link below for the full conversation and be sure to subscribe to hear more from people connected to autism inspiring change and building community.  Networking and Friendship Circles | Part 2 with Eren Niederhoffer Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey 

Discover what’s possible when you dare to be self-aware. Do you find it difficult to develop authentic relationships? This episode is part two of my conversation with Paul Micallef. He talks about the importance of listening and self-awareness when managing relationships. Among other things, we discuss: Why it’s important to teach emotional intelligence Navigating neurodivergent relationships Disclosing your autism vs. keeping it private The need to change people’s perceptions about autism Misconceptions about autism The Double Empathy Problem Tips for autistic people who are struggling to build relationships To learn more about Paul Micallef and his work, please visit autismfromtheinside.com.au. —--------- This conversation with Paul Micallef was originally released on September 15, 2022.  A former aerospace engineer with a passion for teaching, Paul Micallef publishes videos about autism on his YouTube channel Autism From The Inside. He also offers an autism-friendly online course on emotional intelligence, as well as relationship coaching for autistic people and their loved ones.  ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.  Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast  Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community  Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project  We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey