The Grit and Grind of Autism- Finding Light Along the Journey

Honey Rinicella is the Executive Director of the Medical Academy of Pediatrics and Special needs (MAPS), and proud parent of 23 year old twins with autism. Prior to her onboarding with MAPS, Honey spent nearly two decades working leadership roles for Non-Profits, supporting families and parents in the Autism/Special needs community. She has seen the lives of her children transform under the care of a MAPS physician, which in turn has sparked her passion to grow the organization. The MAPS mission is to equip dedicated professionals in delivering the best possible care to children, teens, and young adults with special needs and complex medical conditions. Honey’s commitment is to ensure every child has the chance to achieve their full potential through this enhanced care; She knows first hand that a properly educated practitioner is the true key to unlocking that potential in anyone with Special Needs.Vincent Rinicella is a 23-year-old nonspeaker who had been a prisoner in his mind for 18 years. Fortunately, this changed when he was introduced to a newer communication method, which finally allowed him to break free from his silence. Through hard work and dedication, Vincent can now share his feelings, needs, opinions, and insight, which in turn has brought a whole new meaning and reward to his life, as well as to those he loves. Vincent is a published author of poetry and short stories, creator and writer of a blog (The Unfiltered Mind of Vincent), and has become a passionate advocate for bringing forth change in our community. He believes it’s critically important to help ensure all nonspeakers are given the chance he had, so they too can break free and live a life of their own choosing.Vince’s BlogSpellers The Movie (Must Watch!!)MAPS (Physicians and Practitioners) MAPS (Parents and Caregivers)Follow me at The MD Autism Project for more content. InstagramFacebook YouTube

 Hi, I’m TJ, or Tiffany, creator of the social media platforms, Nigh Functioning Autism. I am a single mother of three neurodivergent teens. I live and work in and around Maryland and Virginia, in the Washington DC area. I am Autistic, diagnosed in my late teens. However, I was diagnosed with other conditions when I was in elementary school, like central auditory processing disorder and ADHD. I also have had epilepsy and OCD since I was a child. I am hard of hearing as well. As such, I use many ways to communicate like ASL, mouth words, high-tech AAC and other ways depending on how accessible my speech and memory is to me at the moment.I work in special education or more preferred, ‘accessible education’, as a paraeducator for elementary school and a communication teacher/ partner to mostly teen and young adult Autistic nonspeakers.My passion in the disability space is communication and education rights for people of all disabilities. I specifically love teaching how to implement high-tech speech generating devices in schools and homes. I always say, I would have access to my own speech if I had text-based or high-tech speech generating strategies earlier in my life.I proudly sit on the board for Lilly’s Voice, a non-profit organization that provides high-tech speech generating devices for nonspeakers under age 18 in the United States. I am also a member of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities council, which is a federally funded, national organization in every state that sets the disability culture, policy, and laws in that state. Book Recommendations:Miracle at St. AnnaLeaders Around Me Follow me at The MD Autism Project for more content. InstagramFacebook YouTube

This is the other half of my discussion about our trip to Myrtle Beach. Please listen to part one first if you haven’t already. The spectrum of highs and lows in any single event for our community is real! Book Recommendations Discussed:The Body Keeps the Score Atlas of the HeartDanny With Words Follow me at The MD Autism Project for more content. InstagramFacebook YouTube

Holy freaking cannoli… the last month has been a mixed bag of all things emotions. The lows: betrayal, defensiveness, anger, resentment, failure, and forlorn to name a few. The highs: gratitude, happiness, peace, amusement, pride, enjoyment and love.Then slipping into the black hole our families with complex needs tend to slide back into. Accompanied by anxiety, defeat, depression and overall PTSD. For continued healing you can’t ignore these feelings. You have to take a seat and join them. Or get in the freaking hole with all the feels. Take care of yourself even if it means sleep, eating, hydrating and showering. These are big accomplishments some days. Eventually, the clouds move again, perspective comes and you can climb out of the dark hole and proceed with life. "Feelings come and go like cloudsin a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.”THICH NHAT HANHFollow me at The MD Autism Project for more content. InstagramFacebook YouTube

Justin Valenti is an artist and author who currently lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He graduated from the Project SEARCH internship program and now works as an Office Clerk at the National Institutes of Health. Justin graduated from Partners in Policymaking in 2019 and he is a strong advocate. Justin also does a lot of fluid painting and digital artwork. He is also involved in self advocacy groups like The ARC Maryland and People on the Go of Maryland. Over the past few years, Justin has self published three amazing books: “Blast from the Past”, “Meeting the Girl”, and “The Zania Virus”. Justin lives at home with his family and his dog, Koda, in Maryland.Justin’s art can viewed and purchased here:Justin Valenti ArtEtsyFollow me at The MD Autism Project for more content. InstagramFacebook YouTube

Meet Jen, Claudia, Peyton and Max.  We all know that you don't have to be related to be family.  They are my extended family whom I love to do life with.  Thank you for allowing me to record this lovely discussion and for being the beautiful humans you are.  I loved our time together.  My heart is full.  Time and actively listening without judgement is one of the greatest gifts you can give someone. I hope this inspires all who listen to be more involved with your loved ones living with a complex diagnosis.Spellers Documentary Max’s YouTube MD Autism Project (please subscribe)Follow me at The MD Autism Project for more content. InstagramFacebook YouTube

Sara is originally from Kansas City and has lived in the Baltimore area for 19 years. She is a nurse practitioner and currently teaches nursing school.  She lives with her husband, 15 year old son and her dog.  Sara enjoys riding her Peloton every morning. Follow me at The MD Autism Project for more content. InstagramFacebook YouTube

Kelly lives in Maryland with her husband of 25 years and two teenagers. She has been a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant for 27 years and currently works in home health.  She also works for Baltimore County Health Department as a Community Navigator for families that have children with special health care needs.Kelly is a Reiki Master and animal lover. Kelly considers herself a fierce advocate for her children and will never stop fighting for them.Follow me at The MD Autism Project for more content. InstagramFacebook YouTube

Pam Villeneuve is a Somatic Coach & Intimacy Practitioner who founded The Heart of Pleasure Project to help individuals and couples connect to themselves and each other through their heart and body. Her nurturing enthusiasm guides clients to gain somatic awareness, listening to the wisdom of the body and connecting through intuitive energy to heal relationships and embody pleasure in new and vibrant ways. In this work, Pam allows people to connect from the ‘neck down’ and join their intellect back with their body and heart, to safely express all they are feeling to themselves and others, thus deepening their intimacy capacity. She brings a breadth of experience from teaching many forms of movement/dance, breathwork, yoga and femme certification, erotic blueprint work, orgasmic arc and UPLVL communication training, and is a graduate of the School of Womanly Arts. Pam also has over 30 years experience in the recovery community.Pam is married and has two sons. Joey her youngest has a diagnosis of Down’s syndrome and autism. Contact Pam: Heart of Pleasure ProjectBook Recommendations:Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa EstesBoundary Boss by Teri ColeUPLVL Communication by Kenya Stevens & Carl StevensPussy A Reclamation by Regina ThomashauerEastern Body Western Mind by Anodea JudithWoman Most Wild by Danielle DulskyThe Orgasmic Arc by Genevieve Follow me at The MD Autism Project for more content. InstagramFacebook YouTube

Josselyn Ensor is a licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Special Educator with over 20 years of experience working with individuals on the Autism Spectrum. She has worked in various settings and held leadership roles in healthcare companies as well as nonpublic and public school sectors. Josselyn has trained and supported countless professionals and caregivers to deliver high-quality ABA and special education services, with a focus on instilling a passion for advocacy and never underestimating a person's capabilities. She encourages others to seek compassionate and progressive ways to achieve outcomes, pushing past barriers to redefine potential.Josselyn’s Website: www.learningoutsidethelines.orgBook Recommendations:Turn Autism Around: An Action Guide for Parents of Young Children with Early Signs of Autism by Dr. Mary Barbara, Ph D, RN, BCBA-D The Out-of-Sync Child, Third Edition: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Differences (The Out-of-Sync Child Series) by Carol Stock KranowitzThe Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism by Naoki Higashida Navigating Autism: 9 Mindsets For Helping Kids on the Spectrum by Temple Grandin and Debra Moore  LCarly's Voice: Breaking Through Autism by Arthur Fleischmann with Carly Fleischmann ****************Free 1-Hour Behavioral & Educational Consult Giveaway Drawing I'm offering for World Autism Awareness Month:https://giveaway.learningoutsidethelines.org****************The Autism Cafe (Great article written by an autistic adult)Follow me at The MD Autism Project for more content. InstagramFacebook YouTube

Neal Lichter, Program Director, joined Pathfinders for Autism in October of 2013.   As a trainer, Neal has provided an Understanding of ASD training since 2014.  Audiences include students from Kindergarten-college, educators, police, first responders, medical personnel, and many others across the state of Maryland.  Neal is also responsible for helping to plan many of the workshops that Pathfinders for Autism collaborates on around Maryland. Neal is married, with two sons, one of which has Autism. Contact Info:Pathfinders for Autismnlichter@pfamd.orgResource Center:443.330.5341 nstokes@pfamd.orgFollow me at The MD Autism Project for more content. InstagramFacebook YouTube

It’s been 23 days since my sons last seizure. It was awful. It was traumatizing. You never get use to epilepsy. This one was by far the worst one yet. I felt deep in my soul that I needed to share this experience. Very thankful to my dear friend Juliet Gilden for talking with me so I could tell this part of our story. Resources from our discussion:Pathfinders for AutismMD Advisory Stakeholder Group on AutismNational Epilepsy FoundationDelegate Michele GuytonJuliet's Paintings#thegritandgrindofautism podcast is available on all major platforms. Follow me at The MD Autism Project for more content. InstagramFacebook YouTube

Dr. Shayna Stoogenke is a pediatric Occupational Therapist with over 18 years of experience in evaluating and treating children with varying needs.  She has extensive training in sensory integration and has spent the last 10 years supporting families by conducting evaluations and making recommendations for children entering school for the first time.  She is passionate about her work and helping children learn through play- and even more passionate about helping families see past a labeled disability and recognize and support the ability within their child.  Learn more about her work at ShaynaOT .   Resources from the pod discussion:Therapeutic Listening TherapyThe Out-of-Sync ChildThe Out-of-Sync Child Has FunThe Out-of-Sync Child Grows UpFollow me at The MD Autism Project for more content. InstagramFacebook YouTube

Angie Noppenberger is just a person trying to get by day by day and navigating what life brings to her.  She is a mother of two special needs children who light up the world, a mental health therapist with 20 years of experience, and a  wife married for 20 years to a wonderful and supportive husband. She is also a sister, a niece, an aunt, a daughter, and a friend.  References from pod discussion noted below:PodcastsHuberman Lab (full of valuable information on taking care of yourself)  NPR's Up First (helps with perspective taking and what is happening on a global level)BooksAtomic Habits by James Clear (helps with creating systems to make life easier)How Emotions are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett (body budgeting concept)Think Again by Adam Grant (revising)The Last Best Cure by Donna Jackson Nakazawa (beautiful book that opened my eyes and allowed me to accept my sensitivity)Bonus Recommendation 😀Serenity Now ButtonFollow me at The MD Autism Project for more content. InstagramFacebook YouTube

Join us for a discussion about early intervention, the battle to secure services, nutrition and affirmations. Lemlem Kentiba-Paige was born to Eritrean parents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, went to high school in Dallas, Texas, and attended undergrad and graduate school in Maryland. A cyber security engineer with a master’s degree in information technology, Lemlem resides with her family in Maryland.Lemlem is the loving mother of two kids. Her son who at the age of two did not speak and doctors feared had autism. For the next four years, Lemlem and her husband took their son to speech therapy, occupational therapy, and applied behavior therapy five times a week, eight hours a day. He also received additional help on the weekends. Today, their son has fully recovered and shows no signs of autism. Lemlem has written a book called “King Yosef and His Superheroes” to share her experience and to help other parents who may be going through the same experience. In her book, King Yosef and his superheroes, you will discover how Young King Yosef overcame the challenges he faced. This story is about a young boy whose challenges began with a speech delay. The speech delay caused social, emotional, and behavioral problems that led to a possible Autism diagnosis. Yosef worked very hard in speech, occupational, and applied behavioral therapy to overcome his challenges. Yosef is now able to talk and no longer has any of the challenges or signs of Autism. This book will help everyone understand the challenges children with speech delay, sensory issues and Autism diagnosis face each day. Yosef is an amazing child who loves and enjoys life to the fullest.Today Yosef is in 4th grade and doing very well in school. He was inspired by his mother and has written his first book, “The Daily adventures of King Yosef and Queen Yarah, Positive thoughts will lead to positive life”. The moral of the story in his book is no matter what you face each day, think of all the positive things in life and do not focus on the negative. Every problem has a solution. Figure out a positive solution to your problem and don't let negative thoughts ruin your day and life. Everything happens for the greater good. Think positive, Be positive.Follow me at The MD Autism Project for more content. InstagramFacebook YouTube

Katie Eschleman is a music therapist serving primarily kids who have differing needs.  She holds a  Masters Degree from Drexel University and has been in the field for 20 years.  Katie brings a great source of fun and creativeness to her therapy sessions.  She is loved so much by all of her students (and their families).  In her spare time Katie enjoys running, kick boxing, spending time with her daughters and playing gigs. Heartstrings UnitedMaking the Pitch for MusicJamie Costello InterviewSing Out - Amazon Music Mozart:Sonata for Two Pianos in D, KV 448Follow me at The MD Autism Project for more content. InstagramFacebook YouTube

Dave is the father of two special needs teens.  He has spent his career in the engineering field, analyzing difficult technical problems.  Recently, he has focused a lifelong passion for numbers and personal finance into becoming a financial coach.  As a coach, he helps analyze individuals’ and families’ budgets, spending and income to move towards their short and long-term goals.  Special needs personal finance is at the intersection of his own experience as a father and his enthusiasm for personal finance.  Dave enjoys biking and reading. To contact Dave for financial coaching: Email: dave@coachyourdollars.comWebsite: http://www.coachyourdollars.comTwitter:  @CoachYourDollarShow Notes:Autism Waiver  http://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/Pages/Special-Education/autismfactsheet.aspxDDA Medicaid Waivershttps://health.maryland.gov/dda/Pages/Medicaid_Waiver_Programs.aspxSpecial Needs Lawyer https://steedmanlaw.netFollow me at The MD Autism Project for more content. InstagramFacebook YouTube

Susan is back and something's been eating at her.  We have another wonderful conversation about breaking patterns, unschooling, Spell2Communicate, belief systems and her Get Moving Challenge.  Sign up for free:Rise Up with Susan MayResources:Underestimated - J.B. and Jamison HandleyI-ASC (International Association for Spelling as Communication Big Book of Unschooling - Sandra DoddFollow me at The MD Autism Project for more content. InstagramFacebook YouTube

Mr. Mike Z. Benoit graduated from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland in 2002. He also received a Master’s Degree in 2005 and a School Leadership and Improvement certificate in 2007 from Goucher College in Towson, Maryland. Mr. Benoit has served in progressively responsible positions in Baltimore City Schools, Baltimore City’s most accomplished Mental Health agencies, as well as for a non-profit organization in the Maryland Out of School Time (OST) network. He has experience Teaching Special Education (Advanced Professional Certificate), Individual Education Plan (IEP) development/compliance, Section 504 development, Student Support Plan development, Restorative Practices, Community Conferencing, School Leadership Endorsement (Admin 1), Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Therapeutic Behavior Support, Crisis Prevention Intervention, Grant writing and After School Program management. Mike holds a distinguished record of success with over 20 years of experience in education and school leadership, over 10 years in mental health supportive services and over 5 years in OST management. His passion is to give back to his community as he served as a: Board Member for Baltimore Autism Speaks Walk, Baltimore City Special Education Advisory Committee and current board member for Beat the Streets Baltimore. Follow me at The MD Autism Project for more content. InstagramFacebook YouTube

This episode that was recorded in early July is dedicated to Avery Berman. He is the sweet child in the photo.  Last week our community mourned and honored this beautiful young man with his family.  It’s his parents greatest mission to ensure their son will never be forgotten. He will not; we will always honor and celebrate  Avery. Avery and his family loved their Surfers Healing Ocean City, Maryland experience.  Avery also loved 80's music, brilliantly did math in his head, was always smiling and loved his Jewish religion learning Hebrew for his bar mitzvah.Please pray for Avery’s family.***********************Recently I was able to catch up with John Pike and Mikey Redd of Surfers Healing.  We had a fabulous time discussing the history of the organization, how they got involved and what drives their passion. Such beautiful humans and a wonderful conversation. On the surface, our contribution seems simple: each year, our volunteer-staffed camps give over 4,500 children with autism and their families a fun, engaging day at the beach. But go deeper, and you'll see that a quiet revolution is taking place. Through the simple act of riding waves together, we're defying the status quo.Surfers Healing is the original surf camp for children with autism, and we've been serving the community since 1996. Yet what we offer isn't a 'cure', or even 'traditional' therapy. It's a completely different sensation and environment for our participants. We give individuals a chance to encounter the waves, to challenge themselves, to try something new. And since 1 in every 34 US children has an ASD (CDC report, March 2022), our work is more vital than ever.https://www.surfershealing.org https://www.instagram.com/surfershealinghttps://www.mikeyredd.comhttps://www.instagram.com/mikey.reddDiscussed and highly recommended:DFollow me at The MD Autism Project for more content. InstagramFacebook YouTube