Claim OwnershipUnmasking Autism with AFO
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© Copyright 2025 Autism Foundation of OKlahoma
Description
- TRIGGER WARNING-This podcast will discuss autism, suicide, mental health, and wellness, among other topics, with autistic individuals and different professionals with the goal of unmasking stereotypes, increasing awareness, advocating for mental health and wellness, and attempting to shatter the stigmas of these topics through conversation and personal experience.
The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma (AFO), www.autismfoundationok.org, @AutismfoundationOK, strives to improve the lives of Oklahomans (and others) with autism across the lifespan.
According to The National Institute of Mental Health, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. People with ASD often have:
• Difficulty with communication and interaction with other people
• Restricted interests and repetitive behaviors
• Symptoms that affect their ability to function in school, work, and other areas of life
Autism is known as a “spectrum” disorder because there is wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms people experience.
People of all genders, races, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds can be diagnosed with ASD. Although ASD can be a lifelong disorder, treatments, and services can improve a person’s symptoms and daily functioning.
This podcast will discuss autism, suicide awareness and prevention, mental health, wellness, and other important topics with autistic people and professionals.
Some of the risks factors for suicide in autistic people are:
Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions
Masking
Autistic Burnout
Female
Lack of Social Support (Isolation)
Late Diagnosis
The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma (AFO), www.autismfoundationok.org, @AutismfoundationOK, strives to improve the lives of Oklahomans (and others) with autism across the lifespan.
According to The National Institute of Mental Health, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. People with ASD often have:
• Difficulty with communication and interaction with other people
• Restricted interests and repetitive behaviors
• Symptoms that affect their ability to function in school, work, and other areas of life
Autism is known as a “spectrum” disorder because there is wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms people experience.
People of all genders, races, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds can be diagnosed with ASD. Although ASD can be a lifelong disorder, treatments, and services can improve a person’s symptoms and daily functioning.
This podcast will discuss autism, suicide awareness and prevention, mental health, wellness, and other important topics with autistic people and professionals.
Some of the risks factors for suicide in autistic people are:
Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions
Masking
Autistic Burnout
Female
Lack of Social Support (Isolation)
Late Diagnosis
19 Episodes
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Carley Marissa sits down with AFO Transition & Employment Program Officer Kyle Britt, who holds a masters in HR to discuss all things employment. From job seeking, to interviewing, to is HR your friend, and how employers can adopt best practices to boost their overall business!For more information, visit autismfoundationok.org/LEAD or contact Kyle at kbritt@autismfoundationok.orgWatch on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/4fwGSK9ZDb0
Carley sits down with Neil & Alex Turner (our youngest guest, yet!) to discuss their personal approach to education, Okie School of Adventure (okieschool.org) and Alex's autism journey.
Carley sits down with Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. of the Cherokee Nation and Dr. Crystal Hernandez to discuss their Autism Task Force report, autism and disability in the native community, the importance of their work, and how we can all come together to serve our communities.For more information on the first report, please visit:https://www.cherokee.org/our-government/autism-task-force/To listen to the Black Feathers Podcast, please visit:http://www.blackfeathers.org/
Carley sits down with Michi Medley (advocate, case manager, future LCSW) and the parent of two children on the autism spectrum. One has profound autism, and the other does not. There are many stereotypes about what it is like for someone living with profound autism, many of them incorrect; Michi shares her insight and personal journey with parenting children who span the spectrum and how others can expand their own understanding.
Filmed on April 2nd, World Autism Day, Carley sits down with Jenks, Oklahoma police officer Cody Galloway, to discuss his experience living with autism, what it's like being an autistic cop, and his customized sensory-friendly patrol car.Fore more info on FREE AFO resources for your vehicle or person, contact info@autismfoundationok.org
Carley sits down with Hann Bingham Brunner, PhD, to discuss their published paper about the #ActuallyAutistic community and autistic rhetoric on Twitter regarding Sia’s film “Music”, their experience living with autism, the different types of dysphoria that can occur with autism, and the importance of autistic voices being heard.For a plain language summary of Dr. Brunner’s published paper, please visit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jyqSSks21iTgKe68f7pftiAKvLIlv-YrXLhFceEybxQ/edit
Carley sits down with Lindsey Vandeventer, LCSW an autistic therapist to discuss their experience being on the spectrum, how they serve others, wellness techniques, and more.To learn more about Lindsey, visit: https://www.facebook.com/TheraputicAutistTrigger Warning & Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and conversations between the host and guest(s) presented in this podcast do not reflect those of the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma (AFO) and shall not be considered medical advice or treatment recommendations from AFO.
Carley sits down with their friend, fellow autistic & comic, Ashley Bartlett, to discuss their experiences of being autistic from the female perspective, their struggles with depression and suicidality, what has worked for them, & how they show themselves wellness.Trigger Warning & Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and conversations between the host and guest(s) presented in this podcast do not reflect those of the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma (AFO) and shall not be considered as medical advice or treatment recommendations from AFO.(Guest Edit: Ashley was diagnosed at 36 but misspoke and said 38 in the interview.)
Carley sits down with Workforce Development Coordinator Kyle Britt to discuss the many benefits of autism and neurodiversity in the workplace, how employers can create a successful environment, and AFO's LEAD training for employers.For more information on LEAD training or how you can create a successful work environment, please email kbritt@autismfoundatiook.org
Carley sits down with Gale Hann to discuss their professional and personal opinions on the autistic experience.
Carley sits down with Dr. Tara R Buck to discuss the importance of identifying co-occurring mental health conditions in children with autism, the latest mental health trends, and why children with autism are likely to be bullied 3 to 4 more times than their neurotypical peers.Resources from this episode:Oklahoma LEND Training Program: https://ouhsc.edu/thecenter/Projects/Training-and-Collaboration/OKLEND SoonerSUCCESS:https://soonersuccess.ouhsc.edu/ Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Services Waitlisthttps://oklahoma.gov/okdhs/services/dds/ddswaitlist.html Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Serviceshttps://oklahoma.gov/okdrs.html OK IPSE Alliancehttps://www.okipsealliance.org/ Oklahoma State Department of Education Bullying Prevention Resourceshttps://sde.ok.gov/bullying-prevention
Carley sits down with Lauren Stover, executive director of the Oklahoma County Crisis Intervention Center and Recovery Unity, to learn about the importance of crisis centers, how they help those in need, and what a crisis is.If you or someone you know is in crisis and are in America, please call 988 for immediate assistance.
Carley sits down with AFO board member and Law Enforcement Educator Cory Sutton to discuss the importance of continuing education and how training first responders about autism play an important role in public safety for the community.If you live in Oklahoma and want to know more about Mr. Sutton's training, please contact us at info@autismfoundationok.org
Carley sits down with Shiela Williams (LPC-S) to shed light on the mental health situation within the tribal nations in Oklahoma, how to be an ally, the importance of belonging, and more!Learn more about Shiela here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/shiela-williams-edmond-ok/1173356
Carley sits down with wellness and fitness instructors Lindsay Juarez (www.mindfulmassageok.com) and Carri Baldwin (https://www.templefitnessyukon.com/) to discuss the importance of overall wellness and share their personal journeys of raising autistic children.
Carley sits down with suicide prevention advocate and parent Shellie Smartt to discuss her son Evan Smartt's life, losing a child, the aftermath, and how she advocates for those with similar experiences.To learn more about Evan's Promise, please visit:http://evanspromise.org/To learn more about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, please visit:https://afsp.org/
What is 988? Carley sits down with Josh DeBartolo from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services to discuss 988 and to learn all about the various help it can provide.Follow us at @autismfoundationok on IG to learn more.
1Carley Marissa Dummitt sits down with AFO board member Tom Taylor, who was diagnosed when his child was, to discuss being diagnosed late in life, parenting as an autistic, creating the group 'Autistic Adults of Oklahoma,' and lots more!Follow us on IG @AutismFoundationOK to for more.
Carley Marissa Dummitt of the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma discusses autism, the autistic experience, and how it impacts artistic expression with her friends and fellow autistic artists.
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