Autism Knows No Borders

Discover what’s possible when you collaborate intentionally. We’ve made it to episode 300! To celebrate this huge milestone, we’re continuing to highlight our recent SkillCorps® trip to Italy.  Our SkillCorps® volunteer program is an opportunity for self-advocates and professionals to travel to our international partner sites and collaborate with their local teachers and therapists on clinical nee...

Are you interested in starting your autism advocacy? Or do you need guidance on how to continue what you’re already doing? In this clip, Dr. Temple Grandin shares tips for young autistic adults who are embarking on their advocacy journey. Dr. Grandin is well known for both her pioneer work as an autism advocate and her lifelong dedication to animal welfare. Through groundbreaking research aimed at...

Discover what’s possible when parents connect. These next two episodes will highlight takeaways from our SkillCorps® volunteer trip to Italy last July. For over 20 years, the Global Autism Project has been providing sustainable clinical, administrative, and leadership training to autism centers around the world seeking guidance. Our SkillCorps® volunteer program is an opportunity for self-advocate...

How does a mother’s love inspire her to keep searching for the quality autism services her son deserves? In this clip, Jie Bing Zhang talks about her autism journey, from receiving her son’s diagnosis to supporting his independence as an autistic adult. Mrs. Zhang is one of our Global Autism Project partners and the founder of Huicong Children Rehabilitation Center in Nanchang, China. She is the m...

Discover what’s possible when success is measured in belonging. What does good preparation for the transition to adulthood look like? Stick around and find out by the end of this episode, which is part two of my conversation with Cammie McGovern, originally released on September 16, 2021. Cammie McGovern is the mother of a 25-year-old autistic man and the author of several books about disabilities...

Discover what’s possible when success is measured in belonging. What happens to autism services after an autistic person turns 22? The transition into adulthood can be very complex for autistic individuals. In the US, aging out of the school system means losing access to most social, educational, and vocational resources. And, unfortunately, only 15% of adults with disabilities find paid employmen...

How can we increase autism representation in the media? In this clip, Dr. Kerry Magro talks about how autism has been portrayed in the media over the last few decades, as well as about his work as an entertainment consultant on the films Jane Wants a Boyfriend and Joyful Noise, starring Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton, and on the HBO series Mrs. Fletcher. Kerry is the author of Defining Autism From...

Discover what’s possible when family, school and community unite. How can better education and training lead to safer, more inclusive communities for autistic individuals? This episode is part two of my conversation with Jennifer Kaufman, a former special-education school principal and the grandmother of a boy on the spectrum. We discuss what it takes to create communities where autistic individua...

What does it mean to be “normal”? In this clip, Michael talking about redefining the meaning of “normal” and what he wishes neurotypical and autistic people understood about each other. Michael Gilberg, a special education and disability rights attorney. Having grown up with undiagnosed Asperger’s Syndrome, Michael draws from his personal experiences in order to help his clients with first-hand in...

Discover what’s possible when families learn together. How can grandparents become one of the greatest sources of support for families raising an autistic child? If you’re curious about a grandmother’s perspective, you’ll want to listen to this episode with Jennifer Kaufman. Drawing from her roles as both a former principal at special education schools and the grandmother of a boy on the spectrum,...

What are the benefits of social stories for neurodiverse children? In this clip, author and illustrator Sivan Hong talks about the difference between social stories and traditional children’s books, why social stories are effective in teaching neurodiverse children to navigate challenging situations, and the benefits of social stories for every student in the classroom, including neurotypicals. Si...

How can autistic individuals benefit from learning to play an instrument? In this clip, music instructor Stephen Flinn talks about how music can help autistic students boost their focus, improve listening and communication skills, build confidence, manage stress, and strengthen motor and cognitive development. As a master trainer of the Rhythmic Arts Project curriculum, Stephen facilitates percuss...

Discover what’s possible when constraint unlocks opportunity.  How do perceptions of autism vary across India?  If you’re curious about the role that family, culture, and community play in autism support, you’ll want to listen to this throwback episode with Jayashree Ramesh. Jayashree is the Founder and Director of the Academy for Severe Handicaps and Autism, ASHA for short, in Bangalore, India. ...

Have you ever tried to impersonate someone’s voice for fun? In this clip, Autistic Self-Advocate Scott Edgar shares how he turned a hobby into a career of voice acting and where he gets his inspiration from. Scott Edgar was featured in London’s Autism’s Got Talent and has participated in the Special Olympics – competing in basketball, bowling, and powerlifting.  Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools,...

Discover what’s possible when constraint unlocks opportunity.  How do perceptions of autism vary across India?  If you’re curious about the role that family, culture, and community play in autism support, you’ll want to listen to this throwback episode with Jayashree Ramesh. Jayashree is the Founder and Director of the Academy for Severe Handicaps and Autism, ASHA for short, in Bangalore, India. ...

What roles do sustainability and collaboration play at the core of the work we do at the Global Autism Project? The following clip features the CEO of the Global Autism Project, Molly Ola Pinney, and our first-ever Global Autism Project partner, Pooja Panesar, the director of Kaizora Centre for Neurodevelopmental Therapies in Kenya. For over 20 years, the Global Autism Project has been providing s...

Discover what’s possible when you break the silence. What is the understanding of autism in Afghanistan? And the availability of services in Canada? If you’re curious about autism support and awareness around the world, you’ll want to listen to this episode with Hilai Nasib. Originally from Afghanistan and currently living in Canada, Hilai Nasib is the mother of a 10 year old son with autism. She...

What are some strategies to improve executive functioning skills? In this clip, Sarah Glass and Eliza Cagle talk about strategies that have worked for them and how thinking out of the box and being able to hyper-focus has helped their careers. Although they’ve never met in person, Sarah and Eliza have several things in common. They’re both mothers to children on the spectrum, Board Certified Behav...

Discover what’s possible when you break the silence. What is the understanding of autism in Afghanistan? And the availability of services in Canada? If you’re curious about autism support and awareness around the world, you’ll want to listen to this episode with Hilai Nasib. Originally from Afghanistan and currently living in Canada, Hilai Nasib is the mother of a 10 year old son with autism. She...

How can you make autism-friendly accommodations while traveling? In this clip, Dina Farmer shares her ideas on this topic as well as how to help kids feel more included in the trip planning process. Dina is a Certified Autism-Travel Professional, the Founder of Lily & Magnolia Travel, and the mother of an autistic boy. Her goal is to help parents plan autism-friendly family vacations while avo...

Discover what’s possible when autism is not a broken version of normal. What is neurodiversity and why do so many autistic people embrace it? Stick around for this episode, which is part two of my conversation with Jude Morrow, originally released on June 17, 2021. Jude Morrow is an autism self-advocate, TEDx speaker, author, and the founder of Neurodiversity Training International, an autism ment...

How does a father change his attitude about his son’s autism diagnosis? In this clip, Jamiel Owens talks about what it was like to learn about his son’s autism and how he shifted his perspective from grief to acceptance. Jamiel Owens is the host and creator of The Ausome Show, a co-host of The Ben & Jay Show, and a self-described all-around public server. As the father of a young adolescent bo...

Discover what’s possible when you nurture passions and talents first. How can shifting the focus from deficits to strengths impact the way that autistic children view themselves? If you’re the parent of an autistic child, or you work with children on the spectrum, you’ll want to listen to this throwback episode with Jude Morrow, where he talks about the importance of nurturing strengths. This epis...

Want to learn about meaningful support across the lifespan for autistic individuals in Canada? In this clip, David Bodanis talks about the support they offer at Jake’s House, a charitable organization based in Canada.  David Bodanis is the father of three young men, two of which are on the autism spectrum. Cofounded with his wife Irene, Jake’s House offers four core initiatives: annual holiday par...

Discover what’s possible when every note carries hope. What if the world could see an autistic daughter through her father’s eyes? This episode is part two of my conversation with Russell Allen, where we talk about the creative process behind his recently released acoustic song titled “Love Her Like I Do”, about his autistic daughter Ava. Russell is an American singer best known as the vocalist of...