SPARC Out

It can be tough to find organizations that are able to support families from pregnancy through adulthood, but HomeSafe is one of those organizations. Today, we talk with Fernanda Martinez Gonzalez, an Outreach Educator with HomeSafe. We went over the various programs the nonprofit offers, the outreach it does (through staff like Fernanda) in all areas of Palm Beach County, and how collaboration be...

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for autistic children—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, I sit down with Anna Stewart from the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Palm Beach County to talk about water safety strategies that save lives. We discuss how families can access swimming lesson vouchers, the importance of teaching both children and adults how to swim, and what caregive...

In light of recent events that have shaken the autism and autistic communities, along with an onslaught of false information regarding autism, I decided to record this episode. I had no outline, no real plan, only real emotions, thoughts, and data. There is no music, and the only editing I did was to cut out pauses and redundant words (stutters, repeats, etc.). I wanted this episode to be raw and...

As we kick off World Autism Acceptance Month, we have Part 2 of my mini series covering the Medicaid updates that have affected countless families in Florida this year. In this episode, I speak with Meichico, a mom of autistic twins who has become something of an expert at navigating disability-related systems in Florida. We will get a family view of the impact of the Medicaid changes, along with...

In light of the recent restructuring of Florida Medicaid that has left hundreds of families and providers scrambling to acquire or provide autism-related services, I sat down and chatted with BCBA and Owner of Look Up Therapy, Christian Sanon. We discuss the widespread impact of the restructuring on providers in particular, including how these changes could shutter some providers for good. We also...

Happy 2025! We are back with season 4! To kick off the new year, I spoke to Dr. Mary Jones, a pediatrician with personal ties to autism. Get insight into the pediatric side of autism as Dr. Jones talks about her own personal experiences with autism, how she's shaping her practice to adjust to the growing autism rates, and what both parents and the medical field can do to advocate for autistic indi...

Yes, I'm still alive! Here is a quick update on where I have been and what's coming for the podcast. Just a heads up: this is a raw recording, so no music or edits. Just me.

I sit down with the parents behind the Jasen Autism Sensory Environment, a sensory learning center in Palm Beach County for autistic and sensory need children and teens. We talk about what inspired the center, what they offer (and have coming up!), and what their journey with their teenage autistic son has taught them about autism, advocacy, and representation. 

The subject of mental health with regards to autism spectrum disorder is a relatively new subject, though it shouldn't be. Looking through the lens of both a provider and a former therapist, Angel examines why it is so difficult for autistic people to gain access to mental health care, why so few therapists have experience with autism, and what could possibly be done to allow more access.

New name, new home, new season! SPARC Out is ready for season 3, and we are going beyond South Florida to talk to people from all over about autism. We hope you will join us!

In this Mini SPARC episode, we follow up on a previous Mini SPARC, Follow the Money, to continue to discuss the trend of multiple private equity firms' effects on the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) community.

In this week's episode, we welcome Anna Stewart, Manager at Drowning Prevention Coalition of Palm Beach County. Her background as a Crime Scene Investigator and a non fatal drowning survivor also has given her a unique perspective in her current line of work. We discussed the ABC's of water safety and the resources available the residents of Palm Beach County.

In this week’s episode, we welcome Quaitba Davis, The Corporate Director of ABA (Applied behavior analysis) Assessments and the Regional Director of diagnostics. We discuss understanding how culture factors into creating a treatment program, positive and negative punishment procedures, and what families should look for when selecting a BCBA(Behavior Analyst Certification Board).

In this mini SPARC episode, we discuss the updated Centers for Disease Control recent findings that 1 in 36 children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The increase of the diagnosis of ASD should not be an alarm, but a wake up call that we cannot continue to ignore Autism.

In this week's episode, we welcome Natalie Eno, Family Resource Specialist at Treasure Coast Early Steps/Easterseals Florida. Natalie is a mother of three daughters, the oldest diagnosed with autism. We discussed the resources she found that helped her better understand and care for her autistic daughter, making time for her other children, and the positive impact neurodivergent have on their neur...

In this week's episode, we welcome Tricia Williams, the Area Director of Best Buddies in Palm Beach. We discuss her journey as a mother of a neurodivergent child and as a provider, the fight for inclusivity, and the history of Best Buddies. Best Buddies International Website: https://www.bestbuddies.org/ Best Buddies Florida Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestbuddiesfl/ Best Buddies Palm Beach...

In this week's episode, we welcome Chandra McKinney- Clarke, MS and Jeffrey Lucas of FAU CARD (Florida Atlantic University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities). FAU CARD provides expert consulting, training, and support, at no charge, for all people across all race, ethnic, and gender groups, with autism and related disabilities, their families, employers, the professionals, and community a...

 In this episode, we will discuss the myth that autistic individuals lack empathy. Angel will also share examples of how autistic people are misunderstood and are mistreated by neurotypical people.

SPARC UP is back! In this episode, our host Angel Wilson provides insight into the shift of focus for season two of SPARC UP! There is a vast disparity in the research and awareness of autism in the black community, which will be explored in season two.

A recent task force investigated the controversial Judge Rotenberg Center and its use of electric shock on patients. We will discuss the leaked report and the updated position statement that was triggered by the backlash of the original report.

In this episode, we are joined by Christian E. Sanon II M.ed, BCBA, the co-founder of Look Up Therapy. Christian shares his experience as a provider, his journey into the therapeutic care industry, and his overcoming challenges to assist families in the black community

In this episode, we continue the discussion of Angel's experience with ABA, alternativetechniques, and studies that support the use of alternative methods of care

It's story time! In this episode, Angel shares her initial experience with Applied BehaviorAnalysis (ABA) and what led her to the Naturalistic Therapy techniques to provide care for her patients.

In this Mini SPARC episode, we discuss issues providers face when starting the conversation of telling a family that their child may have developmental delays or Autism and suggestions on how to best communicate with the family. 

 In lieu of recent tragic drownings and accidents in the local autism community, this episode focuses on why autistic kids are lured by water, the reasons they elope, and what adults in their lives can do to keep them safe.