Uniquely Human: The Podcast

EPISODE 161 BEING “PATHOLOGICALLY GENUINE”: A DISCUSSION WITH DR. JIM COLEMAN Jim Coleman , a semi-retired biology professor has had an amazing journey. He discusses his late diagnosis as an autistic person and his journey from feeling like “a banana slug transported into the Mojave Desert” to embracing his neurodiversity. He shared his teaching philosophy of helping every student reach their full...

On Neurotypical and Neurodivergent Relationships: A Discussion with Dr. Cindy Ariel Dr. Cindy Ariel  is a psychologist specializing in neurodivergent and neurodivergent relationships, and in her discussion with Barry and Dave, she shares insights about the specific challenges and unique qualities of such relationships. Cindy emphasizes that successful relationships require both partners to fo...

Sleep Disturbances in Autism and Neurodivergent Conditions: A Discussion with Dr. Beth Malow, MD, Neurologist and Sleep Disorder Expert  Dr. Malow , discusses how sleep problems affect approximately 80% of individuals on the autism spectrum and family members, emphasizing that improving sleep can positively impact every aspect of an autistic person’s life and the life of the family. She expla...

Becca Lory Hector , an autistic self-advocate, has the lived experience of moving through different environments that afford different access to nature, and natural activities. She, Barry, and Dave discuss the benefits of immersion in nature and nature activities and contrast those benefits with the challenges of limited access. They also discuss the importance of awareness and modifying life rout...

Jordyn Montique’s   personal and professional experiences created a passion for addressing cultural responsiveness in serving marginalized children with disabilities, and their families. Jordan, Barry and Dave discuss how essential it is to be in culturally, responsive, and for professionals to be aware of their own cultural biases in developing trusting relationships with children and their...

EPISODE 156 HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN: HIS NEURODIVERGENT JOURNEY, AS SHARED BY AUTISTIC CHILDREN’S AUTHOR, SANDRA NICKEL It is now widely accepted that Hans Christian Anderson, renowned Danish author of children’s books, was autistic.  Sandra Nickel , an award-winning and autistic children’s author brings Andersen’s story to life in a beautiful book, “The Real Ugly Duckling”. Sandra, Barr...

EPISODE 155 CRUCIAL ISSUES AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS IN AUTISM AND NEURODIVERSITY: A DISCUSSION WITH AUTISTIC PARENT-PROFESSIONAL SARA BRADFORD (AKA SJ CHILDS) Sarah Bradford (aka SJ Childs)   is a parent professional, who has a wide range of contact with the autistic and neurodivergent community through her more than 600 interviews in her podcast and annual summits. Barry and Dave discuss a rang...

Barry and Jess Texeira have a discussion with  Dr. Jaime Hoerricks , a special education teacher and author who shared her experiences as an autistic gestalt processor. Jamie explained how her holistic, relationship-based approach to teaching has helped improve outcomes for her students, particularly those who process language and information in a gestalt manner. She emphasized the importance...

Barry  and his guest  David Kaufer  engage in a “no holds barred” critique of the small group of naysayers who have challenged the rights of non-and minimally, speaking people to have access to their preferred and most effective modes of communication. David shares his knowledge from two perspectives, a dad whose teenage son has experienced success with assisted communication, and a...

The Application and Misapplication of Evidence-based Practice: Part 1 of 3 Episodes on Non-Speakers and Gestalt Language Processing Barry  is joined by  Jess Teixeira , certified speech- language pathologist and a member of the Uniquely Human Podcast in defining and discussing the concept and practice of evidence-based practice (EBP). In particular, the discussion focuses on the app...

Barry and Dave discuss neurodivergence across generations in a family, with  Rebecca Rosenzweig   and her mother  Dr. Karen Carson  exploring how neurodivergent traits have been present in both maternal and paternal lines, with Karen sharing her late-in-life diagnosis of autism and ADHD, while Rebecca discussed her diagnosis and the challenges of sensory processing differences....

In this episode, I have a discussion with  Saulo Barbosa , a 43-year-old Brazilian autistic police officer, to discuss his experiences and insights about neurodivergence in law enforcement in his home country of Brazil. Saulo shared how my book, “Uniquely Human” inspired him to transform his approach to policing and develop training programs that focus on understanding and supporting neurodiv...

Dave  and  Barry  reflect on the themes and highlights from  Uniquely Human: The Podcast  in 2025, with their typical insight and good humor. They emphasized themes of collaboration and diversity among their guests. They address specific topics including the importance of early developmental support for neurodivergent children, educational inclusion, and cultural perspecti...

Matt Ross  is a professional who has experienced success as an entrepreneur in different businesses, especially regarding music education. When his son was diagnosed with autism and high support needs, including co-occurring medical conditions, his life and that of his family changed dramatically. Barry and Dave and Matt discuss the decisions he made and the path he decided to take to deal wi...

An area of great interest is understanding the experience of highly sensitive people, also known as empaths. There are many overlapping characteristics of highly sensitive people with individuals who have neurodivergent profiles (with or without formal diagnoses).  Dr. Judith Orloff  is a recognized expert in this area and Barry, Dave and Judith discuss the best ways to understand and su...

This episode of the Uniquely Human: The Podcast features  Nina Schiarizzi-Tobin  and  Vanessa Harwood  discussing innovative supports for neurodivergent college students, highlighting the START program at the University of Rhode Island. The conversation explores common challenges neurodivergent students face upon entering college, the specific support needs, and how these compa...

As an occupational therapist with expertise in child development,  Dr. Carrie Alvarado   has the unique ability to discuss interrelationships between sensory processing and the development of trustworthy connections with young children. Carrie, Barry and Dave explore the implications of “sensoriaffective” integration in supporting parents of young neurodivergent children. Learn more on o...

David Rivera  has experienced the need for, and benefits of mentoring in his own life, and has applied his lived experiences to setting up a non-profit for mentoring others. Barry and Dave discuss the various benefits of mentoring with David, and specifically, “Mentoring Autistic Minds”, the non-profit he has created that welcomes autistic and otherwise neurodivergent individuals to benefit f...

Kate Reynolds  , also known as the Lavender Librarian, is the founder and director of Storytime Solidarity. Based in Ontario, Canada, Kate has been working in public libraries since 2010. She is also a sought after international keynote speaker, trained opera singer, patient advocate, writer, and content creator with a large social media following. Kate’s international advocacy has broug...

Julie Green  is a professional writer, a mother, and is a late diagnosed autistic women. She, Dave, and Barry discuss what led to her late diagnosis, and the insights she has as an autistic person in raising her now teenage autistic son. Julie has also published professionally on parenting issues and discusses the process of writing a memoir that focuses on motherhood and autism, while simult...

As a parent,  Daria Brown  had some difficult decisions to make about choosing the right path for her young autistic child and her family. She chose a developmental relationship- based approach as it resonated with her as the best fit for her child. That choice led to a professional career in supporting parents, and also to her own late diagnosis as an autistic person. Barry and Dave dis...

Barry and Dave engage in a lively and wide-ranging discussion with educational specialist,  Dr. Shelley Moore , internationally known for her progressive and value-based approach for educating neurodivergent students, and indeed, all students. The focus of the discussion is on changes that are needed to help educational systems to be neuro-affirming, inclusive, strength-based, and respectful...

Sam Young  is a neurodivergent professional educator who has established Young Scholars Academy, an online community for 2E students and individuals who are exceptionally gifted and exceptionally challenged. Sam, Dave and Barry have a lively discussion on topics ranging from different learning styles, to limitations of public education for 2E students, to the highest priorities and strategies...

EPISODE 138 The Development of the Living and Learning Enrichment Center – An Innovative Neuro-Affirming Community, with Rachelle Vartanian. Rachelle Vartanian  is the Founder and President of  the Living and Learning Enrichment Center , a community that supports neurodivergent individuals and their families in many ways. She began her journey as a special education teacher, and then as...

Tara Phillips , a speech-language pathologist and Founder of   Autism Little Learners, interviewed  Barry   as a prelude to Barry’s keynote address on her podcast for the Preschool Autism Summit, with more than 40,000 professionals, parents, and autistic individuals registered. As Barry was so impressed by this interview, and given that he often receives requests for more specific i...