Finding Hope on the Spectrum

In this episode of 'Finding Hope on the Spectrum,' Brooke hosts Sara Intonato, founder of 'Autism Change Makers.' They discuss the pervasive PTSD experienced by autism parents and the essential role of parent wellbeing. Sara shares her journey from a yoga teacher to an autism advocate after her son Rocco's diagnosis. They delve into the importance of emotional health for the entire family, the con...

In this episode of Finding Hope on the Spectrum, host Brooke engages in a heartfelt conversation with Karla Shein, founder and president of Empathy for Autism California Inc. Karla shares her personal journey of raising two autistic children, her own autism diagnosis, and her experiences growing up with a sibling on the spectrum. The discussion covers the importance of community support, empathy,...

In this episode of 'Finding Hope on the Spectrum,' Brooke welcomes back Gail Ludwig, an experienced RDI program certified consultant and speech-language pathologist, to discuss the vital developmental milestone of coordinating actions. This conversation is part three of a three-part series, focusing on practical strategies and the importance of authentic communication through joint activities. Bro...

In this episode of 'Finding Hope on the Spectrum,' host Brooke delves into the transformative world of equine-assisted therapy. Joined by Kelly Russo and Dr. Robyn Wyzinski, they explore how horseback riding can offer significant therapeutic benefits for children with neurodivergent conditions. Sharing a touching personal story about Kelly's goddaughter, Cece, the conversation highlights the incre...

In this heart-opening episode of Finding Hope on the Spectrum , host Brooke sits down with Michelle Hardy, a board-certified music therapist and spelling-to-communicate practitioner with over 25 years of experience supporting individuals with autism. Michelle shares how music becomes more than melody—it becomes movement, connection, and voice. Through rhythm and relationship, she shows how music t...

In this episode of 'Finding Hope on the Spectrum,' host Brooke has an in-depth conversation with Brooke Ober, a seasoned speech-language pathologist and the executive director of the SKOLA school. They explore the innovative educational model of SKOLA, a nature-based, project-focused independent school that emphasizes the importance of authentic, meaningful learning integrated with the environment...

In this episode of 'Finding Hope on the Spectrum,' host Brooke discusses the critical topic of social referencing with Gail Ludwig, an RDI program certified consultant and speech-language pathologist. Gail shares her extensive experience working with autistic individuals and explains the concept of referencing, its importance for emotional connection and communication, and how it can be nurtured i...

In this episode of 'Finding Hope on the Spectrum,' Brooke interviews Amanda Crowell, an RN, BSN, and mother of special needs children, about her journey from traditional nursing to advocating for integrative and biomedical approaches to autism. Amanda shares her personal story of her children's health challenges and developmental regressions, which she ties to their 12-month vaccinations. She desc...

In this episode of Finding Hope on the Spectrum, host Brooke has an engaging conversation with Amy Sage, co-founder of Parenting EQ. They explore the underutilized tool of reflection in parenting and the significance of emotional intelligence (EI) for both neurodiverse children and parents. Amy shares her journey in creating the Parenting EQ life skills curriculum, highlighting its origins during...

In this episode of Finding Hope on the Spectrum, host Brooke welcomes Jessica Richards, a seasoned expert in clinical social work and child development. They discuss the importance of understanding behavior as the "tip of the iceberg," influenced by underlying nervous system mechanisms. The conversation dives into Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and the Neuro-Relational Framework (NRF), emphas...

In this episode of 'Finding Hope on the Spectrum,' host Brooke delves into the transformative impact of neuro music-based interventions with Alex Doman, an entrepreneur, author, and founder of Advanced Brain Technologies. They discuss how connecting to oneself can enhance safety, communication, and interaction for individuals, especially those on the autism spectrum. Alex shares the origins and ev...

In this episode of 'Finding Hope on the Spectrum,' host Brooke reconnects with Gail Ludwig, RDI® Program Certified Consultant and Licensed Speech Language Pathologist, for the first installment of a three-part series exploring the foundational elements of RDI® (Relationship Development Intervention). This episode focuses on experience sharing as the cornerstone of all human connection and relation...

In this episode of 'Finding Hope on the Spectrum,' host Brooke sits down with Betsy Hicks- Russ, Director of the Autism Odyssey podcast, and creator of Picking Eating Solutions . Betsy shares her poignant journey with her non-speaking, autistic son Joey, discussing the challenges and discoveries in understanding his awareness through spelling to communicate (S2C). The conversation delves into Joey...

In this episode of 'Finding Hope on the Spectrum,' host Brooke sits down with Laura Sylvester, co-founder and executive director of Good Dog Service Canines, to discuss the profound impact service dogs have on autistic individuals and their families. Laura shares the intricate process of breeding, training, and placing these specially trained dogs, including the unique apprentice trainer program a...

In this episode of 'Finding Hope on the Spectrum,' Brooke is joined by Stephanie Myung, a PDA autism mom and former Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), to discuss the challenges and experiences of raising a child with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). Stephanie shares her personal story of navigating her son's intense autistic burnout, the difficulties of obtaining a proper diagnosis and s...

This episode of 'Finding Hope on the Spectrum' features a heart-to-heart conversation between Brooke and Linda Murphy, a speech language pathologist and RDI consultant. They delve into the concept of declarative communication, especially its use with autistic individuals. The discussion covers the benefits of adopting a positive intention in communication, moving away from imperative communication...

In this episode, the host discusses Gestalt language processing with Lauren Conley, a bilingual speech language pathologist and RDI Program Certified Consultant. Lauren explains the distinct stages of Gestalt language processing and how it contrasts with typical language acquisition. She shares personal anecdotes and practical tips for parents, caregivers, and educators on how to support children...

In this episode, the importance of wellbeing and autism is explored, particularly through the lens of the Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) program. Featuring guest Lisa Palasti, a certified RDI consultant, director of professional training in Canada, and founder of Mindful Guide Consulting, the discussion delves into her personal journey as a parent of two children with special needs an...

This episode features a conversation with Dr. Kamran Fallahpour, a neuroscientist, clinical psychologist, and neurotechnology innovator. Dr. Fallahpour discusses the latest advancements in neuroscience technology aimed at improving brain health and longevity. He introduces the Brain Resource Center's methods, including quantitative EEG brain mapping and personalized neurotherapies, and shares insi...

In this episode, host Brooke introduces Ms. Hopkins, an experienced clinical social worker and Director of Learning Resources at Dr. Ross Greene's nonprofit Lives in the Balance. They discuss the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) model, which focuses on understanding and solving the underlying problems causing concerning behaviors in children. The conversation emphasizes the importance o...

In this episode, Brooke discusses the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) with Laurie Belanger, a licensed social worker and trauma therapist. Laurie delves into the benefits of SSP, an evidence-based therapeutic tool designed to reset the nervous system and enhance safety, particularly for neurodiverse individuals with trauma histories and sensory issues. She explains how SSP works with filtered music...

In this episode, Brooke speaks with Andreja, a specialist in mindfulness with a background in education and Relationship Development Intervention. Andreja shares practical approaches to mindfulness that can be modeled by parents and professionals working with neurodiverse individuals. Emphasizing the importance of parents practicing mindfulness themselves, Andreja gives insights on how to create s...

This episode dives into the biomedical approach to autism with Dr. Kurt Woeller, a leading figure in integrative and functional medicine. Dr. Woeller shares his extensive experience and insights on optimizing the health and potential of autistic individuals. The discussion covers the significance of the gluten and casein-free diet, understanding the importance of comprehensive testing like the Org...

In this episode, the host Brooke engages in a heartfelt conversation with Lisa Maloney, a certified RDI (Relationship Development Intervention) consultant. Lisa shares her personal journey of raising an autistic daughter and discusses the importance of faith-based inclusion. She highlights the challenges faced by neurodiverse individuals and their families in faith communities and offers practical...

In this episode, we delve into the critical role of primitive reflexes in infant development with Dr. Mary McKone, a primitive reflex specialist and owner of BrainWorks in Portland, Oregon. Dr. McKone explains how reflexes influence a child's ability to achieve developmental milestones like crawling and walking, and how various birth traumas can impact reflex maturation. She discusses her work in...