Autism Knows No Borders

What are some misconceptions about AAC and speech development? AAC user Tiffany Joseph shares her ideas on this topic and discusses how to empower non-speaking autistic individuals. Tiffany Joseph is the digital creator behind the IG account Nigh Functioning Autism. She uses her platform to promote the changes she wants to see in the world regarding disability and intersectionality. The voice you’...

Discover what’s possible when diagnosis opens doors. What are considered the “gold standard” tools for diagnosing autism?  If you’re curious about the history of autism diagnoses and observational assessments, you’ll want to listen to this episode with Dr. Catherine Lord. Dr. Lord is an American psychologist and researcher. She currently serves as a member of the International Advisory Board for T...

What’s the understanding and level of awareness of autism in Rwanda? Evas Kyomugisha, our Global Autism Project Partner from Rwanda, talks about the stigma around autism in Rwanda, the different levels of autism acceptance among parents at her center, and how she tries to inspire hope for their children’s futures. Evas is the founder and owner of Silver Bells, an autism center in Kigali. Silver Be...

Discover what’s possible when values inform the method. How can we bridge the gap between autistic communities and traditional therapies? If you’ve ever wondered, you’ll want to listen to part two of my conversation with Autistic BCBA Mari Cerda, which was originally released on April 22, 2021. Mari provides professional-development training for teachers and schools on various neurodiversity-affir...

What does it mean to affirm someone’s identity? Here’s Andrew talking about the importance of affirming autistic identity and supporting people who might be masking. Andrew has been a dedicated member of our community since 2019. He served as a moderator in our online Global Autism Community, contributed to our Responsive Skills Training, and traveled on two SkillCorps® volunteer trips, first to t...

Discover what’s possible when values inform the method. What does a culturally-informed approach to ABA look like? If you’re interested in the intersection between neurodiversity, race, and community, you’ll want to listen to this conversation with Autistic BCBA Mari Cerda, which was originally released on April 22, 2021. Mari provides professional development training for teachers and schools on...

What’s the difference between explicit and implicit autistic characters? Here’s Corben Havener discussing explicit and implicit (or “coded”) autistic characters as two different ways of portraying neurodiversity in media.  The following clip is from a roundtable discussion with our Global Autism Community, where Autistic self-advocates shared their opinions on how autism is represented in the medi...

Discover what’s possible when you foster inclusion. How can companies create a neurodiverse-friendly working environment? What should autistic employees look for in a job? Whether you’re an employer or a job seeker, you’ll want to listen to this episode with Grant Harris.  Grant Harris is an Autistic Self-Advocate, consultant, speaker, and author. He helps organizations achieve organizational exce...

How can someone control a computer with their mind?  In this episode, Austin Lubetkin talks about his patent for the first interface that would allow a fully paralyzed individual to type and control a computer with their brain.  Austin is an Autistic artist, aerospace-software engineer, and inventor. He has synesthesia, a phenomenon in which stimuli that would typically activate one sense can stim...

Discover what’s possible when you leverage your strengths. What’s the difference between being an introvert, an ambivert, or an omnivert—and how might these identities show up in autistic individuals? Grant Harris, an Autistic Self-Advocate, consultant, speaker, and author, shares his personal autism journey with us. He helps companies achieve organizational excellence through neurodivergent pract...

How is a sibling relationship influenced when one is autistic?  In this episode, Alexis Sevieri talks about how her brother Anthony’s autism influenced their family dynamic growing up, and Anthony describes his journey of self-awareness and acceptance. Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’r...

Discover what’s possible when love begins with acceptance. This episode is part 2 of our Global Autism Community roundtable discussion about Dating and Relationships, originally released on March 17, 2022. Among other things, we discuss: Memorable dates our community members have been on Common challenges autistic people face when it comes to dating The importance of clear and direct communication...

Leadership training has always been at the foreground of support provided by the Global Autism Project. We believe that everyone has the potential to be a leader in their own lives, and we foster this mindset with our international partners to ensure that they continue to lead the movement of autism awareness and acceptance in their own communities. In this episode, the CEO of the Global Autism Pr...

Discover what’s possible when love begins with acceptance. What challenges do autistic people face when it comes to dating?  If you’re interested in hearing the autistic perspective on dating and relationships, you’ll want to listen to this roundtable discussion with our Global Autism Community, which was originally released on March 17, 2022. Participating in this event were autism self-advocates...

How can families encourage the use of Alternative Augmentative Communication devices with their autistic loved ones? Lenora Edwards, a Speech Language Pathologist with over 10 years of experience helping children and adults, shares her ideas in this episode. Lenora is the Chief Knowledge Officer at Better Speech, a US-based, online service provider with 150 speech therapists working with individua...

Discover what’s possible when self-esteem saves lives. Are you looking for tools and to help your neurodivergent teen feel supported in this important phase in life? Whether that’s your case or you’re curious about behavioral parenting strategies, you’ll want to listen to this episode with Jheri South.  Jheri South is a behavioral coach and the mother of seven neurodivergent children, five being o...

What’s the best way to educate police officers about autism? Camille Proctor, the mother of an adolescent autistic boy, shares how she teaches her son to interact with police officers, and vice versa, how she trains police officers to interact with autistic people. Camille Proctor is the founder of The Color of Autism, a non-profit organization committed to educating and assisting African American...

Discover what’s possible when understanding leads to acceptance. Have you ever wondered how ADHD and autism can affect family dynamics? Whether you’re part of a neurodiverse family or know someone who is, you’ll want to listen to this episode with Jheri South.  Jheri South is a behavioral coach and the mother of seven neurodivergent children, five being on the autism spectrum. Diagnosed with ADHD...

How can autistic people limit sensory overload and manage fatigue while driving? Andrew Arboe, Autistic Self-Advocate and Founder of Driving with Autism, shares his ideas on these topics. Driving with Autism is an educational program that guides autistic individuals and their families on their way from the passenger’s seat to becoming drivers. Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight...

Discover what’s possible when all minds are put to use.    This episode is part two of our conversation with pioneering autism advocate and internationally recognized leader in animal handling innovations, Dr. Temple Grandin, which was originally released on December 15, 2022.    In this episode, we discuss:   How parents can encourage the development of skills in visual thinkers Life skills and e...

How can autism affect eating disorders? Livia Sara, Autistic Self-Advocate and eating disorder survivor, talks about how to reframe eating disorders when they’re intertwined with autism. Livia is an author and the host of the podcast Liv Label Free. Her publications include Rainbow Girl, a memoir, and a cookbook titled Nourishing Neurodiversity. She is also a 1:1 coach for autistic people recoveri...

Discover what’s possible when all minds are put to use.  What’s the difference between object visualizers and visual-spatial thinkers? And how can these two kinds of brains work together? In this episode, Dr. Temple Grandin discusses these and other topics featured in her book Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions.  This episode is part one o...

How can a student who was once abused in classrooms learn to become comfortable in them? Maharani Putri Kusuma, Rani for short, shares this success story about one of her students. Rani is the owner and co-founder of Rumah Tiara, an autism center in Jakarta, Indonesia. A former Global Autism Project Partner, Rani had been receiving training from us since 2013. Over the years, we have sent 13 Skill...

Discover what’s possible when challenges are weaved with joys. How do you find balance in caregiving? Whether you know from personal experience or through someone else in your life, you’ll want to listen to this episode with Kelley Coleman.  Kelley Coleman is the mother of two boys, one of whom has multiple disabilities (including a yet-undiagnosed genetic syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, CVI, ep...

What are some autistic characteristics that can be strengths in photography? Alfie Bowen, an Autistic Self-Advocate, wildlife photographer, author and activist, talks about how to capture the perfect shot and how nature has positively impacted his mental health. Alfie uses art to highlight animal emotion and help people to connect with the natural world. Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where w...