Voices Beyond the Spectrum

In this episode of Voices Beyond the Spectrum Resource Hub Edition, host Karla Chinen speaks with Melissa Cardona and Dr. Fanny Cisneros from Autism Society Inland Empire about the organization’s mission, programs, and practical resources for autistic and neurodivergent children, teens, and adults. They share personal experiences, upcoming events, and tips for finding community and support. Encour...

In this episode of Voices Beyond the Spectrum, Karla Chinen sits down with four incredible mothers to discuss the realities of raising children with disabilities and neurodivergence. Jennifer Fernandez, Carina Guzman, Xochitl Gallegos, and Teiyana Muse share their personal journeys through diagnosis, advocacy, faith, resilience, caregiving, and community building. From navigating autism and Down s...

In this episode of Voices Beyond the Spectrum Resource Hub Edition, host Karla Chinen speaks with Melanee A. Stovall — mother, author of The Life Heist, and founder of Legacy Bridges Foundation — about navigating her daughter's epilepsy, the emotional toll of caregiving, and the faith and resilience that inspired her advocacy work. Melanie discusses building community through support groups, resou...

In this episode of Voices Beyond the Spectrum, Resource Hub Edition, we bring together powerful voices from systems, community advocacy, and law enforcement to discuss an initiative that is helping bridge a critical gap between individuals with autism and first responders. Joined by Dr. C.J. Cook from Inland Regional Center, Audrey Maqueira from the Autism Society Inland Empire, and Corporal Ermes...

In this episode of Voices Beyond the Spectrum Resource Hub Edition, Karla Chinen invites Devon Rios, Special Education and Civil Rights Attorney, into the conversation to break down ADR and due process in special education. Together, they walk through what happens when disagreements arise between families and schools, what each option looks like, and how families can navigate these moments with cl...

Host Karla Chinen interviews TeiYana Muse from Family Resource Network about the organizations family-centered services that guide caregivers of autistic and neurodivergent children through early intervention, special education (IEPs), community navigation, and Spanish-language supports. The episode highlights Early Start (03), the Family Empowerment Center (ages 322), trainings, and practical res...

Host Karla Chinen speaks with Vicky Murillo of Family Resource Network about the programs that support families of children and adults with disabilities, including Early Start, the Family Empowerment Center, community navigation, and IEP workshops. The episode highlights bilingual, culturally sensitive services, practical guidance for accessing resources like IHSS and Social Security, and the impo...

In this episode Karla Chinen interviews Dr. Lynn R. Larson about Odyssey Inclusive, a program that adapts Odyssey of the Mind for students and adults with significant disabilities. They discuss how adapted scripts, multi-level spontaneous problems, and flexible delivery create opportunities for creativity, teamwork, social skills, and confidence. Dr. Larson explains how to form teams, access coach...

Welcome to Voices Beyond the Spectrum Resource Hub Edition. In this episode, host Karla Chinen speaks with Thomas Martin, Executive Director of CalABLE, about how CalABLE helps individuals with disabilities save and invest without jeopardizing public benefits like SSI. They cover eligibility, contribution limits, qualified disability expenses, multilingual access, practical uses for families, and...

En este episodio de Voices Beyond the Spectrum Resource Hub, edición en español, la anfitriona Karla Chinen entrevista a Alicia Prieto de Care Partners para conversar sobre los servicios de cuidado en el hogar y relevo (respite) que la agencia ofrece a familias de niños y adultos con discapacidades. Alicia comparte su trayectoria, el enfoque de la organización en la empatía, la sensibilidad cultur...

On this Resource Hub edition of Voices Beyond the Spectrum, host Karla speaks with Monique Arredondo, Program Director at Care Partners, about their person-centered respite and disability services across Southern California. Monique explains how Care Partners matches trained caregivers to diverse family needs, prioritizes continuity and empathy, partners with regional centers and community organiz...

Host Karla Chinen speaks with Leonel Zuno of Options for All about adult services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities — from supported employment and community engagement to tailored day services, independent living supports, and an innovative film & media program. The episode explains who qualifies, how families can access services, examples of life-changing outcomes,...

In this Spanish-language resource hub episode, host Karla Chinen talks with Leonel “Leo” Zuno of Options for All about services that help autistic and neurodivergent adults live with dignity—supported employment, individualized day services, behavioral supports, community integration, and a unique film and media program. They explain who qualifies, how families can access services (including regio...

In this episode of Voices Beyond the Spectrum Research Hub Edition, host Karla Chinen interviews Brooke Wagner, RDI Program Certified Consultant and founder of Therapeutic Approach to Growth. Brooke shares her 22+ years working with autistic individuals and explains how Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) helps families build emotional connection, dynamic intelligence, and everyday compete...

Episode one of the Resource Hub introduces Beth Abinya, a bilingual speech-language pathologist, who discusses myths about bilingualism and AAC, and explains why all forms of communication matter. Listen for practical tips families and schools can use to encourage communication, track progress, and build collaborative, respectful partnerships that empower neurodivergent children.

Host Karla Chinen interviews speech-language pathologist Ashley Ray about her personal and professional journey supporting neurodivergent children, inspired by her nephew Hudson who uses AAC. They discuss the power of augmentative and alternative communication, presuming competence, working with families and schools, and practical, everyday strategies to make communication functional and meaningfu...

Host Karla Chinen speaks with Tanasha Jackson, a mother of a young autistic daughter, about diagnosis, grief, cultural barriers, and the emotional work of caregiving. Tanisha shares how she found relief, the challenges of navigating schools and services, and the importance of intuition and advocacy. They also discuss Tanisha's move into social media to uplift families, building supportive communit...

In this episode, host Karla Chinen talks with Breese Maldonado Mejia about growing up as a sibling to a brother with autism—navigating caregiving responsibilities, missed experiences, and the feeling of being a "glass child." Breese shares candid memories, challenges with guilt, and the ways the role shaped her identity. She also discusses how her experiences inspired her career as an occupational...

Host Karla Chinen talks with Carol Larkin, a parent and Proxy Parent Foundation Director of Client Relations, about recognizing autism, the emotional impact of diagnosis, and the early therapy journey during the pandemic. They discuss practical support—community connections, juggling work and appointments, sibling dynamics—and explain long‑term planning tools like special needs trusts and proxy ca...

Welcome to this special bilingual episode of Voices Beyond the Spectrum. In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Uver Maldonado, a young autistic artist who has turned his passion for art into a thriving business. With the unwavering support of his family, Uver has embraced his creative journey, using his art to express his emotions and inspire those around him. In the second half...

Welcome back to Voices Beyond the Spectrum, where real stories illuminate the path for parents and caregivers of autistic and neurodivergent children. Today, our host Karla Chinen welcomes Ruth Cassell, an incredible mother, wife, and autism strategist, who shares her inspiring journey of unmasking and embracing identity after her son's autism diagnosis. Listen as Ruth opens up about the challengi...

In this insightful episode of "Voices Beyond the Spectrum," host Karla Chinen sits down with Angela Taber, a devoted mother and family support specialist. Angela courageously opens up about her journey following her daughter's autism diagnosis, sharing both challenges and triumphs along the way. From early signs to navigating family dynamics, and the impact of self-care on mental health, Angela pr...

Join us on this heartfelt episode of "Voices Beyond the Spectrum," where host Karla Chinen converses with special guest KJ Johnson. KJ shares his inspiring journey as a father navigating inclusion and advocacy for his son who is soon turning 16 and has Down syndrome. Discover the challenges they faced in school settings and learn about the importance of community involvement for neurodivergent chi...

In this episode of Voices Beyond the Spectrum, host Karla Chinen dives into a candid conversation with Stephanie Inclan, a passionate and resilient mother of a 15-year-old autistic daughter, Lyla. Stephanie shares her heartfelt journey from the challenges of an unexpected diagnosis to the hard-won victories and everyday struggles of raising a teenager on the autism spectrum. Together, they discuss...

In this episode of Voices Beyond the Spectrum, host Karla Chinen leads a meaningful conversation with TeiYana Muse, a dedicated mother of a child with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities. The discussion reveals the emotional journey from diagnosis to thriving and the challenges faced when advocating for her child's education. TeiYana shares her experience of navigating the special ed...