Autism Knows No Borders

What strategies do you have in place to deal with stressful situations?  The late David Sharif talks about managing conflicts and how he found a group of friends who supported him through tough times. The following clip is from a roundtable discussion with our Global Autism Community where Autistic self-advocates shared how they cope with stress and sensory overload. Welcome to Autism Tips & T...

Discover what’s possible when a fresh start brings new perspectives. We’ve reached the end of 2025! To celebrate, we’ll be reviewing some of our favorite moments from this year. Part 1 will highlight episodes 216 through 228, and Part 2, episodes 230 through 240.  We want to thank you for your support and patience during the first half of the year, when we released throwbacks due to my maternity l...

Why are autistic people given a censored version of sex education?  Michael John Carley shares his thoughts on this topic as well as the influence that culture has over attitudes towards sexuality. Michael John Carley is an Autistic Self-Advocate, author, and consultant. He was the Founder of GRASP — the largest organization in the world comprised of adults on the autism spectrum — and the Foundin...

Discover what’s possible when what you give makes a difference. This time each year, our team at the Global Autism Project takes some time to reflect on what we’re grateful for. First of all, we’re grateful for you, our listeners, and your continued support. We’re also grateful for our podcast guests and their willingness to share their stories with us. And of course, we’re grateful for our growin...

How can you turn your passion into a career? Dani Bowman, an Autistic Self-Advocate, animator, illustrator, teacher, and public speaker, talks about how she empowers her autistic students to turn their passion for animation into a career. The following clip is from a roundtable discussion with our Global Autism Community where Autistic self-advocates shared their ideas on how to prepare autistic y...

Discover what’s possible when representation opens the door. What are the biggest factors influencing why Black men are underrepresented in the field of applied behavior analysis and what can be done to increase that? Stick around for this episode and listen to Jeron Trotman share his ideas.  Jeron Trotman is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and the Founder and President of Black Men in B...

How does masking affect autistic mental health and well-being? Terra Vance shares her ideas about autistic masking and identity. Terra is an Autistic Self-Advocate and the Founder of NeuroClastic , an autistic-led non-profit organization that publishes articles by autistic writers and professionals advocating for autistic representation and human rights. The following clip is from a roundtable dis...

Discover what’s possible when your calm becomes their anchor. Does your autistic child struggle with regulating themselves?  If you’d like to learn how to stay calm in order to help your child in stressful situations, stick around for part two of my conversation with autism-mom coach Lisa Candera, where she talks about what it means to be a solid object for your child. Among other things, we discu...

Do you struggle dealing with the pressure of societal expectations? Russell Lehmann, an Autistic Self-Advocate, motivational speaker, author, and poet, talks about how being autistic makes this pressure uniquely challenging.  Russell is an Autistic Self-Advocate, motivational speaker, author, and poet. He travels the world spreading hope, awareness, and compassion, while striving to erase the stig...

Discover what’s possible when you shift from blame to resilience. Although many myths about the causes of autism have been thoroughly debunked, misinformation continues to take a toll on mothers. Whether you know from personal experience or through an autism mom in your life, you’ll want to listen to this episode with Lisa Candera.  Lisa Candera is a single mom, attorney, ADHD-er, autism-mom coach...

How can autistic individuals cultivate a meaningful life?   Gwen Palafaox, a licensed psychologist, talks about how autistic individuals can find a sense of belonging and cultivate a meaningful life across employment and relationships.   With a focus on helping teens and young adults find their most fulfilled and joyful lives, Gwen has been supporting disabled and neurodivergent individuals for ov...

Discover what’s possible when you really put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Are you the parent of an autistic child? Or are you in a relationship with an autistic partner? If you’d like to learn about how to better understand and support them, stick around for part two of my conversation with licensed professional counselor Meghan Ashley, where she talks about taking the autistic perspective. A...

What are some action steps towards true inclusion? Sangeeta Jain, an autism mother from India and one of our partners at the Global Autism Project, shares her thoughts on this topic. Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s som...

Discover what’s possible when dialogue opens the door. Unfortunately, cultural stigma around autism still exists. Whether you know from personal experience, or through someone who has been impacted by it, you’ll want to listen to this episode with Meghan Ashley. Meghan is a licensed professional counselor who has her own private practice, MPerfect Consulting, where she provides support to women, p...

What are some changes educators need to make when teaching autistic kids how to read? Reading specialist Lois Letchford talks about her teaching philosophy: MAPS, which stands for Mindset, Active learning, Play, and Student success. Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a...

Discover what’s possible when you give room to grow. Can Applied Behavior Analysis ever be done safely? Dr. Shelby Dorsey –a BCBA, late-diagnosed autistic ADHDer and mother of two neurodivergent children– believes so. If you’d like to learn about a safe and personalized approach to autism services, stick around for part two of my conversation with Shelby. Among other things, we discuss: The harm t...

Did you go through a process to accept your autism diagnosis? What was it like to understand that autism is a part of who you are? Autistic Self-Advocate Mary Johnston shares a very moving poem she wrote, titled “A Letter to My Autism” that describes her experience. In Autism Tips & Tools, we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’r...

Discover what’s possible when you speak your truth. How do autism and ADHD interact in everyday life? Whether you know from personal experience, or you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live with both diagnoses, you’ll want to listen to this episode with BCBA Dr. Shelby Dorsey, a late-diagnosed autistic ADHDer and mother of two neurodivergent children. This episode is part one of our conversation...

Are you or anyone you know a woman entrepreneur, or a Black-American business owner? Have you or they ever felt like you’ve had to prove yourself in your field? Crystal Thompson and Brandy Collins talk about their experiences as female, Black-American business owners in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis.  Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from...

Discover what’s possible when art becomes your voice. Whether through visual arts, music, dance, or theatre, art can foster community, self-expression, and personal growth. In today’s roundtable discussion, Global Autism Community members share their experiences with art. This roundtable was facilitated by community moderator Adrian Sanchez, and features Autistic Self-Advocates Robert Schmus and S...

What does it mean to do with and not for? The CEO of the Global Autism Project, Molly Ola Pinney, talks about how creating sustainable change begins with listening – from building local capacity of autism services with our international partners to understanding the needs of the Autistic community.  Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous ep...

Discover what’s possible when you flex your mind.  How can we stay in the present moment and open our mind to difficult thoughts and feelings? If you want to know how to enhance your emotional and cognitive flexibility, stay with us for this episode with Dr. Steven C. Hayes. Steven Hayes is a clinical psychologist, a researcher, the originator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Relatio...

How might autism change team dynamics in sports? Anthony Ianni talks about how being autistic affected his relationship with his teammates. Anthony Ianni is an Autistic Self-Advocate, motivational speaker, and former basketball star. Anthony was the first ever NCAA Division I college basketball player with autism, playing for Michigan State University. Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we...

Discover what’s possible when you flex your mind.  How can we navigate life’s inevitable challenges more effectively? If you’d like to know how to be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances, instead of rigidly resisting them, stick around for this episode with Dr. Steven C. Hayes.  Steven Hayes is a clinical psychologist, a researcher, the originator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)...

Our Global Autism Community members talk about what affirming means to them, and how masking affects autistic individuals. Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you! This roundtable discussion was original...