Autism Resource Podcast

Valery Goldes is a recording artist, pianist, singer-songwriter, composer and a producer who grew up in Israel.  A child prodigy in classical piano, he has played with orchestras across Europe & Israel, including under the baton of Zubin Mehta with the Israel Philharmonic when he was only 13.  As a piano coach, Valery's passion has always been to share his music knowledge and experience with h...

Taiba Bajar is on a mission to help parents of autistic children achieve their developmental milestones. She accomplishes this through her award-winning 7-Step Autism Action Plan, which is designed to help autistic children reach their milestones within 12 months. Also an award-winning researcher, Taiba was the recipient of the Clinical Research Prize from the University of Bristol, where she grad...

Jessica is the founder of The Center for Siblings of People with Disabilities and the author of Billy’s Sister: Life when your sibling has a disability--a picture book based on her experiences growing up with her brother, Billy, who has autism. She has also spent over a decade working in nonprofit marketing and communications and is the owner of Sing Creative Group. 

J.D. Barker is an international bestselling American author whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural. He was diagnosed with autism at the age of 22, and considers it one of the main reasons he is so successful. 

Liz is a certified Kundalini Yoga and Meditation Teacher, a certified Transformation Coach and Trainer and a Wellness Retreat Leader. Her teachings include providing accessible tools to regulate the nervous system, tune into one’s inner guidance, expand awareness, and go beyond perceived limits. Her work is deeply rooted in helping to cultivate self-care rituals and practices that create resilienc...

Heidi Rome, is a speaker, author, coach, facilitator, advocate, mentor, perspective re-framer, solace-bringer, and mother of two sons, one with severe autism. Author of You Just Have to Love Me and creator of the Win/When Skillsets, she understands how to overcome overwhelm through loving kindness toward oneself and others. As founder of Moms Spectrum Oasis, Heidi is spreading the word that it's t...

James is Founder/CEO of James Emmett & Company also known as JEC. It is one of the most recognizable brands in the field of disability inclusion and is a global leader in the implementation of disability inclusion initiatives with essential businesses. James has worked with companies like Advance Auto Parts, Walgreens, Lowe’s, Best Buy, and Office Depot to help plan & execute initiatives t...

Kelley Coleman is a feature film development executive turned author and advocate for parent caregivers and individuals with disabilities. Her book Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports draws upon over a decade of experience as a parent caregiver, and gives parents the tools to spend less time with paperwork and mo...

Dr. Emily Levy is the founder and director of EBL Coaching, a specialized tutoring program that offers individualized one-on-one home, virtual, and on-site instruction using research-based, multi-sensory techniques. She is the co-creator of the Writing Mastery software program that helps students develop stronger writing skills using a systematic approach to instruction and direct feedback. Sophie...

Cian is an award-winning director, showrunner and executive producer. He is the co-creator, showrunner and director of the Emmy-winning Love on the Spectrum series, and has just finished filming a 3rd US season. In addition to creating and directing other series and documentaries, Cian was the series director of the critically acclaimed and award-winning Employable Me, a series featuring people wi...

Diane Strand is an author, an award-winning Executive Producer, an owner at JDS Video & Media Productions and Actors Studio, and the founder of the nonprofit JDS Creative Academy. Her programs provide Hands-On training and paid supported internship opportunities, and are designed to break down barriers to gainful employment in video production, post production and acting for neurodivergent and...

Alex Astrella is a visual artist based out of Orange County, California. Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of 2, Alex was told that he’d never be able to hold a job as an adult. 25 years later, Alex has won numerous awards and has garnered nationwide praise for his documentary films and screenplays.

Jimmy is an award-winning Film and Television Producer, Educator, and Supervising Sound Editor. He is credited on more than 500 productions and has won 2 Emmys and 5 Golden Reel awards. Jimmy is the founder of award-winning training operations for Autistic adults and disabled Veterans.

Steve McConnell has a background in biology and is a practicing lipidimiologist. His research and advice are sought out by physicians in many areas including cardiology, kidney disease and, most recently, various neurodiverse conditions. He joins us today to discuss managing challenges often presented for those navigating the autism spectrum and more.

On her journey of navigating through the worry and heartbreak of raising a special needs child Susanna Peace Lovell found her true life calling: to help other parents find and realize joy and passion in their own lives. She provides one-on-one coaching, workshops, and support groups for special needs families. Her book Your True Self Is Enough: Lessons Learned on My Journey Parenting a Child with...

Celia Landman is a mindfulness educator offering support to teens and adults. She draws from experiences working with those impacted by trauma, addiction, and anxiety, and creates customized meditation, visualizations, and trainings to reconnect them to what she refers to as their wholeness and show parents how to find balance while navigating seemingly impossible parenting situations.

Jeff Pearson is a speaker, author, business owner and TV host. When Jeff was two weeks old, it was confirmed that he had hydrocephalus and he underwent his first brain and abdominal surgery. Despite those challenges, he traveled the world, got married, raised three children, and is now the owner of Hydro with Hope, and the host of the TV show “Invisible Condition” on e360tv. It’s a show that bring...

I welcome Jeremy and Ilana Hamburgh back for an encore guest spot! Jeremy and Ilana are friendship and dating coaches who teach the strategies and skills that empower autistic and neurodivergent adults to find community, make friends, start dating, and build relationships.  Ilana has over 16 years of experience as a special education teacher in New York City and Jeremy has over 13 years of experie...

Norman Wasserman is the founder of Friend Entertainment USA, and has been fundraising for nonprofits for over 35 years. He started Friend Entertainment to provide high-quality entertainment for nonprofit fundraising concerts. Norman says he understands the great need to make a difference in this world and is driven by the belief that we are here to help one another and have great fun along the way...

Jason Weissbrod has a Bachelor’s degree in Directing and Acting for Film and Theatre and has directed, produced, written, edited and starred in many films, television shows, web series, commercials and theatre productions. Jason became involved with the neurodiverse and autism community over 15 years ago. Many neurodivergent and autistic artists told Jason they wanted to work in the entertainment...

Jojo Williams is a certified massage therapist who began working in the field in 2011 and in 2015, left her previous career of 24 years, supporting individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities, to focus solely on massage. She opened her own business during the pandemic of 2020 and now serves many individuals & families with wellness support. 

Jen Malia is an autistic mom of three autistic children. She is the author of The Infinity Rainbow Club series and Too Sticky! Sensory Issues with Autism. She is also a Professor of English and Creative Writing Coordinator at Norfolk State University. She joins me to discuss her journey, the inspiration for her books, and the insights she has gained along the way.

Jeremy and Ilana Hamburgh are friendship and dating coaches who teach the strategies and skills that empower autistic and neurodivergent adults to find community, make friends, start dating, and build relationships.  Ilana has over 16 years of experience as a special education teacher in New York City and Jeremy has over 13 years of experience as a social coach for autistic and neurodivergent adul...

Since entering private practice in 1980, Valerie Vanaman has become an acknowledged leader in providing representation for individuals challenged with disabilities and for their families, securing her clients’ educational rights. She served as a teaching fellow at Harvard Law School and is a member of numerous Bar associations, including the U.S. Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal, a...

Dr. Jennie Trocchio is an autism educator, advocate, and VP of Clinical Operations at Positive Development, which is a leading provider of developmental care for neurodiverse children and their families. We discuss the various therapies they provide and how families can access their services.