Autism Stories

"We need more self directed services, our society needs to start planning and designing for disability. It shouldn't have to happen to you for it to matter to you," says Nicole LeBlanc.  Nicole joins this episode of Autism Stories to discuss how she has supported the disability community in advocating for their wants, needs, and rights throughout her career. To get in contact with Nicole emai...

"The big factor that people don't think about is that it eliminates anxiety over the environment. If you are doing a remote interview you can get control over your environment and thats really huge" says Carly Fulgham. Carly joins us to discuss about her work at Bank of America, how remote meetings are helpful to some autistics, and her work on a national non-profit board.  To be updated on t...

"There are  pretty good amount of autistic people out there who would like to learn to read tarot, but are convinced they won't be able to do it. I think a lot of that comes from non-autistic people not understanding what we are capable of because even if we can do it, we don't do it the same way they do," says Kelly Martinez. Kelly joins this episode of Autism Stories to talk about her exper...

"It turns out its a lot easier than I thought. Remembering those things as a kid that made me happy, walking outside in nature, looking at ants under a microscope, starring at the stars at night.  Walking through the world with a sense of wonder, very focused on the moment isn't that cool that is autistic joy," says Johnny Knapp. Johnny joins us for this episode to discuss autistic joy and th...

"Sometimes because of the challenges we stay away and I understand that, but a real change can only happen if we persist and insist that we have something to offer to church. The church is not complete without the voices of the disability community. We have to know our value and say we belong," says Dr. Lamar Hardwick. Dr. Hardwick joins us on this episode to discuss his new book "Disability and t...

"The medical community needs to get a lot better at sorting difference from distress and disorder. We have to stop pathologizing difference," says Dr. Laura Weldon. Dr. Weldon joins us to talk about the trauma-informed care she provides to neurodivergent clients and people living with chronic illness. To learn more about Dr. Weldon visit https://www.weldonwellness.com/ To be updated on the latest...

"Everything in the world is lined up, we organize things, thats what we do as human beings. I think the autistic child probably starts doing these things at a different time, thats the difference. We are doing something at age 3 that a non-autistic kid isn't doing and vice versa.  Nobody is looking at that because of the negative narrative around autism and deficit model.  It's always li...

"Walking has always been my meditation. As I'm walking its given me the much needed meditation especially when I'm sharing so much on this project. I'm sharing vulnerable parts of myself. I hadn't opened up much about my autistic story before, by doing this the walking gives me a chance to relax, kind of regroup, and of course time to think about how I can improve the next talk," says Abby Brooke....

"When I hear autistic people having struggles and I hear parents having struggles, they are almost always the same struggles.  What it is, is the system isn't helping us so I'm trying to get us all  on one side to fight the system that isn't working for us," says Tiffany Joseph. Tiffany joins us to discuss being an autistic parent and to talk about  her instagram  account nigh...

"There are some difficulties that people like me have with websites, technology, and with other things that often don't get addressed.  I say have you considered this, considered that, can we do this? They are like oh we didn't think of that. I think because I have autism my voice, my opinion is more meaningful in these conversations," says Shea Belsky. Shea joins this episode of Autism Stori...

"Even in stores, this time of year with christmas music, there's no reason for it be at that level over and over again. There's no need for that constant input of noise.  If autistics ran the world we wouldn't have piped in music, big bight lights in box stores and open space," says Michelle Baughman. Michelle joins us to discuss autism through the lens of trauma theory.  To learn m...

"I don't think there is anyone that specializes in money and autistics. If there is a money topic, its a general or  boring money topic thats usually directed more at parents of children with high support needs. There was a gap and I think that gap comes from the way autistics learn, pick up information, and the way we are not taught towards that," says Becca Lory Hector and Andrew Komarow. B...

"It might take a little more training, but if you have someone neurodiverse they might have new ways of doing that position and it might  end up being more efficient and better for the company," says Tom Moloney of Blue Star Recyclers. Tom joins this episode of Autism Stories to talk about being a disabled senior level employee and the benefits Blue Star Recyclers receives from this. To learn...

"We have to stop looking at vocabulary as the main source of communication. If you talk with  a person with autism you need to learn their communication. There is writing, sign language, there are other ways to speak to you.  If someone is making a loud noise they are trying to tell you what is going on," says Marcus Boyd. Marcus joins us to talk about his career as a rapper, producer, a...

"The medical model is really set up for non-disabled people to access healthcare. One of the biggest things is communication. It's sort of assumed that speaking words and hearing them without delay is preferred by everyone. It's just not true. Asking the person how they best process information and asking their preferred method of  communication is so often missed. Its good to know this upfro...

"When you learn you are autistic or accept you are autistic you learn you have been correct your whole life. You have ways you need to start doing things and they need to be individualized. Learn how to be you and you can't be you if your not practicing autism or living an autistic life engaging in your special interests, observing only material that is logical and beneficial to you in some way,"...

"In 2016 with the AMA I was named the chapters volunteer of the year for the graphic design work I did for them.  Autistic people don't typically get acknowledged much. So getting acknowledged in that way was mind blowing", says Ronald Kearns. Ronald joins us to talk about his  career as a graphic designer and his advice on how autistic people can become more successful in this field.&nb...

"It can look really different. I know for some people video game music or listening to music can help. Just having some sort of fidget you can use when you are at the stop sign. My philosophy is that as long as it doesn't distract you from driving, looking at the front, side, or rear mirrors everything else is fair game", says Andrew Arboe. Andrew joins us to give his  tips on helping autisti...

"That is the entire goal of what I do and what I want my studio to be is this place for people to come as they are as their neurodiverse selves and just grow to a better version of themselves," says Hannah Petry. Hannah joins us to talk about her music studio and the positive benefits music brings to autistic people.  To learn more about Hannah and Diatonic music visit https://www.diatonicmus...

"As far as sensory issues warmth is your best friend on your period. Thats why people recommend warm pants, putting on socks, a bunch of clothes, wrapping up in a blanket and thats been helpful to me to cut down on the sensory experiences as i'm going through the period itself," says Amy Li Baksh. Amy joins this episode of Autism Stories to discuss starting a project to help autistics with their &...

"Actively recruiting disabled attorneys,  those different ways of problem solving and approaching situations can be really helpful in cases and litigation. Having those different perspectives can be so vital to your business," says AJ Link. AJ joins us to talk about neurodiverse attorneys and the value they bring to any law firm.  To learn more about AJ and the National Disabled Law Stud...

"I do a self check in around 10am, have you ate yet? If I haven't ate by 10am and I haven't turned the tv on and haven't really done much that is when I know my spoon level is low.  I check back in by 1 and did I take my medicine today? You didn't take your medicine, oh yeah I'm not doing well," says Janelle Harding. Nicodemus and Janelle join this episode of Autism Stories to talk about thei...

"Its liberating to explore where the tangents will talk you. In a way being autistic in some ways is going down a rabbit hole. You go inward, you go in your head and see where it takes you. The Sitar is the vehicle by which I get to those places in some ways. Being able to let me take it where it will instead of trying to play Beethovens 5th Symphony on it is freshing to just go with the flow," sa...

"Nobody likes surprises. When people say hey you got a second? I almost want to say no. However, if someone says I want to run this really interesting thing by you I may need your expertise to discuss. Now I can process, I can take all the social anxiety out. I can assess what I want to say and start planning and framing the index of possibilities," says Hunter Hansen. Hunter joins this episode of...

"Practice the pause. I know for those of us that are autistic we feel this social pressure in many different scenarios to answer people in a certain set amount of imaginary time before people make that face, are you listening? I don't like that face because I was listening and was thinking and now your face distracted me from thinking.  What we need to do as autistics we deserve that right to...