Exploring Different Brains

In the second installment of a two part interview, Hackie Reitman, M.D. speaks with Bankole A. Johnson, DSc, MD, MBChB, MPhil, FRCPsych, DFAPA, Dip-ABAM, Dip-ABDA, FACFEI, who heads the Brain Science Research Consortium Unit (BSRCU) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and is one of the world’s leading authorities on the subject of addiction. He is a leading neuroscientist and a pione...

In the first installment of a two part interview, Hackie Reitman, M.D. speaks with Bankole A. Johnson, DSc, MD, MBChB, MPhil, FRCPsych, DFAPA, Dip-ABAM, Dip-ABDA, FACFEI, who heads the Brain Science Research Consortium Unit (BSRCU) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and is one of the world’s leading authorities on the subject of addiction. He is a leading neuroscientist and a pionee...

In this special episode of Exploring Different Brains, Hackie Reitman, M.D. presents 5 previous guests discussing creative endeavors by those on the autism spectrum. Guests include: Dr. Ian Hale (a writer, poet, public speaker and researcher), Colin Eldred-Cohen (the author of “The Fire Truck Who Got Lost,” a movie reviewer, and a comedy writer), Keri Bowers and Taylor Cross (the mother and son di...

In this special episode of Exploring Different Brains, Hackie Reitman, M.D. presents 4 previous guests as they discuss ways to overcome the learning challenges presented by dyslexia and ADHD. Guests include: Dr. Matthew Schneps (an astrophysicist and visiting scientist at M.I.T., and founder of the Laboratory for Visual Learning), Elizabeth Wilkinson (a British autism and dyslexia advocate known a...

In this episode, Hackie Reitman, M.D.continues his conversation with return guest Stephen Shore, Ed. D.- author, autism advocate, board member for Autism Speaks, and professor at Adelphi University. Stephen discusses his initial diagnoses as a child, the importance of people on the spectrum finding work that fulfills them, and how accommodation for people with different brains improves life for ev...

In this episode, Hackie Reitman, M.D. welcomes back return guest Stephen Shore- author, autism advocate, board member for Autism Speaks, and professor at Adelphi University. You may recall Stephen was diagnosed as non-verbal and autistic at the age of 4, when doctors suggested his parents institutionalize him. Since then he has gone on an amazing journey that has led him to speaking on behalf of a...

In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with Steve Sulkes, M.D, the Director of UCEDD/LEND at University of Rochester Medical Center, and the incoming President of the AADMD. Dr. Sulkes discusses the challenges of treating patients with special needs, the importance of educating medical professionals on different brains, and how treating a neurodiverse patient during his residency forever cha...

In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with Steve Keisman, the Vice President of Education and Transition & Neurodiversity Employment Specialist for Identifor. Identifor is a free app that assists the neurodiverse assess what they are good at, find employment that can utilize those skills, and retain that job once one has it. Steve discusses the benefits of using Identifor, the importance of...

In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with Mitch Nagler, director of the “Bridges to Adelphi” program at Adelphi University. Mitch explains the services the program offers to the neurodiverse to ease their transition into college life, highlights the importance of fostering self esteem in students, and gives tips for anyone with autism- or any other brain that may work a bit differently- on...

In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. continues his conversation with Dr. JR Harding, an author, disability advocate, and instructional specialist at Florida State University. JR’s accomplishments are staggering, with only a few being: contributing over 30 years to National State and Community Policy for the Independence and self-sufficiency of persons with disability, being a two-time presidentia...

In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with Colin Eldred-Cohen. He is the author of "The Fire Truck Who Got Lost,” a movie reviewer, and a young man on the autism spectrum. Colin discusses his diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome, the importance of harnessing hyper-interests, and his love of comedy. Look for Colin’s book, "The Fire Truck Who Got Lost” on Amazon or at: https://the-art-of-autism.c...

In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with Dr. Steven Perlman in the second of a two-part interview (view the first installment here). He is a Clinical professor of Pediatric Dentistry at The Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Co-founder and previous president of The American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD), and was an integral part of bringing heal...

In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with Dr. Steven Perlman in the first of a two-part interview. He is a Clinical professor of Pediatric Dentistry at The Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Co-founder and previous president of the AADMD (), and was an integral part of bringing health care services to the Special Olympics- a move that has revolutionized how the medical sy...

In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with Dr. JR Harding, an author, disability advocate, and instructional specialist at Florida State University. JR’s accomplishments are staggering, with only a few being: contributing over 30 years to National State and Community Policy for the Independence and self-sufficiency of persons with disability, being a two-time presidential appointee, a seven...

In this episode, Dr. Hackie Reitman continues his conversation with director of development for GRASP (Global & Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership). Becca discusses the importance of self advocacy for the neurodiverse, and her experiences as a woman on the autism spectrum.

In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with Becca Lory, director of development for GRASP (Global & Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership). Becca is a great neurodiversity advocate, and tells the story of her journey, from struggling in school and work, to dealing with severe depression, to an initial misdiagnosis of schizophrenia, to finally receiving a diagnosis of Asperger’s at the age o...

In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with Dr. H. Thomas Temple, Senior Vice President of Translational Research and Economic Development at Nova Southeastern University.

In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with Lori Bitar, educational consultant and author of SOS: Save Our Students. Lori has a long history of teaching students with all forms of neurodiversity- from autism to ADHD to dyslexia. Lori discusses her history in the educational system, the inherent gender biases that are common in teaching, and what direction she feels society needs to move in t...

In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with Sarah Howard. Sarah is a member of AASCEND, a meet-up group organizer, and an adult on the autism spectrum. She discusses creating opportunities for the neurodiverse to socialize, the challenges of equal gender representation in organizing events for people on the spectrum, and her own personal challenges related to accomplishing goals.

In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. continues his conversation with Australian psychologist and award-winning author Tania Marshall. Tania discusses maximizing the potential of women on the autism spectrum, the differences between resources for women in Australia and North America, and the subject of transgender individuals that are neurodiverse.

In this episode, Hackie Reitman interviews Harry Lowe, student with Asperger's at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Harry discusses growing up with Asperger's, his experience in school, and the importance of support systems for the neurodiverse.

In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with parenting and addiction specialist Jan Tedeschi. Jan discusses her own childhood exposure to alcoholism, the role neurodiversity and the brain plays in addiction, and why society's perceptions of substance abuse may be making the problem worse.

In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with psychologist and award-winning author Tania Marshall. Tania comes all the way from Australia, and discusses her AspienGirl book series, the challenges neurodiverse females face in getting proper diagnoses, and the unique abilities of women on the autism spectrum.

In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with Dr. Jennifer Palmiotto, marriage counsellor, family therapist, and founder of the Love & Autism Conference in San Diego, California. Dr. Palmiotto speaks about the importance of demystifying taboos surrounding the love lives of people on the autism spectrum, and of the importance of authenticity within relationships.

In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with returning guest Shawn Smith, of Don’t dis-my-ability. Shawn discusses his diagnoses of ADHD, how he started his own organization, and the importance of self-advocacy. He also talks about how he didn’t learn to count until the age of 24, while working as a blackjack dealer.