Exploring Different Brains

Dr. Janice Ryan shares how awareness of sensory issues improves therapy for the neurodivergent. Dr. Janice Ryan is the Founder and Director of Attunement Solutions, LLC. She is a Doctor of Occupational Therapy, a Human Systems Dynamics Professional and has over thirty years of professional experience with changing lives. Dr. Ryan has been an occupational therapist for over 30 years and has been re...

Self-advocate Ryan Lundy shares his experiences with NVLD - Nonverbal Learning Disorder. Ryan Lundy is a self-advocate for NVLD (Nonverbal Learning Disorder / Disability). He is also a teacher’s assistant at the Els Center for Excellence with Autism, and a special ambassador for the NVLD Project, an organization dedicated to raising awareness, building support, and creating helpful solutions for c...

Master storyteller and author Eva Grayzel discusses how sharing stories helps people connect and succeed. (VIDEO - 25 mins) Eva Grayzel is a master storyteller, author, performance artist, and cancer survivor. Eva explores the intersection of hope, healing and giving back, while telling compelling tales about facing death and living on to change the lives of countless others. An expert on interact...

Beacon College’s president Dr. George Hagerty & director of their Center for Student Success Dr. Oksana Hagerty share their work with neurodivergent students. Dr. George Hagerty if the president of Beacon College, and Dr. Oksana Hagerty is director of the college’s Center for Student Success. Beacon College, a private nonprofit college founded in 1989 in Leesburg, Florida, is the first accredited...

Australian self-advocate Tom Oliver discusses his work helping autistic individuals caught in the justice system. Tom Oliver is a TEDx Speaker and Global leader on autistic individuals caught up in the justice system. He is expected to graduate with LLB and BBioMedSc from The University of Notre Dame Australia, in 2023. He plans to graduate with First Class Honours in Law, in 2023. Subsequently, h...

PDA North America founder Diane Gould discusses the “Pathological Demand Avoidance”, and its occurrence along the autism spectrum. (VIDEO - 30 mins) Diane is a therapist, consultant, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has worked for both private agencies and school systems. She has served as a consultant and been a guest lecturer for many area school districts, parent associations and privat...

Psychologist, attorney, and Different Brains board member Dr. Lori Butts shares what makes something a “disorder”. (VIDEO - 22 mins) Dr. Lori J. Butts is the CEO and President of the Clinical & Forensic Institute (CFI) with offices in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Florida. After graduating from Clemson University with Honors, Dr. Butts received her law and doctoral psychology degrees from t...

Educator & musician Joseph Lento shares his philosophy for effectively teaching neurodiverse students. (VIDEO - 24 mins) Joseph Lento is an educator and a Conservatory-trained professional Musician. He is licensed by NYS as a Teacher of Orchestral Music and School District Administration and began his career in 1984. In 1999 he was named NYC Bronx County High School Teacher of the Year. In 2014 Pr...

David Geslak & Ben Boudreaux discuss the importance of physical activity for those on the autism spectrum. (40 mins) David S. Geslak BS, ACSM EP-C, CSCS is the Founder and President of Exercise Connection. As a Fitness Coordinator at a school for children with autism, Coach Dave experienced first-hand the challenges of teaching exercise. By understanding that students with autism learn differently...

The REACH Institute founder Dr. Peter Jensen discusses the importance of mental health care for kids. (13 mins) Peter S. Jensen, MD is the Board Chair and Founder of The REACH Institute. The Institute is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that the most effective, scientifically proven mental health care reaches all children and families. They train primary care providers, therapists, and ot...

Journalist & self-advocate Tara Lerman shares the realities of Tourette Syndrome. (14 mins) Tara Lerman is a neurodivergent writer and editor with a demonstrated history of working in news media and branded content. Diagnosed with a tic disorder at the age of nine, she is focused on bringing her own experience with Tourette's syndrome to the conversation around neurodiversity at work. She is curre...

The REACH Institute founder Dr. Peter Jensen discusses his work training medical professionals in neurodiversity. (28 mins) Peter S. Jensen, MD is the Board Chair and Founder of The REACH Institute. The Institute is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that the most effective, scientifically proven mental health care reaches all children and families. They train primary care providers, therap...

Self-advocate Andrew Arboe discusses his work helping other autistic individuals develop their driving skills. (20 mins) Andrew is the founder of Driving With Autism. Driving with Autism is a educational program that helps autistics and their families navigate the steps to take for being a driver. Their content comes with a multi-part webinar series that breaks driving into sizable steps for anyon...

Mark Wolraich, MD discusses his work creating diagnostic scales for ADHD, and how the medical community can better serve neurodivergent patients. (30 mins) Dr. Wolraich is CMRI/Shaun Walters Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and the Chief of the Section of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, and the former Director of the Child Study Center. He rec...

Sam Salver of JFS Broward discusses how their Joshua’s Path program is helping neurodivergent adults find jobs. (23 minutes) Sam is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the Program Coordinator for Joshua's Path and BOOST at Jewish Family Services of Broward. The Joshua’s Path program at Goodman JFS supports, educates and empowers adults with developmental disabilities and their families, by provi...

Irish autism self-advocate, author, and speaker Jude Morrow returns to discuss his new book “Loving Your Place On The Spectrum”. (31 minutes) Jude is an autistic best-selling author, entrepreneur, philanthropist and keynote speaker from Derry, Northern Ireland. He travels the world to showcase through his talks that autistic children can grow up to live happy and successful lives. Jude's books are...

Broward Center’s Gustavo Padrino discusses their sensory-friendly performances for the neurodivergent. (VIDEO - 21 mins) Gustavo Padrino is the Community Engagement Manager for the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The Broward Center builds community through the arts by delivering quality entertainment, educational opportunities and memorable moments that engage and inspire audiences, nurtur...

Author and self-advocate Jacki Edry discusses neurodiversity acceptance & inclusion in Israel (VIDEO - 27 mins) Jacki Edry is a graduate of Hampshire College and has recently authored her first book “Moving Forward: Reflections on Autism, Neurodiversity, Brain Surgery, and Faith”. She has an extensive background in education, writing, and marketing. She has been exploring the world of autism and n...

Dr. Marcia Ratner & Dr. James Hendrix discuss recent developments in Alzheimer’s research. Dr. Marcia Ratner, world-leading neurotoxicologist and research scientist at the Boston University School of Medicine. Her research focus is neurotoxicants, chemicals that can cause brain damage. Marcia is also a project manager for the Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics at Boston Univers...

Therapist and self-advocate Sean Inderbitzen discusses PTSD on the autism spectrum. (VIDEO - 24 mins) Sean is a Behavioral Health Therapist, and lives with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. He has a caseload with 33% of his patients that live with ASD and varying co-morbid psychiatric conditions. Prior to being a mental health clinician, he was a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist for Wisconsin Divis...

John Hiski Ridge discusses what he has learned racing a child with a rare diagnosis - 22q. John Hiski Ridge is a professional writer, as well as a Colorado attorney. He has published articles on many topics, including diversity in the workplace, leadership, legal writing, and mountain climbing. He is a graduate of Boston College, where he earned both his J.D. and a Ph. D. in philosophy. Importantl...

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, so join us as we speak with Matt Anderson of PRIDE Industries about their work building inclusive workforces. PRIDE Industries’ mission is to create employment for people with disabilities. In his role as Vice President of Inclusive Talent Solutions (ITS), Matt Anderson shares the mission of PRIDE Industries with large public and private c...

Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT returns to discuss codependency. (VIDEO - 19 mins) Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and expert on relationships and codependency. She’s the author Conquering Shame and Codependency: 8 Steps to Freeing the True You and Codependency for Dummies and six ebooks, including: 10 Steps to Self-Esteem, How To Speak Your Mind – Become Assertive an...

Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT explains what Narcissistic Personality Disorder really is. (VIDEO - 21 mins) Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and expert on relationships and codependency. She’s the author Conquering Shame and Codependency: 8 Steps to Freeing the True You and Codependency for Dummies and six ebooks, including: 10 Steps to Self-Esteem, How To Speak Your...

Dr. Eric Endlich discusses his work helping neurodivergent students find the right college. (VIDEO - 32 mins) Dr. Eric Endlich is the founder of Top College Consultants, whose mission is to improve access to college for students worldwide, especially those with learning differences or emotional challenges. Dr. Endlich has worked with many families around the world to help them navigate the college...