Exploring The Spectrum

How can the stories of autistic individuals who have defied expectations inspire hope for others navigating their own journeys? Iuliia Bazhan , founder and Executive Director of Evo Autism Foundation, joins us to talk about her journey as an autistic woman, mother of an autistic son, and advocate for greater inclusion. We explore how early predictions about an autistic child's future can shap...

What does it feel like to live at the intersection of autism and ADHD, when two seemingly opposing needs exist within the same person? In this episode, psychotherapist, psychologist, and PhD researcher Karla Pretorius joins us to discuss the more subtle and internalized presentations of ADHD and autism, particularly in women. We explore masking, anxiety, imposter syndrome, AuDHD, and why someone c...

Psychedelic experiences can amplify everything from sound and light to emotion and memory, so how can we adapt them for neurodivergent individuals who may already experience the world in an amplified way? Dr. WaiFung Tsang, MSc, DClinPsy is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and co-founder of Onaya Science, joins us to explore what Western psychedelic medicine can learn from Indigenous Amazonian...

What happens when the way you experience and communicate what is happening in your body doesn’t match what healthcare providers have been trained to recognize? Claire Sehinson, MSc, IFMCP is a late-diagnosed autistic, ADHD, and dyslexic researcher, functional medicine-trained practitioner, and educator, who joins us to explore the intersection of neurodivergence and chronic illness. We discuss how...

How does the brain adapt to change, and what can cognitive flexibility teach us about autism? Neuroscientist Lucina Uddin, PhD joins us to explore the brain networks that support cognitive flexibility and why difficulties with adapting to change are common in autism. We discuss how neuroscience is shifting away from searching for a single "autism brain region" toward understanding dynami...

Parents are often told they need to advocate for their autistic children. But who is making sure the healthcare system is equipped to support them when they do?  In this episode, Honey Rinicella joins us to discuss one of the greatest unmet needs many families face: access to providers who are trained to look beyond a diagnosis and investigate the underlying factors contributing to a child's...

What becomes possible when a mother decides to ignore what the experts said about her son’s future? In this episode, Cindy Rucker Trost joins us to share the twists and turns of her parenting journey with Hunter, highlighting the importance of choosing to believe that your child is capable of more. Cindy discusses the early years where the future was unknown and the present had no instructions, ho...

What becomes possible when an autistic child grows up with a mother who always believed he was capable?  In this episode, Hunter Trost joins us to share his perspectives on common myths about autism, the importance of support systems, and the impact of a mother who never gave up. Hunter makes it clear that every autistic individual has their own story, but also offers incredible insights about wha...

Why are so many young adults feeling stuck - and what actually helps them move forward?  In this episode, Andrew Taylor joins us to explore the hidden forces shaping this generation and how parents and young adults can work together to rebuild momentum, resilience, and a sense of direction.  We discuss the impact of technology on adolescent development, how overprotective parenting may unintention...

Where can families of neurodivergent children turn to when the structure and support of school systems fall away after graduation? Allison Kleinman, LCSW, and Alex LoPinto, LCSW of Future Centered Care join us to unpack the critical gaps families face when supporting adults with developmental disabilities—especially during major life transitions like “the cliff” after school. We explore the emotio...

There are countless books on parenting - but what happens when you’re raising a child who experiences the world differently and is often underestimated?  Deborah Winking, PhD joins us to share insights from her book Raising Capable Kids, which walks parents through 12 habits - using story, science and prompts for self reflection - that allow parents to understand and apply these habits in their da...

Are educators preparing autistic students for life, or just helping them survive school?  James Williams joins us to share his perspectives on school, work, and social connection as an autistic individual. An autistic self-advocate since age 11, James brings a rare wide-angle view shaped not only by speaking and advocacy, but by ongoing exposure to the full range of lived experiences of autistic p...

What if the emergence of agentic AI can help answer the question of what causes autism?  Elizabeth Horn joins us to share perspectives from a 30 year journey with her daughter Sophia, and how her experience inspired her to build new systems of support for autistic children at every step of the way. We discuss how behavioral interventions fail to address the underlying biological challenges which a...

Have you ever wanted to do something so perfectly that you ended up not doing it at all?  Dr. Greg Chasson is a leading authority on transforming compulsive and impulsive behaviors and the author of " Flawed: Why Perfectionism is a Challenge for Management. ” While it is true that many characteristics of perfectionism are often present in autistic populations, Dr. Chasson joins us to share mo...

Your child just received a diagnosis of autism, now what? Much of the information out there continues to be focused on fixing deficits, but ignores something more important that might actually unlock hidden potential: their strengths.  Clain Udy joins us to share his journey with his son Christian, which begins as many parents’ journeys do and transforms into a period of exploration that became th...

We often hear how a diagnosis of autism can be a relief, especially for those diagnosed later in life, but what happens when the treatment plan that follows the diagnosis actually makes you worse?  Dr. Angela Kingdon shares with us the winding journey following her diagnosis at age 39, including how traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy created new challenges, her experience with autistic burno...

As the conversation around autism gets mainstreamed, some people become more understanding when they recognize stereotypical behaviors in public, but what happens when autism is not as noticeable from the outside?   Dr. Dena Gassner shares what many families experience, simultaneously navigating school systems for her autistic child (who presented in a more classic way and diagnosed early) while a...

There is an outdated belief that autism is only a diagnosis of childhood, so what happens when the diagnostic systems that providers depend on cannot capture the reality of lived experience?  Dr. Sarah Wayland joins us to share her experience, both personally and professionally, as to how autism may present differently than expected and lead to misdiagnosis and delayed care. She shares her experie...