Springbrook's Converge Autism Radio

Join Dr. Holmes as she interviews and converses with Dr. Hunsley, known as "Doc" about everyone deserves a seat at the table and every aspect of society and community, especially the faith community, should be inclusive and aware of people with differences. "Doc" has developed an excellent buddy training program for providing support to individuals with needs, from childhood to adulthood. Experien...

Join Dr. Holmes as she discusses families of special needs and the effects of trauma. She will focus on recognizing trauma, working through trauma, and building resilience in individuals and families affected by trauma. They will discuss different language and definitions of trauma as it may pertain to the families with special needs. Michelle M. Maris, M.A. is an educator, trainer, consultant, pa...

Join Dr. Holmes as she interviews Silvia Verga discussing the importance of the partnership of parents and providers. This podcast will focus on parents who desire for their children to succeed and be the best versions of themselves. Silvia will discuss the importance of preparing parents to effectively communicate with their child’s service provider(s)/educators in order for them to provide the b...

Join Dr. Holmes as she interviews Dr. Mark Crear on the importance of cultural humility and establishing trust and rapport when working with the African/Afro-American population. Dr. Crear will explain a bit of the history of mistrust of helping agencies from this population as well as discuss bias that well-meaning professionals may have. Dr. Crear will share with clinicians and educators some po...

Join Dr. Holmes as she speaks with Joscelyn Campbell about how different cultures discuss and accept special needs or mental health diagnoses. Becoming multiculturally aware is important for clinicians and social workers as they partner with families to work with children with needs. Knowing about cultural diversity and differences is important in establishing a relationship with the family. This...

Join Dr. Holmes as she speaks with Joscelyn Campbell about how different cultures discuss and accept special needs or mental health diagnoses. Becoming multiculturally aware is important for clinicians and social workers as they partner with families to work with children with needs. Knowing about cultural diversity and differences is important in establishing a relationship with the family. Today...

Join Dr. Holmes as she interviews Dr. Grcevich and they discuss adolescents on the autism spectrum. Dr. Grcevich discusses why adolescents tend to be missed and what is happening that tends to bring teens for evaluation. As a clinical associate professor for the Department of Psychiatry at NE Ohio Medical University, he discusses medication and how the autistic brain responds differently to psycho...

Join Dr. Holmes as she interviews Amy Cox of Developing Potential concerning the issue that surrounds employment and the autism community. They will discuss a look at what has happened to employment for persons with special needs in the wake of Covid-19 including the impact of the change in unemployment to the social model of disability. Amy Cox is the Development Director for Developing Potential...

Join Dr. Holmes as she interviews Jeremy Hamburgh, referred to as the Hitch for the autistic and special needs community by The Atlantic in 2013. The article by Rula AL-Nasrawi quotes, "Jeremy Hamburgh is a New York-based dating coach for both neurotypical people and people with disabilities. He’s a Hitch for those who can hardly flirt, and he spends hours hiding behind bookshelves and potted plan...

Join Dr. Holmes as she interviews Dr. Paul Wichansky, a champion motivational speaker whose goal is to inspire confidence, growth, and opportunity. Dr. Paul wants to spread the message of acceptance and love and forgiveness and partnering together to accept people with differences. Dr. Paul Stuart Wichansky is a motivational speaker and author who has triumphed over cerebral palsy and a hearing lo...

Join Dr. Holmes as she discusses neurodiversity awareness and communication and the culture of the Autistic Community with Evelyn Whelton. As the founder of AUsome Training and organizer of AUsome Conference, Evaleen Whelton made the wonderful discovery that she is Autistic 6 years ago at the age of 37. Since then she has been advocating for positive change for Autistic people. Evaleen concentrate...

Join Dr. Holmes and Rabbi Kipnes as they discuss inclusion in places of worship that must start with YES. Rabbi speaks about the importance of welcoming everyone and beginning with normalizing instead of pathologizing while creating creative individualized approaches for children with needs or challenges or differences. Rabbi Kipnes gives some practical strategies on inclusion for children on the...

Join Dr. Holmes as she discusses congregational inclusion with Rabbi Steven Rau. Rabbi Rau is the co-author with Stacey Levy of the book Everyone is Welcome: Creating a Culture of Inclusion in Congregational Schools. Dr. Holmes and Rabbi Rau talk through the book which is relevant for every faith in creating an inclusive environment as well as staff training and the importance of role models and b...

Dr. Holmes shares today points from her most requested seminar topic, "Thriving with Autism!" Families are systems and as educators and professionals working with families with an autistic child, here are some things you need to know to best support the family. Stephanie shares both as a professional and parent things she wishes educators and professionals would have known to best support their ch...

Join Dr. Holmes and she interviews Dr. John Chimarusti who shares his story of being "born dead" and left on a table to die covered by a sheet with medical professionals encouraging his parents to "let him go, he will not have a quality of life." Dr. Chimarusti shares his emotional journey as a person with cerebral palsy and his family's emotional journey roller coaster navigating the ups and down...

Join Dr. Holmes and author and speaker Jude Morrow to discuss moving beyond "Autism Awareness" to autism acceptance and action and increasing training of neurodiversity. Jude Morrow presented with communication and social difficulties early in life, which led to the diagnosis of Asperger's at age 11. Despite having educational challenges, Jude progressed through secondary school and graduated from...

Join Dr. Holmes as she interviews Rev. Dondra Davis as they discuss accessibility and preparing members of faith communities to welcome and accept people with differences and disabilities. Rev. Davis is passionate about disability awareness as both a religious leader and a personal experience through her own journey with a physical disability. Dr. Holmes and Rev. Davis will talk about the negative...

Join Dr. Holmes as she interviews Beth Golik from Key Ministry on creating a place of worship that welcomes every child. Beth offers practical tips for ministry leaders on how to create a welcoming atmosphere for families with children with hidden disabilities such as autism and tools and strategies that are not cost-prohibitive. From the website to the parking lot to the building accessibility, t...

Dr. Holmes has as her guest today, Bree, and they will be discussing what a family with a child on the autism spectrum may experience in a place of worship. Bree is a marketing executive for a large organization in the southeast and has practical tips for places of worship to become more knowledgeable and accessible to families with members with autism. Bree grew up in a home with a brother diagno...

Join Dr. Stephanie and her guest Sydney to discuss COVID and transitions in education and how they affect students from the student on the perspectives point of view. This series has looked at the stressors and challenges for the caretaker/parents and from clinicians' point of view and concerns and now this will give the perspective from the student's point of view looking at the impact on stress...

Join Dr. Holmes and David Glick as they discuss mental health issues as a result of the current pandemic in the neurotypical population and the neurodivergent population. The Washington Post and New York Times have featured articles with concern for mental health issues and possible crises with the ongoing pandemic. How does this affect special needs populations and their parents? While issues con...

Join Dr. Holmes as she and Dr. Watson discuss new challenges and stressors of parents and caregivers to children on the autism spectrum who are navigating more issues amidst the ongoing COVID crisis. Dr. Watson discusses challenges and stressors that are already part of the parenting process for parenting children with needs and how COVID and challenges with COVID have accelerated these issues. Dr...

Segment Two: From the NT perspective Listen in with Dr. Holmes and Neurodivergent Relationship Coach Grace Myhill in the second segment focused on relational issues in Neurodivergent relationships (where one person is on the spectrum and one is not also known as AS-NT). This segment focuses on the perspective of the spouse who is not on the spectrum. Dr. Holmes asked on social media and other netw...

Segment One: From the autistic perspective Join Dr. Holmes with Neurodivergent Relationship Coach Grace Myhill in two segments focused on relational issues in Neurodivergent relationships (where one person is on the spectrum and one is not also known as AS-NT). Dr. Holmes asked on social media and other networks for questions from both perspectives from all over the country to "Ask Grace." Join Dr...

Converge Autism past presenter Donald Bailey discusses with Robin, a mother of a son with an intellectual disability, what she is doing to help him. Robin Blackwood: A PR veteran with 17 years experience, Robin Blackwood specializes in strategic planning, media relations and client management. She spends her free time with her young son and husband and has a long history of volunteering with group...