Springbrook's Converge Autism Radio

Jeff Cohn joins us to talk about his work as an Occupational Therapist in the field of Autism. With a BS and MS in Occupational Therapy, Jeffery Cohn has a deep well of educational professional experience. As lead OT in a pediatric development outpatient clinic, lead OT in CA school districts, experience in long and short term rehab facilities, and now with experience in the Autism Program at Spri...

Melanie Watt who has a Masters of Education and a background as Special Education teacher joins us to talk about how equine therapy has changed the face of Autism. She is the Founder & Executive Director of Hope Remains Youth Ranch, an equine program that offers riding lessons, after school programs, certified equine therapy sessions and professional counseling to children and families throughout...

Chris Medina, Andy Chavez, and Annie Escalante join Kristin Walker to talk about Applied Behavioral Analysis, Artificial Intelligence, Human Behavior, Mental Health, Virtual Reality, Autism, and more.  We talk about how virtual reality is being used to help those with Autism. These young entrepreneurs created the organization BehaviorMe and we got the chance to use their simulator and the Oculus G...

Recently, fellow MHNR Host Joseph Fusaro sat down to talk about writing, art, Autism, and Aspergers with Motesem Mansur. Motesem is an author and artist that uses creativity to write stories of hope for kids living with Aspergers and Autism. He faced struggles first hand as a kid and it is his mission to show this generation that there is nothing to fear, to let your passion guide you, and most im...

We sit down for a chat with Madonna Kilpatrick from Seattle Washington. Her I.Q. is off the charts. She's an author, a blogger, a podcaster, a docent for the Museum of Arts in Seattle, and an artist. She's also autistic. Madonna lets us behind the veil to discuss what it was like for her in school, how she manages her life and her unique abilities while feeling vulnerable and insecure at times bec...

Mary Neil, a student at the University of Florida down in Gainesville joins Kristin Walker live at the Converge Autism Summit. She is a mentor and student leader for their Social Gators program which is a new program that is a mentorship for students on the Autism Spectrum. This program helps them to get involved like any neurotypical student activities program. https://disability.ufl.edu/students...

Donald Bailey joins us live from the Converge Autism Summit by Springbrook Autism Behavioral Health. He's been on the podcast before talking about his autistic son and the journey he's experienced with him as a child and now an adult. Donald is working on helping him find private housing and continuing to speak at events like this summit to raise awareness about the lifelong journey of parents wit...

Live at the Converge Autism Summit Aspie Comic Michael McCreary stops by the media room for a chat looking very tired and losing his voice! He did a wonderful session at the summit and was on his way to the next speaking engagement with his father. Joining us next is the CEO of Springbrook Autism Behavioral, Mike Rowley. Tune in for an update of all the great initiatives Springbrook has in place f...

We've heard so much about CBD oil and had the chance to speak with one of the exhibitors of the Converge Autism Summit, former NLF player Jeff Reed. His organization was there to talk about some of the research around CBD oil and Autism. Jeff is a two-time Super Bowl winner for the National Football League’s Pittsburgh Steelers, Jeff Reed knows a few things about being in the spotlight. With milli...

Live from the Springbrook Autism Summit, Scott Compton joins our host Kristin Sunanta Walker to discuss how he got into working with children on the Autism Spectrum. Scott Compton is the Regional Director Of Business Development for Springbrook Autism Behavioral. www.convergeautism.com Lori Reinhart-Mercer, RN also stopped by to talk about the research projects on ADHD and Autism being done for Du...

Join filmmaker Allen Wolf as he discusses his upcoming film Hooked, a romantic dramady where the lead character is Autistic. This film will bring awareness to help people to see autism through a new lens. Allen Wolf has won multiple awards for his storytelling as an author, filmmaker, and game creator. He is a producer, writer, director, and a communication specialist. www.hookedthemovie.com www.s...

Dr. Matthew Fisher stopped by the media room for a chat with our host Kristin Walker. We were live at Springbrook's Converge Autism Summit and we thought about how difficult it was to keep Dr. Fisher in that room, undisturbed for 15 minutes. Why? Because he is needed. Self-care amongst the caregivers became our focus for this conversation. Join us for a behind the scenes sneak peek in the world of...

Jennifer Ferguson who runs Upstate Adult Aspies in Greenville, South Carolina runs a Meetup group for Aspies, led by Aspies. She stops by the media room at Springbrook's annual Converge Autism Summit to talk about the much needed community services for adults on the spectrum. Carolyn O'Connell with Mary Sunshine House joins us to share an option for some adults with Autism - group housing. Mary Su...

Live from Springbrook's Converge Autism Summit, we sit down with presenter and often guest Stephanie Holmes and her daughter Sydney. Stephanie talks about her presentation Spectrum Teens and the Issues they Face with Sydney talks about what her journey has been as a young woman with Autism. Stephanie C. Holmes, M.A., is a Certified Autism Specialist and Credentialed Christian Counselor with the Bo...

Live at the Converge Autism Summit we sat down with Richard (Dick) Hills, the founder and President of Springbrook Autism Behavioral Health and Havenwood Behavioral Health at Springbrook. Dick shares his personal story about why he created Springbrook and the mission that drives his life of service. You don't want to miss this episode! www.convergeautism.com www.springbrookautismbehavioral.com www...

Dr. Temple Grandin, Author, Speaker, and Professor of Animal Science was the keynote speaker at Springbrook's Converge Autism Summit held in March of 2019. Dr. Grandin stopped by the media room to chat with Kristin Walker again and it was such a pleasure. She wanted to talk about the behavior of herd animals and also about Autism in the workplace. Find out more about her work at www.templegrandin....

Robert Walker joins us today to talk about his experience as a public school teacher working with kids in Special Education - now called Exceptional Children. Rob takes us on a walk through his experiences with training and educating students about their classmates with Autism. He also explains that part of his job was to work with other teachers and how healthcare privacy made that a real challen...

Dr. Fisher sits down for a discussion with Kristin Walker to talk about diagnosing physical conditions in patients with Autism, troubleshooting side effects and symptoms in patients with Autism, and makes a point to educate listeners that Autism is a Neurological Condition. He is one of the speakers at the annual Converge Autism summit. Dr. Fisher completed his General Psychiatry residency at the...

Sean Sullivan, founder of I Know Autism. Sean was born severely autistic, but has overcome many of his symptoms and built a life for himself. However, this was not without hardship. Listen as Sean shares his story about how he was forced to sleep outside and denied food at several facilities, but was able to find his way home, literally. Once he found his way home, he began building a life for him...

Benjamin Lee, co-founder of www.laurasgreetings.com . Ben was born in Provo, Utah and is currently studying Global Supply Chain Management at Brigham Young University. He is the Director of Supply Chain and Sales at Laura's Greetings and has been on a mission to help those with different abilities for over 1 year. He has 3 siblings, is an eagle scout, and loves to spend time with his family. Laura...

What does a doctor with Autism have to say about working with patients who also have Autism? Join Dr. Dan Edmunds and our host Kristin Walker as they discuss ethical treatment and his unique understanding of ASD. Dr. Dan L. Edmunds is an Internationally Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Psychotherapist, and Psychological Evaluator (working under supervision). Dr. Edmunds completed und...

Your host gives a personal account of what it means to have a sibling with Autism Spectrum Disorder by interviewing her 17 year old son. Our host has two children, one who is 17 and one who is 7, and on the spectrum. They discuss the ways in which it has affected their family, how the older son's life has changed since his little brother was born, and what he has learned about anyone with disabili...

Listen to our seasoned guest, Stephanie Holmes, MA, BCCC, discuss how to move past autism awareness and into acceptance. There is still stigma surrounding autism and the behaviors that are associated with it. With the help of many amazing advocates like Dr. Temple Grandin and others, we have come far on the path of autism awareness but true acceptance comes when we can look past the diagnosis and...

Join Jeff Beck, co-founder of AnswersNow, an autism app that connects parents with real time BCBA therapists. Jeff Beck is the CEO and co-founder of AnswersNow. Jeff is a licensed clinician and entrepreneur who is passionate about helping families work through their unique challenges. In his previous role as a child and family therapist, he recognized that parents of children with special needs we...

Join attorney John Hickey to discuss the recent tragedy of a young man with autism who fell overboard on a cruises ship. He discusses maritime law and safety tips to keep your loved ones safe on vacations. John "Jack" Hickey of the Hickey Law Firm in Miami is a veteran in the maritime industry. For almost two decades, he represented cruise lines and is one of the nation's foremost experts on marit...