Autism Knows No Borders

What does it mean to be “normal”?

In this clip, Michael talking about redefining the meaning of “normal” and what he wishes neurotypical and autistic people understood about each other.

Michael Gilberg, a special education and disability rights attorney. Having grown up with undiagnosed Asperger’s Syndrome, Michael draws from his personal experiences in order to help his clients with first-hand insights and empathy.

Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you!

This conversation with Michael Gilberg was originally released on February 25, 2021.

Would you like to know what Jamiel would have done differently in the early years of his son’s diagnosis? Click the link below for the full conversation and be sure to subscribe to hear more from people connected to autism inspiring change and building community. 

Special Education and Disability Rights, with Michael Gilberg

Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.

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Discover what’s possible when families learn together.

How can grandparents become one of the greatest sources of support for families raising an autistic child?

If you’re curious about a grandmother’s perspective, you’ll want to listen to this episode with Jennifer Kaufman. Drawing from her roles as both a former principal at special education schools and the grandmother of a boy on the spectrum, Jennifer provides practical strategies and heartfelt insights to help grandparents connect with their autistic grandchildren. She is also the author of Grandparenting on the Spectrum: A Journey From Both Sides of the Desk. 

This episode is part one of our conversation, and we discuss:

• Common mistakes grandparents make even with the best intentions
• Understanding the unique mother-daughter dynamic
• How Jennifer realized what her daughter actually needed from her
• Strategies for effective communication with other family members
• Establishing healthy boundaries between generations
• How grandparents can provide meaningful support without overstepping

To learn more about Jennifer Kaufman and her work, please visit Grandparenting on the Spectrum.

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What are the benefits of social stories for neurodiverse children?

In this clip, author and illustrator Sivan Hong talks about the difference between social stories and traditional children’s books, why social stories are effective in teaching neurodiverse children to navigate challenging situations, and the benefits of social stories for every student in the classroom, including neurotypicals.

Sivan Hong’s best-selling children’s book series, The Super Fun Day Books, celebrates the triumphs of neurodiverse children as they face challenges with determination and courage. Her titles include Benny J. and the Horrible Halloween, George J. and the Miserable Monday, Emily D. and the Fearful First Day, and Avery G. and the Scary End of School. Sivan is also the mother of two neurodiverse children, and she herself has ADHD. 

Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you!

This conversation with Sivan Hong was originally released on October 26, 2023.

Thanks for tuning in to Autism Knows No Borders. Would you like to hear Sivan read an excerpt from one of her books about Halloween? Click the link below for the full conversation and be sure to subscribe to hear more from people connected to autism inspiring change and building community. 

The Power of Social Stories, with Sivan Hong

Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.

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How can autistic individuals benefit from learning to play an instrument?

In this clip, music instructor Stephen Flinn talks about how music can help autistic students boost their focus, improve listening and communication skills, build confidence, manage stress, and strengthen motor and cognitive development.

As a master trainer of the Rhythmic Arts Project curriculum, Stephen facilitates percussion-ensemble classes to students of all diagnoses. He has been featured in many international publications, including the Modern Drummer and DownBeat magazines, and published his first book, Contemporary Urban Percussion, in 2016. Stephen has also appeared on over 40 commercial releases of creative music and has toured extensively throughout Europe, Japan, and the United States.

Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you!

This conversation with Stephen Flinn was originally released on August 10, 2023.

Would you like to learn about how to use drums to communicate with non-speakers? Click the link below for the full conversation and be sure to subscribe to hear more from people connected to autism inspiring change and building community. 

Special Needs Music, with Stephen Flinn

Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.

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Discover what’s possible when constraint unlocks opportunity. 

How do perceptions of autism vary across India? 

If you’re curious about the role that family, culture, and community play in autism support, you’ll want to listen to this throwback episode with Jayashree Ramesh. Jayashree is the Founder and Director of the Academy for Severe Handicaps and Autism, ASHA for short, in Bangalore, India. 

The Global Autism Project partnered with ASHA in 2018 and we’ve since sent four volunteer teams to their center through our SkillCorps® volunteer program. SkillCorps® is an opportunity for autism service providers and self-advocates to travel to our international partner sites and collaborate with their local teachers and therapists on clinical, administrative and leadership goals.

We are currently accepting SkillCorps® applications for travel in 2027. Begin your journey today at globalautismproject.org/skillcorps. As a listener of our show, take advantage of the coupon code AUTISMPODCAST (no space and all caps) to waive the application fee.

In part 1 of this conversation, originally released in July of 2021, we discuss:

• The varying perspectives of autism across India
• How Indian mothers and fathers accept autism differently
• What Jayashree loves about working with the autistic population
• Barriers she’s had to overcome to develop her center
• How to engage families in supporting their autistic loved ones
• Cultural perspectives on community support

To learn more about Jayashree and ASHA, please visit ashaforautism.com.

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Have you ever tried to impersonate someone’s voice for fun?

In this clip, Autistic Self-Advocate Scott Edgar shares how he turned a hobby into a career of voice acting and where he gets his inspiration from.

Scott Edgar was featured in London’s Autism’s Got Talent and has participated in the Special Olympics – competing in basketball, bowling, and powerlifting. 

Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you!

This conversation with Scott Edgar was originally released on March 10, 2022.

Would you like to hear about Scott’s experience participating in the Special Olympics? Click the link below for the full conversation and be sure to subscribe to hear more from people connected to autism inspiring change and building community. 

Voice Acting and Special Olympics, with Scott Edgar

Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.

Read the rest of this entry »

Discover what’s possible when constraint unlocks opportunity. 

How do perceptions of autism vary across India? 

If you’re curious about the role that family, culture, and community play in autism support, you’ll want to listen to this throwback episode with Jayashree Ramesh. Jayashree is the Founder and Director of the Academy for Severe Handicaps and Autism, ASHA for short, in Bangalore, India. 

The Global Autism Project partnered with ASHA in 2018 and we’ve since sent four volunteer teams to their center through our SkillCorps® volunteer program. SkillCorps® is an opportunity for autism service providers and self-advocates to travel to our international partner sites and collaborate with their local teachers and therapists on clinical, administrative and leadership goals.

We are currently accepting SkillCorps® applications for travel in 2027. Begin your journey today at globalautismproject.org/skillcorps. As a listener of our show, take advantage of the coupon code AUTISMPODCAST (no space and all caps) to waive the application fee.

 

In part 1 of this conversation, originally released in July of 2021, we discuss:

• The varying perspectives of autism across India
• How Indian mothers and fathers accept autism differently
• What Jayashree loves about working with the autistic population
• Barriers she’s had to overcome to develop her center
• How to engage families in supporting their autistic loved ones
• Cultural perspectives on community support

To learn more about Jayashree and ASHA, please visit ashaforautism.com.

Read the rest of this entry »

What roles do sustainability and collaboration play at the core of the work we do at the Global Autism Project?

The following clip features the CEO of the Global Autism Project, Molly Ola Pinney, and our first-ever Global Autism Project partner, Pooja Panesar, the director of Kaizora Centre for Neurodevelopmental Therapies in Kenya.

For over 20 years, the Global Autism Project has been providing sustainable clinical, administrative, and leadership training to autism centers around the world seeking guidance. Our SkillCorps® volunteer program is an opportunity for autism service providers and autistic self-advocates to travel to our international partner sites and collaborate with their local teachers and therapists.

Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you!

This conversation with Molly Pinney and Pooja Panesar was originally released on August 26, 2021.

Would you like to know why SkillCorps is radically different from voluntourism? Click the link below for the full conversation and be sure to subscribe to hear more from people connected to autism inspiring change and building community. 

Meaningful International Collaboration, with Our CEO Molly Ola Pinney and Pooja Panesar

Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.

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Discover what’s possible when you break the silence.

What is the understanding of autism in Afghanistan? And the availability of services in Canada?

If you’re curious about autism support and awareness around the world, you’ll want to listen to this episode with Hilai Nasib.

Originally from Afghanistan and currently living in Canada, Hilai Nasib is the mother of a 10 year old son with autism. She advocates about autism on social media, hoping to destigmatize autism in Afghan communities. 

This episode is part one of our conversation, and we discuss:

• Hilai’s process of getting her son’s diagnosis
• Early intervention and availability of services in Canada
• What Hilai envisions for her son’s future
• How cultural beliefs about mental health impact autism awareness
• What ultimately encouraged Hilai to open up about her son’s autism
• Her journey as an autism advocate

You can follow Hilai on Instagram @fresh.soul.

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What are some strategies to improve executive functioning skills?

In this clip, Sarah Glass and Eliza Cagle talk about strategies that have worked for them and how thinking out of the box and being able to hyper-focus has helped their careers.

Although they’ve never met in person, Sarah and Eliza have several things in common. They’re both mothers to children on the spectrum, Board Certified Behavior Analysts, and late-diagnosed, neurodivergent women – Sarah has ADHD and Eliza is autistic. Additionally, both of them have travelled with SkillCorps®, our volunteer program in which autistic self-advocates and professionals visit our international partner sites and collaborate with their local teachers and therapists.

Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you!

This conversation with Sarah Glass and Eliza Cagle was originally released on June 24, 2021.

Would you like to know how being neurodivergent may affect someone’s parenting style? Click the link below for the full conversation and be sure to subscribe to hear more from people connected to autism inspiring change and building community. 

Neurodivergent Moms: SkillCorps Spotlight, with Sarah Glass and Eliza Cagle

Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.

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