Discover what’s possible when people connected to autism inspire change and build community
Episodes
Friday Oct 11, 2024
Friday Oct 11, 2024
Discover what’s possible when every child is given a voice.
In many countries around the world, autistic students are effectively excluded from the education system, as schools often lack adequate resources to accommodate their needs.
The work that our Global Autism Project Partners are doing around the world is fundamental to overcoming these challenges. By presuming competence, we can avoid setting unnecessary limits and instead build on each child’s capabilities.
Today’s guest is Yaser Aljaaidi, the Co-Founder and Clinical Director of Namaee Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and also the first Registered Behavior Technician to become certified in his country. The Global Autism Project partnered with Namaee from 2018 to 2023, and we sent several SkillCorps® volunteer teams to provide sustainable hands-on training.
Our SkillCorps® volunteer program is an opportunity for self-advocates, family members, and professionals to travel to Global Autism Project’s international partner sites and collaborate with local stakeholders on outreach initiatives in their communities.
In today’s conversation, among other things, we discuss:
- How autism is understood in Saudi Arabia and what services are available for families, from diagnosis to adulthood
- How Yaser began working with the autistic population
- Why he created the Give Me A Voice program targeting communication skills
- The challenges Yaser had faced and what he’s learned about leadership
- Advice for other practitioners who are thinking of starting their own centers
- Namaee’s partnership with the Global Autism Project and why Yaser admires our SkillCorps® volunteers
This conversation with Yaser Aljaaidi was originally released on September 3, 2020.
Read the rest of this entry »
Thursday Oct 03, 2024
Thursday Oct 03, 2024
Discover what’s possible when you show up better for the world.
In today’s episode, we’re highlighting our recent SkillCorps® trip to Peru. Our SkillCorps® volunteer program is an opportunity for self-advocates, family members, and professionals to travel to Global Autism Project’s international partner sites and collaborate with local stakeholders on outreach initiatives in their communities.
This carefully curated 10-day journey includes developing culturally-relevant and sustainable training with our partner staff, listening to local Autistic Self-Advocates and family members to learn about their lived experiences, sharing meals with community members to brainstorm ideas and solutions, and executing a high-impact project to build on existing work being done in the country.
On the ground, this SkillCorps® team worked diligently on a range of tasks for our first ever Latin America Autism Summit, from preparing group presentations to fine-tuning logistical details. We collaborated with our partners at Centro Enigma, from Ecuador, and our local host sponsors at Centro Ann Sullivan del Peru, in order to put together an unforgettable event that forged long-term connections that will last a lifetime. The Latin America Autism Summit is the biggest project a SkillCorps® team has taken on so far.
We also visited several businesses employing autistic adults in the community, hosted a self-advocate dinner to listen to their needs, and built relationships with our new partners at MADI while laying the groundwork for future collaboration.
In this week’s episode, you’ll hear some of our SkillCorps® Peru team members’ personal experiences and takeaways. Special shout out to SkillCorps® Alum and leader Adriana Garcia, who helped guide this professionally diverse team of 23 global visionaries on their transformational journey.
Coming up, you’ll hear about:
- Memorable moments from the trip
- Global collaboration
- Sustainability
- The Global Autism Project’s model of Do With Not For
- Personal and professional growth
Related episode:
The Latin America Autism Summit in Lima, Peru
Read the rest of this entry »
Thursday Sep 26, 2024
Thursday Sep 26, 2024
Discover what’s possible when you make lifelong connections.
For almost 20 years, the Global Autism Project has been providing sustainable clinical, administrative, and leadership training to autism centers around the world seeking guidance. We’ve also hosted global and regional summits over the last several years, but we were forced to pause these projects during the pandemic.
Last July, we were thrilled to get back into the field and host our first ever Latin America Autism Summit in Lima, Peru. We collaborated with our partners from Centro Enigma, in Ecuador, and our local host sponsors at Centro Ann Sullivan del Peru in order to put together an unforgettable event that inspired connections that will last a lifetime.
On the ground, our SkillCorps® team worked diligently on a range of tasks for this 3-day summit, from preparing group presentations to fine-tuning logistical details. Our SkillCorps® volunteer program is an opportunity for self-advocates, family members, and professionals to travel to our international partner sites and engage with local stakeholders on outreach initiatives specific to their communities. The Latin America Autism Summit is the biggest project a SkillCorps® team has taken on so far.
In today’s episode, you’ll hear from our CEO, Molly Pinney; our partner at Centro Enigma, Mafer Chang; the founder of Centro Ann Sullivan del Peru, Dr. Liliana Mayo; a Peruvian self-advocate, Amira Collantes; and a QABA representative from Honduras, Nestor Mercadal.
Next week, you’ll hear from some of our SkillCorps® team members about their personal experiences and takeaways.
Read the rest of this entry »
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
Discover what’s possible when behavioral science is creatively broadcasted.
Have you ever heard of Applied Behavior Analysis? Have you ever wondered how it came to be used in autism services?
If you’re curious about the true story behind the origins of Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA for short, you’ll want to listen to this episode with Ryan O’Donnell, where he shares his passion for disseminating behavioral science.
Ryan O’Donnell is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, videographer, and entrepreneur. Through quick and easy-to-digest YouTube videos, he makes behavioral science publicly accessible so that people of all ages can experience their version of success. Ryan’s recent film, The History of Applied Behavior Analysis, is available for free exclusively at thebehavioracademy.com.
In the summer of 2019, Ryan collaborated with the Global Autism Project to document our training approach and highlight our partners at Kaizora Center for Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, in Kenya. You can watch these videos on his YouTube channel, The Daily BA.
In this conversation, among other things, we discuss:
- A condensed history of behavioral science, from early controversial practices of behavior modification to modern ABA used in autism services
- Relatable examples of practical ABA in every day
- Ryan’s experiences working with the adult population
- Different services that are available for families
This conversation with Ryan O'Donnell was originally released on June 18, 2020.
Read the rest of this entry »
Thursday Sep 12, 2024
Thursday Sep 12, 2024
Discover what’s possible when you’re prepared for the environment.
Are you or anyone you know either over-sensitive or under-sensitive to specific sights, sounds, smells, or textures? While this can sometimes be an asset, it can also cause distress or discomfort.
If you’re familiar with difficulties in processing everyday sensory information, stick around, because today’s episode is a roundtable discussion where we talk about Sensory Challenges, featuring Autistic Self-Advocates Hattie-Angelys Fox, Amy Smith and Adrian Sanchez, as well as fellow members of our online Global Autism Community, Cheryl Albright, Tj Larum and Danielle Terrell.
Among other things, we discuss:
- Human sensory systems and needs
- Hyper- and hypo-sensitivities
- Levels of burnout and how to recover from it
- Regulatory strategies for various environments and situations
- Teaching children how to cope and ask for help
- Examining someone’s overall health to support their sensory issues
- The importance of collaborating with specialists when writing treatment plans
- Speech processing and interpreting
- Supports across the lifetime
Sensory Differences - A Guide for All Audiences
Read the rest of this entry »
Thursday Sep 05, 2024
Thursday Sep 05, 2024
Discover what’s possible when you acknowledge your needs.
Have you ever needed to ask for help but didn’t know how? Were you afraid of seeming weak or being rejected?
Whether you’re an autistic student or employee, you’ll want to listen to this episode with Thomas Iland and David Sharif, where they encourage autistic people to speak up about their needs, emphasizing there is no shame in asking for help.
Tom Iland is an Autistic Self-Advocate, Toastmasters International Accredited Speaker, Certified Human Potential Coach, Professional Diversity & Inclusion Consultant, and TEDx speaker. He’s the author of two books, Come To Life! Your Guide to Self-Discovery and My Glass Is Full: Stories of Putting Mental Health First. Tom also holds a Guinness World Record as "The Oldest Person With Autism To Finish a Full Ironman Triathlon," which highlights his commitment to transcending limits.
Also an Autistic Self-Advocate, David Sharif was a dedicated and beloved member of our community who unfortunately passed away in April 2021 due to an epileptic seizure. David was a Magna Cum Laude graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Peace and Justice Studies. He worked as a job coach supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in building fulfilling, independent lives.
In this conversation, among other things, we discuss:
- How to request accommodations, both at school and in the work environment
- How a tutor or job coach can offer extra support
- Examples of reasonable accommodations, such as day-to-day guidance and feedback, establishing long- and short-term goals, assigning tasks by priority, and being notified in advance about meetings and topics
- The benefits of traveling and learning about different cultures
This conversation with Tom and David was first released on September 10, 2020.
For more information about Thomas Iland, listen to:
My Journey of Becoming a Public Speaker, with Thomas Iland
For more information about David Sharif, listen to:
Honoring the Memory of David Sharif, with the Global Autism Community
Read the rest of this entry »
Thursday Aug 29, 2024
Thursday Aug 29, 2024
Discover what’s possible when the student has a seat at the table.
You might have heard the saying, “Nothing about us without us.” This expression has its origins in Central European political traditions and became popular in disability activism during the 1990s. According to the United Nations, it relies on the principle of full participation, and it has been used by disabled people’s organizations throughout the years as part of the global movement to equalize opportunities for, by, and with persons with disabilities.
In today’s episode, you’ll hear about how “Nothing about us without us” can be applied in special education settings. This Global Autism Community roundtable discussion was led by Michael Gilberg, an autistic special-education and disability-rights attorney based in New York and Connecticut. Other participants were Autistic Self-Advocates Sara Bradford, Corben Havener, Mary Johnston, Jonathan Gardner, and Sara van Koningsveld, as well as fellow community members, Nancy Gardner, Colleen Dorsey, Tj Larum and Danielle Terrell.
Among other things, we discuss:
- What is special education
- Social-emotional learning
- The difference between an Individualized Education Program and a 504
- How attorneys and advocates can support parents
- The importance of including students at school meetings about them
Are you a self-advocate willing to share your story and educate others? Or a professional seeking to hear directly from autistic voices and improve your practice? Or are you a family member hoping to support and empower your loved one? Whatever your connection to autism is, we’d love to hear your takeaways from this episode in our online Global Autism Community, where hundreds of people from all over the world come together to support each other and know that they’re not alone.
Join us today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.
Read the rest of this entry »
Friday Aug 23, 2024
Friday Aug 23, 2024
Discover what’s possible when you approach conversations with an open heart.
Have you ever had to advocate for yourself or an autistic loved one in public? Did you find those conversations difficult to handle?
Whether you’re autistic, a family member, or someone who wants to learn about how to advocate for others, you’ll want to listen to this episode with Shreya Jain, where she describes how she supports her autistic younger brother, Suvrat, who is also her inspiration.
Shreya Jain is the CEO and founder of Reservoir, India’s largest digital community of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Still in her 20s, Shreya has already built a safe space to connect families with resources and professionals. The team at Reservoir is driven by a passion to make India a truly inclusive country for people who are differently-abled.
Shreya’s mother, Sangeeta Jain, has been working closely with the Global Autism Project for several years. In 2010, we partnered with SOREM, a school in Chandigarh, and have since sent over 20 SkillCorps® volunteer teams to provide hands-on training to their staff. To learn more about our SkillCorps® volunteer program, you can listen to episode 151 from last September with Team India.
In this conversation, among other things, we discuss:
- How autism is understood in India
- Shreya’s relationship with her autistic brother Suvrat
- What it was like for Shreya’s family to have her brother be repeatedly rejected by multiple schools
- Shreya’s first lessons of advocacy and why it’s important to educate children about autism at an early age
- Why Shreya left the pharmaceutical industry for a path of entrepreneurship
This episode with Shreya Jain was first released on May 7, 2020.
Read the rest of this entry »
Friday Aug 16, 2024
Friday Aug 16, 2024
Discover what’s possible when you find your values.
Have you ever struggled to meet a goal? Was it maybe because you weren’t exactly clear on what it was that you wanted in the first place?
If so, you’ll want to listen to this episode, which is part 2 of my conversation with Hattie-Angelys Fox. She talks about how she teaches her clients and families to adopt behaviors that align with their goals and values.
Recently diagnosed as autistic, Hattie-Angelys Fox is a certified teacher, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and the mother of 2 neurodivergent children. Through her consulting services at Naturally Effective Behavior, Angelys offers a variety of support for individuals and families, including ABA, behavioral support, education & advocacy, educational enrichment, parent training and professional development.
In this conversation, among other things, we discuss:
- How working with an autistic student as a teacher’s assistant influenced Angelys’ career path early on
- Different ways she works with families
- Angelys’ approach to caregiver training
- Advice for other neurodivergent parents
If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take a moment to rate the show and leave a review. You’ll be helping us to continue spreading autism awareness and acceptance around the world.
Read the rest of this entry »
Thursday Aug 08, 2024
Thursday Aug 08, 2024
Discover what’s possible when you can make mistakes safely.
Have you ever wondered what the benefits of homeschooling are? Have you ever thought that children who are homeschooled are missing out on socialization with their peers?
If you’ve ever been curious about homeschooling, you’ll want to listen to this episode with Hattie-Angelys Fox where she talks about why homeschooling was the right choice for her family.
Recently diagnosed as autistic, Hattie-Angelys Fox is a certified teacher, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and the mother of 2 neurodivergent children. Through her consulting services at Naturally Effective Behavior, Angelys offers a variety of support for individuals and families, including ABA, behavioral support, education & advocacy, educational enrichment, parent training and professional development.
In this conversation, among other things, we discuss:
- What it was like for Angelys to receive her autism diagnosis as an adult
- Struggles with her peers growing up
- A toxic relationship from high school
- Finding true partnership in her husband
- Why Angelys decided to homeschool her children
Do you know anyone else who might benefit from this episode? Maybe a parent who is considering if homeschooling is right for their child? I encourage you to share this episode if you’d like to help them out. By doing so, you’ll be helping us to improve access to autism services around the world.
Read the rest of this entry »