Autism Knows No Borders

Discover what’s possible when an Autistic Self-Advocate courageously shares her stories online.

Eileen Lamb is an Autistic Self-Advocate whose two sons are also on the spectrum. Eileen hosts a blog called The Autism Cafe, where she posts articles and resources for parents. She published her first book in August 2019, called All Across the Spectrum. You can also find her photographs on Instagram @theautismcafe. 

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Eileen’s son’s diagnosis and his progress from receiving Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services
• Her experiences growing up feeling different 
• Receiving a diagnosis as an adult
• The surprising differences in attitudes towards autism between France and the US
• A traumatic incident that involved Child Protective Services and left Eileen feeling betrayed by her son’s ABA team
• The controversy of ABA therapy and the myths surrounding it
• How hard it’s been for Eileen to receive online attacks from other self-advocates and how she handles those criticisms today

This conversation with Eileen Lamb was originally released on April 28, 2020. 

Eileen is currently the Director of Social Media at Autism Speaks. Her second book, Be The One, was released in March 2021. She also gave birth to her third child in 2022, a little girl named Billie. 

Read the rest of this entry »

Discover what’s possible when you attend to gratitude. 

This episode is being released a day early in observance of Thanksgiving in the US. 

Each year our team reflects on what they’re grateful for, both personally and professionally. This year we have many reasons to count our blessings, including one special milestone to celebrate: the Global Autism Project’s 20-year anniversary! 

In this episode our CEO, Molly Ola Pinney, and our Head of University and Training Programs, Ann Beirne, discuss:

• The Global Autism Project’s origin 
• How we evolved to be what we are today
• How autism awareness has increased around the world over the last 20 years
• How the field of ABA has embraced the neurodiversity movement
• Our motto “Do With Not For” as the foundation to our work
• Cultivating ownership vs buy-in with a team
• What Molly and Ann are grateful for during this special occasion

You’ll also hear a few special excerpts of our staff members sharing their personal gratitudes. We hope that this episode will inspire you to reflect on what you’re grateful for this holiday season. 

From all of us at the Global Autism Project, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and hope you can spend some time with your loved ones this weekend. 

Read the rest of this entry »

Discover what’s possible when you ask for help. 

This week’s episode is a recording of one of our Global Autism Community exclusive events! The topic of this roundtable was Accommodations and Accessibility at School and Work. 

The participants were Autistic Self-Advocate Andrew Bennett, mothers Karen Shapiro and Neena Wagh, and community members Tj Larum and Brenda Canas, and the discussion was facilitated by community moderator Danielle Terrell. 

We want to acknowledge Danielle for her commitment to our mission at the Global Autism Project. Soon after discovering our podcast, Danielle joined our online Global Autism Community, participated in our Virtual Leadership Academy course, became a member of our Affiliate program, traveled with us on a SkillCorps® trip to India, and most recently stepped into a role as community moderator. Danielle is also now managing our podcast Instagram and guest communications. 

Thank you, Danielle, for all that you do. Your hard work and dedication are helping this podcast and our community grow! 

In today’s conversation, we discuss: 

• The importance of knowing your rights when it comes to accommodations
• How to determine what reasonable accommodations are
• How accommodations can vary across different cultures
• Advocacy skills and why they should be taught
• Empowering parents and students
• The freedom to disclose or not

Read the rest of this entry »

Discover what’s possible when education is measured beyond grades. 

Michael Gilberg is an autistic special education and disability rights attorney based in New York and Connecticut. Growing up with undiagnosed Asperger’s Syndrome, he offers his clients a level of insight and empathy that is unique to his personal experience. 

In today’s conversation, we discuss:

• Michael’s lack of educational services as a child
• What he’s learned about friendship
• Misconceptions about autism
• Feeling stuck between autistic and neurotypical
• The challenge of defining what “normal” means
• The right to an appropriate education

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

For more information about Michael Gilberg and his work, please visit michaelgilbergesq.com.

Read the rest of this entry »

Discover what’s possible when the glass child heals. 

Ali Carbone is a Brooklyn-based writer, and the oldest sibling to three autistic brothers. In her most recent book, What Are You Looking At?, she writes about her journey of finding herself and rewiring her own brain.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Ali’s caretaker role from a young age
• Her relationship with her parents
• How being the non-autistic sibling affected her psyche
• The catalyst to understanding her lost identity
• Ali’s breakthroughs in therapy
• Her brothers’ transition into a group home 
• Tips for other siblings

To learn more about Ali Carbone you can read her memoir or follow her on IG @aliicarbone.

Read the rest of this entry »

Discover what’s possible when stories shape behavior. 

Sivan Hong is the author and illustrator of the best-selling children’s book series Super Fun Day Books, which 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. 

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Sivan’s discovery of her neurodivergence at age 47
• How audiobooks opened her up to the world of reading
• Neurodivergent traits that help her writing 
• The difference between social stories and traditional children’s books
• Why social stories are effective in teaching neurodiverse children to navigate challenging situations
• The benefits of social stories for every student in the classroom, including neurotypicals
• An excerpt from one of Sivan’s books about Halloween
• Why she focuses on strengths with her family
• Tips for other parents

To learn more about Sivan Hong, please visit her website at sivanhong.com.

Read the rest of this entry »

Discover what’s possible when you step outside of your comfort zone and embrace the unknown. 

Andrew Bennett, Brittney Paye, and Jessie Sheahan have all traveled with the Global Autism Project over the years on SkillCorps® volunteer trips to our various partner sites, including ABA Centrum in the Czech Republic and SOREM in India. 

As our CEO Molly mentioned in episode 2, SkillCorps® is an opportunity for professionals and self-advocates to provide meaningful training to our partners around the world. 

We send out teams of up to 15 people twice a year for 10 days at a time. The team members are complete strangers when they meet for orientation in NY, and by the end of their two-week trip, oftentimes they’ve become best friends. I still keep in touch with many of my teammates that I’ve traveled with.

So far, over 1,000 volunteers are part of our Skillcorps® Alumni community, and many are repeat travelers. Time and again, SkillCorps® alumni have expressed to us that their two-week trips have transformed their lives and relationships. 

Each SkillCorps® team has a trip leader and sometimes a leader-in-training. Andrew, Brittney, and Jessie have all attended Leadership Academy, which is an intensive multi-day workshop that we offer for future trip leaders to discover their leadership style. 

All three guests have different backgrounds related to autism. Andrew is an autism self-advocate and BCaBA, working with children on the spectrum. Brittney is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who implements Applied Behavior Analysis to train dogs. Jessie is a licensed school psychologist and has used ABA strategies in her daily work. 

In this conversation, we discuss: 

• What Andrew, Brittney, and Jessie have learned about themselves and how they continue to apply these insights to their personal and professional growth
• An inspiring story Andrew shares about his outreach initiatives on a SkillCorps® trip to the Czech Republic
• How Brittney’s leadership skills have empowered her to take a stand in different aspects of her life
• Jessie’s takeaways from collaborating with a diverse team of professionals
• The clinical training model that is implemented on our SkillCorps® trips 
• Why it’s important to always prioritize sustainability
• How using the Socratic approach fosters critical thinking skills in the learner
• Cultural humility and how it’s practiced on SkillCorps® trips
• Helpful tips for future SkillCorps® volunteers

This conversation with Andrew Bennett, Brittney Paye, and Jessie Sheahan was originally released on April 28, 2020.

You can find more information about our SkillCorps® program at globalautismproject.org. 

Read the rest of this entry »

Discover what’s possible when the person is at the center. 

This week’s episode is a recording of one of our Global Autism Community exclusive events! This roundtable was facilitated by community moderator Korey Taylor, and its topic of discussion was Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices. 

The participants were Autistic Self-Advocates Thomas Iland, Brian Middleton, Andrew Bennett, Corben Havener, and Robert Schmus, and community members Rosetta Walker, Danielle Terrell, and Tj Larum.

In today’s conversation, we discuss:

• What “affirming” means
• The harms of being forced to mask
• Best practices across disciplines
• Client dignity
• Autonomy 
• Assent
• How to identify an individual’s values

Roundtable discussions like the one you’ll hear today are open exclusively for members of our online Global Autism Community. We select a different theme each month, and our moderators monitor posts daily to ensure that our online space remains safe and respectful. 

If you’d like to attend and participate in any of our future events, you can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. 

Read the rest of this entry »

Discover what’s possible when bonds are rebuilt. 

Anthony Sevieri is autistic and Alexis, his older sister, is neurotypical. Some of Anthony’s special interests include music and roller coasters. 

Alexis is a member of our SkillCorps Alumni community, having traveled with the Global Autism Project to India and Kenya. To learn more about our SkillCorps program, check out episodes 150 & 151. 

In this conversation, we discuss:

• How Anthony and Alexis’ parents explained autism to them when they were children
• Their family dynamics growing up
• How Anthony would feel during moments of aggression 
• An incident from high school that led Anthony to writing music
• Anthony’s journey of self-awareness and self-acceptance
• Alexis’s experiences as a sibling
• How they came to understand each other’s perspectives as adults
• Fun activities they like to do together
• The risks of using food as a coping mechanism
• Autistic strengths that Anthony uses at his YMCA job
• His recent album, including a teaser of one of his songs
• Alexis’ goals to help families with autistic loved ones
• Tips for autistic and non-autistic siblings

Read the rest of this entry »

Discover what’s possible when sensory needs are met. 

David McIntyre is the Founder and CEO of Cubbie, an immersive personal space of sound and vision that uses Personalized Sensory Regulation (PSR) technology to regulate people with autism and sensory needs. Based in Ireland, David is the father of two autistic girls and also neurodivergent himself, diagnosed with dyslexia.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Autism awareness, acceptance, and services in Ireland
• David’s early fears of being diagnosed and how he came to accept his dyslexia
• How autism presents differently for David’s two daughters
• The potential problem of with using diagnoses as excuses
• David’s inspiration for developing Cubbie
• The four different types of sensory needs the Cubbie team has identified
• How occupational therapists use Cubbie to regulate student sensory-processing systems 
• What kinds of audiovisual media come with a Cubbie experience
• Tips for other parents of autistic children

To learn more about David McIntyre and Cubbie, please visit cubbie.ie. 

Read the rest of this entry »