Autism Knows No Borders

Autism in the Arts, with the Global Autism Community

Discover what’s possible when art becomes your voice.

Whether through visual arts, music, dance, or theatre, art can foster community, self-expression, and personal growth. In today’s roundtable discussion, Global Autism Community members share their experiences with art. This roundtable was facilitated by community moderator Adrian Sanchez, and features Autistic Self-Advocates Robert Schmus and Sara van Koningsveld.

Among other things, we discuss:

• Art as a vital outlet for self-expression
• How creativity can help autistic individuals articulate their feelings
• Famous autistic artists paving the way for representation in the arts
• Ways to turn art into a career
• Imposter syndrome as a common challenge for artists
• Accessibility in art education
• Art as a tool for positive change

Join us today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. 

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Why Do With Not For, with Molly Ola Pinney | Autism Tips & Tools

What does it mean to do with and not for?

The CEO of the Global Autism Project, Molly Ola Pinney, talks about how creating sustainable change begins with listening – from building local capacity of autism services with our international partners to understanding the needs of the Autistic community. 

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 Ola Pinney was originally released on April 15, 2021.

Would you like to get more practical insights into our framework for decision-making? 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. 

Do With Not For, with Our CEO Molly Ola Pinney

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

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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Part 2 with Dr. Steven C. Hayes

Discover what’s possible when you flex your mind. 

How can we stay in the present moment and open our mind to difficult thoughts and feelings?

If you want to know how to enhance your emotional and cognitive flexibility, stay with us for this episode with Dr. Steven C. Hayes.

Steven Hayes is a clinical psychologist, a researcher, the originator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Relational Frame Theory, and a co-developer of Process-Based Therapy. He has spent the past four decades studying how to ease human suffering and is one of the most cited psychologists in the world, having published 47 books and nearly 700 scientific articles.

This episode is part two of my conversation with Steven Hayes. We discuss:

• How Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can help autistic people 
• Where the concept of “normal” came from and how it’s been harmful to the autistic community
• Why Steven thinks Behavior Analysts should care about ACT
• How ACT can help families
• Tips for clinicians seeking to integrate ACT into their practice

To learn more about Dr. Steven Hayes and his work, please visit  advocacy work, please visit stevenchayes.com.

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Autism in the Basketball Weight Room, with Anthony Ianni | Autism Tips & Tools

How might autism change team dynamics in sports?

Anthony Ianni talks about how being autistic affected his relationship with his teammates. Anthony Ianni is an Autistic Self-Advocate, motivational speaker, and former basketball star. Anthony was the first ever NCAA Division I college basketball player with autism, playing for Michigan State University.

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 Anthony Ianni was originally released on October 29, 2020.

Would you like to hear about how Anthony’s experiences being bullied compelled him to become a motivational speaker? 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. 

Bullying, Breakthroughs, and Basketball, with Anthony Ianni

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

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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Part 1 with Dr. Steven C. Hayes

Discover what’s possible when you flex your mind. 

How can we navigate life’s inevitable challenges more effectively?

If you’d like to know how to be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances, instead of rigidly resisting them, stick around for this episode with Dr. Steven C. Hayes. 

Steven Hayes is a clinical psychologist, a researcher, the originator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Relational Frame Theory, and a co-developer of Process-Based Therapy. He has spent the past four decades studying how to ease human suffering and empower people towards a life based on their own values.

With 47 books and nearly 700 scientific articles published, Dr. Hayes is one of the most cited psychologists in the world, and his work has been celebrated with several prestigious awards.

This episode is part one of my conversation with Steven Hayes. We discuss:

• How Acceptance and Commitment Therapy works
• The true meaning of acceptance
• Psychological flexibility and self-awareness as key to well-being and personal growth
• The importance of honoring your own personal journey

To learn more about Dr. Steven Hayes and his work, please visit  advocacy work, please visit stevenchayes.com.

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What Does “Neurodiversity-Affirming” Mean? with the Global Autism Community | Autism Tips & Tools

Our Global Autism Community members talk about what affirming means to them, and how masking affects autistic individuals.

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 roundtable discussion was originally released on October 5, 2023.

Would you like to hear about best practices, client dignity, and how to create inclusive environments that respect the autonomy and individuality of autistic individuals? 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. 

Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices, with the Global Autism Community

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

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Life with Profound Autism, Part 2 with Eileen Lamb

Discover what’s possible when you acknowledge those who can’t speak for themselves.

Does the social model of disability work for people with profound autism?

Stay with us if you’d like to hear Eileen Lamb, an Autistic Self-Advocate and the mother of a boy with profound autism, share her ideas on this topic.

This episode is part 2 of my conversation with Eileen, and we also discuss:

• Her role as the Senior Director of Social Media at Autism Speaks
• The controversy around Autism Speaks and how this organization has evolved in the last decade
• Why Eileen thinks it’s important to make a distinction between different degrees of autism
• Black-and-white thinking
• Eileen’s tips for other autistic self-advocates

To learn more about Eileen Lamb and her advocacy work, please visit The Autism Cafe.

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Autism Awareness in Ecuador, with Mafer Chang | Autism Tips & Tools

What does autism awareness look like in Ecuador?

Our Global Autism Project partner from Ecuador, Mafer Chang, talks about how World Autism Awareness Day events in Ecuador have evolved to include more community participation and how she and her team keep parents engaged in services at Centro Enigma. 

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 Mafer Chang was originally released on May 27, 2020.

Would you like to hear more about Mafer and the work she does in Ecuador? 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. 

Parent Engagement in Ecuador, with Mafer Chang

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

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Life with Profound Autism, Part 1 with Eileen Lamb

Discover what’s possible when you acknowledge those who can’t speak for themselves.

How does having a son with profound autism shape family dynamics?

Eileen Lamb, an Autistic Self-Advocate and the mother of three children including a boy with profound autism, is back on the show to share some updates about her family and advocacy work. Eileen is also a writer, photographer, podcast host, and the founder of The Autism Cafe, a blog with articles and resources for other parents of children on the spectrum. 

This episode is part one of our conversation with Eileen. We discuss:

• Her children’s development, progress and challenges, including her daughter’s selective mutism
• Eileen’s two most recent books: And Yet - Here You Are and Be the One 
• Lessons in motherhood
• Personal growth and self-discovery
• Advice Eileen would give to her younger self

To learn more about Eileen Lamb and her advocacy work, please visit The Autism Cafe.

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Autism Services for Black American Families, with Maria Davis-Pierre | Autism Tips & Tools

How does the experience of Black families with autistic loved ones differ from that of other cultures?

Maria Davis-Pierre shares how to develop culturally-responsive treatment plans, as well as how stress and burnout might impact Black families differently.

Maria is the mother of an autistic young girl, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and the Founder and CEO of Autism in Black Inc., a Florida-based organization dedicated to raising autism awareness and reducing the stigma within the Black community.

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 Maria Davis-Pierre was originally released on September 4, 2021.

Would you like to hear about how religion, misunderstanding autism, and distrust of the health care system contribute to misdiagnosis in Black American children? 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. 

Autism in the Black American Community, with Maria Davis-Pierre | TBT

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

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