Discover what’s possible when people connected to autism inspire change and build community
Episodes
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
*THROWBACK EPISODE*
This conversation with Dr. Megan DeLeon was originally released on November 12, 2020. We're re-releasing it today to bring awareness to the great work that Dr. DeLeon is doing with the DoBetter Collective.
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Thursday Nov 30, 2023
Thursday Nov 30, 2023
*THROWBACK EPISODE*
This conversation with Eileen Lamb was originally released on April 28, 2020. We're re-releasing it today to highlight some of Eileen’s recent accomplishments.
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.
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Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
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.
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Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
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
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Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
*THROWBACK EPISODE*
This conversation with Michael Gilberg was originally released on February 25, 2021. We're re-releasing it today to bring awareness to student rights in the U.S. education system.
Michael is an active member in our Global Autism Community and has continuously contributed his unique and honest perspective in various roundtable discussions, hosted monthly in our online community.
Are you a self-advocate wanting to share your story and educate others? Or a family member hoping to support and empower your loved one? Or a professional seeking to improve your practice?
Whatever your role related to autism is, our Global Autism Community is a place for you to connect and collaborate with people from all over the world.
Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.
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Friday Nov 03, 2023
Friday Nov 03, 2023
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.
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Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
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.
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Thursday Oct 19, 2023
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
*THROWBACK EPISODE*
This conversation with Andrew Bennett, Brittney Paye, and Jessie Sheahan was originally released on April 28, 2020. We're re-releasing it today because we're excited to share that our recent SkillCorps® trips to Kenya and Rwanda were huge successes!
Since releasing this episode, Andrew has become a BCaBA and Jessie currently works as the Global Autism Project's Director of Global Collaboration.
We are currently accepting SkillCorps® applications for travel in March 2024! Begin your journey today at globalautismproject.org/skillcorps. As a listener of our show, take advantage of the coupon code AUTISMPODCAST to waive the application fee.
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Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
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.
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Thursday Sep 28, 2023
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
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