Autism Knows No Borders

Why are autistic people given a censored version of sex education? 

Michael John Carley shares his thoughts on this topic as well as the influence that culture has over attitudes towards sexuality. Michael John Carley is an Autistic Self-Advocate, author, and consultant. He was the Founder of GRASP — the largest organization in the world comprised of adults on the autism spectrum — and the Founding Executive Director of ASTEP, now called Integrate, whose mission is to help organizations identify, recruit, and retain professionals on the autism spectrum. 

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 John Carley was originally released on August 6, 2020.

Would you like to hear more about the struggle for authenticity directly from autistic voices?  Follow the link in the show notes for the full conversation.

Rethinking Unemployment and Sex Education, with Michael John Carley

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

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Discover what’s possible when what you give makes a difference.

This time each year, our team at the Global Autism Project takes some time to reflect on what we’re grateful for. First of all, we’re grateful for you, our listeners, and your continued support. We’re also grateful for our podcast guests and their willingness to share their stories with us. And of course, we’re grateful for our growing Global Autism Community, whose members stay commited to our mission to transform how the world relates to autism.

We’re also grateful for the launch of our new International Mentorship Program. This valuable training, which used to be offered exclusively to our partners, is now available to a wider range of service providers looking to enhance and scale their programs. Our mentees have access to training across various pillars, from clinical and leadership skills to organizational development and outreach.

Programs like our International Mentorship are possible thanks to a larger community of generous donors. We are grateful to each and every one of the people who have ever made a donation. And if you’re thinking about supporting our programs and initiatives, enabling us to improve the lives of autistic individuals and their families around the world, stay with us for this episode, where our CEO Molly Ola Pinney explains how you can get involved as a monthly-giving Compass member.

You’ll also hear from members of our International Mentorship Program and SkillCorps volunteers, who will be providing in-person training to our partners in 2026. 

Lastly, we hope that this Thanksgiving special will inspire you to reflect on what you’re grateful for during 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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Become a Compass member today and create sustainable change around the world! Every contribution leaves a meaningful impact and expands our reach to underserved communities worldwide.

Click here to join Compass!

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How can you turn your passion into a career?

Dani Bowman, an Autistic Self-Advocate, animator, illustrator, teacher, and public speaker, talks about how she empowers her autistic students to turn their passion for animation into a career.

The following clip is from a roundtable discussion with our Global Autism Community where Autistic self-advocates shared their ideas on how to prepare autistic youth for adulthood.

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 our Global Autism Community was originally released on October 21, 2021.

Would you like to hear more ideas about successfully transitioning into adulthood? Follow the link in the show notes for the full conversation.

Preparing for Adulthood, with Dani Bowman, Robert Schmus, Cammie McGovern, and Cheryl Albright

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

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Discover what’s possible when representation opens the door.

What are the biggest factors influencing why Black men are underrepresented in the field of applied behavior analysis and what can be done to increase that?

Stick around for this episode and listen to Jeron Trotman share his ideas. 

Jeron Trotman is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and the Founder and President of Black Men in Behavior Analysis (BMBA), and the host of the Beyond the Science podcast. 

Last September, the Global Autism Project was the title sponsor at the BMBA summit in Atlanta, Georgia. BMBA is a professional organization dedicated to fostering diversity, inclusion, and leadership in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

In this episode, among other things, Jeron and I discuss:

• Why Black men are under-represented in the field of behavior analysis
• The role of race and cultural identity in the practice of behavior analysis
• What organizations can do to be more inclusive and welcoming towards professionals of color
• Challenges and misconceptions of autism within the Black American community
• Systemic changes needed in the field of ABA 
• Tips for young Black men interested in entering the field of behavior analysis

Additionally, you’ll hear clips from a few participants at the BMBA summit (Andre Anderson, Kelly Baird, and Marquii Jacobs) sharing their hopes for the field of ABA and the Black autistic community.

To learn more about BMBA, please visit: bmbanetwork.org

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How does masking affect autistic mental health and well-being?

Terra Vance shares her ideas about autistic masking and identity. Terra is an Autistic Self-Advocate and the Founder of NeuroClastic, an autistic-led non-profit organization that publishes articles by autistic writers and professionals advocating for autistic representation and human rights.

The following clip is from a roundtable discussion with our Global Autism Community where Autistic self-advocates shared their experiences with masking, the emotional toll it takes, and the journey towards authenticity. 

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 our Global Autism Community was originally released on December 9, 2021.

Would you like to hear more about the struggle for authenticity directly from autistic voices?  Follow the link in the show notes for the full conversation.

Masking and Authenticity, with the Global Autism Community

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

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Discover what’s possible when your calm becomes their anchor.

Does your autistic child struggle with regulating themselves? 

If you’d like to learn how to stay calm in order to help your child in stressful situations, stick around for part two of my conversation with autism-mom coach Lisa Candera, where she talks about what it means to be a solid object for your child.

Among other things, we discuss:

• Techniques for staying calm and grounded when your child is stressed
• Common struggles and invisible challenges faced by autism parents
• How therapists, friends, and extended family members can support autism parents
• How to filter out unsolicited parenting advice
• Tips for mothers who might be feeling overwhelmed or alone

To learn more about Lisa Candera and her work, please visit: The Autism Mom Coach

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Do you struggle dealing with the pressure of societal expectations?

Russell Lehmann, an Autistic Self-Advocate, motivational speaker, author, and poet, talks about how being autistic makes this pressure uniquely challenging. 

Russell is an Autistic Self-Advocate, motivational speaker, author, and poet. He travels the world spreading hope, awareness, and compassion, while striving to erase the stigma and stereotypes associated with having a disability.

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 Russell Lehmann was originally released on May 14, 2020.

Would you like to hear Russell talk about how public speaking has helped him grow? Follow the link in the show notes for the full conversation.

Finding Strength in Adversity, with Russell Lehmann

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

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Discover what’s possible when you shift from blame to resilience.

Although many myths about the causes of autism have been thoroughly debunked, misinformation continues to take a toll on mothers. Whether you know from personal experience or through an autism mom in your life, you’ll want to listen to this episode with Lisa Candera. 

Lisa Candera is a single mom, attorney, ADHD-er, autism-mom coach, and the host of The Autism Mom Podcast. She helps parents of autistic children regulate themselves first, so they can show up for their kids with compassion, clarity, and strength. 

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

• Lisa’s journey of understanding and accepting her son’s autism and OCD diagnoses
• What she envisions for her son’s future
• The importance of shared experiences and support groups
• Misinformation about autism, including recent unfounded claims that it can be caused by Tylenol
• The debunked “refrigerator mom” theory
• Working through blame and guilt after learning that your child is autistic
• How parents can protect themselves from misinformation fatigue
• Cultural expectations of motherhood
• Unspoken pressures placed on autism moms

To learn more about Lisa Candera and her work, please visit: The Autism Mom Coach

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How can autistic individuals cultivate a meaningful life?

 

Gwen Palafaox, a licensed psychologist, talks about how autistic individuals can find a sense of belonging and cultivate a meaningful life across employment and relationships.

 

With a focus on helping teens and young adults find their most fulfilled and joyful lives, Gwen has been supporting disabled and neurodivergent individuals for over two decades. She also hosts the podcast Dr. Gwen Empowered.

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 Gwen Palafox was originally released on June 22, 2023.

Would you like to hear Gwen talk about how neurotypicals can interact with autistic people from a trauma-informed perspective? Follow the link in the show notes for the full conversation.

Empowering Autistic Adolescents, with Dr. Gwen Palafox

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

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Discover what’s possible when you really put yourself in someone else’s shoes.

Are you the parent of an autistic child? Or are you in a relationship with an autistic partner?

If you’d like to learn about how to better understand and support them, stick around for part two of my conversation with licensed professional counselor Meghan Ashley, where she talks about taking the autistic perspective.

Among other things, we discuss:

• The consequences of disclosing her and her two sons’ autism to their extended family
• Common struggles parents face when trying to understand their autistic children
• How to create an autism-friendly home environment
• The complexity of unmasking in different situations
• Tips for non-autistics when interacting with autistic individuals

To learn more about Meghan Ashley and her work, you can follow her on Instagram @mperfectconsulting.

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