Autism Stories

"We're so busy talking, we're not taking the time to listen to one another. Instead of me just saying here's what I believe, because that's only one out of how many millions autistic people out there, I took the stance of let me use something that I use in the classroom and in the change management work that I do: ask questions. I follow this simple mantra: "First, seek to understand. Then seek to be understood", says Scott Frasard. Scott joins this episode to discuss  the importance of asking questions, psychometrics, and using ChatGTP to have discussions about autism. If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"The polyvagal theory teaches that safety is the treatment. From that foundation, we're looking to create micro moments of finding what does that safety mean again. It might be the sound of the breeze, or it might be being tucked in your bed with a particular blanket, or it might be a certain bird call. What is the thing that can help light up that little bit of safety, and we start to craft and really attend to that", says Aly Dearborn. Aly joins this episode to discuss polyvagal guided therapy and sex education for autistics. To learn about Aly and her services visit http://www.alydmft.com . If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"For the autistic people that I've known, a lot of people, including myself, get good jobs, but you have trouble keeping those jobs. And lots of times, you feel like you're banging your head against a wall. I specifically needed a reason to keep trying. It was needing to provide a life for her that made me say no, keep trying", says Terrill North. Terrill joins this episode to discuss fatherhood, employment, and visionary entrepreneurs. To learn more about Terrill visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrillnorth If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"After I made that realization, I can make mistakes, I can go to a meeting and stutter a little bit, I can have difficulties with different sensory issues and actually get accommodations for that instead of restrict myself to make everyone else comfortable all of the time", says Jason Brady. Jason and Cameron Allen join this episode to discuss to  being kinder to yourself and their film Neurodivergent Files. To watch Neurodivergent Files visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33ATEi7PX5c . If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"I must emphasize how soul-crushing it is to have people treat you like you are a lesser human. Please do your part in making the world a more accepting and respectful place. Proactively unlearn ableism. You make a difference when you believe I matter", says Sabrina Guerra. Sabrina joins this episode to discuss unlearning ableism and how self-acceptance is a glorious rebellion. To learn more about Sabrina visit https://www.facebook.com/SabrinaGuerraNonspeakingAdvocate . If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"If I can't figure out how to cut something correctly like the recipe says, I give up and I'm done for like 48 hours and I don't eat, and that's not healthy. I think the path of least resistance is opening that can of peas, eating that safe food, doing the things that make your neurological problems happy for the moment so you can move", says Bianca Elizabeth. Bianca joins this episode to discuss  the path to least resistance, being kinder to herself,  and being an entrepreneur and business coach.  To learn more about Bianca visit ⁠https://www.instagram.com/biancaelizabethiam/⁠ . If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

Now when I work with a lot of semi-speaking, autistic young people, I demonstrate that I am very open about my diagnosis and I share the fact that I'm semi-speaking. It has worked absolute wonders with the young people because they're like, Oh, somebody else is like me. I can do this," says Hat Talks. Hat joins this episode to discuss  being a speech and language therapist, creating a post diagnosis workbook for autistics, and autism assistance dog training. To learn more about Hat visit https://www.instagram.com/hat.talks.uk/ . If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"With the adult autistic community in India and internationally, I realized that there was a huge gap of understanding of autism between parents and actually autistic people. I wanted to bridge this gap because I felt that this is where we need to start", says Preeti Dixit. Preeti joins this episode to discuss the autistic experience in India and how her son helped her to understand her autism. To learn about Preeti and C.A.R.E. for Autism visit https://www.care-for-autism.org . If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"The Ninja Turtles are something else entirely. The Ninja Turtles refuse to mask. They wear masks, but what are they gonna do? It's a little domino mask over a turtle face- they look like turtles. They're basically a group of autistic friends who refuse to mask for other people. They're just gonna go out and they're gonna go be the freaks that they are inside, deep down, and they're just gonna let that freak flag fly, and love who they are and what they're doing", says Bijhan Agha. Bijhan joins this episode to discuss why many autistics relate to superheroes, her comic of a transgender muslim superhero, and identity exploration. To learn more about Bijhan and her comic visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jamsheedstudios/kobra-olympus-issue-1-battle-of-the-blood-golem-0/?ref=kicktraq . If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"When we talk about stereotypes, stereotypes don't always have to be all bad. For example, when you hear something like all Asians are smart, all Asians are math whizzes. All Indians are doctors and engineers. It's not a bad thing to be those things, but to paint it with that broad stroke brush creates undue pressure, obviously. I think that's what created pressure for me growing up is seeing the Indian community around me being portrayed in one way, and questioning why it had to be that way, and why I was almost made to feel guilty if I didn't fit that mold," says Mrinal Ghokhale. Mrinal joins this episode to discuss stereotypes, sexual health in South Asian communities, and how weight lifting has positively impacted her life. To learn more about Mrinal visit https://www.instagram.com/mrinalg_/ . If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.