Uniquely Human: The Podcast

It is widely accepted that autistic individuals often experience co-occurring mental health challenges and conditions. However, the specific relationships between autism and mental health conditions remain an area of debate and even significant disagreement. Sean Inderbitzen, an autistic Behavioral Health Therapist, holds specific beliefs that vary from views of autism grounded primarily in a social model of disability framework. In this episode, Sean, Dave and Barry have a lively discussion about autism and mental health based on Sean’s professional and personal experiences.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an invaluable framework that has great relevance in addressing the varied needs of autistic and neurodivergent learners, and supporting active engagement in learning environments. We discuss the basic concept of UDL with Emily Rubin and Lindee Morgan, experts on UDL, and its great value for developing individualized programs and for addressing social emotional as well as pre-academic and academic goals for children who may think and learn differently. We also discuss how UDL has great implications for supporting educators, therapists and families.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Traveling for vacations and for other purposes provides great opportunities for learning, for creating wonderful memories for families and for growing socially and emotionally. However, for autistic and neurodivergent children and adults, and their families, traveling can also present unique challenges. In this episode, we discuss challenges and many helpful strategies to support positive traveling experiences with Dawn Barclay, an expert on travel for families who have neurodivergent family members. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Michael Gilberg, an attorney specializing in educational law, discusses his varied experiences he brings as an attorney involved in legal issues for individuals with disabilities, including autism. These experiences include his being a student who received a late diagnosis of autism, as well as numerous and varied experiences working with families and school districts as a lawyer. He provides advice to school personnel and to parents about how to navigate through the through the oftentimes contentious waters of providing or securing free and appropriate services for students.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Exploring the challenges of obtaining an accurate autism diagnosis for women, the debilitating impact of not being diagnosed, and the importance of tailored diagnostic criteria. Also delving into the empowering effects of receiving a diagnosis on mental health and self-determination, and the unique traits of autistic partners in relationships.

From each of us at Uniquely Human: The Podcast, thank you for listening and contributing to this show. As we look back on our first 50 episodes, Barry and Dave share some of their favorite moments.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An issue of increasing interest and concern in the autism community is that of masking. Masking or camouflaging is when an autistic person or neurodivergent person consciously, or subconsciously seeks to hide or minimize their autism or neurodivergent traits to fit in with the neurotypical world. Individuals with autism, especially ones who have a history of trauma, frequently feel they need to mask their autistic traits in order to fit in. Dr. Devon Price, a social psychologist and transgender autistic man shares his personal experiences as well as his expertise as a researcher and psychologist in exploring many issues related to masking. Drawing from his critically acclaimed book, Unmasking Autism, he provides understanding and practical guidance related to masking that will be of great value to autistic and neurodivergent individuals, and neurotypical individuals as well.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Debbie Steinberg-Kuntz, a marriage and family therapist and parent, discusses the development of the Bright and Quirky community, that she founded to support 2E children who are twice exceptional, and their families. That is, they excel in some aspects of development, typically verbal and cognitive abilities, but may also experience challenges in social-emotional development and specific areas of learning. These children may receive various neurodevelopmental diagnoses including autism, ADHD, anxiety disorders and sensory processing difficulties. Debbie offers guidance for understanding and supporting 2E children and their families.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Interoception is a relatively new concept as it pertains to the experiences of autistic children and adults. Described as the eighth sense, it has to do with being able to understand and interpret sensations that come from one’s own body. There is increasing evidence that problems related to interoception are common in autism, and are related to capacities in the development of self-regulation. In this episode, Kelly Mahler, an OT and a leader in bringing awareness of interception to autism, and Chloe Rothschild, an autistic woman, discuss the implications of interoception for supporting and understanding the experiences of autistic people.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Michael Hannon is an Associate Professor of Counseling at Montclair State University. Dr. Hannon earned his doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision from The Pennsylvania State University. As an award-winning counselor educator and scholar, Dr. Hannon is a highly sought after lecturer, consultant, and collaborator. He also is the father of a teen-age son on the autism spectrum, and co-facilitates support meetings for Fathers of autistic children through Drexel University. Dr. Hannon’s research primarily focuses on Black men’s wellness, with a focus on the value they derive from their roles as fathers, community leaders, clients, and counselor educators. He takes great pride in leveraging his lived experiences and his professional counseling experience in K-12, student affairs, and clinical settings to the classroom and to his research He has been a featured contributor to media outlets and organizations such as Autism Speaks, Thrive Global, Fusion, Neurodiversity Experts, and Huffington Post. His forthcoming book, Black Fathering and Mental Health will be published in March, 2022.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.