Autism Stories

"I realized just how systemic ableism was in our special ed system. And it was really disheartening, really seeing just how drastically different my students were treated, how I was treated, how how I didn't get the same curriculum to provide them as their non-disabled peers. And so, I said, I'm going to leave. [...] And I was looking for advocacy", says Ryan Haenze. Ryan joins this episode to discuss his experience as a teacher, being a legal advocate, and testifying for a state bill regarding abolish and disability justice. To learn more about Ryan visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-haenze-a9287b154/ .

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 pivoted from trauma therapy into supporting a lot of neurodiverse folks and families. What I found was it's a really seamless transition because of principles that I already leaned on heavily as a trauma therapist. Choice is a big deal. The number one thing that leads to trauma imprint on anybody is a loss of agency", says Sam Marion. Sam joins this episode to discuss providing trauma informed support and writing a book for educators wanting to take a neurodivergent affirming approach. To learn more about Sam visit https://www.instagram.com/sammarioncounseling/ .

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'd had this burning desire, or I just knew it was my destiny to do something at the intersection of dance and disability, and I saw a gap. More than anything, I saw a gap. I was like, wow, I didn't know that one in four Americans had a disability, and that's 61 million Americans", says Marisa Hamamoto. Marisa joins this episode to discuss her dance company that employs disabled and non disabled dancers, being a stroke survivor, and artistic roller skating. To learn more about Marisa and her dance company visit https://www.infiniteflowdance.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.

"I want to eliminate the shame and stigma of autism. That's really the goal here is to help people understand what it is. Neurotypical people- they don't understand it. And a lot of autistic people don't really acknowledge or understand what we can do to have better lives", says Scott Steindorff. Scott joins this episode to discuss directing and producing the feature-length documentary Understanding Autism. To learn about and watch Understanding Autism visit https://www.pbs.org/show/understanding-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.

"At Autistic Minds, at the directory, we help families, individuals, to find autistic groups and events and articles related to autism. So we've recently come close to 35,000. So we're the biggest in the UK, the second in the world. So that's our aim, to be the biggest in the world", says Andrew Moore. Andrew joins this episode to discuss overseeing a directory of  resources for autistic people. To learn more about Andrew visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-moore-2a2959127/

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.

"It would be an essential part of any decent person-centered care to find out what co-occuring conditions are there. Any good midwife would know those. But I think the rates of how much more likely autistic people are to experience those issues, I think having a care plan without taking those things into consideration would be quite risky, at best", says Haley Morgan. Haley joins this episode to discuss being the co-author of Supporting Autistic People Through Pregnancy and Childbirth. To learn more about Haley visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayley-morgan-562501209/

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 do think everyone needs a financial plan and I would say those that have precarious income or inconsistent income need a plan even more so. This has been one of the huge challenges in the industry. The way I say it is, the people that need advice the most are the ones that can't really afford to traditionally get it. One of the things I'm doing to give back as well, in addition to my own personal practice," says Drew Adamick. Drew joins this episode to discuss being a financial planner and his podcast Divergent Finances. To learn more about Drew visit https://divergentfp.ca .

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'll be honest, I've had a really great journey so far.  ASD Band has its ups and downs. And on top of that, being autistic has a unique dimension to our creative process. For example, we're bouncing ideas for our original songs left and right with, you know, effective communication and we want to overcome the stigma of autism", says Rawan Tuffaha. Rawan joins this episode to discuss being the lead singer in a band and about their upcoming album. To watch a documentary about ASD Band visit https://watch.showandtell.film/watch/asd-band-enjoy-the-show  . You can also check out Jake's House a charity that brought the band together and that provides support to the autistic community.

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.

"So I was in the corporate world at this time about a year ago, working about 13 to 16 hours a day and just really not enjoying something that I thought I would. I got into research. I thought I would love it. I still do, luckily. But I was just so burnt out. And I was looking for something that could really bring me back to what it felt like I was. And so I stumbled across birds again. [...] It was a love that I had as a child that I was able to reinvigorate and pulled me out of some very dark, dark periods", says Stephanie Minaya. Stephanie joins us to discuss her love of birds and working for a neurodivergent led company. To learn more about Stephane visit https://www.tiktok.com/@learnaboutbirds .

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.

"To me, the key is the manager, honestly. When you think about somebody's experience with a company, their direct supervisor provides about 80% of that experience with the company. So, if the company's fantastic, but you have a manager who isn't understanding, helpful, or inclusive, then it doesn't matter what the values are of that company. Because the person who is directly responsible for how you interact with the workplace...it can't make up for that", says Jessica Michaels. Jessica joins this episode to discuss neurodivergent leaders leverage their talents and being a stand-up comedian . To learn more about Jessica visit https://coachjessicamichaels.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.

"Gender-affirming care saves lives. It allows people to align with their gender identity if they are born opposite of that. Providing that care prevents people from going on to have higher rates of anxiety, depression, suicidality, and successful suicide acts. We are saving lives when we treat people the way they are asking to be treated, and when we believe people", says Dr. Julius Johnson-Weaver. Dr. Johnson-Weaver joins this episode to discuss gender affirming care, and organizations whose actions match their words. To learn more about Dr. Julius Johnson-Weaver visit https://resolvemd.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.

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.tiktok.com/@autisticallykofi

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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 think one of the biggest things is understanding what stress is and how it works, and understanding what that is important to understand how to let it go. Stress works on a spectrum, too. It's a defense mechanism. It's telling you to pay attention. Sometimes it's a whisper and sometimes it's screaming at you to fight for your life or run like hell, kind of like a dimmer switch", says Tina Beams. Tina joins this episode to discuss the impact of stress on the body and how living in a van has impacted their life. To learn more about Tina visit https://www.instagram.com/adultautismcommunity/ .

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 have always felt and still feel that everything designed in the world, built environments, systems, bureaucracies, schools, institutions, everything…the first thing you have to plan for is joy. To make it functional, even", says Heather Myers. Heather joins this episode to discuss modern utopias,  translating autistic experiences and demystifying them for neurotypical audiences, and her experience as a journalist. To learn more about Heather visit https://www.fantastically-human.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.

"Do second guess your tendency to take people's words at face value. I know for me, I will sometimes have an instinct that somebody is lying to me. But if I ask them about it, and they just tell me that they're not lying, I'll just believe them! Because I tell the truth, and so, my automatic assumption is that other people are telling the truth", says Layla Messner. Layla joins this episode to discuss as autistic people how to best use our intuition, growing up in the wilderness, and her business that creates unique wedding art inspired by your love story. To learn more about Layla visit https://www.instagram.com/laylamessner/ .

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 college discovered that there actually was an autistic rights movement...I finally found a group of people who could embrace me and accept me for how I was and who understand where I was coming from and basically loved me", says Sebastian Joseph. Sebastian joins this episode to discuss their work as a direct support professional, sheltered workshops, and love of rats. To learn more about Sebastian visit https://www.instagram.com/sebastianthedude/

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.

"Snakes are so instinctual. I mean, all animals are, but snakes...they're elegant and magnificent. They know when to take time for themselves. They're not pack animals. I think as autistic people, we can probably identify with them too. We're very instinctive and a lot of us feel the environment around us acutely", says Rebecca Lavender. Rebecca joins this episode  to discuss snake medicine and how autistic people can draw strength and wisdom from this on their journey of self-discovery and personal growth. To learn more about Rebecca visit www.rebeccacavender.com. You can also learn more about snake medicine through Rebecca's mini ebook at https://rebeccacavender.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c354f865260698923573c92a1&id=6c5d6c8f7d.

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 just feel like a very normal person sharing my life. Sometimes that can be boring. I'm a college student, I'm a gym rat, I'm a gamer, and I stay inside most of the time. But what I can provide in my content is connection and community, especially within the communities that I have", says Aura Joy. Aura joins this episode to discuss being a content creator and studying radiology. To learn more about Aura visit https://www.tiktok.com/@auraoftheforest.

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.

"Each person has to decide what might help them through it, and not be afraid to have the courage to do it their own way. This for me defines grief as a spectrum. Each person has their own style", says MeiMei Liu. MeiMei joins this episode to discuss grief as well as her poetry. To learn more about the Autism & Grief Project visit https://www.autismandgrief.org. To learn about MeiMei poetry visit https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Fittest-MeiMei-Liu/dp/B08C453Y26.

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.

"We need autistic people working together to build our own understanding of how we should operate the world based on our own needs and desires. To understand ourselves rather than trying to understand ourselves through the prism of another person, through non-autistic people", says Ash Sorrels. Ash  joins this episode to discuss the Autism Campus Inclusion Conference, being a  doctoral student in philosophy, and 10 rules of love. To learn more about Ash and their blog visit https://fishintheafternoon.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.

"Noise cancelling headphones? There's no noise in my house! I am all by myself- it's just me, the cats, and the dog! I put them on and I had this visceral, really strong reaction. I felt like I was going to cry. Because I realized I heard the lights, the neighbor mowing their lawn 3 houses down, the refrigerator...I heard everything", says Dr. Shannan Palma. Dr. Palma  joins us for the second part of our conversation to talk about helpful sensory tools and the social construct of gender. To learn more about Dr. Palma visit and the Autistic Self-Reliance Support Network visit https://autisticselfreliance.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.

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 people who make assumptions about social norms and generalizability, are also the people who create generalizable standards, right? I say this as a curriculum developer in my day job. The way that I work to design curriculum tends to be the opposite of how I see a lot of other curricula; other forms of teaching. Because we are centering neurodivergent learning styles", says Dr. Shannan Palma. Dr. Palma joins this episode to discuss improving the wellbeing of autistic people and how everything we are taught about gender and sexuality are wrong. To learn about Dr. Palma visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannanpalma/.

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 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 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.

"It was nice to have that regularity. I knew what podcasts were going to drop on what days. I can expect to hear those familiar voices and feel those familiar sensations on my familiar walks. That's a great comfort when you're an autistic person....my thanks to anyone who's done a podcast on Autism Stories over the last 12 months", says Christopher Banham. Christopher  joins Autism Stories to discuss navigating burnout, starting a tutoring business, and the impact of Autism Stories on his life over the last year. To learn more about Christopher and his tutoring business visit https://www.instagram.com/drhumanities/

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 place that I'm currently working is a hotbed for neurodivergence. A lot of folks there that kind of just understand a lot of things that are happening everyday. You'll see folks in the hall taking a stim break, and it's totally normal. Nobody's bothering them, or worried about what they're wearing, or what they're doing, as long as they're not hurting anybody. They're doing their job and finding their way in a career that suits them and their technical needs and resources", says Shawn Thompson. Shawn joins this episode to discuss working at an organization with neurodivergent affirming support. To learn more about Shawn visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-thompson-âûdhd-ctss-31885a13a/

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.

" As we look at wrestling as a society with the complications of this virus, it's essential that autism, developmental disability, neurodiversity, be at the table. We're one of the populations that's most at risk for negative outcomes for this virus, both mental and physical. Nothing about us without us! We are not disposable", says Nicole LeBlanc. Nicole returns to Autism Stories to discuss the impact of Long COVID on autistic people and what can be done to possibly reduce these challenges. To read Nicole's article on Long COVID visit https://ncapps.acl.gov/docs/NCAPPS%20Person-Centered%20Mental%20Health%20Care%20in%20the%20New%20Normal.pdf .

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 do think that we should definitely remind neurotypicals, gently, that it is absolutely okay to have autistic character headcanons. Because we don't have a lot of good representation for our groups in the media, whereas they get to see themselves represented in media almost all the time. It's not hurting you, or detracting from what you see in the character. If anything, it's actually a bridge", says Christiana Tunnicliffe. Christiana joins this episode of Autism Stories to talk about her podcast discussing how sociology of our real world translates to fantastical realms, Disney's representation of disabled characters, and her experience as the editor of the Autism Stories podcast. To learn more about Christiana and the Sociology Princess Podcast visit https://www.youtube.com/@SociologyPrincess2023 .

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.

"It's at the start of session, I get a box of stim toys out. I go and put them on the desks, and then I sit down with the occupational therapists and the consultants. I start talking to them about it. They all look at me like, this is really, really weird, why are you talking about these things? But at the end of the session they're all playing with them! ", says Loren Snow. Loren joins this episode to discuss working with professionals and parents to support autistic children. We also discuss how meal time can be one of the most traumatic experiences at home and how to better support your autistic loves during these times. To learn more about Loren visit https://www.lorensnow.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.

"It's a gift to be able to say this isn't really right. How can we make this better? That's what I do with my clients. My goal as a doula is to make the world more accommodating, because I don't think the world is accommodating enough. I've had tons of experiences with what it's like to not be accommodated. If I can make anyone's experience on earth a little softer, and more friendly, that's what I want to do", says LIanne McCray. Lianne  joins this episode to discuss being a doula. We also discuss neurodivergent empathy and secondary trauma. To learn more about Lianne visit https://www.instagram.com/doulalianne/ .

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.

" Research is showing that there actually isn't a lot of benefit to homework. When I have parents request homework, I will send it, but I also encourage them to make it playful. Let's say I have some students struggling with reading basic sight words. I will send home those sight words they're struggling with. But I'll say, parents, instead of doing flash cards, to make it into a game. Hide the words around the house and make it a scavenger hunt", says Emily Archer. Emily joins this episode to discuss teaching autistic students, accommodations that are helpful to students on IEPs and 504 plans, and reducing their overwhelm at school. To learn more about Emily visit https://www.instagram.com/autisticautismteacher3/ .

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.

"Misconceptions of Deaf people is that hearing people, people who can hear around 100%, views would be that Deaf people cannot drive, read, write, understand English, and that is far from the truth. Being Deaf does not and should not hinder someone, yet it does, because of these stereotypes of what Deaf people can and cannot do", says Kaishawna. Kaishawna joins this episode to discuss misconceptions about deaf people as well as being a classical musician. To learn more about Kaishawna visit https://www.instagram.com/kaishawna_music/.

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.

"There were great schools, but none of them were very neurodivergent-friendly. It was all very, very fast paced. You never really learn to talk to clients. You're just kind of given a dog. There will be 20 other students and one teacher and you just have to figure it out as you go. Even someone who was neurotypical, they were struggling with it", says Stephenie Calhoun. Stephenie joins this episode  to discuss opening up a dog grooming academy, how her academy focuses on the needs of neurodiverse students, and the history of dogs and how they became domesticated. To learn more about Stephenie visit https://meditativegroomer.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.

"Autistic students are very often not given services and supports that is evidence-based according to atypical evidence-based. Meaning that, very often, I think, autistic students on campus are expected to camoflauge, to mask, to fit in, to be like everyone else, as opposed to just be themselves", says Rabbi Simcha Weinstein. Rabbi Weinstein joins this episode to discuss being a college rabbi, founding the Jewish Autism Network, and the connection of superheroes and marginalized people. To learn more about Rabbi Weinstein and the Jewish Autism Network visit https://www.jewishautismnetwork.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.

"Because I'm autistic, I avoided a lot of games that involve reading people's faces. I was really averse to games like poker where it's basically just 100%, wall to wall, reading faces. What's really different is there's a bluffing element to Star Wars: the card game...the thing that made a difference for me was context. Because with poker, there's no context for why someone would or would not be bluffing, because you don't know what cards they have. Whereas with Star Wars, you knew which unit they were using", says Bijhan Agha.  Bijhan returns to Autism Stories to discuss creating a strategy board game, successfully funding their comic book, and how self publishing may be a viable route for other autistic creators. To learn more about Bijhan and Jamsheed Studios visit https://www.patreon.com/Jamsheedstudios

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.

"There still is a lot of stigma towards medium support needs and high support needs autistics. There's a lot of stigma about not being able to act neurotypical. I think there needs to be more talk about why that is. Why exactly do we feel the need to act neurotypical so much? I also want people to include all of the excluded types into the conversation- that needs to happen more", says Ash. Ash joins this episode to discuss autistics that have medium and high support needs, his love of sharks, and their intersectional identities. To learn more about Ash visit https://www.instagram.com/sharktizzy/ .

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.

"It's hard to contend what it means to be a living creature in an area where it doesn't necessarily belong. I think I felt a lot of connection to the Lantern Fly because they're very beautiful and strange, and people don't understand them. I think that I felt a connection to being an LGBT person and then also being an autistic person, where I often feel like misunderstood and out of place", says Robin Gow. Robin joins this episode to discuss  their new book of poetry Lanternfly August, managing programs at their local LGBT community center, and being a witch. To learn more about Robin and their book of poetry Lanternfly August check out https://www.driftwoodpress.com/our-books/lanternfly-august

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've been learning how to play the guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, ukulele, mandolin, and the harmonica...I've been taking guitar lessons for 6 years. I used to take a little bit of drum lessons, but not anymore. Everything else, I've been self taught", says Ryan Woodard. Ryan  joins this episode to discuss being a musician, being recognized by John Mayer, and plays one of his original songs. To learn more about Ryan and his music visit https://ryanwoodardrocks.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.

"When the speech therapy didn't help, my family have always been an avid lover of books. We just have piles of them in shelves everywhere. It was obvious that I would feel more drawn to that, rather than speaking to somebody in person and face-to-face", says Alice Hack.Alice joins this episode to discuss her career working in a library, important LGBTQ+ of the past, and learning that she has a famous relative. To learn more about Alice check out https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-h-1245781b1/ .

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.

"Growing up, what I had come to learn was that my autistic identity was wrong; it was undesirable. People wanted me to be something else. I actually found that me as a drug user was more acceptable, me as an addict was more acceptable", says David Gray-Hammond. David joins this episode to discuss discuss autism and drug addiction, harmful stereotypes regarding schizophrenia, and how meditation has helped him. To learn more about David and his books visit https://emergentdivergence.com/my-books/.

"Brevity is not my strong suite. I'm the kind of person who writes a lot. I'm hyperlexic, I'm hyperverbal. When I write, I can't just write a simple 500 word article to explain something. I have to write a dissertation every time.  For me, when I wrote this book, I had to force myself to be pretty short with it- to make sure that it was concise and easily accessible", says Jaime Heidel. Jaime returns to Autism Stories to discuss her book What Did I Do Wrong?”: An Accessible Guide to Preventing Traumatic Misunderstandings Between You and Your Autistic Loved One. To learn more about Jaime and her book visit https://www.amazon.com/What-Did-Wrong-Accessible-Misunderstandings/dp/B0CHL7DJ2J?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1694053337&sr=8-1&linkCode=sl1&tag=ityiws0e-20&linkId=4026ac0e51d64a1d067e213cb2777e87&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl#customerReviews .

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 longest time, I kind of used makeup to hide behind. Hide my face, and hide acne scars, and hide everything else. But then it developed from that into being a creative outlet. I've created elf looks and clown looks. I think it's a really cool way to become either a visual representation of what you feel on the inside or what your soul looks like, or it can be something to completely become a whole new character", says Bee Mellifera. Bee joins this episode to discuss their passion for makeup, challenges autistic people face when applying make up, and how they have learned to better love themselves. To learn more about Bee visit ⁠https://www.instagram.com/goddessofbees⁠/.

"I got on the show, but then I quickly realized, yes, I had done a great job preparing for the questions and the mental part. But I had done nothing to prepare for the emotional part. Suddenly, I'm there. You're in a studio, there's people 360 degrees around you... the studio's designed to make you nervous", says Ogi Ogas. Ogi joins this episode to discuss being a game show contestant, what the type of music you listen to says about you, and how a mathematical approach can help you understand better about your autistic experience. To learn more about Ogi visit https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ogi-Ogas/author/B004NA4ALS?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

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 have also learned from the neurodiversity movement, which reframes autism as differences in brain-wiring and it's natural variation in the diversity of human experience, as well as pride in our autistic strengths. It is the self-confidence and belief in ourselves to set high standards, to strive to reach our goals", says Tim Chan. Tim joins this episode to discuss finding connection, visual thinking, and being the first nonspeaking autistic person to give a Ted Talk. To learn more about Tim visit https://www.timhchan.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.

"I don't start my day with a to-do list or a task-list. I start my day deciding what I want to play with! Do I wanna play with nerdy stuff? Do I want to make something? Do I want to do arts and crafts? I float around playing with things. I also play with code", says Jamie Knight. Jamie joins this episode  to discuss the importance of play, digital accessibility, and the factors that lead to us having great experiences in our lives. To learn more about Jamie visit https://jamieandlion.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.

"That's a lot of what I invoked in my character, Nick, in, 'The Brick Builder Challenge.' Nick very much wants to do it his way. Growing up for me too, it was always...it's not that I didn't want to cooperate with other people, but it was just so hard to just let go of my way. I'm still like that", says Jen Malia. To learn about Jen and The Infinity Rainbow Club Series visit https://jenmalia.com/books/the-infinity-rainbow-club-series/ .

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.