The Diverse Butterfly Podcast

In today’s episode, I talk to Melinda Tidwell, the Executive Director of the Autism Center of North Mississippi! We talk about what the Autism Center is, what services they provide, the controversy surrounding ABA, and much more! Hope you enjoy my conversation with Melinda Tidwell!

In this episode, I talk to Taylor Carley, the Self-Advocacy Coordinator at the Mississippi Institute of Disability Studies!He explains what the Mississippi Institute of Disability Studies is, what services they provide, what self-advocacy means to him, and much more! Hope you all enjoy my conversation with Taylor Carley!

In today's episode, I interview Founder of Camp Conquest, Mark Price! Camp Conquest is a Christian week-long overnight camp for children and adults with special needs, chronic illnesses, and disabilities. He talks about the purpose and mission of Camp Conquest, how Camp Conquest came to be, and so much more! To learn more about Camp Conquest, go to www.campconquest.com!

This is my conversation with the founder of Planning Across the Spectrum, Andrew Komarow! I recorded this awhile back but things have been so crazy, haven't gotten the chance to release it and now finally, here it is! We talk about the mission and purpose of Planning Across the Spectrum, the clients he serves, goals for Planning Across the Spectrum, his inspiration for starting Planning Across the Spectrum, and more! Enjoy my conversation with Andrew.

In this episode, I interview Robby Parman, the Executive Director of The Regional Rehabilition Center in Tupelo, Mississippi! He talks about the mission and purpose of The Regional Rehab Center, what therapies they provide, how they became a non-profit, how they partnered with The Arc of Northeast Mississippi Chapter, and much more! Hope you all enjoy!

In this episode, I talk with Cheryl Falzone, the Director of The Arc of Northeast Mississippi Chapter. She talks about the mission and purpose of The Arc and its chapters which is Inclusion for all, disability advocacy, self-advocacy, and much more! Hope you all enjoy!

In this episode, I interview another woman with TS, Nicole Topp! She opens up about her diagnosis of Turner Syndrome. She also talks about her heart surgery during the pandemic, her advice for newly diagnosed girls and women with TS, and much more! Hope you all enjoy!

In this episode, I interview Brenda Weitzberg, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Aspiritech. In this episode, she talks about what Aspiritech is, the mission and purpose of Aspiritech, the vision for Aspiritech, and much more! Hope you all enjoy!

In this episode, I chat with another woman with Turner Syndrome from North Mississippi, Terry Siegle! She talks about her diagnosis of Turner Syndrome, how we need to be the voice and our own advocate when it comes to our health needs, and much more! Hope you all enjoy!

In this episode, I chat with Amy Pinder of Inclusion Festival! She talks about what Inclusion Festival is and how it came to be, what inclusion means to her, what inclusion means for not just the autism or disability community but for everyone, and much more! Hope you enjoy!

In this episode, I interview Dr. Mark Shepherd, my endocrinologist! In this episode, you will learn what Turner Syndrome is, the health challenges that girls and women with Turner Syndrome face, the difference between mosaic Turner Syndrome and classic Turner Syndrome, what he thinks about self-advocacy, etc. Hope you enjoy!

In this episode, I interview my mom, Regina Hooper, about Turner Syndrome! She talks about her first thought when I was diagnosed with TS, advice for moms whose girls have just been diagnosed with Turner Syndrome, why awareness for TS is so important, and much more! Hope you enjoy this episode!

In this episode, I interview fellow autism self-advocate, Samuel Huber! He talks about his autism diagnosis, why self-advocacy is so important, the purpose of his YouTube channel, and much more! Hope you all enjoy!

In this episode, I interview Pam Dollar, Executive Director of The Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities! She also has a 29 year old son with autism! She discusses why she thinks self-advocacy is so important, the mission and purpose of The Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities and the Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center, and much more! Check it out and hope you like it!

In this episode, I interview fellow autism self-advocate, Jeff Snyder! He talks about self-advocacy, his diagnosis, why self-advocacy is so important, and much more! Enjoy my conversation with Jeff!

In this episode, I talk to Emily, another woman with Turner Syndrome! She talks about her diagnosis with TS, what challenges she faces with having TS, her advice for newly diagnosed girls with Turner Syndrome, and much more! Check it out!

In this episode, I talk to Doug Blecher of Autism Personal Coach! He talks about how Autism Personal Coach came to be, the purpose of Autism Personal Coach, his background in the field of autism, why it's so important to focus on autism in adulthood, and much more!

In this episode, I interview Dr. Dean Mooney! He discusses his background and what he does for the Turner Syndrome community, autism community, and for individuals with non-verbal learning disabilities, his insight on the differences and similarities between Autism Spectrum Disorders/Asperger's Syndrome and non-verbal learning disabilities, coping tips for women with NVLD struggling with anxiety and depression, accommodations in the workplace for TS women with NVLD, and much more! Hope you all enjoy!

In this episode, I interview Brian R. King! He’s a coach to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and ADHD. He’s also an individual with Asperger’s Syndrome, ADHD, Dyslexia, Multiple Sclerosis , and several other chronic illnesses. He’s the father of 3 sons who all have Asperger’s Syndrome and ADHD as well. He talks about his diagnosis as well as his 3 sons’ diagnosis. He mentions that his father has Asperger’s too as well as his grandfather and uncle and that it’s common on his dad’s side of the family! He talks about why there needs to be more focus on autism in adulthood, his advice for individuals with autism transitioning into adulthood and transitioning into the college setting, why community support is so important for individuals on the spectrum, his advice for individuals on the spectrum who are struggling during this pandemic, the misconceptions about autism, and much more! Hope you all enjoy!

In this episode, I talk to Amy Benjamin! She’s a woman from North Mississippi who is battling COVID-19. Her daughter and her father are also battling Coronavirus. She also has a 10 year old daughter with Asperger’s Syndrome. She talks about the battle she’s facing with COVID-19 as well as her daughter’s struggles with COVID-19. She also talks about how her daughter with Asperger’s is coping with the whole situation, what gets her through this battle, her love for humanity, the reasoning for posting about her battle with Coronavirus on Facebook and social media, and much more!

In this episode, I talk to Ganem Kassees! He’s an autism self-advocate and Christian and he runs an autism faith-based group on Facebook. He talks about his autism diagnosis, the purpose of his group, the benefits of the group, how his faith helped him cope with his diagnosis, being accepting of people who want to join his group who are not religious, what he hopes for his group in the future, and how his faith affected how he views autism.

In this episode, I talk to Liz Carmines, the Program Development Coordinator at the Turner Syndrome Foundation! She talks about her role at the foundation, the mission and purpose of TSF, her advice for newly diagnosed girls and women with TS and their parents, the resources at TSF, how she got involved with them, the volunteers at the foundation, and self-advocacy!

In this episode, I talk to Brooke Gonsalves of Brooke TV on YouTube which documents her life with Turner Syndrome and life in general! She talks about when and how she was diagnosed with Turner Syndrome, infertility in Turner Syndrome, her YouTube channel, how her husband reacted to her diagnosis and her infertility, and how she copes with her diagnosis.

In this episode, I talk with autism advocate, speaker, writer, and autistic adult herself, Becca Lory Hector! She talks about being diagnosed in adulthood and how it affected her, her advice for struggling adults on the autism spectrum, why it’s important to prepare for adulthood, and the lack of services for adults on the autism spectrum! Hope you enjoy!

In this episode, I interview TS woman and autism self advocate Christina Koch! She talks about her diagnosis with autism, what her challenges were living with both Turner Syndrome and autism, her struggles with NVLD, and how she’s coping with the Coronavirus crisis.

In this episode, I interview John Bowen Brown II! He’s a fellow autism self-advocate. He talks about his diagnosis of autism and his reaction to his diagnosis, why self advocacy is so important, and his advice to autistic individuals transitioning into adulthood.

In this episode, I talk to Dr. Tara Regan, Founder and Executive Director of Autism Grown Up, a non-profit organization based in North Carolina. She is an autism professional and a sibling to two adult brothers on the autism spectrum. She talks about the mission and purpose of Autism Grown Up, her education and background in the field of autism, what it was like growing up with two autistic brothers, what she hopes for in the future as Autism Grown Up grows as a non-profit organization!

In this interview, I talk with autism self-advocate and YouTuber, Bronson Layton! We talk about his experiences with having autism, his YouTube channel Brons Over Brains, and his advice for struggling autistic adults! Perfect for Autism Awareness Month!

In this episode, I interview Dr. Mark Yeager, CEO and Executive Director of TEAAM(Together Enhancing Autism Awareness in Mississippi). We talk about the overall mission of TEAAM and their summer camp programs and what was learned along the way, services for individuals with autism of all ages, non-verbal learning disabilities, and how individuals with autism can cope with the sudden change of routine during the Coronavirus. It’s a great discussion!

This is just a short introduction episode to my podcast! I talk about my diagnosis of Turner Syndrome and Asperger’s Syndrome and what people can expect from this podcast!