Uniquely Normal: A Rob Bernstein Podcast

Join me for a conversation with Sahas Kumaraguru. He is part of FIRST, which is an international STEM organization that teaches STEM in a fun way. This includes multiple programs. Some are Lego-oriented and motor-oriented, and some work with hydraulics and pneumatics. This is an incredible way to learn. The topic of our discussion is really how can we introduce and include more neurodiverse students in this program. Through FIRST Sahas feels that so many kids can use their passion for robotics or legos to help more young people to come out of their shells and expand their social group as well as their skillset, while also having a lot of fun!

I had the pleasure of interviewing Kirsten Calloway. We discuss her neurodivergence as being something new in her life with a late-in-life diagnosis and how this has been so eye-opening for her as a woman, a woman of color, and a student of positive psychology. We talk about the fact that so many women in particular go through life without ever being diagnosed with autism. Listen in for so much more, as Kirsten has a lot to bring to this discussion.

Sam Henderson is a 15 year old who has a mind of his own and has all kinds of unique interests. Sometimes there is a disconnect with Sam's interests and what his school wants him to learn. We discuss the school system and how it can be a challenge for anyone that is neurodivergent to feel they are being seen and heard for who they are in their school system.

Sam is also the founder of Autists For Change, which is a grassroots organization that he started. He uses the internet and social media to help share and promote autistic voices. He helps promote the voices of autists in the system, to advocate for improvements to the system. His organization also tries to spread awareness and educate people on autism, so that autism can be better understood and accepted. If you are interested in his mission, or want to join, please visit Sam's website at www.autistsforchange.org

In this episode Rob talks about coming back from vacation and how we might actually need a day or two after to recharge. Especially for people who are on the spectrum, coming back into a routine can be particularly challenging. Why don't we have half days when we come back from vacation during this adjustment period? The idea that we have to all be prepared for this mass adjustment is tough. It's not just waking up early, its getting back into that routine. We have to be patient with this process. Let's all give each other some grace during this adjustment period!

In this episode of Uniquely Normal: A Rob Bernstein Podcast, we flip things around and Marcia Eckerd interviews me on my newly released book "Uniquely Normal Manual". This new manual has specific guidelines and many step by step tools that will actually teach you to use my Bernstein Cognitive Approach for Autism. In the original book, Uniquely Normal I tell you what I do. In the new Uniquely Normal Manual, I teach YOU how to do it. I hope you enjoy this episode. Thanks for listening! 

Who is Dr. Marcia Eckerd?

Dr. Marcia Eckerd is a licensed psychologist since 1985, and was appointed by the State Legislature of CT to serve on the Autism Spectrum Disorder Advisory Council. She helped establish the Yale-Norwalk Hospital collaboration Pediatric Development and Therapy Center. She trained extensively in psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mind-body medicine, neuropsychological testing and EMDR both for children and adults.

Join us with “What’s New” and “What’s Next” in the field of autism

In this episode of Uniquely Normal: A Rob Bernstein Podcast, Rob Bernstein and Bob Smith discuss the similarities between how African Americans were treated during the Civil Rights movement to how the disabled are treated today. Bob Smith describes himself as a non-violent activist who was greatly involved in the Civil Rights movement and assisted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in organizing marches. Stay tuned to hear first hand stories of civil rights activists and Rob’s take on how it relates to today. Thanks for listening and enjoy the episode.

In this episode of Uniquely Normal: A Rob Bernstein Podcast, Rob Bernstein and Bob Smith discuss the similarities between how African Americans were treated during the Civil Rights movement to how the disabled are treated today. Bob Smith describes himself as a non-violent activist who was greatly involved in the Civil Rights movement and assisted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in organizing marches. Stay tuned to hear first hand stories of civil rights activists and Rob’s take on how it relates to today. Thanks for listening and enjoy the episode.

In this episode of Uniquely Normal: A Rob Bernstein Podcast, we’ll be listening to the audio from a panelist discussion Rob hosted titled ‘Autism and Neurodiversity: An Autistic Dilemma’. On this panel, Wenn Lawson, V.R. Ferose, Marcia Eckerd, Stephen Shore, and Rob Bernstein discuss the intersection between people with autism and other disabilities and the way the education system functions in the world. They also compare the neurodiversity movement and the Civil Rights movement with guest panelist Bob Smith who marched with Martin Luther King Jr. I think you will enjoy this episode as much as the panelists did. Thanks for listening.

In this episode of Uniquely Normal: A Rob Bernstein Podcast, Rob Bernstein and Marion Anderson discuss the reopening of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. Marion Anderson is the director of Cornerstone Children’s Center in Scarsdale, New York, a pre-school successfully running and growing since reopening in May as the coronavirus increasingly spreads throughout the United States. Stay tuned to hear her secrets of how she was able to grow her business during these tough times and how you can apply these tips to your family and friends. Thanks for listening and enjoy the episode.

In this episode of Uniquely Normal: A Rob Bernstein Podcast, we’re going to be talking about neurodiversity and the importance of the neurodivergent approach. Neurodiversity is the viewpoint that when speaking about learning or mental disabilities, it’s not in a pathological sense. It’s a viewpoint that brain differences are just that - differences, rather than being deficits. It’s an incredibly interesting episode and I’m sure these ideas will greatly help you and your family. Thanks for listening and enjoy the episode.

Who is Dr. Marcia Eckerd? 

Dr. Marcia Eckerd is a licensed psychologist since 1985, and was appointed by the State Legislature of CT to serve on the Autism Spectrum Disorder Advisory Council. She helped establish the Yale-Norwalk Hospital collaboration Pediatric Development and Therapy Center. She trained extensively in psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mind-body medicine, neuropsychological testing and EMDR both for children and adults. 

In this episode of Uniquely Normal: A Rob Bernstein Podcast, we listen to the second webinar panel that he was a part of through the Autism Research Institute. This is a continuation of the panel Rob was a part of last week. If you haven’t listened to that episode, I recommend also listening to that one. The panel spoke about Rob's cognitive approach among other emerging approaches, versus the standard approach which is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). On this panel, we have Stephen Shore, Ronald Leaf, Wenn Lawson, Lorri Unumb and Rob Bernstein. It’s an incredibly interesting episode and I’m sure these ideas will greatly help you and your family. Thanks for listening and enjoy the episode.

In this episode of Uniquely Normal: A Rob Bernstein Podcast, we'll be listening to the audio from a panelist discussion Rob was a part of through the Autism Research Institute. On this panel,  Tony Attwood, Stephen Shore, Ronald Leaf, Wenn Lawson, and Rob Bernstein discuss Rob's unique approach and other cognitive approaches to supporting people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, versus the standard approach which is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). It’s an incredibly interesting episode and I’m sure these ideas will greatly help you and your family. Thanks for listening and enjoy the episode.

In this episode of Uniquely Normal: A Rob Bernstein Podcast, Rob Bernstein and Marcia Eckerd discuss the opening up of society after the COVID-19 Pandemic and it’s potential difficulties. This is a real interesting one to tune in for. If you'd like to reach Rob, you can contact him at rjb@autismspeech.com and follow him on Facebook at "Rob Bernstein - Autism Speech."

In this episode,  Rob Bernstein speaks with Marcia Eckerd about what it means to have Aspergers and why we still use the term when it is no longer formally used. It's a very intriguing conversation about a unique topic that's been spoken about by leaders in Autism for years. 

In this episode of Uniquely Normal: A Rob Bernstein Podcast, Rob Bernstein and Dr. Marian Wiener-Margulies discuss the impact that the education system plays on our children with autism and the responsibility they hold in being their teachers. Their insights should help you understand different perspectives regarding the education system and autism. Thanks for listening and enjoy the episode.

Rob Bernstein discusses the stigma surrounding autism and aspergers in the first section of the episode. After, Dr. Marian Wiener-Marguiles, and Rob discuss how society should respond to people on the autism spectrum. The insights will help you understand our perspectives regarding society and stigmas in the context of autism. Thanks for listening and enjoy the episode.

In this episode, Rob Bernstein and Dr. Marian Margulies discuss the importance of routine not only for your children but also for the parents. This valuable lesson is definitely worth listening to. Reach out to Rob with any comments or questions at rjb@autismspeech.com.