Ryan Somers discovered he is Autistic in his early 40s, after years of wondering "What is wrong with me?" An experienced writer, performer, and broadcaster, he decided to document his journey of discovery as he learned about his own Autism, and went through the process of getting an official diagnosis. This podcast features one-on-one conversations with other Autistic adults, discussing our experiences living as Autistic people in a Neurotypical world, learning, discovering, and finding comm ...
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Autism #asd #actuallyautistic Podcasts
Meristem is a nonprofit program that supports young adults on the autism spectrum to develop greater independence. Our podcast will be talking about our program and interviewing people dealing with challenges of integrating into the workforce. Meristem's Breaking Barriers Transformative Autism Program has worked with hundreds of employers and job seekers to hire, train, and retain neurodivergent people. Join hosts Erin Schirm and Harrison Lane for real stories of "the messy middle" from peop ...
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- TRIGGER WARNING-This podcast will discuss autism, suicide, mental health, and wellness, among other topics, with autistic individuals and different professionals with the goal of unmasking stereotypes, increasing awareness, advocating for mental health and wellness, and attempting to shatter the stigmas of these topics through conversation and personal experience. The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma (AFO), www.autismfoundationok.org, @AutismfoundationOK, strives to improve the lives of Oklah ...
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Supporting Neurodiverse Employees with Ventures ATL
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54:00Send us a text Special guests Jacob and Jordan from Ventures ATL join Harry and Erin from Georgia to talk about how their non-profit is tackling the 80% unemployment rate of neurodiverse individuals. Check out Ventures ATL on their website here. In this episode: The mission of Ventures ATL Jacob and Jordan share how they got involved with Ventures …
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Send us a text Dive into all things Department of Rehabilitation with Harry and Eric as they sit down with Spencer Hoke, Regional Business Specialist at D.O.R.'s Fair Oaks' office. In this episode: Spencer shares his personal story about growing up with a learning disability, and how that fueled his passion for helping individuals with disabilities…
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Life After Meristem: An Interview with Meristem Alum Brandon Mark
37:58
37:58
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37:58Send us a text Brandon is BACK and giving an update on his life since his last interview! He sits down with Harry and Erin to talk about his experience in the Disney College Program, moving away from California, and potentially graduating from Sac State soon. In this episode: An update on Brandon’s life His experience in the Disney College Program …
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How to Champion Neurodiversity in the Workplace
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48:51
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48:51Send us a text Harry and Eric Steward, the director of Meristem’s Work Skills program and the Transformative Autism Program, sit down with Grant Harris, a published author and chief diversity executive. Grant talks about his experience with a late autism diagnosis, his journey with self-advocacy, and his journey with building his diversity, equity,…
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The Intersection of Autism and Creativity with J.D. Barker
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42:01Send us a text Harry and Erin sit down with New York Times best-selling author J.D. Barker about the intersection between autism and creativity – J.D.’s journey with a late autism diagnosis and how autism has contributed to his major success as an author. In this episode: J.D. details his life before and after his diagnosis at the age of 22 How aut…
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Goodwill & TAP: A Conversation with Ivon Perez about Breaking Workforce Barriers
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37:43
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37:43Send us a text In this episode, Harry & Erin interview Ivon Perez to talk about Goodwill's Expandability Program, how the Expandability Program works to break workforce barriers, and how Goodwill has benefitted from the TAP employer trainings. Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and tapautism.org…
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Let's Talk About Anxiety: A Conversation About Anxiety & Neurodiversity
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44:16Send us a text Harry and Erin sit down and talk about anxiety – how anxiety impacts a neurodiverse mind, their own personal journeys with anxiety, and how employers can best support their neurodiverse employees through anxiety. In this episode: Anxiety and the neurodiverse mind, and how TAP approaches identifying anxiety triggers in with their job …
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Ep. 20: Employment, Getting Hired, & HR- We're Talking About It!
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49:26Carley Marissa sits down with AFO Transition & Employment Program Officer Kyle Britt, who holds a masters in HR to discuss all things employment. From job seeking, to interviewing, to is HR your friend, and how employers can adopt best practices to boost their overall business! For more information, visit autismfoundationok.org/LEAD or contact Kyle…
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CCC & TAP: A Conversation About Workforce Development with CA Conservation Corps Director JP Patton
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41:43Send us a text The director of the California Conservation Corps (CCC), JP Patton, joins us to talk about the mission of the CCC, and how they work to develop folks for the workforce, and their experience with the TAP trainings affected their workplace culture. In this episode: How TAP got connected with CCC The mission of CCC, and their model refl…
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Life After Meristem: An Interview with Meristem Alum Miles Levine
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29:00Send us a text Hear from a Meristem alumni about how Meristem prepared him for independent living and the workforce, and how he has gained a new sense of confidence from being a part of Meristem! In this episode: Miles’ journey with an auditory processing disorder and dyscalculia, and how Meristem elevated his confidence and social skills How he ha…
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Life After Meristem: An Interview with Meristem Alum Brandon Mark
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35:16Send us a text Hear from a Meristem alumni about how Meristem prepared him for independent living and how he played a part in restarting the Transformative Autism Program! In this episode: How Brandon found Meristem and his journey through the program What he’s learned living independently (and with roommates!) How he played a part in restarting th…
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Life After Meristem: An Interview with Meristem Alum Caroline Eggert
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33:59Send us a text Hear from a Meristem alumni about how the program equipped her for success and how she is now using what she learned to start her own business, live independently, and keep multiple jobs! In this episode: Caroline’s personal journey to Meristem after growing up in Sacramento and living out in Denver and Montana Her biggest takeaways …
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Ep. 18: Okie School of Adventure, An Alternative Way of Learning!
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36:34Carley sits down with Neil & Alex Turner (our youngest guest, yet!) to discuss their personal approach to education, Okie School of Adventure (okieschool.org) and Alex's autism journey.By Autism Foundation of OKlahoma
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How Meristem & TAP Help People Get (& Keep) Jobs with Eric Steward
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33:48Send us a text Go behind the curtain of Meristem’s Work Skills & TAP with program director Eric Steward and podcast host Harrison Lane to learn how employers and job seekers can benefit. In this episode: Eric Steward’s personal journey and how he was inspired to work with the neurodiverse community How Meristem works with people who want to get a j…
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Ep. 16: Autism in Cherokee Nation with Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. & Dr. Crystal Hernandez
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38:17Carley sits down with Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. of the Cherokee Nation and Dr. Crystal Hernandez to discuss their Autism Task Force report, autism and disability in the native community, the importance of their work, and how we can all come together to serve our communities. For more information on the first report, please visit: https://www.cherokee.…
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Ep. 17: Profound Autism & Parenting the Spectrum
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54:15Carley sits down with Michi Medley (advocate, case manager, future LCSW) and the parent of two children on the autism spectrum. One has profound autism, and the other does not. There are many stereotypes about what it is like for someone living with profound autism, many of them incorrect; Michi shares her insight and personal journey with parentin…
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Breaking down Meristem’s Work Skills Program with Ari von Zboray
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33:14Send us a text Ever wonder what Meristem’s Work Skills Program looks like behind the scenes? Take a peek inside what we do, how we do it and the challenges Meristem and our students face in achieving success in job training and internships. In this episode: What are Meristem’s 5 Pillars? What does Meristem do to support our students going to work a…
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Ep. 15- Officer Galloway: The Autistic Cop
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23:41
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23:41Filmed on April 2nd, World Autism Day, Carley sits down with Jenks, Oklahoma police officer Cody Galloway, to discuss his experience living with autism, what it's like being an autistic cop, and his customized sensory-friendly patrol car. Fore more info on FREE AFO resources for your vehicle or person, contact [email protected]…
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Raley's & TAP Unpack Hiring Neurodiverse Job Seekers
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42:58Send us a text Raley's & TAP Unpack Hiring Neurodiverse Job Seekers. Listen to this week's Voices of the Community: Neurodiversity in Life and Work with special guest, Raley's Senior Manager, Corp HR & Talent Acquisition, Bahar Abullarade. #neurodiverse #autism #hiring #jobseekingtips Share your questions and learn more about us at meristem.pro and…
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Carley sits down with Hann Bingham Brunner, PhD, to discuss their published paper about the #ActuallyAutistic community and autistic rhetoric on Twitter regarding Sia’s film “Music”, their experience living with autism, the different types of dysphoria that can occur with autism, and the importance of autistic voices being heard. For a plain langua…
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Ep. 13- Conversation with an Autistic Therapist
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50:47
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50:47Carley sits down with Lindsey Vandeventer, LCSW an autistic therapist to discuss their experience being on the spectrum, how they serve others, wellness techniques, and more. To learn more about Lindsey, visit: https://www.facebook.com/TheraputicAutist Trigger Warning & Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and conversations between the host and guest(s…
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Inside The River Cats Concessions, Meristem’s partnership & Hiring Neurodiverse Employees
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34:01Send us a text Take me out to the ball Game! Inside The River Cats Concessions, Meristem’s partnership & Hiring Neurodiverse Employees ⚾️ Join Erin and Harry with special guest, James Thompson, Head of The River Cats Concessions at Sutter Health Park. They unpack how The River Cats partner with non-profits in the area and how that relationship deve…
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Ep. 12- Let's Get Real About Autism and Mental Health
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40:04
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40:04Carley sits down with their friend, fellow autistic & comic, Ashley Bartlett, to discuss their experiences of being autistic from the female perspective, their struggles with depression and suicidality, what has worked for them, & how they show themselves wellness. Trigger Warning & Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and conversations between the hos…
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Send us a text It’s going to take all of us. How TAP and Stannum Core Solutions are changing the workplace landscape for neurodiverse individuals across the U.S. 🇺🇸 Get inspired by this episode of Meristem's Voices of the Community, Harry, Erin and Ben Schatzel, Stannum Core Solutions' founder take a deep dive into what it takes for employers to ch…
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Ep. 11 Autism & Neurodiversity In The Workplace: A Key to Success
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40:29Carley sits down with Workforce Development Coordinator Kyle Britt to discuss the many benefits of autism and neurodiversity in the workplace, how employers can create a successful environment, and AFO's LEAD training for employers. For more information on LEAD training or how you can create a successful work environment, please email kbritt@autism…
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Send us a text In this episode, Erin and Harry discuss what’s important to keep a job and what to expect in one of your first work experiences. Based on experiences in internships in the Transformative Autism Program, Erin and Harry offer tips like: be prepared and open for feedback, and consider asking for it each week from your manager practice c…
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Ep. 10- The Autistic Experience, Let's Talk About It
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30:11Carley sits down with Gale Hann to discuss their professional and personal opinions on the autistic experience.By Autism Foundation of OKlahoma
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Send us a text If getting a new job is a part of your 2024 goals, this is the episode for you! Harry and Erin share how Meristem operates its internship program, including how Meristem uses experiential interviews for neurodiverse candidates. Listen for: more in-depth discussion of the Meristem Method and how Meristem prepares young adults and empl…
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Ep. 9- Children, Autism, and Mental Health Matters
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40:05Carley sits down with Dr. Tara R Buck to discuss the importance of identifying co-occurring mental health conditions in children with autism, the latest mental health trends, and why children with autism are likely to be bullied 3 to 4 more times than their neurotypical peers. Resources from this episode: Oklahoma LEND Training Program: https://ouh…
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Carley sits down with Lauren Stover, executive director of the Oklahoma County Crisis Intervention Center and Recovery Unity, to learn about the importance of crisis centers, how they help those in need, and what a crisis is. If you or someone you know is in crisis and are in America, please call 988 for immediate assistance.…
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Ep. 7- Autism, Law Enforcement, and the Importance of Education
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38:35Carley sits down with AFO board member and Law Enforcement Educator Cory Sutton to discuss the importance of continuing education and how training first responders about autism play an important role in public safety for the community. If you live in Oklahoma and want to know more about Mr. Sutton's training, please contact us at info@autismfoundat…
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Send us a text Erin Schirm shares how you can support Meristem this #GivingTuesday. Support Meristem's work with neurodiverse young people getting on the path to work and greater independence with a tax-deductable donation: meristem.pro/get-involved/support-meristem View Meristem's Holiday Wish List and help fund a specific need of the program. Fun…
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Send us a text Meristem program graduate Ben Lewis reflects back on his experience at Meristem, what he loved about the community and the chance to live independently. He shares how he gained the skills to work on a farm and how those experiences influence his attitude toward a day’s work now. Ben shares his path to Meristem and how persistence hel…
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Ep. 6- Mental Health in the Tribal Nations
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28:18Carley sits down with Shiela Williams (LPC-S) to shed light on the mental health situation within the tribal nations in Oklahoma, how to be an ally, the importance of belonging, and more! Learn more about Shiela here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/shiela-williams-edmond-ok/1173356By Autism Foundation of OKlahoma
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Send us a text Harrison talks about different intellectual or developmental disabilities and asks Erin about how he has responded to difficult situations, like an outburst in class or overcoming anxiety. Listen for: Tips for noticing what you have control over that can improve your well being How proving yourself to be reliable and responsible–even…
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Communication at Work is a Two Way Street
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26:45
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26:45Send us a text Guest Eric Steward is the Director of Meristem’s Work Skills team and Transformative Autism Program. With Harrison and Erin, they discuss how they work with employers and neurodiverse job seekers and share: How to ask for support at work and why flexibility is a two way street Why Eric encourages job seekers to watch the TAP employer…
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Carley sits down with wellness and fitness instructors Lindsay Juarez (www.mindfulmassageok.com) and Carri Baldwin (https://www.templefitnessyukon.com/) to discuss the importance of overall wellness and share their personal journeys of raising autistic children.By Autism Foundation of OKlahoma
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Send us a text Meet hosts Harrison Lane and Erin Schirm. Harrison received an autism diagnosis in elementary school and now works with employers to help them hire neurodiverse people. Erin leads Meristem–a non-profit day and independent living program for autistic and neurodiverse young adults. We cover: What Harrison does working with employers to…
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Carley sits down with suicide prevention advocate and parent Shellie Smartt to discuss her son Evan Smartt's life, losing a child, the aftermath, and how she advocates for those with similar experiences. To learn more about Evan's Promise, please visit: http://evanspromise.org/ To learn more about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, ple…
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What is 988? Carley sits down with Josh DeBartolo from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services to discuss 988 and to learn all about the various help it can provide. Follow us at @autismfoundationok on IG to learn more.By Autism Foundation of OKlahoma
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Ep. 2- Late in Life Diagnosis, Parenting, and Creating Community
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1:00:16Carley Marissa Dummitt sits down with AFO board member Tom Taylor, who was diagnosed when his child was, to discuss being diagnosed late in life, parenting as an autistic, creating the group 'Autistic Adults of Oklahoma,' and lots more! Follow us on IG @AutismFoundationOK to for more.By Autism Foundation of OKlahoma
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Send us a text Host Harrison Lane introduces the Voice of Community podcast. This is Meristem’s Breaking Barriers Transformative Autism Program Voices of the Community Podcast. So what is Voices of Community you might ask? Well, if you're a job seeker, if you're an employer, if you're a community member interested in learning more about how to work…
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Ep. 1- Autism and Artistic Expression
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1:39:46Carley Marissa Dummitt of the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma discusses autism, the autistic experience, and how it impacts artistic expression with her friends and fellow autistic artists.By Autism Foundation of OKlahoma
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Episode 31: Zoh is 29 years old and lives in Indiana. She is self-diagnosed Autistic, and is a creative musician, photographer and jewellery maker. In this conversation, we discuss how Autistics kids are often misdiagnosed growing up, comorbidities, the legitimacy of self-diagnosis in the Autistic community, the barriers to late-diagnosis, therapy,…
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Episode 30 -- Julie (Austria) This week, we welcome Julia, 27, from Austria, for a conversation touching on a variety of things, including moving from the Dominican Republic to Austria at the age of 5, the differences between living in a city and a small town, travelling, special interests, self-diagnosing with Autism at the age of 20, job intervie…
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Episode 29 -- Michael Tanzer (Ontario, Canada) This week, Ryan and Drew have a chat with Michael, who is 29, and was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 3. We talk about his self-published book "Michaelism: My POV on Life with Autism," his childhood development, therapy, special interests, learning Japanese, independence, social media, not giving u…
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Episode 28 -- Dave (San Diego, USA)
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2:09:27In this episode, we have a pleasant chat with Dave, age 45, who lives in San Diego, California, USA. Dave was late-diagnosed Autistic, has an Autistic spouse, and an Autistic son. In this conversation, we discuss a number of things, including ABA Therapy, Relationship Development Intervention (RDI), the Love & Autism Conference, "famous" people in …
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Episode 27 -- Autism Awareness Month with Rose (Quebec, Canada)
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1:52:26Well, as you all surely know, it's AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH! Our friend Rose returns (third time!) to discuss some of the things that she thinks are important, for Autistic people to guide the conversation about us! We talk about what it takes for Autistic people to find happiness, be seen and heard, and to feel safe! What kind of therapies are out t…
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Episode 26 - Armani (Michigan, USA)
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1:06:12I grew up in a family of racecar drivers -- both my mom and dad (that's how they met!) and all of my uncles raced cars. When I heard about an Autistic racecar driver named Armani Williams, I knew I simply had to have him on the show! Armani is awesome! He's 20 years old, diagnosed Autistic at the age of 2, and lives in Grosse Point, Michigan. He kn…
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Episode 25 -- Autism Myths with Rose (Quebec, Canada)
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2:19:12On this episode, Rose is back for another round! This time, the focus is on Autism Myths! Are Autism cases on the rise? Do people outgrow Autism? Is there for a cure for Autism? Do vaccines cause Autism? Are there differences in Autism between males and females? Do we prefer to say "Autistic people" or "people with Autism?" Is Autism a form of brai…
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