Discover what’s possible when you lean into curiosity.  Do you feel trapped in your daily routine and want to feel inspired again? Do you think there's something more you're meant to be doing in the world for the autistic community? Are you a self-advocate or professional looking to develop as a leader, build confidence in your own abilities, and help others do the same?  If so, you’ll want to listen to this episode because our SkillCorps® volunteers share how they reconnected with their passion in the field from going on their trip to Kenya.  Just a recap, in case you missed part 1 from last week, SkillCorps® is carefully curated 10-day journey includes developing culturally-relevant and sustainable training with our partner staff, listening to local Autistic Self-Advocates and family members to learn about their lived experiences, sharing meals with community members to brainstorm ideas and solutions, and executing a high-impact project to build on existing work being done in the country.  Last October, we sent a SkillCorps® team to visit our partners at Kaizora in Nairobi, Kenya. In part 2 of this special SkillCorps® Journey episode, you’ll hear Team Kenya talk about:  Personal growthProfessional development in the field of autism servicesHow traveling with the Global Autism Project inspired the team to create change in their own communitiesTips for future SkillCorps® travelers As you probably know if you follow our work closely, we’re also sending teams out in the field this July, and we’re currently taking SkillCorps® applications for travel in October!  Join us today at skillcorps.globalautismproject.org and use the coupon code “AUTISMPODCAST” to waive the application fee.  ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when collaboration inspires change.  Do you have a personal or professional connection to autism? Are you looking to collaborate with others and help the autistic community in a meaningful, sustainable way? Do you want to share your insights and make a positive impact on a global scale but don’t know where to start?  If so, you’ll want to listen to this episode because our SkillCorps® volunteers share how they collaborated with a global team of autism professionals and advocates on their trip to our partner site in Kenya. SkillCorps® is a carefully curated 10-day journey that includes developing culturally-relevant and sustainable training with our partner staff, listening to local Autistic Self-Advocates and family members to learn about their lived experiences, sharing meals with community members to brainstorm ideas and solutions, and executing a high-impact project to build on existing work being done in the country. Last October, we sent a SkillCorps® team to visit our partners at Kaizora in Nairobi, Kenya. Kaizora offers comprehensive services for families, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, vocational training, special education, and social skills.  In this episode you’ll hear from Maureen Gathogo, or “Moh” for short, the Operations Manager at Kaizora, Jessie Sheahan, our staff member who led the SkillCorps® team, and the SkillCorps® volunteers themselves. Next week, you’ll hear the team talk about their personal growth and takeaways.  In today’s episode, we discuss: Clinical training and outreach initiatives completed during the tripCollaboration between professionals from different backgroundsThe Global Autism Project’s model Do With Not ForCultural humilitySustainable practices in international development As you probably know if you follow our work closely, we’re also sending teams out in the field this July, and we’re currently taking SkillCorps® applications for travel in October!  Join us today at skillcorps.globalautismproject.org and use the coupon code “AUTISMPODCAST” to waive the application fee.  ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when you belong.  Have you ever heard the phrases, “You don’t look autistic,” or “Everyone’s a little bit autistic,” or “You can’t (fill in the blank) because you’re autistic”?  If you or anyone you know has ever felt that their autistic experiences don’t matter, this is one episode you’ll want to listen to.  We’re kicking off Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month with this roundtable discussion about overcoming prejudices and breaking the stigma around autism, facilitated by community moderator Danielle Terrell, and featuring Autistic Self-Advocates Thomas Iland, Brian Middleton, Corben Havener, Mary Johnston, Bob Schmus, Sara Bradford, and Amy Smith, as well as fellow community members, Rosetta Walker and Tj Larum.  Among other things, we discuss:  Ableism in the form of gaslightingMasking as a defense mechanismBreaking stereotypesThe Medical vs. the social model of disabilityAutism in legal situationsLimitations set by some medical professionals Would you like to share your own perspectives by participating in roundtables like the this one? Join our online Global Autism Community, a safe and judgment-free space where all kinds of people connected to autism regularly discuss important topics like autistic identity, dating on the spectrum, coping strategies, and many, many more.  Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.  ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when you let the creative juices flow.  Have you ever experienced a flow state when using music or visual arts as a creative outlet? Or maybe you’ve been inspired by someone else’s work? If you like music and art, stick around, because today’s episode is a roundtable discussion where we talk about all things creativity, facilitated by community moderator Danielle Terrell, and featuring Autistic Self-Advocates Andrew Bennett, Stephanie De Kremer, and Christina Kaspersen, as wells as fellow members of our online Global Autism Community, Melissa Badertscher and Tj Larum.  Among other things, we discuss:  How creative projects can enrich livesDifferent outlets for creativityInterpretation vs improvisationUsing creativity to accentuate autistic strengths and develop areas of needChallenges of self-promotionHow to overcome imposter syndrome when showcasing work in front of others Would you like to share your own perspectives by participating in roundtables like the this one? Join our online Global Autism Community, a safe and judgment-free space where all kinds of people connected to autism regularly discuss important topics like autistic identity, dating on the spectrum, coping strategies, and many, many more.  Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.  ----more---- Related episodes: 22. Music Therapy and Autism in Australia, with Pamela Fisher  149. Special Needs Music, with Stephen Flinn  123. Art, Synesthesia, and Software Engineering, with Austin Lubetkin  ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when you come to life.  Are you looking for ways to share your story and make a difference for others, but you get nervous speaking in front of a crowd? Or maybe you already have the confidence but don’t know where to start looking for paid speaking engagements? If so, you’ll really want to listen to today’s episode where our guest shares his tips on public speaking.  This episode with Thomas Iland was originally released in April 2021. We’re re-releasing it today to highlight some of Tom’s recent accomplishments. Tom is an Autistic Self-Advocate, Toastmasters International Accredited Speaker, Certified Human Potential Coach, Professional Diversity & Inclusion Consultant, and TEDx speaker. He’s the author of two books, Come To Life! Your Guide to Self-Discovery, and My Glass Is Full: Stories of Putting Mental Health First. Tom also holds a unique Guinness World Record as "The Oldest Person With Autism To Finish a Full Ironman Triathlon," emphasizing his commitment to transcending limits.  In this conversation, we discuss: Strategies for delivering a good speechHow autism influences can influence public speakingThe importance of parents accepting their child’s autism diagnosisHow autistic people can learn to empathize with othersTips for other self-advocates who may want to pursue a career in public speaking Are you a self-advocate willing to share your story and educate others? Or a professional seeking to hear directly from autistic voices and improve your practice? Or are you a family member hoping to support and empower your loved one? Whatever your connection to autism is, we’d love to hear your takeaways from this episode in our online Global Autism Community, where hundreds of people from all over the world come together to support each other and know that they’re not alone. Join us today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.  ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our Facebook group: Autism Knows No Borders  Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.

Discover what’s possible when quality care is cultivated from within.  Have you ever looked for a service provider in a rural area, and had a hard time finding just one professional near you with a certification established by a board? How would you know if those other, non-credentialed service providers have completed proper, systematic training? In today’s episode, we address these topics and much, much more. This episode with Maricarmen Hazoury, or Kaki for short, was originally released in July 2020. We’re re-releasing it today to emphasize the need for a set of professional standards in order to protect families and individuals receiving autism services.  When this conversation was recorded, the Behavior Analysts Certification Board had just announced that they would discontinue international certification for behavior analysts. Although the decision initially caused some upset, confusion, and disappointment, other organizations like the IBAO and QABA have since stepped up to fill the space.  Maricarmen Hazoury is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and the co-founder of Centro ACAP, an autism center in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The Global Autism Project partnered with Centro ACAP in 2018, and we have since sent three SkillCorps volunteer teams to provide sustainable hands-on training.  In this conversation, among other things, we discuss: Autism awareness in the Dominican Republic and the types of autism services currently availableHow Kaki became involved in the field and why she is passionate about using Applied Behavior Analysis to help familiesThe need for a Spanish-speaking certification boardWhy the current Code of Ethics for Behavior Analysts is not completely relevant to Dominican cultureWhat Kaki has learned from partnering with the Global Autism ProjectWhich aspects of Dominican culture she is most excited to share with our SkillCorps volunteers when they visit  If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take a moment to rate the show and leave a review. You’ll be helping us to continue spreading autism awareness and acceptance around the world. ----more---- Related episode: 147. The International Behavior Analysis Organization, with Dr. Michael Mueller and Our CEO Molly Ola Pinney ----more---- Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when you trust your gut.  Has anyone close to you needed support after receiving their child’s autism diagnosis? Or maybe you yourself are the parent of a child with autism? If so, you might have felt overwhelmed or isolated when trying to decide what’s best for their future.  Professionals like today’s guest, Kathryn Petersen, empower parents to recognize that they are the true experts of their children so that they can confidently make the best decisions for their family.  Kathryn is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and the Founder of 2 Steps Forward Consulting, a company offering early-intervention coaching to help parents navigate the system.  In this second half of this conversation with Kathryn, we discuss:  How Kathryn determines her client’s successKathryn’s involvement with the Global Autism Project, and what she’s learned about leadershipHow she applies the Global Autism Project’s motto “Do With Not For” in her current practiceTips for families starting their autism journeys Do you know anyone else who might benefit from this episode? For instance, a parent in the early stages of receiving an autism diagnosis for their child? We encourage you to share this episode with at least one other person. By doing so, you’ll help them feel supported, and help us improve access to services worldwide.  ----more---- Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when someone holds your hand.  Have you ever tried to look for autism services and found the process long, stressful, or confusing? If you’re the parent of a child with autism, you’ve probably found that the path to available resources is often far from clear.  However, professionals like today’s guest, Kathryn Petersen, are committed to making this journey easier.  Kathryn is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and the Founder of 2 Steps Forward Consulting, a company offering early-intervention coaching to help parents navigate the system.  In this conversation, among other things, we discuss:  Why Kathryn decided to start her consulting companyWhat the autism-diagnosis process typically looks like for parents (from recognizing early signs in their children to receiving services)Common struggles parents face within the system How parents can collaborate in setting and prioritizing goalsWhat to look for in a service provider Do you know anyone else who might benefit from this episode? For instance, a parent in the early stages of receiving an autism diagnosis for their child? We encourage you to share this episode with at least one other person. By doing so, you’ll help them feel supported, and help us improve access to services worldwide.  ----more---- Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when accessibility goes beyond a checklist.  Have you ever come across a website that was difficult to navigate? Were you frustrated that you couldn’t accomplish what you wanted to do, whether it was pay a bill, schedule a doctor’s visit, or attend a zoom call?  Well, you’re definitely not alone. It’s not uncommon for neurodivergent people to feel left out of digital spaces. The good news is accessibility guidelines already exist to ensure websites can be easily navigated.  If you want to know about how these standards are upheld, listen to this conversation I had with Maxwell Huffman and Jen Goubeaud, where we delve deep into the work that they do at Aspiritech, a quality-assurance company with over 90% of autistic employees.  Maxwell is Autistic himself and oversees operations across all of Aspiritech’s program lines, including software quality assurance, accessibility, and data services. And Jen, who has ADHD, is the program manager for the company’s accessibility program line.  In this conversation, among other things, we discuss: Accessibility criteria that websites needs to meetUsing screen readers for the visually impairedHow a neurodiverse team can help to assess user experienceMoments that make Maxwell and Jen feel proud to be working at AspiritechTips for employers wanting to increase neurodiversity in the workplace Do you know anyone else who might find value in this episode? Maybe your boss or coworkers would also like to learn how to make your workplace more neurodivergent-friendly. If you’d like to help improve employment conditions for autistic individuals, please take just a few seconds to share this episode with one person who you think will appreciate it.  ----more---- Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when your work environment helps you flourish.  Have you ever been at work and felt like your colleagues just didn’t understand you, or maybe didn’t even try? Or have you ever worked up the courage to request accommodations, only to then have your needs minimized?  If you want to hear about a company with a work environment just the opposite of that, stay tuned for today’s conversation with Maxwell Huffman and Jen Goubeaud, where we discuss how Aspiritech creates opportunities for their neurodivergent employees to thrive.  Maxwell is Autistic himself and oversees operations across all of Aspiritech’s program lines, including software quality assurance, accessibility, and data services. And Jen, who has ADHD, is the program manager for the company’s accessibility program line.  In this conversation, among other things, we discuss:  How Brenda and Moshe Weitzberg founded Aspiritech to help their son find suitable employment, scaling it up from a kitchen-table start-up to a company with over 100 employees, 90% of which are AutisticCommon accommodations, such as written instructions and hybrid work optionsAspiritech’s hiring and training processHow to match skill sets to a job  If you’re enjoying this episode and you don’t want to miss part 2, where we’ll talk about digital accessibility for neurodivergent individuals, be sure to hit the subscribe button! It will help you stay up-to-date, and it will also help us continue to bring you great guests, like Jen and Maxwell.  ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when communication operates beyond words.  Have you ever heard anyone say that speech therapy is only for children who need to learn how to talk? Or that dyslexia only affects the ability to read and write? Or that an AAC device might hinder language development?  In today’s throwback episode, we revisit these common misconceptions and many, many more. This episode with Jeannette Washington was originally released in July 2020. We’re re-releasing it today to celebrate Black History Month and highlight the great work of Black professionals in our community. A certified teacher, speech pathologist, coder and author, and the digital creator behind Bearly Articulating, Jeannette has many years of experience providing services to people with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. In this conversation, among other things, we discuss: Who can benefit from speech therapyHow autism and dyslexia overlapWhy collaboration between professionals from different fields is essential for progressWays in which an AAC device can improve communicationHow differently-minded individuals can  – and should – contribute to the tech industryHelpful tips for parents trying to increase their child’s communication skills Would you like to submit your own questions for our upcoming guests? Follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and watch out for posts asking for contributions! We want you to get the most out of our podcast, so your input is always appreciated. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when autism representation in the media is accurate.  Have you ever been disappointed by the representation of autism in movies, TV shows, or other media? Or, on the other hand, have you ever resonated with some of the characters with autistic traits that you’ve seen on screen? Whether you’ve had one of these experiences or both, stick around, because today’s episode is a roundtable discussion where we address the question, “How can the entertainment industry improve their representation of autism?” I’m sure you’ll find this conversation as engaging as I did. Among other things, we talked about: How movies like Rainman and other early representations of autism led to inaccurate stereotypesThe ethics of Autistic characters being played by Autistic vs. non-Autistic actors Implicit vs. explicit Autistic characters in shows like Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Atypical and The Big Bang TheoryThe need to increase representation of non-speaking Autistics Participants in this roundtable include Autistic Self-Advocates Andrew Bennett, Michelle Vinokurov, Corben Havener, Mary Johnston, and Christina Kaspersen, and fellow members of our online Global Autism Community Ali Carbone, Cheryl Albright, Tj Larum and Danielle Terrell. ----more---- Would you like to share your own perspectives by participating in roundtables like this one? Join our online Global Autism Community, a safe and judgment-free space where all kinds of people connected to autism regularly discuss important topics like autistic identity, dating on the spectrum, coping strategies, and many, many more.  We’ll see you there at community.globalautismproject.org! ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when you live label free.  Livia Sara is an Autistic Self-Advocate, eating disorder survivor, author, and the host of the podcast Liv Label Free. Livia is currently working on her fifth book, and her publications include a memoir, Rainbow Girl, and a cookbook titled Nourishing Neurodiversity. She is also a 1:1 coach for autistic people recovering from an eating disorder.  In this conversation, we discuss: Livia’s autistic strengthsHow having an eating disorder led to the journey of discovering her autismWhy Livia thinks her eating disorder was a way of maskingHow to disentangle autistic traits from eating-disorder behaviorsExamples of eating disorders that can be linked to autismTips for autistic people suffering an eating disorder  To learn more about Livia Sara please visit livlabelfree.com. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when passion drives purpose.  In today’s episode, we’re continuing to highlight our recent SkillCorps® trip to Rwanda. Our SkillCorps® volunteer program is an opportunity for self-advocates, family members, and professionals to travel to our international partner sites and collaborate with local stakeholders on outreach initiatives in their communities.  This carefully curated 10-day journey includes developing culturally-relevant and sustainable training with our partner staff, listening to local Autistic Self-Advocates and family members to learn about their lived experiences, sharing meals with community members to brainstorm ideas and solutions, and executing a high-impact project to build on existing work being done in the country.  In this week’s episode, you’ll hear our SkillCorps® Rwanda team members’ personal experiences and takeaways. Special shout out to SkillCorps® Alum and leader Kelly Cotter, who helped me guide this professionally diverse team of 10 global visionaries on this transformational journey. Even though the team members were complete strangers before they met in New York for orientation, by the end of our trip they had formed friendships that will last a lifetime.  Apart from collaborating with our partners at Silver Bells, our SkillCorps® team also took in Rwandan culture through a range of activities, such as shopping at a night market, learning a local dance, and visiting an important historical museum. Each day left us surprised, inspired, and moved.  The team had a virtual reunion two weeks after returning from our trip. We reviewed what we had learned and reminisced about some of our experiences.  In today’s conversation, we discuss: Memorable moments from the tripGlobal collaborationSustainabilityThe Global Autism Project’s model of Do With Not ForPersonal and professional growthLeadershipEach team member’s post-trip commitment to their own communityTips for future SkillCorps® travelers ----more---- We’re currently taking SkillCorps® applications for travel in October 2024!  Join us today at skillcorps.globalautismproject.org and use the coupon code “AUTISMPODCAST” to waive the application fee.  ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when awareness spreads.  These next two episodes will highlight takeaways from our SkillCorps® volunteer trip to Rwanda last October!  For the last 20 years, the Global Autism Project has been providing sustainable clinical, administrative, and leadership training to autism centers around the world seeking guidance. Our SkillCorps® volunteer program is an opportunity for self-advocates, family members, and professionals to travel to our international partner sites and collaborate with local stakeholders on outreach initiatives specific to their communities.  This carefully curated 10-day journey includes developing culturally-relevant and sustainable training with our partner staff, listening to local Autistic Self-Advocates and family members to learn about their lived experiences, sharing meals with community members to brainstorm ideas and solutions, and executing a high-impact project to build on existing work being done in the country.  Last October, I led our SkillCorps® team to visit our partners at Silver Bells in Kigali, Rwanda. Silver Bells offers comprehensive services for families, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and vocational training.  In today’s episode, you’ll hear the Founder of Silver Bells, two of the clinical department heads, and several community members who attended the three outreach events we hosted in Kigali.  Next week, you’ll hear some of our SkillCorps® volunteers talk about their personal experiences and takeaways.  As you probably know if you follow our work closely, we’re also sending teams out in the field this March, and we’re currently taking applications for travel in October 2024!  Join us today at skillcorps.globalautismproject.org and use the coupon code “AUTISMPODCAST” to waive the application fee.  ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

*THROWBACK EPISODE* This roundtable discussion with our Global Autism Community was originally released on February 17, 2022. We're re-releasing it today to kick off the year with setting intentions.  What are your goals for 2024? How will you hold yourself accountable? We’d love to hear from you over in our online Global Autism Community! Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.  ----more---- Discover what’s possible when a goal is set into action.  This week’s episode is a recording of one of our Global Autism Community exclusive events!  The topic of this roundtable discussion was Setting Goals. Participating in this event were autism self-advocates Thomas Iland, Mary Johnston, Scott Edgar, Andrew Arboe, Jeff Snyder, David Sharif, and Sarah Bradford, as well as community members, Karen Shapiro, Ben Sharif, and Kia Burton.  In today’s conversation, we discuss: Proud moments from 2021Personal and professional goals for this yearStaying motivatedTips and strategies to meet milestones  Roundtable discussions like the one you’ll hear today are open exclusively for members of our online Global Autism Community. We select a different theme each month, and our moderators monitor posts daily to ensure that our online space remains safe and respectful. If you’d like to attend and participate in any of our future events, you can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org.  ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

*THROWBACK EPISODE* This roundtable discussion with our Global Autism Community was originally released on January 20, 2022. We're re-releasing it today to show the wide range of interests within our community! What are some of your special interests? We’d love to hear from you over in our online Global Autism Community! Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. ----more---- Discover what’s possible when you trust your interests.  Happy New Year!  I want to kick off 2022 with a fun episode about special interests. This week’s release is a recording of one of our Global Autism Community exclusive events, featuring autism self-advocates Thomas Iland, Mary Johnston, Ryan Litchfield, Jeff Snyder and David Sharif, as well as community moderator Kia Burton.  In today’s conversation, we discuss: FanfictionAnimalsPaintingTravelingAdvocacyBatmanStar Wars  Roundtable discussions like the one you’ll hear today are open exclusively for members of our online Global Autism Community. We select a different theme each month, and our moderators monitor posts daily to ensure that our online space remains safe and respectful. If you’d like to attend and participate in any of our future events, you can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org.  Resources: The Benefits of Special Interests in Autism ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project ----more---- We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when we learn together.  This week’s episode is part 2 of our 2023 Highlights! Today we’ll continue to review some of our favorite moments from this year’s episodes, specifically from 145 to 158. As we were reflecting on these past episodes from 2023, we were overcome with immense gratitude for our community. A huge thank you to our guests for sharing their stories, to you, our listeners, for your continued support, and to our team for all the work behind the scenes.  Special thanks to Anh Ngoc and Danielle Terrell for helping to manage guest communications and social media, and to all of our community moderators this year: Andrew Bennett, Cassidy Hooper, Stephan Guidon, Korey Taylor, and Christina Kasperson for monitoring posts and keeping our online space safe and respectful.  From all of us at the Global Autism Project, we wish you a happy and safe holiday season, and hope you can spend some quality time with your loved ones.  ----more---- Related episodes:  159. Highlights of 2023: Part One, with the Global Autism Community 127. Highlights of 2022: Part One, with the Global Autism Community 128. Highlights of 2022: Part Two, with the Global Autism Community 90. Highlights of 2021: Part One, with the Global Autism Community  91. Highlights of 2021: Part Two, with the Global Autism Community  41. Highlights of 2020, with the Global Autism Community ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when we learn together.  We’ve reached the end of 2023! To celebrate, we'll be reviewing some of our favorite moments from this year’s episodes – there are so many that this will have to be a two-parter! Part 1 will highlight episodes 129 through 144, and next week 145 through 158.  Since we started working on this podcast almost four years ago (which is unbelievable to say out loud!), we’ve brought on a wide range of guests, including prominent self-advocates, such as Dr. Temple Grandin, Dr. Stephen Shore, Dr. Kerry Magro, Rachel Barcellona, and Anthony Ianni; parents like Tiffany Hammond and Bobby Rubio; some of our Global Autism Project partners, such as Sangeeta Jain from India and Evas Kyomugisha from Rwanda; and other professionals in the field, such as Michelle Garcia Winner from Social Thinking and Harald Neerland from Autism Europe.  If you’ve been listening to our podcast for a while, this 2023 recap will bring you back to the heartfelt stories we’ve been hearing from our guests. And if you’re joining us for the first time, welcome! This episode will give you a good idea of what Autism Knows No Borders is all about.  ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

*THROWBACK EPISODE* This conversation with Dr. Megan DeLeon was originally released on November 12, 2020. We're re-releasing it today to bring awareness to the great work that Dr. DeLeon is doing with the DoBetter Collective. ----more---- Discover what’s possible when you welcome different perspectives.  Dr. Megan Miller is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst based in Florida. She is the founder of the Do Better Movement, a professional development initiative for behavior analysts aimed at creating humane, culturally-informed, and compassionate interventions. Megan also co-wrote the book The Seven Steps to Earning Instructional Control with Robert Schramm, which was published in 2014.  In today’s conversation, we discuss: How Megan became involved in the fieldWhat she’s learned from working internationallyWhy Megan decided to start the Do Better MovementThree examples of areas she believes behavior analysts should focus on to improve their clinical skill sets For more information about Dr. Megan Miller and her work, please visit the following links: Do Better Movement    Do Better Collective    Facebook: Do Better Movement ABA    Instagram: @dr_dobetter  ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey