Category: Podcast

Hear from inspiring individuals, experts, and authors in the autism community. Listen to our acclaimed podcast, all autism talk.

Anthony Ianni: The First Division I Basketball Player Diagnosed with Autism

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Anthony Ianni was diagnosed with autism as a child, and like many, his parents were given dire predictions about his future. Despite being told he wouldn’t achieve anything in life, Anthony followed in his family’s love of sports and went on to become the first-known Division I player on the spectrum. He shares the challenges he faced, the support he received from his family and coaches, and his current role as a school administrator. Anthony also discusses his advocacy efforts to create sensory-friendly spaces in college arenas.

View the transcript, show notes, and previous episodes at: https://www.allautismtalk.com/episodes/first-division-1-basketball-player-diagnosed-with-autism

All Autism Talk is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral.

Haircuts with Heart: Vernon Jackson’s Mission as an Autism Friendly Barber

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Vernon Jackson is an award-winning barber, author, and advocate known for transforming the haircut experience for neurodivergent children and their families. In this conversation, he shares his journey of founding The Gifted Event, a nationally recognized initiative providing free, sensory-friendly haircuts to children with special needs. His viral videos and heartfelt storytelling have inspired millions, spotlighting the power of patience, empathy, and inclusion. Vernon emphasizes the importance of community support, trust-building with families, and the emotional aspects of haircuts. In his work, he empowers kids to feel seen, valued, and confident, while challenging the world to embrace differences with compassion and creativity.

View the transcript, show notes, and previous episodes at: https://www.allautismtalk.com/episodes/haircuts-with-heart-vernon-jackson

All Autism Talk is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral.

Fashion That Fits Every Body: Hilary Pham on Adaptive Clothing Innovation

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Hilary Pham, Founder and CEO of Equability, joins us to share insights about her company, which specializes in adapting existing clothing for individuals with disabilities. She discusses her journey of starting the company, inspired by her mother’s struggles with traditional clothing. We explore how clothing can serve as a form of self-expression and how this service allows for modifications in all clothing brands to better suit the wearer. Hilary’s creative problem-solving and focus on community connection are truly inspiring. 

View the transcript, show notes, and previous episodes at: https://www.allautismtalk.com/episodes/fashion-that-fits-every-body

All Autism Talk is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral.

Understanding the Autistic and ADHD Nervous System

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Dr. Megan Anna Neff, a neurodivergent psychologist (autistic & ADHD) and founder of Neurodivergent Insights, returns to discuss the complexities of the nervous system, particularly autism and ADHD. She helps us understand the difference between sympathetic and parasympathetic responses, the concept of flooding, and the various triggers that can lead to stress responses. Dr. Neff also offers helpful strategies for nervous system regulation and the concept of the ‘window of tolerance’ and how it affects emotional regulation. This discussion is fascinating and valuable for caregivers and anyone with a nervous system.

View the transcript, show notes, and previous episodes at: https://www.allautismtalk.com/episodes/understanding-the-autistic-and-adhd-nervous-system

All Autism Talk is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral.

Autism Diagnosis Without Bias: Eye Gaze Technology and Equity in Action

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Dr. Hanna Rue and Jonathan Lehmann join us to discuss the importance of early diagnosis and the potential of a new tool aimed at addressing health disparities, particularly for families from diverse backgrounds. In this episode, we explore the application of the EarliPoint device, which uses eye gaze tracking technology to diagnose autism in children aged 16 to 30 months. Dr. Hanna Rue emphasizes, “We all know that access to diagnostics can be extremely challenging. Within the Boston area, some families are waiting three years. Research supports that the earlier you start with services, the better outcomes you have.”

View the transcript, show notes, and previous episodes at: https://www.allautismtalk.com/episodes/eye-gaze-technology-and-equity-in-action

All Autism Talk is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral.

The Importance of Fitness to Support Life Skills

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Eric Chessen, founder of Autism Fitness, shares his journey to create effective fitness programs for neurodivergent individuals. He emphasizes the importance of understanding their unique needs and challenges as well as the role of fitness as a life skill. He states, “It’s not just for sports or body composition. A lot of our focus is to support activities in daily living.” Eric also discusses the need to raise the standard of practice in the fitness industry to better serve the autism community.

To watch the interview or read the transcription, visit: https://www.allautismtalk.com/episodes/the-importance-of-fitness-to-support-life-skills

All Autism Talk is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral.

From Struggle to Strength: A Father’s Journey with Autism

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Harry Psaros shares his personal journey as a father navigating the challenges of raising a child with autism. He discusses his initial challenges in accepting his son Gus’s diagnosis and his path to being a dedicated advocate. Harry emphasizes the significance of building a social network for families and being of service: “If you are breathing air, you should be helping others.” He also shares his 2% rule, which promotes a clear focus for each day to support incremental improvement and reduce overwhelm.

To watch the interview or read the transcription, visit: https://www.allautismtalk.com/episodes/from-struggle-to-strength

All Autism Talk is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral.

Meet Michael Maloney, Founder and CEO of LEARN Behavioral

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Michael Maloney, Founder and CEO of LEARN Behavioral, joins us to share about his early career in education and how a small consulting company grew into an organization that now provides autism services in over 17 states (23 with LEARN Academy). In this conversation, we also explore his insights about the changing landscape of services for families. Michael shares, “In the last ten to twelve years, there has been an absolute sea change. When we started, four states covered services, and now all 50 do. Parents often had to pay out of pocket, and few could afford to. The financial burden has lessened so significantly because of the growing awareness and advocacy.”

Watch the video interview at www.allautismtalk.com.

Lasting Happiness – How to be kinder to yourself and others

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Professor Emeritus at the University of Oregon and President of the Choose Kindness Foundation, Doug Carnine joins us to discuss his work with the Choose Kindness Foundation that works with schools, businesses, prisons, and social service agencies across the US to promote mindful kindness. 

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How to Manage Your Child’s Stress & Anxiety During COVID-19

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The sudden disruption in routine due to COVID-19 is challenging for all individuals to manage as we adjust to a new, and hopefully short-lived, normal of staying at home and ceasing most of our regular activities. For families of individuals with autism and other disabilities, the disruption can be especially challenging.

Resources Discussed:

Talking with children about Coronavirus: https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-youth/connecting-conversations/index.html

For more helpful tips and resources, sign up for our Parent Newsletter at learnbehavioral.com/parentresources.

All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).