Autistic Identity, Trauma, and the Importance of Mentoring - A Conversation with Dena Gassner

This episode of the Uniquely Human: The Podcast features Nina Schiarizzi-Tobin and Vanessa Harwood discussing innovative supports for neurodivergent college students, highlighting the START program at the University of Rhode Island. The conversation explores common challenges neurodivergent students face upon entering college, the specific support needs, and how these compare to those of neurotypical students. The episode also delves into the mission of the START program and its role in fostering community and inclusion.Find out more and access the transcripts on our website! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As an occupational therapist with expertise in child development, Dr. Carrie Alvarado has the unique ability to discuss interrelationships between sensory processing and the development of trustworthy connections with young children. Carrie, Barry and Dave explore the implications of “sensoriaffective” integration in supporting parents of young neurodivergent children.Learn more on our websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Rivera has experienced the need for, and benefits of mentoring in his own life, and has applied his lived experiences to setting up a non-profit for mentoring others. Barry and Dave discuss the various benefits of mentoring with David, and specifically, “Mentoring Autistic Minds”, the non-profit he has created that welcomes autistic and otherwise neurodivergent individuals to benefit from a community that provides opportunities for mentoring relationships.Learn more on our websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kate Reynolds , also known as the Lavender Librarian, is the founder and director of Storytime Solidarity. Based in Ontario, Canada, Kate has been working in public libraries since 2010. She is also a sought after international keynote speaker, trained opera singer, patient advocate, writer, and content creator with a large social media following. Kate’s international advocacy has brought her to high-level events in Sweden, Hungary, Canada, and the United States. Kate holds masters degrees in musicology and library science at Western University as well as a bachelor of music in vocal performance at the University of Windsor. Openly disabled and autistic, Kate is working to make the world a kinder place, one storytime at a time.Learn more on our WebsiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Julie Green is a professional writer, a mother, and is a late diagnosed autistic women. She, Dave, and Barry discuss what led to her late diagnosis, and the insights she has as an autistic person in raising her now teenage autistic son. Julie has also published professionally on parenting issues and discusses the process of writing a memoir that focuses on motherhood and autism, while simultaneously deepening her understanding of her own autism.Learn more on our WebsiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As a parent, Daria Brown had some difficult decisions to make about choosing the right path for her young autistic child and her family. She chose a developmental relationship- based approach as it resonated with her as the best fit for her child. That choice led to a professional career in supporting parents, and also to her own late diagnosis as an autistic person. Barry and Dave discussed this choice with Daria, and how her journey has evolved.Learn more on our websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Barry and Dave engage in a lively and wide-ranging discussion with educational specialist, Dr. Shelley Moore, internationally known for her progressive and value-based approach for educating neurodivergent students, and indeed, all students. The focus of the discussion is on changes that are needed to help educational systems to be neuro-affirming, inclusive, strength-based, and respectful of different learning styles.Learn more on our websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sam Young is a neurodivergent professional educator who has established Young Scholars Academy, an online community for 2E students and individuals who are exceptionally gifted and exceptionally challenged. Sam, Dave and Barry have a lively discussion on topics ranging from different learning styles, to limitations of public education for 2E students, to the highest priorities and strategies to support 2E students and individuals.Learn more on Our WebsiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EPISODE 138The Development of the Living and Learning Enrichment Center – An Innovative Neuro-Affirming Community, with Rachelle Vartanian.Rachelle Vartanian is the Founder and President of the Living and Learning Enrichment Center, a community that supports neurodivergent individuals and their families in many ways. She began her journey as a special education teacher, and then as a parent, who now has as an adult son on the autism spectrum. These experiences have allowed her to clearly see the priorities that are needed to support individuals like her son and others, and she, Barry and Dave discuss her journey and her innovative center.FIND OUT MORE ON OUR WEBSITE See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tara Phillips, a speech-language pathologist and Founder of Autism Little Learners, interviewed Barry as a prelude to Barry’s keynote address on her podcast for the Preschool Autism Summit, with more than 40,000 professionals, parents, and autistic individuals registered. As Barry was so impressed by this interview, and given that he often receives requests for more specific information about his career path, he asked Tara for permission and she graciously agreed to allow this interview to be rebroadcast on Uniquely Human: The Podcast.Learn more on our website!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.