343:Changing The Narrative With Matthew Williams

Matthew Williams, a Canadian Special Olympic athlete, will be my guest on this episode of Autism Rocks and Rolls. After hearing about his address to my mother's eighth graders, I was certain he would show up. For twenty years, Mr. Williams participated in the figure skating division of the Canadian Special Olympics. His notoriety grew to the point where he competed for Canada in the 2015 and 2017 Special Olympic World Games. He has also been a member of the Special Olympics International board. He presently serves as the chair of the Special Olympics BC Athlete Input Council and is a member of the Special Olympics BC Leadership Council. At the moment, he is married to his wife, Crystal. Please assist me in introducing this incredible Olympian into my program.

Today's guest is Michael Pereira, the owner of The Autism Voyage. After 10 years at a company in America, high-stakes negotiations, and climbing the corporate ladder, Michael Pereira had everything figured out. Everything abruptly altered in 2022 when his son was diagnosed with autism. "What happens to my son when I'm not here?" became the most crucial question for him. Michael started The Autism Voyage after pursuing an occupation in special needs planning as a result of that investigation. Today, Michael uses his professional experience and firsthand knowledge as a father of a child who is on the autism spectrum to assist families in achieving financial security through life insurance policies, special needs trusts, and benefits protection. Welcome to Autism Rocks And Rolls, Michael. https://theautismvoyage.com/

Betsy Wurzel, an acquaintance of Autism Rocks and Rolls, is my guest today. Betsy is a qualified practical nurse and a former teacher's assistant. Her child, Josh, is on the autism spectrum and has a cognitive impairment. She also looked after her mother-in-law, who had Alzheimer's. That custom continued after her spouse, Matt, was also given an early-stage Alzheimer's diagnosis in 2010. She has transformed her anger into positivity by creating films about Alzheimer's and mental health, starting the Chatting With Betsy podcast, in which she converses with caregivers from all backgrounds, and launching a Facebook group called #KickAlzheimer'sAssMovement. She was even given the Caregiving Visionary Advocate Award in November 2021. Betsy continues to look after Josh, and she looked after Matt until his passing in January 2020. Please welcome this incredible woman to the podcast. https://passionateworldtalkradio.com/    

My new friend Missy Brown will be here with me for this episode. Her experience working with both child and senior populations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, allows her to work simultaneously with clients and behind the scenes in creating programs and support. Her true interest is helping those with unique needs, especially those who have autism and Alzheimer's. She discusses her efforts in her book, Soaring Over Skepticism. Outside of business, she has two lovely daughters and a spouse. Missy also likes supporting others and discovering new coffee shops. She is a strong advocate for small businesses. Welcome to Autism Rocks and Rolls, my friend. 

I'll talk about how people with autism behave in big places in this episode. I start by discussing what constitutes a space and what locations qualify as large spaces. I also discuss how families should never tell their children, "You'll get used to it." In addition, I share with my audience the positive and negative aspects of large environments for people with autism. Lastly, if a person with autism becomes overwhelmed in a large space, I offer remedies. https://www.behaviorspan.com/post/why-do-autistic-individuals-need-organized-spaces https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7fRIGphgtk&t=10s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSgrVYc6AW0

Today, I'm going to have Terry Bursey as my guest on Autism Rocks and Rolls. Terry (T.C.) Bursey, a full-time single father in Dover, Newfoundland and Labrador, is an educated journalist, culinary writer, public speaker, autism educator, advocate for himself, and writer. Mr. Bursey has always placed a high value on writing. He urges other authors to see being an author as a reward in and of itself and not as a way to achieve a goal. He also serves as a spokesperson for the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador as an advisory trustee. Terry (T.C.) Bursey is a writer you won't want to miss if you're searching for a laugh, a challenge, or a fresh take on the world. I believe we should listen to Terry, but I'm not sure about you. https://tcbursey.wordpress.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Terra-Nova-Mx-T-C-Bursey/dp/B0FDSS8WTS

Today's episode focuses on Leila Farschian. Leila Farschian is at the intersection of education, technology, and social impact with over 25 years of knowledge of behavioral therapy and autism education. holding a Master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Columbia University's Teachers College in addition to being a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Special Educator. Her early professional achievement was the State Board of Education's ranking of her autism program among New Jersey's top three, which set the stage for her further successes in the field. Farshchian has established and expanded several educational establishments. In addition to Circa Thera, a comprehensive practice management platform that is revolutionizing the delivery of therapy services in schools, agencies, and universities, she founded Learner Compass to provide tailored care for children with autism. Her impact extends beyond her direct services as president of the Farshchian Art Foundation, co-creator of Farshchian Art, and developer of the Global School House Project. Farshchian's commitment to global education initiatives is demonstrated by her involvement in educational programs that impact communities worldwide as an elected official of the International Health Awareness Network.Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated competence in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) technique, instructional leadership, and program design. By bridging the gap between evidence-based methods and real-world implementation, her efforts continue to improve outcomes for children with autism and special needs in a range of learning environments. Join me in extending a warm welcome to Leila at Autism Rocks and Rolls. https://www.abatoolbox.com/ https://www.learnerscompass.com/ https://www.farshchianart.com/ https://www.global-schoolhouse.org/  

In this episode, I dive into the topics of autism looping and echolalia. I start by explaining what both of these are and how they’re similar yet different from one another. I also share a personal daily experience that inspired me to discuss this topic. Throughout the episode, I talk about how looping and echolalia can actually help people with autism build social skills. I also speak directly to parents, explaining why it’s important not to chastise their child for these behaviors, while still offering practical tips for both parents and  individuals with autism on how to handle them in a supportive way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8LpAUG3lXU  

Gab Eato, a supporter of individuals with autism and ADHD, will be the guest on this episode. Ms. Eato, a 26-year-old neurodiversity advocate, philanthropist, and digital visionary, is transforming the way people think about inclusivity on the internet. Eleable, the world's first Digital Design Psychology firm, was founded by her. It combines mental health, imagination, and accessibility to develop ADA/WCAG-compliant websites that make everyone feel completely seen and valuable. Due to her quirks, Gab used to believe she was "less". Eventually, she came to understand that her uniqueness was a product of divine design. This realization served as the foundation for her professional work, which seeks to inspire everyone to understand that they are much more than a label. Gab is also a confirmed TikTok maker, with approximately 101K followers and a score in the top 1% globally on the WAIS test of intellect for spatial awareness. Few people can match her ability to successfully blend design and psychology, earning her the nickname "digital savant." Gab's ultimate goal is to create a society where everyone, neurodivergent or not, feels valued, acknowledged, and inspired to live beyond a label. Join me in extending a warm welcome to Gab Eato, who is simply incredible. https://gabeato.com/  

I have two guests for you. Starting off is Sourena Vassenghi, the incredible individual  who finds joy in life despite having cerebral palsy and being wheelchair-bound. Mr. Vassenghi is a parent and husband in addition to his duties as a writer and company entrepreneur. I also bring his closest companion, Chris Stevenson, who performs on stage with Sourena and speaks all over the world about customer service and the field of fitness. They are also closest friends because they have similar views on what it means to be remarkable. Please help me welcome these two incredible people to Autism Rocks And Rolls. https://www.sourenav.com/