Vijay Ravindran, Founder and CEO of Floreo, shares the amazing technology of virtual reality learning he has helped develop to aid neurodiverse learners to succeed in school and in life. It is a tool for therapists, schools, and parents alike. It teaches a wide variety of skills from socialization, to coping with bullying, to navigating your neighborhood. It is a fun and accessible device that is available through many affordable avenues.
David Terk of Serenitas Special Needs Planning joins us to discuss some of the basic government benefits available to this community. He helps to demystify what the different names and acronyms mean. He also gives some great tips on how to qualify and apply for things like SSI, SSDI, and IHSS. David also touches on the importance of special needs trusts and planning for the future.
Dawn Barclay is a travel expert and mother of two. She has written a book about traveling with children who are neurodiverse. We discuss the various chapters and useful information in the book, and she offers some great tips to make the process much easier. She also shares tidbits from her blog and social media posts.
Mary Ann Hughes started Special Family Transitions to help others cope with the challenges of a divorce involving children who are neurodiverse or disabled. She shares her own story and offers suggestions on the important things to keep in mind and the best first steps to take. She also discusses how to support the children during this difficult time.
Dr. Hillary Ganek is a specialist on the effects of hearing challenges on learning languages. She talks about the importance of considering a child’s culture and environment when giving speech therapy. She shares her experience and gives advice on how caregivers can help support a child’s identity while encouraging them to express themselves.
George Bailey is the President of zPods, a company breaking new ground in innovations for better sleep. They have developed a new type of bed that offers a sensory-friendly experience for children and adults who have difficulty sleeping, including those who are neurodiverse. George discusses this new approach and shares a hopeful message for rethinking the importance of sleep in general.
Welcome to ARP’s 100th episode! Suzanne Firstenberg joins us to celebrate. She is the talented artist behind the In America: Remember exhibition on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. She discusses the healing power of art as a means of positive social change. She also talks about art as a means of communication and expression for those who are neurodiverse or disabled. As she says, empathy is her medium.
Aaron Smith is a young man with autism. Since he was 5 years old, his favorite musical artist has been Elvis Presley. He decided to create a live tribute to Elvis and has made a career impersonating him on stage. He talks about coping with his autism and pursuing one’s dream no matter what. He shares his story with us in a fun and inspiring conversation.
Anlor Davin is an autistic, an author and a mother. Originally from France, Anlor immigrated to the United States in her 20s. She is ordained as a priest in the Soto Zen lineage and teaches free online meditation classes for the neurodiverse community and its allies. She talks about the many benefits of mediation and the peace and joy it can bring to anyone’s life. You can find more information at autsit.net.
Cheryl Walfall-Flagg is an ABLE National Resource Center Ambassador. Two of her three children are young men with autism. She has learned through experience how important this type of account is for anyone with qualifying disabilities. She talks about the many benefits of opening an ABLE account. Cheryl also shares her own story and how easy it is to open this account for your loved one.