Blog - Autism Resource Podcast

Finding Resilience with Dr. Kate Lund

April 17, 2026 | Gilda Evans | Advocate, Advocating, Authenticity, Behavioral support, Benefits, determination, Diversity, Education, Mentorship | No Comments

Dr. Kate Lund is a licensed clinical psychologist, resilience expert, author of several books, and host of The Optimized Mind podcast. With specialized training from three Harvard Medical School–affiliated hospitals and more than two decades of clinical practice, she helps parents, athletes, students, and entrepreneurs thrive within their own unique contexts. Through her writing, speaking, and clinical work, she empowers people to build resilience, manage stress, and unlock their potential.

Special Education Reform and IEPs with Lisa Mosko Barros

April 17, 2026 | Gilda Evans | Advocate, Advocating, Authenticity, Autism, Behavioral support, Benefits, Careers, Child development, Diagnosis, Diversity, Education, Emotional support, Neurodiversity | No Comments

Lisa Mosko Barros is the founder of SpEducational, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering families of students with disabilities to effect positive systems change in special education. Lisa is known for her highly detailed knowledge of educational policy, her fierce advocacy through community organizing, and her ability to collaborate and build consensus. Among other positions, she has served as Chairperson for the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Community Advisory Committee for Special Education. Lisa is also the mother of two incredible twice exceptional kids.

College Ready with Shelle Howard

April 3, 2026 | Gilda Evans | Advocate, Advocating, Anxiety, ARP, Aspergers, Authenticity, Autism, Behavioral support, Benefits, Careers, College, Communication, determination, Diversity

Shellee Howard is the Founder and CEO of College Ready and a Certified Independent College Strategist who helps families navigate the college admissions process with a proven, personalized approach. A best-selling author and global speaker, she specializes in helping students gain admission to top-tier schools and graduate debt free. With real-world experience as a mother of four college graduates, she empowers students to build standout strategies for academic, financial, and personal success.

Hang Ten Surf Therapy with Naomi Matanick

March 19, 2026 | Gilda Evans | Advocate, Advocating, Anxiety, ARP, Aspergers, Autism, Diagnosis, Disabilities, Disability, Diversity, Education, Emotional support

Naomi Matanick is a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in sensory integration therapy, surf therapy, and child development. She has served infants to early adolescents in a variety of areas including physical and emotional regulation, and acquisition of vital developmental milestones. Her mission is for each caregiver and child to feel understood and empowered as they are equipped with life-long tools.

As You Are Autism Evaluations with Dr. Tracy Burton

March 19, 2026 | Gilda Evans | Advocate, Advocating, Anxiety, Autism, Behavioral support, Benefits, Diagnosis, Disabilities, Disability, Diversity, Emotional support

Dr. Tracy Burton is a board-certified pediatrician, and has over 10 years of experience providing care to children. As the Chief Medical Officer for As You Are, she is dedicated to ensuring both families and colleagues receive the highest level of care and support. She is licensed to see families for autism evaluations in 15 states as well as Washington D.C.

Autism and Sensory Friendly Travel with Lynda Farrington Wilson

March 19, 2026 | Gilda Evans | Active listening, Advocating, Anxiety, ARP, Authenticity, Autism, Behavioral support, Brain development, Diagnosis, Diversity, Neurodiversity

Lynda has spent her life creating—art, pottery, and writing have always been at the heart of who she is, ultimately serving as a Vice President of Marketing in the skincare industry. When her youngest son was diagnosed with autism at age two, she shifted her focus to supporting him, and published her first book, Squirmy Wormy: How I Learned to Help Myself, igniting a new chapter of advocacy and creativity. Lynda has illustrated over 120 children’s books and authored three additional titles. Her most recent is titled Splish, Splash, Squawk! Finding Joy in a Sensory-Friendly Vacation, a children’s book designed to encourage families with children on the autism spectrum to embrace the joys of travel.

Find Love Safely with Katherine Gyolai

March 4, 2026 | Gilda Evans | Active listening, Advocate, Advocating, Anxiety, ARP, Aspergers, Authenticity, Autism, Disabilities, Disability, Diversity, Emotional support, family

As a mom and stepmom to eight children—four of whom have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities —Katherine Gyolai founded Find Love Safely to provide a safe, supported way for her children to form relationships. In addition to running Find Love Safely, Katherine is a marketing consultant for a healthcare startup, and an International Coaching Federation-certified executive and team coach.

The Autism Journey with Chris Biscoe

March 2, 2026 | Gilda Evans | Active listening, Advocate, Advocating, AI, Anxiety, Autism, Behavioral support, Depression, Disabilities, Disability, Emotional support

Chris Biscoe is the Founder of ChrisBOnTheWeb Media which has been operating for over 10 years. Now 39, he was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 8. For the past 19 years he has been creating online and streaming content with his team. With a recent additional diagnosis of anxiety, he is a big advocate for mental health and for all those with autism.

Caroline’s Cart with Drew Ann Long

February 27, 2026 | Gilda Evans | Acting, Active listening, Advocate, Advocating, AI, Anxiety, ARP, Aspergers, Authenticity, Autism, Behavioral support, Benefits, Depression, Diagnosis, Disabilities, Diversity

Drew is the inventor of Caroline’s Cart, a game-changing, patented, special-needs shopping cart designed to provide an inclusive and accessible shopping experience for individuals with special needs. Inspired by her daughter Caroline, who has special needs and could not use a traditional cart, Drew Ann took matters into her own hands—sketching her first idea on a napkin and eventually bringing the patented design to life. Today, Caroline’s Cart is in retailers across all 50 states and eight countries, used by families, caregivers, senior adults, and stores committed to inclusion, accessibility and dignity.

Behavrium – ABA and more with Kimberly Lavelanet

February 27, 2026 | Gilda Evans | Acting, Active listening, Advocate, Advocating, AI, Anxiety, ARP, Aspergers, Authenticity

Kimberly Lavelanet is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst with over 19 years of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis. She served as a Clinical Behavior Consultant at Harbor Regional Center for 9 years, supporting individuals, families, and providers as part of the Psychological and Behavior Services Team. She became a certified UCLA PEERS Provider in 2016, specializing in evidence-based social skills training for adolescents and adults. In 2022, she became an AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator, expanding her experience into sexual health education. In an effort to meet gaps in services, Kimberly founded BEHAVRIUM Health Services in 2023 to promote behavioral and sexual health for every learner and their families.