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Category: Anxiety

Connecting with Nature and Your Authentic Self with Mandy Casteel-Denney

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Mandy Casteel-Denney is the founder of Blue Tulip Inclusive Education and a parenting coach who helps neurodivergent families reconnect with calm, confidence, and joy through nature. With a background in environmental education and a lifetime of love for the outdoors, Mandy blends science, lived experience, and play to support emotional regulation, social connection, and authentic self-expression. As a neurodivergent parent raising neurodivergent children, she understands firsthand how powerful the natural world can be as a place to reset, unmask, and belong. Through family coaching, youth programs, and speaking, Mandy helps families step outside—and discover new ways to thrive together.

Navigating AWEtism with Dr. Theresa Lyons

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Dr. Theresa Lyons is the founder and CEO of Navigating AWEtism, a groundbreaking platform dedicated to turning autism complexity into clarity. With a Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry from Yale University and a deep personal connection as a parent to a daughter with autism, she combines rigorous science with real-world experience to empower families navigating autism.

Creating Healthy Technology Habits with Jim Festante

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Jim Festante is a former executive turned digital safety architect. For over 20 years, he built content for media corporations, social media companies, and video game studios, mastering the engagement loops and attention mechanics that keep audiences hooked. Now, he uses that insider knowledge to help families break the spell. As the Executive Director of Health-e-Habits, Jim moves beyond generic “screen time” advice to provide tactical digital defense strategies. He pulls back the curtain on the Black Box of technology, teaching parents, students, and educators how to distinguish between creative tools and predatory design, and how to navigate the social minefield of algorithmic feeds.

 Autism and Technology with Lois Brady

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Lois Brady is a speech-language pathologist, assistive technology specialist, and Certified Autism Specialist with over 25 years of experience. Her accomplishments include winning three Autism Hackathons, the Benjamin Franklin Award for Apps for Autism, and an Ursula Award. She co-authored Apps for Autism and Speech in Action, authored professional courses on technology and animal-assisted therapy, and presents internationally on autism and technology. Lois develops multi-sensory products to enhance communication and quality of life for individuals with autism.

IEPs, diagnoses and more with Paula Yost

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Paula Yost is a seasoned attorney and mental health clinician who brings a multidimensional perspective that blends legal precision with human compassion. She is deeply committed to what she called “legal social work,” advocating for individuals at the intersection of law and mental health.

ABA and the Power of Play with Theresa Inman

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Theresa Inman is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist, and parent coach with over a decade of experience supporting neurodivergent children and their families. She is the author of the book Pathways to Early Communication. As host of the Parenting on the Spectrum podcast, Theresa shares practical, compassionate strategies rooted in ABA, play-based learning, and mindful parenting to help families thrive.

The Autism Care Revolution with Richard Schreiber

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Richard Schreiber is an IT and AI expert with over twenty-five years of experience working for some of the largest Fortune 500 companies and mega law firms. As an autism advocate, his deepest passions as the father of an autistic daughter pushed him to found the Autism Community Group in New York to help parents with children on the spectrum navigate the day-to-day challenges, and the Autism Innovation Community Foundation to promote more homeopathic, innovative and tech-based autism solutions. He is also the author of the best-selling book, Autism Care Revolution.

College Ready with Shelle Howard

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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

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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

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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.