Autism Knows No Borders

Discover what’s possible when we grow stronger together. 

This week’s episode is part 2 of our 2022 Highlights. Today we’ll continue to review some of our favorite moments from this year’s episodes, specifically from 110 to 126. 

A huge thank you to our guests for sharing their stories, to our listeners for your continued support, and to our team for all the work behind the scenes. 

Special thanks to podcast team member Anh Ngoc for helping put this highlights episode together, and to our Global Autism Community moderators, Liz Castillo, Michelle Vinokurov, Corben Havener, and Mary Johnston for monitoring posts daily and keeping our online space safe and respectful. 

From all of us at the Global Autism Project, we wish you a happy and safe holiday season, and hope you can spend some quality time with your loved ones. 

Related episodes:

127. Highlights of 2022: Part One, with the Global Autism Community

90. Highlights of 2021: Part One, with the Global Autism Community 

91. Highlights of 2021: Part Two, with the Global Autism Community 

41. Highlights of 2020, with the Global Autism Community

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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.

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Discover what’s possible when we grow stronger together. 

We reached the end of 2022! To celebrate, we’ll be reviewing some of my favorite moments from this year’s episodes – there were so many that this will have to be a two-parter! Part 1 will highlight episodes 92 through 109, and next week 110 through 126. 

Since we started working on this podcast almost three years ago, we’ve brought on a wide range of guests, including prominent self-advocates, such as Dr. Temple Grandin, Dr. Stephen Shore, Dr. Kerry Magro, Rachel Barcellona, and Anthony Ianni; parents like Tiffany Hammond and Bobby Rubio; some of our Global Autism Project partners, such as Yaser Aljaaidi from Saudi Arabia and Pooja Panesar from Kenya; and other professionals in the field, such as Dr. Megan Miller from the DoBetter Movement and Camille Proctor from The Color of Autism. 

If you’ve been listening to our podcast for a while, this 2022 recap will bring you back to the heartfelt stories we’ve been hearing from our guests. And if you’re joining us for the first time, welcome! This episode will give you a good idea of what Autism Knows No Borders is all about. 

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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.

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Discover what’s possible when all minds are put to use. 

Today we’re bringing back a special guest, Dr. Temple Grandin. My first interview with Dr. Grandin was almost two years ago. She has since released a new book, Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions. 

Dr. Grandin is well known for both her pioneering autism advocacy and her lifelong dedication to animal welfare. Through groundbreaking research aimed at understanding her own autistic mind, Dr. Grandin propelled the awareness of autism during a time when very little was known of it. She is an incredible source of hope for children with autism, their parents, and, ultimately, anyone with a dream. 

Dr. Grandin became an internationally recognized leader in animal-handling innovations after developing a corral that improved the quality of life of cattle by reducing stress. She has consulted with the USDA and major corporations such as McDonalds, Wendy’s, Burger King, Whole Foods, and Chipotle. Today, half of the cattle in North America are handled in facilities she designed. 

Dr. Grandin is also a prominent author, having written several books on autism and animal behavior. She has been featured on various media outlets and programs, including NPR, the BBC, Larry King Live, 2020, Sixty Minutes, and TED, to name a few. In 2010, HBO produced an Emmy Award-winning movie about her life, and later that year, she was highlighted in TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. In 2016, she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. These days, Dr. Grandin continues to write and teaches Animal Science at Colorado State University. 

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Object visualizers vs visual-spatial thinkers
• Temple’s ability to think in pictures
• How to screen for visual thinkers at school
• The loss of skilled workers
• How complementary thinkers can work together
• How to improve the school system and properly educate different thinkers
• How parents can encourage the development of skills in visual thinkers
• Executive functioning
• Reading graphic novels
• How to solve the world’s biggest problems
• Advice for visual thinkers 

Related episode:

39. Why the World Needs All Kinds of Minds, with Dr. Temple Grandin

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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.

Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast

Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community

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*THROWBACK EPISODE*

This conversation with Cheryl Albright was originally released on September 24, 2020. We are re-releasing it today to acknowledge Cheryl’s commitment to our mission at the Global Autism Project. 

Since discovering our podcast and applying to become a guest on the show, Cheryl has joined our online Global Autism Community, participated in Virtual Leadership Academy, traveled with us on a SkillCorps trip to Rwanda, and most recently, become a member of our new Affiliate program. Cheryl has also contributed to an exciting project that we’ve been working on: the Responsive Skills Training Curriculum (RST).

Thank you, Cheryl, for continuing to show up and play full out. We value your dedication and collaboration. 

To learn more about RST and our new Affiliate program, please listen to episode 120 with our CEO Molly Ola Pinney.

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Discover what’s possible when you balance your body and stretch your mind. 

Cheryl Albright is an occupational therapist, certified yoga instructor, and autism sibling. She is the owner of Soul to Soul Yoga, a studio offering yoga therapy for adults and children of all abilities. 

In today’s conversation, we discuss:

• What occupational therapy is
• How Cheryl became involved in the field
• Why she applies a trauma-informed approach when treating children with autism
• The benefits of practicing yoga and self-regulation techniques

For more information about Cheryl Albright and her work, please visit her websites:

Special Sib 

Soul to Soul Yoga 

----more----Resources: 

Integrating a Neurosequential Approach in the Treatment of Traumatized Children 

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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.

Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast

Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project

We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

*THROWBACK EPISODE*

This conversation with Anthony Ianni was originally released on October 29, 2020. We are re-releasing it today to wrap up our Global Autism Community monthly theme of Transitioning into College.. 

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Discover what’s possible when you relentlessly shoot for your goals. 

Anthony Ianni is an Autistic Self-Advocate, a sought-after motivational speaker, and a former basketball star. 

As the NCAA’s first Division 1 college basketball player with autism, playing for Michigan State University, Anthony surpassed all limitations that doctors had predicted for his life. He currently works for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and travels the country as part of the Relentless Tour, advocating against bullying and educating students about autism. Anthony’s memoir, Centered, was released last year.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• How Anthony coped with bullies growing up
• The moment his parents told him about his autism
• Why he was driven to prove others wrong
• Anthony's basketball career and how his autism affected his relationships with his teammates
• Advice for parents who may be concerned that their child is being bullied

For more information about Anthony Ianni and his work, please visit his website Relentless Tour and follow him on Instagram @aigamechanger44. 

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IAN Research Report: Bullying and Children with ASD 

Investigating Bullying as a Predictor of Suicidality in a Clinical Sample of Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder 

The 3 R’s for Bullying Prevention: Recognize, Respond and Report 

A Helpful Online Safety Guide for People With Autism Spectrum Disorders 

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Are you a self-advocate willing to share your experiences and educate others? Are you a professional seeking to hear directly from autistic voices and improve your practice? Are you a family member hoping to support and empower your loved one?

Whatever your role related to autism is, you can join our online Global Autism Community to connect and collaborate with people all over the world. 

Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.

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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.

Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast

Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project

We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when you count your blessings. 

This episode is being released a day early in observance of Thanksgiving in the US. 

Thanksgiving is a time of togetherness and gratitude. The more you can bring your attention to things you feel grateful for, the more you’ll notice other things to feel grateful for. 

According to research conducted at the Greater Good Science Center in Berkeley, California, gratitude is linked to a wide range of benefits, including strengthening your immune system, improving sleep patterns, feeling optimistic and experiencing more joy and pleasure, being more helpful and generous, and feeling less lonely and isolated. 

Our podcast team has been reflecting on many things to be grateful for. First of all, we’re grateful for you, our listeners, and your continued support. We’re also grateful for our podcast guests and their willingness to share their story with us. And of course, we’re grateful for our growing Global Autism Community, whose members keep showing up in our online space with commitment to our mission. 

We've decided to put together a special Thanksgiving episode about — that’s right, you guessed it, gratitude! 

Here’s a compilation of responses from different members of our Global Autism Community, including prominent self-advocates like Dr. Temple Grandin and Thomas Iland. We hope this episode leaves you feeling inspired to reflect on what you’re grateful for this holiday season.

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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.

Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast

Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project

We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey 

Discover what’s possible when health extends beyond the body. 

This week’s episode is a recording of one of our Global Autism Community exclusive events! 

The topic of this roundtable discussion was Health and Wellness. It was hosted by community moderator Mary Johnston.

A 21-year-old Autistic Self-Advocate from New Hampshire, Mary hosts a blog called Autistic Rainbow 15 where she shares LGBTQ+ and disability-friendly tips, as well as information about inclusion and disability rights. A long-time member of our online Global Autism Community, Mary joined the moderator team last summer to help ensure our space remains safe and respectful. 

Also participating in this event were Autistic Self-Advocate Michelle Vinokurov, and community members D’John Greer and Liz Castillo. 

In today’s conversation, they discuss:

• Mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health
• Self-care
• How to reduce stress levels
• Maintaining routines
• Why sleep is important
• Accepting an autism diagnosis
• Changing habits for self-improvement

Round-table discussions like the one you’ll hear today are open exclusively for members of our online Global Autism Community. We select a different theme each month, and our moderators monitor posts daily to ensure that our online space remains safe and respectful. If you’d like to attend and participate in any of our future events, you can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. 

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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.

Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast

Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community

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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when art is in the eye of the beholder… and a few other senses. 

Austin Lubetkin is an Autistic artist, aerospace-software engineer, and inventor. Austin has synesthesia, a perceptual phenomenon in which stimuli that would typically stimulate one sense can activate other senses at the same time. This has allowed him to create unique and accessible art experiences, some even meant to make people touch and hear colors. He uses his art to spread awareness of various mental conditions. 

Austin has already earned a patent as a software engineer, and has filed another patent for one of the first human brain computer interfaces that would allow a fully paralyzed individual to type and control a computer. 

In today’s conversation, we discuss: 

• How Austin’s synesthesia influences his art
• His series about mental health
• The future of art and Machine Learning
• Some of Austin’s inventions, including a sensory overload simulator
• Accessible technology
• Misconceptions about autism that he wants to break through his art
• Advice for other autistic artists 

To learn more about Austin Lubetkin and his work, please his IG @bocaaust. 

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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.

Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast

Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project

We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey 

Discover what’s possible when you step into who you can be. 

This week’s episode is a recording of one of our Global Autism Community exclusive events!

The topic of this roundtable discussion was Self-Development and Accountability. It was hosted by community moderator Michelle Vinokurov. Based in Florida, Michelle is an Autistic Self-Advocate, a paraprofessional and a Registered Behavior Technician. 

Participating in this event were Autistic Self-Advocates Corben Havener, Andrew Bennett, Christina Kaspersen, Robert Schmus, and community member Danielle Terrell. 

In today’s conversation, we discuss:

• Mental health
• Self-care routines
• Goal setting and expectations
• Motivation and insecurities
• Responding to diagnoses
• Growth mindset

Round-table discussions like the one you’ll hear today are open exclusively for members of our online Global Autism Community. We select a different theme each month, and our moderators monitor posts daily to ensure that our space remains safe and respectful. If you’d like to attend and participate in any of our future events, you can sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. 

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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.

Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast

Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project

We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey 

*THROWBACK EPISODE*

This conversation with Pooja Panesar and Brooke Jedidah was originally released on May 14, 2020. We are re-releasing it today to bring attention to the great work being done at their two Kaizora centers in Kenya and Tanzania. 

One of our October SkillCorps teams is currently in Tanzania collaborating with the staff at Kaizora. Follow us on IG @globalautismproject to see the team in action!

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Discover what’s possible when team members effectively collaborate to transform people’s lives.

Pooja Panesar is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and the first professional to practice Applied Behavior Analysis in East Africa. Brooke Jedidah is a Speech and Language Pathologist, Psychologist and Clinical Child Neuropsychologist. Both of these phenomenal leaders are Co-Directors of Kaizora Center for Neurodevelopmental Therapies in Nairobi, Kenya and Kaizora Child Development Center in Dar Es Salam, Tanzania. 

Over the years, Kaizora has established itself as the leading autism center in Africa. In April of 2019, Pooja and Brooke merged their services to provide affordable packages under one roof. Today, both of their centers in Kenya and Tanzania offer a range of services, including Applied Behavior Analysis, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Special Education, and Vocational Training. 

Back in 2010, when Kaizora was just Pooja, and the Global Autism Project was just our CEO Molly Ola Pinney, the two entrepreneurs supported each other to create what partnership with the Global Autism Project looks like today. You can hear Molly’s side of the story in episode 2.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• The understanding of autism in Kenya and Tanzania 
• The challenges of educating families about evidence-based interventions
• The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration
• Pooja and Brooke’s leadership styles and how they work together to balance out their strengths
• Insights on how to run a business with the right mindset and an open heart
• The impact of Covid-19 on services offered at Kaizora

Click here to learn more about Pooja, Brooke, and their team: Kaizora. 

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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.

Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast

Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project

We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey