Autism Podcast Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:23:11 PST Welcome to AutismPodcast.org. This website is dedicated to providing information about working with children on the autism spectrum.
Shannon Johnson and I speak with Dr. Susan Wilczynski of the National Autism Center. We cover a range of topics including evidence based practices. We pay particular attention to an educators' field guide the National Autism Center put together for educators of children on the autism spectrum. You can see a copy of that guide here.
Here is some more about Dr. Wilczynski from her website: Dr. Wilczynski is the Executive Director of the National Autism Center. In her role as Chair of the National Standards Project, she has worked in collaboration with experts from around the country in order to establish national standards for the treatment of individuals on the autism spectrum. Under Dr. Wilczynski’s leadership, the National Autism Center has recently published Evidence-based Practice and Autism in the Schools. This resource manual for educators is being distributed to school systems across the country. It is the first in a series of manuals to support families, educators, physicians, and service providers.
Shannon and I talk with Max and Zak of Autism Ambassadors These two fine young man (along with others) have developed-- and are developing -- programs in schools around the world designed to help students with autism. Their program encourages autism awareness and promotes relationships between typical students and those with autism.
Zak and Max hope to have well over 100 Autism Ambassador programs up and running before the end of 2010
We discuss the relationship between strep infections and OCD.
In Beth's words:
"When my middle son was twelve, he was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and then Tourette Syndrome. Confined to our home by the horror of his illness, a lifelong placement seemed his likely fate -- until I learned that a strep infection might be the cause (a disorder known as PANDAS). Most doctors said I was wrong; but I was right, and two doctors helped me cure him. He is now fully recovered."
We have a wide ranging conversation about "explosive" children and how best to work with children that do not easily transition from one activity to another. This podcast does not specifically apply to children with autism.
I talk with Dan Tedesco of HandHold Adaptive about iPrompts, their new iPod Touch/iPhone application for people with special needs. In their own words "iPrompts: [is] the portable, customizable, visual prompting tool for those with special needs."
Basically the app lets me put together a visual schedule (think Teacch )for my son on my iPod Touch. I can import pictures and customize it as needed. Great product. We also discuss HandHold Adaptive's other products they have in the pipeline.
Shannon Johnson (Foggyrock.com ) and I talk with Polly Tommey about her successful billboard campaign to meet with British Prime Minister, Gordan Brown. Polly is scheduled to meet with him soon.
Polly also runs the Autism Trust which is a foundation committed to putting together regional centers for people with autism.
Lastly, Polly is the editor-in-chief of the online magazine, Autism File
Shannon Johnson (foggyrock.com) and I talk with Erik Linthorst, father to a child on the spectrum and creator of the film Autistic Like. We have a very interesting conversation about his son, Graham, who was initially diagnosed with autism at an early age. After much research and discussion with various therapists, Erik has come to the conclusion that his son’s behaviors and learning patterns are driven primarliy by a sensory processing disorder. He describes his son as autistic-like rather than autistic. For more information check out his website.
Shannon Johnson and I talk with Chiropractic Neurologists Drs. Robert Melillo and Peter Scire. Dr. Melillo is the author of the book Disconnected Kids and founder of the Brain Balance Centers. We discuss his book and therapies that relate to his form of treatment. The discussion gets a bit heated at times.
Shannon (FoggyRock.com ) and I talk with Samuel Sennott about his iPhone App, ProLoQuo2Go . It is an AWESOME application for those looking for an AAC device. If you know PECS , you may find this app is for you. (Our PECS interview can be found here .)
Here is some more information from their website:
Proloquo2Go™ is a new product from AssistiveWare
that provides a full-featured communication solution for people who have difficulty speaking. It brings natural sounding text-to-speech voices, up-to-date symbols, powerful automatic conjugations, a default vocabulary of over 7000 items, full expandability and extreme ease of use to the iPhone and iPod touch.
Here is more about Nancy from her website, Firstsigns.org:
Nancy D. Wiseman
As the founder and president of First Signs , Nancy Wiseman is dedicating her life to improving the lives of children and families affected by developmental disorders. Since 1999, Nancy has made a significant contribution to changing policy, improving awareness, and changing pediatric practice in how we screen, refer, and detect young children today. Before devoting herself to First Signs , Nancy worked in corporate communications for over 20 years building brand awareness, educating the public, and generating qualified leads for international companies in the financial, travel, office products, computer, and software industries. She now utilizes her skills in fundraising and development, staff and financial management, film and video production, as well as public relations and education, to direct First Signs, Inc . She has counseled parents worldwide and she has appeared in interviews with USA Today, Parents, and NBC’s Today Show. She is the author of Could It Be Autism? A Parent’s Guide to the First Signs and Next Steps and The First Year®: Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed Child . Nancy serves as president and treasurer and she is the mother of Sarah, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. Today—at age 13—Sarah stands as a powerful example of the impact that early identification and intensive intervention can have on young children with developmental delays and disorders. Nancy is the 2006 recipient of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Dale Richmond/Justin Coleman Award for her outstanding achievement in the field of child development.
Elaine is a single mother raising her fifteen year-old son Neal who is on the autism spectrum. We focus mostly on her work as an acting coach and the programs she as developed that enable people with special needs to take part in the world of drama.
Shannon Johnson of FoggyRock.com and I talk with the co-creators of iConverse an iPhone/iPod touch application that functions much like a picture exchange communication system (PECS ).
While the application is new and currently contains only six icons, the potential for this efficient, useful, and compact assitive communication device is strong. The creators talk of users being able to generate their own icons at some point in the future as the software matures.
Shannon Johnson of Foggyrock.com and I talk with Keri Bowers of normalfilms.com Keri, a single mother to two children, one of whom is on the autism spectrum, has forged an interesting path. She is the creator of at least three films about children with disabilities, an advocate, speaker, and most recently, a seminar leader about “Mapping Transitions To Your Child’s Future.”
I talk with Dr. Brooke Ingersoll about her relatively new treatment: Reciprocal Imitation Therapy (RIT). We discuss the methods behind the treatment as well as ways parents can implement it in their own home.
Shannon Johnson and I speak with Dr. Marco Iacoboni, author of the book Mirroring People. We discuss the contents of his book and how the mirror genes are related to people on the autism spectrum.
The book offers up some interesting ideas about how mirror genes do not function well with people on the autism spectrum.
Shannon Johnson and I talk with Sean Barron, co-author of There’s a Boy in Here and The Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships: Decoding Social Mysteries Through the Unique Perspectives of Autism.
Sean co-wrote the first book with his mother and it describes, in much detail, his life as a young man with autism. He later leaves autism behind and no longer considers himself to have autism.
Shannon Johnson and I talk with John Robison, author of Look Me In The Eyes. In this fantastic interview, we discuss life as an adult on the spectrum, his book and some of the current treatments John is participating (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation).
I speak with Rick Rollens. We discuss his views on the causes of autism, the work he has done for the autistic community and the need to deal with the increasing numbers of children classified as autistic. Rick’s story was a cover for NEWSWEEK and a segment on the CBS news show 60 Minutes.
Episode 71: Shannon Johnson and I talk with Dennis Debbaudt, founder of Autism Risk and Safety Management. Dennis provides "Information and resources for law enforcement, first responders, parents, educators, and care providers." Dennis provides training to a wide group of people and is also an author.
Episode 70:Shannon Johnson and I talk with Patty Dobbs Gross of North Star Dogs, a provider of assistance dogs for children with autism. This wonderful program enables children of all ages to share their lives with a dog and constant companion.
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I talk with Dan Tedesco of 
Shannon Johnson and I talk with Chiropractic Neurologists Drs. Robert Melillo and Peter Scire. Dr. Melillo is the author of the book Disconnected Kids and founder of the Brain Balance Centers. We discuss his book and therapies that relate to his form of treatment. The discussion gets a bit heated at times.
Shannon Johnson of 
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