Category: Community

Episode #53 | Wandering and Eloping (Part 2)

Episode #53 | Wandering and Eloping (Part 2)

By | | Comments 0 Comment

In this week’s episode, I was able to interview three amazing local first responders: 911 dispatcher Raegan Hays, Lt. Matt Cowles of the Spokane Police Department and Lt. John Goodman of the Spokane Fire Department.  John and Raegan are not only first responders, they are also parents of wandering children with autism. In this episode our first responders walk us through a call reporting an eloping child from the time the call is placed to the time a child is located and reunited with their family. Lt. Matt Cowles also lets us know how and when CPS becomes involved.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More

Episode #50 | Autism Language Debate

Episode #50 | Autism Language Debate

By | | Comments 0 Comment

In this podcast, we discuss the language and symbols most commonly used within our autism community and how it relates to our loved ones touched by autism.  We discuss why parents choose certain language and how it can help and, at times, hinder our ability to effectively communicate information about our loved ones; specifically when engaging in discussions with individuals in our community who may have less knowledge of the disorder.

We discuss:

  • Autistic vs. Person with autism (AKA people first language)
  • Heavily touched vs. low functioning
  • High functioning vs. Aspergers
  • Autistic vs. Neuro-Diverse
  • Touched by autism vs. impacted by autism
  • Disabled vs. Differently-Abled

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More

Episode #48 | If autism was curable, would you?

Episode #48 | If autism was curable, would you?

By | | Comments 0 Comment

In this episode of ISAAC’s Autism in the Wild, a group of autism parents join me to discuss this very emotionally charged topic: if you could cure your child from autism, would you? It was a fantastic discussion of parents respectfully sharing their thoughts and feelings on this sensitive topic. Our hope is that this podcast sheds light on both sides of this discussion and may help individuals who sit at one end of these two extremes to hopefully see the perspectives of those who live in the middle or even the other end of this debate. Our hope is that we can all grow in empathy and compassion of others within our autism tribe.

*This podcast is intended to be a respectful discussion. Rude and hurtful comments will be removed out of respect for our guests who were brave enough to openly share their perspective in this podcast.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More

Episode #43 | Pros and Cons of Full General Education Integration

Episode #43 | Pros and Cons of Full General Education Integration

By | | Comments 0 Comment

A group of parents joined me to discuss some of their experiences with their special needs child and integration in the general education setting. In this episode we discuss:

  • The positive experiences and advantages of time spent in the general education setting;
  • Where parents feel they had more input in the time spent in general education;
  • Challenges of time spent in general education settings;
  • Changed perspectives over time…
  • Other considerations and options for integrating special needs children with their peers.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More

Podcast #40 | Media Characters: Do they help or hurt the public’s perception of autism

Podcast #40 | Media Characters: Do they help or hurt the public’s perception of autism

By | | Comments 0 Comment

In this episode of ISAAC’s Autism in the Wild Podcast, a group of parents joined me remotely to talk about various television, movie, and theater characters who depict autism and whether they are truly helpful in educating the public about autism spectrum disorders. We also talk about the gaps in portraying those that are more significantly impacted by autism and other disabilities.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More

Episode #7 | Sharing the Autism Diagnosis

Episode #7 | Sharing the Autism Diagnosis

By | | Comments 0 Comment

A fantastic group of parents joined me for this emotional podcast on sharing the autism diagnosis.  This is one of my favorite episodes as we conversed on a variety of aspects of sharing the autism diagnosis. Here’s some of what you’ll hear this week:

  • Heartwarming stories of acceptance and understanding when parents have shared their child’s diagnosis.
  • Why sharing the diagnosis is easier today.
  • Misunderstandings and unforeseen consequences of not sharing the diagnosis.
  • Sharing from a dad’s perspective.
  • Why parents hesitate to share.
  • When it becomes your child’s choice whether to share this information.
  • Conversation around the difference between a diagnosis and a label.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More

Episode #1 | Dirty Looks in Public

Episode #1 | Dirty Looks in Public

By | | Comments 1 comment

If you’re an autism parent, then you know what I’m talking about.  Public scenes or outburst happen from time-to-time, and I have a fun group of autism parents join me in episode #1 of ISAAC’s Autism in the Wild to:

  • Share personal stories, both serious as well as outrageously funny
  • Experiences at church and during worship
  • Ways parents made their needs known to people in the community
  • Some feelings on what parents wish the community would do to help support autism parents during these unfortunate situations.

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More