In this episode we have many elderly tribes or parents on Autism Rocks And Rolls. All these parents either have a child who is on the spectrum or has a child with a physical defect. However these parents tell how their child has overcame their issues and how they are being successful today. Who does the list entail? I will be telling you all with bullet points. 

• Samuel Hutchins-Samuel Hutchins is the founder and the president of The Hope For Xavier Foundation Inc. The goal for this foundation is to promote empowerment and awareness for his non verbal son who is on the autism spectrum. He is also the founder of Dream Out Loud 2000. Established in 2008 the goal of this non-profit is to empower the value of higher education to youth at an early age. 

• Alexis McClure-Alexis works at Paragon Wellness Solutions and is the proud mother to a girl who is on the autism spectrum but is also non-verbal but no matter what stands in her way she always does what is best for her daughter.

• Kurtis Moffitt-Kurtis is a husband and father also as he says “a weird guy.” Kurtis was a pastor until he became a teacher. Teaching 4 years in Texas and then moving to Indiana to be part of my community. He is not only an 8th grade science teacher but has 4 kids and one of his 4 kids is on the autism spectrum. 

•  AJ Ali, who is a 42-year-old mother and has a daughter on the autism spectrum. At age 2 and a half, her daughter was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder, but since being diagnosed, she has overcome bullying and, as AJ said, “the middle school years.”

• Sherry Hatfield-While she has no relation to autism she does have an amazing story. She and her husband have two biological children and adopted three children. The two children she adopted were special needs. Michelle had open heart surgery in China but is now a Corporal in The United States Marine. The other child Mason came to her with two clubbed feet and with a condition called Arthrogryposis. Mason had many years of physical and occupational therapy. Doctors said he would be in a wheelchair but today he is only not in a wheelchair but graduated as valedictorian and goes to Indiana University.

•  Mindy Marie Bartlett-She is a wonderful wife and mother to 4 kids. Her second oldest son Xander is 19 and has autism. Her and her family have had to fight for his educational rights for 9 years and each time they have won with the help of a great team.

•  Amanda Hammer-Another member of my community. She also is a lovely mother to a daughter and a son who is on the autism spectrum. Her son has had to overcome many obstacles but they have all done it together as a family.

•  Martin Salama-Martin is known as the Architect of The Warriors L.I.F.E Code. He specializes in people who are frustrated in their quick shift mindset to uncover their greatness. Even though he is an amazing entrepreneur he has a child who has been diagnosed with autism. Despite all of his success he still is a great father who always stays humble. 

• Marcia Nathai Balikisoon-Located in the Caribbean’s. She is a mother to a brain-injured bedridden girl who has been her best teacher in the last decade. She also runs a podcast called The Special Needs Parent Podcast to help other parents thrive despite challenges by sharing what experiences they have gone through as a mother or a father with special needs. 

https://www.facebook.com/HopeForXavierFoundation/

https://www.audible.com/pd/Podcast/B08K58GTPN

“I want to help these children create a legacy.” That is what the stunning and sweet Tamika Lamison said, and she is because, in 2006, she created The Make A Film Foundation. The Make A Film Foundation helps children with life-threatening conditions and illnesses create movies by connecting famous actors such as JK Simmons and Johnny Depp with producers and directors. Tamika started this because of her inspiration from the Make A Wish Foundation, and since she started, she has also grown because Tamika is a postgraduate from Howard University and is the executive director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commercial Director’s Diversity Program, which allows children with severe conditions to make commercials. She is also the senior vice president of development and production at PhilmCo. The cool part is that it all began with her roots in theater and her first script, called “The Jar by the Door.” Let’s all hear from this amazing woman and what she has to say.

https://www.makeafilmfoundation.org/

https://cddprogram.com/

In this episode, I discuss the hard work of punishing someone on the autism spectrum or anyone with a condition. It is hard to do, but it has to be done because no one is excused from consequences. Although someone might be lost, do not worry because I want to help by stating the types of methods and tricks everyone can use. I also share the steps of discipling someone with a condition while sharing my personal discipline beliefs. For example, while I do believe that working does build character, I do not believe in spanking. I am leaving this as a cliffhanger because if you want to learn why I have this old school belief but also this modern parenting belief, you will have to check out this episode of Autism Rocks and Rolls.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgR5Ra3gjXw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVOV0FNB0F8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ObTKWTFnwU

https://www.verywellhealth.com/why-children-with-autism-deserve-rules-and-discipline-260156

In this episode, we have three people together, each  of whom has a business in the autism field. First, Isabella Johnston. Isabella is a serial entrepreneur specializing in diversity, equality and inclusion, multidimensional learning, peer and reverse mentoring, and organizational improvement. She leads Employers 4 Change. Employers 4 Change is software that provides recruitment DEI skills  and cognitive skills development to employers and their interns. Next is Frank Mallatt. His non-profit organization is called his Critters 4 Service. With the help of donations and volunteers, Critters 4 Service provides  assistance dogs for autism, special needs, and veterans. Finally, we have Rob Hoades. Rob Hodes grew up in Long Island, New York and had undiagnosed autism. His organization is called his Autism Gifts. The goal of Autism Gifts is to help people on the autism spectrum take strategic actions to achieve their goals and dreams, use their unique gifts, and authentically share their stories of life and society. It is to inspire people to avoid being labeled negatively. Let’s all hear together and hear what they are all doing together for their own autism community.

https://www.e4c.tech/

https://critters4service.com/

https://www.myautismgifts.com/

Join me as we talk to not one, not two, not three, but four people who I met at The 1 in 44 Tour and a local pro wrestling show that I commented on. First we have Jeff Snyder Mr. Snyder was born on March 27, 1989, in Rhode Island, but has lived most of his life in Massachusetts. In 1990, Jeff was diagnosed with autism and has since achieved numerous successes in independent living as well as speaking engagements and panels. Second, we have Ron Sandison. Ron is an autism advocate who is a professor of theology and is the proud author of A Parents’ Guide To Autism: Practical Advice And Biblical Wisdom. Third, we have Sage Phillips. Known as “The Ring Wizard,” Mr. Phillips has used professional wrestling in his life to help him battle his biggest fight, and it is not in the ring but out of the ring because he is talking about his autism. However, he has used pro wrestling as a guide and an outlet. Finally, we have TY-Ice (Tyce Nicholas). Born in Rushville, Indiana and weighing in at 246 lbs., he was diagnosed with autism at 3 and has loved wrestling since 10. He also uses professional wrestling to help him with his battles in and out of the ring. Check out these amazing people on this episode of Autism Rocks and Rolls.

Join me as I discuss the elements of autism and mental health in the video games Red Dead Redemption 2 and Red Dead Redemption. This is not for the faint of heart because, like John Marston and Arthur Morgan, we need to be ready to be brave and have the courage to hear about the black and white thinking and the amazing employability skills for those on the autism spectrum. While you may have to hear our host talk about “not having any light at the end of the tunnel,” We will hear about those with a condition turning a 180 to make the world a better place and how our talents can take us places. So let’s saddle our horses like the characters in the video game would and let’s ride not into the sunset but into the episode.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25928548

https://screenrant.com/red-dead-redemption-american-history-university-of-tennessee/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5-GH1aATLw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avTzLR9Nx8I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOxYU9rdX5M

In this episode, we talk to the stunning and amazing 20-year old musician Maia Zakay. After finding her on Facebook and learning about her work, I knew she had to be on. Maia is an R&B pop singer who also happens to be a mental health advocate. As she has stated, “My purpose is to help my listeners feel less alone in the difficult times we go through in life.” She is also a model and a future movie actress who will act in action and romance-comedy movies. This episode is also history because Maia Zakay was my first-ever live performer on Autism Rocks and Rolls. That is not all, because last year she won the 2021 Hollywood Music In Media with her hit single “Keep Me Waiting.” So please help me welcome the accomplished protégé, Maia Zakay.

https://www.maiazakay.com/

Just because you have a diagnosis doesn’t mean you aren’t smart, talented, and capable of great things; it does mean you are unique, different, and cool! Those are the words of the amazing Jacob Velazquez, who I talked to today. This amazing 14-year old lives with PDDNOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Specified), which is a form of autism, but it does not bring him down because he performed on the 15th (2020) Season of America’s Got Talent. While on the show, Simon Cowell stated, “You just have this amazing aura about you.” I think that you’re going to inspire lots of people. Even though he had to withdraw from the show, Simon’s prediction was correct because he has appeared on shows such as Good Morning America, The View, and The Steve Harvey Show, and has been on the front of the Sun Sentinel newspaper. That is not all because the one and only pop star, Taylor Swift, endorsed his music by stating that the music he played was “beautiful.” Let’s welcome not only my youngest guest but his wisdom, which will be music to your ears.

https://jacobvelazquez.com/

In this episode I talk about why those on the spectrum have a shorter temper than others. It might be worse than ordinary anger issues because I might as well mention the violent and destructive outbursts that autistic people can possibly have. While it is hard to manage, from personal experience, I will say it is manageable and that is what I also talk about. Finally, I even go further in depth and talk about what we are thinking during our anger fits. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhKfIBEmdvA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCtTkntnEcw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_JzHJTKRnM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHpFC1hB4AU

In this episode, I talked to retired MMA fighter and pro wrestler Daniel Puder. Daniel has a record of 8 wins to 0 losses. Although he shares his accomplishments with us on Autism Rocks And Rolls, he shares how he got there because throughout his life he got bullied. As he said himself, “I was the kid that would get picked last to join a team and was picked on and bullied daily by other kids in my class because I had a learning disorder.” I couldn’t read very well and had to go to different rooms to take my tests. The good news is he got through it because he runs many charter schools and, like me, he has a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization, MLMP (My Life My Power), that is helping so many others out there. 

https://danielpuder.com/