Tag: neurodiverse

Join Dr. Holmes as she and Dr. Bernstein discuss his book Uniquely Normal. They talk about the importance of creating trust through respect in working to change difficult behaviors and working together with persons on the autism spectrum.

Rob Bernstein has devoted his career to improving the lives of children, teenagers, and adults with a wide range of cognitive and behavioral problems. He developed his cognitive-based approach over more than thirty years of in-depth, one-on-one work with clients ranging from non-verbal toddlers to high functioning adults. He speaks internationally in places across America and India where he spoke to an audience of over 800 people at the India Autism Center. He has also spoken to audiences in Germany. He wrote a book of 27 case studies that has won six awards in the fields of “Psychology/Mental Health”, “Parenting and Health” and “Autism Assessment and Treatment.” The book is titled, “Uniquely Normal: Tapping into the Reservoir of Normalcy to Treat Autism.” The foreword is written by Temple Grandin.

You can find more information about Dr. Bernstein at
Facebook: Rob Bernstein – Autism Speech
Instagram: @autismspeech
Twitter: @autismspeech
Podcast: anchor.fm/robbernstein
Email: rjb@autismspeech.com

Dr. Laurie Leventhal-Belfer joins Kristin for a discussion about preparing for and ensuring success for those on the Autism spectrum and their college experience.

Social distancing, self-quarantining and long-distance learning are the new normal as schools across the nation. This adjustment is a challenge for most students; but particularly those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

If you’re a parent of a student or autistic child, this upcoming change in your schedule is likely triggering your own anxiety as well.

In interviews, Dr. Leventhal-Belfer, author of the new book College on the Autism Spectrum, will offer tips for parents who are dealing with ASD kids from elementary to college-age.

Dr. Laurie Leventhal-Belfer, a psychologist, adjunct professor at Stanford University, and author of four books on Autism Spectrum Disorder, including the just released “College on the Autism Spectrum.” She specializes in taking a developmental perspective in understanding children, adolescents, adults, and their families as they grapple with daily stresses, medical and mental health issues, challenges adapting to school, interacting with colleagues at work, and making friends.

Dr. Leventhal-Belfer, known as Dr. Laurie to many children and their parents, has a private practice in Palo Alto. She is an Adjunct Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Join Dr. Holmes as she interviews Dr. Hagemen in a discussion about non-invasive wearable devices that alleviate stress and anxiety for both the person on the autism spectrum and caretakers. The podcast will cover the effects of stress and how the devices use BLAST (Bi-Lateral Alternating Stimulation Tactile) for reducing anxiety. Originally designed by Dr. Amy Sherin to help those with PTSD, she referred to the device as a somatosensory method put into a wearable device.

Dr. Nathan Hageman- TouchPoint Research Director: Nathan has a life-long interest in science and medicine. He received a Bachelor of Science in Physics, Chemistry and Biology from Johns Hopkins University, and an MD and a PhD in Neuroscience and Neuro-Engineering from UCLA with a focus in brain mapping and medical image processing. Nathan has an extensive knowledge of high- level mathematics and statistics, data analysis, image processing, and medicine, especially neuroscience/neuroanatomy.

Because much of his doctoral work involved mathematical modeling and software algorithm development, Nathan has familiarity with programming and software development (mainly in C/C++) on both Windows and Mac OS platforms, as well as experience with scripting and pipeline computing. He has experience with large scale software projects and delivering on a deadline. Nathan also loves to teach and has years of experience educating at the university level (undergraduate and graduate/professional students), from one-on-one tutoring to lecturing to large classes. Both as a doctoral student and as a post-doctoral fellow, Nathan has a wealth of experience in grant writing and editing (both public [National Institutes of Health (NIH)] grants and private sector grants) and writing, editing and reviewing medical/scientific research papers submitted for publication in academic journals. Nathan has published numerous papers and abstracts and written and been awarded several major NIH research grants.

www.thetouchpointsolution.com

Join Dr. Holmes and Jess Sibley of Minds in Motion as they discuss changes and observations in the OT field as it pertains to the autism community. Jess Sibley focuses on motor coaching in her OT practice and discusses the importance of supports for the non-speaking community. Non-speaking members feel isolated from society; what can we do to include this part of our community more?

Jess Sibley graduated with a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from New York University in 2011. Her career began as a movement assistant at a small non-profit school, The Hirsch Academy, where she was able to develop her love for creating strong relationships, a playful spirit and through her empathetic nature came to appreciate the parent perspective. Her passion is supporting clients in developing strength and coordination through exercise, improving social engagement with others and developing motor skills to allow more meaningful engagement in life. She continues to enjoy collaborating with schools, working with parents, supporting her clients and creating more opportunities for social interactions.

Minds in Motion is a small private occupational therapy clinic founded in 2015 by Jessica Sibley M.S., OTR/L. We are dedicated to supporting the goals set forth by both the individual and the family. We focus on skills relating, but not limited to: body awareness, strength, coordination, gross motor, fine motor, visual motor, bilateral integration, crossing midline, finding hobbies and interests, engaging in groups and communicating with one another.

https://www.mindsinmotionot.com/

Join Dr. Holmes as she discusses essential services for our autism community with David Laxton, Director of Communication for the Autism Society of NC. David and Stephanie will discuss the types of services needed for the autism community and how the current health situation has changed the ability in how services are being accessed. Related services for our autism population are ESSENTIAL to day to day care and in some states are not being deemed essential and limiting access to proper care.

David Laxton has worked in the autism field for almost 30 years. He began his career at the Autism Society of North Carolina in January 1995. Prior to coming to ASNC, he worked for Division TEACCH at the University of North Carolina for nearly five years, working with adults on the autism spectrum in vocational and residential settings. David is also a past chair of the Chapter Services Committee of the Autism Society of America.

www.autismsociety-nc.org

Join Dr. Kathy Marshack and Dr. Stephanie Holmes as they discuss strategies for co-parenting with a partner on the autism spectrum. Families with Neurodivergent spouses will need to develop and work on communication and relationship to partner together, especially when the family has both NT and autistic children in the family system. Dr. Marshack brings in her professional and personal experience to the topic.

https://kmarshack.com/

Join Dr. Kathy Marshack and Dr. Stephanie Holmes as they discuss autism and its impact on the family system. This segment will look at the impact and perspective of the child who is not on the spectrum. Dr. Marshack provides insight both professionally and personally into the topic. The discussion will illuminate why being open about autism and discussing autism within the family create understanding and empowerment.

Dr. Kathy Marshack is a therapist with over 40 years of professional experience working with people on the spectrum and their families. She also has a lifetime of personal experience, growing up with a mother on the spectrum, an undiagnosed ex-husband and an adopted daughter on the spectrum.

As a professional, Dr. Marshack specializes in helping clients who are in Complex Relationships that are tough to treat with conventional psychotherapy. She is certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Ericksonian Hypnosis and Neuro-Emotional Technique (NET).

She is a published author with three books written specifically on relationships between people on the spectrum and Neuro-Typicals:
“When Empathy Fails: How to Stop Those Hell-Bent on Destroying You”
“Going Over the Edge: Life With a Partner or Spouse With Asperger Syndrome”
“Out of Mind—Out of Sight: Parenting with a Partner with Asperger Syndrome (ASD)”

She has sponsored the MeetUp group, called “Asperger Syndrome: Partners & Family of Adults with ASD”, for over 10 years and launched a membership website www.asd-ntrelationships.com (ASPERGER SYNDROME & RELATIONSHIPS: Life with an Adult on the Autism Spectrum) where she is offering video conferences and free teleconferences to help her community.

https://kmarshack.com/