This week, we welcome Dr. Joseph Buxbaum, a leading neuroscientist, autism expert, and Director of the Seaver Autism Center. With his vast expertise in genetics, neuroscience, and clinical applications, Dr. Buxbaum will shed light on the latest advances in autism research and share practical advice to help families make informed decisions about the…

This week, we welcome Cheryl Poe to the podcast to discuss the critical topic of advocating for Black autistic children in education systems. Cheryl is an accomplished advocate, trainer, speaker, and parent with a wealth of experience. She’s the founder of Advocating 4 Kids, Inc., where she empowers families and educators with the tools, they need …

This week, we are joined by Kadin McElwain, an autistic college student and advocate from Ohio who has dedicated his life to proving doubters wrong and helping others on the autism spectrum thrive. Despite being told he wouldn’t be able to live a ‘normal’ life, he has continuously broken barriers, from excelling in academics and athletics to leadin…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Leslie Carver, a leading researcher studying brain development and social cognition in both typically developing children and those with autism. Dr. Carver’s work offers groundbreaking insights into how autistic children anticipate and process events, and how this can shape their social interactions. Dr. Carver will …

This week, we are joined by Dr. Ashley de Marchena, an Associate Research Professor at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute and a licensed psychologist specializing in autism communication. Dr. de Marchena’s work explores everything from literal and non-literal language to nonverbal communication, AAC, and the Double Empathy Problem—offering real-world…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Rebecca Landa, a leading expert in early autism detection and intervention. Dr. Landa is the founder of the Center for Autism Services, Science and Innovation (CASSI™) at Kennedy Krieger Institute and has dedicated her career to identifying early signs of autism and developing effective interventions. Today, we’ll di…

This week, we are joined by Dr. James B. Adams, a President’s Professor at Arizona State University and leader of the Autism/Asperger's Research Group. As a father to an adult daughter with autism, Dr. Adams has dedicated much of his research to uncovering biological causes and innovative treatments for autism. Today, we’ll explore groundbreaking w…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Alycia Halladay, Chief Science Officer at the Autism Science Foundation and a leading voice in autism research. We'll discuss key advancements from 2024, resources for families, profound autism, and how siblings are impacted. Dr. Halladay will also share practical tips and insights to help families raising autistic c…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Fred Volkmar, renowned autism researcher and Irving B. Harris Professor at Yale University. Dr. Volkmar discusses key issues facing adults with autism, including vocational challenges, driving, legal considerations, and the importance of accessible services. We’ll also discuss the second edition of his book, Adolesce…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Mary Barbera, a BCBA-D, author, and autism advocate with over 25 years of experience. Dr. Barbera developed the Turn Autism Around® approach, offering practical strategies to improve language, self-care, and social skills for children with autism or early signs of autism. She’s also the creator of a free 10-minute as…

This week on Autism Weekly, we’re honored to welcome Stacey Hoaglund, advocate, disability consultant, and President of the Autism Society of Florida! With over 25 years of experience in education, inclusion, and legislative change, Stacey has been a leading voice in the autism community. As editor of The Autism Notebook Magazine and author of Go f…

We’re thrilled to welcome Ashley Penney and Yev Veverka, authors of "Compassion: The Eighth Dimension of Applied Behavior Analysis," to the podcast! With extensive backgrounds in research, education, and clinical practice, Ashley and Yev are at the forefront of reshaping ABA by championing compassionate care. Their groundbreaking work is paving the…

This week, we are joined by Anila D'Mello, an assistant professor at UT Southwestern, whose groundbreaking research uses neuroimaging to explore the brain circuits that support language and cognition in autism. Dr. D'Mello will share insights from her work on cerebro-cerebellar circuits and how they differ in neurodevelopmental disorders. Join us a…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Ami Klin, the Director of the Marcus Autism Center and a leading expert in autism research. We will be discussing his groundbreaking work with Dr. Warren Jones, utilizing eye-tracking technology to visualize and measure social engagement in individuals with autism. Ami Klin, Ph.D. is the Georgia Research Alliance Emi…

Join us as we welcome Dr. Robert Melillo, a renowned specialist in childhood neurological disorders, to discuss groundbreaking approaches to autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. Creator of The Melillo Method™ and best-selling author of Disconnected Kids, Dr. Melillo shares insights on brain imbalances, functional disconnection, and how nutrition and l…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Brett Ranon Nachman and Brad Cox to discuss Project PEACES, a nationwide study on autistic college student success. Dr. Nachman, an Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, and Brad Cox, an Associate Professor at Michigan State University and founder of the College Autism Network, share insights on suppor…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson, Clinical Professor at UCLA and founder of the UCLA PEERS Clinic, one of the world’s leading programs for social skills training for adolescents and adults with autism. Dr. Laugeson is an internationally recognized expert in the field, having developed evidence-based programs now used in over 150 c…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Wendy J. Ross, the inaugural director of Jefferson’s Center for Autism and Neurodiversity. Dr. Ross shares her insights on making medical care more inclusive for autistic individuals, focusing on enhancing access and support through innovative programs. We will be discussing her pioneering initiatives, including the …

This week, we are joined by Dr. Patricia Wright and Katie Curran from Proof Positive, a national nonprofit focused on advancing positive psychology and wellbeing for autistic individuals. Dr. Wright, a global leader in autism advocacy, and Katie, an expert in resilience training and positive psychology, share how their organization integrates happi…

This week, we are joined by Robyn Steward, who is an autism trainer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in practical strategies for supporting autistic individuals. She has worked globally, delivering training and consultancy to organizations, media, and local authorities. As a mentor to autistic people and a published author with Jessic…

This week, we are joined by Amy Gravino, a Certified Autism Specialist, autism consultant, and founder of A.S.C.O.T Consulting. Diagnosed with autism at a time when little was understood about it, Amy has overcome many personal and social challenges. She’s dedicated her career to advocating for autism acceptance and education, with a special focus …

This week, we are joined by Jessica Wilbur and her lawyer, Tessa Muir, to discuss a personal experience that highlights the challenges families of autistic children can face in school settings. Together, we’ll talk about how schools, parents, and legal systems can work better to understand and support neurodiverse students. Download to learn more! …

This week, we are joined by Ruchi Kapila, a Punjabi-American, non-binary speech-language pathologist, vocologist, and voice teacher who specializes in gender-affirming care in voice for trans and autistic individuals. Through their work at Kapila Voice and Speech Services and their involvement with the Bay Area Autism Collective, Ruchi is paving th…

This Week on Autism Weekly: Transforming Workplaces for Neurodivergent Individuals with Dave Caudel In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome Dave Caudel, Executive Director of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation. With a passion for understanding how things work and a personal diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome, Dave brings a unique perspect…

Today's guest, Sylvia Moore Myers, is an experienced entrepreneur, author, and business consultant with over 30 years of expertise. Certified in mental health, life coaching, and crisis intervention, she is the founder and CEO of Gold Scars, LLC. Sylvia authored "Gold Scars," offering insights into grief, loss, and trauma. As a sought-after speaker…

This week, we are excited to welcome Dr. Sarah Shultz, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Shultz is a leading autism researcher, focusing on its neural and behavioral origins. Her work at Marcus Autism Center uses neuroimaging techniques to improve early identification and intervention…

This week, we are excited to welcome Ronnie Daniel, the executive director at the Children First Education Fund. Ronnie brings a wealth of experience from his extensive nonprofit leadership roles, including his advocacy for children with disabilities, especially those with autism. Today we will be discussing how to support children with autism, the…

This week, we are excited to welcome Dr. Aaron Rachelle Campbell to the podcast. Dr. Campbell is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at the University of Missouri, specializing in culturally responsive practices and interventions for minoritized students in underserved communities. Her research focuses on reducing exclusionary discipline pr…

This week, we are excited to welcome Dr. Jaye Odom who is a licensed psychologist in New Mexico with impressive board certifications in applied behavior analysis and bariatric counseling. She has also reached clinical reliability in a gold standard assessment, highlighting her commitment to excellence. Today, we will be discussing how improving aut…

This week, we are excited to welcome Dr. Bryn Harris to the podcast. Dr. Harris is a distinguished Professor at the University of Colorado Denver with a dual appointment in the School of Education and Human Development and the Department of Pediatrics (Developmental Pediatrics). She is also the director and founder of the bilingual school psycholog…

This week, we're excited to welcome Dr. Bethany Raiff, a leader in combining technology with behavioral interventions to promote healthy behaviors. Dr. Raiff will share her insights on using innovative tools to support families raising autistic children, including video game-based learning and mobile interventions for encouraging positive habits. W…

This week, we are joined by Rachel Dorsey, an autistic speech-language pathologist. Rachel has an extensive background in supporting children with a variety of neurodivergences and medical conditions through speech, language, social connections, self-advocacy, emotional and sensory regulation, and feeding challenges. She is also working on developi…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Pranali Hoyle, a seasoned Behavior Analyst with over 20 years in the field, specializing in autism, ADHD, and more. Holding degrees from Kean University and a doctorate focused on mindfulness-based parent-child interactions, Dr. Hoyle is here to discuss the work she does at Neurodiversity of northeast and incorporati…

This week, we are joined by Milena Suarez, a passionate advocate for the autistic community. Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Milena pursued psychology at the Universidad Católica de Colombia, working with victims of domestic violence before moving to the U.S. in 2020. She recently completed her master's in ABA and is now on her way to becoming a Board-Ce…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Janie Funk, who is the Clinical Director at Behaven Kids, overseeing the ABA programs and services across all locations. Dr. Funk brings over a decade of experience in providing services for individuals with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities. Dr. Funk's contributions are pivotal in expanding Behaven Kids re…

This week, we are joined by Landa Fox, a BCBA and Certified Sexual Health Educator with extensive experience in autism and developmental disabilities. Landa specializes in inclusive sexual health education for autistic and neurodivergent individuals. Today, she'll share vital insights on the importance of this education, effective strategies for pa…

Join us on this week's Autism Weekly podcast where our host, Jeff Skibitsky, engages in a meaningful conversation with Dr. Nicole Young, Clinical psychology director for California at ABS Kids. This episode takes a deep dive into the significance of April, highlighting its importance as both Child Abuse Prevention Month and Autism Acceptance Month.…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Han Ren, a licensed clinical and school psychologist, consultant, and speaker, deeply committed to liberation and anti-oppressive work. Through widely viewed social media content, Dr. Ren makes mental health accessible, focusing on collective healing in marginalized communities like Asian-Americans and children of im…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Naima Bhana Lopez, an assistant professor of special education and BCBA-D at Niagara University in New York. Dr. Lopez specializes in enhancing social-communication opportunities for children with developmental disabilities. Her work also explores diversity and equity in special education, empowering natural communic…

This week, we are joined by Jarad Van, a Ph.D. student at The Pennsylvania State University, specializing in Special Education. With a background in behavior analysis and extensive experience working with autistic children, Jarad brings valuable insights into Precision Teaching. Join us as we discuss the benefits and future potential of precision t…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Bruce Tinor, Vice President at Black Men in Behavior Analysis (BMBA), and Principal at CCIU's Child and Career Development Center since July 2023. Joining him is Jeron Trotman, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst from Atlanta, GA. Jeron is not only a visionary and founder but also the president of Black Men in Behavio…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Casey Dupart a highly accomplished K-12 administrator, school psychologist, certified clinical trauma professional, and board-certified behavior analyst. With a diverse career spanning various educational settings across the globe, from Italy to Hawaii, Dr. Dupart brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our di…

This week, we're honored to have Dr. Wendy Chung, a leading expert in precision medicine and the genetic basis of autism. Dr. Chung's groundbreaking research at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School is revolutionizing healthcare for children with autism and related conditions. Download to learn more! Resources: Chung Lab at Boston C…

This week, we are joined by Carrie Woodward, a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and the brilliant mind behind Jumpstart the Journey. With over two decades of experience, Carrie's journey into autism began at Pepperdine University in 2002, igniting a lifelong passion for helping families navigate the complexities of autism spectrum disorders. By com…

Welcome to the latest episode of the Autism Weekly Podcast. This week, our special guest is Paul Constable, an optometrist, autism researcher, and a father with a personal journey. From coping with his son's autism diagnosis to breaking new grounds in autism research, Paul's life has been an unexpected journey full of inspiring perseverance and gro…

In this insightful episode of Autism Weekly, host Jeff Skibitsky and esteemed guest Dr. Matthew Wappet, Executive Director of Utah State University's Institute for Disability Research, engage in an illuminating discussion about reimagining the future of education to be more inclusive for individuals with disabilities. With a focus on autism, they c…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Eric Larsson, who is the Executive Director of Clinical Services at the Lovaas Institute Midwest, a Licensed Psychologist, and a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral. With extensive experience in autism intervention, he's currently researching high-intensity Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) program…

This week, we are joined by Andrea Pollack, the founder of Autism Parent Solutions. With a mission to empower parents of autistic children and teens, Andrea guides families to build essential skills and inner strength, fostering unshakeable confidence, and joy in their parenting journey. Today, we delve into Andrea's unique 5-step approach to autis…

This week, we welcome autism advocate and author Sam Farmer BACK to the podcast for another appearance to talk to us about his latest published article “An Autistic’s Vision for Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy”. This topic is important because it provides invaluable insights from lived experience, fostering inclusivity, and offering practical stra…

This week, we are joined by Katie York, also known as The Distracted Autistic. Katie is also the founder of Harford County Neurodivergents, a community group located in Maryland. Katie is also an educator, student, advocate, and community organizer with nearly fifteen years’ experience in community college workforce training programs. Katie's autis…