Finding Hope on the Spectrum

Rethinking Non-Speaking Autism: Vision, Motor Challenges, and Communication | Ep. 59

Brooke hosts Finding Hope on the Spectrum and interviews developmental optometrist and expert Dr. Susan Daniel, who shares her groundbreaking work linking vision therapy, motor challenges like apraxia, and communication for non-speaking individuals and spellers. Inspired by her own experience with double vision and her son Matthew's diagnosis of autism and severe apraxia, Dr. Daniel describes her shift from general optometry to specializing in neurodiverse care. She outlines a unique, parent-driven coaching model born out of the COVID-19 pandemic that utilizes tools like syntonic phototherapy (color therapy), prism lenses, and visual-motor exercises to help individuals safely regulate their nervous systems, flatten gait issues like toe walking, and gain the physical visual control needed to reliably access communication methods.  * 00:00 Double Vision and Fighting the Court Lines  * 01:01 Podcast Welcome and Introduction  * 01:40 Meet Dr. Susan Daniel  * 02:56 From General Optometry to Special Needs Detective  * 05:38 Matthew’s Journey: Apraxia and Depth Perception  * 08:07 Collaborating with Spelling Practitioners  * 10:48 General Eye Exams vs. Developmental Optometry  * 12:01 High Rates of Ocular Disease in the Autistic Population  * 13:32 Connecting Body Apraxia to Eye Motor Planning  * 16:15 The Struggle of Fighting Double Vision Every Day  * 18:30 Breaking Exercises Down for Communication Desires  * 20:19 Managing Anxiety and Motion Sensitivity in Public  * 21:32 Pivoting to a Parent-Driven Coaching Model  * 22:39 The Power of Repetition and Once-a-Month Visits  * 24:19 Explaining the "Why" to Motor-Challenged Clients  * 25:32 Scoring Big Goals: From Letterboards to Pickleball  * 26:25 Sharing Protocols and Mentoring Global Doctors  * 29:56 Why Words Aren't Needed for a Complete Eye Exam  * 32:12 Finding Prescriptions with the Retinoscope Light  * 33:34 Revealing the Eye Turn Stats: 80% to 90% in Non-Speakers  * 36:37 Unlocking Purpose: Why Spellers Choose Stencils Over Keyboards  * 37:59 Balancing the Seesaw of Motor vs. Cognitive Demands  * 39:21 Syntonic Phototherapy: Balancing the Rest and Digest Spectrum  * 43:54 Regulating the Nervous System Before Challenging Work  * 46:30 Taking the Exam Out of the Chair (Floor, Swings, and Trampolines)  * 48:15 Travel Optometry and Working Across State Borders  * 51:32 Case Study: Correcting Posture and Mastering the Paragraph Track  * 52:48 Straightening Up Gait: Fixing Visual Toe Walking with Lenses  * 54:17 Finding Certified Practitioners Globally via COVD  Connect with Finding Hope on the Spectrum: * Website: www.findinghopeonthespectrum.com [https://www.findinghopeonthespectrum.com/]  * Email: bwagner@findinghopeonthespectrum.com  * Facebook: Finding Hope on the Spectrum Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574918739411]  * LinkedIn: Brooke Wagner on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-wagner-4819233a/]  * Instagram: @findinghopeonthespectrum  TikTok: @findinghopeonthespectrum Guest Contact: Dr. Susan Daniel Neuro-Developmental Optometrist Website: https://www.susandanieloptometry.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-daniel-o-d-4930b726/  YouTube: https://youtube.com/@susandaniel

From Denial to Warrior: The Autism Journey Every Father Needs to Hear | Ep. 57

Brooke hosts Finding Hope on the Spectrum and interviews Pittsburgh-based autism advocate, author, and speaker Harry Psaros, who shares his family’s early autism journey with his son Gus, including missed warning signs, a preschool birthday party turning point, and a fast Cleveland Clinic diagnosis. Psaros describes shifting from anger to a “warrior” mindset rooted in empathy, self-care, and building a supportive village, and he outlines his “2% rule” of focusing on one daily skill to reduce overwhelm amid competing therapy demands. He discusses multiple therapies, highlighting Dr. Robert Melillo’s Brain Balance approach and reported gains in Gus’s presence, self-advocacy, and nutrition. Gus, 22, is graduating from Kent State in exercise science, pursuing a physical therapy assistant degree, and has won a National Courage Award. Psaros also explains founding North Fayette PALS and serving on the Autism Caring Center board, and he details how his book aims to engage fathers worldwide. 00:00 Overwhelm to 2 Percent 01:01 Podcast Welcome Intro 01:40 Meet Harry Passaris 02:56 Before the Diagnosis 05:38 Birthday Party Wake Up 08:07 Mindset Warrior Shift 12:01 Self Care as Strategy 16:15 Therapies and 2 Percent Rule 20:19 Brain Balance Breakthrough 22:39 Gus Today Milestones 26:25 PALS and Community Support 29:56 Why He Wrote the Book 32:12 Where Are the Dads 33:34 Book Impact Stories 36:37 Drop the Ego 37:59 Tandem Kayak Teamwork 39:21 Bestseller and Translations 40:34 Vision Boards for Goals 43:54 Progress Over Levels 46:30 Legacy and Helping Others 48:15 Find Your Village 51:32 Advice to Younger Self 52:48 What Thriving Means 54:17 Where to Find Harry Connect with Finding Hope on the Spectrum: www.findinghopeonthespectrum.com Email: bwagner@findinghopeonthespectrum.com [bwagner@findinghopeonthespectrum.com]  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574918739411 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574918739411]  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-wagner-4819233a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-wagner-4819233a/]  Instagram: @findinghopeonthespectrum  TikTok: Findinghopeonthespectrum Guest Contact: Website: www.harrypsaros.com [http://www.harrypsaros.com]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrypsaros/ [https://www.instagram.com/harrypsaros/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrypsaros [https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrypsaros]

Late Diagnosis, Burnout, and Finding Your Voice as a Neurodivergent Parent | Ep. 56

Host Brooke welcomes Lisa Richer—an advocate, co-author, leader, and mom of two neurodiverse sons—who shares how being neurodivergent herself connects her experiences as an elite gymnast, corporate leader, and family advocate. Lisa describes growing up undiagnosed, receiving an anxiety label without tools, and later hitting severe burnout after a COVID-era vaccine injury that disrupted her nervous system and led her to therapy, healing, and reclaiming her intuition. She explains why corporate environments often felt combative given her “inside-out” thinking and sensitivity, and why she chose not to return despite a high-level role offer. Lisa discusses her child-led advocacy journey, her collaborative “work with you, not for you” approach at IEP/504 tables using her “three Cs” (clarity, confidence, courage) and RIPE framework, and shares outcomes including improved placements, student self-advocacy, and academic success. She also discusses her chapter in “Confident You: The Raw Conversations,” and upcoming Journey2Bloom workshops and resources. 00:00 Born Too Early 00:49 Meet Brooke And Lisa 02:08 Finding The Thread 03:10 Late Diagnosis And Burnout 06:38 Survival Mode To Service 08:08 Corporate Culture Clash 12:40 Choosing Not Corporate 14:37 Advocacy Begins With Son 16:37 Early Signs And Diagnosis 19:33 IEP Bridge Building 22:16 Three Cs Framework 25:14 Intuition And Trauma Responses 29:53 Authentic Partnership Model 31:30 Middle Ground Advocacy 33:41 Neurodiversity Prism Approach 37:42 Parent Success Stories 43:42 Student Voice and Trust 45:35 Co Authoring Confident You 48:45 Moving Through Fear 50:04 Vision for Journey2Bloom 53:16 Where to Find Lisa 54:36 Closing Thanks and Next Steps Connect with Finding Hope on the Spectrum: www.findinghopeonthespectrum.com Email: bwagner@findinghopeonthespectrum.com [bwagner@findinghopeonthespectrum.com]  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574918739411 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574918739411]  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-wagner-4819233a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-wagner-4819233a/]  Instagram: @findinghopeonthespectrum  TikTok: Findinghopeonthespectrum Guest Contact: Website: https://journey2bloom.com/ [https://journey2bloom.com/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journey2bloom/ [https://www.instagram.com/journey2bloom/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaricher/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaricher/]

Why Teens Pull Away: Understanding Teen Defiance, Anxiety, and Connection | Ep. 55

In this episode of Finding Hope on the Spectrum, host Brooke talks with teen and parent wellbeing coach Laura Ollinger about why parenting teens is harder in today’s tech-driven, high-pressure world and how parents can better understand teen behavior. Laura shares how her daughter’s early anxiety and her nephew’s suicide shaped her calling to support ages 12–20, and explains teen brain development as a “renovation project,” where the amygdala and emotional sensitivity outpace the still-developing prefrontal cortex, fueling risk-taking and big reactions. They discuss fear of social rejection, healthy individuation and pulling away, red flags for withdrawal, and the need for balanced boundaries plus warmth (authoritative parenting). Laura addresses common misunderstandings like “defiance,” highlights teens’ needs for belonging and significance, notes similar core needs for neurodiverse teens, shares a coaching success story, and describes her Cracking the Parent Code course and HeartMath-based self-regulation tools. 00:00 Why Teens Feel Pressure 01:02 Meet Laura Ollinger 02:04 Her Calling to Coach 03:57 Parenting Four Teens 04:29 Teen Brain Renovation 06:34 Fear and Rejection 08:19 Pulling Away Is Normal 09:55 Red Flags and Check Ins 11:28 Boundaries With Warmth 13:04 Misread Teen Behaviors 17:32 Neurodiverse Teen Overlaps 18:49 Put Relationship First 21:30 A Coaching Success Story 23:53 Programs and HeartMath 27:37 Hope Through Perspective 28:39 Where to Find Laura 28:55 Final Thanks and Wrap Connect with Finding Hope on the Spectrum: www.findinghopeonthespectrum.com Email: bwagner@findinghopeonthespectrum.com [bwagner@findinghopeonthespectrum.com]  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574918739411 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574918739411]  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-wagner-4819233a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-wagner-4819233a/]  Instagram: @findinghopeonthespectrum  TikTok: Findinghopeonthespectrum Guest Contact: Website: https://www.positivelyhealthycoaching.com/ [https://www.positivelyhealthycoaching.com/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/positivelyhealthycoaching/ [https://www.instagram.com/positivelyhealthycoaching/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-ollinger/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-ollinger/]

When Gifted Kids Struggle: Executive Function, Identity, and Finding Hope | Ep. 54

Host Brooke interviews counselor, speaker, and consultant Mark Talaga of the Center for Identity Potential, who specializes in supporting gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) individuals and hosts the Hopelessly Gifted Podcast. Mark shares his own path from being an unrecognized gifted student to struggling in a video game job due to executive functioning and processing issues, then shifting into counseling and mentoring under Andy Mahoney. He explains giftedness as developmental extremes, 2e as giftedness plus diagnoses like ADHD, and asynchronous development as the gaps driving challenges such as anxiety, perfectionism, and shame. Mark describes identity work using the FIT Model across life systems, outlines evaluation including possible neuropsychological testing, emphasizes scaffolding and school collaboration for executive-function supports, and frames “Hopelessly Gifted” as accepting who you are and finding hope through difficulty. 00:00 Hopelessly Gifted Meaning 01:06 Meet Mark Talaga 02:18 From Gifted Kid to Counselor 04:22 Failure to Purpose 05:57 Vulnerabilities Not Weaknesses 08:13 What Twice Exceptional Means 11:21 Why Anxiety Shows Up 13:25 Identity as Expression 17:20 The FIT Model Framework 18:59 Building Positive Identities 21:21 Perfection and Self Kindness 21:56 Assessment Process Next 23:10 Intake And Systems View 24:27 When Testing Helps 25:46 Scaffolding In Action 30:25 Ego And Letting Help In 31:08 Breakthrough Case Story 33:23 Finding The Right School 36:32 Classroom Support Playbook 38:59 Why The Podcast Exists 41:32 Hope For Families 43:24 How To Reach Them 44:51 Wrap Up And Thanks Connect with Finding Hope on the Spectrum: www.findinghopeonthespectrum.com Email: bwagner@findinghopeonthespectrum.com [bwagner@findinghopeonthespectrum.com]  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574918739411 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574918739411]  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-wagner-4819233a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-wagner-4819233a/]  Instagram: @findinghopeonthespectrum  TikTok: Findinghopeonthespectrum Guest Contact: Website: https://www.centerforidentitypotential.com/ [https://www.centerforidentitypotential.com/]  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marktalaga [http://linkedin.com/in/marktalaga]