Respect the STIM

Episode 11: The Autistic Perspective with Angelina Lenz

In this podcast episode, host Jerry Turning interviews Angelina Lenz, a young woman from Spring, Texas, who is on the autism spectrum. The episode focuses on understanding the sensory challenges faced by individuals on the spectrum. Angelina shares her experiences and insights regarding sound and vision sensitivities. Angelina explains that she has a strong affinity for balloons, which provide her comfort and joy. While she enjoys the colors and shapes of balloons, she also mentions that certain sounds, such as the rubbing of a balloon, can be unsettling for her due to the fear of it popping. The discussion then moves to the topic of sensory challenges, particularly sound sensitivities. Angelina expresses that sudden loud noises, like fireworks or machinery, can greatly bother her. She explains that unexpected sounds are especially problematic and can cause discomfort and pain. To manage these challenges, she uses tools such as noise-canceling ear muffs and earplugs called Vibes, which lower the noise level while still allowing her to hear clearly. Jerry emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting the different sensory experiences of individuals on the autism spectrum. He suggests that developing empathy and acknowledging these sensory challenges can greatly improve interactions with people on the spectrum, especially in professions like law enforcement. Angelina also mentions her experiences with loud environments at her college's sports games and the need to prepare accordingly. The conversation then shifts to vision sensitivities. Angelina shares that her sense of vision is more acute than most people, allowing her to notice small details that others might miss. She provides an example of helping her father find screws in the grass. Jerry acknowledges that while this heightened sense can be seen as a superpower, it can also be burdensome, as it requires constant attention to detail. Overall, the episode emphasizes the importance of recognizing and accommodating sensory challenges faced by individuals on the autism spectrum, and how this understanding can improve interactions and support in various environments. Email: aslenz@live.com [aslenz@live.com] Phone #: 281-608-5155 (Text Only)

Episode 10: Insights from a Paramedic (and Special Needs Mom) With Stacy Vail

In this podcast interview, Jerry welcomes Stacey Vail, a paramedic from Massachusetts who has been working in the field for nine years. Stacey is also the mother of a 15-year-old son diagnosed with autism. The interview covers various topics related to autism and the challenges faced by individuals with autism and their families. Stacey emphasizes the importance of understanding how individuals with autism communicate. She explains that repetition and rote learning play a significant role in their communication development. Initially, the focus is on teaching them what to say in response to specific questions or situations without necessarily understanding the underlying meaning. Stacey mentions that some parents and individuals with autism may never fully grasp the reasoning behind certain questions or the ability to change their responses. Stacey discusses the need for first responders, particularly police officers, to recognize the differences in communication when interacting with individuals on the autism spectrum. She suggests that by taking a step back and observing the situation, responders can better understand and address the needs of individuals with autism. Stacey also highlights the importance of looking for visual clues, such as specialized products or sensory items, to gain insights into an individual's challenges and facilitate communication and cooperation. Both Jerry and Stacey share personal experiences related to their children with autism. They discuss how children on the spectrum often express their emotions or seek comfort through specific videos or toys. Stacey mentions that her son uses YouTube videos featuring characters expressing anger to cope with intense emotions. They emphasize the need to recognize and understand these indirect expressions of emotions to effectively support individuals with autism. The conversation delves into the intersection of Stacey's personal and professional life. Stacey recounts an incident where she responded to a call involving a child with autism, and upon learning about the child's diagnosis, she felt a deep connection due to her personal experience with her son. This experience made her realize that sharing her own story and knowledge about autism could positively impact her work as a paramedic. Stacey believes that her personal understanding of autism validates her role and allows her to better advocate for and help individuals on the spectrum. Jerry asks Stacey about the emotional toll of her work as a first responder and the challenges she faces. Stacey mentions that dark humor is often a coping mechanism in the field. She also highlights the importance of having a supportive spouse who understands the difficulties of her job. Stacey emphasizes the need for emotional support and recommends finding healthy ways to process the challenging experiences that come with being a first responder and a parent of a child with special needs. Throughout the interview, Stacey's strength and resilience shine through as she shares her personal experiences and insights into the world of autism. Her dedication to both her profession and her family is evident, and she serves as an inspiration to others facing similar challenges. Stacy's email address: mspbis@aol.com Jerry Turning's Contact Information: LinkTree: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/GeraldTurningJr⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/GeraldTurningJr] Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bluebridgetraining.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.bluebridgetraining.com/] Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/bluebridgetraining⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/bluebridgetraining] LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/geraldturningjr/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/geraldturningjr/] TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@bluebridgetraining⁠⁠⁠⁠ [www.tiktok.com/@bluebridgetraining] Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bluebridgetraining/⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/bluebridgetraining/]

Episode 9: Sensory Challenges: Vision

In this episode of the Respect the Stim podcast, Captain Jerry Turning delves deeper into the sensory system and sensory processing challenges faced by individuals on the autism spectrum. Focusing specifically on vision, Jerry explores how vision sensitivities can directly impact behavior and pose challenges for first responders in gaining cooperation and compliance from individuals on the spectrum. Jerry begins by prompting listeners to take a moment and observe their surroundings, emphasizing the ability to filter out irrelevant information. He highlights that individuals on the spectrum often struggle with applying filters, leading to difficulties in discerning important information from sensory inputs. He explains how people on the spectrum may fixate on minute details, such as counting flickers of fluorescent light bulbs or tracking dust particles, while finding it challenging to filter out extraneous stimuli. The host emphasizes the importance of understanding the sensory bombardment individuals on the spectrum experience and their inability to efficiently filter out irrelevant information. This constant sensory input can be overwhelming and distracting for them, which may lead others to perceive them as distracted, intoxicated, rude, or belligerent. Captain Jerry emphasizes the potential dangers of misinterpreting their behavior. Eye contact is discussed as a significant challenge for individuals on the autism spectrum. Contrary to traditional interrogation techniques that consider a lack of eye contact as a sign of deception, Jerry explains that individuals on the spectrum may avert their gaze or look away as a way to focus on the spoken words. He emphasizes that this behavior should not be perceived as disrespectful or evasive but rather as a sign of respect and an attempt to filter out overwhelming visual sensory information. The podcast episode further explores how individuals on the spectrum often have difficulty paying attention to a broad field of vision, instead being more comfortable focusing on specific details. Issues with depth perception and distorted vision are also common, often leading to challenges in coordination and motor skills. Jerry draws attention to the fact that these vision sensitivities can mimic signs of intoxication or impairment, potentially leading to incorrect assessments by law enforcement officers. Jerry's intention is not to discredit existing training or tactics but rather to provide additional insights and clues for first responders to consider when interacting with individuals on the spectrum. By expanding their awareness and considering a broader range of indicators, officers can more accurately assess situations and avoid misconceptions based solely on traditional signs of deception or impairment. In summary, this podcast episode sheds light on the specific challenges individuals on the autism spectrum face in relation to vision sensitivities. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and recognizing these sensitivities to improve interactions and avoid misunderstandings between individuals on the spectrum and first responders. Jerry Turning's Contact Information: LinkTree: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/GeraldTurningJr⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/GeraldTurningJr] Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bluebridgetraining.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.bluebridgetraining.com/] Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/bluebridgetraining⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/bluebridgetraining] LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/geraldturningjr/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/geraldturningjr/] TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@bluebridgetraining⁠⁠⁠⁠ [www.tiktok.com/@bluebridgetraining] Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bluebridgetraining/⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/bluebridgetraining/]

Episode 8: Protecting the Vulnerable With Carrie Cariello

During the podcast interview, Carrie Cariello, an author and mother of a son with autism, discusses the challenges faced by children with autism and the potential for them to be victimized. Carrie shares a personal story that occurred in April, where Jack was deceived by someone he met online. Two men convinced Jack to meet them, took him to an ATM to withdraw money, and then left him at a meeting spot without his wallet. Jack called the police, who handled the situation appropriately and helped calm him down. Carrie emphasizes the vulnerability of children with autism and the need to address the risks they face when venturing out into the world. Jerry discusses the importance of accurate reporting when incidents like these occur, as it determines the response and actions taken by law enforcement. They mention the significance of using precise language and tone when describing the situation, as it can influence how police officers interpret and respond to the call. Carrie explains that in Jack's mind, the person he met online had become a friend, and he trusted them enough to meet in person. She reflects on the challenges of parenting a child with autism who may have a young adult's physical body but an emotionally younger mindset. They discuss the difficulty of balancing independence and safety, as well as the importance of teaching children the necessary precautions when meeting people online. Carrie shares that Jack's desire for independence and handling the situation on his own was a courageous step for him. She acknowledges the internal struggle she faced as a parent, wanting to protect him while also respecting his desire for independence. The discussion concludes with the host sharing his own experience of meeting his wife online and emphasizing that online connections can lead to successful relationships, but it's essential to be cautious and teach children the appropriate ways to interact online. Overall, the interview highlights the challenges faced by individuals with autism, the risks they may encounter, and the importance of communication, education, and vigilance in ensuring their safety. Carrie Cariello is the author of What Color Is Monday, How Autism Changed One Family for the Better, and Someone I’m With Has Autism. She lives in Southern New Hampshire with her husband, Joe, and their five children.   Carrie is a contributor to the Huffington Post, TODAY Parents, the TODAY Show, Parents.com. She has been interviewed by NBC Nightly News, and also has a TEDx talk.  She speaks regularly about autism, marriage, and motherhood, and writes a weekly blog at www.carriecariello.com [http://www.carriecariello.com/]. One of her essays, “I Know What Causes Autism,” was featured as one of the Huffington Post’s best of 2015, and her piece, “I Know Why He Has Autism,” was named one of the top blog posts of 2017 by the TODAY Show. Jerry Turning's Contact Information: LinkTree: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/GeraldTurningJr⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/GeraldTurningJr] Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bluebridgetraining.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.bluebridgetraining.com/] Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/bluebridgetraining⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/bluebridgetraining] LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/geraldturningjr/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/geraldturningjr/] TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@bluebridgetraining⁠⁠⁠⁠ [www.tiktok.com/@bluebridgetraining] Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bluebridgetraining/⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/bluebridgetraining/]

Episode 7: Sensory Challenges are the KEY

In this episode of the Respect the Stim podcast, Captain Jerry Turning discusses the sensory system and sensory processing challenges commonly experienced by individuals on the autism spectrum. He emphasizes the importance of understanding how these challenges can directly impact behavior and influence every aspect of their lives. Captain Jerry aims to provide actionable insights to help listeners navigate encounters with individuals on the autism spectrum. He begins by expressing his admiration for the autistic mind and its unique perspectives. However, he acknowledges that along with this beauty comes significant challenges, particularly in the realm of sensory sensitivity and dysregulation. Our sensory system is how we process the world, and individuals on the autism spectrum often struggle to apply filters and context to sensory information. Their brains devote equal attention to extraneous sensory input as they do to the important things, leading to overstimulation and difficulty in regulating sensory experiences. Jerry explains that individuals can be oversensitive or undersensitive to sensory input, and this can fluctuate along the spectrum. Oversensitivity is when someone feels overstimulated and uncomfortable in certain environments, such as crowded places or high-intensity situations. He shares personal examples of feeling oversensitive, like in a crowded mall or in a bustling city. On the other hand, undersensitivity refers to a constant craving for sensory input, as if one is undernourished in their sensory experiences. His son, for instance, seeks intense sensory input through taste, sound, and movement. The challenge lies in finding the middle ground and regulating sensory input effectively. Individuals on the spectrum often struggle to maintain this balance and may experience meltdowns when overstimulated. Captain Jerry emphasizes that sensory dysregulation is a major challenge for these individuals and directly impacts their behavior. As first responders or police officers, it's essential to consider sensory issues when dealing with someone on the spectrum. The additional sensory information we bring, such as sirens, radios, and questions, can either exacerbate or alleviate their sensory challenges. To address these issues, Jerry suggests thinking from a sensory perspective. Making the environment quieter, reducing the number of questions asked, and minimizing the sensory noise from lights and sirens can help individuals on the spectrum feel more calm and cooperative. By recognizing the sensory nature of the situation, first responders can approach encounters with greater understanding and provide better support. Jerry concludes by highlighting the importance of knowledge and awareness in effectively assisting individuals with sensory processing challenges. Understanding the sensory aspects at play equips responders with the tools to improve interactions and reduce friction in their encounters. He encourages listeners to prioritize sensory considerations and reminds them to stay safe. Jerry Turning's Contact Information: LinkTree: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/GeraldTurningJr⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/GeraldTurningJr] Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bluebridgetraining.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.bluebridgetraining.com/] Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/bluebridgetraining⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/bluebridgetraining] LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/geraldturningjr/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/geraldturningjr/] TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.tiktok.com/@bluebridgetraining⁠⁠⁠⁠ [www.tiktok.com/@bluebridgetraining] Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bluebridgetraining/⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/bluebridgetraining/]