Exploring The Spectrum

Episode 9 - Allison Kleinman & Alex LoPinto - Supporting Families After "The Cliff"

Where can families of neurodivergent children turn to when the structure and support of school systems fall away after graduation? Allison Kleinman, LCSW, and Alex LoPinto, LCSW of Future Centered Care join us to unpack the critical gaps families face when supporting adults with developmental disabilities—especially during major life transitions like “the cliff” after school. We explore the emotional and practical challenges parents encounter as their child develops greater autonomy, and how to make these transitions feel meaningful even without traditional milestones. From building community and expanding independence to reimagining what a supported, fulfilling adult life can look like, this conversation offers both insight and possibility for families navigating what comes next. LINKS:  Connect [https://futurecenteredcare.com/contact]with Alex and Allison  Future Centered Care [https://futurecenteredcare.com/]website  Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/future-centered-care/]  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/futurecenteredcare/?igsh=MXVrem9xa2tjYnI0MQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr#]

Episode 8 - Deborah Winking, PhD - 12 Habits for Raising Capable Kids

There are countless books on parenting - but what happens when you’re raising a child who experiences the world differently and is often underestimated?  Deborah Winking, PhD joins us to share insights from her book Raising Capable Kids, which walks parents through 12 habits - using story, science and prompts for self reflection - that allow parents to understand and apply these habits in their day to day lives. We explore topics like learned helplessness at the hands of well-intentioned adults, the power of productive struggle, creating opportunities for children to experience consequences, and the risks of over-identifying with a diagnosis. While this conversation centers on children with disabilities, these tools are relevant for every parent who wants to raise confident, resilient children.  LINKS: Connect with Deborah Winking at debwinking@outlook.com [debwinking@outlook.com] Get the book [https://us.jkp.com/products/raising-capable-kids?_pos=1&_psq=raising+capable+kids&_ss=e&_v=1.0]: Raising Capable Kids: The 12 Habits Every Parent Needs Regardless of their Child's Label or Challenge  ***Exploring the Spectrum Listeners: enter the code RCK20 for a 20% discount and Free Shipping code for "Raising Capable Kids" Get the book [https://www.amazon.com/Capable-Triumph-Children-Judged-Different/dp/0578841622]: Capable: A Story of Triumph For Children the World has Judged as "Different" Website [https://www.capablethebook.com/]  Facebook  [https://www.facebook.com/capablethebook/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/capablethebook/]  Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i0InXHTrCZSgL_rzNSV5Q]: Capable Conversations with Dr Deb

Episode 7 - James Williams - Self-Advocate Perspectives on School, Policy, and Social Connection

Are educators preparing autistic students for life, or just helping them survive school?  James Williams joins us to share his perspectives on school, work, and social connection as an autistic individual. An autistic self-advocate since age 11, James brings a rare wide-angle view shaped not only by speaking and advocacy, but by ongoing exposure to the full range of lived experiences of autistic people beyond the speaker stage. His perspective bridges divides within today’s autism conversation, offering a more complete picture of both the challenges and possibilities autistic individuals face. We discuss the limitations of the ADA compared to IDEA, the impact of cultural norms on developing a community as an autistic child, and the dissonance that the “autistic superpower” narrative creates. James also shares how volunteering at his former high school gave him purpose, belonging, and connection, and invites educators to consider how similar opportunities could support autistic alumni beyond graduation.  LINKS  Connect with James Williams [https://www.jamesmw.com] Facebook: JamesWilliamsPiedPiper [https://www.facebook.com/jameswilliamspiedpiper] TikTok @PiedPiper11030 [https://www.tiktok.com/@piedpiper11030] Listen to James’s music [https://www.youtube.com/@JamesSJames]Listen to James’s talks [https://www.youtube.com/@JamesWilliamsPresenter]  Learn More:  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)  https://sites.ed.gov/idea/ [https://sites.ed.gov/idea/]Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - https://www.ada.gov/ [https://www.ada.gov/] Book Recommendations: “Special [https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/special/7514033/?srsltid=AfmBOor4qJsvEnKV5G1CoD9LX5zudSWGOGTXodhVnqolD_b590KGqIzG#edition=33264990]” by Donna Getzinger

Episode 6 - Elizabeth Horn - AI, Autism, and the Future of Personalized Medicine

What if the emergence of agentic AI can help answer the question of what causes autism?  Elizabeth Horn joins us to share perspectives from a 30 year journey with her daughter Sophia, and how her experience inspired her to build new systems of support for autistic children at every step of the way. We discuss how behavioral interventions fail to address the underlying biological challenges which are different for each child and evolve over time. Elizabeth has had a front row seat to the evolution of the autism conversation over the years and shares incredible insights into how current technological advances with AI may be a pivotal point allowing parents and autistic individuals - of all ages and presentations - to find answers previously inaccessible. We discuss her project Count.ai and how understanding each individual, and the effectiveness of each intervention, is the key to finding answers for all of us.  LINKS:  Connect with Elizabeth Horn at elizabeth@2mfoundation.org Watch Elizabeth Horn’s “Finding The Words” [https://x.com/NicoleShanahan/status/1871984963983200313] documentary  Sign up for COUNT.ai [https://www.thecountaiproject.com/] beta launch here [https://mailchi.mp/thecountaiproject/n1v3v6g7x6] 2M Foundation  [https://2mfoundation.org/] Autism Impact Fund  [https://autismimpact.fund/] Brain Foundation  [https://brainfoundation.org/] Learn More: Rapid Prompting Method [https://www.asha.org/policy/ps2018-00351/?srsltid=AfmBOopNpdz1dG2Qe2IeD9KxKbMVnc9omF_dOLdNISjbetcvQZYKQGHy]  Radicle Science [https://radiclescience.com/]  Book Recommendations:  “The Creative Destruction of Medicine: How The Digital Revolution Will Create Better Health Care [https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Destruction-Medicine-Digital-Revolution/dp/0465061834]” by Eric Topol MD “Outsmarting Autism, Updated and Expanded: Build Healthy Foundations for Communication, Socialization, and Behavior At All Ages [https://www.amazon.com/Outsmarting-Autism-Updated-Expanded-Communication/dp/1623173205]” by Patricia S. Lemer  “The Community Cure: Transforming Health Outcomes Together [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+community+cure&adgrpid=186984563672&hvadid=779793880754&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9051532&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=8650204969908860297--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8650204969908860297&hvtargid=kwd-861543303095&hydadcr=22537_13531293_8187&mcid=d668068588643b1caa28ae24e5e002c3&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_5l6jtilha1_e]” by James Maskell

Episode 5 - Greg Chasson PhD - The Perils of Perfectionism And How To Overcome It

Have you ever wanted to do something so perfectly that you ended up not doing it at all?  Dr. Greg Chasson is a leading authority on transforming compulsive and impulsive behaviors and the author of "Flawed: Why Perfectionism is a Challenge for Management.” While it is true that many characteristics of perfectionism are often present in autistic populations, Dr. Chasson joins us to share more broadly the ways that perfectionism shows up to some degree in all of us, and how families, social media and culture reinforce these tendencies. We discuss concepts like process paralysis, avoidance, and ritualistic behaviors associated with perfectionism and explore valuable tools such as exposure therapy to help interrupt self sabotaging patterns and Dr. Chasson’s “emphasis framework” to help you finally break free of the burden of having to do everything perfectly.  LINKS:  Connect with Dr. Greg Chasson  [https://www.gregchasson.com/] Flawed: Why Perfectionism is a Challenge for Management [https://flawedbook.com/] by Greg Chasson, PhD Join the Flawed:Live [https://www.gregchasson.com/flawedlive/] workshop  Learn More Aspiritech [https://aspiritech.org/suo/] - Chicago based company helping autistic professionals