Chelsea's Vocation

Summer Break/ing News

Chelsea is pausing the podcast from June through August. See you in September with all new episodes!

Bonus Content 2.0

The podcast’s second bonus content compilation features new content from  * Episode 17 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437426/episodes/17819730]: Language Development & Autism with Trisha Sacharski https://youtu.be/TEGMNwFO8qc [https://youtu.be/TEGMNwFO8qc]  * Episode 27 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437426/episodes/18657435]: Ableism & Autism with Sxdni Small  https://youtu.be/eod4hBuMbi4 [https://youtu.be/eod4hBuMbi4] * Episode 30 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437426/episodes/18900155]: Bodily Autonomy & Autism with MJ Lamb  https://youtu.be/H5hr5YD_XCI [https://youtu.be/H5hr5YD_XCI] Trisha is a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) with over 24 years of experience. Specializing in autism and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) [https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/aac], she is deeply committed to helping individuals find and use meaningful ways to communicate. Trisha combines her extensive clinical training with a passion for empowering others, making it her mission to ensure that every voice is heard. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys reading, gardening, baseball, and supporting her three children in all of their interests and endeavors. Trisha’s discussion with Chelsea about AAC highlights that effective communication has everything to do with establishing relationships. Sxdni brings their lived experience as a neurodivergent, AFAB (assigned female at birth) person to this discussion on using language of inclusivity and empowerment in the presence of disability. Sxdni was raised in a Milwaukee, Wis., household graced by kitchen table lilac blooms. Reading and community organizing were household staples in a home filled with love for words and learning. A member of the Wisconsin Writer’s Association, their work has been published in various venues including Creative Wisconsin Magazine, as well as through the Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism [https://thinkingautismguide.com/] and Kind Over Matter [https://kindovermatter.com/]. MJ is a neurodivergent and chronically mentally and physically ill individual who is also a survivor of sexual violence. When the pandemic took over the world in 2020, MJ was suicidal and received inpatient mental health care. It was through that program that they found their love for creating poetry and abstract art. After a divorce and two address changes, MJ got diagnosed with autism at age 30. Today, they live in Milwaukee with their loving partner and two cats and have begun sharing their story of survival with the world. MJ and Chelsea share real life examples highlighting the importance of making adaptations to respect a child’s tactile experience. The following terms and resources, in order of their mention in the podcast, might evoke some curiosity: * “The Telepathy Tapes” https://thetelepathytapes.com/podcast [https://thetelepathytapes.com/podcast]  * Ky Dickens https://thetelepathytapes.com/about/ky-dickens [https://thetelepathytapes.com/about/ky-dickens]  * IEP https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/what-is-an-iep-individualized-education-programs-explained/2023/07 [https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/what-is-an-iep-individualized-education-programs-explained/2023/07] * Tactile sensitivity with clothing https://www.uhd.nhs.uk/uploads/about/docs/our_publications/patient_information_leaflets/Childrens_therapy/Practical_Tips_for_Clothing_Tactile_Sensitivity_and_Getting_Dressed.pdf [https://www.uhd.nhs.uk/uploads/about/docs/our_publications/patient_information_leaflets/Childrens_therapy/Practical_Tips_for_Clothing_Tactile_Sensitivity_and_Getting_Dressed.pdf]  * Episode 2 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437426/episodes/16481603]: Introducing Justus https://youtu.be/ZslCrjKZ9rQ [https://youtu.be/ZslCrjKZ9rQ?si=XPf_VL-MvuoWwc4w] Podcast includes an introduction for episodes 6 and following at the beginning. Transition music, "Taking a Vocation", by Noey Budde. Closing narration for episodes 6 and following.

Bullying & Autism

Studies indicate that 75% of autistic youth report bullying, often on a chronic basis. And with the increased emotional impact on autistic youth, bullying significantly increases suicidality (Autism Research Institute [https://autism.org/bullying-teens-asd/]). In this episode, Chelsea differentiates between bullying and disability harassment [https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/disability-discrimination/disability-discrimination-key-issues/disability-discrimination-bullying-and-harassment], because the legal framework that protects our children from the latter is crucial. She also explores the four types of bullying faced by autistic students, and provides actionable strategies for parents and educators to combat this pervasive issue. These previous episodes might provide more information and/or context for this topic (listed in the order of relevant mention within this episode): * Episode 2 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437426/episodes/16481603]: Introducing Justus * Episode 3 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437426/episodes/16561565]: Noey’s Journey  * Episode 31 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437426/episodes/18980173]: Autism and "Comorbidities" More topics, terms, and resources, in order of their appearance in the podcast: * CDC's National Center for Health Statistics [https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db514.htm?utm#section_3] "Bullying Victimization Among Teenagers". 2024. * “Bullying of youth with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, or typical development: Victim and parent perspectives [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4178308]”. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. 2014. * IDEA [https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/individuals-disabilities/idea]   * OCR’s “Dear Colleague” letter dated July 25, 2000 [https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/disabharassltr.html]: Responsibilities under Sec. 504 of the Rehab Act of 1973 and Title II of the ADA * OCR’s “Dear Colleague” letter dated October 26, 2010 [https://www.ed.gov/sites/ed/files/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-factsheet-201010.pdf]: Harassment and Bullying * Individualized Education Plan [https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/what-is-an-iep-individualized-education-programs-explained/2023/07] (or Program)  * In Loco Parentis [https://usedulaw.com/345-in-loco-parentis.html] * school resource officer [https://www.nasro.org/faq/)] (SRO) * U.S. Department of Education on Laws Impacting Special Education [https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/individuals-disabilities/special-education-laws] * WI Statute 118.46 [https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/118/46] Policy on Bullying / 118.02 (9t) Bullying Awareness Day * WI’s Department of Public Instruction on Bullying Prevention [https://dpi.wi.gov/sspw/safe-schools/bullying-prevention], Filing a Complaint [https://dpi.wi.gov/operations-partnerships-innovation/pupil-nondiscrimination/guidelines ] under Wisconsin's Pupil Nondiscrimination Law  * Wisconsin Special Education Mediation System [https://wsems.us/]   * OCR’s Discrimination Complaint Form [https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/file-complaint/ocr-discrimination-complaint-form] * WI's Supporting Neurodiverse Students [https://sites.google.com/cesa1.k12.wi.us/ese/home] * PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center [https://www.pacer.org/bullying] * Autism Speaks [https://www.autismspeaks.org/bullying-statistics] * Organization for Autism Research [https://researchautism.org/educators/kit-for-kids/] Podcast includes an introduction for episodes 6 and following at the beginning. Transition music, "Taking a Vocation", by Noey Budde. Closing narration for episodes 6 and following.

Interoception & Autism

Many of us take for granted our body’s ability to receive and understand in real time the signals our physical body is sending. However, for neurodivergent individuals, particularly those on the autism spectrum, this process can be much more complex. In this episode, we explore the concept of interoception, what Kelly Mahler has referred to as the eighth sense, and its profound impact on the lives of neurodivergent individuals. While James Williams, an autistic self-advocate, didn’t struggle receiving these internal messages, the struggle to address his physical needs as a student was real.  James has spoken publicly about autism and related disabilities since age 11. He is the author of eight autism-related books, and serves on the Steering Committee for the Wisconsin Community of Practice on Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities (ASD/DD) [https://connections.waisman.wisc.edu/]. He is on staff for multiple anime conventions throughout the United States, where he also hosts panels on autism awareness designed for anime conventions. Finally, he is an active member of Glenbrook North High School’s Booster Club, his alma mater. He lives in Northbrook, Ill., and travels frequently to promote autism awareness. Want more? These previous episodes may provide additional context on this topic: * Episode 1 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437426/episodes/16400459]: Introducing Chelsea's Vocation, the podcast, and Chelsea's family * Episode 29 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437426/episodes/18825998]: Applying the Medical Home Model Here are topics, terms, and resources, in order of their appearance in the podcast, might evoke some curiosity: * Kelly Mahler OTD, OTR/L https://www.kelly-mahler.com/ [https://www.kelly-mahler.com/]  * OT = occupational therapist https://youtu.be/jhhdEQ4Z_d8 [https://youtu.be/jhhdEQ4Z_d8]  * interoception: awareness of your body’s internal senses or signals https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/interoception [https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/interoception] * Farb, Norman et al. “Interoception, contemplative practice, and health.” Frontiers in psychology vol. 6 763. 9 Jun. 2015, doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00763 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4460802/ [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4460802/]  * dysregulation: In autistic individuals, stemming from neurological differences and sensory overload, appearing as a fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response to overwhelming environmental input. * The DSM-5 (The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed., 2013) lists the diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder [https://iacc.hhs.gov/about-iacc/subcommittees/resources/dsm5-diagnostic-criteria.shtml#autism-spectrum-disorder]. * McDonough, Molly. “Making Sense of Interoception: How we perceive what’s happening inside our bodies and what that means for our health.“ Harvard Medicine. Spring 2024. https://magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/making-sense-interoception [https://magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/making-sense-interoception] * Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs (MAPS) [https://www.medmaps.org/about-us/] program-trained doctors treat children with autism, neuro-developmental disorders, and complex chronic conditions using an individualized, functional medicine approach. They focus on treating underlying biomedical issues such as gastrointestinal (GI), immune, metabolic, and mitochondrial dysfunction, aiming to improve overall quality of life.  Podcast includes an introduction for episodes 6 and following at the beginning. Transition music, "Taking a Vocation", by Noey Budde. Closing narration for episodes 6 and following.

Autism & "Comorbidities"

Given the high rate of “something else” co-existing alongside autism, Dr. Breya Whitefield joins Chelsea as we dive into the nuances of neurodiversity, the implications of co-occurring conditions, and what families need to know to support their loved ones effectively. If you’ve heard the term "comorbidity" associated with someone with a primary diagnosis of autism, know you’re in good company. Dr. Breya Whitefield is an Assistant Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin who specializes in working with children, adolescents, and young adults with neurodevelopmental differences. She provides consultation and intervention for challenging behaviors that may not respond to traditional parenting strategies or outpatient mental health services. Her work focuses on helping families manage issues such as tantrums, aggression, noncompliance, sleep problems, toileting difficulties, and disruptive behaviors. These previous episodes might provide more context for this topic: * Episode 1: Intro https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437426/episodes/16400459 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437426/episodes/16400459] * Episode 2: Justus https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437426/episodes/16481603 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437426/episodes/16481603]  * Episode 3: Noey https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437426/episodes/16561565 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437426/episodes/16561565] * Episode 10: Mental Health & Autism https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437426/episodes/17193835 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437426/episodes/17193835]  * Episode 13: Puberty & Autism https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437426/episodes/17457609 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437426/episodes/17457609] Here are topics, terms, and resources, in order of their appearance in the podcast, might evoke some curiosity: * In a study using a newly-developed diagnostic screener with autistic individuals, 91% of children/adolescents aged 8-17 and 31% of young adults aged 18-25 met criteria for one or more co-occurring diagnoses, including ADHD, depression, and anxiety. (Mosner et al, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2020) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6669096/# [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6669096/#]  * neurospicy [https://www.facebook.com/reel/1933310267155080] * “Autism and Suicide” from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention  https://afsp.org/autism-and-suicide/ [https://afsp.org/autism-and-suicide/]  * 988 for the Autism Community https://www.datocms-assets.com/12810/1721837899-988-information-for-the-autism-community_final-1.pdf [https://www.datocms-assets.com/12810/1721837899-988-information-for-the-autism-community_final-1.pdf]  Podcast includes an introduction for episodes 6 and following at the beginning. Transition music, "Taking a Vocation", by Noey Budde. Closing narration for episodes 6 and following.