Discover what’s possible when challenges are weaved with joys. Have you found it challenging to navigate all the paperwork to get the support your autistic child needs? Whether you know from personal experience or through someone else in your life, you’ll want to listen to this episode with Kelley Coleman.  Kelley Coleman is the mother of two boys, one of whom has multiple disabilities (including a yet-undiagnosed genetic syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, CVI, epilepsy, and more). Her book Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports offers practical tips for parenting a disabled child. This episode is part one of our conversation, and we discuss: Kelley’s journey of understanding disability How to explain disability to siblings What Kelley has learned about herself as a mother The importance of celebrating small victories What inspired Kelley to write her book Surprising facts about the healthcare system Mistakes Kelley has made that other parents can learn from ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey  

Are you a late-diagnosed autistic, or are you considering getting an evaluation? Autistic Self-Advocate and podcast host Sara Bradford talks about why she decided to seek an autism diagnosis as one of her new year’s goals. The following clip is from a roundtable discussion with our Global Autism Community where community members shared their personal and professional goals for the new year. Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you! This conversation with our Global Autism Community was originally released on February 11, 2022. Would you like to learn new strategies to stay motivated and meet your milestones? Click the link below for the full conversation and be sure to subscribe to hear more from people connected to autism inspiring change and building community.  Setting Goals, with the Global Autism Community Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when a great day starts at bedtime. Have you ever struggled with poor sleep? Or do you know of anyone who does? Whether you’re autistic or not, this episode with sleep specialist Emily Varon can help you sleep better, starting tonight. Emily Varon is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst from California who focuses on sleep-related behavior. With more than 20 years in the field, Emily offers families and clinicians a broader, long-view perspective of sleep, which can produce more sustainable results over time.  Today’s conversation was originally released on June 9, 2022. We discuss: The link between autism and poor sleep Common sleep-related behaviors Myths about poor sleep How a sleep-deprived child can affect your family as a whole How sleep contributes to learning and memory consolidation Why you shouldn’t set an alarm clock to wake up The importance of consistent bedtime routines Tips to avoid screen dependency The benefits of day-time napping Recovering from sleep-debt To learn more about Emily and her work, please visit our show notes at autismknowsnoborders.com. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when communication is properly aided. Are you the parent of an autistic child with an Augmentative and Alternative Communication device? Or maybe you’re just curious about how AAC devices can help? If either applies to you, you’ll want to listen to this conversation with Vidya Banerjee, an autism mother and the creator of the Autism Family Story blog and podcast. Today’s conversation was originally released on August 4, 2022. We discuss: Do’s, don’ts, and common misconceptions about AAC devices The Landau Kleffner syndrome, a rare childhood neurological disorder affecting Vidya’s son which causes loss of speech Vidya’s mission as a blogger and podcaster What she hopes for her son’s future Tips for parents of non-speaking autistic children To learn more about Vidya, please visit our show notes at autismknowsnoborders.com.----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Have you had to learn to accept your child’s autism? What was that journey like for you? Bobby Rubio talks about how accepting his son’s autism led to the inspiration for his award-winning Pixar SparkShort film, Float.  Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you! This conversation with Bobby Rubio was originally released on February 10, 2022. Would you like to hear more about how Bobby’s journey of accepting his son’s autism inspired him to produce an award-winning film? Follow the link in the show notes for the full conversation. The Inspiration for Pixar’s SparkShort ”Float,” with Bobby Rubio Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

How can children on the spectrum benefit from practicing yoga? Cheryl Albright, an occupational therapist, certified yoga instructor, and autism sibling, shares how she uses yoga to help her autistic clients learn new skills.  Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you! This conversation with Cheryl Albright was originally released on September 24, 2020. Would you like to learn how to self-regulate and balance your nervous system? Click the link below for the full conversation and be sure to subscribe to hear more from people connected to autism inspiring change and building community.  Occupational Therapy and Yoga for the Special Child, with Cheryl Albright Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

What are some autistic traits that can be underlying causes of crime among people on the spectrum? Tom Oliver, an autism self-advocate, TEDx Speaker, and aspiring lawyer from Australia, shares his ideas on this topic. Tom has dedicated his career to helping autistic individuals who got caught up in the justice system. Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you! This conversation with Tom Oliver was originally released on October 14, 2021. Would you like to hear more about the struggle for authenticity directly from autistic voices?  Click the link below for the full conversation and be sure to subscribe to hear more from people connected to autism inspiring change and building community.  Autistic Traits vs. Criminal Law, with Tom Oliver Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Do you struggle with managing your finances? Listen to how Andrew Komarow helps his autistic clients with budgeting, encouraging them to acknowledge their present financial capabilities and maintain a positive attitude.  Andrew Komarow is a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Neurodiversity Professional. He’s also the Founder of Planning Across the Spectrum, a company that specializes in helping individuals, families, and employers of people with autism and other disabilities to pursue financial independence.  Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you! This conversation with Andrew Komarow was originally released on May 6, 2021. Would you like to hear more tips on how to manage your finances? Click the link below for the full conversation and be sure to subscribe to hear more from people connected to autism inspiring change and building community.  Financial Planning Across the Spectrum, with Andrew Komarow Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when a fresh start brings a new perspective. This week’s episode is part 2 of our 2025 Highlights. Today we’ll continue to review some of our favorite moments from this year’s episodes, specifically from 230-240. Related episodes:  Highlights of 2024 Part 2, with the Global Autism Community Highlights of 2024 Part 1, with the Global Autism Community Highlights of 2023: Part Two, with the Global Autism Community Highlights of 2023: Part One, with the Global Autism Community Highlights of 2022: Part One, with the Global Autism Community Highlights of 2022: Part Two, with the Global Autism Community Highlights of 2021: Part One, with the Global Autism Community Highlights of 2021: Part Two, with the Global Autism Community Highlights of 2020, with the Global Autism Community ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

What strategies do you have in place to deal with stressful situations?  The late David Sharif talks about managing conflicts and how he found a group of friends who supported him through tough times. The following clip is from a roundtable discussion with our Global Autism Community where Autistic self-advocates shared how they cope with stress and sensory overload. Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you! This conversation with our Global Autism Community was originally released on November 18, 2021. Would you like to hear more tips on how to manage stress? Click the link below for the full conversation and be sure to subscribe to hear more from people connected to autism inspiring change and building community.  Coping with Stress and Sensory Overload, with the Global Autism Community Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when a fresh start brings new perspectives. We’ve reached the end of 2025! To celebrate, we’ll be reviewing some of our favorite moments from this year. Part 1 will highlight episodes 216 through 228, and Part 2, episodes 230 through 240.  We want to thank you for your support and patience during the first half of the year, when we released throwbacks due to my maternity leave. This pause allowed me to both spend quality time with my family and plan ahead for the podcast. I was eager to jump back in last summer with our new Autism Tips and Tools segment, hoping that these bite-size episodes would bring you helpful strategies that you could implement right away. In September, we re-launched Autism Knows No Borders with our regular weekly schedule of brand new episodes – and with them, new perspectives on more important topics related to autism. If you’ve been with us for a while, this 2025 recap will bring you back to each of our guests’ heartfelt stories. And if you’re joining us for the first time, welcome! This should give you a good idea of what Autism Knows No Borders is all about. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Why are autistic people given a censored version of sex education?  Michael John Carley shares his thoughts on this topic as well as the influence that culture has over attitudes towards sexuality. Michael John Carley is an Autistic Self-Advocate, author, and consultant. He was the Founder of GRASP — the largest organization in the world comprised of adults on the autism spectrum — and the Founding Executive Director of ASTEP, now called Integrate, whose mission is to help organizations identify, recruit, and retain professionals on the autism spectrum.  Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you! This conversation with Michael John Carley was originally released on August 6, 2020. Would you like to hear more about the struggle for authenticity directly from autistic voices?  Follow the link in the show notes for the full conversation. Rethinking Unemployment and Sex Education, with Michael John Carley Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey 

Discover what’s possible when what you give makes a difference. This time each year, our team at the Global Autism Project takes some time to reflect on what we’re grateful for. First of all, we’re grateful for you, our listeners, and your continued support. We’re also grateful for our podcast guests and their willingness to share their stories with us. And of course, we’re grateful for our growing Global Autism Community, whose members stay commited to our mission to transform how the world relates to autism. We’re also grateful for the launch of our new International Mentorship Program. This valuable training, which used to be offered exclusively to our partners, is now available to a wider range of service providers looking to enhance and scale their programs. Our mentees have access to training across various pillars, from clinical and leadership skills to organizational development and outreach. Programs like our International Mentorship are possible thanks to a larger community of generous donors. We are grateful to each and every one of the people who have ever made a donation. And if you’re thinking about supporting our programs and initiatives, enabling us to improve the lives of autistic individuals and their families around the world, stay with us for this episode, where our CEO Molly Ola Pinney explains how you can get involved as a monthly-giving Compass member. You’ll also hear from members of our International Mentorship Program and SkillCorps volunteers, who will be providing in-person training to our partners in 2026.  Lastly, we hope that this Thanksgiving special will inspire you to reflect on what you’re grateful for during this holiday season. From all of us at the Global Autism Project, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, and hope you can spend some time with your loved ones this weekend. —------ Become a Compass member today and create sustainable change around the world! Every contribution leaves a meaningful impact and expands our reach to underserved communities worldwide. Click here to join Compass! ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

How can you turn your passion into a career? Dani Bowman, an Autistic Self-Advocate, animator, illustrator, teacher, and public speaker, talks about how she empowers her autistic students to turn their passion for animation into a career. The following clip is from a roundtable discussion with our Global Autism Community where Autistic self-advocates shared their ideas on how to prepare autistic youth for adulthood. Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you! This conversation with our Global Autism Community was originally released on October 21, 2021. Would you like to hear more ideas about successfully transitioning into adulthood? Follow the link in the show notes for the full conversation. Preparing for Adulthood, with Dani Bowman, Robert Schmus, Cammie McGovern, and Cheryl Albright Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when representation opens the door. What are the biggest factors influencing why Black men are underrepresented in the field of applied behavior analysis and what can be done to increase that? Stick around for this episode and listen to Jeron Trotman share his ideas.  Jeron Trotman is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and the Founder and President of Black Men in Behavior Analysis (BMBA), and the host of the Beyond the Science podcast.  Last September, the Global Autism Project was the title sponsor at the BMBA summit in Atlanta, Georgia. BMBA is a professional organization dedicated to fostering diversity, inclusion, and leadership in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). In this episode, among other things, Jeron and I discuss: Why Black men are under-represented in the field of behavior analysis The role of race and cultural identity in the practice of behavior analysis What organizations can do to be more inclusive and welcoming towards professionals of color Challenges and misconceptions of autism within the Black American community Systemic changes needed in the field of ABA  Tips for young Black men interested in entering the field of behavior analysis Additionally, you’ll hear clips from a few participants at the BMBA summit (Andre Anderson, Kelly Baird, and Marquii Jacobs) sharing their hopes for the field of ABA and the Black autistic community. To learn more about BMBA, please visit: bmbanetwork.org ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

How does masking affect autistic mental health and well-being? Terra Vance shares her ideas about autistic masking and identity. Terra is an Autistic Self-Advocate and the Founder of NeuroClastic, an autistic-led non-profit organization that publishes articles by autistic writers and professionals advocating for autistic representation and human rights. The following clip is from a roundtable discussion with our Global Autism Community where Autistic self-advocates shared their experiences with masking, the emotional toll it takes, and the journey towards authenticity.  Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you! This conversation with our Global Autism Community was originally released on December 9, 2021. Would you like to hear more about the struggle for authenticity directly from autistic voices?  Follow the link in the show notes for the full conversation. Masking and Authenticity, with the Global Autism Community Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey  

Discover what’s possible when your calm becomes their anchor. Does your autistic child struggle with regulating themselves?  If you’d like to learn how to stay calm in order to help your child in stressful situations, stick around for part two of my conversation with autism-mom coach Lisa Candera, where she talks about what it means to be a solid object for your child. Among other things, we discuss: Techniques for staying calm and grounded when your child is stressed Common struggles and invisible challenges faced by autism parents How therapists, friends, and extended family members can support autism parents How to filter out unsolicited parenting advice Tips for mothers who might be feeling overwhelmed or alone To learn more about Lisa Candera and her work, please visit: The Autism Mom Coach----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Do you struggle dealing with the pressure of societal expectations? Russell Lehmann, an Autistic Self-Advocate, motivational speaker, author, and poet, talks about how being autistic makes this pressure uniquely challenging.  Russell is an Autistic Self-Advocate, motivational speaker, author, and poet. He travels the world spreading hope, awareness, and compassion, while striving to erase the stigma and stereotypes associated with having a disability. Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you! This conversation with Russell Lehmann was originally released on May 14, 2020. Would you like to hear Russell talk about how public speaking has helped him grow? Follow the link in the show notes for the full conversation. Finding Strength in Adversity, with Russell Lehmann Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when you shift from blame to resilience. Although many myths about the causes of autism have been thoroughly debunked, misinformation continues to take a toll on mothers. Whether you know from personal experience or through an autism mom in your life, you’ll want to listen to this episode with Lisa Candera.  Lisa Candera is a single mom, attorney, ADHD-er, autism-mom coach, and the host of The Autism Mom Podcast. She helps parents of autistic children regulate themselves first, so they can show up for their kids with compassion, clarity, and strength.  This episode is part one of our conversation, and we discuss: Lisa’s journey of understanding and accepting her son’s autism and OCD diagnoses What she envisions for her son’s future The importance of shared experiences and support groups Misinformation about autism, including recent unfounded claims that it can be caused by Tylenol The debunked “refrigerator mom” theory Working through blame and guilt after learning that your child is autistic How parents can protect themselves from misinformation fatigue Cultural expectations of motherhood Unspoken pressures placed on autism moms To learn more about Lisa Candera and her work, please visit: The Autism Mom Coach ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

How can autistic individuals cultivate a meaningful life?   Gwen Palafaox, a licensed psychologist, talks about how autistic individuals can find a sense of belonging and cultivate a meaningful life across employment and relationships.   With a focus on helping teens and young adults find their most fulfilled and joyful lives, Gwen has been supporting disabled and neurodivergent individuals for over two decades. She also hosts the podcast Dr. Gwen Empowered. Welcome to Autism Tips & Tools, where we highlight the best practical guidance from previous episodes of Autism Knows No Borders. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a service provider, there’s something here for you! This conversation with Gwen Palafox was originally released on June 22, 2023. Would you like to hear Gwen talk about how neurotypicals can interact with autistic people from a trauma-informed perspective? Follow the link in the show notes for the full conversation. Empowering Autistic Adolescents, with Dr. Gwen Palafox Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism. ----more---- We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey