All Autism Talk

Dr. Hanna Rue and Jonathan Lehmann join us to discuss the importance of early diagnosis and the potential of a new tool aimed at addressing health disparities, particularly for families from diverse backgrounds. In this episode, we explore the application of the EarliPoint device, which uses eye gaze tracking technology to diagnose autism in children aged 16 to 30 months. Dr. Hanna Rue emphasizes, "We all know that access to diagnostics can be extremely challenging. Within the Boston area, some families are waiting three years. Research supports that the earlier you start with services, the better outcomes you have."   For show notes, transcription, and to watch the video interview, visit www.allautismtalk.com. All Autism Talk is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (www.learnbehavioral.com)

Harry Psaros shares his personal journey as a father navigating the challenges of raising a child with autism. He discusses his initial challenges in accepting his son Gus's diagnosis and his path to being a dedicated advocate. Harry emphasizes the significance of building a social network for families and being of service: "If you are breathing air, you should be helping others." He also shares his 2% rule, which promotes a clear focus for each day to support incremental improvement and reduce overwhelm.  Visit www.allautismtalk.com to view show notes. All Autism Talk is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (www.learnbehavioral.com).

Eric Chessen, founder of Autism Fitness, shares his journey to create effective fitness programs for neurodivergent individuals. He emphasizes the importance of understanding their unique needs and challenges as well as the role of fitness as a life skill. He states, “It's not just for sports or body composition. A lot of our focus is to support activities in daily living.” Eric also discusses the need to raise the standard of practice in the fitness industry to better serve the autism community.   For show notes, transcription, and to watch the video interview, visit www.allautismtalk.com.   All Autism Talk is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (www.learnbehavioral.com)

Michael Maloney, Founder and CEO of LEARN Behavioral, joins us to share about his early career in education and how a small consulting company grew into an organization that now provides autism services in over 17 states (23 with LEARN Academy). In this conversation, we also explore his insights about the changing landscape of services for families. Michael shares, “In the last ten to twelve years, there has been an absolute sea change. When we started, four states covered services, and now all 50 do. Parents often had to pay out of pocket, and few could afford to. The financial burden has lessened so significantly because of the growing awareness and advocacy.” Watch the video interview at www.allautismtalk.com

Happy Holidays from all of us at All Autism Talk! We're thrilled to share that starting in January, All Autism Talk will debut a fresh new look and feel while continuing to bring you the heartfelt, educational conversations you love. As part of this update, we'll be switching podcast distributors, so don't forget to re-subscribe in January to stay connected. Thank you for your support, and we can't wait to see you in the new year! All Autism Talk is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (www.learnbehavioral.com).

Andrew Moore serves as Directory Administrator for Autistic Minds, an educational charity and resource center in the UK joins us to share his story of finding meaningful employment, mentors, and friends as an autistic adult. For Andrew, connecting with the organization Autistic Minds opened a whole new world. As he shares, "I just needed guidance and support for the fundamentals." Show notes: https://autisticminds.org.uk/    All autism talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Martin Slyngstad a Behavior Specialist, and currently in school to become a Speech Pathologist, joins us to discuss his multitude of interests and accomplishments as a young autistic adult.  Martin is the author of Chatter Box: My Life with Autism A Mother and Sons Perspective, founder Spire Autism, and Special Olympics gold medal winner. Martin's warmth and sincerity are contagious as he shares his passionate belief that everyone should celebrate their authentic life.   For more information: www.spireautism.com  www.youtube.com/@martinsautismjourney7397   All Autism Talk is sponsored by Learn Behavioral (www.Learnbehavioral.com). 

Melissa Furman, a Clinical Director for Total Spectrum- Michigan West joins us to discuss the importance of staff retention in the field of ABA and to share her recent research that is looking to improve staff satisfaction and reduce turnover. We explore the importance of consistency for families utilizing services as well as the factors leading to burnout in the field. Melissa shared how her recent work is helping both these goals, “Implementing an incentive plan to increase positive descriptive feedback during field supervision creates a happier environment, fuels good work, and provides a space where BT's want to come to work.”    All autism talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

In this episode we are joined by three dynamic women who share their perspectives on how to best care for yourself and your family while raising a child with autism.  Arfa Alam, a first generation Muslim American with neurodiverse family returns to share her wisdom and passion with us. Heather Link is a clinical Director who shares her experiences of both providing services and receiving services for her own family. Liza Hellenbrand is the mother of a thriving, 21 year old son with autism who also hosts the Empowered Caregiver podcast. Join this powerful women's circle as they share from different backgrounds and experiences to offer sage advice to other moms. For more information: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-empowered-caregiver    All autism talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Arfa Alam joins us to share her experience and deep conviction for the appropriate care, and rights for all. Arfa is the proud mother, wife, and sister of disabled and differently-abled individuals, including her two autistic sons, her husband who lives with early onset Parkinson's disease, and her twin sister, who is deaf and was the first person in life to teach her about differences and empathy.  As she shares, “As a first-generation American, it is particularly important to me to bring awareness, acceptance, and inclusion to our communities for individuals with disabilities and neurodivergences.” Arfa's passion for public service stems from her experience as a first-first-generation Muslim-American with special needs family members. We are grateful for the opportunity to have this discussion with Arfa and we look forward to having her with us again soon.   For more information: https://www.bestbuddies.org/   https://marybarbera.com/    All autism talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Brandon Whitfield, Sr. Clinical Director for AST, part of LEARN Behavioral has presented at several conferences including BABA's (Black Applied Behavior Analysts) inaugural conference to share ways ABA agencies can bring more equity to the field of ABA. In this conversation, Brandon discusses his role in helping to create The Black Master's cohort and mentorship program as well as the ongoing need to prioritize DEI advancement in ABA.   For more information: https://learnbehavioral.com/culture https://learnbehavioral.com/culture/dei

Dr. Megan Anna Neff, a Neurodivergent Psychologist joins us to discuss discovering her own autism in the aftermath of her child's diagnosis and how that has inspired her passion to support the neurodivergent community. Dr. Neff describes the experience of her autism revelation in this way, “For the first time in my life, my body made sense, my experience of self made sense, and it was a powerful moment of liberation.” We also delve into helpful strategies about sensory sensitivity and self-care that are helpful for adults and parents of children with autism.    For more information: neurodivergentinsights.com @neurodivergent_insights on Instagram   All Autism Talk (https://www.allautismtalk.com/) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (https://learnbehavioral.com).

Dr. Linda LeBlanc, a Licensed Psychologist and author of 3 books on supervision joins us to discuss her latest book about ethics which she co-authored with Dr. Amanda Karsten, who is the Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Grand Valley State University.  Their new book titled Proactive and Practical Decision Making for Behavior Analysis explores the critical need for continually examining and evolving the role of ethics in providing services. As Dr. Karsten shared, "I hope we can help normalize the range of emotions that early career folks may be experiencing but also empower them with strategies they can put into motion and navigate step by step.  And to know that being in a difficult ethical situation is not going to overwhelm them." For more information: https://sloanpublishing.com/ethics    All Autism Talk (https://www.allautismtalk.com/) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (https://learnbehavioral.com).

Jessica Sylfest is the parent of a child with Autism and ADHD and the Sr. Director of  Talent Acquisition for LEARN Behavioral. Jessica's compassion, warmth, and learned wisdom are great offerings to all parents as we transition our kids back to school. There are a lot of specific strategies shared when navigating an IEP and how to establish good communication with your child's team. As Jessica said, “I think there is such value in sharing experiences and sharing things that are going well and things that are a  struggle. You really never stop preparing. It's just perpetual communication, planning with the school and with the other resources in our lives.”   All Autism Talk (https://www.allautismtalk.com/) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (https://learnbehavioral.com).

Dr. Becky Thompson, Director of Clinical Services for the Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP), and Reux Lennon, Non-binary member of both the LGBT and Autism community and Lead technician with WEAP join us to share their work on the Person-Centered ABA team and the Neurodivergent Advisory Committee.  Dr. Thompson leads LEARN's Person-Centered ABA team, which is a group of clinical leaders within LEARN who are dedicated to compassionate and individualized ABA services. Reux shares how their work as one of the original members of the Neurodivergent Advisory Committee is creating change and including neurodivergent voices and perspectives.   For more information visit: https://learnbehavioral.com/culture/neurodiversity    All Autism Talk (https://www.allautismtalk.com/) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (https://learnbehavioral.com).

Kerry Hoops the current President of the Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin and the clinical director for Wisconsin Early Autism Project's Green Bay region joins us to share about a unique clinic event and what can be learned. Kerry shares details of sensory-friendly covid vaccine events that utilized assent-based practice to create a comfortable experience for children. As Kerry put it, “When it was time for the shot, that was determined by the child. We were very open and honest with the child and let them know it would only happen when they said it was ok.”  All Autism Talk (https://www.allautismtalk.com/) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (https://learnbehavioral.com).

Dr. Ellie Kazemi is the Chief Science Officer at Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (BHCOE), an accrediting organization focused on improving the quality of behavior analytic services. She is also a professor at CSUN, where she founded the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program. Dr. Kazemi joins us to share about the accreditation process and the importance of assessments and measuring outcomes in the field of ABA. As Dr. Kazemi discusses the value of connecting the perspectives of the families and the clients, and shares, “To measure outcomes you should see progress from different perspectives.”    All Autism Talk (https://www.allautismtalk.com/) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (https://learnbehavioral.com).

Dr. Amber Valentino, Chief Clinical Officer for Trumpet Behavioral Health where she leads all research and training activities, joins us to discuss the importance of prioritizing research. We delve into the issue of outdated research for those receiving services and the benefits of practitioners publishing needed research.  As she shared, “What you want to happen is for a practitioner to pick up an article and say “I can do that. That makes sense.” or “I could modify that in a particular way and apply it to my population.” That's really how our science will inform our practice.” Dr. Valentino also breaks down ways that practitioners can get involved with research with specific guidance from her recent book, Applied Behavior Analysis Research Made Easy: A Handbook for Practitioners Conducting Research Post-Certification.   For More Information: Applied Behavior Analysis Research Made Easy: A Handbook Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World  

Motivational Speaker and Poet Russell Lehmann joins us for a third time to explore autism through the lens of culture. Having spent most of his life in isolation, Russell has found his voice and independence in recent years. His passion for erasing stigma and stereotypes about autism is shared through his moving, spoken-word poetry. In this discussion, Russell shares the challenges of communicating his needs and preferences and making meaningful connections. Russell offers insights into how those outside the experience of autism can help bridge the gap between cultures.  He shares, “I think it's ironic that autism is labeled a communication disorder. I understand why but I find myself thinking - Is it me, or is it you guys?” He adds this advice, “Be upfront. Be sincere. Be open-minded, and if you have questions about what to say or do, ask.”

Motivational Speaker and Poet Russell Lehmann joins us for a second time to share his perspectives on the words we use when discussing autism. Having spent most of his life in isolation, Russell has found his voice and independence in recent years. His passion for erasing stigma and stereotypes about autism is shared through his moving, spoken-word poetry. In this discussion Russell shares, "If you don't know, ask. When talking to someone and you don't know how to refer to them, ask them. Preface that you are learning. Be honest and respectful."   All Autism Talk (https://www.allautismtalk.com/) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (https://learnbehavioral.com).

Motivational Speaker and Poet Russell Lehmann joins us to share his perspectives on autism and the human condition. Having spent most of his life in isolation, Russell has found his voice and independence in recent years. His passion for erasing stigma and stereotypes about autism is shared through his moving, spoken-word poetry. As Russell shares, "I like to say you hold up a mirror to anybody, and that's what autism looks like. I don't expect anyone to be able to tell that I have autism just by looking at me. But hopefully, someday they won't be as shocked to find out."   All Autism Talk (https://www.allautismtalk.com/) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (https://learnbehavioral.com).

Sara Litvak, Founder & CEO of Behavioral Health Center of Excellence, the only ABA-specific accrediting body joins us to discuss the different ways quality is measured in the accreditation process. This discussion delves into the importance of not only clinical standards but the needs of clients and their families. As Sara shares, "We are here as a support for parents who are receiving ABA. We aim to ensure their needs are protected and that all patients get excellent care."   For More Information: BHCOE Website BHCOE Resources Facbook Instagram Twitter   All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (https://learnbehavioral.com).

Mo Buti, an advocate and instructional expert for people with autism joins us to take a deep dive into the IEP process. She shares details about all the people that make up the team and how parents can best prepare and advocate for their child. As Mo shared, "It's so important that you communicate well and build relationships with your team. Even if you disagree, it makes the process so much more successful." For More Information:

Pamela Feliciano, Scientific Director of SPARK (Simons Powering Autism Research) the world's largest autism research study. Dr. Feliciano joins us to share her thoughts on the recent change to autism statistics from the CDC, the value of participating in research, and the information that can be accessed (or declined) for those who do. As she shared, “SPARK's ultimate goal is to power research to help people with autism live their fullest lives.”  For More Information:

Professor Emeritus at the University of Oregon and President of the Choose Kindness Foundation, Doug Carnine joins us to discuss his work with the Choose Kindness Foundation that works with schools, businesses, prisons, and social service agencies across the US to promote mindful kindness.    For More Information: Dr.Carnine's website https://feedkindness.com/ Teen mindfulness program https://choosekindnessfoundation.info/the-mindful-kindness-program/ Choose kindness foundation https://choosekindnessfoundation.info/   Interested in ABA services for your child? Contact Us: https://lrnbvr.com/contact Interested in a career in the ABA field? Apply Now: https://lrnbvr.com/apply-now All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Dr. Tom Welch an expert in work with neurodiverse young people and families joins us to talk about the important work of preparing adolescents for adulthood. Dr. Welch shares key skills parents can help foster while also setting appropriate goals for their child's future. As he shared, "You're working toward a goal where you are in influencer but not in control. It's messy but It's what we all want...greater independence."   For more information: Sparkforautism.org   Interested in ABA services for your child? Contact Us: https://lrnbvr.com/contact Interested in a career in the ABA field? Apply Now: https://lrnbvr.com/apply-now All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

The September 26th was created to honor the lives of a family that was tragically lost in a home fire. By providing safety awareness and preparedness resources for families the mission of this initiative is to review their safety plans every year on September 26th and use their checklists to be prepared. Kelly also commented on the importance of caregivers to support safety preparedness and awareness. As she said, “If a child can't get out of the house in the event of a fire, were the other goals addressed important?”     For More Information:  Visit their website: https://www.september26.org/  Download the Fire safety check-list: https://buff.ly/3zQirxQ Download the Natural disaster checklist: https://buff.ly/3A0C9qN  Download the Wondering prevention checklist: https://buff.ly/3nfTzuc  Download American Red Cross Emergency apps here: https://buff.ly/3raIwUa   All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).   

All Autism Talk hosts Kathrine Johnson and Richie Ploesch, sit down to discuss strategies and tips to support a happy, safe, and fun holiday experience for children with autism. As Katherine shared, "When kids know what to expect, it can really help them regulate... and leaving space to let them have a choice and downtime can really help".   For more helpful family tips all year round visit: https://www.learnbehavioral.com/parentresources https://www.facebook.com/learnbehavioral https://www.youtube.com/c/Autismtherapies   Interested in ABA services for your child? Contact Us: https://lrnbvr.com/contact Interested in a career in the ABA field? Apply Now: https://lrnbvr.com/apply-now All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Heather Tarczan, Executive Director of Urban Autism Solutions joins us to talk about how their program is working to build opportunity and community for young adults in Chicago. Every year, thousands of teens with autism age out of high school. For the majority of these young adults, this is the end of their autism-based services and support. Urban Autism Solutions provides a multitude of social and vocational opportunities for individuals through innovative, community-based programs including a Transition Academy and 1.2-acre Growing Solutions Farm.   For more information: https://www.urbanautismsolutions.com/ https://www.facebook.com/UrbanAutismSolutions/ https://www.instagram.com/urbanautismsolutions/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/urban-autism-solutions/   Interested in ABA services for your child? Contact Us: https://lrnbvr.com/contact Interested in a career in the ABA field? Apply Now: https://lrnbvr.com/apply-now All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Roy Richard Grinker is a Professor of Anthropology and International Affairs at George Washington University and author. He joins us to share insights from his latest book, Nobody's Normal: How Culture Created the Stigma of Mental Illness. In this discussion, we explore how various stigmas around diagnosis are formed - and can be dismantled. As Richard shares, ”Look at the history of autism, when mothers were blamed and autism was only looked at in negative terms... We don't end up in a very good situation. I'm trying to point this stuff out so people can realize we do have the power to change.”   For More Information: Twitter: https://twitter.com/roygrinker https://anthropology.columbian.gwu.edu/roy-richard-grinker https://royrichardgrinker.com/   Interested in ABA services for your child? Contact Us: https://lrnbvr.com/contact Interested in a career in the ABA field? Apply Now: https://lrnbvr.com/apply-now All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Kari Luther Rosbeck, President & CEO, TSC Alliance, and Steven L. Roberds, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, TSC Alliance join us for a discussion about Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSCA) a rare genetic disorder. This is an incredibly educational conversation on how this disease is identified and treated.  About 50% of those diagnosed with TSC, will also have a diagnosis of autism. Even if your child is not at risk for TSC, the thoughtful approach to treatment and resources can be valuable for all parents. As Kari shared, “When people are ready, they need to know; what are the  right questions to ask, what about genetic testing, what about medication, and how does that whole system work?”   Learn more about TSC Alliance by visiting tscalliance.org Interested in ABA therapy for your child? Contact us https://lrnbvr.com/contact All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com)

Dr. Temple Grandin returns to the podcast to discuss her latest book, Navigating Autism, which is a collaboration with psychologist Debra Moore, who has done extensive work with children, teens, and adults on the autism spectrum. This episode highlights Dr. Grandin's powerful personal insights and wisdom with practical support and help from Dr. Moore. In this lively conversation, Drs. Grandin and Moore delve into a number of topics, from how to teach your child basic skills to what you can do to identify and stretch your child's strengths and interests. The authors also share their belief that many educators, parents, and caregivers underestimate their kids, and they offer advice on what parents can do to help their child reach their highest potential.  Interested in ABA services for your child? Contact Us: https://lrnbvr.com/contact Interested in a career in the ABA field? Apply Now: https://lrnbvr.com/apply-now All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Corina Jimenez-Gomez, faculty at Auburn University, and Lauren Beaulieu a behavior analyst for 20 years join us to discuss the importance of culturally responsive services in ABA. Along with their extensive work educating others in this area, they each bring their personal experiences to this important conversation. Corina is a mother and Venezuelan native now living in Alabama. Lauren also shares insights she has gained from her marriage to an Italian immigrant. There is so much rich information about how professionals can take responsibility and action to better serve families. One bit of advice offered to those just beginning their careers was, “Do a self-assessment and then get the training and focus on those soft skills that we tend to ignore in masters programs. Focus on relationship building. You may have to step outside your program to get that.”   Training: https://institute.centralreach.com/pages/cultural-competency-in-applied-behavior-analysis Interested in ABA Services for you child? Contact Us: https://lrnbvr.com/contact Interested in a Career in the ABA Field? Apply Now: https://lrnbvr.com/apply-now All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Jennifer Cook was diagnosed on the autism spectrum at the age of 35 and is raising three children on the spectrum. She is the author of seven bestselling, award-winning books. This lively conversation had our host, Katherine Johnson laughing and crying. Jennifer provides perspective on why diagnosis has been widely missed in girls and women and promotes her philosophy of helping others, “Move from feeling like a mistake to feeling like a miracle”.   For More Information: https://www.jenniferotooleauthor.com/ https://www.sanctuary-magazine.com/autism-in-heels.html https://www.nowyoubelong.com/welcome   All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Jennifer Cook was diagnosed on the autism spectrum at the age of 35 and is raising three children on the spectrum. She is the author of seven bestselling, award-winning books. This lively conversation had our host, Katherine Johnson laughing and crying. Jennifer provides perspective on why diagnosis has been widely missed in girls and women and promotes her philosophy of helping others, “Move from feeling like a mistake to feeling like a miracle”.   For More Information: https://www.jenniferotooleauthor.com/ https://www.sanctuary-magazine.com/autism-in-heels.html https://www.nowyoubelong.com/welcome   All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Holly Lechniak Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Outreach Director for the AARTS (Autism Assessment, Research, Treatment, and Services) Center at Rush University Medical Center, joins us to share about the work of SPARK. This national study is working towards accelerating research, as well as our understanding of autism.  Holly shares, “Autism, as compared to other fields, is still relatively new in the area of research. There is still much to learn in order to continue to improve treatment, care, and quality of life for individuals across the lifespan.”   For More Information: https://www.rush.edu/services/autism-care https://sparkforautism.org/rush   All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Dr. Fred Volkmar, a professor at Yale University with over 40 years in the field of autism-related studies, joins us to provide perspective on how far we have come in the diagnosis, research, and services for individuals with autism.  With all the gains, there is still a great need for more research.  As Dr. Volkmar put it, “I think until we get more parents pushing for work on adults, we're just not going to see it. You have to put your money where your mouth is and I think the federal government needs to fund more research on adults with autism”. Dr. Volkmar also discusses his latest book written with his wife, Dorothy Goodwin which aims to provide parents with practical help for their family. For More Information: Book: https://lrnbvr.com/wiley Yale Autism Seminar: https://lrnbvr.com/yale-autism-seminar Center of Excellance on ASD: https://www.southernct.edu/asd-center All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).    

Dr. Danquah-Brobby is an international psychologist and board certified behavior analyst currently serving as the ABA Chair for the Chicago School of Professional Psychology's Washington, DC Campus. Paula joins us to talk about a variety of topics related to the education, professional progression, and interests of behavior analysts.  From teaching young learners to working internationally, this conversation highlights the many opportunities to diversify your work and experiences in the field of ABA. Paula and Richie discuss parallels in their careers and the moments that define success for their clients, their students, and themselves. As Paula shared, “I saw the beauty and the science of ABA and I thought - alright, I am going to be in this career for the rest of my life”.  For more information: https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/ https://www.facebook.com/TCSPPDC https://www.instagram.com/tcsppdccampus/ https://twitter.com/TCSPPDCcampus  All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Devon Sundberg, M.S., BCBA is the founder of the groundbreaking (and long overdue) Women in Behavior Analysis Conference (WIBA).  Devon shares how raising three daughters helped open her eyes to how gendered life can be (including party food). Having previously founded an ABA company (BACA) with her husband, Devon was acutely aware of the need for more awareness of the women in her field. Devon shared,  "The research shows, this is a field full of women and yet we haven't received the professional appointments or the awards or been invited presenters at the Ph.D. level." This year at the 5th WIBA conference(July 29-31), will include inductees to the Women in Behavior Analysis Hall of Fame. For More Information: https://thewiba.com/ https://www.facebook.com/womeninbehavioranalysis/ https://www.instagram.com/wiba_conference/ https://twitter.com/WomeninBA https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-behavior-analysis/ All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).  

Dan McManmon is President of the College Internship Program, also known as CIP, one of the world’s most comprehensive transition programs for young adults on the autism spectrum and learning differences. CIP operates full-year and summer programs at 5 center locations nationwide, offering specialized programs and services that help empower students to pursue higher education, employment, and independent living in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment. For More Information: Website: https://cipworldwide.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collegeinternshipprogram/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/cipadmissions Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cipworldwide/ All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Dr. Ronit Molko acts as an advisor to investors, service providers, clinical organizations, and communities, providing cutting-edge insights into the rapidly expanding field of behavioral healthcare. Dr. Molko helps leaders and delivery teams understand current trends and best practices, navigate complex care intersections, design innovative solutions, and identify and pursue intelligent behavioral health investment opportunities. Dr. Molko also serves on numerous nonprofit and for-profit boards. In 2001, Dr. Molko co-founded Autism Spectrum Therapies ( acquired by Learn Behavioral in 2016). As CEO, Dr. Molko established the company as a national provider of services for children with autism and other special needs. Dr. Molko also co-founded the Autism Investor Summit, an annual conference that brings together stakeholders in autism and behavioral health services to advance services and enhance outcomes for businesses and consumers alike. For More Information: https://ronitmolko.com/ All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Christopher Banks has a comprehensive background in human services and the healthcare arena, where he’s had a successful record of increasing fundraising efforts, measurably improving revenue strategies, and being a transformational leader committed to diversity and cultural growth. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Development and Community Engagement at Charles E. Smith Life Communities in Rockville, Maryland; here, he provided leadership in the development, implementation and evaluation of all philanthropic and community engagement efforts. His daily work supported the organization’s impact strategy, and aimed to accelerate growth while building strong community partners. A native of Hazlet, NJ, Chris has spent the better part of the last 25 years in the New York Metropolitan area, and has two adult children, Patrick and Quinn. He currently lives in Rockville, MD, and joined the Autism Society of America in January 2020. For More Information: https://www.autism-society.org/ https://www.autismacceptance.org/ LinkedIn: @Autism Society of America   Facebook/Twitter/Instagram @AutismSociety All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Annette Estes is a Research Professor in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences and Department of Psychology at the University of Washington. She holds the Susan & Richard Fade Endowed Chair and is the Director of the University of Washington Autism Center. She is a licensed psychologist in the state of Washington. Her research is carried out at the UW Autism Center and Center on Human Development and Disability. Dr. Estes has conducted intervention studies for very young children on the autism spectrum and is especially interested in the role of the family in supporting positive outcomes for children with disabilities. Dr. Estes leads the behavioral assessment core for a national network of researchers studying the brain and behavioral development of infants at high likelihood of developing autism.  For More Information: https://depts.washington.edu/uwautism/ All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Ira L. Cohen, PhD, specializes in autism and behavioral assessment. He received his PhD in psychobiology from Rutgers University in 1974 under the supervision of Dr. Michael R. D’Amato. He was an NIH post-doctoral fellow in experimental psychopathology and behavior therapy at NYU Medical Center from 1975-1977. He was then employed as a research psychologist at NYU Medical Center/Bellevue Hospital under the supervision of Dr. Magda Campbell, where he worked with children with autism from 1977-1980. There, he developed objective rating scales, a carpet-based activity monitor, and developed operant conditioning procedures for quantifying behaviors in the children. He joined the Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities in 1981 as part of the Autism Demonstration Project under the supervision of Dr. Erwin Friedman. There he served as a research scientist, and later, as head of the Division of Behavioral Assessment and Research, and chair of the Department of Psychology. He is currently the Visiting Research Scientist at the Institute. David Fuscus is a media relations expert who is the spokesperson for the National Coalition for Access to Autism Services. He is the CEO of Xenophon Strategies, Inc. To Sign the Petition Visit: https://saveautismservices.org/ For More Information: https://www.facebook.com/SaveAutismServicesforKids https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ira-Cohen-2 https://www.parinc.com/Ira-Cohen All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Dr. Sterling is a Clinical Psychologist specializing in ASD and coexisting conditions, including anxiety and depression. She earned her B.S. in Psychobiology from UCLA and her M.S./Ph.D. from the University of Washington. She completed her Clinical Internship in Developmental Disabilities at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. During her Postdoctoral Fellowship at UCLA, Dr. Sterling was awarded funding from the NIH to conduct research on the physiology of anxiety among autistic youth. Her academic positions have included: Clinical Faculty in the UCLA Department of Psychiatry, Staff Psychologist at the UCLA Child and Adult Neurodevelopmental Clinic, Interim Professor and Director of the Autism Center at Claremont McKenna College, and tenure-track Professor in the Department of Psychology, California State University Long Beach. Dr. Sterling continues to work with autistic individuals and their families through her private practices in Southern California. Her Book: https://amzn.to/3tbvuFr For More Information: https://lindseysterlingphd.com/ All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Adrienne Bradley graduated from Central Michigan University, in 2014 with a Bachelors in Exercise Science, and a minor in Psychology. After college she began working within the public school systems, where she found there was a need for services with students who were diagnosed with Autism. This is where her love for Applied Behavior Analysis began. In December 2016, Adrienne began her masters at Wayne State University. She graduated in December 2018 with a masters in Education Psychology, and a concentration in Applied Behavioral Analysis, then became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in August of 2018. She has experience working with children and adolescents within the home, school, and clinic settings. Adrienne has experience in teaching coursework within ABA and being heavily involved in the community. Adrienne's focus has been to provide education, experiences, and disseminate ABA to underserved communities. For More Information: BABA Conference: https://babaconference.org/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-bradley-m-ed-bcba-lba-2845aa180/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxo.contingencynerd/ All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com

Elena Bulfone is a member of the Board of the Regional Council for People with Disabilities, autism division. She has also served on the Conference of Italian Regions to the interinstitutional working group on autism as well as the  Council of People with Disabilities supporting museum accessibility. She has also partnered on the European project SIMPL for people with autism and intellectual disabilities. Elena's passion and expertise on special education and inclusion has lead to the creation of numerous Italian resources including: ABC Video Moed supporting independence; "Dottore Amico"; "Quit Hour for People with Autism, and the creation of a App that has won national and international prizes.  For More Information: http://www.progettoautismofvg.org/ https://www.facebook.com/progettoautismoFVG https://www.instagram.com/progettoautismofvg/ https://twitter.com/progettoautismo https://www.youtube.com/user/Progettoautismofvg/videos https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgVsjOnG2UzHKiVT2YDLQ0Q/videos All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Dr. Barry Prizant is a speech-language pathologist with close to 50 years experience as a researcher and international consultant for autistic individuals and their families. He is a Visiting Scholar at Brown University and Director, Childhood Communication Services. Publications include The SCERTS Model manuals, an educational approach implemented in more than a dozen countries, four books and 130 scholarly chapters and articles. Barry has presented more than 900 seminars and keynote addresses internationally, including two invited presentations at the UN for World Autism Awareness Day. He has received numerous honors for his career contributions. His recent book Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism (Simon & Schuster, 2015) is translated into 18 languages and is the recipient of the Autism Society of America’s 2017 “Dr. Temple Grandin Award for the Outstanding Literary work in autism”. In 2019, Book Authority ranked Uniquely Human #1 of the “100 Best Autism Books of all time”.  Where to find his book and more: www.barryprizant.com www.uniquelyhuman.com www.scerts.com All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Stephanie M. Peterson, Ph.D., is Professor Psychology and Chair of the Department of Psychology at Western Michigan University.  She earned her doctorate in Special Education at The University of Iowa in 1994.  Previously, she taught at Gonzaga University, Utah State University, The Ohio State University, and Idaho State University.  Dr. Becky Eldridge, BCBA-D, is the Clinical Director of WMU’s Kalamazoo Autism Center.  She obtained her master’s degree from the University of Chicago focusing on disability studies, and her Ph.D. in behavior analysis from Western Michigan University, under the supervision of Dr. Stephanie Peterson.  She has worked in homes, clinics, and school settings with professionals and parents from diverse backgrounds to implement effective interventions for children and young adults with autism and other developmental disorders.   For More Information: www.wmich.edu/psychology https://www.facebook.com/wmudepartmentofpsychology https://wmuace.com/kac   All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Simon Baron-Cohen is a Professor in the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry University of Cambridge and Fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge. He is Director of the Autism Research Centre in Cambridge. He is author of Mindblindness, The Essential Difference, Prenatal Testosterone in Mind, and Zero Degrees of Empathy. He has edited scholarly anthologies including Understanding Other Minds. He has written books for parents and teachers including Autism and Asperger Syndrome: The Facts. He is author of Mind Reading and The Transporters, digital educational resources to help children with autism learn emotion recognition, and both nominated for BAFTA awards. He serves as Scientific Advisor, Trustee or Patron to several autism charities including the Autism Research Trust, the Cambridge Autism Centre of Excellence, and to the company Auticon, which only employs autistic people. He has taken part in many television documentaries, including the BBC’s Horizon, and Employable Me. His Book: https://amzn.to/36sAm0s All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Tyra P. Sellers, JD, PhD, BCBA-D is the Director of Ethics at the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. She earned a B.A. in Philosophy and M.A. in Special Education from San Francisco State University, a J.D. from the University of San Francisco and a Ph.D. from Utah State University. Her professional and research interests focus on professional ethics, training and supervision, assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior, variability, and verbal behavior. Dr. Sellers has over 20 years of clinical experience working with individuals with disabilities in a wide variety of settings. She currently serves on the editorial board for three journals.   Linda A. LeBlanc, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Licensed Psychologist is the President of LeBlanc Behavioral Consulting.  Her 25 year career has included academic positions at Claremont McKenna College, Western Michigan University and Auburn University as well leadership positions in human services organizations. She established LeBlanc Behavioral Consulting in 2017 and consults to technology companies, universities, and behavior analytic human service organizations. Her research interests include behavioral treatment of autism, technology-based behavioral interventions, supervision and mentorship, leadership, and systems development in human services.   Where to Find Book: https://www.sloanpublishing.com/supervision   All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).