Autism Live

On this episode, Shannon welcomes Alex K Lin, co-founder of Autism Rocks.

Rachelle Vartarian, President and Founder of Living and Learning Enrichment Center, joins Shannon to about quality of life supports for adults on the autism spectrum, including housing, support groups, extracurricular activities, job training and much more.  

Today on the show Shannon welcomes Jessica Lee to talk about  Neurotalent Works and how they are helping to address the more than 80% unemployment rate for adults on the spectrum.  The jargon of the day is DEI.

Join Shannon and Moira as they discusses some of the hottest show that are currently available. 

On Today's show Shannon is joined by filmmaker Austin Wolff to discuss his new film, Wally Jackson and the Probability of Love and Car Accidents.  Today's jargon is Authentic Representation.

On today's show Shannon gives tips on how to handle your child's special diet restrictions at school.  Get the 411 on how to get is written in to your child's IEP and how to deal with birthdays, holidays and more!

TACA founder Lisa Ackerman joins Shannon to shed light on the new Autism Prevalence numbers released by the CDC in April.

On today's show Shannon Penrod, author of Autism: Parent to Parent, gives tips for making the summer a success for everyone.  It has to be fun, but it can also be a great time to learn and grow while having fun!

On today's show Shannon offers 10 small changes you can make today to lower the toxic load on your body and your children's bodies.

On Today's special episode Shannon talks with Dr. Temple Grandin about her biggest concerns for the autism community today.  Dr. Grandin also answers questions from viewers around the world.

Janet Elliot, author of The Alien Savant; the history of special education,/before the diagnosis of autism-neurodivergent family inclusion joins Shannon to discuss her book and the state of special education today.  Today's jargon term is FAPE.

¡Es temporada de IEP! Hoy Shannon repasa todas las partes de la reunión de IEP y lo fundamental que hay que entender en cada fase. Para los padres que no han pasado por el proceso o que sienten ansiedad, esta es una conversación fácil de entender que puede ayudarles a obtener la mejor experiencia educativa posible para su hijo.

En el programa de hoy, Shannon comparte consejos clave para ayudar a tu hijo a protegerse del acoso. Aprende cómo puedes trabajar para ayudar a tu hijo a evitarlo y cómo reaccionar cuando los acosadores se esfuerzan al máximo.

On Today's show Shannon welcomes Lisa Ackerman, founder of TACA to talk about Leucovorin.  This cancer drug was featured in a CBS news story for its off label use for Autism and Cerebral Folate Deficiency.  To learn more watch the CBS news piece here youtube.com/watch?v=QT4E2dPTbkc.    Watch the TACA Podcast to see Lisa Ackerman interview Dr. Richard Frye here: https://tacanowblog.com/2025/03/03/leucovorin-and-autism-a-repurposed-drug-with-a-lot-of-promise-by-lisa-ackerman/  or read more about Cerebral Folate Deficiency here: https://tacanow.org/family-resources/cerebral-folate-deficiency/ Want to read the study that is driving the discussion?  Click here: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4426/11/11/1141 Important programing note:  Leucovorin should only ever be taken after being prescribed by a physician after testing to show there is a need. 

Shannon is joined today by Harri James O'Kelley and Rabbi Jackie Redner to talk about their newest venture, a show entitled “The Neurodiversity of Kindness” the show will make it's world premier on April 27th at the Glorya Kaufman Center for the Performing Arts at Vista Del Mar.  Harri James O'Kelley shares news about The O'Kelley Labs new ventures and their ongoing program at Vista Del Mar called “Vista House of Lovingkindness.”  Rabbi Jackie Redner once again provide a loving message about the ongoing mission of Vista Del Mar to provide a loving base for all people of all abilities and all faiths.

En el programa de hoy, Shannon ofrece excelentes consejos para que el verano sea divertido, interactivo y educativo durante las vacaciones. En caso de duda, ¡regresa al aprendizaje experiencial tradicional para que cada momento del día sea un entorno enriquecedor desde el punto de vista educativo!

Únase a Shannon hoy mientras comparte sus consejos favoritos para trabajar hacia una relación positiva y colaborativa con la escuela y el personal escolar de su hijo.

On today's show Shannon is joined by Erin Walker and Kai Pai from Rutgers groundbreaking Peer Mentor program.  Today's jargon term is Peer Mentor.

Thomas D'Eri is Shannon's special guest today.  Thomas and his father, John D'Eri, co-founded the Rising Tide Car Wash, an innovative social enterprise to develop a scalable solution for employing individuals with autism. They opened the first car in Parkland, Florida in 2013. They were inspired to do this by watching John's son and Thomas' brother Andrew, a vibrant young man with autism, struggle to find his place in the world. Thomas shares with Shannon how the Rising Tide Car Wash has created an innovative model that intentionally designs the work environment in a way that empowers individuals with autism to thrive and produce extraordinary results.  Today's jargon term is :  Visual Supports.

En el programa de hoy, Shannon Penrod habla sobre el arma de doble filo del cumplimiento. ¿Es posible enseñar a un niño a ser obediente y al mismo tiempo enseñarle a ser un autodefensor eficaz? Sí, pero requiere algo de trabajo y atención plena... Vale la pena.

Ocurren terremotos, inundaciones y tormentas. Mueren seres queridos y mascotas. Ayudar a nuestros hijos a superar las secuelas de estos eventos suele ser abrumador para los padres. Esto es especialmente cierto para los padres de niños con retrasos en el habla, sociales y/o cognitivos. Shannon nos da sus diez consejos favoritos que ha aprendido de los expertos. Es posible que no todos funcionen para su hijo, pero es de esperar que al menos uno lo haga.

On this special episode regarding Toxicity, a panel of experts share research findings of the effects of lowering toxicity in pregnant mothers, babies, children, teens,

On Today's show Shannon welcomes Peter Prokop and Tommy Caamano, Co-Directors of Traveling the Spectrum a new TV series designed to help families with loved ones on the autism spectrum feel more confident about traveling. The show highlights real families as they embark on sensory-friendly vacations, breaking down barriers and proving that travel can be accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Statistics show that 87% of families with a loved one on the autism spectrum don't take vacations, but 93% say they would if there were more resources. Traveling the Spectrum helps fill that gap by showing what's possible.  Visit: www.travelingthespectrumshow.com for more information.  The jargon of the day is Systematic Desensitization.

En el programa de hoy, Shannon explica qué es ABA

En el programa de hoy, Shannon comparte cosas que puedes hacer hoy para apoyar a la persona que amas en el espectro.

Today, on World Autism Awareness Day Shannon is joined by Actor Coby Bird.  Coby shares details about his most recent acting job on the hit streaming show, The Pitt!  Coby and Shannon will discuss the theme for 2025's World Autism Awareness Day and what the day means to both of them.

On today's show author Jane Fischer joins Shannon to discuss parenting children with medical challenges and disabilities.  Jane's daughter has Joubert Syndrome, a rare disorder affecting the brain and the body. Jane rejected the limiting beliefs or her daughter's medical team, advocated for her daughter and in doing so changed her daughter's life.  Jane has chronicled her daughter's journey in her book, If You Knew Suzy, Pushing the Boundaries of Never.  The jargon of the day is Joubert Syndrome.  

Today on Autism Live Jason Eichenholz joins Shannon to discuss how parenting a child with autism inspired him to start Jonathan's Landing Foundation, and how his tech and entrepreneurial background helps him gather the resources to support adult with autism.  Today's jargon is: Executive Functions.  

Today Shannon talks about the different types of play, their importance and how to teach them to your child!  

On Today's show Shannon gives key information about what 504 plans can actually provide.  There has been discussion of doing away with 504 plans, but what would be lost?

On today's show Shannon Penrod gives tips for how to deal with anxiety about your child's future.  We don't have control over everything and sometimes even that thought can be overwhelming.  How can we all deal with the stress and the fears?  Tune in to hear what Shannon has to say.

On today's Parent to Parent Shannon gives heartfelt tips to avoid and bounce back from burn out.  Being a caregiver is a tough job, it's hard because the love you have for  your child is boundless, so it is easy to give and keep giving, until you have nothing left to give.  Recognizing and dealing with burn out is critical if you want to be survive, thrive and keep caregiving.

It's IEP season!  Today Shannon goes through all the parts of the IEP meeting and what is critical to understand at each phase.  For parents who have not been through the process or have anxiety about the process this is an easy to understand discussion which can help empower you to get the best education experience possible for your child.  

During today's show Shannon shares critical tips to help your child be bully proof.  Learn things you can be working on to help your child avoid bullying, and how to react when bullies try their best.

Jenny Palmiotto joins the show to talk about the Love and Autism Eras Tour.  Are you ready for it?  This is a very special event that blends love, acceptance, empowerment, and of course the music of Taylor Swift!  Visit www.loveandautism.com for more information.  Today's Jargon is Ableism.

It is the 3rd Annual Oscar Edition of Let's Talk Movies with Moira & Shannon!  Tune in to this live show where the ladies chat up the Best Picture Oscar Nominees!  What did Moira love?  What did Shannon hate?  It's always surprising! 

Maria Perrin, President of PPL, a Medicaid financial management services provider, joins Shannon to talk about self-directed care.  What does it mean?  How does it work?  Who benefits from self-directed care and how do you begin the process of implementing this kind of care?  The jargon of the day  is Fiscal Intermediary.  

In today's Parent to Parent talk Shannon gives tips on what to do when your child is engaging in challenging behavior at school.  Sometimes as a parent it feels so frustrating, a note comes home from school saying your child has done something that isn't appropriate.  What are you supposed to do?  You weren't there.  You don't know what happened, really.  It feels like a total loss of control.  Shannon gives the 411 on what you CAN do!  Feel empowered to support your child!

Nick Yates is Shannon's special guest on today's show.  Nick was a semi-regular on Autism Live, sharing his experiences and insights after graduating from college.  Now, several years later Nick returns to give us all an update on his life, finding love, a career as well as his thoughts now about all he has been through and all he has accomplished.  Today's Jargon of the Day is EIBI.

In today's show, Shannon gives transitions tips for individuals of all ages, what services change, what resources change? What is critical to know when your child starts school or leaves school. What do you need to know as your child becomes a teenager. 

Alex Lin, founder of Autism Rocks, joins Shannon to give updates on this year' concert as well as a heart to heart about autism in the news and how it affects Alex and potentially others who identify as being on the spectrum.  Autism Live is committed to providing a platform for those who are neurodiverse to tell their stories and opinions, however the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Autism Live, Autism Live's Host, or the Autism Media Network. Jargon: CBT

Author and Artist Kaz Windness joins Shannon to talk about her newest children's book "Bitsy Bat, Team Star" which will be released on February 4th, 2025. Kaz Windness is the Geisel award-winning, genre crossing illustrator and author of funny heart-warming books for young readers. Proudly neurodivergent (ASD/ADHD), Kaz specializes in character-driven books celebrating inclusivity, grit and kindness. Her many books include "Swim, Jim!", "Worm and Caterpillar are Friends", "When You Love a Book", and "Bitsy Bast, School Star".She is a professor of illustration at the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design and founder of the Cuddlefish Academy, where she inspires students to tell stories with pictures. Kaz lives in Colorado with her English teacher husband, two teen children and a bunny obsessed Boston Terrier named Remy. Kaz loves making deep dish pizza from scratch and sketching animals in the zoo. Today's jargon is PROSODY.

Join Shannon today as she shares her favorite tips for working towards a positive, collaborative relationship with your child's school and staff.

Autism Live is BACK in 2025!  On today's Parent to Parent show Shannon Penrod talks about 10 Positive Things You Can Do Today to Support the Person You Love on the Spectrum!  Is there a better way to spend your day?  Let's spread the love on the people who make our worlds go round. 

On today's show Shannon shares an important year end checklist to see if you are maximizing your child's success.  Tune in to hear tips on what questions you can ask yourself to get to the most progress and how to prioritize your lengthy to do list.  Today's jargon is Antecedent.

Matt Asner  joins Shannon to talk about this year's Gala performance of It's a Wonderful Life, benefitting The Ed Asner Family Center.  This year's performance will feature the cast of Spongebob Squarepants and some special guests. Audience members can view the show online or attend the LIVE performance at the Gary Marshall Theatre in Burbank, California on Dec 14th, 2024.  For more information or to purchase tickets visit: https://edasnerfamilycenter.org/events/wonderful-life/  Today's jargon term is Cognitive Distortion.

On Today's show Shannon welcomes Spela Repovs the Host and Co-Producer of the Global Autism Parenting Summit.  The summit will take place online December 9th-11th.  It will feature over 25 speakers and is completely free.  Parents can register by visiting: https://autism-summit.strategicparenting.com/.  Spela, who is the Chief Operations Officer at Strategic Parenting, shares all the information about this amazing upcoming summit.  Today's jargon is Errorless Learning.

Shannon shares 10…really 13 tips on what to do when you're on a holiday break and your kids have less services.  It can be a time of seclusion and frustration OR it can be a time to create new connections with your child!

On Today's show Shannon gives tips for a great GFCF Thanksgiving and just a great Thanksgiving in general. Today's jargon is Inhibition.

 Naomi Riley joins Shannon on today's show to talk about Differential Disabilities, Mental Health and Free EDU Resources.  Naomi Riley is a brain injury survivor turned influential motivational speaker, and her work is especially relevant for educators. As the founder of Text Pledge, a nonprofit based in Greater Grand Rapids, MI, Naomi focuses on addressing critical social issues in schools, from distracted driving to gun violence. Her 10 pledges encourage students to practice compassion, speak up against injustice, and support others during crises—values that resonate deeply within the education community.  The jargon of the day is Visual Supports.

Shannon shares her top resources for support, information and all things related to supporting a child/teen/adult on the autism spectrum.