Life on The Spectrum

So many amazing and heartfelt stories have been told during the pandemic.  The front line heroes, working tirelessly to stay on top of this. Stories from those who have recovered from COVID-19, and from others who have suffered great loss. For some, it has been challenging in a different way. There are families who have considerably more to deal with at home, like having a child with autism. These are some of the stories from families who live Life on the Spectrum. For more episodes, visit www.lifeonthespectrumpodcast.com.

COVID-19 has turned things upside down...A change in routine and a world of uncertainty is confusing and disruptive, especially for people living with autism who thrive on predictability and structure. Join host Katie Bennison as she checks in with other parents living on the spectrum about how things are going at home during the pandemic. Hear what other families in the autism community are doing to support their loved ones during this time. Tips for coping with isolation, self-care and activities to keep our kids engaged. What's tough, what's been helping? Coping with COVID...

We hear so much about the challenges that people living on the spectrum face, it’s easy to lose sight of the remarkable strides that people with Autism have made in all areas of society — In this episode, we are celebrating the success of Dr. Temple Grandin, a leading advocate in the Autism world, and a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. Temple Grandin has appeared on the cover of Time, delivered a famous TED talk, had an award-winning film made about her life, authored a myriad of books and traveled the world educating people about autism. In a very special Life on the Spectrum interview, Dr. Grandin shares how she overcame her own obstacles to achieve success, and offers excellent advice for today’s parents on helping kids with autism build a successful life. Dr. Grandin believes that "the world needs all kinds of minds." We couldn't agree more! We’ll also hear from our wonderful teen and parent Autism Roundtables.

Adolescence is tough enough as it is -- but what happens when you throw Autism into the mix? In this episode, our teen and parent roundtables share their thoughts on the teenage years, and some of what they have to say may surprise you. Plus -- Katie speaks with Claire-Winson Jones, a psychologist at ABLE Development Clinic in Vancouver who works with teens on the spectrum. She offers some great advice about supporting your teen with ASD through their high school and post-secondary journey. 

Families living with Autism will tell you: there are a lot of great therapies out there to help your child grow, develop, and overcome challenges. They'll also tell you that therapy is expensive and that government funding -- while helpful -- doesn't go far enough in covering the costs. How can families balance their general household finances with their Autism-related expenses in a way that lets everyone eat out at a restaurant occasionally? Katie speaks with Frank Danielson, one of the parents on our Autism Parents Roundtable, who is also a senior financial planner at Assante Wealth Management, to get some tips. 

Brightly lit classrooms, crowded cafeterias, constant bells ringing... these are just a few of the particular challenges kids living with Autism face when they enter the school system. Not to mention learning comprehension, organizational and social skills.  Fitting in at school can be daunting. Just ask Dana Lee, whose son, Taylor, is on the spectrum, and is about to start Kindergarten. So what are some of the ways to help your neuro-diverse child navigate school? We spoke with Marc Taillefer, a learning support teacher from the North Vancouver School District, about how schools support kids on the spectrum.  And we reached out to Behaviour Consultant Kathryn Theroux for great advice for parents on how to advocate for your child in school.

One of the biggest challenges of autism is the social side. So in this episode, we focus on solutions. Meet Vicky Ryan, a mom whose own daughter, Charlotte, is on the spectrum. When Charlotte was struggling with social opportunities, Vicky founded Girls Club - an amazing, accessible club especially for girls with neurological or developmental differences.  We also hear from Carol Gray, an award-winning educator and consultant who is best known for developing Social Stories, an evidence-based approach used worldwide to teach social skills to people on the spectrum.  And finally -- a guest appearance by globally renowned speech-language pathologist Michelle Garcia Winner -- recognized for her work helping students overcome their social and communication challenges. 

Obtaining an Autism diagnosis for their child is a daunting prospect for many parents. So on this episode, we talk about what it really means. What is the process like, and what are the benefits? We'll hear from Sarah Benedetti, a mom whose son was recently diagnosed, and Dr. Nicole Ricci-Stiles, a specialist in diagnosing children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We'll also meet Andrew, a successful computer programmer who will share his feelings about never having received an official diagnosis, though he's lived with Autism his whole life. A spectrum of responses to help you navigate the spectrum!  For additional resources, clips and to learn more visit our website.  And don't forget to follow us on Facebook. 

A brand-new podcast for families living with Autism. Hosted by broadcaster and special education assistant Katie Bennison, who has a teenage daughter on the spectrum. Featuring the voices of parents, educators, doctors, therapists, and most of all -- people with Autism. Through shared stories and expertise, families stay informed, empowered and connected. Autism is so much more than a diagnosis. It's a community. This podcast is a powerful touchstone for those connected to life on the spectrum. For additional resources, clips and to learn more visit our website.  And don't forget to follow us on Facebook.