Taking Authority Over Autism

Sheletta chats with her friends at Steve Rummler's Hope Network about how folks in Washington County can help provide naloxone to people in need to prevent opioid overdose deaths. 

 For families in St. Louis Park who need help upgrading their homes but can't afford it, Sheletta tells you about some funding you can tap into to get it done on the latest episode of her autism podcast.

Now, 1 in 34 children in Minnesota has autism, and many school-based programs exist to help meet their needs. But at some point, they'll grow up. What happens when it's 1 in 34 elderly people on the spectrum? What's available for them then? One Minnesota-based organization, Hammer and N.E.R., has a new campaign and hopes to provide the long-term care many parents will be looking for in the future.

Sheletta chats with her friend Dee Torgerson from the Vocational Rehabilitation Office at Minnesota's Department of Employment and Economic Development about how the program helps people with autism prepare for, find and keep a job. https://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/disabilities/

As Sheletta's oldest autistic son, Brandon, gets to the age where he can find a job, her biggest challenge is getting him there. She called her friend Barbara Bursack, a mobility manager at GoWashingtonMN.com, to explore safe transportation options and training for him.

Sheletta is so excited that her autistic kids are getting active in after school programs like theater and debate team. She's encouraging other parents to take a leap of faith and sign up their high functioning children on the spectrum for extra curricular activities. Up first: The Civics Bee! www.ymcanorth.org/locations/center_for_youth_voice/programs/national_civics_bee

There are billboards popping up all over town that say Mississippi students have better reading test scores than children in Minnesota. What in the world? If Mississippi, known for being dead last in education every year, is better than us, what is that saying about our schools? Sheletta's talking to the brilliant brain behind these viral billboards and what conversation he hopes parents will spark with their schools and teachers, especially moms and dads of autistic kiddos. 

Sheletta chats with her friends at Dakota County Technical College and Inver Hills about the two college communities and their upcoming merger, and how it's a win-win situation for neurodivergent students on the latest episode of her autism podcast .**Please note** The merge between the colleges is still pending approval by the Higher Learning Commission and the Minnesota State Board of Trustees.

Start the new year right by breaking some bad habits that you picked up during COVID like smoking. On this week's episode of Taking Authority over Autism, Sheletta shows you how to put down the cigarette and pick up the phone to call  Quit Partner at 1-800-QUIT-NOW. They have programs, medication and one-on-one coaching to help you break free from your nicotine addiction.  https://www.quitpartnermn.com/

Sheletta is trying to figure out how to get her 7th grader to theater camp and her 8th grader to debate practice while picking up her 5th grader from school all at the same time. Being a divorced parent of three kids with autism, she's got to be careful about how they get to their appointments and after-school activities. She was excited to find out about HopSkipDrive, a supplemental student transportation service that uses vetted CareDrivers to provide rides with just six hours notice.

Sheletta introduces her listeners to the Minnesota Autism Center Midwest, a trusted autism therapy center that serves children on the spectrum. She chats with MAC Midwest's CEO Christine Bent who has been a leader in healthcare for three decades.

 Holiday stress is hard, but you don't have to struggle alone. Sheletta chats with Jihan Ali from Hennepin County who shares information about a vital resource that offers help for you to COPE if you're in crisis mode so you can get back to living your best and healthiest life.

Black moms share their experience of fighting for fairness for their autistic children both inside and outside of their homes. Sheletta chats with Vinyarie, a fellow African American autism mom who says a library story time with her son crushed her spirit then made her a crusader for equity for neurodiverse children. 

Sheletta chats with Andrea Lawson Founder and Chief Principal Consultant of HealthEQ Solutions, where she partners with organizations to design inclusive systems, about what it looks like to provide culturally competent care to Black neurodiverse children. 

Sheletta sits down and chats with the CEO, Christy Sovereign, to get all the details. Visit https://2026specialolympicsusagames.org/ 

Sheletta chats with Dr. Ruth Lynfield with the Minnesota Department of Health about the importance of getting children vaccinated as we begin to visit family and friends for the holiday season.

Sheletta is chatting with Rita Soronen, President & CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, about how the organization is working to erase disparities for neurodiverse children waiting to find forever homes.

Sheletta chats with Attorney Marquel Longtin with Postman Law about medical negligence during childbirth and how you can determine whether or not you have a case. To contact Postman Law, log on to their website. https://www.postmanlaw.com/

Sheletta Brundidge sits down with Peter Musimami Founder and CEO of Gumbo — a digital health platform designed to simplify and improve access to healthcare for underserved families.

Sheletta Brundidge speaks the REAL truth about WIC with Harris County WIC Field Supervisor Joy Hamilton — and why more families qualify than they realize.

On this powerful episode of Taking Authority Over Autism, host Sheletta Brundidge teams up with Your Path Health to tackle the growing impact of opioid use on families and communities. Together, they discuss how education, advocacy, and access to support can help prevent addiction and promote healing. Tune in for an honest, hope-filled conversation about breaking the cycle and building healthier futures.

Host Sheletta Brundidge sits down with WAdvocates to raise awareness during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. They discuss how to support survivors, break cycles of abuse, and build safer communities. Learn more at wadvocates.org.

In this episode of Taking Authority Over Autism, Sheletta Brundidge speaks with researchers from SPARK, the largest autism study ever conducted. With more than 400,000 participants nationwide, SPARK is changing how we understand autism—but there's still work to do. Join Sheletta as she amplifies the call for inclusion in autism research and shows how every family's story can help spark change.  

In this episode of Taking Authority Over Autism, host Sheletta Brundidge highlights Washington County's Parent Support Outreach Program (P.S.O.P.), a resource designed to help families access support before a crisis hits. Learn how P.S.O.P. connects parents with tools, guidance, and community to strengthen families raising children with autism and beyond.

In this episode of Taking Authority Over Autism, host Sheletta Brundidge sits down with the team from PACER.org to talk about their upcoming Tech Expo on October 11th. Discover how innovative technology is helping families and individuals with autism gain independence, confidence, and connection. Don't miss this inspiring conversation about resources that make a real difference. #TakingAuthorityOverAutism #ShelettaBrundidge #PACERCenter #AutismAwareness #TechForGood

On this episode of Taking Authority Over Autism, host Sheletta Brundidge chats with the owner of Kul Mocks, a women-owned company making delicious, ready-to-drink mocktails. They talk about how these alcohol-free beverages are creating inclusive celebrations for families who want to enjoy parties and social gatherings without the risks of alcohol. Tune in to learn how Kul Mocks is changing the way we toast life's biggest moments.

After seeing a spike in her blood pressure and cholesterol levels, Sheletta tapped her friends at NorthPoint Health & Wellness for tips so she could learn to eat right so she could manage diabetes and heart disease on the latest episode of her podcast. To learn about NorthPoint's services, log on to northpointhealth.org.  

In this episode of Taking Authority Over Autism, host Sheletta shares her personal journey as a new mom navigating the challenges of raising her firstborn. She opens up about attending Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) classes and how they provided the tools, support, and confidence she needed to help her child thrive. She also sits down with the ECFE team to highlight the resources available for parents just like her. If you're looking for guidance, community, and practical strategies, this conversation will show you that you don't have to do it alone.

On this episode of Taking Authority Over Autism, host Sheletta Brundidge takes a hard look at the gaps in autism diagnosis.  She's joined by a specialist from the University of Minnesota's Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain to share expert insight on this topic. 

On this episode of Taking Authority Over Autism, host Sheletta Brundidge talks with Reach for Resources about the programs, tools, and support available for individuals with disabilities and their families. From navigating services to accessing community resources, this conversation offers practical guidance and encouragement for caregivers and loved ones. Tune in to discover ways to empower and support those living with disabilities.

Sheletta chats with her friends at Reach for Resources about the inclusive services they provide at city parks in Brooklyn Center, Chanhassen, Crystal, Edina, and other Twin Cities metro suburbs so that kids and adults with autism will have additional support to enjoy camps and other activities on the latest episode of her Taking Authority over Autism podcast.

This week on Taking Authority Over Autism, host Sheletta Brundidge spotlights Washington County's incredible back-to-school event, where families can get vaccinations, free school supplies, and so much more. Learn how this celebration helps kids kick off the school year healthy, prepared, and confident.

In this episode of the Taking Authority Over Autism Podcast, host Sheletta sits down with the team from Child Care Aware for a real, honest conversation about finding the right childcare for your family. They're all about finding what works best for each family—because every child deserves quality care, and every parent deserves to feel supported.

In this episode of Taking Authority Over Autism, host Sheletta Brundidge spotlights ChangeTheOutcome.org, a powerful platform working to bridge the gap in autism care and equity. She talks about how this organization is changing the narrative. If you're tired of feeling like you're navigating this journey alone, this episode gives you hope, resources, and real talk from someone who lives it.

On Taking Authority, Over Autism Podcast with host Sheletta Brundidge, she's talking about transformation. This episode explores how families can use collaborative communication between parents and children to build healthier relationships and families.

Sheletta chats with the owner of a new daycare in Mankato, Minnesota that specializes in caring for children on the spectrum on the latest episode of her podcast.

Sheletta talks to the people behind a new documentary that highlights critical role of disability caretakers on the latest episode of her autism podcast.

Sheletta talks to the organizer of a teen summer camp that hopes to teach kids about dollars and cents on the latest episode of her podcast.

Sheletta talks to her friends at Pacer Center who are warning parents about possible legislation that wants to use restriction in the classroom to manage the behaviors of kids with autism on the latest episode of her podcast.

This week on her podcast, Sheletta tells her listeners about WayMakers, a new recovery community in Forest Lake that hopes to a strong community of support for people recovering from substance misuse. This show has been brought to you in partnership with Washington County Public Health and Environment.

On the latest episode of her autism podcast, Sheletta chats with Mikisha Nation with Teach for America about her efforts to get more people to become teachers, which is important because there is a lack of special education teachers across the country.

Sheletta shares the story about her son Daniel was non-verbal for the first five years of his life until he started singing. The mom of three autistic kids learned that the child could be taught through music. This week she chats with Shana Moses who directs a choir of dementia patients and says music motivates them to remember things that doctors, and family members think they've long forgotten.

Sheletta chats with her friends from the Minnesota Twins to let everyone know about the Autism Awareness Day at the ballpark coming up on May 28th.

Sheletta chats with her pals at the Stearns County Sheriff's Office about a new program they've implemented that hopes to make it easier to find kids on the spectrum who wander away on the latest episode of her podcast Taking Authority over Autism.

Sheletta chats with her friends at Banyan Community Center about how they help children in the Phillips Neighborhood with after school and mentoring programs and how they've got an event coming up that allows people to help them keep doing the good work.

Sheletta chats with Roxana Segura about Project Salud, a program through Wellshare that aims to provide information and make connections within the Hispanic community to battle opioid misuse on the latest episode of her podcast.   

Sheletta talks with Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon about how Minnesota was able to take the top spot for youth voter turnout and more on the latest episode of her autism podcast.

Sheletta chats with Dr. Artika Tyner about how drug abusers are seeking refuge in library bathrooms, putting families and children at risk.

Sheletta joins a North Philly organization to host a special day on April 12th for kids on the spectrum and their families for Autism Awareness Month.

There is a free workshop for parents who have special needs kids experiencing  bullying in school. It'll teach you how to get help through your support team so that your child can have a successful and safe school year.

What happens to your special needs child if budget cuts happen or the Department of Education is shut down? Sheletta chats with an expert who can help you develop a plan for your neurodivergent child.