Taking Authority Over Autism

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.

Oftentimes, parents who have kids with autism don't get much sleep because the only time they can get work done and complete chores is after their kids go to bed. Dr. Abigail Miller, Chief Medical Officer from UnitedHealthcare of Minnesota offers tips for how to sleep better and get healthy for spring.

Sheletta tells you all about a college for kids with autism and how their annual fundraiser coming up this weekend makes it possible for more adults on the spectrum to learn to live independently successfully. 

In honor of Women's History Month, Dr. Alta DeRoo, the Chief Medical Officer at Hazleden Betty Ford talks about the challenges of being a trailblazer. She also shares how Former First Lady Betty Ford's journey continues to inspire and empower women today.

Minnesota's drug overdose deaths dropped nearly 5% from 2022 to 2023, according to new CDC data thanks in part to education and awareness provided by organizations like Steve Rummler Hope Network.

Sheletta is blown away by the performance of Nisi Collins as "Adrienne" in MIlo Imagines The World at Children's Theater Company in Minneapolis. So much so, that she asks the actress to mentor her autistic daughter who wants to be in a school play.

Sheletta chats with her friends from Pacer about housing options once adults with autism age out of school based programs and services. 

Sheletta chats with her friend Shontel Booker of Dream in Color Yoga studios about how we can use yoga and medication to make our autistic children and ourselves more calm and at peace during times of stress.

Sheletta's friend Shannon Gibney recently wrote a book that will help teach your child about the modern day civil rights struggles and the legacy of George Floyd.

Students with autism sometimes struggle with school avoidance. Sheletta chats with her friends at Pacer about a free workshop that offers parents some positive intervention to help their children. 

Sheletta talks to the folks at Dunwoody College about the programs they have available for autistic adults who age out of school based services.

Sheletta chats with her friends at Washington County to help families stay healthy for the holidays.

Sheletta was shocked when Karen Tolkkinen took her 12 year old son's cell phone, but safety was an issue. The ladies talk about how to manage your child's mobile device so they can have fun without falling prey on the internet.

Sheletta chats with Josephine Martinez, the owner of a new indoor playground in Woodbury especially designed for kids with special needs.

Sheletta chats with Rachel Johnson from Comcast about how you and your family can help spread holiday cheer for those less fortunate for Christmas and how signing up to being an Xfinity Rewards customer has some Wicked perks!

After years of struggling to get her autistic kids to the mall to get pictures with Santa, Sheletta met Santa Clarence. He's a Minnesota based Santa who is more than happy to visit homes and has training in how to bring a season of joy in a sensory friendly way.

If your autistic child is old enough to vote and chooses to the absentee option, Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon says it's important to make sure their signature on the ballot matches the signature on their identification, otherwise, it might get rejected.

Need help finding a way to relax from the stress of raising a child with special needs? Sheletta shows you how yoga is helping her stay calm and cope with the challenges of having three kids on the spectrum on the latest episode of her podcast.

Sheletta says you don't have to feel isolated when caring for your autistic child and introduces parents to Family Voices of Minnesota, a place where they can find not just support, but friends.

Sheletta shows you how you can have a safe and fun Halloween with your special needs children.  

Sheletta chats with Diane Cross from Fraser about their upcoming gala and how folks can make a difference in the lives of young people and adults with special needs.

Sheletta chats with Carolyn Allshouse about how Family Voices of Minnesota helps parents of kids with disabilities find their voice, and a few friends along the way.

Kids with special needs like autism often have other health challenges which can result in increased medical costs. Sheletta talks to Senator Liz Boldon about a new Minnesota law that helps families.

In this week's episode, Sheletta interviews Michelle McIntosh, the Senior Social Worker for foster care in Washington County, MN to discuss the importance of culturally similar foster homes. Listen in to learn more.

New children's books celebrate the Ojibwe culture and introduce early readers with the culture and language of the people.

Flu season is just around the corner. In this week's episode, Sheletta talks with Dr. Daniel Fick, CMO or Hy-Vee's heath and medical initiatives, who shares what you can do to help keep yourself more safe from the flu. Listen in to learn more.

Sheletta chats with her friends from Hennepin County to educate caregivers how they can help the autistic adults in their lives vote in the upcoming presidential election.  

Sheletta chats with her friends from Summit Academy OIC about educational opportunities for adults to learn trades like construction, financial services and medical assistants. 

Live from the MN State Fair, Sheletta chats with her friends from Accra all the help they've provided for her special needs kids and the transition from PCA program to CFSS that will start happening in October and how that will impact families on the latest episode of autism her podcast.

Sheletta chats with the curator of Black Grit, an art exhibit in Minneapolis, about how kids with autism can harness the power of art to learn and to express themselves.

Washington County is helping parents get their kids ready to go back to school with a free backpack giveaway event that includes haircuts. 

The 988 Minnesota Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress. Sheletta chats with Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy professional Lambers Fisher about how Black people can get over the "fear factor" and get help when they need it.

Duzong Yang with the Minnesota Department of Health tells Sheletta and her listeners how to make sure you have a safe home for your children. 

Sheletta chats with her friends at Metro Transit to talk about their TAP program that allows riders to get $1 rides on buses and light rail lines if they qualify.

Low income housing units in St Paul will now have access to internet services thanks to a new program from Comcast. Stacy Kumar-Nelson explains to Sheletta how that will help families in underserved communities and create digital equity.

This September, a new Lutheran Social Service early learning center will provide high quality preschool for families in St. Paul. Sheletta makes sure all the parents on the East Side know about the center, the childcare options and the jobs that are available. 

Sheletta chats with William Fitzgerald, one of the stars from the movie Ezra. It's the story about a dad whose son has autism and the challenges he faces raising his special needs child. William plays the son in the film.

Sheletta chats with her friends from the Autism Society of Minnesota about their annual fundraiser and the fun things they have planned for kids on the spectrum this summer.

Sheletta shares information about kinship support resources and services available through Lutheran Social Service so that family members and friends who take in and house folks in need can get the help they need.

Nobody knows how to take care of your special needs child better than you do. Which is many parents find success with self directed care.

In honor of Autism Awareness Month, the Saint Paul Saints host a sensory friendly day at the ballpark for neurodiverse fans.