Els for Autism program director Dr. Erin Brooker Lozott shares their work supporting all ages of autistic individuals, and previews their upcoming conference.

Dr. Erin Brooker Lozott, BCBA-D, CCC-SLP is the Els for Autism Foundation Program Director. She has been working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related disabilities across ages and settings for over 25 years. Erin is a doctoral-level board-certified behavior analyst and a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist. Before joining the Els for Autism Foundation staff, Erin worked for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta-Marcus Autism Center as the Community Interventionist Manager, participating in research and educational outreach community-based projects. Erin has co-authored several publications on autism spectrum disorder topics, and she has presented and consulted extensively on a national and international level. She is an appointed member of both a scientific advisory committee and a clinical excellence committee for international autism organizations. 

Els for Autism Foundation was established in 2009 by Liezl Els, Ernie Els, and Marvin R. Shanken. The Els’ son, Ben, is impacted by autism spectrum disorder, which affects 1 in 44 children in the U.S. The Foundation offers innovative, evidence-based programs for families and individuals across the life-span in six focus areas: Education, Research, Global Support, Recreation Services, Adult Services and Therapy Services.  The Els for Autism Foundation serves families around the world, and also offers in-person programs and services at The Els Center of Excellence® in Jupiter, Florida. Els for Autism® envisions a world of limitless possibilities for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families.

For more about Els for Autism: https://www.elsforautism.org/ 

RE-CREATING RECREATION CONFERENCE – MARCH 23 & 24, 2023
This conference will focus on demonstrating how RECREATION can be used as a platform for other therapeutic interventions. Speakers will include leaders in recreation programs and services, dedicated to improving the lives of autistic individuals. This includes some familiar names to the Different Brains audience like Dr. Stephen Shore and Dani Bowman! Event followed by optional Roots & Ruts Off-Road 5K Run/Walk on March 25th
Venue: The Els Center of Excellence (R) Campus, 18370 Limestone Creek Road, Jupiter, Florida 33458  
For more info about the upcoming Els for Autism conference, go to: https://bit.ly/Rec-Conference-2023 


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Els for Autism, with Dr Erin Brooker Lozott | EDB 287

Dementia self-advocate and author Michael Ellenbogan returns to discuss living with the disease, and his work raising awareness around the world.

Michael started having early signs at the age of 39, and spent over a decade to receive a diagnosis. Since then he has become a celebrated and tireless self-advocate seeking a cure, including having a letter for Alzheimer’s advocacy accepted into Congressional record.

For more about Michael: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%E2%98%85michael%E2%98%85ellenbogen%E2%98%85/

And look for his book “From the Corner Office to Alzheimer’s” on Amazon here: https://goo.gl/XEY9x4 


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Living with Dementia, with Michael Ellenbogen | EDB 286

In this second year-in-review episode, we are going to hear from neurodiversity change makers in medicine, education, therapy, and more we spoke with in 2022. Featured are: 

DR. ANGELIQUE HARRIS - Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion at Boston University School of Medicine / Associate Professor in General Internal Medicine, in the Department of Medicine / Executive Director of Faculty Development for Boston University Medical Campus.
For more about Dr. Harris’ work: https://www.bumc.bu.edu/medicine/profile/angelique-harris/

DR. PETER JENSEN - Board Chair and Founder of The REACH Institute / PREVIOUSAssociate Director of Child and Adolescent Research at the National Institute of Mental Health.
For more about REACH: https://thereachinstitute.org/  

LAUREN CLARKE - joint MD/MA in Education student at Stanford University working towards improving the quality of medical education related to caring for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
For more about Lauren: linkedin.com/in/l-clarke  

DRS. GEORGE AND OKSANA HAGERTY - Dr. George Hagerty if the president of Beacon College, and Dr. Oksana Hagerty is director of the college’s Center for Student Success.
To find out more about Beacon, visit: beaconcollege.edu 

DR. JOSEPH LENTO - educator / neurodiversity advocate / Conservatory-trained professional Musician.
To find out more about Joseph Lento, visit him at http://www.brasscomets.org/  

DR. JENNIE TROCCHIO - autism educator / speaker / Developmental Therapist / Vice President of Clinical Operations at Positive Development.
For more about Jennie’s work: positivedevelopment.com 

DR. JANICE RYAN - Founder and Director of Attunement Solutions, LLC / Doctor of Occupational Therapy / Human Systems Dynamics Professional.
To learn more about Dr. Ryan’s work: https://attunementsolutions.com/ 

SAMANTHA SALVER - dyslexia self-advocate, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and the Program Coordinator for Joshua's Path and BOOST at Jewish Family Services of Broward.
For more about Joshua’s Path: https://www.jfsbroward.org/ 

DAVID GESLAK - Founder and President of Exercise Connection.
For more about Exercise Connection: https://exerciseconnection.com/

TOM OLIVER - autism self-advocate, TEDx Speaker, and Global leader on autistic individuals caught up in the justice system.
To find out more about Tom’s work, visit: https://tomoliver.biz/ 

JHILLIKA KUMAR - ADHD self-advocate, co-founder & CEO of Mentra, a Georgia Tech graduate, and honorary degree recipient, and previous Grace Hopper Keynote speaker for neurodiversity empowerment.
For more about Mentra:
https://www.mentra.me/
  
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2022 in Review: Towards an Inclusive Society | EDB 285

In this first year-in-review episode, we are going to hear from a handful of the amazing neurodivergent self-advocates we’ve had the privilege of speaking with. Featured are: 

JUDE MORROW - Irish autism self-advocate, author, and speaker (full interview: https://differentbrains.org/loving-your-place-on-the-spectrum-with-jude-morrow-edb-258/ )
For more about Jude: 
https://judemorrow.com/
https://www.neurodiversity-training.net/ 
https://www.facebook.com/judemorrowauthor
https://www.instagram.com/judemorrow/
https://twitter.com/judemorrow10

TARA LERMAN - Journalist & Tourette Syndrome self-advocate (full interview: https://differentbrains.org/demystifying-tourette-syndrome-with-tara-lerman-edb-263/ )
For more about Tara: https://www.taralerman.com/ 

TOM OLIVER - autism self-advocate, TEDx Speaker, and Global leader on autistic individuals caught up in the justice system (full interview: https://differentbrains.org/autism-is-not-a-crime-with-australian-self-advocate-tom-oliver-edb-269/ )
To find out more about Tom’s work, visit: https://tomoliver.biz/ 
His TED Talk can be seen here: https://youtu.be/i_j5jOadcVc 

RYAN LUNDY - NVLD self-advocate (full interview: https://differentbrains.org/understanding-nvld-with-ryan-lundy-edb-272/ )
To find out more about the NVLD Project, visit: https://nvldproject.org/ 
To get in touch with Ryan, email him at: rhlundy85@gmail.com

BEN BOUDREAUX - autism self-advocate, a researcher, and a full-time graduate student at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia.  (full interview: https://differentbrains.org/fitness-and-autism-with-david-geslak-ben-boudreaux-edb-265/ )
For more about Exercise Connection: https://exerciseconnection.com/
For an article by Ben and David Geslak: https://exerciseconnection.com/wp-content/uploads/Exercise_is_a_Life_Changer_for_Those_with_Autism-2.pdf 

DR. JAMES WILLIAMS - autism self-advocate and Beacon College’s Director of Career Advisement/Development/Partnership (full interview: https://differentbrains.org/career-advisement-for-the-neurodivergent-with-beacon-colleges-dr-james-williams-edb-283/ )
To find out more about Beacon, visit: https://www.beaconcollege.edu/ 

JHILLIKA KUMAR - ADJD self-advocate, co-founder & CEO of Mentra, a Georgia Tech graduate, and honorary degree recipient, and previous Grace Hopper Keynote speaker for neurodiversity empowerment (full interview: https://differentbrains.org/mentra-creating-a-neurodiversity-employment-network-w-jhillika-kumar-edb-281/ )
For more about Mentra:
https://www.mentra.me/
https://www.instagram.com/mentrateam/
https://twitter.com/mentrateam
https://www.facebook.com/mentra.me/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mymentra 

SAMANTHA SALVER - dyslexia self-advocate, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and the Program Coordinator for Joshua's Path and BOOST at Jewish Family Services of Broward (full interview: https://differentbrains.org/joshuas-path-careers-for-neurodivergent-adults-with-sam-salver-lcsw-edb-259/ )
For more

2022 in Review: Advice from Self-Advocates | EDB 284

Autism self-advocate and Beacon College’s Director of Career Advisement/Development/Partnership Dr. James Williams discusses his work helping students find employment. 

(VIDEO - 31 mins) Beacon College, a private nonprofit college founded in 1989 in Leesburg, Florida, is the first accredited institution of higher learning designed with curriculum and support services to serve those students with dyslexia, ADHD, or other specific learning disabilities. They offer Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Human Services, Interdisciplinary Studies, Computer Information Systems, Psychology, and Business Management. It is regionally accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is licensed by the Florida Department of Education.

To find out more about Beacon, visit: https://www.beaconcollege.edu/ 
 

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Career Advisement for the Neurodivergent, with Beacon College's Dr. James Williams | EDB 283

ADHD self-advocate, autism mom, cognitive specialist, and parenting coach Bea Moise shares what she has learned from her neurodiverse household.

Beatrice (Bea) Moise, M.S., BCCS., is a Board-Certified Cognitive Specialist, Parenting Coach,  author of  Our Neurodivergent Journey and National Speaker. She  created A Child Like Mine to educate parents of children with unique atypical brains that have both behavior & learning needs, while giving them the tools they need to be successful at home. 

Bea has written for Autism Parenting Magazine, Charlotte Parent Magazine, Different Brains, Parents, PBS-Kids, The Everymom, and Verizon. She is a respected and trusted parenting coach and consultant in Charlotte, NC, and surrounding areas. Helping parents of children with Autism, ADHD and other behavioral challenges who are neurodivergent. Bea is frequently featured on WCNC Charlotte Parenting Today, and has been featured on Ballantyne Magazine, Mimosas with Moms, Peace & Parenting, People of Charlotte, &  Scoop’s Successful Charlotte Women providing tips for parents.  

Bea has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology; also, she also holds a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling with a specialty of Applied Behavior Analysis. Bea and her husband have two children, Jacob, who is awesomely autistic, and Abby, who is simply marvelous! 

For more about Bea: https://beatricemoise.com/ 

Bea’s book “Our Neurodivergent Journey” can be found on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Beatrice-Moise/e/B0B64MJMDK/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1 


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Navigating a Neurodiverse Household, with Bea Moise, MS, BCCS | EDB 282

Mentra CEO & co-founder Jhillika Kumar discusses their work creating a platform to connect neurodiverse talent with employers.

Jhillika Kumar is the co-founder and CEO of Mentra, a Georgia Tech graduate, and honorary degree recipient, and previous Grace Hopper Keynote speaker for neurodiversity empowerment. Jhillika’s passion for neurodiversity advocacy stems from her life experiences growing up as the sister of a nonspeaking autistic individual named Vikram and ADHDer herself. After 27 years of being unable to communicate his thoughts, Vikram learned how to type through an accessible letterboard. Uncovering his vast intelligence and eloquence inspired Kumar her to search for a solution to the need to empower those who society has overlooked. 

At Georgia Tech, Kumar partnered with Conner Reinhardt to found Mentra: the world’s largest neurodiversity employment network. After understanding the innate barriers to employment through community driven research, Mentra focused on the candidate experience to built a tech-platform that intelligently matches neurodiverse individuals with inclusive companies that value their unique abilities.

For more about Mentra:
https://www.mentra.me/

https://www.instagram.com/mentrateam/
https://twitter.com/mentrateam
https://www.facebook.com/mentra.me/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mymentra 


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Mentra: Creating a Neurodiversity Employment Network, w/ Jhillika Kumar | EDB 281

Jessica Kidwell of the Neuroversity Podcast discusses why listening to and highlighting the voices of neurodivergent self-advocates is so important. 

From Jessica’s bio: “Jessica Kidwell has been a lot of things. A freelance writer, a preschool teacher, a government employee, a bartender, a waitress, a lifeguard, and most recently, a podcaster. She is the host of the brand new podcast, Neuroversity, a space to learn about and elevate the stories of the neuro-diverse community. She is also the co-host of the podcast We Should Talk About That, which aims to connect people by having hard conversations about uncomfortable topics in a vulnerable and safe way. She believes that you never know where life will lead you and that staying open to possibilities is the only way to live. When she is not editing a podcast, promoting a podcast, thinking about a podcast, prepping for a podcast, or long pausing in a podcast, she loves spending time with her family and friends, not being in charge of deciding what’s for dinner, and constantly searching for ways to get more ‘self care’ into her life. She is married to a Renaissance man and has two children who are already smarter and funnier than her.”

For more about Jessica’s work:
https://www.neuroversitypod.com/
https://www.westatpod.com/ 
And look for her on Instagram:
@kidwelljessica
@neuroversitypod
@westatpod

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Elevating Neurodiverse Voices, with Neuroversity's Jessica Kidwell | EDB 280

BUSM’s Associate Dean of Diversity & Inclusion Dr. Angelique Harris discusses her work ending stigma in higher education. 

Dr. Angelique C. Harris is Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion at Boston University School of Medicine and is an Associate Professor in General Internal Medicine, in the Department of Medicine. They also serve as the Executive Director of Faculty Development for Boston University Medical Campus. Dr. Harris works to design, implement, and lead innovative programs and initiatives aimed at providing and promoting more equitable learning and working environments for faculty, staff, and students around issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice. An applied medical sociologist, Dr. Harris’s areas of research include race and ethnicity, gender and sexualities, health and illness, social movements, cultural studies, urban studies, and media studies. More specifically, they examine how groups construct health issues and how the structural marginalization and stigmatization they experience impact their experiences with health care. Dr. Harris has authored and co-authored dozens of books, articles, and essays, including Womanist AIDS Activism in the United States: “It’s Who We Are” (Roman & Littlefield, 2022), Queer People of Color: Connected but Not Comfortable (Lynne Rienner, 2018) and the Intersections of Race and Sexuality (Palgrave Macmillan, 2017) book series.

For more about Dr. Harris’ work:
https://www.bumc.bu.edu/medicine/profile/angelique-harris/
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Angelique-Harris 
 


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Diversity in Medical School, with BUSM’s Angelique Harris, PhD, MA | EDB 279

Positive Development’s Dr. Jennie Trocchio, Dr. Lina Moyano & Yomayra Mora-Perea share their work creating a new option in therapy for neurodivergent individuals. 

Dr. Jennie Trocchio is an autism educator, speaker, Developmental Therapist, and Vice President of Clinical Operations at Positive Development. Lina Maria Moyano, Ed.D., L.C.S.W. is an Autism Mental Health Care Professional and Clinical Director (Florida) at Positive Development. Yomayra Mora-Perea is a Neurodiversity Advocate and Business Development Manager (Florida) at Positive Development.

Positive Development’s mission is to “…help people with autism and other developmental differences build connections and shape their futures.” Positive Development follows the Developmental Relationship-Based Intervention (DRBI) model. From their website: “We help people with autism and other developmental differences build connections and shape their futures…” 
“…Started in 2019, [the company] is rooted in decades of experience with autism and other developmental differences. [Their team members] are parents, family members, self-advocates, and clinicians who believe deeply in the power of the developmental approach because [they] have seen firsthand how it has transformed [their and their] loved ones’ lives. [Their] passion… is to build the evidence base for developmental therapy, expand access to more families, and pioneer best practices for clinical support and care for individuals.”

For more about Positive Development:
https://www.positivedevelopment.com/

And look for them on the social media at:
https://twitter.com/PositiveDev
https://www.linkedin.com/company/positive-development-inc/
https://www.instagram.com/positivedevelopmenttherapy/
https://www.facebook.com/positivedevelopmenttherapy/ 


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Fostering Positive Development on the Autism Spectrum | EDB 278

Mara Myers shares her son’s journey with the autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder known as PANDAS.  

Mara Myers is a registered nurse, and the mom of a young son with PANDAS: Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections. According to the NIMH: “a child may be diagnosed with PANDAS when: obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), tic disorder, or both suddenly appear following a streptococcal (strep) infection, such as strep throat or scarlet fever; or, the symptoms of OCD or tic symptoms suddenly become worse following a strep infection. The symptoms are usually dramatic, happen “overnight and out of the blue,” and can include motor or vocal tics or both and obsessions, compulsions, or both. In addition to these symptoms, children may become moody or irritable, experience anxiety attacks, or show concerns about separating from parents or loved ones.”

Mara can be contacted through her family’s practice: http://www.spinesolutionsfl.com/ 

For more on PANDAS: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/pandas 


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What is PANDAS? with Mara Myers, R.N. | EDB 277

Developmental therapist Dr. Jennie Trocchio shares how DRBI therapy can help autistic individuals thrive and build great connections. 

Dr. Jennie Trocchio is an autism educator, speaker, Developmental Therapist, and Vice President of Clinical Operations at Positive Development. Positive Development’s mission is to “…help people with autism and other developmental differences build connections and shape their futures.” Positive Development follows the Developmental Relationship-Based Intervention (DRBI) model. 

Jennie is a Maryland native located in sunny South Florida. With a Bachelor’s from University of Miami in Special Education and Creative Writing and a Master’s in Exceptional Student Education and Reading, Jennie worked in special education in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. During this time she developed a focus on autism and was introduced to DIR/Floortime approach. This model was put into practice at CasaBlanca Academy, a non-profit school for students with autism, where Jennie became the lead teacher, Director of Education and later the President of the Board of Directors.

In 2013, Jennie graduated with a Ph.D. from Barry University in Special Education and Leadership with a focus in Autism. Her research included a collaboration with Dr. Rick Solomon, the Medical Director of the P.L.A.Y Project in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 2014, Jennie left her role at the school, and is currently teaching the autism courses at Barry University and Lynn University. She is certified in DIR/Floortime, PLAY Project and Teaching PLAY. 

For more about Jennie’s work:
https://www.positivedevelopment.com/
https://www.drjennie.co/ 


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Autism & DRBI Therapy, with Dr. Jennie Trocchio | EDB 276

Stanford University student & researcher Lauren Clarke, BS, MHA discusses why doctors need more education in neurodiversity. 

Lauren is a joint MD/MA in Education student at Stanford University working towards improving the quality of medical education related to caring for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She also takes pride in supporting and mentoring other medical students who are advocating for a more inclusive model of medical education. Lauren is a graduate of the MHA program at the University of Southern California and completed a LEND Fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. She is also presently an Albert Schweitzer Fellow, partnering with medical students to work with self-advocates and their family members to develop, publish, and disseminate an accessible collection of community-based resources that are accommodating of people with intellectual disabilities. 

Lauren is passionate about inclusive health and aims to increase the quality of medical care received by people, specifically adults, with intellectual and developmental disabilities through improving medical education and streamlining the process of healthcare delivery.

For more about Lauren:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/l-clarke/
https://twitter.com/laurenclarkemha 


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Training Doctors in Neurodiversity, with Lauren Clarke, BS, MHA | EDB 275

Gabriel Axel Montes, Ph.D. shares his work maximizing the brain’s potential through technology.

Gabriel Axel Montes, Ph.D., is a neuroscientist, consciousness educator, leadership coach, and facilitator of personal and organizational development and transformation.
Drawing from over a decade of neuroscience and consciousness research and experience as a facilitator, Gabriel taps latent human capability to optimize processes and unlock value from existing resources and human capital. He works to address today’s global complexities and risks through the application of practicable neuroscience- and psychology-informed models and tools that elucidate the subtle habitual patterns at the root of inefficiencies. In his work, Gabriel promotes and teaches meta-learning—the capacity of “learning to learn”, adapt, grow, change, and collaborate— to maximize human capability during organizational change.

Gabriel helps organizations synergize the relationship between human capital and technology implementation during digital transformation. He has worked with SingularityNET, the world’s premiere decentralized Artificial [General] Intelligence (AGI) organization, first by managing the initial $36 million fundraise as part of the launch team, and more recently he served as Head of People, leading a doubling of people count during a rapid growth phase and facilitating organizational development, collaboration, and well-being among its staff. Gabriel has conducted research in various subfields of neuroscience and published seminal work on the crucial role of neuroscience and consciousness in the design and ethics of (AGI) and virtual and augmented reality technologies.

Gabriel is bilingual (English & Spanish), an author, and an international speaker for diverse audiences on the intersection of consciousness, technology, and human culture, working and presenting at Harvard, Stanford, among various universities. Gabriel is a long-time mind-body/consciousness practitioner and instructor, eclectic experimental musician, and world traveler.

For more about Gabriel’s work, visit: 
http://www.gabrielaxel.com/ 
https://linktr.ee/gabrielaxel 
https://twitter.com/gabrielaxel 


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Technology and the Brain, with Gabriel Axel Montes, Ph.D. | EDB 274

Dr. Janice Ryan shares how awareness of sensory issues improves therapy for the neurodivergent. 

Dr. Janice Ryan is the Founder and Director of Attunement Solutions, LLC. She is a Doctor of Occupational Therapy, a Human Systems Dynamics Professional and has over thirty years of professional experience with changing lives.

Dr. Ryan has been an occupational therapist for over 30 years and has been researching body, mind, and spirit aspects of human systems dynamics since beginning her doctoral education in 2004. She also began practicing compassion mindfulness that year. 

Janice specializes in mental and cognitive health over the lifespan and applies a mindful therapeutic approach to treatment that has also been called compassion-focused therapy. She earned her Master of Occupational Therapy from Texas Women’s University in 1985 and Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Creighton University in 2007. 

As a Certified Human Systems Dynamics Professional, the “Adaptive Action” model is Janice’s mindfully present intervention plan. It is by seeing, understanding, and positively influencing current patterns that adaptation and system self-organization can be facilitated in a client or learner by the practitioner or teacher.

To learn more about Dr. Ryan’s work:
https://attunementsolutions.com/
https://www.sensory.health/
https://aamse.us/
 
For Helen: The Journal of Human Exceptionality visit: https://helenjournal.org/

For more about the Human Systems Dynamics Institute: https://www.hsdinstitute.org/ 


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Navigating Sensory Sensitivities, with Dr. Janice Ryan | EDB 273

Self-advocate Ryan Lundy shares his experiences with NVLD - Nonverbal Learning Disorder.

Ryan Lundy is a self-advocate for NVLD (Nonverbal Learning Disorder / Disability). He is also a teacher’s assistant at the Els Center for Excellence with Autism, and a special ambassador for the NVLD Project, an organization dedicated to raising awareness, building support, and creating helpful solutions for children, adolescents, and adults with NVLD.

To find out more about the NVLD Project, visit: https://nvldproject.org/ 

To get in touch with Ryan, email him at: rhlundy85@gmail.com


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Understanding NVLD, with Ryan Lundy | EDB 272

Master storyteller and author Eva Grayzel discusses how sharing stories helps people connect and succeed.

(VIDEO - 25 mins) Eva Grayzel is a master storyteller, author, performance artist, and cancer survivor. Eva explores the intersection of hope, healing and giving back, while telling compelling tales about facing death and living on to change the lives of countless others. An expert on interactive storytelling techniques with thirty years’ experience, Eva Grayzel brings new business strategies to life through the power of story. Eva is also the author and founder of the Talk4Hope Family Book Series.

To find out more about Eva’s work, visit: https://www.evagrayzel.com/

For information about Eva’s Six Step Screening for oral cancer: https://www.sixstepscreening.org/ 

For more about the Talk4Hope Family Book Series: https://www.evagrayzel.com/talk4hope 
 

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Neurodiversity and Storytelling, with Eva Grayzel | EDB 271

Beacon College’s president Dr. George Hagerty & director of their Center for Student Success Dr. Oksana Hagerty share their work with neurodivergent students. 

Dr. George Hagerty if the president of Beacon College, and Dr. Oksana Hagerty is director of the college’s Center for Student Success. Beacon College, a private nonprofit college founded in 1989 in Leesburg, Florida, is the first accredited institution of higher learning designed with curriculum and support services to serve those students with dyslexia, ADHD, or other specific learning disabilities. They offer Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Human Services, Interdisciplinary Studies, Computer Information Systems, Psychology, and Business Management. It is regionally accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is licensed by the Florida Department of Education.

To find out more about Beacon, visit: https://www.beaconcollege.edu/ 
 

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Beacon College: Helping Neurodivergent Students Succeed, w/ Drs. George & Oksana Hagerty | EDB 270

Australian self-advocate Tom Oliver discusses his work helping autistic individuals caught in the justice system.

Tom Oliver is a TEDx Speaker and Global leader on autistic individuals caught up in the justice system. He is expected to graduate with LLB and BBioMedSc from The University of Notre Dame Australia, in 2023. He plans to graduate with First Class Honours in Law, in 2023. Subsequently, he plans to be admitted into the LLM at Harvard Law School, in 2024. Tom further works as an Autism Consultant at Savannah Legal Barristers & Solicitors, advising on autistic offenders, and assisting in obtaining tailored, non-custodial sentences. He has a keen interest in litigation, governance, human rights law, intellectual property law, criminal law, banking and finance law, and genetics/neuroscience.

In his spare time, Tom mentors fellow autistic youths across Western Australia. He also speaks at global events/seminars/webinars, advocating for autistic individuals caught up in our justice system, and in gaining employment, through: TED; the Institute of Neurodiversity; CoderDojo; The Business of Autism; IBM's Neurodiversity Celebration Month as Keynote Speaker; Visa; Asda; Tesco; Hogan Lovells; Rolls-Royce; radio stations (89.7fm); Engaging Education; the Western Australian Association of Teacher Assistants Inc. (WAATA); People with Disabilities WA (PWdWA); The Annual Summit on Autism Expo; and The Law Society of Western Australia.

To find out more about Tom’s work, visit: https://tomoliver.biz/ 

His TED Talk can be seen here: https://youtu.be/i_j5jOadcVc 
 

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“Autism Is Not a Crime” with Australian self-advocate Tom Oliver | EDB 269

PDA North America founder Diane Gould discusses the “Pathological Demand Avoidance”, and its occurrence along the autism spectrum.

(VIDEO - 30 mins) Diane is a therapist, consultant, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has worked for both private agencies and school systems.  She has served as a consultant and been a guest lecturer for many area school districts, parent associations and private agencies. She is proud to be the first American professional with a certification in Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome. 

To find out more about Diane’s work, visit:
http://www.dianegouldtherapy.com/
http://www.pdanorthamerica.com/
 

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