1 in 31: Autism Today

This weekend's 1 in 31 guest is Alex K. Lin. Through his organization Autism Rocks, Alex will host the 8th annual Autism Rocks Concert at Universal City Walk in Hollywood on June 28th. He joined us before the concert to discuss all the details! Performers include: The Miracle Project, Laura K. Jane, Gemma Brooke Allen, Nico Vargas, Ethan Mathias, Lucas Metge, Dakota Lotus and more! The event will be co-hosted by Alex and Dani Bowman, and is sponsored by the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism.  Tune in to learn more, or watch the live stream: https://www.autismrocksevents.org and https://www.instagram.com/autismrocksevents/

This weekend's 1 in 31 guests are Richard Rakesh and Dr. Selvanayaki Venkatesan. Richard Rakesh is the Chief Consultant for Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation (VMRF), located in India. Dr. Selvanayaki Venkatesan is a Professor at the Annapoorna College of Nursing (A unit of VMRF). Richard and Dr. Venkatesan are visiting with us this month at Anderson Center for Autism, and we are excited to host them! Richard first learned about Anderson Center for Autism as an international scholar in the Anderson Center International program, he is back now as a consultant. 

Tune in to learn more or visit: https://vmrfdu.edu.in/

This weekend's 1 in 31 guest is Rick Soshensky. Rick is the founder and director of the Music Therapy Studio in Kingston, NY. He has been a Music Therapist for 30+ years and has lived his entire professional life in the world of music. The Music Therapy Studio was founded in 2012, and is open to people of all abilities. They offer in-studio, online/zoom, and home/school/facility visits. Each Friday, they host a FREE pilot program, The Community Music Therapy Project from 1PM to 3PM. "Make Music, Meet Friends, Have Fun"! Tune in to learn more or visit: https://themusictherapystudio.com/ 

This weekend's 1 in 36 guest is Kathleen Somers. Kathleen is the author of a recently published book titled 'Barely Visible: Mothering a Son Through His Misunderstood Autism'. The book is a candid memoir of Kathleen's experiences, being a parent of a child on the Autism Spectrum for the last 20+ years.

"For any parent who has ever struggled with a child’s difficult or peculiar behavior, this candid and compelling memoir about raising a child on the spectrum offers reassurance that you are not alone—and a path forward is possible."

Tune in to learn more or visit: https://www.kathleensomers.com/

Purchase Kathleen's book: https://www.amazon.com/Barely-Visible-Mothering-Misunderstood-Asperger/dp/1647428823

This weekend's 1 in 36 guest is James Bowers. James is the Program Director at the New York Sheriffs' Association located in Albany, New York. He joins us to discuss the Blue Envelope Program, and other safety programs rolled out by the NY Sheriffs' Association. The Blue Envelope Program aims to facilitate smoother communication and reduce anxiety during traffic stops for drivers with autism and other disabilities. Drivers with autism or other disabilities can obtain a blue envelope from their local sheriff's office (they are distributed to them by the NY Sheriffs' Association) and place their driver's license, registration, insurance card, and emergency contact information inside. Tune in to learn more about James, and the Blue Envelope Program!

This weekend's 1 in 36 guest is Alex K. Lin. Alex is the co-founder of Autism Rocks, a nonprofit concert event founded along with Ned Specktor in 2016.

Their main mission is to de-stigmatize any stereotypes people have on the Autism community by filling the concert with performances by musicians with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and by shedding a light on the bullying epidemic happening within the Autism Community.

Alex also discusses his Instagram live show - "Issues at Hand". Tune in to learn more or visit: https://www.autismrocksevents.org/

This weekend's 1 in 36 guest is Dave Kot. Dave is the co-founder of Autism at Face Value, a non-profit organization focused on providing social and emotional support programs for individuals with autism, primarily utilizing tabletop roleplaying games (RPGs). Dave founded the non-profit in Pennsylvania with his wife Angela, to educate the public about autism, raise awareness, and promote inclusivity. Recently, Autism at Face Value applied for, and won a grant from Anderson Foundation for Autism. Tune in to learn more about Dave, Autism at Face Value, and their plans for the future! Visit: https://facevaluecomics.wordpress.com/

This weekend's 1 in 36 guest is Dani Bowman. Dani is an entrepreneur, producer, speaker, and more! She was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age three, and did not speak until age six. You may recognize Dani from appearing on Netflix's Love on the Spectrum US as a cast member. Dani joins us today to discuss DaniMation, which she is the founder and CEO of. DaniMation, a cloud-based autism talent development company that produces original and contract Animation, Illustration, and Graphic Arts. They provide remote animation classes that are available in both group and 1:1 settings. Tune in to learn more or visit: https://danimationentertainment.com/online-classes/

This weekend's 1 in 36 guest is Gary Shulman. Gary was the Program Director of Social Services, Training Coordinator and Special Camp Fair Coordinator for Resources for Children with Special Needs, Inc. for over 24 years. He has now transitioned to the role of consultant/trainer on a private basis. Gary is also a published poet. He also serves as a volunteer Advisory Commissioner in Arlington, VA. Tune in to learn more about the virtual workshops he provides nationally, or visit: https://garyshulman.jimdo.com

This weekend's 1 in 36 guests are Dawn Danner and Deb Shoemaker. Dawn is the Director of the Uniquely Abled Academy at HVCC. Deb is the Interim Executive Dean of the Workforce, Community and High School Partnerships. 

Hudson Valley Community college is one of the first 16 colleges in the country, and the first in New York State, to host an innovative Uniquely Abled Academy, a division of the Uniquely Abled Project.

The Academy  welcomed its first cohort of students at HVCC in the spring of 2024 for a successful pilot program. Cohort #2 began in September of 2024. Tune in to learn more or visit: https://uniquelyabledproject.org/ or https://www.hvcc.edu/about/news/archives/2024/04/hudson-valley-launches-uniquely-abled-academy-to-train-students-with-autism-for-cnc-careers-open-house-may-2.html