A 25 Year Look Across the Spectrum with Kelly Bermingham & Jen Lucero

Kelly talks about the research she has found, resources she uses and her experience over 25 years teaching puberty skills, safe sex skills and supporting the unique social emotional challenges children and adults need support in regarding their sexuality.

Understanding what happens when autistic kids are hitting puberty is greatly under-researched. It may be a roller coaster but it is no quick ride. We scratch the surface talking about all of the challenged that come up, and decide to walk through a path of breaking down each topic to consider the brain, body and social nuances of puberty and sexuality.

Puberty is extra challenging for autistic people- yet no one talks about it!  Why? Well we are going to talk about. All month!  Hear Barbie's story about the struggles she is having as her son is starting puberty. Increase in aggression, trying to figure out masturbation, oh my!

We talk to the attorneys at Woodsmall Law Group about going back to school, compensatory services and the age when you should consider conservatorship. And we have fun doing it!

Kelly & Jen are joined by Melaura Erickson-Tomaino, Ph.D, Co-founder and Principle at the Port View Preparatory Schools in California. Melaura discusses what worked and didn't work with on-line learning and shares information on a study here team is doing on the pandemic. 

Kelly & Jen are joined by returning guest Michelle and her bestie Victoria to discuss conservatorship for her two sons- and alternate options when it doesn't feel right. 

Parents of children with autism or other developmental disabilities have to make some tough choices, including if they want conservatorship or not conservatorship over their child. It's can be expensive and confusing. As ABA practitioners we are have to know this information too whenever we treat someone over the age of 28. Listen up to Hope's story. 

Kelly & Jen talk about Jen's decision to have a limited conservatorship of the person for Dylan to protect him. She also actively engages in Supported Decision Making with Dylan and their family. Hear her story about this challenging process.

Jen & Kelly talk to mom, Patti about her journey with her son and how and when she disclosed his diagnosis to him when he got older. Now, as he is graduating college, they talk about how to disclose and share on his terms.

Kelly & Jen talk with mom, Michelle, about raising her son with autism, and disclosing differently at different milestones. As a BCBA she has incredible perspective into this experience for practitioners.