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

We start our month hearing from well-knows developmental pediatrician Dr. Robin Steinberg-Epstein, who works at UCI's Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders. She discusses the when, how and why's of disclosing an autism diagnosis drawing from her 20+ year career, as well as a parent of a child (now adult) on the autism spectrum.

We end our series on siblings by talking with Kaitlyn, 21 year old sister AND co-conservator of her brother, Dylan age 18. While we were not this put together at age 21, Kaitlyn is a remarkable young lady who worked through her own learning challenges and depression to come out as a strong sister and advocate for her brother, as well as going to college to become a teacher. Get your tissues ready!

Join us to listen to Avivah Paskowitz- daughter to Navah Paskowitz & Matt Asner, and sister to 3 brothers on the autism spectrum. She shares with us what it is like with her blended family, and how their passion to support the special needs community brought her back home to become the Art Director of the Ed Asner Family Center.

Kelly & Jen talk to Morgan about her life growing up with a sister with special needs, describing jealousy as well as how it shaped her into being a therapist who feels strongly the siblings should be included in therapy as much as they can.  Kelly talks about the importance of considering the siblings and the families in an ABA assessment including data collection on peer interactions as well as listening to the siblings about their needs.

19 year old Ethan, brother to Dylan describes his life growing up with a brother on the autism spectrum. Hear him talk about his experience, including feelings of jealousy, being scared, and learning to cope with his brother's behaviors his own way, despite the experts telling him to do something different. His story is a must listen to new families and therapists.

This month, Jen and I will be talking about the role and feelings of the siblings of children with autism and special needs. A must listen for families and therapists working with children and families! 

Kelly & Jen are joined by Hope (mother to Aries) as we talk about the challenges of 2020 on families of children with autism and therapists working with them, reframing the year, and planning for 2021!