Autism Live

On today's show Shannon takes on the things we can do to set our kids up for Back to School Success! What do you have control over? It turns out there is a great deal! So let's set the stage for a great year by kicking it off right!

00:00 Back-to-School Success for Autism Families Begins Here

02:58 Autism Toy Guide 2026 & Community Updates

05:16 All Ghouls Gala and Autism Care Today

07:32 Celebrating Autistic Voices in Film and Media

11:11 Autism Rocks Concert and the Mission of Autism Live

12:47 What Parents Can Actually Control This School Year

14:25 Fixing Summer Sleep Schedules Before School Starts

21:58 Creating a Stress-Free Morning Routine for School

25:41 Why Rehearsing School Routines Reduces Anxiety

27:53 First-Day Outfits, Self-Esteem and Making Friends

31:25 School Supplies, Backpacks and Comfort Items That Matter

33:37 How to Build a Great Relationship with Your Child's Teacher

40:23 The First-Day-of-School Reward Strategy

43:36 IEPs, School Services and Parent Advocacy Tips

53:26 School Placement Options, Parent Rights and Final Advice

59:47 Closing Remarks and How to Stay Connected

Alex Lin is back to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Autism Rocks and advocate for Autistic people around the world. 00:00 Opening: Shannon's Moving Adventure & Show Preview 01:28 Meet Alex Linn & Autism Rocks 10th Anniversary Preview 02:07 How to Watch, Interact & Access Premium Content 03:57 All Ghouls Gala 2026 Announcement & Autism Care Today Grants 05:32 Autism Live's Mission and Supporting the Autism Community 08:05 Parenting Stress, Special Needs, and Finding Support 09:49 Shannon Reflects on Her Autism Parenting Journey 13:07 Revisiting IEPs, Assessments & Parental PTSD 16:45 A Message to Autistic Individuals: You Are Not the Stress 18:27 Introducing Alex Linn and the Autism Rocks Legacy 21:02 Autism Rocks 10th Anniversary Concert Details & Featured Performers 29:10 Alex Shares His Bullying Experience and Autism Advocacy Journey 35:45 Expanding Autism Rocks to Taiwan and Changing Autism Stigma 46:08 Universal CityWalk Concert Guide, Logistics & What to Expect 53:15 Performer Lineup, Special Songs & Final Event Information

Sarah Crawford, CEO of TLC, joins Shannon to talk about some of the challenges facing today's families, including burnout, barriers to healthcare and much more. Today's jargon term is Respite!

00:00 Intro & Today's Guest Preview 00:35 Welcome to Autism Live & Community Mission 03:19 How to Participate, Podcasts & Viewer Support 06:20 Autism Care Today Gala & Family Grants 08:54 Jargon of the Day: What Is Respite Care? 11:53 Why Caregivers Need Respite Support 14:49 Finding Safe, Trusted Respite Providers 18:47 The Oxygen Mask Principle for Parents 19:50 Meet Sarah Crawford, CEO of TLC 22:22 The TLC Story: From Three Families to Thousands Served 26:01 Parent Burnout, Caregiver Stress & Finding Support 32:31 How Disability Impacts the Entire Family 37:15 First Steps After an Autism Diagnosis 44:04 Medicaid, Waitlists & Fixing Broken Systems 50:37 Hope, Advocacy & Building Better Support Networks

Dr. John Gaitanis, a pediatric neurologist, joins Shannon to discuss common misconceptions about ASD and Motor disorders. Leucovorin and metabolic interventions are discussed. The jargon of the day is Methylation Cycle.

00:00 Introduction & Guest Preview 02:27 Autism Live Updates, Podcast & Community Resources 06:31 The Mission of Autism Live & Supporting the Autism Community 09:52 Jargon of the Day: What Is the Methylation Cycle? 13:54 Methylation, Detoxification & Autism Explained 16:22 Meet Pediatric Neurologist Dr. John Gaitanis 18:18 Is Autism Really One Condition? Rethinking the Spectrum 22:04 Autism Phenotypes, Brain Regions & Personalized Care 27:46 Medical Bias, Diagnostic Labels & Presuming Intelligence 32:21 Autism, Healthcare Discrimination & Advocacy for Non-Speakers 36:33 What Is MEDMAPS? Root Cause Medicine Explained 37:43 Developmental Regression, Inflammation & Methylation Dysfunction 46:20 Leucovorin, Folate Deficiency & Autism Treatment Options 53:50 Glutathione, B12, Gut Health & Systems Biology Approaches 57:15 Whole-Body Medicine, Brain Health & Final Takeaways

Dr. John Gaitanis, a pediatric neurologist, joins Shannon to discuss common misconceptions about ASD and Motor disorders. Leucovorin and metabolic interventions are discussed. The jargon of the day is Methylation Cycle.

00:00 Introduction & Guest Preview 02:27 Autism Live Updates, Podcast & Community Resources 06:31 The Mission of Autism Live & Supporting the Autism Community 09:52 Jargon of the Day: What Is the Methylation Cycle? 13:54 Methylation, Detoxification & Autism Explained 16:22 Meet Pediatric Neurologist Dr. John Gaitanis 18:18 Is Autism Really One Condition? Rethinking the Spectrum 22:04 Autism Phenotypes, Brain Regions & Personalized Care 27:46 Medical Bias, Diagnostic Labels & Presuming Intelligence 32:21 Autism, Healthcare Discrimination & Advocacy for Non-Speakers 36:33 What Is MEDMAPS? Root Cause Medicine Explained 37:43 Developmental Regression, Inflammation & Methylation Dysfunction 46:20 Leucovorin, Folate Deficiency & Autism Treatment Options 53:50 Glutathione, B12, Gut Health & Systems Biology Approaches 57:15 Whole-Body Medicine, Brain Health & Final Takeaways

Jennifer Kaufman, author of Grandparenting on the Spectrum: A Journey From Both Sides of the Desk joins Shannon to talk about training for first responders and the role of Grandparents in supporting Autism families. The jargon of the day is: Perspective Taking. 00:00 Introduction & Welcome Back to Autism Live 00:32 Meet Guest Jennifer Kaufman: Principal, Advocate & Grandmother 01:26 Autism Live Mission: Information, Inspiration & Community 03:53 How to Connect, Watch & Support Autism Live 06:34 ACT Today Fundraiser, Advocacy & Autism Policy Updates 09:39 Jargon of the Day: What Is Perspective Taking? 11:21 Theory of Mind, Simon Baron-Cohen & the Sally-Anne Test 15:31 Can Perspective Taking Be Taught? Why It Matters in Everyday Life 19:30 Real-World Examples of Perspective Taking & Relationships 22:59 Jennifer Kaufman Joins the Conversation 26:20 Grandparenting a Child with Autism: Expectations, Mistakes & Growth 33:46 The Greatest Gift Grandparents Can Give Families 37:04 First Response Autism: Training Police & First Responders 45:15 Creating Neurodiversity-Friendly Workplaces & HR Practices 52:56 Resources, Community Awareness & Final Takeaways

On today's show Shannon welcomes Brady Huggett, a features editor for the neuroscience publication The Transmitter. Topics covered include the lack of funding dollars to research the lives of Autistic Adults. A new five part podcast called "When Autistic Kids Grow Up" looks at the lack of funding for research into the lives of autistic adults, told through the story of an autistic researcher who called attention to this problem. The jargon is Neuroscience. Join us at 10am! 00:00 Welcome, Disclaimer & Show Overview 08:15 What Is Neuroscience? Definitions & Why It Matters 16:00 Podcast Introduction: "When Autistic Kids Grow Up" 24:00 Autism Research Funding Gap Explained 32:00 Adult Autism Outcomes & Life Expectancy Concerns 40:30 Challenges in Research Funding & System Barriers 48:30 Interview Wrap-Up & How to Listen to the Podcast 50:00 Policy Discussion: ADA, IDEA & Disability Rights 55:00 Call to Action: Advocacy, Funding & Community Response

On today's show Shannon gives the rundown on 22 things you can teach in the summer months to catch your child up and prepare them for success in the new school year.

00:00 Intro & Autism Live Mission

02:59 Summer Learning Opportunities for Kids

03:24 25 Skills to Teach Over the Summer

08:06 Overview of All 25 Life Skills

12:19 Skill #1: Building Reading Habits

18:01 Skill #2: Potty Training & Generalization

19:46 Skill #3: Making Math Fun

23:13 Skill #4: Swimming Safety & Skills

25:23 Skill #5: Teaching History Creatively

27:30 Skill #6: Exercise & Self-Regulation

29:28 Skill #7: Speech Practice with Tongue Twisters

32:21 Skill #8: Enjoying Museums with Sensory Needs

36:05 Skill #9: Live Music & Theater Skills

40:28 Skill #10–15: Cooking, Help, Social & Travel Skills

51:18 Skill #16–25: Daily Living, Independence & Confidence 1:05:58 Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts

On today's show Shannon welcomes Dr. Molly O'Shea to talk about water safety and the terrible statistics surrounding drowning and children on the spectrum. Goldfish Swim School has a new program to help swimmers be safe in and around the water. The jargon is Antecedent Modification.

00:00 Disclaimer 00:00:46 Show Intro + What's Ahead 00:01:39 California Medi-Cal Advocacy Update 00:05:15 Personal Reflection + Gratitude 00:07:16 Autism Community & Show Mission 00:07:35 How to Watch + Follow the Show 00:09:52 Jargon of the Day: Antecedent Basics 00:18:45 Guest Intro: Dr. Molly O'Shea 00:21:07 Autism & Attraction to Water Risks 00:23:30 Why Swim Skills Are Critical 00:24:00 Goldfish Swim Schools Overview 00:25:05 Sensory-Friendly Swim Programs 00:29:08 How Swim Lessons Work by Age 00:33:04 Big Life Journal & Goal Setting 00:37:58 Autism & Drowning Risk Statistics 00:39:10 Water Safety Basics (Life Jackets & Supervision) 00:40:35 Layers of Protection (Fences, Locks, Alarms) 00:43:48 "Water Watcher" Safety Strategy 00:44:18 Real-Life Drowning Story (Impact) 00:47:15 CPR & Emergency Preparedness 00:48:43 Why Swim Skills Must Be Repeated 00:50:39 Why Swim Lessons Are Prevention 00:51:21 Pediatric Practice for Neurodivergent Kids 00:54:05 ABA + Real-World Social Skills Discussion 01:01:16 Practicing Skills Beyond the Home 01:05:05 Final Thoughts + Takeaways 01:06:56 Closing + Outro

Kelley Jensen, host of the Refrigerator Moms Podcast joins Shannon today to talk about TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), a noninvasive brain stimulation therapy. Today's jargon is Elopement.

00:00 Intro & Disclaimer 00:33 Show Overview & Guest Preview (TMS + Refrigerator Moms) 01:29 How to Watch & Engage (Live + YouTube + Podcast) 03:15 Ad-Free Subscription Option Explained 04:23 All Ghouls Gala Announcement (Autism Care Today Fundraiser)

05:01 Call to Action: Contact Governor Newsom 06:15 Proposed Medi-Cal Changes Impact Autism Care 08:23 Transportation Limits & Access to Treatment 10:05 Diagnosis Requirements & Waitlist Concerns 11:33 Personal Story: Early Intervention Success

13:39 Kevin Hart Roast Controversy & Autism Representation 16:05 Identity & Autism Community Discussion

17:23 "Patience" TV Show Recommendation (Autistic Representation)

19:54 Transition to TMS Interview 20:47 Guest Introduction: Kelly Jensen

21:22 What is TMS? (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Explained) 23:08 TMS Treatment Process & Safety 25:15 FDA Approval, Insurance, and Use Cases 27:12 What TMS Feels Like (Patient Experience)

28:44 Early Results & Behavioral Changes 30:18 Major Improvements in OCD & Anxiety 31:18 Continued Progress After Treatment

34:20 How TMS Impacts Brain Function 35:28 TMS + Therapy + Medication Benefits

37:13 Reduced Medication Use & Outcomes

38:00 Brain Performance Technologies Overview

40:12 FDA-Approved Conditions for TMS

42:10 Side Effects & Considerations

42:36 Why TMS Isn't Widely Used in Autism

43:58 Discussion: John Elder Robison & TMS Experience

47:15 How to Learn More About TMS

49:37 Refrigerator Moms Podcast Origin Story 52:29 What the Podcast Covers (Research + Parent Guidance)

58:31 Where to Listen & Watch

59:52 Jargon of the Day: Elopement Defined 01:01:24 Why Elopement Is a Major Safety Risk

01:02:25 STOP Method for Preventing Elopement 01:11:24 Closing Remarks & Resources