Autism Stories

Open office spaces can be stressful for just about any employee and a challenge to do your work succesfully, but especially when you are Autistic.  On this episode of Autism Stories we talk  with Mikhaela Ackerman, author of Edge of the Playground, about what strategies Autistic and neurodiverse employees can employ to make these spaces less challenging. Autism Stories connects you with amazing people who are helping Autistic teens and adults become more independent and successful.

Music for this podcast was written and recorded by Megan Metzelaar. Megan is a 27 yr old part time student at UC Clermont where she is just about to earn her Associate's Degree in Biological Sciences. She has two cats that live at her mom and grandmothers house (BW and Sunshine). Megan likes to write music, sing, dance, and watch movies with her husband. She has Autism and ADHD and enjoys performing on stage as it makes her feel she is just like everyone else. Megan just created her first album "24".

Medical appointments can be stressful for just about anyone, but even more so to Autistic patients. On this episode of Autism Stories we talk with Dr. Sarah Zate about why  these appointments are so anxiety producing and what strategies medical practices can employ  to make them less overwhelming. Autism Stories connects you with amazing people who are helping Autistic teens and adults become more independent and successful.

Music for this podcast was written and recorded by Megan Metzelaar. Megan is a 27 yr old part time student at UC Clermont where she is just about to earn her Associate's Degree in Biological Sciences. She has two cats that live at her mom and grandmothers house (BW and Sunshine). Megan likes to write music, sing, dance, and watch movies with her husband. She has Autism and ADHD and enjoys performing on stage as it makes her feel she is just like everyone else. Megan just created her first album "24".

Research on the experiences of fathers whose children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder is limited, but especially for African-American fathers.  On this episode we discuss this with Dr. Michael Hannon who wrote his dissertation "Love him and everything will fall into place" on this very important topic. Autism Stories connects you with amazing people who are helping Autistic teens and adults become more independent and successful.

Music for this podcast was written and recorded by Megan Metzelaar. Megan is a 27 yr old part time student at UC Clermont where she is just about to earn her Associate's Degree in Biological Sciences. She has two cats that live at her mom and grandmothers house (BW and Sunshine). Megan likes to write music, sing, dance, and watch movies with her husband. She has Autism and ADHD and enjoys performing on stage as it makes her feel she is just like everyone else. Megan just created her first album "24".

It is ongoing challenge to make businesses and events in the community more inclusive to all people. In this episode of Autism Stories we talk with Kelly Bron Jonson, the founder of Completely Inclusive, on how her organization is helping to make this more of a reality. Autism Stories connects you with amazing people who are helping Autistic teens and adults become more independent and successful.

Music for this podcast was written and recorded by Megan Metzelaar. Megan is a 27 yr old part time student at UC Clermont where she is just about to earn her Associate's Degree in Biological Sciences. She has two cats that live at her mom and grandmothers house (BW and Sunshine). Megan likes to write music, sing, dance, and watch movies with her husband. She has Autism and ADHD and enjoys performing on stage as it makes her feel she is just like everyone else. Megan just created her first album "24".

Next year there will be much interest in watching gymnastics at the Olympics, but it can be a great sport to participate in with so many positive benefits.  On this episode of Autism Stories we talk with Karissa Johnson of Spectra Gymnastics. Karissa tells us how she and Spectra make gymnastics a sport that is inclusive for all people so they can receive the positive benefits this sport provides.   Autism Stories connects you with amazing people who are helping Autistic teens and adults become more independent and successful.

Learn more about Karissa and Spectra Gymanastics by visiting http://spectrapdx.com/.

Music for this podcast was written and recorded by Megan Metzelaar. Megan is a 27 yr old part time student at UC Clermont where she is just about to earn her Associate's Degree in Biological Sciences. She has two cats that live at her mom and grandmothers house (BW and Sunshine). Megan likes to write music, sing, dance, and watch movies with her husband. She has Autism and ADHD and enjoys performing on stage as it makes her feel she is just like everyone else. Megan just created her first album "24".

Sponsorships: off for this episode

Figuring out who we are and what we want is a  lifelong quest. On this episode of Autism Stories we talk with Sara Earhart about how being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder led her  to start a blog, Seeking Sara, and helped to give her a much better understanding of who she is.  Autism Stories connects you with amazing people who are helping Autistic teens and adults become more independent and successful.

 Visit https://seekingsara174.com/ to read Sarah's blog. 

Music for this podcast was written and recorded by Megan Metzelaar. Megan is a 27 yr old part time student at UC Clermont where she is just about to earn her Associate's Degree in Biological Sciences. She has two cats that live at her mom and grandmothers house (BW and Sunshine). Megan likes to write music, sing, dance, and watch movies with her husband. She has Autism and ADHD and enjoys performing on stage as it makes her feel she is just like everyone else. Megan just created her first album "24".

Peer mentorship can have a profoundly positive affect on the lives of its participants . On this episode of Autism Stories we talk with Alec Frazier who shares with us how this type has been beneficial to him and can be to other Autistic people in helping them reaching their goals and improving their mental health. Autism Stories connects you with amazing people who are helping Autistic teens and adults become more independent and successful.

What is it like to be an openly Autistic political candidate? We discuss this with Dylan Dailor, who is running for state assembly,  and how he wants to make New York a better place if elected. Autism Stories connects you with amazing people who are helpingAutistic teens and adults become more independent and successful.

To learn more about  Dylan's campaign please visit https://www.dailorforassembly.com/.  

Music for this podcast was written and recorded by Megan Metzelaar. Megan is a 27 yr old part time student at UC Clermont where she is just about to earn her Associate's Degree in Biological Sciences. She has two cats that live at her mom and grandmothers house (BW and Sunshine). Megan likes to write music, sing, dance, and watch movies with her husband. She has Autism and ADHD and enjoys performing on stage as it makes her feel she is just like everyone else. Megan just created her first album "24".

Vacation can be one of the great pleasures of this world, but for many Autistic people getting to these destinations can be extremely stressful due to navigating an airport. On this episode of Autism Stories we talk with Nicole Ryan and Virgina Smedley of Melbourne Airport how they make this a less stressful experience through the Hidden Disability Program. Autism Stories connects you with amazing people who are helpingAutistic teens and adults become more independent and successful.

Music for this podcast was written and recorded by Megan Metzelaar. Megan is a 27 yr old part time student at UC Clermont where she is just about to earn her Associate's Degree in Biological Sciences. She has two cats that live at her mom and grandmothers house (BW and Sunshine). Megan likes to write music, sing, dance, and watch movies with her husband. She has Autism and ADHD and enjoys performing on stage as it makes her feel she is just like everyone else. Megan just created her first album "24".

Can your social media use be looked at to deny you disabilities benefits?  Andrew November returns to Autism Stories to talk about how social security may be looking at your social media accounts in the future to determine your eligibility for disability benefits. Autism Stories connects you with amazing people who are helpingAutistic teens and adults become more independent and successful.

Music for this podcast was written and recorded by Megan Metzelaar. Megan is a 27 yr old part time student at UC Clermont where she is just about to earn her Associate's Degree in Biological Sciences. She has two cats that live at her mom and grandmothers house (BW and Sunshine). Megan likes to write music, sing, dance, and watch movies with her husband. She has Autism and ADHD and enjoys performing on stage as it makes her feel she is just like everyone else. Megan just created her first album "24".