Welcome to another episode of "Mind Your Mental," a podcast dedicated to exploring mental health from various angles while reminding you that this show is not a substitute for professional mental health care. Today's episode is particularly special as it marks the end of Autism Awareness Month, and we're introducing a new format focusing on multifaceted discussions about specific topics.

Today's Topic:

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by challenges in social interaction, speech, non-verbal communication, and often includes restricted or repetitive behaviors. These symptoms can vary widely among individuals, emphasizing the saying, "If you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism."

Amanda Seales is a comedian, multi-hyphenate, and social justice advocate, Amanda Seales has dedicated her life to creating safe spaces with her witty insightful content. You can find her on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube and https://www.amandaseales.com/

Elizabeth Booker Houston is a lawyer, comedian, political and social commentator, podcast host of the devil's opposing council, and mother. You can find her on Instagram and TikTok

Maria Davis-Pierre is the Founder and CEO of Autism in Black Inc. This organization aims to bring awareness to Autism and reduce the stigma associated with the diagnosis in the Black community. As a licensed therapist, Maria primarily works with parents to provide support through education and advocacy training. Her passion for working in the field stems from her personal journey when her daughter received the diagnosis at a very early age. You can find her on Instagram and https://www.autisminblack.org/

Dr. Hokehe Eko MD, MPH FAAP is a Board Certified Pediatrician, with 10 plus years of experience who is passionate about delivering the best possible care for your child. She is a Tedx Speaker on ADHD. She treats ADHD and Autism by looking at the root causes and addressing physical and environmental factors so that children can go from fidgety to focused and the entire family can thrive. You can catch find her on Instagram and https://www.glowpediatrics.com/

Join the Movement: Dr. Martin invites listeners to become part of the Mind Ya Mental community, offering exclusive access to webinars, book clubs, podcasts, and a platform for connection and growth among like-minded individuals.

You can follow Dr. Martin on Social Media at Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and at her website www.raquelmartinphd.com

Cited Articles (In order of appearance)

Ratto, A. B., Bascom, J., daVanport, S., Strang, J. F., Anthony, L. G., Verbalis, A., ... & Kenworthy, L. (2023). Centering the inner experience of autism: development of the self-assessment of autistic traits. Autism in Adulthood, 5(1), 93-105.

Overton, G.L., Marsà-Sambola, F., Martin, R. et al. Understanding the Self-identification of Autism in Adults: a Scoping Review. Rev J Autism Dev Disord (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-023-00361-x

Lovelace, T. S., Comis, M. P., Tabb, J. M., & Oshokoya, O. E. (2021). Missing from the narrative: A seven-decade scoping review of the inclusion of black autistic women and girls in autism research. Behavior Analysis in Practice,