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Episode 331-From Isolation to Inclusion: A Mother’s Policy Path on Autism, Advocacy, and Work with Carol Waldman
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The conversation starts with a memory many families know too well: an early checkup, a handful of red flags, and years of whispered support plans. From there, we move into motion—Carol Waldman shares how a lonely path through therapies and IEPs grew into public advocacy, culminating in a unanimous San Diego measure to expand training and hiring for neurodiverse adults. Along the way, we unpack what real inclusion looks like: a high school three-pointer that turned tokenism into belonging, a faith community that gave meaningful roles instead of sidelined programs, and a DC internship that paired mentorship with responsibility.
We talk plainly about autism’s spotlight: awareness is up, but understanding often lags behind. Carol challenges the “cause vs. cure” narrative and makes a case for funding supports that change daily life—teacher training, sensory-aware classrooms, transition programs, and workplaces designed for different minds. She walks us through Andrew’s journey—pushing past lowered expectations, building confidence, navigating a pandemic quarantine alone, joining a new city’s social fabric, and learning the gritty skills of networking and persistence. These are not headline moments; they’re the scaffolds of independence.
If you’re an educator, you’ll hear concrete ways to reframe goals without shrinking expectations. If you’re an employer or HR leader, you’ll get a blueprint for inclusive job design, mentorship, and transparent communication. And if you’re a policymaker or advocate, you’ll see why data-backed programs and accountability in public hiring matter more than press releases. Most of all, you’ll feel the throughline: do not underestimate neurodiverse potential. Expect growth, provide tools, and watch confidence turn opportunity into outcome.
Subscribe, share this conversation with someone who needs it, and leave a review with one change you want to see in schools or workplaces. Your ideas help us push this movement from visibility to real access.
Support the show
SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST
WEBSITES
- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON
- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org
- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com
YOUTUBE
- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow
- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou
- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford
- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc
- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork
- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow
- https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/
TIKTOK
- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/
PODCAST PLATFORMS
- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC
- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291
CONTACT EMAIL
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By Sara Gullihur-Bradford aka SJ Childs
4.9
2020 ratings
Send us a text
The conversation starts with a memory many families know too well: an early checkup, a handful of red flags, and years of whispered support plans. From there, we move into motion—Carol Waldman shares how a lonely path through therapies and IEPs grew into public advocacy, culminating in a unanimous San Diego measure to expand training and hiring for neurodiverse adults. Along the way, we unpack what real inclusion looks like: a high school three-pointer that turned tokenism into belonging, a faith community that gave meaningful roles instead of sidelined programs, and a DC internship that paired mentorship with responsibility.
We talk plainly about autism’s spotlight: awareness is up, but understanding often lags behind. Carol challenges the “cause vs. cure” narrative and makes a case for funding supports that change daily life—teacher training, sensory-aware classrooms, transition programs, and workplaces designed for different minds. She walks us through Andrew’s journey—pushing past lowered expectations, building confidence, navigating a pandemic quarantine alone, joining a new city’s social fabric, and learning the gritty skills of networking and persistence. These are not headline moments; they’re the scaffolds of independence.
If you’re an educator, you’ll hear concrete ways to reframe goals without shrinking expectations. If you’re an employer or HR leader, you’ll get a blueprint for inclusive job design, mentorship, and transparent communication. And if you’re a policymaker or advocate, you’ll see why data-backed programs and accountability in public hiring matter more than press releases. Most of all, you’ll feel the throughline: do not underestimate neurodiverse potential. Expect growth, provide tools, and watch confidence turn opportunity into outcome.
Subscribe, share this conversation with someone who needs it, and leave a review with one change you want to see in schools or workplaces. Your ideas help us push this movement from visibility to real access.
Support the show
SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST
WEBSITES
- Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON
- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org
- The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com
YOUTUBE
- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow
- Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou
- Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford
- Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc
- The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork
- The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow
- https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/
TIKTOK
- https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/
PODCAST PLATFORMS
- Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC
- Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291
CONTACT EMAIL