Self-advocate and author Rebecca Tillou shares the realities of life with FASD, and her journey towards getting a diagnosis at age 33.

Rebecca Tillou is a self-advocate of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which is under the umbrella Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Since being diagnosed at the age of 33, she has become a tireless advocate raising awareness of this often misunderstood condition. She is the author of the auto-biographical book “Tenacity”, and the founder of the virtual 5K for FASD United.

For more about Rebecca and FASD, visit:

https://adultingwithfasdcoms.com/

https://fasdunited.org/

http://www.runfasd.org/

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Autism self-advocate and therapist Megan MacKay discusses her work helping those experiencing PTSD and CPTSD.

Megan MacKay works as an addiction and trauma psychotherapist. She is a CSAT, LCPC and LPC in the states of Arizona and Montana. Megan is also a Clinical Mental Health Consultant at Trapper Creek Job Corps, and a Board Member for Returning Youth Initiative. She also is a host and Board member for 101.5 KFGM, Missoula Community Radio.

For more about Megan’s work, visit:

https://www.innerstatehealingandrecovery.com/

https://bloggingforrecovery.wordpress.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganmackayaz/

Listen to 101.5 KFGM at https://www.1015kfgm.org/

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Autism self-advocate and therapist Megan MacKay discusses her role with Job Corps, and how it can help the neurodivergent population.

Megan MacKay works as an addiction and trauma psychotherapist. She is a CSAT, LCPC and LPC in the states of Arizona and Montana. Megan is also a Clinical Mental Health Consultant at Trapper Creek Job Corps, and a Board Member for Returning Youth Initiative. She also is a host and Board member for 101.5 KFGM, Missoula Community Radio.

For more about Megan’s work, visit:

https://www.innerstatehealingandrecovery.com/

https://bloggingforrecovery.wordpress.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganmackayaz/

Listen to 101.5 KFGM at https://tunein.com/radio/KFGM-1015-s288054/

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In the second part of our review of 2024, we hear from some of the people making a difference for the neurodiversity community including Dr. Jennie Trocchio, Cheryl Checkers, Aisha McDonald & more!

AISHA MCDONALD – full interview pt 1 https://differentbrains.org/recognizing-intersectional-trauma-with-aisha-t-mcdonald-lmhc-edb-328/ / pt 2 https://differentbrains.org/suicide-prevention-mental-health-with-aisha-t-mcdonald-lmhc-edb-329/ | for more about their work: https://www.unitedwaybroward.org/

CHERYL CHECKERS AND DR CHRISTOPHER KAY – full interview: https://differentbrains.org/mental-health-on-the-autism-spectrum-with-cheryl-checkers-dr-christopher-kye-edb-325/ | for more about their work: Cheryl: https://www.cherylcheckers.com/ Dr Kye: https://www.christopherkyemd.com/

NICOLE STORRS – full interview: https://differentbrains.org/9muses-supporting-mental-health-through-art-peer-support-with-nicole-storrs-edb-323/ | for more about their work: https://9musesartcenter.org/

TAINAH GEORGES – full interview: https://differentbrains.org/fusion-academy-success-through-one-on-one-education-with-tainah-georges-edb-321/ | for more about their work: https://www.fusionacademy.com/

ANTHONY PACILLIO – full interview: https://differentbrains.org/cai-harnessing-neurodiverse-talent-with-anthony-pacilio-edb-317/ | for more about their work: https://www.cai.io/neurodiverse-solutions/overview

DR JENNIE TROCCHIO – full interview: https://differentbrains.org/autism-developmental-therapy-with-dr-jennie-trocchio-edb-315/ | for more about their work: https://www.drjennie.co/

COURTNEY, LAURA, AND GRACIE FROM CANINE ASSISTED THERAPY – full interview: https://differentbrains.org/how-therapy-animals-help-with-courtney-trzcinski-laura-rogers-gracie-edb-320/ | for more about their work: https://catdogs.org/

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In the first part of our review of 2024, we hear from some of the neurodivergent self-advocates that have appeared on the show, including Shawn Smith, Ali Idriss, Diane Gould & more!

ALI IDRISS – full interview: https://differentbrains.org/adhd-in-the-er-with-ali-idriss-edb-316/ | for more about their work: https://differentbrains.org/author/ali-idriss/

DIANE GOULD – full interview: https://differentbrains.org/navigating-pda-demand-avoidance-autism-neurodiversity-with-diane-gould-edb-331/ | for more about their work: https://dianegouldtherapy.com/

ZACHARY TOVIN – full interview: https://differentbrains.org/neurodiversity-self-advocate-spotlight-zachary-tovins-autism-journey-edb-318/ | for more about their work: https://zachtovinphotography.wordpress.com/

SHELLY BAER AND JAIRO ARANA – full interview: https://differentbrains.org/project-s-a-l-t-creating-self-advocate-leaders-with-univ-of-miamis-shelly-baer-jairo-arana-edb-319/ | for more about their work: https://med.miami.edu/centers-and-institutes/mailman-center/education/leadership-training-opportunities/salt

ANNA DIAZ – full interview: https://differentbrains.org/understanding-epilepsy-with-anna-diaz-luis-martinez-of-epilepsy-alliance-florida-edb-324/ | for more about their work: https://epilepsyalliancefl.org/

SHAWN SMITH – full interview: https://differentbrains.org/neurodivergent-burnout-with-shawn-smith-edb-332/ | for more about their work: http://www.ddmacs.ca/

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Canadian ADHD & autism self-advocate and therapist Shawn Smith shares his experiences battling burnout, and offers tips on how ot overcome it.

Shawn Smith M.Ed., CCC, LCT is an autistic and ADHD Counsellor and psychotherapist, and the founder of Don’t dis-my-ability® Consultation Services Inc. Shawn helps parents, young people, and adults who are neurodivergent (ADHD/Autism/Dyslexic and more).

Prior to his own diagnoses, Shawn struggled at every level of the public education system. It took Shawn 4 years to complete 3 years of high school, 32 attempts to earn the 18 credits required to graduate including failing grade 10 math 4 times. Since then Shawn has experienced a tremendous amount of self-growth in a relatively short period of time and has a unique understanding of his thought process. In 2010, Shawn was accepted to the Master of Education in Counseling Psychology program at the University of New Brunswick on Academic Probation and graduated in 2011 at the top of his class. Shawn is a self-advocate, entrepreneur, innovator, counsellor and psychotherapist specializing in the emerging field of Neurodiversity. Shawn’s work is being recognized internationally and he has been sought after to consult in various industries ranging from non-profit to the world of animation.

For more about Shawn’s work, visit: http://www.ddmacs.ca/

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PDA expert and autism self-advocate Diane Gould, LCSW discusses Pervasive Demand Avoidance (previously known as Pathological Demand Avoidance).

Diane is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker that specializes in serving autistic individuals. As the Executive Director and Founder of PDA North America, she founded the annual PDA North America conference held in Chicago that has changed the lives of hundreds of PDA (pathological demand avoidance/persistent drive for autonomy) families. She co-authored the book Navigating PDA in America with Ruth Fidler which was published in June 2024. In April 2024, Diane was diagnosed as autistic.

Diane has a private practice in the suburbs of Chicago, where she serves neurodivergent children, adults and their families. Over the last 40 plus years, she has worked for both private agencies and school systems. Diane has always been facinated by human behavior and has worked to better understand and support individuals with distressed behavior over the years. She currently focuses her practice on providing consultation and training. She works primarily with parents and regularly attends school meetings with them. Diane loves to train educators and therapists so they can better serve their students and clients.

It was the understanding of behavior, autism and the supportive approach in the PDA literature that first drew her to learn more about PDA. And learning about PDA, led her to begin the new PDA movement in North America. Diane formed PDA North America at the first American PDA conference in March 2020. She is the author of the new book Navigating PDA in America.

For more information about Diane’s work:

https://dianegouldtherapy.com/

https://www.pdanorthamerica.org/

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Linda J. Silver, M.S., Ed.S. discusses Section 504 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and her career ensuring appropriate accommodations for students.

Linda J. Silver, M.S., Ed.S. is the Executive Director and Founder of Silver & Associates Educational Consulting Solutions. She is an expert in the field of Section 504, an award winning certified school counselor, a nationally recognized speaker and published author advocating for students with disabilities. Linda’s training and work experiences have given her a unique perspective on children, schools and school district dynamics. Linda has been a Teacher, Guidance Director, Educational Leader, District Guidance Coordinator. She was selected to work at the school district level in administrative positions serving grades Pre-K to 12 for Broward County Schools, Ft. Lauderdale, FL the 6th largest school district in the United States. In her roles as the School District Section 504/ADA Specialist and as the School District Guidance Coordinator for the School Board of Broward County, Florida she oversaw over 340 schools with over 265,000 students.

Silver & Associates Educational Consulting Solutions provides expert educational consultation services to parents and schools districts; ensuring equal access to education for all students and helping transform students’ lives.

For more information about Linda’s work: https://www.504advocacy.com/

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Certified Trauma and Resiliency Expert Aisha T. McDonald, LMHC returned to discuss her work as a Suicidologist. and the importance of inclusive mental health.

Aisha T. McDonald, LMHC is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Trauma and Resiliency Expert. She has worked in the social services field for over 12 years in a variety of capacities ranging from advocacy, direct service, and macro-focused positions. She is also a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging expert who aims to address the systemic barriers to equity in our community. Throughout her varied roles, Aisha has worked with marginalized populations within South Florida specifically those with severe and persistent mental illness, the forensic population in the criminal justice system and those incarcerated in local jail facilities, individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, youth in the welfare system and those in the department of juvenile justice, and individuals who are involuntarily hospitalized under Florida’s Baker Act and Marchman Act laws.

She currently works for United Way of Broward County as the Director of Training Initiatives where she facilitates and moderates community-wide trainings and professional development workshops focused on mental health awareness and education, racial and cultural trauma, substance use issues, as well as diversity, inclusion and social equity. Aisha also serves as a Suicidologist for the American Association of Suicidology where she conducts Psychological Autopsy trainings for national and international groups. She has worked with FAU Sandler School of Social Work for a number of years to offer professional development workshops such as these in order to enhance professional and clinical skills for our community agencies and providers.

For more information about the United Way of Broward County: https://www.unitedwaybroward.org/

For more about American Association of Suicidology: https://suicidology.org/

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Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Trauma and Resiliency Expert Aisha T. McDonald, LMHC explains why trauma should be looked at through an intersectional lens.

Aisha T. McDonald, LMHC is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Trauma and Resiliency Expert. She has worked in the social services field for over 12 years in a variety of capacities ranging from advocacy, direct service, and macro-focused positions. She is also a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging expert who aims to address the systemic barriers to equity in our community. Throughout her varied roles, Aisha has worked with marginalized populations within South Florida specifically those with severe and persistent mental illness, the forensic population in the criminal justice system and those incarcerated in local jail facilities, individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, youth in the welfare system and those in the department of juvenile justice, and individuals who are involuntarily hospitalized under Florida’s Baker Act and Marchman Act laws.

She currently works for United Way of Broward County as the Director of Training Initiatives where she facilitates and moderates community-wide trainings and professional development workshops focused on mental health awareness and education, racial and cultural trauma, substance use issues, as well as diversity, inclusion and social equity. Aisha also serves as a Suicidologist for the American Association of Suicidology where she conducts Psychological Autopsy trainings for national and international groups. She has worked with FAU Sandler School of Social Work for a number of years to offer professional development workshops such as these in order to enhance professional and clinical skills for our community agencies and providers.

For more information about the United Way of Broward County: https://www.unitedwaybroward.org/

For more about American Association of Suicidology: https://suicidology.org/

Follow Different Brains on social media:

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Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains!

http://differentbrains.org/category/edb/