Dr. Vismara & Mr. Bernick are the authors of the book “The Autism Full Employment Act”.

Louis A. Vismara, M.D. is a physician (retired interventional cardiologist) and a parent of four children. Since his son, Mark, was diagnosed with autism in 1995, he has dedicated himself to issues of child development, learning differences, diversity, and access to health care for under-served populations. Lou is a founding member of the UC Davis MIND Institute, the State of California's First Five Commission, and the California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism.

Michael S. Bernick is an attorney practicing in the area of employment and labor law. In recent years, he has worked with some of the nation’s major employers, staffing companies and industry associations. He is a regular contributor to Forbes Magazine, a board member of AASCEND, and an autism dad. Michael previously served for nearly five years as director of the California Employment Development Department (EDD).

For more about “The Autism Full Employment Act”:

For more about the UC Davis MIND Institute: https://health.ucdavis.edu/mindinstitute/

For Lou’s bio at Stanford: https://profiles.stanford.edu/louis-vismara

For more about AASCEND: http://www.aascend.org/

Michael’s bio at Duane Morris: https://www.duanemorris.com/attorneys/michaelsbernick.html

Michael’s articles on Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelbernick/#38e29b06187c

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Shawn Smith shares his tools for thriving with ADHD.

Shawn Smith M.Ed., CCC is the proud founder and CEO of Don’t dis-my-ability consultation services Inc., an innovative, multifaceted company specializing in the emerging field of Neurodiversity located in Fredericton New Brunswick, Canada. Shawn’s story is unique in that he was diagnosed with ADHD Inattentive Type at age 30. Prior to his diagnosis, 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 being diagnosed and taking prescribed medication at age 30, 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 Counselling 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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(20 minutes) Dr. James Hendrix is the Chief Scientific Officer at LuMind IDSC. In that role, Dr. Hendrix directs scientific initiatives for LuMind IDSC. A critical element of his role is to establish the nationwide Down Syndrome – Clinical Trial Network (DS-CTN) and to oversee the first clinical trial in the DS-CTN, the Longitudinal Investigation for Enhancing Down Syndrome Research (LIFE-DSR) Study. The LIFE-DSR study is a natural history study focused on adults 25 years of age and older at high risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Hendrix is also focused on building potential collaborations with industry, academic and government scientists focused on Down syndrome research to maximize LuMind IDSC’s scientific impact. Prior to joining LuMind, Dr. Hendrix was Director of Global Science Initiatives, at the Alzheimer’s Association. 

For more about Dr. Hendrix and LuMind: https://www.lumindidsc.org/

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J.R. Reed shares his journey to becoming an autism self-advocate

J.R. is a late diagnosed adult who was diagnosed with Asperger’s nine years ago. Since then he has taken a twenty + year freelance writing career and changed focus to developmental disabilities and mental health. In 2012 he created the website/blog Not Weird Just Autistic, as he spent the first 45 years of his life thinking he was weird, but now knows he’s just autistic, with still a smidge of weird in there.

He currently writes for The Mighty, Different Brains, and Not Weird Just Autistic. J.R. also teaches online classes, speaks to groups as small as 15-20 or as large as 1,500 in the Missouri State Capitol. J.R. sits on the board of three autism charities. The author of “An Asperger’s Guide To Dating Neurotypicals”, J.R. works with those high school age through adult to help them live better lives as well as educates NT’s on who we really are. He’s currently working on two more books.

For more about J.R.: https://www.notweirdjustautistic.com/

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Dr. James Hendrix discusses his work studying the high rate of Alzheimer’s in the Down Syndrome community.

(25 minutes) Dr. James Hendrix is the Chief Scientific Officer at LuMind IDSC. In that role, Dr. Hendrix directs scientific initiatives for LuMind IDSC. A critical element of his role is to establish the nationwide Down Syndrome – Clinical Trial Network (DS-CTN) and to oversee the first clinical trial in the DS-CTN, the Longitudinal Investigation for Enhancing Down Syndrome Research (LIFE-DSR) Study. The LIFE-DSR study is a natural history study focused on adults 25 years of age and older at high risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Hendrix is also focused on building potential collaborations with industry, academic and government scientists focused on Down syndrome research to maximize LuMind IDSC’s scientific impact. Prior to joining LuMind, Dr. Hendrix was Director of Global Science Initiatives, at the Alzheimer’s Association. 

For more about Dr. Hendrix and LuMind: https://www.lumindidsc.org/

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Author & psychiatrist Dr. Mark Goulston returns to share tips for overcoming trauma.

(31 minutes) Originally a UCLA professor of psychiatry for over 25 years, and a former FBI and police hostage negotiation trainer, Dr. Mark Goulston’s expertise has been forged and proven in the crucible of real-life, high stakes situations. An influencer who helps influencers become more influential, his unique background has made him an indispensable and sought after resource and change facilitator to Fortune 500 leaders, entrepreneurs and educators across the nation. His latest book is “Why Cope When You Can Heal?”.

Dr. Goulston will be giving a free webinar on behalf of Different Brains Thursday, June 17th at 7:00pm ET. To learn more and register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/8816234465395/WN_e2VwHe-bTKa25oMFl0L-8g

For more about Dr. Goulston: http://markgoulston.com/

For more about his audio course: https://himalaya.com/defeat (use offer code DEFEAT)

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Self-advocate Preston Fitzgerald discusses tuberous sclerosis

(10 minutes) Preston is currently a student at the University of North Texas, studying Consumer Experience Management. He is an advocate for Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), which he was diagnosed with at seven months old.

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Vanderbilt University’s Dr. Beth Malow discusses sleep challenges on the autism spectrum.

(26 minutes) Dr. Malow is Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics, Director of the Vanderbilt Sleep Division, holds the Burry Endowed Chair in Cognitive Childhood Development, and serves as Vice Chair for Clinical Research in the Department of Neurology and incoming director of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Clinical Translational Core. Her research has emphasized the interface of sleep and epilepsy, autism, and related disorders of neurodevelopment. Dr. Malow is board certified in neurology and Sleep Medicine. She is Vice Chair of the governor-appointed Tennessee Autism Council. Dr. Malow serves as PI for the Vanderbilt site of the NeuroNEXT Network (NINDS Network of Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials). She also serves as the principal investigator for Vanderbilt’s Autism Treatment Network, one of 12 regional autism centers across North America developing standards of medical care for children with autism.

For more info on Dr. Malow’s work: https://www.vumc.org/sleep-in-autism/

For her book, “Solving Sleep Problems in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Guide for Frazzled Families”: https://www.amazon.com/Solving-Problems-Children-Spectrum-Disorders/dp/1606131958

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Self-advocate and Different Brains intern Julia Futo discusses growing up with DCD.

(26 minutes) Julia faced difficulties early on in life with trying to perform everyday tasks. Before she was five years old, she was diagnosed with two learning disabilities: Encephalopathy and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). She struggled in school for a long time, but that changed when she took journalism in high school and learned how to become an advocate. She is currently in college and hopes to help others find their voices.

For Different Brains articles written by Julia: https://www.differentbrains.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-someone-with-developmental-coordination-disorder/

To see Julia’s “Neurodiversity and the Coronavirus” project: https://www.differentbrains.org/neurodiversity-the-coronavirus/

Julia’s article for EP Magazine can be seen here: https://www.epmagazine.com/blog/being-a-neurodiverse-advocate

For more info: https://cee.engr.uconn.edu/include

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DCD self-advocate and Different Brains intern Julia Futo discusses how she found her voice.

(14 minutes) Julia faced difficulties early on in life with trying to perform everyday tasks. Before she was five years old, she was diagnosed with two learning disabilities: Encephalopathy and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). She struggled in school for a long time, but that changed when she took journalism in high school and learned how to become an advocate. She is currently in college and hopes to help others find their voices.

For Different Brains articles written by Julia: https://www.differentbrains.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-someone-with-developmental-coordination-disorder/

To see Julia’s “Neurodiversity and the Coronavirus” project: https://www.differentbrains.org/neurodiversity-the-coronavirus/

Julia’s article for EP Magazine can be seen here: https://www.epmagazine.com/blog/being-a-neurodiverse-advocate

For more info: https://cee.engr.uconn.edu/include

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Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains!

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