Psychologist, attorney, and Different Brains board member Dr. Lori Butts shares what makes something a “disorder”.

(VIDEO - 22 mins) Dr. Lori J. Butts is the CEO and President of the Clinical & Forensic Institute (CFI) with offices in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Florida. After graduating from Clemson University with Honors, Dr. Butts received her law and doctoral psychology degrees from the innovative jointly sponsored program by Villanova School of Law and MCP Hahnemann University Department of Clinical Psychology. Dr. Butts completed her internship in clinical and forensic psychology at New York University School of Medicine, Bellevue Hospital, and Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, She fulfilled her residency requirements at CFI where she was trained by Dr. John A. Spencer. Dr. Butts is licensed to practice psychology in Colorado and Florida and is a member of the Florida Bar.

Dr. Butts is the Past President of the Florida Psychological Association (FPA). She has previously served as the President of the Forensic Division of FPA and the Co-Chair of Legislative Affairs and Public Policy Board. Dr. Butts has also served on the Committee on Legal Issues (COLI) for the American Psychological Association. She has received the “What A Woman Award” and has been recognized as a Distinguished Psychologist for her dedication and service to the profession of psychology by the Florida Psychological Association. In 2016, she was recognized as the “Mental Health Professional of the Year” by the Broward County Crime Commission.

To find out more about Dr. Butts’ work, visit https://cfiexperts.com/

Follow Different Brains on social media:

https://twitter.com/diffbrains

https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/

https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/

Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains!

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

Educator & musician Joseph Lento shares his philosophy for effectively teaching neurodiverse students.

(VIDEO - 24 mins) Joseph Lento is an educator and a Conservatory-trained professional Musician. He is licensed by NYS as a Teacher of Orchestral Music and School District Administration and began his career in 1984. In 1999 he was named NYC Bronx County High School Teacher of the Year. In 2014 President Barack Obama named him a National Teacher of Arts and Humanities. Joseph is called on frequently by local Radio Hosts, NY Cable TV and local T.V. News stations as an expert on Music, Special Needs students and curriculum development.

To find out more about Joseph Lento, visit him at http://www.brasscomets.org/

You can also check out the blogs he has written for us here: http://differentbrains.org/author/joseph-lento/

Follow Different Brains on social media:

https://twitter.com/diffbrains

https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/

https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/

Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains!

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

David Geslak & Ben Boudreaux discuss the importance of physical activity for those on the autism spectrum.

(40 mins) David S. Geslak BS, ACSM EP-C, CSCS is the Founder and President of Exercise Connection. As a Fitness Coordinator at a school for children with autism, Coach Dave experienced first-hand the challenges of teaching exercise. By understanding that students with autism learn differently, he developed a system that has become a breakthrough in effectively teaching exercise. Nine universities have incorporated his program into their Adapted Physical Education and Special Education Programs. As a pioneer in the field, Dave gives his insightful and inspiring presentations around the world, including, Egypt, Dubai, Barbados, Russia and Canada. Coach Dave is also a published author, writes Autism & Exercise research articles, and has a TV Show “Coach Dave” on the Autism Channel.

Benjamin D. Boudreaux, M.S. is an autism self-advocate, a researcher, and a full-time graduate student at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. There he is pursuing a PhD in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology. Ben’s research interests include physical activity measurement, the 24-hour activity cycle, and the application of multiple wearable technology devices. He has previous clinical experience working in cardiology as an exercise specialist, and has worked with different collegiate sports teams.

For more about Exercise Connection: https://exerciseconnection.com/

For the article by David and Ben mentioned in the interview click here: https://exerciseconnection.com/wp-content/uploads/Exercise_is_a_Life_Changer_for_Those_with_Autism-2.pdf

Follow Different Brains on social media:

https://twitter.com/diffbrains

https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/

https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/

Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains!

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

The REACH Institute founder Dr. Peter Jensen discusses the importance of mental health care for kids.

(13 mins) Peter S. Jensen, MD is the Board Chair and Founder of The REACH Institute. The Institute is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that the most effective, scientifically proven mental health care reaches all children and families. They train primary care providers, therapists, and other professionals to diagnose and treat mental health issues.

While serving as the Associate Director of Child and Adolescent Research at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Dr. Jensen saw a widening gap between scientific knowledge about mental health and the application of that knowledge to help children and teens. Science has made remarkable advances in understanding mental health problems and how to treat them. But healthcare professionals were not consistently or effectively using this knowledge to diagnose and treat common disorders. After leaving NIMH, Dr. Jensen went to Columbia University to serve as the founding director of the Center for the Advancement of Children’s Mental Health. While there, he developed the core methods REACH uses today. The goal was to close the gap between science and practice. The central strategy was to bring together leading scientists, mental health experts and agencies, primary care providers, parents, and schools to identify the best scientific findings available to help children. Then Dr. Jensen led REACH to implement, disseminate, and evaluate these methods. He describes the process as “putting science to work.”

For more about REACH: https://thereachinstitute.org/

Follow Different Brains on social media:

https://twitter.com/diffbrains

https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/

https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/

Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains!

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

Journalist & self-advocate Tara Lerman shares the realities of Tourette Syndrome.

(14 mins) Tara Lerman is a neurodivergent writer and editor with a demonstrated history of working in news media and branded content. Diagnosed with a tic disorder at the age of nine, she is focused on bringing her own experience with Tourette's syndrome to the conversation around neurodiversity at work. She is currently the deputy editor of branded content at GovExec, a D.C.-based news and information services company, where she also serves on the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) council. When she's not working or writing about neurodiversity, you can usually find Tara hiking, biking or rock climbing. 

For more about Tara: https://www.taralerman.com/

Follow Different Brains on social media:

https://twitter.com/diffbrains

https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/

https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/

Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains!

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

The REACH Institute founder Dr. Peter Jensen discusses his work training medical professionals in neurodiversity.

(28 mins) Peter S. Jensen, MD is the Board Chair and Founder of The REACH Institute. The Institute is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that the most effective, scientifically proven mental health care reaches all children and families. They train primary care providers, therapists, and other professionals to diagnose and treat mental health issues.

While serving as the Associate Director of Child and Adolescent Research at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Dr. Jensen saw a widening gap between scientific knowledge about mental health and the application of that knowledge to help children and teens. Science has made remarkable advances in understanding mental health problems and how to treat them. But healthcare professionals were not consistently or effectively using this knowledge to diagnose and treat common disorders. After leaving NIMH, Dr. Jensen went to Columbia University to serve as the founding director of the Center for the Advancement of Children’s Mental Health. While there, he developed the core methods REACH uses today. The goal was to close the gap between science and practice. The central strategy was to bring together leading scientists, mental health experts and agencies, primary care providers, parents, and schools to identify the best scientific findings available to help children. Then Dr. Jensen led REACH to implement, disseminate, and evaluate these methods. He describes the process as “putting science to work.”

For more about REACH: https://thereachinstitute.org/

Follow Different Brains on social media:

https://twitter.com/diffbrains

https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/

https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/

Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains!

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

Self-advocate Andrew Arboe discusses his work helping other autistic individuals develop their driving skills.

(20 mins) Andrew is the founder of Driving With Autism. Driving with Autism is a educational program that helps autistics and their families navigate the steps to take for being a driver. Their content comes with a multi-part webinar series that breaks driving into sizable steps for anyone to manage safely.

For more about Driving with Autism: https://autismdriving.com/

Follow Different Brains on social media:

https://twitter.com/diffbrains

https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/

https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/

Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains!

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

Mark Wolraich, MD discusses his work creating diagnostic scales for ADHD, and how the medical community can better serve neurodivergent patients.

(30 mins) Dr. Wolraich is CMRI/Shaun Walters Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and the Chief of the Section of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, and the former Director of the Child Study Center. He received his MD from SUNY Syracuse Health Sciences Center. His residency training in pediatrics was split between the SUNY Syracuse Health Sciences Center and the University of Oklahoma followed by a fellowship in the care of handicapped children at the University of Oregon. Dr. Wolraich helped create the The Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Rating Scale (VADRS) - a psychological assessment tool for parents of children aged 6 to 12 designed to measure the severity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. He also worked on the Siperstein -Wolraich Adjective Checklist, which helps identify intellectual differences in kids.

Dr. Wolraich has authored 150 journal articles or book chapters including articles in the New England Journal of Medicine, Pediatrics, and the Journal of the American Medical Association. He has edited or written 22 books including three books on ADHD. Dr. Wolraich received the Lewis D. Hollaway Award for Research in Health Science Education from the University of Iowa, the Lee Salk Distinguished Service Award from the Society of Pediatric Psychology, induction into the CHADD Hall of Fame of the Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, the Edith Kinney-Gaylord Presidential Professorship for meeting the highest standards of excellence in teaching and research from the University of Oklahoma, Mentor Award from the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma, and the C. Anderson Aldrich Award from the AAP for outstanding work in the area of child health and human development.

Follow Different Brains on social media:

https://twitter.com/diffbrains

https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/

https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/

Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains!

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

Sam Salver of JFS Broward discusses how their Joshua’s Path program is helping neurodivergent adults find jobs.

(23 minutes) Sam is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the Program Coordinator for Joshua's Path and BOOST at Jewish Family Services of Broward. The Joshua’s Path program at Goodman JFS supports, educates and empowers adults with developmental disabilities and their families, by providing individual consultations, assistance navigating the system, information, resources and referrals, and pathways to employment through social skills and work training.

For more about Joshua’s Path: https://www.jfsbroward.org/

February is Jewish disability awareness and inclusion month, and JFS Broward / Joshua’s Path is hosting several free events. for more info, visit: https://www.jfsbroward.org/calendar/seminars-and-support-groups/

Follow Different Brains on social media:

https://twitter.com/diffbrains

https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/

https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/

Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains!

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

Irish autism self-advocate, author, and speaker Jude Morrow returns to discuss his new book “Loving Your Place On The Spectrum”.

(31 minutes) Jude is an autistic best-selling author, entrepreneur, philanthropist and keynote speaker from Derry, Northern Ireland. He travels the world to showcase through his talks that autistic children can grow up to live happy and successful lives. Jude's books are published by Beyond Words, publisher of The Secret. Jude is the founder of Neurodiversity Training International, the world's premier autistic-led training and consultancy firm to global non-profits and Fortune 500 companies. He is also a 2 time TedX speaker and nurtures parents, teachers and professionals to develop a kinder mindset toward autistic people young and old. Jude is the author of the Amazon best-seller “Why Does Daddy Always Look So Sad?”, and the new book “Loving Your Place On The Spectrum”.

For more about Jude:

https://judemorrow.com/

https://www.neurodiversity-training.net/

https://www.facebook.com/judemorrowauthor

https://www.instagram.com/judemorrow/

https://twitter.com/judemorrow10

Follow Different Brains on social media:

https://twitter.com/diffbrains

https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/

https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/

Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains!

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