Broward Center’s Gustavo Padrino discusses their sensory-friendly performances for the neurodivergent.

(VIDEO - 21 mins) Gustavo Padrino is the Community Engagement Manager for the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The Broward Center builds community through the arts by delivering quality entertainment, educational opportunities and memorable moments that engage and inspire audiences, nurture collaboration and drive economic vitality. The sensory-friendly performances are intended to create a welcoming and supportive environment for children and adults on the autism spectrum as well as individuals with other sensitivity issues or developmental disabilities.

For more about the sensory-friendly performances, and to see walk through videos and a social story pdf, go to: https://www.browardcenter.org/visit/sensory-friendly

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Author and self-advocate Jacki Edry discusses neurodiversity acceptance & inclusion in Israel

(VIDEO - 27 mins) Jacki Edry is a graduate of Hampshire College and has recently authored her first book “Moving Forward: Reflections on Autism, Neurodiversity, Brain Surgery, and Faith”. She has an extensive background in education, writing, and marketing. She has been exploring the world of autism and neurodiversity for over thirty-five years, and shares her insights and ideas on her blog: www.jackisbooks.com.

Jacki is a survivor of complex brain surgery that left a lasting imprint on her body, as well as her neurological and perceptual abilities. She is also a parent of neurodiverse children. She has spent many years advocating for inclusion programs in the educational system and providing support for families of children with disabilities. Jacki resides in Israel with her husband, children, and dog.

For more about Jacki’s work: https://www.jackisbooks.com/

LinkedIn: Jacki Edry | fb: @jackisbooks

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Dr. Marcia Ratner & Dr. James Hendrix discuss recent developments in Alzheimer’s research.

Dr. Marcia Ratner, world-leading neurotoxicologist and research scientist at the Boston University School of Medicine. Her research focus is neurotoxicants, chemicals that can cause brain damage. Marcia is also a project manager for the Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics at Boston University, and she also provides neurotoxicology-related consulting services resulting in major court decisions and policy change involving neurotoxicants. Dr. Ratner is also the Director of Research for Different Brains. For more information about Dr. Ratner, visit: www.neurotoxicants.com

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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Therapist and self-advocate Sean Inderbitzen discusses PTSD on the autism spectrum.

(VIDEO - 24 mins) Sean is a Behavioral Health Therapist, and lives with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. He has a caseload with 33% of his patients that live with ASD and varying co-morbid psychiatric conditions. Prior to being a mental health clinician, he was a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist for Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for 3 years. He was also appointed by Governor Walker to the Statewide Independent Living Council of Wisconsin. He is an incoming member to the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, and provides training on motivational interviewing, ASD and employment, and ASD and co-morbid psychiatric conditions.

For more about Sean’s work:

http://seaninderbitzen.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/sean-inderbitzen-msw-apsw-member-of-mint-a844141b1

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John Hiski Ridge discusses what he has learned racing a child with a rare diagnosis - 22q.

John Hiski Ridge is a professional writer, as well as a Colorado attorney. He has published articles on many topics, including diversity in the workplace, leadership, legal writing, and mountain climbing. He is a graduate of Boston College, where he earned both his J.D. and a Ph.D. in philosophy. Importantly, John is the author of “Maggie and Me,” a blog that discusses issues facing young adults with disabilities, and also teaches philosophy and science in a manner that is accessible to high school and junior high school students.

Maggie and Me can be read on John's website: https://johnhiskiridge.com/

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October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, so join us as we speak with Matt Anderson of PRIDE Industries about their work building inclusive workforces.

PRIDE Industries’ mission is to create employment for people with disabilities. In his role as Vice President of Inclusive Talent Solutions (ITS), Matt Anderson shares the mission of PRIDE Industries with large public and private companies nationwide. Under Matt’s leadership, the ITS team sources, trains, and provides ongoing support to people with disabilities employed at partner companies, helping these organizations maximize the benefits of an inclusive workforce. ITS also offers easy-to-use services for training and staffing to help businesses across the country create and manage a diverse workforce, and provides strategic consulting services to companies on issues related to diversity and inclusivity.

For more about PRIDE Industries: https://www.prideindustries.com/

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Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT returns to discuss codependency.

(VIDEO - 19 mins) Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and expert on relationships and codependency. She’s the author Conquering Shame and Codependency: 8 Steps to Freeing the True You and Codependency for Dummies and six ebooks, including: 10 Steps to Self-Esteem, How To Speak Your Mind – Become Assertive and Set Limits, Dealing with a Narcissist: 8 Steps to Raise Self-Esteem and Set Boundaries with Difficult People and Freedom from Guilt and Blame – Finding Self-Forgiveness, also available on Amazon. Ms. Lancer has counseled individuals and couples for 30 years and coaches internationally. She’s a sought after speaker in media and at professional conferences.

For more about Darlene’s work:

http://www.whatiscodependency.com/

https://darlenelancer.com/

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Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT explains what Narcissistic Personality Disorder really is.

(VIDEO - 21 mins) Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and expert on relationships and codependency. She’s the author Conquering Shame and Codependency: 8 Steps to Freeing the True You and Codependency for Dummies and six ebooks, including: 10 Steps to Self-Esteem, How To Speak Your Mind – Become Assertive and Set Limits, Dealing with a Narcissist: 8 Steps to Raise Self-Esteem and Set Boundaries with Difficult People and Freedom from Guilt and Blame – Finding Self-Forgiveness, also available on Amazon. Ms. Lancer has counseled individuals and couples for 30 years and coaches internationally. She’s a sought after speaker in media and at professional conferences.

For more about Darlene’s work:

http://www.whatiscodependency.com/

https://darlenelancer.com/

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Dr. Eric Endlich discusses his work helping neurodivergent students find the right college.

(VIDEO - 32 mins) Dr. Eric Endlich is the founder of Top College Consultants, whose mission is to improve access to college for students worldwide, especially those with learning differences or emotional challenges. Dr. Endlich has worked with many families around the world to help them navigate the college application process and find the ideal universities for their interests and needs.

He is a Professional Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and serves on their Learning Differences/Neurodiversity Committee. In 2020, IECA honored Dr. Endlich’s contributions with the “Making A Difference” Award. Dr. Endlich is also a licensed psychologist, professional writer and former college instructor. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in English from UC Berkeley, where he was awarded a Regents Scholarship (highest honor) as well as the President’s Undergraduate Fellowship for original research. He went on to earn graduate degrees in psychology from NYU and BU, and a certificate in independent educational consulting from UC Irvine.

Dr. Endlich has taught at Tufts University, Suffolk University, Boston College and UMass Boston. He is an advisory board member for Oakstone Publishing, the International Journal of Rehabilitation and Special Education and the Asperger/Autism Network (AANE).

For more about Dr. Endlich’s work: https://www.topcollegeconsultants.com/

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UChicago’s Dr. Peggy Mason discusses her work on the neurobiological basis of empathy.

(VIDEO - 33 mins) Dr. Mason grew up in the Washington DC area and worked in taxidermy at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History during middle and high school. She received her BA in Biology in 1983 and her PhD in Neuroscience in 1987, both from Harvard. After postdoctoral work at the University of California – San Francisco, she joined the faculty at the University of Chicago in 1992. Dr Mason is now Professor of Neurobiology. For more than 20 years, Dr Mason’s research was focused on the cellular mechanisms of pain modulation. In the last ten plus years, Dr Mason has turned her energies to the biology of empathy and helping behavior in rats. Dr Mason taught medical students for 25 years and wrote a textbook for medical students, now in its second edition (Medical Neurobiology, Oxford University Press, 2nd edition, 2017). Dr Mason started the Neuroscience major at UChicago and was awarded the Quantrell Award, the nation’s oldest prize for undergraduate teaching, in 2018. More broadly, Dr Mason is a neuroevangelist, interested in teaching neurobiology to anyone that will listen.

For more about Dr. Mason: https://thebrainissocool.com/

Her Coursera course “Understanding the Brain: The Neurobiology of Everyday Life” can be seen here: https://www.coursera.org/course/neurobio

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