Exploring Different Brains

Master storyteller and author Eva Grayzel discusses how sharing stories helps people connect and succeed.

(VIDEO - 25 mins) Eva Grayzel is a master storyteller, author, performance artist, and cancer survivor. Eva explores the intersection of hope, healing and giving back, while telling compelling tales about facing death and living on to change the lives of countless others. An expert on interactive storytelling techniques with thirty years’ experience, Eva Grayzel brings new business strategies to life through the power of story. Eva is also the author and founder of the Talk4Hope Family Book Series.

To find out more about Eva’s work, visit: https://www.evagrayzel.com/

For information about Eva’s Six Step Screening for oral cancer: https://www.sixstepscreening.org/

For more about the Talk4Hope Family Book Series: https://www.evagrayzel.com/talk4hope

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Beacon College’s president Dr. George Hagerty & director of their Center for Student Success Dr. Oksana Hagerty share their work with neurodivergent students.

Dr. George Hagerty if the president of Beacon College, and Dr. Oksana Hagerty is director of the college’s Center for Student Success. Beacon College, a private nonprofit college founded in 1989 in Leesburg, Florida, is the first accredited institution of higher learning designed with curriculum and support services to serve those students with dyslexia, ADHD, or other specific learning disabilities. They offer Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Human Services, Interdisciplinary Studies, Computer Information Systems, Psychology, and Business Management. It is regionally accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is licensed by the Florida Department of Education.

To find out more about Beacon, visit: https://www.beaconcollege.edu/

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Australian self-advocate Tom Oliver discusses his work helping autistic individuals caught in the justice system.

Tom Oliver is a TEDx Speaker and Global leader on autistic individuals caught up in the justice system. He is expected to graduate with LLB and BBioMedSc from The University of Notre Dame Australia, in 2023. He plans to graduate with First Class Honours in Law, in 2023. Subsequently, he plans to be admitted into the LLM at Harvard Law School, in 2024. Tom further works as an Autism Consultant at Savannah Legal Barristers & Solicitors, advising on autistic offenders, and assisting in obtaining tailored, non-custodial sentences. He has a keen interest in litigation, governance, human rights law, intellectual property law, criminal law, banking and finance law, and genetics/neuroscience.

In his spare time, Tom mentors fellow autistic youths across Western Australia. He also speaks at global events/seminars/webinars, advocating for autistic individuals caught up in our justice system, and in gaining employment, through: TED; the Institute of Neurodiversity; CoderDojo; The Business of Autism; IBM's Neurodiversity Celebration Month as Keynote Speaker; Visa; Asda; Tesco; Hogan Lovells; Rolls-Royce; radio stations (89.7fm); Engaging Education; the Western Australian Association of Teacher Assistants Inc. (WAATA); People with Disabilities WA (PWdWA); The Annual Summit on Autism Expo; and The Law Society of Western Australia.

To find out more about Tom’s work, visit: https://tomoliver.biz/

His TED Talk can be seen here: https://youtu.be/i_j5jOadcVc

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PDA North America founder Diane Gould discusses the “Pathological Demand Avoidance”, and its occurrence along the autism spectrum.

(VIDEO - 30 mins) Diane is a therapist, consultant, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has worked for both private agencies and school systems. She has served as a consultant and been a guest lecturer for many area school districts, parent associations and private agencies. She is proud to be the first American professional with a certification in Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome.

To find out more about Diane’s work, visit:

http://www.dianegouldtherapy.com/

http://www.pdanorthamerica.com/

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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/

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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/

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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

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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/

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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/

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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/

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Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains!

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