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In this engaging conversation, Amanda and Leta discuss the intersection of autism and the dance studio. They focus on the importance of true authenticity and the detrimental effects of masking. They explore the challenges faced by autistic dancers in traditional dance environments, the role of teachers in fostering inclusivity, modeling true authenticity to their students, and the impact of generational trauma on perceptions of both physical and “hidden” limitations. (Such as physical disabilities, dyslexia, autism, and other disabilities.)

Leta and Amanda emphasize the need for supportive spaces where everyone – dance teachers and dance students - can be their authentic self freely without the pressure to conform to societal expectations. They also discuss the need for dance teachers to practice what they preach, being their authentic selves in the classroom. They end talking about how dance teachers need to realize that the dance teachers were never broken or unworthy, that the dance teachers do not need to mask, and that the dance teachers should be their authentic self.

Links

Podcast Website

https://www.letatapstyles.com

Leta's Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/@letatapstyles

Autistic Wings Dance Company's Website (Where you can learn more about Leta's new nonprofit studio for dancers on the Spectrum and donate to help the studio expand.)

https://www.autisticwingsdancecompany.org

Interested in being a guest on Leta's Tap Styles? We use PodMatch. Click this link to "match" with us. https://www.podmatch.com/member/letastapstylesguest

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In this heartwarming and informative episode of 'Leta Tap Styles', hosts Leta and Amanda welcome Dr. Kristen Williamson, a licensed professional counselor with a PhD in Behavioral Health Management. Join them as they discuss living with autism and ADHD and how it affects their every day life. Come along as they share personal stories, the challenges of masking behaviors, and the unique experiences of military families. Shared anecdotes provide insights into the struggles and triumphs of managing neurodiverse conditions.

Places you can find Dr Kristen Williamson

https://www.tiktok.com/@empowerminds.solu?_t=ZP-8u5O0AOqGHW&_r=1

https://www.instagram.com/@empowermindsolutionsllc

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573292573273&name=xhp_nt__fb__action__open_user

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristensmith0045/ 

Check out our website for a mini biography of Dr Williamson and all of our past and future guests

https://www.letatapstyles.com

You can find the podcast at

https://www.tiktok.com/@letatapstylespodcast

You can find Leta (and her tap dance videos) on the web at

https://www.instagram.com/@letatapstyles (run by her mom.)

You can (sometimes) find Amanda at

https://www.instagram.com/antrisdale

Check out Leta's nonprofit dance studio for dancers on the Spectrum and donate by visiting their website

https://www.autisticwingsdancecompany.org

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Join Leta and Amanda on this week’s “Tap Tuesday” where they take a break from serious topics and discuss a little bit of fluff and toss in a breakdown of Chloe Arnold's choreography. You'll get a glimpse of their fun interactions, quirky discussions, and spontaneous moments. They also touch upon special events coming up, like the Hollywood and DC Tap Fests, and Leta’s admiration for her mentor, choreographer Chloe Arnold. Special mention of Aaron Watson, Leta's favorite singer of all times, liking Leta's dance video on Instagram adds a personal touch to the episode. This podcast is a mix of heartfelt conversation and playful banter, providing a refreshing take on life, dance, and personal challenges.

Register for Hollywood TapFest

https://www.hollywoodtapfest.com/

Watch “Man in the Mirror x Chloe Arnold”

https://youtu.be/1xD0m6kOY_Y?si=nPb2kGIMT_tGCvsT

Support the Chloe and Maud Foundation

https://www.chloeandmaudfoundation.org/

Support Leta’s nonprofit dance studio for dancers on the Spectrum

https://www.autisticwingdancecompany.org

Leta’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/@letatapstyles

The Podcast’s Website

https://www.letatapstyles.com

 Join Us As a Guest

https://www.podmatch.com/member/letastapstylesguest

Have Leta or Amanda on your podcast as a guest

https://www.podmatch.com/member/amandatrisdale

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In this episode of Leta Tap Styles podcast, guest Dr. Bibi Pirayesh, an educational therapist and adjunct faculty at Pepperdine University, joins us to discuss neurodiversity as a social justice. Especially when it comes to the needs of neurodiverse students in the world of education. Leta shares her personal experience with dance teachers. Dr. Bibi emphasizes the need to see neurodiversity as a social justice issue. She also discusses the need to critique the educational system's neurotypical structures. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, the importance of inclusive teaching methods, and the role of advocacy in achieving equity. Throughout, Leta's energetic personality and love for her adorable puppies shine through.

Visit Dr Bibi's website to learn more about Dr Bibi.

Visit Leta's Tap Styles to learn more about the podcast.

Interested in being a guest on Leta's Tap Styles? Use our PodMatch link to reach out to us.

Support Leta's non-profit dance studio for autistic dancers by clicking this link. Every donation helps keep the lights on, and allows Leta to provide quality dance classes for autistic dancers at the same cost as the neurotypical dance studios in town.

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In this episode of the Leta’s Tap Styles, Leta and Amanda discuss the lifelong impacts of masking on autistic dancers. They discuss how dance studio owners and teachers – while well meaning – often cause harm by not understanding what masking is, how it manifests itself, and the physical and emotional harm masking causes. Even the most “inclusive” space seems to demand that their autistic dancers mask in order to make the studio owners and dance teachers not feel uncomfortable.

Amanda and Leta share personal stories of when they were forced by adults to mask, just so others felt more “at ease” with Leta and Amanda. Throughout the episode, they criticize the lack of genuine inclusivity and address the misconceptions about autism being a 'superpower.' They also highlight the importance of creating an environment where autistic dancers can be themselves without the need to mask, referring to their own Autistic Wings Dance Company as a model for inclusivity.

Places like Autistic Wings Dance Company - where autistic dancers aren't asked to mask but allowed to have their "quirks" - are few and far between. Help Leta's dream soar by donating today. https://www.autisticwingsdancecompany.org

Visit our podcast website to find out more about Leta, about Amanda, and about our past and future guests. https://www.letatapstyles.com

Masking and learning all about what masking is and what the affects of masking are on people (mentally and physically) is a new field of study. Very few papers currently exist. Below are a few of those papers.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8992921/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6483965/

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The plan had been to talk to about her program, Thrive, for parents of kids with complex needs. But, when friend of the program, Michelle Choairy, joins the program, scripted questions go out the window. Join us instead as we kind of talk about Thrive, hit upon Michelle's Facebook support group for parents, Wisdom4Complex Kids, and just talk about having kids who aren't "typical."

Check out Wisdom4Complex Kids on Facebook

Check out the Thrive Facebook group for parents

Check out Michelle's website and book a free call 

Donate to Leta's nonprofit dance studio, Autistic Wings Dance Company, by visiting their website, https://www.autisticwingsdancecompany.org

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This week, thirteen years old co-host, Leta, gets a bit personal as she discusses how her dance teachers words left deep wounds. Coming at the discussion from her invisible hip issues, Leta and Amanda discuss how dance teachers never fully understood how Leta's hip works. They talk about how dance teachers inability to fully comprehend the extent of Leta's hip problems have led to issues; from pushing Leta to the point of Leta hurting her hip again, to convincing Leta she will never be able to dance. Even the love and acceptance from Leta's SoleTalk Family isn't strong enough to fully heal the wounds left by others.

We end by talking about how everyone needs a safe space to dance. A place where teachers take the time to understand the needs of their students.

If you can donate $10 a month to help Leta build her dream dance studio, please visit the donation site.

To learn more about Leta's dream studio, or to enroll a dancer/as a dancer, visit the website

Visit https://www.letatapstyles.com to learn more about Leta, Amanda, and the podcast.

Use our link to join PodMatch today. (Leta's Tap Styles receives 20% commission for each person who joins using our link.) https://www.joinpodmatch.com/letastapstyles

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This week, we welcome Jennifer Celeste Briggs, author of the new book, "Watching Sarah Rise." Jenny's takes us along on her journey to find the right therapies and support for her daughter, Sarah. With the help of an entire community of volunteers, Jenny and her family took the Son Rise Program and molded into the perfect therapy for Sarah.

"Watching Sarah Rise" is out now. Find it wherever you buy books, or at Bookshop https://bookshop.org/p/books/watching-sarah-rise-a-journey-of-thriving-with-autism-jennifer-celeste-briggs/21608437?ean=9781647428242&next=t&next=t

Find Jenny online at https://www.instagram.com/jennifercelestebriggsauthor/

Visit our website for more information about Jenny. https://www.letatapstyles.com

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Chloe Arnold's Synco;ated Ladies have officially kicked off their 2025 Concert Tour. Join Amanda and Leta as they give their review of the two shows they watched. (Greeley on Feb 1st and Lone Tree on Feb 2nd.)

Get your tickets - or let the Ladies know where they shoulg go next - by visiting https://www.syncopatedladies.com

Help Chloe and Maud keep tap dance alive for the next generation by donating at https://www.chloeandmaudfoundation.org/donate

Visit our website for more information about Leta, Amanda, and Leta's nonprofit dance studio for autistic dancers in Colorado Springs, Colorado. https://www.letatapstyles.com

Have a tap piece or tap film you want Leta and Amanda to review? Text us at the link above and let us know.

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This week on Leta’s Tap Styles Podcast "Friend's Friday" we welcome Leanne Pritchett. Join us as we share personal anecdotes, insights from years of professional experience, and practical tips for families navigating the complex world of special education, particularly the challenges and intricacies of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

Leanne brings a wealth of knowledge to the table from her years as both a special education teacher and an advocate. We discuss the importance of personalized approaches, understanding individual needs, and the significant role parents play in advocating for their children. Tying it back to Leta’s nonprofit, we discuss how we can take the lessons learned from implementing IEPs in schools and bring it into the dance studio world, making “inclusion” more than just a word being thrown around.

Visit our website to find out more about Leanne.