NeuroDiverse Christian Couples

We continue to discuss the book Dan did not read before publication and what he learned from each chapter when we received our author's copies of Uniquely Us.

Pre-order yours today at https://www.christianneurodiversemarriage.com/uniquelyus

Today, Dr. Stephanie and Carolyn discuss self-concept, self-identity, and self-esteem as key ingredients to building social communication skills. Carolyn's curriculum starts from a neurodiverse-affirming lens that is strengths-based and effective.

Carolyn Long is an SLP and the creator of the Social Optics curriculum.
https://mysocialoptics.com/

Bio:
Carolyn Long, MCD, CCC-SLP, has worked in school districts, private practice, and healthcare for 23 years. She is passionate about using nonverbal and verbal communication to create and navigate social relationships.
She developed Social Optics, a neurodiverse-affirming social communication curriculum, in 2015 and the software in 2022. She believes in the inclusion of student voices in the development of interventions that lead to better outcomes based on engagement, research, and data. She lives in Montana with her husband and 2
amazing teenage daughters. She enjoys fly fishing, horseback riding, and watching others plow snow.

Dr. Holmes discusses promoting safety and independence for young adults on the autism spectrum.

Brody and Julie are OTRs with Springbrook Behavioral Health. They walk you through the skills needed for young adults on the spectrum to live as independently as possible, whether outside of the home or if they need to remain at home. Helping your young adult achieve autonomy, competence, and relatedness is key to a fulfilling life and mental health!

As mentioned: https://nflyte.com
NFlyte

Bios:
Brody is a graduate of Evangel University, where he obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. From there, Brody attended Cox College, where he received his Master's in Occupational Therapy. Since becoming an Occupational Therapy practitioner, he has provided OT services in the fields of Home Healthcare, Inpatient Rehabilitation, and Behavioral Health. Brody currently works at Springbrook Behavioral Health, where he provides Occupational Therapy services to individuals 5-21 years old diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and occurring mental health diagnoses.

Julie is a graduate of D’Youville University, where she obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Human Occupation and minored in psychology. From there, she continued her education at D’Youville University, where she received her Master's in Occupational Therapy. Since becoming an Occupational Therapy practitioner, she has provided OT services in school-based pediatric inpatient/outpatient behavioral health and chemical dependency. Her main focus has been behavioral health, which she has been
in for nine years. Julie currently works at Springbrook Behavioral Health, where she provides Occupational Therapy services to individuals 5-21 years old diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and co-occurring mental health diagnoses. She is also the clinical unit director for our adolescents, who are more independent.

Julie is passionate about helping individuals with higher support needs, as her 7-year-old son has Autism.

Join Dr. Stephanie Holmes podcasting from the 2023 Converge Autism Conference with conference speaker Dr. Richard Boles. Dr. Boles joins her for an in-depth discussion about how energy metabolism, when not working right, can lead to many disorders, including Autism.

About Dr. Boles
Dr. Richard G. Boles is a medical geneticist and a pediatrician who specializes in mitochondrial medicine, functional disease (including cyclic vomiting syndrome, other atypical forms of migraine, and chronic fatigue syndrome), and autism spectrum disorders. His expertise stems from decades of both clinical work and research at a major academic center, as well as from his most recent experience in cutting-edge biotechnology and genomics. He uses an innovative and integrative approach in both diagnosis and treatment to best serve his patients. Dr. Boles leads the NeuroGenomics program at NeurAbilities. Patients, physicians, and other healthcare providers can consult with Dr. Boles directly about reanalyzing previously done genetic testing results, advice for managing neurometabolic disorders, or obtain guidance on choosing and interpreting genetic testing. Neurogenomics can help to unravel the biological causes and contributions for many diseases and disorders, as well as provide vital information for changing clinical management, including:

• Mitochondrial Disease and Dysfunction

• Autistic Spectrum Disorders

• Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Intellectual Disabilities

• Chronic Pain, Fatigue, and Headache Disorders

• Epilepsy/Seizures

• Unexplained and Undiagnosed Disorders

And Much More

https://neurabilities.com/our-team/staff-bio-richard-boles-md/

https://www.neuroneeds.com/

https://neurabilities.com/our-team/staff-bio-richard-boles-md/

https://cnnh.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/NeuroGenomics-Boles-2018-web.pdf

Disclaimer:
When we have guests on the ASR podcast, they are recognized for their expertise in autism as advocates, self-advocates, clinicians, parents, or other professionals in the field. They may or may not be part of the faith community; having a guest on the broader topic of autism does not reflect complete agreement with the guest, just as many guests may disagree with our faith perspective. Guests are chosen by topic for the chosen podcast discussion and are not necessarily in full agreement with all beliefs of the chosen guest(s).

Dr. Stephanie interviews Rosemarie Griffin about her workshop on joint attention.

Joint attention is an essential skill for clinicians, teachers, and parents to address for the autistic child/student.

Joint attention involves shared attention between at least two people on an object or even with both people knowing they are attending to the same entity. While this is focused on students, this information is also essential for couples to learn.

While Dan participated in half of the new book, Uniquely Us, he did not read the chapter written by our other contributing authors in time for the book to reach the publisher by the due date. So, this next series will be Dan reacting to our new book, Uniquely Us!


Today, we discuss chapter 8 of the book written by Robin Tate, MA, MS, CAS. Dan, while ND himself, has not really studied and read very much about the spectrum. So, he reacts with questions and his interpretation of the chapter. Today, we start with a brief definition of Executive Function and talk about EF challenges vs. lack of execution. We discuss will and willpower and their role in EF.

Today, Dr. Holmes and guest Meisha Marshall discuss NLP.

What is NLP?
Is it something people of faith should be concerned about?
What drew Meisha to NLP?
What are the tools that NLP offers?
Can NLP be helpful for those on the spectrum?

More on Autism and NLP
https://anlp.org/blog/using-nlp-to-help-high-functioning-autistic-children-explore-change-

Bio of Guest:
Meisha is a Marriage Coach dedicated to helping adult children of divorced parents disrupt the cycle of divorce. Her mission is to assist clients in better understanding what's really behind their challenging marital interactions, and what to do about them. Meisha's ultimate goal is to keep more families together. She achieves this by helping couples build healthier love, effective communication, mutual support, and stability.

How to find Meisha: [email protected]
Public Email: [email protected]
Business Number: (470) 444-4583
Company: Renew Mindset Coaching

Today, Stephanie talks with Brittany Browne about her recent diagnosis. Many topics are covered, but a key point is the vulnerability that can occur for undiagnosed women on the spectrum.

Bio:
Brittany Browne is a licensed massage therapist and contestant in the 2024 Mrs. Georgia America Pageant. Brittany’s mission on this platform is to elevate the conversation around neurodiversity, with a particular emphasis on understanding and advocating for women with autism. Her journey from acquiring a Master’s degree in International Affairs at Georgia Tech to embracing holistic healing practices, including somatic and psychedelic therapy, offers a unique lens through which she views and addresses the complexities of the human mind and body. As a late-diagnosed autistic woman, Brittany leverages her personal experiences to foster deep connections and offer empathy in her therapeutic work, making her an invaluable asset to the neurodiverse community. Outside of her professional and advocacy work, she indulges in hobbies like sand volleyball, creative arts, and violin, reflecting her commitment to a balanced and enriching lifestyle.

Usually, in this spot is Dan and Just the Guys!

Listeners requested a discussion of later-in-life diagnosed women on the spectrum and a discussion of the spectrum's similarities and differences. Stephanie and her daughter Sydney host this special edition of Just the Girls!