This week, we dove deep in discussion with Virginia Mangialardi, who is the mother of two very active little boys named Michael and Nico. Michael is 6 years old and Nico is 4 years old. Nico was just diagnosed with ASD in February 2021, but she and her family are quickly learning and applying skills he has learned from his support services. This year, she started serving as a committee member for The Autism Speaks walks in the Laurel Highlands and Pittsburgh. Virginia and her husband, Michael, are a team when it comes to family, and are navigating this course as best as they can in support of their son, Nico. Virginia welcomes you to reach out to her, as she would love to help support you and your family in any way that she can as we stumble, walk, and run through this ASD journey together.

Thank you for visiting with us on Spectrum Sundays, Virgina! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to connect with Virginia for support, please send her an email at [email protected], find her on Facebook at “Virginia Nicole”, and follow her on Instagram @gtGirlie34. Thank you everyone and we will see you next Sunday!

“Spectrum Sundays” is a weekly series committed to bringing together autism professionals and advocates. We would love to share your personal stories! Please feel free to message us or email [email protected] if you would like to be featured on Spectrum Sundays.

@missamerica @fromanewperspectiveorg @misspascholarshipfoundation @missamericapa @meghantheeslp @missthousandislands20ny.

Music: Sunset On Terra by HYBRID V is licensed under a Creative Commons License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ Support by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

#SpectrumSundays #DifferentNotLess #Autism #AutismSpectrum #AutismSpectrumDisorders #ASD #Awareness #Acceptance #Appreciation #AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance #AutismAppreciation #SpecialNeeds #Accept #Respect #Empower #Advocate #Service #Neurodiversity #Inclusion

Miss Alaska 2021, Emma Broyles, joins us again on Spectrum Sundays this week to further discuss her advocacy work. She is a junior at Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University, where she studies biomedical sciences and voice performance with a dream of becoming a dermatologist. As a sibling of an individual with an intellectual disability, and as the daughter of a special education teacher, Emma became an advocate for people with intellectual disabilities at a young age. Her involvement with Special Olympics began when she was just 7 years old, and since then, she has been a coach and a president of the largest Special Olympics school program in Alaska, and has helped develop lifelong supporters of Special Olympics.

Thank you for visiting with us on Spectrum Sundays, Emma! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to learn more about her year of service as Miss Alaska, you can find her on Instagram and Facebook @missamericaAK.

“Spectrum Sundays” is a weekly series committed to bringing together autism professionals and advocates. We would love to share your personal stories! Please feel free to message us or email [email protected] if you would like to be featured on Spectrum Sundays.

@missamerica @missamericany @missnewyorkorg @fromanewperspectiveorg @misspascholarshipfoundation @missamericapa @meghantheeslp @missthousandislands20ny.

Music: Sunset On Terra by HYBRID V is licensed under a Creative Commons License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ Support by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

#SpectrumSundays #DifferentNotLess #Autism #AutismSpectrum #AutismSpectrumDisorders #ASD #Awareness #Acceptance #Appreciation #AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance #AutismAppreciation #SpecialNeeds #Accept #Respect #Empower #Advocate #Service #Neurodiversity #Inclusion

This week we welcome Miss Alaska 2021, Emma Broyles, to Spectrum Sundays! She is a junior at Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University, where she studies biomedical sciences and voice performance with a dream of becoming a dermatologist. As a sibling of an individual with an intellectual disability, and as the daughter of a special education teacher, Emma became an advocate for people with intellectual disabilities at a young age. Her involvement with Special Olympics began when she was just 7 years old, and since then, she has been a coach and a president of the largest Special Olympics school program in Alaska, and has helped develop lifelong supporters of Special Olympics.

Thank you for visiting with us on Spectrum Sundays, Emma! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to learn more about her year of service as Miss Alaska, you can find her on Instagram and Facebook @missamericaAK.

“Spectrum Sundays” is a weekly series committed to bringing together autism professionals and advocates. We would love to share your personal stories! Please feel free to message us or email [email protected] if you would like to be featured on Spectrum Sundays.

@missamerica @missamericany @missnewyorkorg @fromanewperspectiveorg @misspascholarshipfoundation @missamericapa @meghantheeslp @missthousandislands20ny.

Music: Sunset On Terra by HYBRID V is licensed under a Creative Commons License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ Support by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

#SpectrumSundays #DifferentNotLess #Autism #AutismSpectrum #AutismSpectrumDisorders #ASD #Awareness #Acceptance #Appreciation #AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance #AutismAppreciation #SpecialNeeds #Accept #Respect #Empower #Advocate #Service #Neurodiversity #Inclusion

Welcome back Katie Shuman to Spectrum Sundays, who is an avid autism advocate. She is also a life coach who specializes in helping neurodivergent women unmask and heal from trauma. Discovering her autistic identity at almost 22 years old led her on a journey of inner healing and self-discovery that she is still on today. Through doing her own self-healing, Katie has become passionate about teaching neurodivergent women how to heal themselves, too. In the future, she plans to launch an unmasking and inner healing community for neurodivergent women while traveling in her van home that she is currently building.

To connect with Katie for more information about future projects, please follow him on Instagram @katiewildandfree . Thank you for sharing your experiences with us, Katie!

“Spectrum Sundays” is a weekly series committed to bringing together autism professionals and advocates. We would love to share your personal stories! Please feel free to message us or email [email protected] if you would like to be featured on Spectrum Sundays.

@missamerica @missamericany @missnewyorkorg @fromanewperspectiveorg @misspascholarshipfoundation @missamericapa @meghantheeslp @missthousandislands20ny.

Music: Sunset On Terra by HYBRID V is licensed under a Creative Commons License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ Support by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

#SpectrumSundays #DifferentNotLess #Autism #AutismSpectrum #AutismSpectrumDisorders #ASD #Awareness #Acceptance #Appreciation #AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance #AutismAppreciation #SpecialNeeds #Accept #Respect #Empower #Advocate #Service #Neurodiversity #Inclusion

This week on Spectrum Sundays, we are introducing Katie Shuman who is an avid autism advocate. She is also a life coach who specializes in helping neurodivergent women unmask and heal from trauma. Discovering her autistic identity at almost 22 years old led her on a journey of inner healing and self-discovery that she is still on today. Through doing her own self-healing, Katie has become passionate about teaching neurodivergent women how to heal themselves, too. In the future, she plans to launch an unmasking and inner healing community for neurodivergent women while traveling in her van home that she is currently building.

To connect with Katie for more information about future projects, please follow him on Instagram @katiewildandfree . Thank you for sharing your experiences with us, Katie!

“Spectrum Sundays” is a weekly series committed to bringing together autism professionals and advocates. We would love to share your personal stories! Please feel free to message us or email [email protected] if you would like to be featured on Spectrum Sundays.

@missamerica @missamericany @missnewyorkorg @fromanewperspectiveorg @misspascholarshipfoundation @missamericapa @meghantheeslp @missthousandislands20ny.

Music: Sunset On Terra by HYBRID V is licensed under a Creative Commons License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ Support by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

#SpectrumSundays #DifferentNotLess #Autism #AutismSpectrum #AutismSpectrumDisorders #ASD #Awareness #Acceptance #Appreciation #AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance #AutismAppreciation #SpecialNeeds #Accept #Respect #Empower #Advocate #Service #Neurodiversity #Inclusion

Welcome back, Ben Hartranft to Spectrum Sundays this week! He is a self-advocate who is the president of Benergy1 Presentations. His mission is to promote kindness, inspiration, and achievement through education. Ben has presented his message of inclusion and kindness at over 40 schools and businesses sharing his story of being non-verbal at the age of 2 to now being a full-time public speaker. Ben has many public appearances such as being a guest on the Ellen show and carrying the Lombardi trophy at the ring ceremony for the Philadelphia Eagles Superbowl Champions. He has also been hired as game day staff for the Eagles.

To connect with Ben for more information about future projects, please follow him on Instagram @benrct, on Twitter @BenergyEAC and on facebook at facebook.com/ben.hartranft. Visit Benergy1.com to learn more about Ben’s story and how to have him present for your organization. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us, Alexis!

“Spectrum Sundays” is a weekly series committed to bringing together autism professionals and advocates. We would love to share your personal stories! Please feel free to message us or email [email protected] if you would like to be featured on Spectrum Sundays.

@missamerica @missamericany @missnewyorkorg @fromanewperspectiveorg @misspascholarshipfoundation @missamericapa @meghantheeslp @missthousandislands20ny.

Music: Sunset On Terra by HYBRID V is licensed under a Creative Commons License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ Support by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

#SpectrumSundays #DifferentNotLess #Autism #AutismSpectrum #AutismSpectrumDisorders #ASD #Awareness #Acceptance #Appreciation #AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance #AutismAppreciation #SpecialNeeds #Accept #Respect #Empower #Advocate #Service #Neurodiversity #Inclusion

We are excited to share Alexis Wineman’s second visit with Spectrum Sundays this week! She is an autism self-advocate who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 11. She now works as a daycare and preschool professional. Alexis enjoys public speaking and held the prestigious title of Miss Montana 2012, where she expanded upon her advocacy work for the autism community. She was also voted as America’s Choice in 2013 when she graced the Miss America stage in Las Vegas, Nevada.

To connect with Alexis for more information about future projects, Facebook and twitter @AlexisWineman, on Instagram @alexis.wineman, and visit her website at alexiswineman.com. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us, Alexis!

“Spectrum Sundays” is a weekly series committed to bringing together autism professionals and advocates. We would love to share your personal stories! Please feel free to message us or email [email protected] if you would like to be featured on Spectrum Sundays.

@missamerica @missamericany @missnewyorkorg @fromanewperspectiveorg @misspascholarshipfoundation @missamericapa @meghantheeslp @missthousandislands20ny.

Music: Sunset On Terra by HYBRID V is licensed under a Creative Commons License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ Support by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

#SpectrumSundays #DifferentNotLess #Autism #AutismSpectrum #AutismSpectrumDisorders #ASD #Awareness #Acceptance #Appreciation #AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance #AutismAppreciation #SpecialNeeds #Accept #Respect #Empower #Advocate #Service #Neurodiversity #Inclusion

Help us welcome Ben Hartranft to Spectrum Sundays this week. He is a self-advocate who is the president of Benergy1 Presentations. His mission is to promote kindness, inspiration, and achievement through education. Ben has presented his message of inclusion and kindness at over 40 schools and businesses sharing his story of being non-verbal at the age of 2 to now being a full-time public speaker. Ben has many public appearances such as being a guest on the Ellen show and carrying the Lombardi trophy at the ring ceremony for the Philadelphia Eagles Superbowl Champions. He has also been hired as game day staff for the Eagles.

To connect with Ben for more information about future projects, please follow him on Instagram @benrct, on Twitter @BenergyEAC and on facebook at facebook.com/ben.hartranft. Visit Benergy1.com to learn more about Ben’s story and how to have him present for your organization. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us, Alexis!

“Spectrum Sundays” is a weekly series committed to bringing together autism professionals and advocates. We would love to share your personal stories! Please feel free to message us or email [email protected] if you would like to be featured on Spectrum Sundays.

@missamerica @missamericany @missnewyorkorg @fromanewperspectiveorg @misspascholarshipfoundation @missamericapa @meghantheeslp @missthousandislands20ny.

Music: Sunset On Terra by HYBRID V is licensed under a Creative Commons License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ Support by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

#SpectrumSundays #DifferentNotLess #Autism #AutismSpectrum #AutismSpectrumDisorders #ASD #Awareness #Acceptance #Appreciation #AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance #AutismAppreciation #SpecialNeeds #Accept #Respect #Empower #Advocate #Service #Neurodiversity #Inclusion

Please help us welcome Alexis Wineman to Spectrum Sundays this week! She is an autism self-advocate who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 11. She now works as a daycare and preschool professional. Alexis enjoys public speaking and held the prestigious title of Miss Montana 2012, where she expanded upon her advocacy work for the autism community. She was also voted as America’s Choice in 2013 when she graced the Miss America stage in Las Vegas, Nevada.

To connect with Alexis for more information about future projects, Facebook and twitter @AlexisWineman, on Instagram @alexis.wineman, and visit her website at alexiswineman.com. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us, Alexis!

“Spectrum Sundays” is a weekly series committed to bringing together autism professionals and advocates. We would love to share your personal stories! Please feel free to message us or email [email protected] if you would like to be featured on Spectrum Sundays.

@missamerica @missamericany @missnewyorkorg @fromanewperspectiveorg @misspascholarshipfoundation @missamericapa @meghantheeslp @missthousandislands20ny.

Music: Sunset On Terra by HYBRID V is licensed under a Creative Commons License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ Support by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

#SpectrumSundays #DifferentNotLess #Autism #AutismSpectrum #AutismSpectrumDisorders #ASD #Awareness #Acceptance #Appreciation #AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance #AutismAppreciation #SpecialNeeds #Accept #Respect #Empower #Advocate #Service #Neurodiversity #Inclusion

This week, we welcome Allison Peterman back to Spectrum Sundays. Ally was diagnosed with autism at the age of 19 in 2021. Since her diagnosis, she’s been working through social media to break stereotypes about autism and educate parents and advocates. Currently, she attends Pennsylvania State University and she aspires to become a pediatric X-ray technologist at a children’s hospital. She also wishes to travel and speak about the misconceptions of autism while advocating for the community.

To connect with Allison for more information about future projects, you can find her on Instagram at @allypeterman. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us, Ally!

“Spectrum Sundays” is a weekly series committed to bringing together autism professionals and advocates. We would love to share your personal stories! Please feel free to message us or email [email protected] if you would like to be featured on Spectrum Sundays.

@missamerica @missamericany @missnewyorkorg @fromanewperspectiveorg @misspascholarshipfoundation @missamericapa @meghantheeslp @missthousandislands20ny.

Music: Sunset On Terra by HYBRID V is licensed under a Creative Commons License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ Support by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

#SpectrumSundays #DifferentNotLess #Autism #AutismSpectrum #AutismSpectrumDisorders #ASD #Awareness #Acceptance #Appreciation #AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance #AutismAppreciation #SpecialNeeds #Accept #Respect #Empower #Advocate #Service #Neurodiversity #Inclusion