Join Dr. Michael Ellis and Kristin as they discuss how to manage the stress of Covid-19 while parenting your Autistic child. They also discuss his book and work as a physician with a child on the autism spectrum.

When a professional states, "Your child has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)", it is enough to make your whole world fall apart. What does it mean to be on the autism spectrum? How will this affect your child's life, your life, the life of your family, and others you interact with? What sorts of medications, therapies, and alternative methods are used to help manage the disorder? What are the financial and legal ramifications? How will this affect schooling, your spiritual growth, and everyday life? These are just a few of the questions that will rapidly cross your mind.

Caring for Autism: Practical Advice from a Parent and Physician delves into all these questions and more. As the father of a daughter with ASD and as a trained psychiatrist who specializes in ASD, Dr. Michael A. Ellis provides a holistic view of what comes after diagnosis. In user-friendly tones, he answers the most commonly asked questions about what it's actually like to live with ASD, what medications and therapies are available, and the global impact it has on the child's environment. With the help of his wife, Lori Layton Ellis, to provide a mother's perspective, Dr. Ellis shares personal stories of their 10-year journey in order to provide insight and support for anyone - patient, parent, caregiver - traversing the difficulties of autism.

Adam Dreyfus and Dr. Stephanie Holmes discuss how to empower parents with a new model for building support services for families with children on the autism spectrum.

Adam Dreyfus, MA, LBA is the Chief Science Officer of AnswersNow and is a nationally recognized expert in the field of Verbal Behavior Analysis. He currently serves as the Director of the Sarah Dooley Center for Autism in Richmond, VA. He is also a co-founder of AnswersNow, an innovative mobile app that connects parents and caregivers of children diagnosed with autism directly with board certified experts.

Prior to that he served the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Technical Assistance Associate at VCU’s Autism Center for Excellence. Adam worked in Region 1 and 8 providing direct services to school divisions, primarily working with Henrico County Public Schools as well as Greensville County Public Schools. Adam graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor’s degree in Language and Child Development. He went on to earn his Master’s degree in Special Education/Applied Behavior Analysis from Columbia University’s Teachers College. He studied Verbal Behavior Analysis under Dr. Douglas Greer and was trained in the CABAS system. He holds a Teacher II rank in the system which emphasizes language development and social involvement.

www.getanswersnow.com

Clay and Stephanie discuss his book, “Best Places To Work: An Autistic Adventure in Corporate America.”

Clay M. Westbrook is a lifelong resident of the state of Georgia. He was born in Athens and attended the University of Georgia, earning a bachelor’s degree in History and a law degree, with honors, from the University of Georgia School of Law. After graduating he moved to Atlanta with a carload of belongings, a Labrador Retriever, and dreams of wealth and success. After the real world swiftly crushed those dreams, he practiced law for many years, developing expertise in business law, corporate finance, and commercial real estate, while working with many of the most talented and/or insufferable attorneys this country has ever produced.

Clay and the practice of law parted ways for good in 2009. The breakup was amicable, with both Clay and the legal profession drastically improved as a result. He then spent many years in consulting, developing expertise in corporate finance, financial restructuring, and litigation and bankruptcy strategy consulting. In 2016, he self-diagnosed then was professionally diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, and shortly thereafter, he transitioned into a research director role in a large professional services firm. What happened next? That’s what the book is about.

He most enjoys helping people in complicated situations that require original thought, and working with talented professionals who wish to better serve their clients, with a focus on research, marketing, and information technology. When not writing or working, Clay enjoys history, sports, reading, and the outdoors. Ideally, he would hike in the mountains all day, and then stay in a nice hotel. He resides in Atlanta with his wife and two sons.

Perry and Stephanie Holmes discuss his prolific career and how being a high functioning Aspie has helped him be a voice to others on the Autism Spectrum in their workplace.

Perry Carpenter, Author of "Transformational Security Awareness: What Neuroscientists, Storytellers, and Marketers Can Teach Us About Driving Secure Behaviors" from Wiley Publishing currently serves as Chief Evangelist and Strategy Officer for KnowBe4, the world's most popular security awareness and simulated phishing platform.

Perry holds a Master of Science in Information Assurance (MSIA) from Norwich University in Vermont and is a Certified Chief Information Security Officer (C|CISO).

Perry shares how he was diagnosed later in life with Asperger's Syndrome and will share how he uses his special interests and strengths for his career.

www.knowbe4.com

Join Dr. Julie Watson and Stephanie as they discuss Occupational Therapy needs for people on the Autism Spectrum.

Dr. Julie Watson joined Bay Path University as program coordinator, as well as, an associate professor for the post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate program. She also serves as the Residency Coordinator for the Brooks Institute of Higher Learning Occupational Therapy Neurologic Residency Program. Dr. Watson serves as the Northeast Florida Regional Representative for the Florida Occupational Therapy Association. She has presented research at the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals, American Occupational Therapy Association, Assistive Technology Industry Association, Florida Occupational Therapy Association, and Western Association of Colleges professional conferences. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Wildflower Clinic and consults for several community organizations on a volunteer basis.

Dr. Julie Watson's clinical experience includes positions in outpatient and home health settings serving pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations. She received her BS in Psychology from the University of Maryland, an MOT from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, an MHS from the University of Florida, and a PhD from the University of Florida.

https://www.baypath.edu/academics/faculty-directory/biography/julie-l-watson/

www.convergeautism.com

Join one of Mental Health News Radio Network's podcasters, Dawn Westmoreland of The Empowered Whistleblower podcast with guest, JR Reed.

Can you imagine being diagnosed as a highly Autistic functioning person? JR Reed who is a Lead Editor for the Good Men Project talks about being autistic, how he is advocating for others with disabilities in our podcast interview. We both discuss how to stand up for yourself if you are being harassed in the workplace and how to request a Reasonable Accommodation for getting hired or to enjoy the benefits of employment. We add in a lot of humor during our discussion.

You can learn more about JR here:

https://www.notweirdjustautistic.com (web site)
https://www.facebook.com/notweirdjustautistic (FB page)

Geneticist Dr. David Vigerust joins Stephanie to discuss the connection between sleep and sleep deprivation in Autism.

Dr. Vigerust received a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Texas at El Paso, a master’s degree in Microbiology and Immunology from Texas Tech University and a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Pathology from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Vigerust conducted post-doctoral research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Dr. Vigerust completed a second post-doctoral fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical School in the Department of Pediatrics Disease in the area of molecular biology. Dr. Vigerust was a faculty member in the Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology Department at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and a Health Research Scientist in the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Most recently, Dr. Vigerust is the Director of Clinical Affairs and molecular scientist for a diagnostics laboratory focused around precision medicine, genomics and infectious disease. Dr. Vigerust has published extensively in international journals, presented his research at national and international conferences and is an active editor and reviewer for several prominent journals. Dr. Vigerust has developed several novel molecular diagnostic assays for the prediction of cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes, infectious disease and cancer. Dr. Vigerust speaks often on the subject of precision medicine and was selected as a TEDx speaker in 2016.

Dr. Vigerust currently maintains an Adjunct Assistant Professor position at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the Department of Neurological Surgery and a Clinical Assistant Professor position with the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore School of Pharmacy. Dr. Vigerust’s academic and research interests focus around areas of precision medicine in the treatment of psychiatric and behavioral disorders , diagnostics, infectious disease, and neuroinflammation.

Answering listeners questions about having a career in the field of Autism. You asked for examples and we had a great one right under our nose! Kristin interviews Stephanie Holmes about the gotchas and triumphs she has experienced making her way into a career in the field of Autism.

www.convergeautism.com

Andrea Schneider, MSW and host of The Savvy Shrink on Mental Health News Radio Network discusses school shootings and why it is vitally important to recognize a correct diagnostic profile. Her guest is Dr. Marcia Eckerd who has been in practice as a licensed psychologist since 1985. She was appointed by the State Legislature of CT to serve on the Autism Spectrum Disorder Advisory Council, and on the Clinical Advisory Committee of the Aspergers and Autism Association of New England. She helped establish the Yale-Norwalk Hospital collaboration Pediatric Development and Therapy Center.

She trained extensively in psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mind-body medicine, neuropsychological testing and EMDR both for children and adults. As Director of Clinical Programs of the New Learning Therapy Center, she created a social skills program as well as continuing education program for professionals. She has written several articles which are featured on PsychCentral.

https://blogs.psychcentral.com/aspergers-nld/

https://www.marciaeckerd.com/

Marian Eberly, Ph.D. joins Stephanie Holmes to discuss where diagnostic criteria is being missed when it comes to Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Marian C.Eberly is a licensed clinical social worker, mental health counselor, and registered nurse. She provides a unique blend of compassionate care & 30 years of experience-based competency in several areas, treating children, adolescents , families, marriage & adults: integrating the psychological, medical & spiritual needs of a person; able to integrate therapy with the unique knowledge of understanding pharmacology and medical conditions as well as the psychological issues.