Thriving on the Spectrum

In the first of a 2-part episode, we explore the role music plays in the lives of autistic individuals. We are joined by Rudy (Rzhude) David, a musician and sound designer who discovers the healing power of music through interactions with individuals on the spectrum and early learners. Rudy has evolved a purpose-designed HumDrum and Rudiments of Music program through which he engages neurodiverse individuals. In addition to this episode, do tune in to its Postscript (episode 7a) where Rudy talks about music as a gateway to neurological development.

Continuing our series on meaningful engagement, in this conversation with Mala Chinnappa and Kavitha Krishnamoorthy, we discuss how the arts play a transformational role in the lives of autistic young adults. Mala is a facilitator at A Brush with Art, a mother of a 20-year old girl with autism and an advertising designer. Kavitha is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of CanBridge Academy, a parent of a young adult with autism, and a certified Arts-based Therapist.

A Brush with Art, ABWA, is a visual arts program for the neuro-diverse and is based in Chennai, India. CanBridge Academy, based in Chennai, India, is a college-like space that trains young adults with autism.

In this episode, as part of our series of episodes on meaningful engagement, we discuss entrepreneurial opportunities for young adults with autism. We are in conversation with a mother-son duo, Veena and Varun Naren who share their journey, learnings and experiences as Varun pursued a multitude of interests over the years.

Varun Naren is a young adult with autism, diagnosed with FragileX syndrome. He is an artist, a doodler, a photographer among many other things! He presently runs virtual art and doodling classes. Veena Naren, Varun’s mother is a special educator and helps Varun with his different businesses.

Join us as we discuss what meaningful engagement looks like at Cafe Arpan. Cafe Arpan was founded in 2018 in Mumbai, India under Yash Charitable Trust with the vision that persons with development and intellectual disabilities (PwIDD) will live and work in the community of their choice with dignity and self-respect. Cafe Arpan is the first cafe in Mumbai that is solely run by persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

We are joined by Sushama Nagarkar, the Co-Founder of Cafe Arpan and Nikhil Sharma, a neurodivergent adult and counter assistant working at Cafe Arpan.

In this episode, we discuss what meaningful engagement looks like for young adults with autism and how one could facilitate it. The conversation also identifies practical tips to help sustain an autistic individual’s interests and pursuits.

We are joined by the Co-Founders and Co-Directors of The CanBridge Academy, Kavitha Krishnamoorthy and Sharada Rajaram. The CanBridge Academy, based in Chennai, India, is a college-like space that trains young autistic adults. Founded in 2018, the organization aims to help young adults with autism be future-ready, building life skills and helping trainees identify their passion.

In this episode, we discuss the crossroads faced by young adults with autism as they transition from school to college. We do a deep-dive into understanding the perspectives of the autistic young adults and their immediate community. Through our discussion, we identify certain opportunities to create a supportive environment for individuals with autism.

We are joined by the Co-Founders and Co-Directors of The CanBridge Academy, Kavitha Krishnamoorthy and Sharada Rajaram. The CanBridge Academy, based in Chennai, India, is a college-like space that trains young adults with autism. Founded in 2018, the organization aims to help young adults with autism be future-ready, building life skills and helping trainees identify their passions.

Welcome to Thriving on the Spectrum! After weeks of preparation and speculation, our podcast series is finally live! We are excited to share the learnings and perspectives of parents and  practitioners caring for young adults with autism.

In our first episode, we are joined by the Co-Founders and Co-Directors of The CanBridge Academy, Kavitha Krishnamoorthy and Sharada Rajaram. We discuss our motivations to start this podcast and what one can expect in the episodes to follow!

Thriving on the Spectrum is produced by The CanBridge Academy, a college-like space that trains young adults with autism, based in Chennai, India.