Unapologetically Whole

By Lola Dada-OlleySociety & Culture Health & Fitness Mental Health Education Self-Improvement Personal Journals

Unapologetically Whole episodes

January 15The Non-Linear Journey to Healing: A Talk with Author and Self Advocate Lisa Hurley
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Summary

In this conversation, Lisa Hurley and Lola Dada-Olley explore the complexities of healing, emphasizing that it is a non-linear journey filled with ups and downs. They discuss the importance of embracing stillness and practicing gratitude as essential components of emotional well-being.
Takeaways
Healing is definitely not linear.
Sometimes healing can feel like it's going up and down.
Periods of stillness are important in the healing process.
Trusting stillness is crucial to avoid anxiety about the future.
Introspection plays a vital role in personal growth.
Expressing gratitude can enhance emotional well-being.
There is always something to be grateful for, even in tough times.
Healing requires patience and self-compassion.
The journey of healing is unique for everyone.
Embracing the journey can lead to deeper understanding.
Unapologetically Whole is a podcast for people who have spent years giving themselves away—to caregiving, culture, or career—and are finally ready to reclaim their voice. Hosted by attorney, author, TEDx speaker, and lifelong caregiver Lola Dada‑Olley, the show explores identity, healing, neurodiversity, cultural stigma, and the quiet work of rebuilding yourself after burnout.

Lola draws from her lived experience as an attorney, a mother of two autistic children, the older sister of an autistic, intellectually disabled adult, and the former host of Not Your Mama’s Autism. She also serves as Lead ADA Counsel for a global banking institution and appears with her family in the Vox Media documentary Sensory Overload on Hulu.

Each episode blends storytelling, reflection, and honest conversation to help caregivers and other leaders recognize the lane they’re in, redefine success on their own terms, and reimagine what it means to thrive without disappearing.

Learn more about Lola’s work and her upcoming memoir at loladadaolley.com, and join the newsletter to stay connected to the movement.
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30 min
January 14 Goodbye Not Your Mama's Autism ... Hello Unapologetically Whole
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Not Your Mama’s Autism had its finale episode in December 2025. Unapologetically Whole is the dawn of a new podcast, guided by the same host, Lola Dada‑Olley, but shaped by a deeper, more expansive mission. After five years of honest conversations about disability, culture, and family, Lola is stepping into a new season, one that honors where she’s been while widening the lens to include every woman who has ever disappeared in service to others.
This trailer marks the bridge between two eras: the close of a beloved community built around autism storytelling, and the beginning of a movement centered on identity, healing, and wholeness. Lola brings with her the same lived experience—attorney, author, TEDx speaker, lifelong caregiver, mother of two autistic children, and older sister to an autistic, intellectually disabled adult, but now she’s inviting listeners into a broader conversation about what it means to reclaim yourself after years of giving yourself away.
Unapologetically Whole explores the quiet, courageous work of rebuilding your sense of self while still showing up for the people you love. Through storytelling, reflection, and deeply human conversations, Lola offers a space for women navigating caregiving, cultural expectations, career reinvention, and the emotional weight of being everything to everyone. It’s a podcast about choosing yourself without abandoning your responsibilities and learning that devotion does not require disappearance.
As this new chapter begins, the heart of Not Your Mama’s Autism lives on, expanded and reimagined. If you’ve ever felt unseen, stretched thin, or unsure where you end and your roles begin, this next season is for you. Welcome to Unapologetically Whole—a home for women ready to reclaim their voice, redefine success, and reimagine what it means to thrive.
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2 min
December 15, 2025The Power of Self-Awareness and Self-Acceptance: A Talk with Author and Self-Advocate Lisa Hurley
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Summary
This conversation explores the complexities of neurodiversity, particularly autism, within the Caribbean context. Lisa Hurley reflects on her personal experiences growing up in a society that lacks awareness and understanding of neurodivergence. She discusses the cultural perceptions of autism, the challenges faced by individuals who do not fit the stereotypical image of autism, and the need for greater visibility and acceptance.
Takeaways
Cultural perceptions shape the understanding of autism.
There is a lack of awareness about neurodiversity.
Expectations of presentation can exclude many individuals.
Visibility is crucial for acceptance of neurodiversity.
Challenging stereotypes is necessary for broader understanding.
Personal experiences highlight systemic issues in society.

Sound Bites

"I've known from childhood that I was different."
"We're not talking about neurodivergence."
"People who look like us are not even considered."

Where to find Lisa Hurley: The Great Exhale
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1 hr
December 10, 2025On The Road To Wholeness, A Family Episode
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In this heartfelt episode, Lola Dada-Olley and Tosan Olley reflect on their journey through autism advocacy, sharing insights from their experiences over the past five years. They discuss the universality of autism, the power of storytelling, and the importance of embracing wholeness while breaking generational cycles. The conversation highlights the intersections of race, disability, and neurodivergence, and sets the stage for their transition to a new podcast identity, 'Unapologetically Whole.'

Takeaways
The podcast has been a platform for sharing our family's journey with autism.
The universality of autism transcends geography and culture.
Sharing our story has allowed others to feel seen and understood.
The richness of humanity is reflected in the diverse stories shared on the podcast.
Embracing wholeness means acknowledging both joy and pain in our lives.
Breaking generational cycles is essential for healing and growth.
The intersection of race and disability shapes unique experiences.
The transition to 'Unapologetically Whole' signifies a new chapter in advocacy.
Gratitude for the community that has supported our journey.
The evolution of our understanding of success and thriving.
Chapters

00:00 Reflecting on a Journey of Autism Advocacy
03:05 The Universality of Autism and Its Impact
06:03 The Power of Sharing Stories
08:56 Embracing Wholeness and Breaking Generational Cycles
11:54 The Intersection of Race, Disability, and Neurodivergence
14:58 Transitioning to Unapologetically Whole
18:00 Gratitude and Looking Forward

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35 min
August 27, 2025Navigating Transitions in Family Life
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SUMMARY
In this episode of Not Your Mama's Autism Podcast, hosts Lola and Tosan Olley discuss the various transitions their family is experiencing, including changes in their children's education, their own career roles, and the impact of policy changes on caregiving. They reflect on the importance of community support, self-care, and the lessons learned from navigating these transitions. The conversation also touches on their shift from audio storytelling to a visual medium, emphasizing the power of sharing their journey to foster understanding and connection.
Takeaways
Transitions are a recurring theme in family life.
Policy changes can significantly impact caregiving responsibilities.
Community support is essential during transitions.
Self-care is crucial for managing stress and responsibilities.
Laughter can be a powerful tool for coping.
It's important to give yourself grace during difficult times.
Time is finite; prioritize what truly matters.
Creative outlets can help reconnect with oneself.
Navigating transitions requires flexibility and adaptability.
Lessons learned from past experiences can guide future decisions.

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39 min
May 17, 2025Sensory Overload: A Talk with The Filmmakers of the Hulu Documentary
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In this episode, we discuss Sensory Overload, a film about how three communitiesnavigate oral care and the world in general with sensory sensitivities in mind.It's also a film about neurodivergence, sensory differences, and how the worldcan be better designed to accommodate people. It's a Vox Media produced film in partnership withHaleon and Sensodyne as part of Sensodyne's Sensory Inclusion Initiative, amission to build better sensory inclusion in oral care.
This episode features Executive Producer Samantha Knowles, Director and Head of Content at Vox Creative Kiana Moore, and Producer Dylan Lenze. They all discuss their journey into storytelling, the filmmaking process, and the importance of representing neurodivergent communities. They share insights on the challenges and joys of documentary filmmaking, the emotional resonance of storytelling, and the significance of creating safe spaces for participants. The conversation highlights the interconnectedness of diverse stories and the personal reflections of the filmmakers on their own neurodivergent experiences.
The documentary is currently streaming on Hulu.
Takeaways
The documentary 'Sensory Overload' focuses on sensory sensitivities in oral care.
Filmmakers share their personal journeys into storytelling.
Documentary filmmaking involves preparation but requires adaptability.
Creating a safe filming environment is crucial for participants.
Editing is an iterative process that emphasizes emotional resonance.
Diverse stories can connect through shared experiences of neurodivergence.
Personal reflections on neurodivergence enrich the storytelling process.
Knowing when to let go of a project is part of the creative process.
The film aims to spark positive conversations about neurodivergence.
Storytelling has the power to make individuals feel seen and heard.

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44 min
May 01, 2025 Sleep and the Brain: A Talk With Angela Tzelepis, PHD
Summary
In this conversation, Dr. Angela Tzelepis discusses the importance of sleep and its benefits, particularly for children. She explains how sleep restores vital energies, contributes to good development, and protects brain health. Dr. Tzelepis also addresses common sleep disorders in children, such as insomnia and sleep apnea, and the challenges of using CPAP machines. She highlights the role of sleep hygiene and the impact of electronics on sleep quality. Additionally, she discusses the relationship between anxiety and sleep problems and provides insights into behavioral interventions for improving sleep.
Takeaways
Sleep is essential for restoring vital energies, promoting good development, and protecting brain health, particularly in children.Common sleep disorders in children include insomnia and sleep apnea, which can have significant impacts on overall health and well-being.Sleep hygiene, including consistent bedtimes, avoiding electronics before bed, and creating a sleep-friendly environment, is crucial for improving sleep quality.Anxiety can contribute to sleep problems, and behavioral interventions can be effective in addressing sleep issues in neurodivergent individuals.Support from family and a holistic approach that considers the individual's environment are important in managing sleep challenges.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Love for Sleep01:08 Benefits of Sleep03:49 Sleep and Growth in Children06:34 Common Sleep Disorders in Children08:22 Challenges of Using CPAP Machines11:23 Causes of Insomnia14:07 Misconceptions About Sleep15:46 Sleep Problems and Anxiety29:04 Challenging Situations and Behavioral Interventions36:26 Sleep Hygiene and Power Naps43:32 Starting Points for Improving Sleep45:07 Conclusion and Resources
Transcript
Lola Dada-Olley (00:07.3)Dr. Zelefis, thank you so very much for joining us on the Not Your Mama's Autism podcast.
Angela Tzelepis (00:15.527)Thank you for inviting me. I'm looking forward to our conversation.
Lola Dada-Olley (00:21.518)Me too. I look forward to talking about sleep. Sleep is one of my favorite hobbies. I don't do it enough. And I think someone like you, I love it. I actually included in my bio when I talk, when I give my talk, I flat out put it in there that I enjoy sleep. And sleep is one of my pastimes. So I took me longer than I should have to understand the
Angela Tzelepis (00:29.762)Yep.
Lola Dada-Olley (00:49.614)of sleep. So for those of us that maybe took things for granted, I know in recent years it's been a lot more to the forefront the importance of getting good sleep, but for those of us who still need some time to fully get to where we need to be when it comes to sleep, what are some of the benefits of sleeping regularly?
Angela Tzelepis (01:07.291)Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah, you're definitely right. There's been an explosion in understanding sleep. think in the years past, it was really under appreciated. And now I, you know, put it up there with, you know, all those good habits that we should be doing like eating well and exercising and sleep. That's, that's up there. And so what are the benefits of sleep there? It basically it restores our vital energies. It gives us a
a relief from the day long bombardment of stimulation and aggravations and things like that. So it gives us a time to kind of restore ourselves. And for kids, what's really important is that during deep sleep, there's a release of a growth hormone that really contributes to good development. so sleep in children is especially important.
Angela Tzelepis (02:12.507)what we know about sleep, a lot of what we know about sleep comes from, what's that?
Lola Dada-Olley (02:13.264)So when you're talking.
Lola Dada-Olley (02:20.827)go ahead, go ahead, I'll follow up.
Angela Tzelepis (02:24.337)We're still okay. A lot of what we know about sleep comes from the research of sleep deprivation or not having enough sleep. And that's really where you'll see it clinically. You'll see kids that don't have enough sleep, they fall asleep in class, teens and adults get drowsy while they're driving. And in fact, one of the leading causes of accidents is not alcohol. It's actually
drowsy driving, even though there's not campaigns out there like there are for drunk driving. Because all it takes is one brief moment of a micro sleep where you're not off and you get in an accident. And then the other thing we see a lot with kids that are sleep deprived is that they're irritable. They have, they can't regulate themselves. And so they can look like
they have ADHD or they can look like they have other problems, but it may be a lot to do with not having enough sleep. You need sleep to be able to concentrate, pay attention, so you'll find sleep deprived kids don't do as well in school, they're not off in class, and they have a hard time focusing on their work. So it has huge, huge implications.
Lola Dada-Olley (03:49.966)You mentioned sleep, tying sleep to growth and children. This is also tied to brain health as well. Could you tell us a little bit about the importance of sleep to growing brains?
Angela Tzelepis (04:07.525)Yes, yes, it's important for the growing brain. In fact, there's a growing body of research that's showing us the physiological effects of sleep and inadequate sleep. so there's research that shows that, there's huge body of research now supporting that lack of sleep, inadequate sleep leads to obesity because there's
certain hormones that get released during sleep that suppress appetite. And if you're not getting adequate sleep, that appetite suppression isn't going to be there. So it can lead to overeating, feeling hungry a lot, and then it can contribute to obesity. It can contribute to diabetes, heart problems, hypertension. And in fact, there's even more recent studies that are showing that
The better your sleep is during your adult years, your young years into adulthood, the more protective that is from dementias and Alzheimer's. So it has significant implications on protecting the brain in many ways. And it's a very complicated science and I can't speak to the details of that, but I do understand, clearly understand the impact it has on our overall health.
Lola Dada-Olley (05:19.568)Hmm.
Angela Tzelepis (05:34.833)You know, not just feeling good in the moment, but it has a lot of long term implications.
Lola Dada-Olley (05:43.608)You are a clinical psychiatrist. You consult at Easterseals on the autism evaluation. It's like, what did I say? I'm sorry, did I say clinical? I meant clinical psychologist. Did I say psychiatrist? I'm sorry. Yes, you are a clinical psychologist. Psychologist, apologies. Yes, you do. Yes, yes, yes. You are a clinical psychologist at Easterseals on the autism evaluation team. And you also.
Angela Tzelepis (05:48.125)psychologist.
Angela Tzelepis (05:52.561)Yes. You said psychiatrist. I'm a clinical psychologist. Yeah. Yeah. I have a PhD, not an MD. Yeah.
Lola Dada-Olley (06:11.576)work at Children's Hospital of Michigan in the pediatric sleep clinic. So that's where I really wanted to hone in on when it comes to that's why I brought up growing brains. And so in your practice, what are some common sleep disorders that you see in growing and growing kids?
Angela Tzelepis (06:33.819)Yeah, yeah, in kids. Probably the most common thing that we see and I see in practice is insomnia, that difficulty falling asleep, falling asleep at the beginning of the night, but then also staying asleep throughout the night. So those those awakenings that happen in the middle of the night and then difficulty falling back asleep. That's I think
the biggest and most challenging thing. We have in the sleep clinic, we see a lot of kids with sleep related breathing problems, sleep apnea, and that disrupts And one of our challenges in working with children that have sleep apnea is helping them get on board and complying with the use of CPAP.
on a regular basis. And it's especially challenging with kids that have autism because of the sensitivities that they have. It's hard for them to wear a CPAP machine. And then I would say the other thing that we see almost regularly, I see it in my clinical practice as a psychologist, and then in the sleep clinic is poor sleep hygiene. People not...
Lola Dada-Olley (07:33.305)Mmm.
Angela Tzelepis (07:58.299)giving sleep the importance that it needs and not engaging in good practices that will assure good sleep. And then there's other things that we see, but those are, I would say, big three things that we deal with, the insomnia, the sleep apnea, and poor sleep habits.
Lola Dada-Olley (08:22.202)I want to dig a little deeper on the sleep apnea portion of your answer. So sleep apnea and then with kids with autism, the CPAP machine and having maybe some sensory challenges depending on the child, it could be definitely challenging. But are there alternatives like mouth devices or oral devices? there something that other things that folks on the spectrum or other neurodivergent people can do?
Angela Tzelepis (08:48.731)Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, the first thing that we actually look at with kids is their tonsils and adenoids and see if those can be removed, if that's contributing to the apnea. And if you can do that surgically and then reduce the difficulty with breathing, that is success.
But if you have to use the app, the machine, there are different masks. The industry has worked towards creating different masks, nose masks, and masks that can be more comfortable. And so there are options, but it's still a challenge. It's going to be a challenge. So the mouth guard, those we don't do in our sleep clinic. You'd have to go to a dentist and see if you're...
you know, candidate for the mouth guards. At the end of the day, is a huge struggle. It's a problem for adults that don't have any of these developmental challenges or sensitivities. Compliance rate for adults is low. So when we move it down to...
Lola Dada-Olley (10:01.668)Yeah, sensory, yeah.
Lola Dada-Olley (10:12.686)Yeah.
Angela Tzelepis (10:14.807)to get kids to do it, it's very frustrating for families. But we work with them and we try to, you know, we have what we call desensitization protocols, getting them to get used to the mask and the air pressure during the daytime and try to make it into a more fun thing as much as possible. It takes a lot of support from the family. It's not like you can...
your kid to bed with that mask on and then expect that they're going to be using it throughout the night.
Lola Dada-Olley (10:53.53)You also mentioned insomnia, and I wanted to dig deeper there a bit. So with insomnia based on what you've seen in your practice over several years now, are there certain triggers to it that you've seen in your practice as to what causes that, particularly for neurodivergent kids or adults as well?
Angela Tzelepis (11:18.415)Yeah.
Angela Tzelepis (11:22.757)Yeah. So, or adults, yeah. Probably one of, you know, there's a number of factors and a number of situations and behaviors that go into, that contribute to insomnia. would say probably the first is bad sleep hygiene, bad sleep habits. And starting with having inconsistent bedtimes, inconsistent sleep times.
Our sleep in our brain requires us to be consistent that we're going to bed and falling asleep at around the same time every day and waking up at the same time every day. And when you deviate too much by an hour or more, you can have some flexibility, but if you deviate several hours a day where you're sleeping in, if you sleep in, then it's going to be hard to fall asleep the next night.
and then you're going to bed later and then you're sleeping in longer. And so that inconsistency is probably the number one cause of insomnia, I would say. The other thing is use of electronics. People, not just children, but adults go to bed with tablets and phones and
You know, that leads to a lot of stimulation. Your mind is busy with whatever it is that you're looking at, whether you're playing games or you're chatting with somebody or shopping or whatever you're doing that keeps your mind going. But above and beyond that, what using electronics at bedtime does in your bed is that it's sending light signals from the eyes to the brain and it's telling the brain to stay awake. And we have a natural
hormone that gets released called melatonin, which most a lot of people have heard of. Melatonin is what's released to help us sleep. And the thing though with the release of melatonin, it only happens when the environment is conducive to sleep, meaning that it has to be dark. If the minute you send a signal to the brain, a light signal, the melatonin production drops.
Angela Tzelepis (13:48.445)So you're not getting your melatonin to help you fall asleep. And that is a big contributor to sleep problems. I tell families all the time in the sleep clinic that, you know, 150 years ago, people didn't have sleep problems. Not the way that we do today. It was dark and you slept and it was light and you were awake. Now with, you know, the advent of...
Lola Dada-Olley (14:07.726)Hmm
Angela Tzelepis (14:18.213)light bulb and we've got more light in their homes and then more and more light and now we got light right in our hands and sending signal to the brain. We've created a society with many sleep problems. So this is across the board whether you have any developmental challenges or not that is a significant contributor to sleep problems and falling asleep.
Angela Tzelepis (14:46.717)You know, those are the big contributors to insomnia. The other is, well, there's more. Taking naps during the day is going to make it hard to fall asleep. And then we move into the realm of other challenges like anxiety. Children on the spectrum, neurodivergent children and individuals have
can have a lot of anxiety. And so the more anxiety that's present, the more challenging your sleep is going to be, because you're laying in bed thinking. For children, they're afraid of the dark. They're thinking of monsters. They want their parent next to them. For adolescents and adults, we're thinking about all of the challenges of the day and what's going to happen tomorrow and who said what to who.
that kind of anxiety can lead to sleep problems. And then, you know.
Lola Dada-Olley (15:51.556)that also lead to going to bed and then waking up in the middle of the night? One of the things you mentioned earlier. Could that also, could anxiety also be a contributing factor?
Angela Tzelepis (15:59.567)Yeah, yeah. yeah, what could yes, anxiety. Yeah, you know, what what happens is that, you know, there's this idea that that that sleep is that you fall asleep and you stay asleep throughout the night. But that's not how sleep works. In fact, you know, we go through sleep cycles, and we go from a light sleep to a deep sleep, and then we go back to a light sleep. And we do that five to six times a night. And when you come back to the light sleep, you're going to briefly wake up, you know, for
10, 15, 20 seconds.
Lola Dada-Olley (17:23.504)So let me dig deeper on that. So I have two children on the spectrum. I have one with significant sleep issues. And this, what you just said about the waking up in the middle of the night and looking around and not seeing your parent, depending on the season,
Our baby girl could, she's 11 now, she could probably wake up depending on the week, three to four times a week around 2 a wakes up, walks into our room and looks for dad. So is that, how would you wean off of that? It's interesting, I didn't realize that it was a, they may not be used to going back to sleep without a parent.
Lola Dada-Olley (18:29.328)We pray with her and put her down to bed and then we close the door and she'll fall asleep on her own. But then in the middle of the night, she will wake up, walk into our room and look for her dad.
Lola Dada-Olley (21:08.528)Yeah, it happened the other night, which might be why I had that Ferdinand, that slip of calling you psychiatrist instead of psychologist. I have apologies for that. Apologies for that. that is something to think about. Thank you. So thinking about sleep generally, what are some common misconceptions you've come across in your practice when people talk to you about sleep or maybe when you talk to others about sleep?
Lola Dada-Olley (22:26.617)Okay.
Lola Dada-Olley (23:25.253)Right.
Lola Dada-Olley (24:22.842)based on what you see.
Lola Dada-Olley (24:29.284)Go ahead, finish what you were saying.
Lola Dada-Olley (25:14.394)So moving from misconceptions to things you've seen in your practice, industry research you've either participated in or you've come across, what could be some of the reasons as to why some neurodivergent people struggle with sleep?
Lola Dada-Olley (28:35.48)of taking all this together and thank you for including that. think it's really important to look at not only the holistic nature of the person that you're treating, but also the holistic nature of the environment around them. So with thinking that through some more, can you walk us through some of your more challenging situations that you've come across and some behavioral interventions that have
proven to be successful.
Lola Dada-Olley (32:21.444)Hmm.
Lola Dada-Olley (33:30.436)Yeah.
Lola Dada-Olley (33:55.114)Yeah, I can imagine. can imagine, especially if you have... Yeah, especially if you have work though early in the morning, that's really tough. That's really tough. But it's definitely, it's a marathon, not a sprint is what you're saying from a behavioral intervention point of view, which makes sense. That's a lot of what positive behavioral support, you know, all those types of...
all those types of philosophies, that's where it comes from. The incremental progress is still progress, so that makes complete sense.
Lola Dada-Olley (34:49.572)Yeah.
Lola Dada-Olley (36:26.426)So we talked about sleep hygiene.
Lola Dada-Olley (36:59.242)because I was going to follow up.
true. I was going to follow up with that because I heard that the power nap is supposed to be a way to at least power through the rest of your day. that's helpful. So we talked a little bit about sleep hygiene, but what does sleep, what does good sleep hygiene look like?
Lola Dada-Olley (37:28.324)So like setting the tone. Yeah. So setting the tone as you go into the evening.
Lola Dada-Olley (40:41.399)Hmm.
Lola Dada-Olley (40:49.39)You might be describing me there as well. Okay.
Lola Dada-Olley (41:09.166)to stay asleep on their own apparently.
Lola Dada-Olley (42:05.678)be some white noise what does white noise work
Lola Dada-Olley (43:05.257)Sounds wonderful. Thank you. Thank you really and truly. I appreciate you spending time. So let's say you are either a child or an adult, neurodivergent or a family member, a loved one who wants to help their loved one get better sleep. Where should they start?
If they don't have the doctor's lupus near them right away, at least, where would they start?
Lola Dada-Olley (44:34.992)Thank Thank you. It's much appreciated. Thank you for all that you do.
Lola Dada-Olley (45:07.032)Wonderful. Yeah, please do. Please. And I'll also put in the show notes.
Lola Dada-Olley (45:19.824)Thank you. What's the name of the site?
Lola Dada-Olley (45:27.383)okay, that's the name on the side. Okay. Thank you. Thank you so much.
53 min
April 01, 2025Better Understanding Challenging Behavior: A Talk with Larissa Heise, BCBA
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Summary
In this episode of Not Your Mama's Autism, host Lola Dada-Olley speaks with licensed social worker and BCBA Larissa Heise about the complexities of challenging behavior in neurodivergent individuals. They discuss the definition of challenging behavior, trends observed in recent years, the importance of identifying triggers, and the role of sensory needs. Larissa emphasizes the need for individualized approaches to support, the common misconceptions surrounding challenging behavior, and the importance of understanding the full context before implementing interventions. The conversation also covers strategies for navigating support systems and the significance of insurance in accessing professional help.
Takeaways
Challenging behavior varies in definition and context.
Challenging behavior often exceeds a family's ability to support.
Safety concerns are a primary focus in identifying challenging behavior.
Attention-seeking behavior is often misunderstood; it is about connection.
Sensory needs can become more complex as individuals grow older.
Understanding individual needs is crucial for effective support.
Misconceptions about challenging behavior can lead to ineffective interventions.
Gradual approaches are necessary for managing triggers and interventions.
Reassessing strategies is important when previous methods stop working.
Navigating insurance and support systems is essential for accessing help.

Chapters
00:00 Understanding Challenging Behavior02:59 Trends in Challenging Behavior06:06 Identifying Triggers09:06 Complex Sensory Needs12:00 Misconceptions About Challenging Behavior15:05 Approaching Triggers and Interventions19:04 Reassessing Strategies24:03 Navigating Support Systems35:55 Getting Started with Professional Help

Transcript Lola Dada-Olley (00:02.364)Larissa Heise, thank you. Thank you for being on the Not Your Mama's Autism podcast today.
Larissa Heise (00:10.317)Thank you for having me.
Lola Dada-Olley (00:13.148)So you are a licensed social worker. You are also a BCBA for those listening who don't understand what that acronym means. In these neurodivergent streets, it means board certified behavioral analyst.
I am going to really enjoy this episode talking to you about behavior. So let's talk about challenging behavior. But before we do so, let's do some level setting. Because challenging behavior means different things to different people. So what would you identify as a challenging behavior?
Larissa Heise (00:57.485)I'm going to give you my personal definition and then I'm going to give you like what I think out in the world people are like generally having consensus on. Given the work that I do, I work a lot with family, families and very, a very parent centered model of support in the work that we do and some of the programs I supervise, very unique programs actually compared to maybe some other providers who are very family centric kind of approach to treatment.
I look at challenging behavior as being something that exceeds the family's ability to support. And that can mean different things for different people. I've had some families who are dealing with the more traditional definition of challenging behavior, which I'm going to share, but I've had other families who, you know, maybe it's not at a level of safety, but they are so overwhelmed. They still don't know what to do. And it's leading to
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40 min
March 01, 2025 Creating Cultures of Neuroinclusion: A Talk with Dr. Theresa Haskins
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Summary
Dr. Theresa Haskins, a professor, researcher, consultant, corporate executive, mom, wife, and advocate, joins the podcast. She shares her journey as an advocate for her children and a self-advocate. Dr. Haskins discusses the diagnosis process for her children and the challenges they faced. She also talks about her experience studying educational psychology and getting her PhD in education. She emphasizes the importance of choice and autonomy in education and the need for inclusive and differentiated learning approaches. Neuroinclusion means creating environments that respect and accept differences in how individuals engage, communicate, and interact with each other. It involves allowing multiple realities and ways of being to coexist without judgment or the need to change others. To achieve neuroinclusion, it is important to start young by building cultures of inclusion in schools and teaching children to respect and value diversity. Additionally, workplaces should prioritize neuroinclusion by creating equitable opportunities for neurodivergent individuals and allowing all employees to be their authentic selves. Neuroinclusion benefits everyone by fostering authenticity and creating a more accepting and inclusive society.
Keywords
advocate, diagnosis, children, educational psychology, PhD, choice, autonomy, inclusive education, differentiated learning, neuroinclusion, differences, respect, acceptance, diversity, inclusion, communication, engagement, authenticity, workplace, education
Takeaways
Dr. Theresa Haskins is an advocate for her children and a self-advocate.She shares her experience with the diagnosis process for her children and the challenges they faced.Studying educational psychology and getting her PhD in education taught her the importance of choice and autonomy in education.Dr. Haskins emphasizes the need for inclusive and differentiated learning approaches. Neuroinclusion means respecting and accepting differences in how individuals engage, communicate, and interact with each other.Starting young by building cultures of inclusion in schools is crucial for promoting neuroinclusion.Workplaces should prioritize neuroinclusion by creating equitable opportunities and allowing all employees to be their authentic selves.Neuroinclusion benefits everyone by fostering authenticity and creating a more accepting and inclusive society.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background04:16 Discovering Giftedness08:04 The Importance of Choice and Autonomy in Education27:36 The Impact of Psychological Safety on Autistic Inclusion32:20 Increasing Empathy for More Inclusive Classrooms and Workplaces36:25 Corporations vs. Classrooms: The Inclusiveness Divide41:29 The Human Nature of Dividing and the Need for Neuroinclusion43:31 Defining Neuroinclusion: Acceptance and Respect for Differences45:18 Unconscious Bias and the Importance of Neuroinclusion47:58 Neuroinclusion in the Workplace: Authenticity and Equitable Opportunities

TRANSCRIPT
Lola (00:02)Hello, welcome. Welcome to the Not Your Mama's Autism podcast. I'm Lola Dada -Olley On the podcast today, we have within our midst, Dr. Theresa Haskins, a woman who wears many, many, many hats. Professor, researcher, consultant, corporate executive, mom, wife, advocate.
Welcome. Welcome to the podcast today. Thank you.
Theresa Haskins (00:35)Thanks for having me here. I think I'm in good com
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50 min
February 01, 2025 Serving Families in Crisis: A Conversation with Breanna Kelly-Higgs LCSW, BCBA
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Summary
Breanna Kelly, a licensed social worker and BCBA, shares her journey into the field of autism and her passion for supporting individuals with co-occurring conditions. She emphasizes the importance of understanding and acknowledging the experiences and needs of individuals with disabilities, as well as the significance of cultural competence in providing effective care. Breanna discusses the challenges within the medical system and the need for collaboration and holistic approaches to support individuals with autism and mental health needs. She also highlights the importance of caregiver training and empowerment. Overall, Breanna advocates for systemic changes and increased resources to improve the lives of individuals with autism and co-occurring conditions.
Takeaways
Understanding and acknowledging the experiences and needs of individuals with disabilities is crucial in providing effective care.Cultural competence and relevance are important in supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds.The medical system needs reform to better support individuals with co-occurring conditions.Caregiver training and empowerment are essential in helping families navigate the challenges of raising a child with autism.Collaboration and holistic approaches are needed to provide comprehensive care for individuals with autism and mental health needs.Increased resources and systemic changes are necessary to improve the lives of individuals with autism and co-occurring conditions.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background02:01 Personal Connection and Early Experiences08:49 Challenges within the Medical System12:02 Cultural Competence and Trauma-Informed Care19:00 Empowering Caregivers through Training23:33 Meeting Caregivers Where They Are30:16 Supporting Families and Building Relationships34:05 Reforming the Medical System41:38 Connecting with Others and Finding Resources
Transcript
Lola Dada-Olley (00:02)Brianna Kelly, thank you. Thank you so much for visiting us today on the Not Your Mama's Autism Podcast.
Breanna (00:11)Thank you for having me. I'm excited.
Lola Dada-Olley (00:16)Me too, me too. I just know you're going to drop the nuggets. The nuggets shall have nuggets. So with that in mind, let's learn a little bit more about you. So you are a true multi -hyphenate. You are a licensed social worker. You're a BCBA. Those not familiar with the term, board certified behavior analyst, and the owner in your spare time of synergy behavioral consulting.
Synergy behavioral consulting. But before we get to all these wonderful things, like what you're currently doing now, let's start, let's go back a little bit. Let's start from the beginning. What made you enter this field? Like, do you have a personal connection?
Breanna (00:46)Yeah.
So it goes back to the early 2000s. And so I was in high school and a freshman in high school actually, and I got invited over to this party that this Christian club was having at my school. And it was at an attached school, which I now know was an alternative school. And it had kids with severely profound, severe and profound disabilities, quote unquote behaviors. There were
pregnant girls. at that time, this was scary to me because we would only see these individuals like in between classes. And I went over there a
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47 min

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Unapologetically Whole is the podcast for anyone who’s ever felt invisible while holding everyone else together. Hosted by attorney, advocate, and lifelong caregiver Lola Dada-Olley, this show is a…

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