Uniquely Human: The Podcast

EPISODE 168

Sensory Health: An Essential Concern for Neurodivergent People with Dr. Virginia Spielmann, PhD, OTR/L

Dr. Virginia Spielmann discusses sensory health and its broader implications with Barry and Dave, beyond just auditory or visual sensitivity issues. She explains how sensory processing affects emotional and physical well-being, emphasizing that everyone processes sensations constantly but may experience challenges in how they integrate sensory information. She explains how neurodivergent individuals often face misinterpretation of their behaviors, with observable actions being labeled as “just behavior” rather than recognized as potential indicators of sensory distress. Virginia concludes by emphasizing that sensory health is a human issue affecting everyone, not just those with neurodivergent conditions, and highlights how differences in sensory processing have contributed to human diversity and expertise throughout history.

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Episode 167

Chefs on the Spectrum: An Innovative Employment Program for Autistic and Neurodivergent People, with Chef Franklin Becker and Chef Joseph Valentino

This episode features Chef Franklin Becker and Chef Joseph Valentino discussing their work with the Chefs on the Spectrum program at Chef Franklin’s restaurant Point Seven in New York City. Chef Franklin explains how his personal experience as a father of an autistic son inspired him to create the program, which connects autistic adults with meaningful careers in professional kitchens while helping restaurants become more inclusive workplaces. Chef Joe shared his journey from facing job rejections and difficult work environments to thriving as a chef at Point Seven, where he has developed important skills like managing ticket orders and preparing mise en place properly. The discussion highlighted how Joe’s presence has positively impacted the entire kitchen team by teaching tolerance, acceptance, and compassion, while also breaking down stigma about autism in the culinary industry.

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Dr. Mel Houser, MD, physician and founder of the All Brains Belong health care community, explains how current healthcare systems fail neurodivergent people. Dr. Mel explains how traditional healthcare settings create barriers that don’t accommodate neurodivergent needs, and how practices in All Brains Belong, guided by universal design principles, emphasize the importance of elevating lived expertise by telling patients “you are the expert in your body.” The discussion also covered how neurodivergent people often present with intertwined neuroimmune conditions that traditional 10-15 minute medical visits cannot properly address. Dr. Mel concluded by outlining three concrete changes needed in American healthcare systems.

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Episode 165

Pathological Demand Avoidance: The Lived Experience, with Kendahl Damashek

Barry and Dave speak with Kendall Damashek, a parent coach and expert on the topic of PDA. Kendall shared her personal and professional insights into PDA, explaining it as a survival drive for autonomy and equality rather than a pathology. She discussed the physiological and nervous system responses that individuals with PDA experience, emphasizing that these are not conscious choices but reactions to perceived threats to autonomy. Kendall addressed common misconceptions, such as labeling PDA behaviors as oppositional or defiant, and highlighted the importance of understanding the internal experience of those with PDA, and she provided practical strategies for parents and caregivers, including giving more autonomy, fostering equality, providing nervous system safety, and lowering demands.

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Episode 164

Autism Outdoors Utah:

An Innovative Nature-based Family Support Program

with Damon and Tarah Bryan

Damon and Tarah Bryan, founders of Utah Autism Outdoors, discuss how they created their nature-based program for autistic individuals and their families after their son's autism diagnosis. They discuss how their organization started with simple parent support groups and has grown to include outdoor activities like hiking, river rafting, paddleboarding, and yoga classes in nature. The conversation covered the therapeutic benefits of outdoor activities for regulation and sensory processing, the importance of creating safe spaces for families to connect without judgment, and how they incorporate siblings into their programming.

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Episode 163

ALL ABOUT NONSPEAKERS: REFLECTIONS ON AUTISM SPECTRUM NEWS ISSUE WITH AMY LAURENT AND JEN LEPAPE

The discussion focused on the recent issue of Autism Spectrum News dedicated to non-speaking individuals. Topics in the issue included common misunderstandings about supporting non-speakers, including the concept of presuming competence, the role of neuromotor issues, and concerns about communication authenticity and influence. The discussion highlighted that many non-speaking individuals can learn to communicate effectively through methods like spelling and typing, though it requires time and proper support. The guests emphasized that the issue contains 40 articles, including 17 authored or co-authored by non-speakers, covering topics from mental health to legal issues to practical support strategies, demonstrating the complexity of supporting non-speaking individuals beyond simple debates about authenticity.

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EPISODE 162

TWO DADS WHO CONNECTED WITH UNIQUELY HUMAN INTERVIEW BARRY. WITH BRAD BROYLES AND NATHAN PALMER, FROM THE POLARIS CONNECTION

This episode is a replay of The Polaris Connection, an autism parenting podcast hosted by Brad Broyles and Nathan Palmer. In this episode, they interview Barry with specific attention given to how Uniquely Human has had a positive impact in the way they see their children and support their development. Brad and Nathan are also the founders of Polaris Academy. The podcast offers advice, expert insights, and real-life stories to help families of neurodivergent children navigate special education, therapies, and daily life.

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EPISODE 161

BEING “PATHOLOGICALLY GENUINE”: A DISCUSSION WITH DR. JIM COLEMAN

Jim Coleman, a semi-retired biology professor has had an amazing journey. He discusses his late diagnosis as an autistic person and his journey from feeling like “a banana slug transported into the Mojave Desert” to embracing his neurodiversity. He shared his teaching philosophy of helping every student reach their full potential, noting that over 200 of his students have disclosed being neurodivergent to him. Jim also discussed his work with his therapy dog Brea, who visits schools for autistic children and a community center for people recovering from mental illness.

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On Neurotypical and Neurodivergent Relationships: A Discussion with Dr. Cindy Ariel

Dr. Cindy Ariel is a psychologist specializing in neurodivergent and neurodivergent relationships, and in her discussion with Barry and Dave, she shares insights about the specific challenges and unique qualities of such relationships. Cindy emphasizes that successful relationships require both partners to focus on mutual compatibility rather than trying to fix the other person, and how allowing both partners to be authentic can deepen connection and understanding. Given that relationships are a huge part of Dave’s work, he actively contributes his perspective to the discussion with Cindy.

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Sleep Disturbances in Autism and Neurodivergent Conditions: A Discussion with Dr. Beth Malow, MD, Neurologist and Sleep Disorder Expert 

Dr. Malow, discusses how sleep problems affect approximately 80% of individuals on the autism spectrum and family members, emphasizing that improving sleep can positively impact every aspect of an autistic person’s life and the life of the family. She explained that sleep deprivation exacerbates existing challenges and can lead to irritability and impaired social communication, which are already core features of autism. Beth framed sleep as a “window” to help autistic individuals and families, contrasting this positive approach with the common tendency to focus on difficult behavioral patterns when sleep issues occur.

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