This episode originally aired on Liv Label Free hosted by Livia Sara. 

In this vulnerable episode, Liv opens up about how her OCD has resurfaced since moving back home. Liv and Sharon also discuss how traditional treatments for OCD and eating disorders fail neurodivergent people when the approach isn’t person-centered.

To connect with Liv: Contact Liv Label Free and Autism and anorexia books – Liv Label Free

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In this episode of Unmasking Social, Sharon sits down with Maureen Nguyen- a lifelong math teacher whose path has led her into meaningful work supporting neurodivergent college students in Perth, Australia. Maureen works at Kiara College, a specialized college uniquely embedded within a neurotypical university, where inclusion isn’t an add-on- it’s the heartbeat of the campus.
What truly sets Kiara College apart is its strengths-based model, consistent flexibility, and responsiveness to student advocacy with students who are in communities that don't have access to the resources that others do.

Programs and supports evolve alongside students’ interests, honoring interests and growth rather than rigid expectations. Just as powerful is the role of families: parents are centered in the process and supported through shared community, recognizing that navigating the college years impacts caregivers too.

While Maureen will always love math, her passion for neurodivergence has become her daily mission. After witnessing how many neurodivergent children and young adults were underserved in Perth, she committed herself to spreading inclusive, strengths-affirming practices- locally and globally, making sure that those who are in underserved communities do not get left behind. This conversation is a hopeful look at what’s possible when inclusion, advocacy, and belief in neurodivergent potential lead the way.

To follow Maureen's work, go to Kiara College – Respect, Responsibility, Effort and Excellence.

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On this week’s episode of Unmasking Social, Tara Trievel — special educator, autism specialist, and parent coach — joins us for a powerful conversation about how to best support parents of autistic teens and tweens while balancing the evolving needs of their children.  Tara explores how parental expectations, environmental modifications, and collaboration across home, school, and community can create a more connected support system for autistic high school and college students. She emphasizes the importance of guiding young people toward interdependence rather than independence, reminding listeners that meaningful growth happens when we lead with mentorship and teamwork.

Tara also reframes the concept of “unmasking,” sharing that it’s not about tearing the mask off entirely — but rather, understanding the transitions between masks and how context shapes authentic self-expression. You can follow Tara on her website https://www.2besocial.org/coachingforsuccess or on instagram and tiktok.

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Jan Stewart is a passionate advocate for the autism and OCD communities whose voice is rooted in lived experience, compassion, and unwavering perseverance. In this heartfelt episode, Jan shares her deeply personal journey as a parent raising children with neurodivergent needs, including autism, OCD, ADHD, and multiple disabilities.

Drawing from years of advocacy, collaboration with educators, and navigating complex systems, Jan offers powerful insights into the importance of partnership, communication, and persistence in supporting neurodivergent children. As the author of Hold on Tight: A Parent’s Journey Raising Children with Mental Illness, Jan has helped countless families feel seen and validated, acknowledging both the profound challenges and meaningful triumphs of parenting children with diverse needs.

Throughout the conversation, Jan provides practical, experience-based strategies for building effective communication with educators, fostering collaborative relationships, and creating supportive environments that prepare children for their own level of independence. She also speaks honestly about the emotional journey of parenthood — highlighting the importance of self-care, maintaining personal identity, and finding strength while supporting a child with complex needs.

Jan currently chairs the Board at Kerry’s Place Autism Services, Canada’s largest autism services provider, and is a member of the IOCDF/Canada task force that is working to enhance resources and collaboration across the country.  She was previously Vice Chair at Canada’s leading psychiatric hospital CAMH and served on the Parent Advisory Board at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Department of Neuropsychopharmacology.  She has presented at multiple IOCDF and autism conferences and events and has written regularly for Today’s Parent, Autism Parenting Magazine, Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine and the IOCDF Newsletter, among others. Jan spent the majority of her career as a senior Partner with the global executive search firm Egon Zehnder.

Jan’s work as a parent advocate, author, and community voice continues to empower families to stay connected, informed, and hopeful.

To connect with Jan, you can reach her through Sharon Baum at [email protected]
.

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In this episode, we talk with Renee Attaway Storer, a speech-language pathologist and long-time collaborator with Social Thinking, whose passion for social learning began during her years at The Parish School in Houston. Renee went on to open up the doors to a social learning program there and now trains professionals across North America, but her dream extended beyond the classroom. She envisioned a place where neurodivergent children and teens could practice social communication in authentic, everyday contexts. That vision came to life through a barrier-free social learning camp designed for autistic and AuDHD youth ages 8–16. In this supportive, natural environment, campers build meaningful friendships, develop independence, and learn regulation and social communication strategies alongside a team of SLPs, special educators, and social communication specialists. The camp allows social and functional life experiences to unfold in real time, giving teens and tweens the chance to work toward their own social goals, problem-solve naturally, and find a sense of belonging and community that carries with them beyond camp and back into school life. 

This camp model is an authentic way to bridge social connections in the backdrop of summer fun.

To reach Renee, you can email her [email protected] or find her on the social thinking training page: https://www.socialthinking.com/speakers/renee-attaway-storer.



In this episode, we talk with Renee Attaway Storer, a speech-language pathologist and long-time collaborator with Social Thinking, whose passion for social learning began during her years at The Parish School in Houston. Renee went on to open up the doors to a social learning program there and now trains professionals across North America, but her dream extended beyond the classroom. She envisioned a place where neurodivergent children and teens could practice social communication in authentic, everyday contexts. That vision came to life through a barrier-free social learning camp designed for autistic and AuDHD youth ages 8–16. In this supportive, natural environment, campers build meaningful friendships, develop independence, and learn regulation and social communication strategies alongside a team of SLPs, special educators, and social communication specialists. The camp allows social and functional life experiences to unfold in real time, giving teens and tweens the chance to work toward their own social goals, problem-solve naturally, and find a sense of belonging and community that carries with them beyond camp and back into school life. 

This camp model is an authentic way to bridge social connections in the backdrop of summer fun.

To reach Renee, you can email her [email protected] or find her on the social thinking training page: https://www.socialthinking.com/speakers/renee-attaway-storer.

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In this week’s conversation, Sharon sits down with Rebecca Tarrant in a poignant episode of celebration. Rebecca is a Global Ambassador for Autistic Youth International (formerly Autistic Pride) who has made a great impact on Autism and acceptance and pride in her hometown in NC as well as on an international level. Rebecca speaks from a uniquely powerful perspective as an autistic individual, an advocate, and a mother to her autistic son, Jackson, who is minimally verbal with high support needs.

Rebecca shares what it truly means to support your child through the journey from what you imagined to what is, and how to meet them with acceptance, attunement, and pride. Her insights about Jackson’s growth, personality, and communication illuminate what it looks like to honor who your child really is.

A former lawyer, Rebecca now dedicates her life to cultivating and celebrating autistic pride in communities internationally. She works tirelessly to ensure that autistic voices, especially those who cannot yet speak for themselves, are amplified and celebrated. From organizing Neurodiversity Pride Day to collecting and sharing books featuring authentic autistic characters, her mission is to constantly find ways to celebrate her child and the community that he belongs to.                                                                                                                                          Rebecca reminds us that every autistic individual, and the people who love and support them, should not only accept their loved ones but embrace the culture, strengths, and nuances of a unique brain while building resilience, confidence and community.   To learn more about Rebecca’s work and get involved in the movement, visit:

https://www.autismkidsnc.org, now known as  AutisticYouthInternational: Autistic Youth International on Intagram and Facebook. And you can find Rebecca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin .com/in/rebecca-tarrant-j-d-2a5060273/

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In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation of Unmasking Social, Dr. Stephen Shore, an international autism advocate, professor, and author, explores autism through a global lens. Drawing on his experiences traveling to more than 58 countries, Dr. Shore shares how cultural beliefs, values, and systems shape the way autism is understood, supported, and experienced around the world. Together, they discuss the universality of sensory challenges, the critical role of parents as advocates, and why community-based participatory research must meaningfully include autistic voices. 

Dr. Shore introduces the concept of Daily Life Therapy, emphasizing balance, dignity, and cultural responsiveness in everyday living. The conversation also highlights the importance of early intervention, mental health support, and moving away from deficit-based models toward inclusive, strengths-based approaches.
 
This episode is a reminder that autistic behaviors are human behaviors - and that true inclusion happens when autistic individuals are partners in shaping research, programs, and policy worldwide.  You can find Dr Stephen Shore and his work easily on linked in; (1) Stephen Shore | LinkedIn and DrStephenShore.com.

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In 2018, Rachel was working as an SLP at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, when a traumatic event occurred at her workplace that drew international attention. I had been hoping to bring Rachel onto the podcast for quite some time, as trauma-informed care has always felt foundational to me in any type of therapy- especially speech and language.

In this episode, Rachel shares how her lived experience shaped her work as “the PTSD SLP” and deepened her commitment to trauma-informed practice. the episode is rooted in practical strategies that all of us can implement immediately—from the language we use, to how we check in with students, to how we learn about triggers and intentionally create comfort and safety for both neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals, especially during the formative teen and tween years where trauma often finds itself expressed in nuanced ways.

Rachel emphasizes that trauma-informed care must be preventative, not reactive. As educators and clinicians, we all share responsibility for reducing harm and creating spaces where communication feels safe. Rachel is doing this work on a larger scale through her ongoing trainings, ensuring that trauma-informed practices reach as many professionals in education as possible. The good news? People are receptive-and “trauma-informed” is no longer just a buzzword, but a framework many are finally beginning to understand and embrace in the education field at large.

To find Rachel, visit Professional Trauma-Informed Care | Neurodivergent SLP & Advocacy or go to her Instagram (1) Instagram.

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In this episode of Unmasking Social, Sharon Baum sits down with Sunnia Khan, a psychologist and advocate working in Pakistan and internationally, to explore the realities facing neurodivergent children, teens, and families. Sunnia shares how stigma and shame often force neurodivergent individuals to remain at home and out of sight in her country, leaving them extremely vulnerable and without access to essential inclusive supports. These cultural barriers prevent families from seeking help and delay meaningful intervention during critical developmental years that would allow for these individuals to become independent. Sunnia discusses her strengths-based approach, rooted in the belief that fostering independence is the greatest gift a parent can give their child. She works not only with neurodivergent children, tweens, and teens, but also proves counseling to parents who carry the emotional weight of societal judgment. By validating each family and leading with compassion, Sunnia helps caregivers move past shame and begin to see their child’s strengths, potential, and right to support.

As a mother herself, Sunnia is courageously speaking up to challenge systems that remain far behind and under-resourced. While she acknowledges that change is slow, she remains hopeful that the culture she is deeply connected to will continue to move toward inclusion. Her work is a powerful reminder that advocacy and empathy can rewrite the future of neurodivergence in places with limited resources in Pakistan and beyond. Sunnia Kahn can be found through a simple google search, on linked in, or on instagram. To get in touch or follow Sunnia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunnia-khan-4a2510180/ or https://www.instagram.com/khansunnia?igsh=eHE2aTZ0cnUzZ2N6

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In this solo New Year’s episode of Unmasking Social, host Sharon Baum, MA CCC-SLP, reflects on the journey from unmasking to alignment.

After a year of deep conversations about neurodivergence, identity, community, and belonging all through the lens of social, Sharon pauses to look inward and reflect. She shares why her word for the new year is alignment, and what it means to live, work, and connect in ways that feel congruent rather than performative.

This episode is an invitation to slow down, listen to your nervous system, and consider where you may be forcing yourself into spaces that no longer fit. It also encourages those listening to surround themselves with people and spaces where they do fit.

If you’re entering the new year feeling reflective, cautious, or quietly hopeful, this conversation is for you. The year of the horse is galloping in, and we all have a seat with those stirrups by our side - anchored.

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