Unmasking Social

In our latest episode, Dr. Stephen Shore shares his inspiring journey of turning personal interests into powerful advocacy. From his early fascination with watches to becoming a global voice for autism, Dr. Shore exemplifies how nurturing passions can lead to profound personal and societal impact. His emphasis on embracing your unique interests as a pathway to growth, and challenges are always an opportunity for growth. This growth allows anyone who is autistic to find their joy.

You can find Dr. Stephen Shore at his email [email protected]

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Spencer Ng was misunderstood in his earlier years. His parents knew that something was wrong, but also knew his strengths. What started out as a push from the school system for a highly restrictive environment led to Spencer getting social supports in a supportive program, which led him to thrive in high school. From the development of friendships and developing a tribe, Spencer started finding meaning in school beyond academics. It is the connections with others that allow him to face each day in school with more excitement. His passion for engineering has led him not just to be on top of his class, but also allowed him to take his passion to another level and state: the college campus. Spencer's journey is nothing short of a miracle. In this episode, Spencer will help any teen and tween directly think about how connection with others and being social can evolve into something beautiful over time.

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In this powerful and insightful episode, Dr. Lorre Wolf and Dr. Jane Thierfeld Brown open up about their personal and professional journeys raising and supporting neurodivergent children - and how these experiences led them to each other, and ultimately, to a broader community of advocacy and change.

Together, they reflect on a critical disconnect: how foundational supports for executive functioning and social development are often emphasized in early childhood education, yet fade away during the most crucial transitions to adolescence, college, and adulthood. They witnessed firsthand how many young children grow into teens and young adults with diminishing support, limited preparation, and unmet potential.

But this conversation isn't just about gap - it's about glimmers. Dr. Jane and Dr. Lorre remind us that with early and intentional planning, strong parent-child-school collaboration, and an emphasis on individual strengths and passions, transition can be a time of empowerment rather than fear.

💡 Whether you’re a parent, educator, or clinician, this episode will leave you inspired to create systems where neurodiverse students don’t just survive - but thrive.

📚 Check out their co-authored book on Amazon: Neurodiversity and College: A Parent's Guide for Autistic Students 2nd Edition   They can be found through their website:

:https://collegeautismspectrum.com/.  

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In this episode, renowned speech-language pathologist Sarah Ward explores how executive functioning impacts our lives, especially in today’s fast-paced and often overwhelming world. She shares actionable strategies for supporting executive function skills in both digital and non-digital environments, helping individuals (and parents) break tasks down, envision steps, and adapt plans based on shifting contexts. With a focus on AudHD and neurodiverse learners, Sarah emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, she offers tools to help calm the chaos—supporting emotional regulation and building personalized systems to navigate daily demands with more clarity and confidence.

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Nathan grew up in a community that didn’t lean into mental health and learning differences. After spending many years of masking, he did find employment in tech, which he loved. The workplace was not neuro-affirming and this led to the road to recovery while being diagnosed. He speaks to how the interview process still discriminates against neurodiverse individuals by not changing the way they interview, ultimately losing out on some of the greatest minds.

His new-found identity and obstacles he faced helped him advocate on a global level. He has never waivers from supporting women who he has observed to be further ostracized and not given the respect they deserve in the workplace even in 2025.

In this episode Nathan breaks down stereotypes - from autistic and neurodiverse individuals only going into tech because they don’t like social to how autistic children and teens have strengths that are often overlooked Nathan shares his experience to help those listening and shares support and strategies for those struggling to fit in on how to unmask while speaking to the neuro-affirming world on how to adjust their communication and playbook to allow our neurodiverse community to help society in ways that they may not even know are being held up by this community!

After this episode was recorded, Nathan presented as the keynote speaker of the Neurodiversity Foundation as part of their ND Pride Day. He also creates comic strips that captivate the collective human experience in a colorful way. He also has a newsletter that can support neurotypical and neurodivergent children and adults as they work through their own day-day challenges.

Follow him at
- Website
- LinkedIn
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Bluesky

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In this episode, we explore how Social Thinking can be taught in a way that honors neurodiversity and respects each individual's identity. Instead of using a prescriptive, behavior-focused model, we talk about fostering social curiosity—getting to know each autistic person for who they are, not who we think they should be.

We discuss how perspective taking isn’t just about social interactions—it’s about understanding how we navigate the world, work together, and build relationships. Friendship starts with collaboration and shared experiences, not conformity.

Social Thinking, when used as intended, supports the development of metacognition, self-reflection, and executive functioning—all of which are critical to navigating everyday life. These skills can’t be overlooked, especially when helping students and clients set meaningful, realistic goals.

This approach acknowledges that we all share universal social experiences. Social anxiety, for example, is far more common than people admit—yet it's rarely addressed with compassion. The truth is, the human experience is demanding. We must be mindful not to place unrealistic expectations on our students and clients, especially those who already face challenges navigating a neurotypical world.

Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking Clinics embody this more human-centered approach. There, goals are created collaboratively, based on each individual’s lived experiences and desired outcomes. It’s not about changing people—it’s about empowering them to explore social connection in a way that feels authentic and sustainable.

This episode is a reminder: social learning doesn’t need to be rigid. It can (and should) be respectful, flexible, and deeply human. You can find her and her work on socialthinking.com.                                

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In this inaugural episode of 'Unmasking Social', Sharon Baum explores the complexities of social interactions for neurodivergent teens and tweens. She discusses the concept of masking, the challenges of forming friendships, the importance of flexibility in social settings, and the power of self-advocacy. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, Sharon aims to empower her listeners to embrace their unique strengths and navigate their social worlds with confidence.

TAKEAWAYS:

• The things misunderstood about you may actually be your strengths.
• Masking is a common phenomenon among neurodivergent individuals.
• Finding the right friends is crucial for social development.
• Friendship does not have a one-size-fits-all approach.
• Virtual friendships can be just as meaningful as in-person ones.
• Flexibility is essential in navigating social situations.
• Self-advocacy helps in expressing needs and feelings.
• Understanding your strengths can guide your social interactions.
• Neurodivergent individuals contribute significantly to society.
• Building connections starts with one person.

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Welcome to Unmasking Social – the podcast where autistic teens and young adults, families, and professionals come together to explore real, authentic ways of building friendships, community, and identity.

Hosted by a speech-language pathologist with nearly 15 years' experience with autism and ADHD and social communication, this show goes beyond basic advice. Each episode features candid conversations with self-advocates, educators, mental health professionals, and teens themselves – all unmasking the myths and pressures around “fitting in.”

Whether you’re navigating social expectations, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about how we connect in a complex world, Unmasking Social is here to empower you with strategies that align with our core values: empathy, curiosity, and self-acceptance.

🌟 Launching this summer. Hit follow and join the conversation!

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unmaskingsocial1
YouTube: Unmasking Social: The Podcast - YouTube