Shannon Johnson and I speak with Dr. Susan Wilczynski of the National Autism Center.
We cover a range of topics including evidence based practices. We pay particular attention to an educators’ field guide the National Autism Center put together for educators of children on the autism spectrum. You can see a copy of that guide here.
Here is some more about Dr. Wilczynski from her website: Dr. Wilczynski is the Executive Director of the National Autism Center. In her role as Chair of the National Standards Project, she has worked in collaboration with experts from around the country in order to establish national standards for the treatment of individuals on the autism spectrum. Under Dr. Wilczynski’s leadership, the National Autism Center has recently published Evidence-based Practice and Autism in the Schools. This resource manual for educators is being distributed to school systems across the country. It is the first in a series of manuals to support families, educators, physicians, and service providers.
These two fine young man (along with others) have developed– and are developing — programs in schools around the world designed to help students with autism.
Their program encourages autism awareness and promotes relationships between typical students and those with autism. Zak and Max hope to have well over 100 Autism Ambassador programs up and running before the end of 2010
We discuss the relationship between strep infections and OCD.
In Beth’s words:
“When my middle son was twelve, he was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and then Tourette Syndrome. Confined to our home by the horror of his illness, a lifelong placement seemed his likely fate — until I learned that a strep infection might be the cause (a disorder known as PANDAS). Most doctors said I was wrong; but I was right, and two doctors helped me cure him. He is now fully recovered.“
We have a wide ranging conversation about “explosive” children and how best to work with children that do not easily transition from one activity to another. This podcast does not specifically apply to children with autism.
Ross W. Greene is Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and originator of the Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) approach, which was first articulated in his acclaimed book, The Explosive Child. He has authored numerous articles, chapters, and scientific papers on kids with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges and the effectiveness of the CPS model in helping them and their caregivers. His research has been funded by, among others, the Stanley Research Institute, the National Institute on Drug Abuse/National Institutes of Mental Health, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Maine Juvenile Justice Advisory Group.Dr. Greene consults extensively to general and special education schools, inpatient psychiatry units, and residential and juvenile detention facilities, and lectures widely throughout the world. His media appearances include the Oprah Show, Dateline NBC, The Morning Show, Good Morning America, and National Public Radio.
I talk with Dan Tedesco of HandHold Adaptive about iPrompts, their new iPod Touch/iPhone application for people with special needs. In their own words "iPrompts: [is] the portable, customizable, visual prompting tool for those with special needs."
Basically the app lets me put together a visual schedule (think Teacch )for my son on my iPod Touch. I can import pictures and customize it as needed. Great product. We also discuss HandHold Adaptive’s other products they have in the pipeline.
Training Video :
Episode 86 | iPrompts Visual Communication App For The iPhone/iPod Touch [35:39m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Shannon Johnson (Foggyrock.com ) and I talk with Polly Tommey about her successful billboard campaign to meet with British Prime Minister, Gordan Brown. Polly is scheduled to meet with him soon.
Polly also runs the Autism Trust which is a foundation committed to putting together regional centers for people with autism.
Lastly, Polly is the editor-in-chief of the online magazine, Autism File
More about Polly from her website:
Polly Tommey is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Autism File and
has been Managing Director of its UK publisher, Sensinet Limited since
1999. Polly is also the Founder of The Autism Trust, a UK registered
charity focused on building an inspiring and sustainable future for
children with autism in the UK when they leave full time education.
Polly is regarded as one of the leading figures in autism in the UK;
renowned as a campaigning and influential journalist and is featured
regularly as a sector expert in the national media. She is currently
directing and presenting two investigative television documentaries to
be broadcast in 2009 in partnership with the award winning producer,
Michael Nunn. Polly presents a weekly radio programme: Autism Issues
From Around the World on Autism One Radio; she is Secretary of the
Autism Human Rights & Discrimination Initiative; and is a regular
attendee and presenter at conferences worldwide. She is married to
Jonathan Tommey who runs The Autism Clinic and they have three
children, one of whom has autism. Polly is a former film and television
actress.
Shannon Johnson (foggyrock.com) and I talk with Erik Linthorst, father to a child on the spectrum and creator of the film Autistic Like. We have a very interesting conversation about his son, Graham, who was initially diagnosed with autism at an early age. After much research and discussion with various therapists, Erik has come to the conclusion that his son’s behaviors and learning patterns are driven primarliy by a sensory processing disorder. He describes his son as autistic-like rather than autistic. For more information check out his website.
Episode 84 | Erik Linthorst, Father and Creator of the Film Autistic Like [32:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Shannon Johnson and I talk with Chiropractic Neurologists Drs. Robert Melillo and Peter Scire. Dr. Melillo is the author of the book Disconnected Kids and founder of the Brain Balance Centers. We discuss his book and therapies that relate to his form of treatment. The discussion gets a bit heated at times.
Chantal has written a number of books, been the on the cover of NEWSWEEK magazine , appeared on MTV , and hosts a radio show on AutismOne Radio
Here is some more information about her from her website:
Chantal Sicile-Kira, is an international speaker,
author and advocate who has been involved with autism spectrum
disorders for over 20 years as both a parent and a professional on both
sides of the Atlantic. A bilingual French -American, Chantal raised her
autistic son in France, the UK and California. Her experience in the
three different countries was the subject of a 22 page article in the
French professional journal on education and research for special
education, La Nouvelle Revue de l'Adaptation et de la Scolarisation,
June 2006, published by INS HEA. A former researcher on BBC
documentaries and a line producer on a TV Series in Paris, Chantal
currently hosts radio shows in English and in French on Autism One
Radio (an internet based radio station available worldwide at
www.autismone.org/radio
).Chantal also writes for various publications,
including an "Ask Chantal"column for The Autism File
(www.autismfile.com
)
and blogs occasionally on the Huffington Post. Chantal's family
has been highlighted in the Newsweek
cover story "Growing up with Autism'
and featured in the MTV documentary 'True Life' series, in
"I Have Autism' which was therecipient of a 2008 Voice Award.
Shannon (FoggyRock.com ) and I talk with Samuel Sennott about his iPhone App, ProLoQuo2Go . It is an AWESOME application for those looking for an AAC device. If you know PECS , you may find this app is for you. (Our PECS interview can be found here .)
Proloquo2Go™ is a new product from AssistiveWare
that provides a full-featured communication solution for people who
have difficulty speaking. It brings natural sounding text-to-speech
voices, up-to-date symbols, powerful automatic conjugations, a default
vocabulary of over 7000 items, full expandability and extreme ease of
use to the iPhone and iPod touch.
Shannon Johnson and I speak with Dr. Susan Wilczynski of the National Autism Center.
Shannon Johnson
I talk with Dan Tedesco of 
Shannon (