Host Sharon daVanport welcomes guests Nick Walker and Jill Jones to discuss the short-film SPECTRUM: A Story of the Mind, autism acceptance, sensory perception and processing for Autistic people. Other film participants, Judy Endow and Tito Mukhopadhyay are not available for the live interview so we will share their pre-arranged Q&A during the show…

DIVERgent committee members discuss the goals and importnce of inclusion within feminism and where women in the disability community fit in. Mission statement: DIVERgent works to change how disabled women are commonly perceived within society while challenging the myths of our inferiority, both as women and as disabled people. We explore the intera…

Join us as we welcome Lei Wiley-Mydske to learn about the Neurodiversity lending library initiative that she founded in her community. The lending library offers books, films, media and community resources that promote autism acceptance. The Ed Wiley Autism Acceptance Library is “dedicated to building an inclusive community and educating the public…

Podcast Guest: Autistic Activist, Kris Guin, founder of Queerability. Queerability's initiative seeks to increase visibility of LGBTQ disabled people by honoring the intersection of the disability and LGBTQ experience. In addition to her work with Queerability, Kris is also a chapter leader for the Autistic Self Advocacy Network in the state of Ken…

Morénike Onaiwu is a national advocate doing work on two important fronts. She is an Autistic Advocate and a Healthcare Activist for HIV positive women, children and families. Morénike has an active petition on over on change.org to keep the Ryan White Aids funding intact, as it is in jeopardy of being eliminated. It's interesting how much the auti…

Why is one of the largest autism organizations in the United States being boycotted by the Autistic Community and their Allies? Join AWN Radio on this first day of Autism Acceptance Month as we discuss the reasons for the Boycott Autism Speaks campaign with guests Kimberly Steiner, Autistic Activist; and Parent Advocate, Beth Ryan. Both Kimberly an…

Join us on AWN Radio as we welcome guest, Paula C. Durbin-Westby, founder of the Autism Acceptance Day initiative. We will find out what April means to Autistic people, and how April 2 will be recognized, as well as how acceptance is the theme for the entire month of April. Paula states: “It's Time to Take Back April! ACCEPTANCE, not "tolerance," n…

Join us as we welcome Autistic Activist Kassiane Sibley, and find out details on Tone it Down Taupe’s iPad mini and Android giveaway in April! Tone it Down Taupe is sponsoring this fantastic gift giveaway for two deserving Autistic adults for April’s Autism Acceptance Month celebration. TiDT’s initiative is to put a halt to the fear from myths and …

Sharon daVanport and Tricia Kenney hosted a special show dedicated to Autism Acceptance Month. Guests included neurodiversity autistic advocate Lydia Borwn, an ASAN member who shared with us all about her progressive involvement in projects for autistic people, and her popular blog, Autistic Hoya. Julie Clark, author of Asperger's in Pink: Pearls o…

Guest -host Dana Commandatore of Rethinking Autism welcomed Todd Drezner, Director of Loving Lampposts: Living Autistic to the show. Todd is the editor of several award winning documentaries which have been shown around the world. In Loving Lamposts: Living Autistic, Todd takes a look into the neurodiversity movement without hesitation. This is an …

Guest-hosts Dana Commandatore of Rethinking Autism and Self-Advocate, Tammy Klein welcome Paula C. Durbin Westby. Ms. Durbin-Westby is an autistic and disability rights activist. She promotes the concept of neurodiversity, with practical applications for people’s lives. In 2011 she started Autism Acceptance Day as a response to Autistics, parents, …

Guest-host Dana Commandatore of Rethinking Autism welcomed the editors of The Thinking Person's Guide to Autism. TPGA is a book and website which features a variety of writers with differing opinions who do not always agree, and the editors believe, "That is both acceptable, and realistic, because autism means something different for every person w…

Julia Bascom, founder and project organizer of The Loud Hands Project, joined us to tell us about this wonderful new publishing effort sponsored by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network.بقلم AWN Radio

"The conflict of two cultures living side by side in the same household created a struggle to gain control over of the environment, the ensuing chaos deconstructed our family unit. There was so much more to the story of The Girl Who Spoke With Pictures, that I needed to write a companion book to more fully complete the setting of our family, our jo…

Join us as we talk with author Travis Breeding about his new children's book "I Am A Child, Just Like You". Diagnosed at age 22, Travis has spent his time since then educating himself about the autism spectrum and connecting with others to raise awareness and share his personal experiences. To learn more about Travis and the work he is doing, pleas…

Join us today as we talk with Rochelle Dolim and her lovely daughters, Tracie and Joanna, about a very important part of their lives...charity work. The Dolim family is helping to change the perception of how persons on the spectrum can not only be a part of a community, but a very valuable part in caring for others.…

On April 1, 2011, Dana Commandatore, Founder of RethingkingAutism.com released the new PSA Video "Autism Support Group," a fantastic kick-off to Autism Awareness Month. Dana will join us today on AWN Radio along with the lead actress in the video, Tammy Klein. Tammy is an adult on the autism spectrum and a self-advocate. Show times are 8:00PM EDT, …

Guests Kim Wombles and Alison Singer join us today to discuss the CDC's proposal of a new ICD9-CM code for wandering. Kim is an instructor of English and Psychology at Cisco College, has 3 children and is an avid autism blogger: Autism Blogs Directory. Alison is the founder and President of the Autism Science Foundation, Interagency Autism Coordina…

Join us for a special show for Autism Acceptance Day! Paula C. Durbin-Westby will be with us discussing the importance of acceptance and how it affects the lives of autistic people. Paula is the Program Coordinator for the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN)and was on a panel for the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC). This day is s…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has proposed the addition of a new diagnostic code to the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision for wandering behavior.A variety of disability advocacy and professional organizations including the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, The Arc, TASH, National Association of State Directors …

Dr. Stephen Shore returns to AWN Radio to share with us the work he is doing with Sensory Star™ a program whereby sensory friendly hotels and resorts present their properties for people who have sensory considerations. We'll also discuss other topics including self advocacy and employment. Show times are 1:00PM EST, 12:00PM CST, 10:00AM PST. Please…

Join us today as we welcome a dear friend from the autism community. Most will know him by his Twitter name, @myautisticson. Eric is a husband and father to two children...his son is on the spectrum. We will be discussing his experiences parenting an autistic child and family issues that can come up as well as asking for comments and suggestions fr…

Jane Strauss joins us today to talk about her adult diagnosis and how the issue of under-recognition of females is omnipresent, her dynamic family and how she navigated the system to ensure their successes, the struggles and triumphs in her family's pursuit for religious inclusion in the Jewish community, and how her artwork is an ever-present part…

Join us as we welcome to AWN Radio two mother's whose autistic son's have had amazing experiences with the iPad. Both Shannon Des Roches Rosaand Melody Latimer have been advocating for the iPad and it's numerous accessories due to the technology proving to be a valuable resource for countless neurodiverse children, including their own young sons. M…

Camilla is honest and straight forward about the difficulties leading up to her later in life diagnosis of Asperger's. Academically and artistically gifted, Camilla learned to blend her challenging life experiences with her strengths in order to move toward a life well lived. Committed to educating others about ASD, she utilizes her time as a publi…

Emmy Award Winner Temple Grandin joins us again on AWN Radio to discuss harnessing the power within your child by tapping into their full potential.بقلم AWN Radio

Special Thursday edition this week with guest, Melissa Mooney. Melissa was a student teacher doing her internship when she reported abuse going on at the school where she was earning her credit hours. Instead of Melissa being appreciated for her bravery, she reports that she was instead accused of lying & comments she made years ago were taken out …

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Today we met with Stacey Milbern, a youth activist with the National Youth Leadership Network. NYLN is an organization that works to build power among disabled young people. In response to the tragic news of over 15 young people committing suicide this fall because they were bullied for being gay, Stacey, and a team of disabled young people have be…

Anna Moore: Families Against Restraint and Seclusion.بقلم AWN Radio

Kristi Sakai joined us today and opened up the conversation on adolescents, autism, and sexuality. We were pleased to have Kristi share with us information from her upcoming book which will address this topic. Parents will be especially interested in the discussion we had with Kristi about the research she has done for the book which covers the imp…

After the recent drowning death of their young son, Shelia and Kenneth Medlam started the Mason Allen Medlam Foundation in order to provide detailed information, raise awareness, and take action with ensuring safety guidelines surrounding the dangers of autism and wandering. Today, AWN Radio welcomes as our special guest, Sheila Medlam. Shelia will…

Brian R. King is an author, speaker, self employed social worker and consults internationally on the subject of Asperger's Syndrome. He hosts webinars covering numerous topics on the subject of AS. He currently sits on the Advisory Board of Aspiritech, and serves as the Chair on the Board of Directors with GRASP. Brian and his wife parent three son…

Founder of Aspiritech, Brenda Weitzberg, and Katie Levin join us for the hour to share how their organization is providing meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with Asperger's Syndrome.بقلم AWN Radio

Janice Murray had refused to accept how the psychiatrists and physicians portrayed her son's autism diagnosis, wherein they painted a picture of her son Chris' life as devastatingly grim with recommendations of placing him in an institution. Tom Murray began filming his brother Chris' story, and how the loving determination of his mother helped to …

With more than 50 contributing writers, Perspectives Anthology conveys various life experiences through poetry written by and about differently abled individuals. These writings touch upon an array of disabilities including: the autism spectrum, social, neurological and psychological differences. Included in these poems are views and thoughts from …

AWN Radio's special broadcast interview with Autism Women's Network International Director, Katharine Annear of Australia. Katharine shared with us the exciting events she participated in while visiting here in the US to atended WILD: Women's Institute on Leadership and Disability's 5th International Conference in Eugene, Oregon. We discussed a var…

AWN Radio welcomes Tanya Bloom and her daughter Nadia. It was only 4 short months ago when Nadia got lost in a swamp located in the woods near her family's Florida home. Miraculously, Nadia survived 4 days and 4 nights in an area known to have alligators. Both Tanya and Nadia will share their family's story of hope and inspiration during what could…

AWN Radio welcomes to the show EXCEPTIONAL TV Host Nathan Charlan - VP and CO-Founder along with his wife and co-host, Renee Charlan.بقلم AWN Radio

Authors and Autism Advocates Dr. Liane Holliday Willey and Rudy Simone joined us on AWN Radio to discuss their latest literary efforts as well as the upcoming event which they are hosting in San Francisco with Dr. Shana Nichols on September 18th: ~Exhaling Beauty: an Evening Celebrating Females on the Autism Spectrum~…

Dr. Paula Kluth is a consultant, teacher, author, advocate, and independent scholar who works with teachers and families to provide inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities and to create more responsive and engaging schooling experiences for all learners. Her research and professional interests include differentiating instruction, and…

Sugey Cruz-Everts, the Autism Advisor for the United States of Autism Movie updated everyone on how the filming of this revolutionary movie is coming along now that the crew is a little more than half-way through their shooting schedule. Sugey joined us at the beginning of the broadcast immediately before we welcomed Gordon Hartman, whose vision an…

When eight year old Gina Marie was diagnosed with autism at the age of two, doctors said she might never speak. That was 6 years ago, and now Gina is known today for the beautiful music she sings - not the words she at one time could not speak. AWN Radio was proud to welcome Gina Marie Incandela and her mother Michelle as our special guests. You wo…

Shana Nichols, PhD, psychologist, author of the book "Girls Growing Up on the Autism Spectrum" and former Clinical Director of the Fay J. Lindner Center for Autism joins us on AWN Radio as she announces the June 2010 opening of her new clinic, ASPIRE Center for Learning and Development, in Melville, NY (110 – LIE corridor). For new clients, service…

Join AWN as we welcome Eric Chessen, Founder of Autism Fitness. Show times are 10:00AM PDT, 11:00AM MDT, 12:00AM CDT, 1:00PM EDT. If you are outside the US, you can use the Meeting Planner to calculate when we will be broadcasting live in your country.بقلم AWN Radio

Surviving domestic abuse & stalking means strategic planning & playing it smart. When faced with daily survival tasks & overwhelming fears a victim is too often left with no time to properly construct safety plans & an escape guide. If you toss into the mix the unique sensory differences faced by individuals on the autism spectrum, then you will un…

AWN Radio welcomed a unique and inspiring group of young students from the Autism Ambassadors. Their organization teaches students how to reach out and help their peers on the autism spectrum become accustomed to daily classroom experiences. Autism Ambassadors further aims to help children on the spectrum feel socially connected and integrated in t…

Guest Taylor Morris. Taylor is a teenager on the autism spectrum, diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. She offers encouragement, advice, and inspiration to other autistics as well as their families via videos and webinars. This is a must listen to broadcast with Taylor and her mother Robin! An interview you definitely do not want to miss.…

[AWN ROUND TABLE] Celebrating autism awareness and diversity across the radio waves. Autism Women's Network Board of Directors discuss various highlights which occurred during this past month of April as Autism Awareness Month comes to a close. AWN's Washington DC Liason, Lindsey Nebeker will join us live from the IACC Meeting to give us an up to t…

Dr. Carolyn Fuentes, author of Autism, and Adonya Wong, author of In My Mind, join AWN Radio to open up the conversation on the realities of why there is an under representation of minorities in special education. Racial and Ethnic Disparities are the result of many complex and interacting factors. In the first of AWN's ongoing series of this seldo…