Autism Knows No Borders Global Autism Project

Discover what’s possible when financial freedom is in your pocket. 
Have you ever struggled with managing money? Do you sometimes feel ashamed because you find it hard to reach your financial goals?
While this can be a very common challenge among autistic people, today’s guest, Andrew Komarow, encourages his clients to acknowledge themselves for their present financial capabilities and maintain a positive attitude. Small and simple steps can go a long way towards bigger goals.
This episode with Andrew Komarow was originally released in May 2021. We’re re-releasing it today to offer useful financial tips for those who may still need them.
Andrew Komarow is a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Neurodiversity Professional. He’s also the Founder of Planning Across the Spectrum, a company based out of Connecticut that specializes in helping individuals, families, and employers of those with autism and other disabilities to pursue financial independence. 
In this conversation, we discuss:
Andrew discovering his own autism as an adult and how it affects his life
Common struggles with financial planning that autistic individuals face 
Services offered by Andrew’s team at Planning Across the Spectrum
Alternatives to guardianship
Benefits of hiring neurodiverse staff
Do you know anyone else who might find value in this episode? Maybe you know of an autistic person who might be interested in learning new strategies to stay on top of their finances. You can help them by sharing this episode. By doing so, you’ll also be helping us to improve access to autism services around the world. 
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when you know your worth. 
Have you ever had a difficult time securing a stable job? Do you find that accommodations just don’t matter if you’re not being treated respectfully?
If you or anyone you know has ever had these experiences, stick around, because today’s episode is a roundtable discussion where we talk about Employment and Career Development, featuring Autistic Self-Advocates Brian Middleton, Corben Havener, Stephanie De Kremer, Bob Schmus, Adrian Sanchez, Amy Smith and Christina Kaspersen, as well as fellow members of our online Global Autism Community, Christina Cairoli, Tj Larum and Danielle Terrell.
Among other things, we discuss:
Challenges autistic people face when looking for a job
Masking in the workplace
The medical vs. the social model of disability
Utilizing strengths and interests in the workplace
Assumptions and expectations regarding social norms
Autism self-advocacy and disclosure
Tips for Autistic people wanting to prepare for employment
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Are you a self-advocate willing to share your story and educate others? Or a professional seeking to hear directly from autistic voices and improve your practice? Or are you a family member hoping to support and empower your loved one?
Whatever your connection to autism is, we’d love to hear your takeaways from this episode in our online Global Autism Community, where hundreds of people from all over the world come together to support each other and know that they’re not alone.
Join us today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when awareness improves access. 
Have you ever wondered about the level of autism awareness in countries like Egypt? Are you curious about what governments are doing for their autistic citizens?
If so, you’ll want to listen to these conversations I had at the 8th International Mental Health Conference in Alexandria, Egypt.
You’ll hear from several people whom I connected with there, including the Conference President and Secretary General of Mental Health and Addiction Treatment, Menan AbdElmaksoud; the Head of Child & Adolescent Administration, Iman Gaber; the President of the Egyptian Autistic Society, Dahlia Soliman; self-advocate Rami Alhadinziden Sayed; as well as several family members and professionals in the field of autism services.
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Conferences are a great way to network with like-minded advocates while learning new strategies to help your autistic children, clients or students. Are you a professional eager to stay at the forefront of current best practices and wondering how to expand your services to reach even more families? Or a parent looking for support from others who understand your needs? Or maybe you’re a self-advocate wanting to share your story and educate others? 
Our Latin America Autism Summit is THE event tailored to address these pressing questions and much, much more. Mark your calendar for July 10th-12th, when we’ll gather in the heart of Lima, Peru, immersed in a dynamic atmosphere buzzing with insightful presentations, invaluable networking opportunities, and hands-on workshops led by industry experts. 
Join us at the Latin America Autism Summit, where together we'll live unforgettable moments and forge connections to last a lifetime. 
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when a mother’s love transcends her own home. 
Do you envision a community where Autistic children have a safe place to learn and Autistic adults are integrated in society? Do you know any parents of autistic individuals who might need some encouragement as they advocate for their children? 
If so, you’ll want to listen to this episode where one of our global partners, Jie Bing Zhang talks about empowering other parents by teaching them how to create opportunities for their children to thrive. 
Mrs. Zhang is the founder of Huicong Children Rehabilitation Center in Nanchang, China, and the mother of a 24-year-old autistic man. 
This episode with Mrs. Zhang was originally released in April 2021. We are releasing it again to highlight our global partnership program for autism centers seeking collaboration. 
For this interview with Mrs. Zhang, our podcast intern, Linda Zheng, interpreted from Chinese to English for us. Thank you, Linda, for your effort to ensure Mrs. Zhang’s message is understood. 
In this conversation, we discuss:
Autism awareness in China
What it was like for Mrs. Zhang to receive her son’s diagnosis
Why she started her own autism center and the types of services they offer
Their partnership with Global Autism Project
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We are also thrilled to announce that, in collaboration with our partners from Centro Enigma in Ecuador, The Global Autism Project is hosting the Latin America Autism Summit this July in Lima, Peru! 
Are you a professional eager to stay at the forefront of current best practices? Or a parent looking for support from others who understand your needs? Or a self-advocate wanting to share your story and educate others? Look no further! The Latin America Autism Summit is THE event tailored to address these pressing questions and more.
Mark your calendar for July 10th-12th, as we gather in the heart of Lima, Peru, immersed in a dynamic atmosphere buzzing with insightful presentations, invaluable networking opportunities, and hands-on workshops led by industry experts.
Join us at the Latin America Autism Summit, where together, we'll create unforgettable moments and forge connections that last a lifetime.
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when you are in charge of your life. 
Do you sometimes wish you had a team of supporters to guide you in the right direction? Maybe you already have trusted friends and family in your close circles. 
Either way, you’ll want to listen to this episode, which is part 2 of my conversation with Jonathan Gardner. He talks about how supported decision making helped him get through his cancer treatment. 
Jonathan Gardner is an Autistic Self-Advocate, cancer survivor, supported decision maker, and motivational speaker.
In this conversation, among other things, we discuss:
Jonathan being treated as a human being by his medical team
Supported decision making as an alternative to guardianship
Overcoming the fear of public speaking
Tips for other autistic people about not being defined by autism
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey

Discover what’s possible when you find joy in every day. 
Have you ever had to pull through something you thought would be impossible to overcome? Or let go of control in an overwhelming situation? 
If you can relate, you’ll want to listen to this episode with Jonathan Gardner, where he shares the lessons that helped him through his cancer journey.
Jonathan Gardner is an Autistic Self-Advocate, cancer survivor, supported decision maker, and motivational speaker.
In this conversation we discuss:
Jonathan’s strengths and special interests
How bullying pushed him to homeschooling
What it was like to diagnosed with a rare cancer at only 18 years old
Jonathan’s emotional journey of receiving treatment
His road to recovery
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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.
Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast
Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project
We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey