THE SJ CHILDS SHOW-Building a Community of Inclusion

Sara Gullihur-Bradford aka SJ Childs

🎙️ Welcome to The SJ Childs Show Podcast! 🎉 Join Sara Bradford—better known as SJ Childs—as she bridges understanding, connection, and advocacy for the neurodivergent community. With a growing global reach of over 100,000 followers and views across our platforms, The SJ Childs Show shines a light on autism, neurodiversity, lived experiences, empowering stories, expert insights, and practical resources for parents, educators, professionals, and neurodivergent individuals alike. Brought to you by The SJ Childs Global Network, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting autistic and neurodivergent individuals and their families worldwide, this podcast brings together powerful voices, meaningful conversations, and actionable ideas that help build a more informed and inclusive world. 🌐 Visit sjchilds.org to learn more about our mission, explore resources, and connect with our growing global community. 🎧 Listen on platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Goodpods, and more—or tune in Fridays at 8:30 AM EDT on the Helium Radio Network’s Life Improvement Radio, Channel 1. Together, we’re building understanding, creating connection, and making inclusion more than just a conversation. 🌟 ✨ Explore more resources at: https://sjchilds.org and  https://streamable.live

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 369- Finding Your Voice Through Disability Advocacy with Tracee Garner

    Send us Fan Mail A wheelchair, a notebook flipped over in a failing math class, and one contest win that changed everything. That’s the origin story Tracee Garner brings to our mic, and it opens into a bigger conversation about disability advocacy, mental health, and the kind of access that lets people actually live their lives. Tracee is a disability advocate in Northern Virginia and a published author with 22 books, and she’s refreshingly honest about what it takes to keep creating while living with muscular dystrophy. We talk about how community college became the right-sized environment to rebuild confidence, how writing can carry you through depression and stress, and why journaling does not have to mean pen and paper. Tracee shares how tools like Notion and dictation support her day-to-day as her hand strength changes, and why flexible systems matter more than “perfect” routines. We also get into the policy side of disability rights: finding your voice, learning to deliver a clear message to decision-makers, and pushing for basics like transportation, accessibility, and caregiver support. From automatic doors to accessible stalls, we explore the truth that inclusive design usually helps everyone, even the people who resisted it. Then we zoom in on remote work accommodations, what the pandemic shifted, and why accessibility at work still has a long way to go. Finally, Tracee walks us through her fiction, her love of backstory and triumph, and what’s coming next, including “Gather” and “This Too Is Life,” a collection of essays by authors with disabilities timed for October awareness. If you care about accessibility, assistive technology, inclusive workplaces, or creative resilience, hit play, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Support the show SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST WEBSITES - Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON - The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org - The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com YOUTUBE - The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow - Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou FACEBOOK - Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford - Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc - The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork - The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/ TIKTOK - https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc LINKEDIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/ PODCAST PLATFORMS - Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC - Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291 CONTACT EMAIL - sjchildsllc@gmail.com

  2. Aug 4

    Episode 368-From Mislabels To Meaning: A Functional Nutritionist ADHD and More with Amy Jones

    Send us Fan Mail You can feel it the moment someone finally says, “Oh, that’s why.” Amy Jones joins us for a candid, funny, and deeply human talk about living most of her life without an ADHD diagnosis, getting labeled with everything but the real answer, and how that one missing piece rewrote her entire story. We sit with the grief of “what could have been,” but we spend even more time on what relief can look like when you stop treating yourself like the problem and start understanding how your brain actually works. We also go straight into neurodivergent parenting, because the real learning happens in the small moments. We talk about building a home where kids can speak up, practice self-advocacy, and feel safe telling the truth about what’s hard. There’s a powerful segment on noticing empathy, naming it out loud, and how reinforcement can shape growth over time. If you’re raising kids with ADHD or autism, you’ll recognize the invisible weight of accommodations, sibling dynamics, and trying to give your children what you didn’t have. Amy brings a practical lens as a functional nutritionist and ADHD life coach: nutrient imbalances, meal timing, blood sugar crashes, and why “just do the healthy thing” falls apart when executive function is tapped out. Her best advice is system-first and shame-free. We talk about externalizing decisions, building default grocery lists, planning for the worst day, and even using tools like voice notes to share the mental load of variety and meal ideas at home. If this conversation helps you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more neurodivergent families can find the support they’ve been missing. Support the show SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST WEBSITES - Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON - The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org - The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com YOUTUBE - The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow - Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou FACEBOOK - Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford - Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc - The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork - The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/ TIKTOK - https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc LINKEDIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/ PODCAST PLATFORMS - Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC - Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291 CONTACT EMAIL - sjchildsllc@gmail.com

  3. Jul 28

    Episode 367-Autistic Adult Theo Maynard Shares How Nature And Community Helped Him Rebuild

    Send us Fan Mail Theo spent years pushing away his autism diagnosis, and the cost was steep: mental health spirals, substance abuse, and the constant pressure to act “normal” in a world that rarely makes space for sensory needs. When he later works with autistic kids and recognizes himself in them, something shifts. We talk about what it means to accept autism as an identity and a nervous system reality, not a problem to be fixed, and why that acceptance can arrive late but still change everything. We also get real about stigma and vulnerability. Theo shares why asking for help is hard for so many people, especially men and African American men who are often taught to stay silent. We unpack how judgment shows up in everyday moments, how stimming gets misread, and why a welcoming environment matters more than most people realize. If you have ever felt watched for simply existing, this conversation puts words to that experience and offers a better way forward. Then we dive into the surprising lifeline: landscape photography and time outdoors. Theo explains how Unicorn Adventure grew from a dark place into travel storytelling, public speaking, and advocacy rooted in hope and resilience. He introduces his favorite tool, “zooming out,” using perspective and progress to keep going when motivation drops. We also talk about his upcoming Autistic Unicorns podcast with his dad, a longtime autism researcher, blending academic insight with lived experience, plus his involvement in the 1 in 31 Connection Autism Summit. If this resonates, subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more autistic adults and families can find these stories. What does “zooming out” look like in your life? Support the show SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST WEBSITES - Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON - The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org - The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com YOUTUBE - The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow - Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou FACEBOOK - Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford - Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc - The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork - The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/ TIKTOK - https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc LINKEDIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/ PODCAST PLATFORMS - Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC - Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291 CONTACT EMAIL - sjchildsllc@gmail.com

  4. Jul 21

    SPECIAL RESOURCE EPISODE 366- DaniPlan-Who Knows Your Loved One When You Cannot

    Send us Fan Mail The scariest part of caregiving is not the hard day, it’s the day you’re not there to explain what only you know. When a loved one is non-speaking, has epilepsy, needs sensory supports, or relies on a specific routine, the difference between “they’ll figure it out” and “they’ll care for them well” comes down to details. Joel and Debbie Pearlman built DaniPlan after facing that exact reality with their daughter Dani and realizing that the traditional special needs binder is too static to keep up with real life.  We talk through what DaniPlan is in plain terms: a secure, web-based, mobile-friendly disability care plan that acts like a centralized hub for everything your caregiving team needs. Think communication preferences, triggers, step-by-step care instructions, medication updates, seizure plans, school and bus permissions, documents, photos, links, and a daily journal and calendar to keep continuity across rotating caregivers, teachers, therapists, and doctors. We also dig into the practical problem most families hit immediately: getting started. Debbie shares why “work backwards” is often the fastest way to build a plan, and how many of the records you need already exist as PDFs.  The conversation gets real with stories where speed matters, including a moment when missing paperwork nearly stopped Dani from getting on the school bus until the right document was shared instantly. If you’re looking for autism resources, caregiver organization tools, special needs planning ideas, or a better way to coordinate disability care, this one is packed with actionable insight.  If this resonates, subscribe, share this with a caregiver or provider who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find these tools and stories. SIGN-UP FOR THE WEBINAR TODAY~ daniplan.com Support the show SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST WEBSITES - Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON - The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org - The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com YOUTUBE - The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow - Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou FACEBOOK - Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford - Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc - The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork - The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/ TIKTOK - https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc LINKEDIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/ PODCAST PLATFORMS - Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC - Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291 CONTACT EMAIL - sjchildsllc@gmail.com

  5. Jul 14

    Episode 365- Grandparenting On The Spectrum with Jennifer Kaufman

    Send us Fan Mail The hardest part of “helping” a family after an autism diagnosis can be admitting that your old playbook no longer fits. Jennifer Kaufman knows that tension from both angles: she spent years as a principal at a school for children with autism through age 21, and she’s also the grandmother of an autistic eight-year-old. When her grandson was diagnosed, expertise wasn’t the missing piece. The missing piece was learning how to shift expectations, step back from the expert role, and show up as the kind of support her daughter actually needed.  We dig into what grandparenting on the spectrum looks like in real life: respecting the parent’s lead at IEP meetings, avoiding unsolicited advice, and offering support that’s specific and proactive. Jennifer shares why “let me know if you need anything” often lands as extra work for exhausted parents, and how practical help like childcare, errands, or simply creating space for parents to reconnect can ease caregiver burnout and strengthen the whole family system. We also talk about vacations, routines, and why the most meaningful moments often happen when you follow the child’s lead instead of forcing a plan.  Communication is a major thread too, including AAC devices, the idea that behavior is communication, and how autonomy grows when a child has reliable ways to say what they want and don’t want. Jennifer closes with a safety message every autism family should hear, especially around water safety and swimming lessons. If you care about autism support, neurodiversity-affirming family relationships, and practical strategies that actually help, listen now and share this with a grandparent or family member who wants to show up better. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what kind of support has mattered most in your life? Support the show SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST WEBSITES - Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON - The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org - The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com YOUTUBE - The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow - Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou FACEBOOK - Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford - Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc - The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork - The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/ TIKTOK - https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc LINKEDIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/ PODCAST PLATFORMS - Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC - Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291 CONTACT EMAIL - sjchildsllc@gmail.com

  6. Jul 7

    Episode 364-Parenting Neurodiverse Teens With Autonomy And Respect with Dr. Carla Caturia

    Send us Fan Mail Your teen’s behavior makes more sense when you stop treating it like a moral failing and start treating it like communication. We sit down with Dr. Carla Cataria, an educator turned family support specialist, to talk about what actually helps teens thrive, especially neurodiverse kids who are too often stereotyped, mislabeled, or underestimated by the adults around them.  We dig into the difference between teaching responsibility and teaching conditional worth. If kids only feel valued when they achieve, perform, or keep the peace, they start building an identity around approval and outcomes. Dr. Carla and I talk about shifting toward relationship-first parenting, praising effort, and “meeting them where they’re at” while still holding clear expectations. It’s a conversation full of practical, real-life moments, like celebrating a 16-year-old’s “small” win because it’s a big step for them, and why that kind of reinforcement builds confidence over time.  We also get concrete about autonomy and independence: the bow-and-arrow idea of parenting, how family values shape boundaries and culture, and why money skills (debit cards, jobs, even cash) can be a powerful teacher for teenagers. We even tackle the hot-button topic of chores, including how to teach life skills without turning your home into a constant power struggle.  To close, we talk grace and emotional regulation, including a simple “yelling trick” that can interrupt angry parenting in the moment and help you become the parent you want to be. If this helps you, subscribe, share it with a parent friend, and leave a review so more families can find these tools. Support the show SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST WEBSITES - Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON - The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org - The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com YOUTUBE - The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow - Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou FACEBOOK - Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford - Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc - The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork - The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/ TIKTOK - https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc LINKEDIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/ PODCAST PLATFORMS - Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC - Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291 CONTACT EMAIL - sjchildsllc@gmail.com

  7. Jun 30

    Episode 363- What Down Syndrome Parenting Taught A Trauma Surgeon with Sean Adelman

    Send us Fan Mail A diagnosis can feel like it writes your child’s future in ink, but that story is usually wrong. We sit down with Sean Adelman, an orthopedic trauma surgeon and dad to a daughter with Down syndrome, to talk about what he’s learned outside the textbooks: people are not their worst day, and kids are not their labels. The big throughline is raising expectations, not as pressure, but as possibility. We get personal about how exposure changes fear into understanding. I share how my family first connected with Down syndrome, then how my son’s autism diagnosis forced me to rethink communication, parenting goals, and what “support” really means. Sean adds the perspective of a clinician who sees hard moments for a living, and how that can warp the way professionals and families imagine disability, neurodiversity, and the full spectrum of the human condition. From there we zoom out to the everyday skills that make inclusion real: being a safe landing for your kids, modeling how to handle failure, and choosing kindness in small moments that tell people, “I see you.” We also break down acceptance vs inclusion, the dignity of risk, and why supported employment and inclusive hiring are not charity but smart business that improves morale and reduces turnover. We end with practical next steps, including ways to volunteer with Special Olympics, Best Buddies, or your local ARC, plus resources at raiseexpectations.com. If this conversation shifts your thinking even a little, please subscribe, share it with another parent or educator, and leave a review so more families can find it. What does “raising expectations” look like in your home or workplace? Support the show SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST WEBSITES - Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON - The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org - The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com YOUTUBE - The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow - Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou FACEBOOK - Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford - Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc - The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork - The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/ TIKTOK - https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc LINKEDIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/ PODCAST PLATFORMS - Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC - Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291 CONTACT EMAIL - sjchildsllc@gmail.com

  8. Jun 23

    Episode 362- A Realistic Roadmap For Neurodiverse Young Adult Transition with Dr. Norrine Russell

    Send us Fan Mail One sentence from a professional can steal your breath for years, and one unexpected win can finally give it back. We sit down with Dr. Norinne Russell, educator, advocate, and founder of Russell Coaching for Students, to talk about the part of parenting neurodiverse kids that rarely gets said out loud: the seasons when you never fully exhale, the loneliness behind the logistics, and the way “normal” expectations can quietly become a trap. We get real about autism, ADHD, anxiety, DMDD, and uneven development in the teen years, especially during the young adult transition. Dr. Russell shares how her family moved from constant worry to tangible growth, and why a child’s future cannot be predicted at five years old. We also dig into executive functioning skills that matter in the real world: planning, procrastination, self-advocacy, goal setting, and the messy leap into driving, jobs, college, and adult responsibility. If your teen won’t take budgeting advice from you, you’re not alone. We talk about financial literacy, why money conversations can turn into conflict, and how a neutral, qualified coach can help protect your relationship while still building skills. Dr. Russell also explains the Life Launch Program for young adults who feel stuck after high school, plus what to look for when vetting any coaching or transition program. To support your next step, Dr. Russell is offering our listeners a discount: use coupon code Sarah and get 20% off three months of coaching. If this conversation helps, subscribe, share it with a parent who needs hope today, and leave a review so more families can find it. Support the show SJ CHILDS - SOCIALS & WEBSITE MASTER LIST WEBSITES - Stream-Able Live — https://www.streamable.live-COMING SOON - The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.sjchilds.org - The SJ Childs Show Podcast Page — https://www.sjchildsshow.com YOUTUBE - The SJ Childs Show — https://www.youtube.com/@sjchildsshow - Louie Lou (Cats Channel) — https://www.youtube.com/@2catslouielou FACEBOOK - Personal Profile — https://www.facebook.com/sara.gullihur.bradford - Business Page — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsllc - The SJ Childs Global Network — https://www.facebook.com/sjchildsglobalnetwork - The SJ Childs Show — https://www.facebook.com/SJChildsShow INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/sjchildsllc/ TIKTOK - https://www.tiktok.com/@sjchildsllc LINKEDIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjchilds/ PODCAST PLATFORMS - Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/4qgD3ZMOB2unfPxqacu3cC - Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sj-childs-show/id1548143291 CONTACT EMAIL - sjchildsllc@gmail.com

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4.9
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

🎙️ Welcome to The SJ Childs Show Podcast! 🎉 Join Sara Bradford—better known as SJ Childs—as she bridges understanding, connection, and advocacy for the neurodivergent community. With a growing global reach of over 100,000 followers and views across our platforms, The SJ Childs Show shines a light on autism, neurodiversity, lived experiences, empowering stories, expert insights, and practical resources for parents, educators, professionals, and neurodivergent individuals alike. Brought to you by The SJ Childs Global Network, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting autistic and neurodivergent individuals and their families worldwide, this podcast brings together powerful voices, meaningful conversations, and actionable ideas that help build a more informed and inclusive world. 🌐 Visit sjchilds.org to learn more about our mission, explore resources, and connect with our growing global community. 🎧 Listen on platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Goodpods, and more—or tune in Fridays at 8:30 AM EDT on the Helium Radio Network’s Life Improvement Radio, Channel 1. Together, we’re building understanding, creating connection, and making inclusion more than just a conversation. 🌟 ✨ Explore more resources at: https://sjchilds.org and  https://streamable.live

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