On the Spectrum Empowerment Stories with Sonia Krishna Chand: Adult Autism, Neurodivergent, and Mental Health Expert

Sonia Krishna Chand | Adult Autism and Neurodivergent Mental Health Expert | Empowerment Coaching
  • 5.0 (8)
  • DOCUMENTARY

Welcome to On the Spectrum—the essential podcast exploring autism, neurodivergent, and mental health expert insights and heartfelt stories. Hosted by Sonia Krishna Chand, acclaimed autism advocate, speaker, and author of Dropped In The Maze, this podcast dives deep into autism, neurodivergent experiences, and mental health.  Whether you're a parent, educator, clinician, or neurodivergent individual, On the Spectrum offers practical strategies, empowering conversations, and a supportive community to help you navigate life with confidence. Why Listen? 🔹 Autism & Mental Health: Understand sensory triggers, masking, anxiety, and self-acceptance.🔹 Neurodivergent Well-Being: Explore neurodiversity-affirming approaches to relationships, education, and advocacy.🔹 Real Stories, Real Solutions: Hear raw, inspiring journeys from autistic adults, parents, and experts. Key Topics ✅ Parenting & Family Dynamics – Navigating milestones, IEPs, and healthcare. Raising a child on the autism spectrum comes with unique joys and challenges. Sonia shares practical parenting strategies, tips for fostering connection, and advice on navigating developmental milestones, education systems, and healthcare resources. ✅ Relationships & Social Connection – Building meaningful bonds. Autism doesn’t just shape individual lives—it profoundly impacts relationships. Episodes explore topics like building meaningful connections, navigating romantic relationships, and fostering social skills in neurodiverse individuals. ✅ Mental Health & Self-Identity – Overcoming anxiety and embracing neurodivergence. Learn how to effectively advocate for your child or loved one in schools, workplaces, or the community. Sonia will explore Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), inclusive learning environments, and overcoming systemic barriers. ✅ Celebrating Strengths – Harnessing creativity and resilience.  The intersection of autism and mental health is vital yet often overlooked. Sonia tackles issues like anxiety, sensory processing challenges, and the journey to self-acceptance and empowerment for individuals on the spectrum. Neurodiversity is about valuing every brain's unique wiring. Meet Sonia Krishna ChandSonia Krishna Chand is a passionate voice in the autism community, dedicated to fostering understanding and inclusion. As the author of Dropped In The Maze, Sonia weaves powerful storytelling with expert insights to help readers navigate the complexities of neurodiverse living. Who Should Tune In?Parents, educators, clinicians, and neurodivergent individuals seeking understanding and empowerment. About Dropped In The MazeSonia’s transformative book explores neurodiverse experiences with raw honesty and actionable guidance. Buy “Dropped in a Maze” Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dropped-Maze-Sonia-Krishna-Chand-ebook/dp/B0F3B7BQJ7/ Get Your Copy on SoniaKrishnaChand.Net/Book Here: https://www.soniakrishnachand.net/book Book A Coaching Call with Sonia: https://cal.com/sonia-chand/self-esteem-coaching-call

  1. 2D AGO

    Inside NeuroWell: Safer, Happier Classrooms That Work with Lisa Riegel

    Send a text The biggest problem in schools isn’t disengagement—it’s relevance. We sit down with education leader and author Lisa Riegel to unpack NeuroWell, a practical framework that aligns brain science with daily classroom life so students feel safe, seen, and ready to learn. From belonging cues to behavior de-escalation, Lisa shows why culture design is the hidden lever for academic gains and healthier staff. We explore how to build a true learning community: clear norms, student roles, shared rituals, and goal setting that give every learner purpose. Lisa explains emotional and intellectual safety—why routines, predictable feedback, and strengths-based language regulate nervous systems and unlock attention. We also talk inclusion that works for neurodivergent students by matching roles to strengths and creating frequent, low-stakes social practice through short “learning sprints” and positivity prompts. Then we tackle technology and AI with nuance. Phones off can help, but the deeper fix is designing work that matters. If a chatbot can do the task, the task needs to change. Lisa shares ways to assess thinking, collaboration, and iteration by observing process, not just products, and how leaders can define graduate skills—critical thinking, empathy, communication—and backward map adult practices that reliably grow them. With teacher burnout high, we highlight how leadership culture, clear outputs, and consistent measures make change stick. If you care about safer classrooms, stronger relationships, and lessons students remember because they matter, this conversation offers field-tested moves you can use tomorrow. Check out Lisa’s book NeuroWell on Amazon and connect with her via LinkedIN  for workshops, book studies, or coaching. In addition, Lisa is also has her new book Aspirations to Operations: A leader's guide to making transformative change stick available on Amazon. https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisariegel/ https://www.amazon.com/Aspirations-Operations-leaders-making-transformative/ https://www.amazon.com/NeuroWell-Applying-science-supportive-proactive Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review to help more educators find the show. What’s one ritual you’ll add to boost belonging this week? Support the show

    38 min

  2. FEB 5

    When Love Sees The Person, Not The Label with Christopher Carazas

    Send us a text What if the story you were told about yourself was the wrong one—and the right words finally set you free? We sit down with Christopher Carrazas who was diagnosed autistic at 35, to unpack a life of masking, sensory overload, and the everyday math of trying to pass as “fine.” The moment his assessment named what he’d carried for decades, the static quieted. Relief wasn’t a cure; it was a compass. Chris talks candidly about stigma inside his marriage, how repeated contempt can program shame that ultimately led him to believe that he didn't belong on Earth anymore. Chris's marriage eventually ended. Upon healing and reflection, Chris was able to understand and reason why “selfish” isn’t a useful frame for suicide. Most importantly, Chris was able to learn to embrace having autism and was able to find the love he always deserved. Chris spoke about meeting Katie who saw Chris FOR HIMSELF! Through Katie's unconditional acceptance of Chris, was it possible for Chris to finally see himself for the amazing individual he is.   That love, and the grief that followed, sparked his memoir, Now That I’m Still Here, a raw account of survival, recovery, and reclaiming self.  We also spotlight Chris’s other lane: building better ways to measure social impact. Tired of vanity metrics like “people reached,” he created models that translate outcomes into financial terms, making social return on investment tangible for education and inclusion programs. It’s a clear example of autistic strengths—pattern recognition, systems thinking, stubborn curiosity—turning complexity into clarity. He shares practical resources, his Substack on grief and masking, and a giving campaign that ties book sales to suicide prevention, autism advocacy, and eating disorder support in honor of Katie. If you’ve ever felt reduced to a label, or if you work in education, mental health, or social impact and want better tools, this conversation is for you. Listen, share it with someone who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find these stories. Subscribe to stay with us as we keep lifting up voices across the neurodiversity spectrum. To learn more about Chris and his book, please see these links below: https://chriscarazas.com/books/chris-carazas-dot-com/9999999999999 https://ccarazas.substack.com/ Support the show

    44 min

  3. JAN 23

    From Diagnosis To Dialogue: Autism, Mindset, And A Family’s Playbook For Progress with Neil Rogers

    Send us a text A confusing label, years without sleep, and a son who couldn’t speak—then a letter board changed everything. We sit down with creative entrepreneur and advocate Neil Rogers to explore how a family built a sustainable framework—inspired by Positive ActivityTM (developed by Neil and his wife Lori set to help people professionally and personally) in order  stay clear, resilient, and inventive while raising an adult son with profound autism. From gratitude journaling and exercise to practical diet changes and sensory integration, Neil shares the specific choices that improved sleep, reduced frustration, and opened space for learning. The turning point came with Spelling to Communicate. Once Craig had a reliable motor path to point and type, his intelligence, heart, emotions, and intellectual thinking rushed forward—defining DNA on the spot, recognizing Muhammad Ali and the fact Cassius Clay was his name at birth, and sharing deep thoughts of people coming together as one instead of picking people apart. That voice unlocked autonomy. Craig has a desire to achieve higher aspirations and moves at his own pace. We talk about collaborating with schools especially when budgets fell short, and why respecting a person’s pace leads to better outcomes than pushing through. We also zoom out to challenge old stereotypes and highlight where hope is rising.  Assistive tech—from advanced robotics to brain-computer interfaces—could soon scale care and communication.   If you care for a nonspeaking person, work in education or therapy, or just believe every human deserves a voice, this story offers a practical, humane roadmap you can start using today. To learn more about Neil and Lori, please visit https://www.positiveactivity.net/. Neil is the author of "Bar Tips" -Everything I Needed to Know in Sales I Learned Behind the Bar. Neil is coming out with another book "Navigating the Special Needs World with Positive Activity."  Support the show

    41 min

  4. JAN 16

    Aunt, Artist, Advocate: Building Communication And Dignity For Profound Autism with Jennifer McGee

    Send us a text The story begins with a hard reality many families face: a beloved child who may never speak. Jennifer McGee joins us to share Isaiah’s path through profound autism—years of isolation in a classroom with low expectations, a legal fight to enforce IDEA and FAPE, and the life-changing shift that came with the right ABA team. What unfolds is a blueprint for hope built on practical tools, persistent advocacy, and a refusal to accept “can’t learn” as a verdict. We walk through the early signs and missed milestones, the shock of seeing services cut to the bone, and the decision to pursue litigation that forced a district to rebuild its special education program around functional skills. Then the pivot: implementing PECS properly, introducing a speech-generating tablet, and adapting signs to fit Isaiah’s motor abilities. Communication reduces distress and opens the door to progress—hygiene routines, haircuts without struggle, eating out safely, and meaningful community inclusion. Along the way, we talk about small accommodations with big impact, like a chair in a fast-casual line or booths that prevent elopement. Jennifer also brings her artist’s lens to advocacy. Through Inclusive Art House and a book series beginning with Izzy Can’t Talk, she turns lived experience into accessible stories that teach nonverbal communication, social challenges, and public meltdowns with warmth and clarity. We celebrate Isaiah’s strengths—precision, humor,  killer basketball shots; how about 25 in a row killer shots? —and stay honest about regressions that sometimes come about. Resources like the Profound Autism Alliance, airline and TSA practice programs, and social networks round out a toolkit families can use today. If you care about special education, autism acceptance, and real-world strategies for nonverbal communication, this conversation offers both heart and how-to. Listen, share with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more families find these stories. Links for Jennifer McGee: https://inclusivearthouse.com/pages/meet-the-team LinkedIn: Jennifer McGee

    39 min

  5. JAN 7

    From Sensory Overload To Strengths-Based Parenting with Sara Hartley

    Send us a text Big feelings don’t have to mean big blowups. We sit down with author and mom Sarah Hartley to unpack the real-world signals of ADHD and sensory processing disorder, why two siblings can present in opposite ways, and how small environmental tweaks can turn daily battles—showers, transitions, loud crowds—into manageable routines. Sarah takes us inside her home during the pandemic, when early intervention paused and anxiety surged. The fix wasn’t perfection. It was creativity: a DIY sensory gym with crash pads and a climbing wall, plus structured games that paired movement with focus to help organize input, not just add more of it. Sarah also shares the heart behind Purposefully Me, her 14-book series for elementary kids. Centered on a fourth-grade classroom, the books tackle ADHD, autism, dyslexia, anxiety, bullying, school drills, and Down syndrome with warmth and clarity. The goal is simple and bold: help neurodivergent kids feel seen, give peers and teachers the right words, and move classrooms toward a strengths-based model that values hyperfocus, creativity, and curiosity. We talk candidly about masking, late diagnosis, and why representation—from classrooms to sports heroes—matters for self-belief. The practical centerpiece is Sarah’s ALIGN method: Awareness, Listen and Label, Identify triggers, Grounding, and Nurture. She walks us through a fast, in-the-wild example at a packed baseball game that turned overwhelm into buy-in in under a minute. Whether you’re a caregiver, educator, or an adult managing your own sensory needs, you’ll leave with tools you can use today and a fresh lens on neurodiversity that spotlights strengths over deficits. If this conversation helps you or someone you love, subscribe, share the episode, and leave a review with your favorite takeaway—what part of ALIGN will you try first?

    46 min

  6. 12/09/2025

    How Schools Build Safety, Trust, And Belonging with Kevin Dahill-Fuschel

    Send us a text What if the behavior you see as “disrespect” is actually distress asking for a safer way in? We sit down with Kevin Dahill-Fuschel  of Counseling in Schools to unpack the practical heart of trauma-informed education: how to read behavior as information, build trust without lowering academic standards, and create classrooms where belonging fuels effort. Kevin takes us inside decades of school-based counseling across New York City, from the aftermath of 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy to the long tail of COVID. He shares how teachers can shift daily interactions—simple compliments, noticing prosocial acts, realistic goals—to break cycles of suspension and avoidance. We talk about the power of community identity, why early-year rituals matter, and how interest-based groups help differentiation feel supportive instead of stigmatizing. Bullying gets a hard reset for the smartphone era. Kevin explains why the true danger is invisibility online, and why limiting devices during school hours is boosting engagement and making harm easier to spot. You’ll hear actionable ideas: and ask better questions :What did you post? Who tagged you? How did it feel?—so problems surface early. We also argue for measuring social growth and hope alongside test scores, bringing basic mental health literacy into classrooms, and modeling adult regulation so students see what recovery looks like. We close with nuts-and-bolts choices that shape culture, from co-creating community agreements about headphones to using free, bilingual tools from Counseling in Schools’ Partners in Healing hub. If you’re an educator, parent, or counselor, you’ll leave with strategies you can try tomorrow and resources to go deeper.  Kevin can be found at https://www.counselinginschools.org/team/kevin-dahill-fuchel/ Subscribe, share this with a colleague who needs a lift, and leave a review with your top takeaway so we can keep these conversations moving.

    52 min

  7. 12/02/2025

    Building Human Connection With AI Through Family Memories with Jeremy Horne

    Send us a text What if your grandparents’ best stories didn’t fade with time—but could talk back when you needed them most? We sit down with founder Jeremy Horne to unpack how a childhood of mailing cassette tapes to his Nana Winny became the blueprint for Winny an app that nudges better questions, records family memories, and helps people build a living archive of their lives. Then we go deeper into Forever You, a conversational avatar that only says what you actually said—anchored by real video and audio proof. Jeremy shares how leaving big-brand agency life wasn’t a leap into hype, but a return to purpose: reduce friction, raise the quality of conversation, and make it easy to preserve the stories that define us. You’ll hear how context-aware prompts bridge an 8-year-old and his 80-year-old granddad, why gentle guidance can help autistic family members join in, and how journaling shapes smarter questions over time. We get honest about risk, too: encryption, privacy controls, and the reality that anything digitized carries exposure. The answer isn’t fear; it’s transparency—digital signatures that show who authored an avatar and authenticity scores that link claims back to original recordings. We also explore the tactile side of memory. QR codes on heirlooms turn a vase into a time capsule, while a “Storopedia” approach makes discovery simple at dinner or across continents. And the horizon is closer than it looks: voice-first experiences, wearables, and assistants that suggest, “Want to record this?” the moment a meaningful call starts. If you care about family history, social health, and designing technology that feels human, this conversation offers a practical, moving roadmap for capturing the people and stories you love. To learn more,  check out Jeremy Horne's website aforementioned in the episode https://foreveryou.life/. Go on your Apple Store to download with Winny App.  Listen now, subscribe for more thoughtful conversations on human connection and tech, and leave a review with the one story you’d want future generations to hear.

    37 min

  8. 11/18/2025

    Rethinking Bipolar Disorder with Sean Blackwell

    Send us a text Disclaimer: This is not to be taken as a therapy directive, but rather this is for learning and entertainment purposes only! Please consult with your physician and/or mental health care team to decide whether this approach is appropriate for you.  Sensitive topics such as trauma and SA are discussed in this episode. What if the loudest story about bipolar disorder—the chemical imbalance—misses the point? We sit down with author and facilitator Sean Blackwell to peel back that narrative and explore bipolar through a wider lens: trauma held in the body, spiritual emergency as a potential breakthrough, and why empathetic presence can do what power struggles never will. Sean recounts his own 1996 crisis that looked like acute psychosis yet became a turning point that reshaped his life. From supporting his wife’s nieces through multiple episodes to building retreats rooted in holotropic-style breathwork, he shows how non-ordinary states can surface buried memories, emotions, and meaning.  You’ll hear specific case studies, including a client whose years-long coccyx pain disappeared after a powerful somatic release and another who reclaimed traumatic memories months after retreat, finally aligning emotional truth with experience.  If you’re curious about alternatives to one-size-fits-all approach,  this conversation offers a compassionate, grounded path: respect biology, honor the body, and allow meaning to emerge. For books, videos, training, and retreat details, visit https://www.bipolarawakenings.com/ If this perspective resonated, follow the show, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review to help others find it.

    42 min
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About

Welcome to On the Spectrum—the essential podcast exploring autism, neurodivergent, and mental health expert insights and heartfelt stories. Hosted by Sonia Krishna Chand, acclaimed autism advocate, speaker, and author of Dropped In The Maze, this podcast dives deep into autism, neurodivergent experiences, and mental health.  Whether you're a parent, educator, clinician, or neurodivergent individual, On the Spectrum offers practical strategies, empowering conversations, and a supportive community to help you navigate life with confidence. Why Listen? 🔹 Autism & Mental Health: Understand sensory triggers, masking, anxiety, and self-acceptance.🔹 Neurodivergent Well-Being: Explore neurodiversity-affirming approaches to relationships, education, and advocacy.🔹 Real Stories, Real Solutions: Hear raw, inspiring journeys from autistic adults, parents, and experts. Key Topics ✅ Parenting & Family Dynamics – Navigating milestones, IEPs, and healthcare. Raising a child on the autism spectrum comes with unique joys and challenges. Sonia shares practical parenting strategies, tips for fostering connection, and advice on navigating developmental milestones, education systems, and healthcare resources. ✅ Relationships & Social Connection – Building meaningful bonds. Autism doesn’t just shape individual lives—it profoundly impacts relationships. Episodes explore topics like building meaningful connections, navigating romantic relationships, and fostering social skills in neurodiverse individuals. ✅ Mental Health & Self-Identity – Overcoming anxiety and embracing neurodivergence. Learn how to effectively advocate for your child or loved one in schools, workplaces, or the community. Sonia will explore Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), inclusive learning environments, and overcoming systemic barriers. ✅ Celebrating Strengths – Harnessing creativity and resilience.  The intersection of autism and mental health is vital yet often overlooked. Sonia tackles issues like anxiety, sensory processing challenges, and the journey to self-acceptance and empowerment for individuals on the spectrum. Neurodiversity is about valuing every brain's unique wiring. Meet Sonia Krishna ChandSonia Krishna Chand is a passionate voice in the autism community, dedicated to fostering understanding and inclusion. As the author of Dropped In The Maze, Sonia weaves powerful storytelling with expert insights to help readers navigate the complexities of neurodiverse living. Who Should Tune In?Parents, educators, clinicians, and neurodivergent individuals seeking understanding and empowerment. About Dropped In The MazeSonia’s transformative book explores neurodiverse experiences with raw honesty and actionable guidance. Buy “Dropped in a Maze” Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dropped-Maze-Sonia-Krishna-Chand-ebook/dp/B0F3B7BQJ7/ Get Your Copy on SoniaKrishnaChand.Net/Book Here: https://www.soniakrishnachand.net/book Book A Coaching Call with Sonia: https://cal.com/sonia-chand/self-esteem-coaching-call

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