The Neurodivergent Resource Podcast

The International Neurodiversity Resource Center

Brought to you by International Neurodiversity Resource Center. We are dedicated to connecting individuals, families, and professionals in the neurodivergent community with education, resources, and support. 

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 12-Stephen Shore and Rob Bernstein- Spontaneous Speech And Real Language In Autism

    A child answers nothing in a formal setting, then turns around at home and asks a nuanced question like “What’s the difference between a TV show and a movie?” That gap can make parents feel unheard and teachers feel stuck, but it can also point to something crucial: communication is not just “what a person knows,” it’s what a person can access under pressure. We sit down with Rob Bernstein, author of *Uniquely Normal*, and autistic author and educator Stephen Shore to talk about thinking, language development, and why spontaneous speech can reveal abilities that demanded speech often masks. We dig into real stories that challenge the usual assumptions, from Stephen’s early regression and parent-led supports to the head-scratching reality of uneven skill profiles, like being able to take apart a watch but struggling with penmanship. Along the way, we explore how schools can move beyond basic autism awareness into acceptance by using a strengths-based approach, building learning around focused interests, and making room for neurodivergent communication styles rather than forcing every response through compliance and testing. You’ll also get practical tools you can try right away: narration with intentional gaps, playful “wrong words” that invite a correction, songs and routines that encourage independent fill-ins, and simple “missing piece” setups that create a real reason to communicate. If you care about autism support, early intervention, inclusive education, and helping neurodivergent kids think and speak more independently, subscribe, share this with someone in your school or family circle, and leave a review so more listeners can find these conversations. Support the show

  2. Aug 11

    Episode 11-Building Belonging Through Inclusive Theater with Elaine Hall

    A child spins in circles for hours. Professionals call it a problem. A mother calls it an invitation. That choice, to join rather than correct, sits at the heart of our conversation with Elaine Hall, founder of The Miracle Project, an inclusive theater and film program where neurodivergent and neurotypical people create original work together and learn what belonging actually feels like. We talk through Elaine’s path from TV and film acting coach to autism advocate after adopting her son and navigating early autism signs, sensory needs, and the pressure to chase “normal.” Elaine shares how DIR/Floortime and Dr. Stanley Greenspan shaped her thinking, how she built her “seven keys” for showing up with curiosity, and why the goal is never “getting the autism out” of anyone. The impact scales from home to community: trained co-actors, trust-first spaces, and creative collaboration that helps people feel seen, heard, and safe. From there, we dig into the programs The Miracle Project offers today, including Improv for Interaction, online classes, and a multimodality communication class for non-speakers creating original music videos. We also go bigger: authentic representation in Hollywood, why “belonging” beats “inclusion,” and how late diagnosis and unmasking can finally make your life make sense. If you care about autism support, neurodiversity-affirming parenting, inclusive education, or authentic disability representation, press play. Then subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find these resources. Support the show

  3. Aug 2

    Episode 10- Raun Kaufman- What If “Behavior” Is Actually A Nervous System Alarm

    The fastest way to help an autistic person isn’t to demand more effort, better behavior, or a “productive” hour. It’s to build safety in the nervous system first. We talk with Raun K. Kaufman, autism consultant and co-creator of the Safe To Connect Autism Approach, about what changes when we stop treating autism as a list of outward traits and start understanding the inner experience: sensory processing, stress signals, shutdown, and the moment-to-moment reality of feeling safe with another human. Raun shares parts of his own story, including being diagnosed as profoundly autistic and non-speaking as a child and even being misread as deaf due to shutdown. We connect that to what families see every day: why hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity can be two sides of the same regulation system, why stimming is often a healthy form of self-regulation, and why autistic people can be remarkably tuned in to our emotional state. If we show up rushed, anxious, or performative, they feel it, and connection gets harder. We also dig into practical tools: synchronizing with your child’s interests, noticing subtle SOS signals of stress before a meltdown, and Raun’s ACT Protocol (Autism Crisis Turnaround) for reducing “neurocrashes” by lowering chronic overload. You’ll leave with a clearer, more humane framework for autism parenting, autism therapy, and classroom support that prioritizes dignity, co-regulation, and real relationship.  Subscribe for more neurodiversity-affirming conversations, share this with a parent or educator who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. Support the show

  4. Jul 28

    Episode 9-What If Safety Is The Real Inclusion Work with Dr. Thomas Rashad Easley

    A forester walks into a conversation about autism and suddenly everything connects. We sit down with Dr. Thomas Rashad Easley, a leader whose career spans forestry, genetics, adult education, and equity work, and we follow the moment a 2018 autism lecture stopped being “interesting” and started sounding like his own mind. What happens next is the part so many late-diagnosed autistic adults recognize: a flood of pattern-matching, new language for old experiences, and a deeper look at family traits, identity, and how we’ve learned to move through the world. We also go somewhere you don’t hear often in neurodiversity conversations: trees. Dr. Easley breaks down tree genetics in a way that’s clear and human, including why transgenic research drew controversy and how forest science touches everyday life far beyond lumber and paper. From there, we use forests as a systems metaphor for inclusion, interdependence, and what it costs when we ignore vulnerable points in a community. The heart of the conversation is psychological safety. We talk bullying, belonging, and the complicated truth of growing up without feeling safe, then choosing to become someone who offers safety to others anyway. We also discuss discipline, forgiveness, generational trauma, and why curiosity might be one of the most practical leadership skills we can keep for life. Check out Dr. Easley’s work, his Heartwood podcast, and his book My Heart for Diversity, then subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review with the takeaway you’re sitting with most. Support the show

  5. Jul 21

    Episode 8-Put Your Autistic Young Adult In Charge with Patty Laushman

    Your autistic teen can be smart, capable, and still feel completely stuck and that reality confuses a lot of families. We sit down with parent coach Patty Laushman of Thrive Autism Coaching to talk about what’s really happening when autistic emerging adults struggle to launch, and how parents can support independence without turning every day into a power struggle. We unpack why “success” has to be defined by quality of life, not by a standard timeline. Patty shares how education changes everything when challenges are invisible, including masking, autistic burnout, and autistic inertia. We also get concrete about life skills: why money can be painfully abstract, how to make finances visual and experiential, and a simple debit card strategy that helps emerging adults practice responsibility using what families already spend. Then we zoom in on college readiness and the common straight-A to dropout story. We talk executive function skills like time management and breaking projects into smaller steps, plus the reality that IEPs and 504 accommodations don’t just carry over, students have to learn to ask for help and work with the accessibility office. Patty also shares a practical “slower path” option: community college with a lighter load paired with part-time work, building job skills alongside academics. If you want a calmer home and a more motivated young adult, this conversation will help you shift toward self-determination so they’re in the driver’s seat and you’re the navigator. Subscribe for more, share this with a parent who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway: what would “independence” look like in your house? Support the show

  6. Jul 14

    Episode 7 -SANDI A Practical Solution To Driver Readiness For Autistic Teens And Adults

    Driving can be freedom, fear, or both, and for many autistic teens and adults it comes with extra layers like sensory overload, anxiety, and the pressure of “being on time” for milestones. We sit down with autistic self advocate Andrew Arboe and Jan Schlueter, co-founder and CEO of Neurodiverse Technologies and Entrepreneur in Residence at Vanderbilt’s Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, to talk about what real driver readiness support can look like when independence is the mission. We dig into the mindset shift that changes everything: there is no magic age for learning to drive. Andrew shares why routines matter, how interest based destinations can make practice feel purposeful, and why reducing anxiety often means removing deadlines rather than piling on pressure. We also talk about practical prep for the written test, including simple tools like online practice tests and flashcards that help learners feel steady instead of overwhelmed. Jan walks us through SANDI an autism-centered driving simulator built to prepare learners before they step into a real car. With instructor controls, changing weather, adjustable traffic density, surprise scenarios, and eye gaze tracking that shows where a learner is actually looking, SANDI makes it possible to coach skills like visual scanning in a way traditional in-car practice cannot. We also explore why driving anxiety appears to be rising more broadly, and how supportive technology can help both neurodivergent and neurotypical drivers build confidence. If you care about autism driving resources, driver education, assistive technology, and real pathways to independence, this one is for you. Subscribe, share with a parent or driving instructor, and leave a review so more families can find these tools and conversations. Support the show

  7. Jul 7

    Episode 6- How A Tech Founder Helped His Autistic Daughter Drive With Confidence with Jan Schlueter

    A teen finally says it out loud: “What’s wrong with me?” And as a parent, you realize you don’t have an answer yet. That moment sits at the heart of our conversation with Jan Schlueter, a tech entrepreneur who moved from Germany to Tennessee and found himself pulled into autism and neurodiversity work through Vanderbilt’s Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, only to later recognize that his own daughter is autistic. We talk about what a late autism diagnosis changes, why it can bring real relief, and how it helps a young person rewrite the last decade with more compassion and clarity.  We also dig into a problem families feel every day: supports often fade right when life gets bigger. The transition to adulthood brings driving, jobs, money, travel, and independence, but resources for ages 16+ can be painfully limited. Jan shares how the Sandy driver readiness platform helps neurodivergent teens and young adults build confidence behind the wheel, plus a practical parenting approach that reduces pressure while increasing autonomy one route at a time.  Finally, we zoom out to the bigger vision: an autism-friendly ecosystem built through Neurodiverse Technologies, the Neurotech Frontiers incubation platform and conference, and new partnerships designed to connect research, products, and real-world support. If you care about autism support for adolescents, assistive technology, universal design, and building independence that lasts, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a parent or educator, and leave a review so more families can find these tools and ideas. Support the show

  8. Jun 30

    Episode 5- Hear How Andrew Arboe Builds A Life Around Autism Advocacy

    He jokes about coffee and Pokémon, but Andrew Arboe’s story lands because it’s grounded in real life: special education records, speech therapy, anxiety, and the slow work of building skills over time. We talk with Andrew, one of our advisory board members, about growing up non-speaking and later becoming verbal, and why early guidance like “don’t underestimate him” still matters for families and educators supporting non-speaking and minimally speaking autistic kids today.  From there, we follow the turning point many neurodivergent people know too well: leaving high school and realizing adult services can feel scattered or hard to find. Andrew describes that transition like being dropped into an open-world game with no map, and we explore what helps, including realistic planning, community connection, and pathways like employment services, vocational rehabilitation, and transition services. He also shares why he’s careful to say he’s only one voice in a massive autism community, and how he navigates online discourse without losing sight of what’s actually useful.  We also dig into Andrew’s advocacy work: public speaking, contracting, and building a personal brand that stays flexible and welcoming. A standout topic is autistic driving readiness, including why driving can be a meaningful goal for some people and not the right choice for others. Andrew explains his connection to Neurodiverse Technologies and a driver simulator program designed to help people practice safely and make informed decisions.  If you care about autism acceptance, special education, adult transition planning, and practical resources that increase independence, this conversation offers both perspective and next steps. Subscribe, share this with someone navigating a transition, and leave a review with the question you want us to tackle next. Support the show

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About

Brought to you by International Neurodiversity Resource Center. We are dedicated to connecting individuals, families, and professionals in the neurodivergent community with education, resources, and support. 

Information

  • Creator
    The International Neurodiversity Resource Center
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Neurodivergent Resource Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Neurodivergent Resource Podcast