Finding Hope on the Spectrum

Brooke Wagner
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  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Are you worried about your autistic son's or daughter's future and quality of life? Do you want to feel empowered to be the intuitive parent you know you are? Or are you a curious professional, seeking to learn and discover how to best reach your autistic clients? I invite you to join our community of growth seeking individuals as we connect, share and support each other. This show will feature heart to heart conversations with parents, professionals, and autistic individuals sharing personal insight and life experiences. We will dive deep into supports, programs, and stories that inspire us.

  1. 19 HR AGO

    Autistic Teens and Adults: Building Skills, Confidence, and Community | Ep. 50

    Finding Hope on the Spectrum

    53 min

  2. 19 MAR

    Why Exclusion Harms Neurodivergent Students — And What Works Instead | Ep. 49

    Brooke interviews educator, consultant, speaker, and author Lisa Riegel about using brain science to improve behavior, inclusion, and school systems. Lisa Riegel explains how exclusionary discipline (sending students out) worsens problems by leaving conflicts unresolved and making classrooms feel unsafe. Drawing on her experiences with ineffective leadership and parenting a twice-exceptional son, she argues schools must become human-centered and partner authentically with parents, including clear parent policies and support for families navigating institutions. Lisa Riegel outlines her books: Stop Doing What Doesn't Work: Creating meaningful partnerships with today's families (parent-school partnerships), NeuroWell: Applying brain science to build safe, supportive, and proactive schools (how context and sensory associations shape perception and regulation, plus building proactive school and home cultures), and Aspirations to Operations: A leader’s guide to making transformative change stick (brain-based leadership and implementation). She teaches students accessible brain models (e.g., “Harold” and “Bob”), self-awareness tools, and classroom strategies like learning sprints, positivity prompts, and student-led behavior plans emphasizing agency over extrinsic rewards. 00:00 Why Sending Kids Out Fails 00:53 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:28 Lisa’s Path to Brain Science 04:39 Systems Not Built for Kids 06:17 Twice Exceptional Parenting Wakeup 08:06 Mission Happy Healthy Successful 09:43 Stop Doing What Doesn’t Work 11:08 Building Parent Partnerships 13:58 Find Your Voice Program 15:44 Neuro Well and Sensory Filters 21:36 Teaching Kids Brain Stories 23:25 Tools Name It Own It 25:28 Fizzy or Flat Checkins 28:34 Dilution with Positivity 29:55 Learning Sprints for Safety 30:29 Learning Sprints Setup 31:10 Why Breaks Boost Focus 31:51 Classroom Sprint Success 33:57 Self Awareness First 35:22 Rethinking Behavior Plans 37:28 Replacement Behaviors Tools 39:32 Self Assessment Agency 40:30 Beyond Extrinsic Rewards 42:33 Seven Change Conditions 44:52 PBIS Goals Peer Support 47:54 Leadership Brain Science 48:53 Building Belonging Culture 50:50 Clarity Coherence Change 53:15 Why School Culture Turns Toxic 54:37 How Lisa Supports Schools 57:11 AI Stress Leadership Moment 57:55 Where To Find Lisa 58:48 Final Takeaways Goodbye Connect with Finding Hope on the Spectrum: Email: bwagner@findinghopeonthespectrum.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574918739411  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-wagner-4819233a/  Instagram: @findinghopeonthespectrum  TikTok: Findinghopeonthespectrum Guest Contact: www.lisariegel.com

    1hr 1min

  3. 13 MAR

    Executive Function, Time Blindness & the “Mental Movie”: Practical Strategies with Sarah Ward | Ep. 48

    Finding Hope on the Spectrum

    1hr 7min

  4. 3 MAR

    Beyond the Autism Diagnosis: Healing the Biofield, Regulating the Nervous System | Ep. 47

    Brooke hosts “Finding Hope on the Spectrum” with Dr. Nima, a former engineer who turned to holistic healing after a heart crisis. Facing a pacemaker recommendation for severe palpitations, he discovered Kirlian photography in Russia. By scanning himself daily, he resolved his symptoms within six months by balancing body systems and emotions. He views humans as layered energetic systems and discusses how "downward causation" and chronic stress drive inflammation. Dr. Nima compares the body to an onion where the outer biofield shows distortions before physical illness. He uses German sensors and respiratory biofeedback to measure the autonomic nervous system. His work with 2,000 people across 20 medical centers shows reductions in chronic pain after six sessions. He leads Gaia Healers (join.gaiahealers.com) and Gaia Seekers (gaiaseekers.com), a nonprofit tied to Biofield University. The episode connects these ideas to autism, focusing on parent regulation and gut health. Dr. Nima uses sound therapy, photobiomodulation, and biofeedback for autistic children, reporting immediate improvements in posture and digestion. Scanning also helps identify uncommunicated emotions. He details color therapy (e.g., green for love) via light, food, or baths. Visit https://www.google.com/search?q=NimaFarshid.com for referrals and info on his Orlando healing homes and conferences. 00:00 How Biofield Scans Help Autistic Kids Understand Emotions00:52 Welcome to Finding Hope on the Spectrum + Introducing Dr. Nima03:01 Health Crisis Wake-Up Call: Palpitations, EKG, and the Pacemaker Ultimatum04:33 From Pre-Med Dreams to Software Success—and Back to a Healing Mission07:26 World Travels for Answers: Discovering Bioenergy Tech in Russia08:51 Daily Scans & Pattern Recognition: Fixing the Root Causes Behind Symptoms10:20 We’re More Than a Physical Body: Upward vs. Downward Causation Explained13:56 Measuring Emotions in the Body: Anger, the Liver, and Subconscious Stress16:45 Releasing Old Trauma: Revisiting Childhood Patterns to Heal the System19:10 From Personal Breakthrough to Global Movement: Practitioners, Protocols, Proof23:28 “Seekers Become Healers”: Building Gaia Healers & Gaia Seekers Communities29:46 What Is the Biofield? The Onion-Layer Analogy and Early Warning Signs33:58 Reframing Breakups: Healing the Biofield Through Perspective Shifts34:48 When Grudges Seep In: Energy Overload, Homeostasis, and System Breakdown35:33 Scanning the ‘Onion’: Measuring Outer Biofield vs Inner Bioenergy Layers36:42 New Tools from Germany & Italy: Pulsar Sensors, ANS Testing, and Biofeedback Fixes39:50 Clinical Results & Recharging Organs: Restoring Lost ‘Charge’ After Dysregulation42:14 Chronic Stress Explained: Cortisol Rhythm, Inflammation, and Fight-or-Flight Living45:09 Coherent Parents, Calmer Homes: How Regulation Impacts Autistic Kids47:34 Water, Thoughts, and Frequency: Measuring Emotions + the Rice Experiment50:20 Autism Session Walkthrough: Sound Therapy, Photobiomodulation, and Breath Reset53:10 Gut Issues & Remote Breathwork: Regulating the ANS to Restore Digestion55:41 How to Get Started: Practitioners, Conferences, Healing Homes, and Online Community57:22 Color Therapy 101: Using Frequency via Light, Food, Oils, and Baths59:58 Closing Reflections: Mission, Oneness, and Staying in Touch Connect with Finding Hope on the Spectrum:Email: ⁠bwagner@findinghopeonthespectrum.com⁠Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574918739411⁠Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-wagner-4819233a/⁠Instagram: @findinghopeonthespectrumTikTok: Findinghopeonthespectrum Guest Contact:https://gaiahealers.com/

    1hr 3min

  5. 23 FEB

    When They Said Severe Autism: A Mother’s 30-Year Journey of Growth and Hope | Ep. 46

    Finding Hope on the Spectrum

    1hr 6min

  6. 16 FEB

    Screen Time Showdown: Are Video Games Hurting or Helping Our Neurodivergent Kids? | Ep. 45

    In this episode of 'Finding Hope on the Spectrum,' host Brooke converses with Dr. Deb Budding, a board-certified neuropsychologist, about the impact of video games on neurodivergent children. They explore the balance between healthy and unhealthy gaming, emphasizing self-regulation over obedience. Dr. Budding shares insights on the evolving gaming landscape, the importance of understanding content, and how parents can effectively manage their children's screen time. They also discuss the role of video games in social engagement and the need for community support among parents navigating similar challenges. 00:00 Introduction and Importance of Self-Regulation 01:19 Welcome to Finding Hope on the Spectrum 02:11 Today's Topic: Video Games and Family Concerns 03:10 Guest Introduction: Dr. Budding 03:37 The Evolution of Video Games 04:31 Parental Concerns and Game Content 05:33 Roblox and Age Restrictions 07:00 Hyperfocus and Self-Regulation 10:58 Balancing Screen Time and Physical Activity 26:03 Therapeutic Benefits of Video Games 27:57 Challenges of Online Safety and Social Interaction 34:10 The Importance of Reducing Stress for Neurodivergent Kids 34:54 Balancing Privacy and Supervision for Kids Online 38:46 The Role of Self-Regulation and Co-Regulation 39:41 The Power of Explaining the 'Why' to Neurodivergent Kids 41:01 The Evolution of Video Games and Parental Involvement 42:22 The Therapeutic Benefits of Video Games 46:40 Encouraging Outdoor Activities and Animal Therapy 47:45 The Challenges of Parenting Neurodivergent Kids 52:54 The Ever-Changing Landscape of Parenting and Technology 56:35 Final Thoughts and Recommendations Connect with Finding Hope on the Spectrum: Email: bwagner@findinghopeonthespectrum.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574918739411 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-wagner-4819233a/ Instagram: @findinghopeonthespectrum TikTok: Findinghopeonthespectrum Guest Contact: https://deborahbudding.com/ Resource: https://www.crossplay.news/

    1hr 5min

  7. 9 FEB

    Leucovorin, Fecal Transplants, and the Future of Autism Care | Ep. 44

    In this episode of Finding Hope on the Spectrum, host Brooke welcomes back Dr. Lisa Loegering, an integrative developmental pediatrician, for an in-depth discussion on leucovorin and gut therapies. They explore the FDA's approval of leucovorin for cerebral folate deficiency, its off-label use for autism, and how it differs from other forms of folate supplements. Dr. Loegering also discusses the benefits of using compounding pharmacies and the importance of complementary nutrients like B12. The conversation extends to gut-based interventions such as fecal transplants and how parents can start working on their child's microbiome at home. Practical advice and actionable steps are provided for families seeking to support their neurodiverse children. 00:00 FDA Approval and Initial Buzz Around Leucovorin 01:42 Introduction to the Podcast and Today's Guest 02:21 Deep Dive into Leucovorin and Its Uses 03:21 Understanding Folinic Acid and Its Forms 06:08 Compounding Pharmacies vs. Commercial Pharmacies 08:45 Deciding to Try Leucovorin and Testing 12:23 Challenges and Considerations in Using Leucovorin 18:21 Additional Nutrients to Enhance Leucovorin's Effectiveness 23:53 Broader Context and Final Thoughts on Leucovorin 26:51 Recap of Previous Episodes 27:22 Introduction to Gut-Based Interventions 28:34 Fecal Transplant Studies and Challenges 34:07 Microbiome and Autism 36:03 Practical Tips for Parents 40:55 Medications vs. Nutritional Supports 49:09 Final Thoughts and Recommendations Connect with Finding Hope on the Spectrum: Email: bwagner@findinghopeonthespectrum.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574918739411  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-wagner-4819233a/  Instagram: @findinghopeonthespectrum  TikTok: Findinghopeonthespectrum Guest Contact: http://lisajlmd.com/

    53 min

  8. 2 FEB

    Co-Regulation Over Compliance: Building Connection That Changes Everything | Ep. 43

    Finding Hope on the Spectrum

    59 min
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About

Are you worried about your autistic son's or daughter's future and quality of life? Do you want to feel empowered to be the intuitive parent you know you are? Or are you a curious professional, seeking to learn and discover how to best reach your autistic clients? I invite you to join our community of growth seeking individuals as we connect, share and support each other. This show will feature heart to heart conversations with parents, professionals, and autistic individuals sharing personal insight and life experiences. We will dive deep into supports, programs, and stories that inspire us.

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