Autism Knows No Borders

Global Autism Project
Autism Knows No Borders

Discover what’s possible when people impacted by autism inspire change and build community. Together with self-advocates, family members, educators, and international autism service providers, Rachel Harmon from the Global Autism Project explores stories of challenges and breakthroughs to extend the reach of human connection and remind people that they are not alone. Tune in each week for new episodes and meaningful conversations. For more information, please visit www.globalautismproject.org. Rachel Harmon is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst originally from California and currently lives in Barcelona, Spain. Rachel started her involvement with the Global Autism Project as a volunteer on a SkillCorps® trip to Uganda in 2018. Her role as Regional Coordinator has brought her to partner sites in Kenya, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Czech Republic and Netherlands.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    The Impact of Seasonal Changes on Mental Health, with the Global Autism Community

    Discover what’s possible when every change brings a new opportunity. Do you struggle with social engagements during the holiday season? What boundaries do you set in order to preserve your mental well-being? If you’d like to learn how to navigate the challenges of seasonal shifts, stick around for today’s episode. The following roundtable was facilitated by Global Autism Community moderator Hattie Angelys Fox, and it features Autistic Self-Advocates and new community moderators Bob Schmus and Adrian Sanchez. Among other things, they discuss: Transitioning from summer to winter The challenges and joys of the holiday period How to balance your social interactions  The importance of identifying and setting personal boundaries Sharing food and cultural traditions to enhance community bonds Preparing for travel during the busy holiday period Strategies to maintain mental well-being throughout seasonal changes  ----more---- 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 maybe you’re 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.  ----more---- 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

    48 min
  2. Support Across the Lifespan at Jake's House in Canada, with David Bodanis | TBT

    FEB 6

    Support Across the Lifespan at Jake's House in Canada, with David Bodanis | TBT

    THROWBACK EPISODE*  This episode with David Bodanis was originally released on January 21, 2021. ----more---- Discover what’s possible when everyone has a place they belong.  David Bodanis is a father to three young men, two of which are on the autism spectrum. David and his wife Irene are the founders of Jake’s House, a charitable organization based in Canada whose mission is to support individuals on the spectrum throughout their lifespans. They offer four core initiatives: annual holiday parties, the Legends Mentoring Program, employment mentoring, and inclusive housing solutions.  In this conversation, David talks about the dynamic between his three sons growing up, how the understanding of autism in Canada has changed over the last 20 years, and why he and his wife decided to start Jake’s House.  David also describes a recent, exciting project at Jake’s House in which they formed the band ASD, comprised of young musicians with autism.  For more information about Jake’s House, please visit jakeshouse.ca.  ----more---- 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. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.  ----more---- We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.

    59 min
  3. Animation for All Abilities, with Dani Bowman | TBT

    JAN 30

    Animation for All Abilities, with Dani Bowman | TBT

    *THROWBACK EPISODE*  This episode with Dani Bowman was originally released on July 15, 2021. ----more---- Discover what’s possible when inclusion is animated.  Dani Bowman is an autism self-advocate, animator, illustrator, teacher, and public speaker from California. Dani founded her company, DaniMation Entertainment LLC, at age 11, and has worked professionally in the animation industry since age 14. Her company has produced nine award-winning animated shorts, a PSA for Autism Society of America, and a music video that premiered at San Diego Comic-Con. DaniMation Entertainment has also illustrated six children’s books and numerous commercial works. Dani teaches animation to teens and young adults with autism and other disabilities at summer camps around the world, in-person and online.  As part of her advocacy work, Dani speaks at autism and neurodiversity conferences about inclusion in the workforce. She has been a keynote speaker at events such as OCALICON (by the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence) in Columbus, OH, the Oklahoma Statewide Autism Conference, Temple Grandin and Friends in Los Angeles, CA, and the Alaska Autism Resource Center Speaker Series (AARC), among others.  In today’s conversation, we discuss: How autism affects Dani’s everyday life What she loves about her autism Some of the ways in which she feels misunderstood What inspires her as an animator  DaniAcademy workshops and camps The skills needed to succeed as an animator Advice for other autistics entering the animation industry  To learn more about Dani Bowman and her work, please visit danibowman.com.  ----more---- Are you a self-advocate willing to share your experiences and educate others? Are you a professional seeking to hear directly from autistic voices and improve your practice? Are you a family member hoping to support and empower your loved one? Whatever your role related to autism is, you can join our Global Autism Community to connect and collaborate with people all over the world.  Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.  ----more---- 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 ----more---- We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.

    29 min
  4. JAN 16

    Isolation vs Community with The Global Autism Community

    Discover what’s possible when social engagement and self-care are balanced. Do you find it challenging to be surrounded by too many people? What do you prefer: spending time alone or with others? Or do you just struggle to make deeper connections?  If any of this resonates with you or anyone you know, stick around for today’s episode. The following roundtable is about Isolation vs Community. It was facilitated by Autistic Self-Advocate and Global Autism Community moderator Hattie-Angelys Fox, and it features Autistic Self-Advocates Adrian Sanchez and Eren Niederhoffer. Our Global Autism Community is an online space where anyone connected to autism can share their perspectives on various topics. Among other things, they discuss: Isolation as a restorative choice The dual nature of isolation How slowing down can help you to understand yourself Tools to balance community and self-care Navigating social situations and the role of humor in connecting with others Public spaces as a neutral ground for social interactions Trust as a prerequisite to meaningful relationships Cultural sensitivity in communication and humor The importance of self-time for mental and emotional well-being Observing social dynamics to enhance one’s ability to connect ----more---- 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 maybe you’re 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.  ----more---- 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

    40 min
  5. JAN 9

    Technology and Applied Behavior Analysis in China, with Michael Huang | TBT

    *THROWBACK EPISODE*  This episode with Michael Huang was originally released on April 28, 2020. ----more---- Discover what’s possible when innovative technology empowers parents to interact with their children in new, creative ways.  Michael Huang is the president and co-founder of UPlus Academy, an autism center in Nanjing, China.  With a background in IT, Michael describes the moment when he discovered he could utilize his multi-media technologies to help children with autism. It was fascinating to learn about the ways he and his staff are using 3-D mapping rooms to teach communication and generalization in the natural environment.  The Global Autism Project partnered with UPlus in January 2019. Since then, we have sent three SkillCorps® volunteer teams to provide sustainable clinical training to their teachers. We have also created an authorized curriculum to administer the six courses required by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board.  Earlier this year, we learned of the impact the coronavirus was having on our partners in China. We immediately scheduled video calls and closely worked together to create solutions for their students in quarantine.  Now, three months after they were forced to close their centers, Michael shares the current situation in his region, as well as his determination to not lay off any of his staff amidst the crisis. By offering online parent training, the staff at UPlus have motivated parents to transition to home programming. They even created an app for parents to track their children’s progress.  You can learn more about Michael Huang and UPlus Academy here: UPlus.  ----more---- 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. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.  ----more---- We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.

    46 min
  6. Do With Not For, with Our CEO Molly Ola Pinney | TBT

    JAN 2

    Do With Not For, with Our CEO Molly Ola Pinney | TBT

    *THROWBACK EPISODE*  This episode with Molly Ola Pinney was originally released on April 15, 2021. ----more---- Discover what’s possible when instead of teaching someone to fish, you ask them what they like to eat.  The CEO and Founder of the Global Autism Project, Molly Ola Pinney, is back on the show to talk about the motto that drives our work: #DoWithNotFor.  For almost 20 years, the Global Autism Project has been providing sustainable clinical, administrative, and leadership training to autism centers seeking guidance around the world. Our SkillCorps volunteer program is an opportunity for self-advocates and professionals to travel to our international partner sites and collaborate with their local teachers and therapists.  If you’d like to learn more about the Global Autism Project’s history and mission, please listen to my conversation with Molly in episode 2.  In today’s conversation, we discuss:  The meaning of doing with others and not for them The "Essential, Preferable, Preferable to Me" framework  Doing with the Autistic community The importance of listening  We also make two big announcements that we think will have a huge impact on the autism community. Stay tuned until the end to hear them!  To learn more about our organization and the work we do, please visit globalautismproject.org.  Watch Molly explain on the TEDx stage why doing things for others doesn't help.  ----more---- 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  ----more---- We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.

    36 min
  7. Self-Care for Parents, with Maggie Nunez | TBT

    12/26/2024

    Self-Care for Parents, with Maggie Nunez | TBT

    *THROWBACK EPISODE*  This episode with Maggie Nunez was originally released on July 8, 2021. ----more---- Discover what’s possible when taking care of yourself lets you take care of others.  This week's guest is Maggie Nunez. Originally from Dominican Republic and currently living in New Jersey, Maggie is a mother of three, two of whom are autistic. Her sons Dariel and Alvin are 16 and 13 years old. As a cancer survivor, Maggie hopes to encourage other parents to prioritize their own health in order to effectively take care of their children.  In today’s conversation, we discuss:  Maggie's two sons’ autistic strengths  Challenges her son Dariel has overcome Thinking about her children’s future What motherhood has taught her about herself Autism acceptance in Dominican culture Her family’s supportive attitude How she takes care of herself  If you’re a parent, how do you practice self-care? You can connect with other parents going through experiences similar to yours, as well as find support and self-care resources, in our Global Autism Community.  Just a reminder, our community is open to anyone related to autism. Whether you’re a self-advocate, a family member, or a professional in the field, you can participate in these important conversations on our platform.  Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.  ----more---- 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  ----more---- We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.

    55 min
4.8
out of 5
86 Ratings

About

Discover what’s possible when people impacted by autism inspire change and build community. Together with self-advocates, family members, educators, and international autism service providers, Rachel Harmon from the Global Autism Project explores stories of challenges and breakthroughs to extend the reach of human connection and remind people that they are not alone. Tune in each week for new episodes and meaningful conversations. For more information, please visit www.globalautismproject.org. Rachel Harmon is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst originally from California and currently lives in Barcelona, Spain. Rachel started her involvement with the Global Autism Project as a volunteer on a SkillCorps® trip to Uganda in 2018. Her role as Regional Coordinator has brought her to partner sites in Kenya, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Czech Republic and Netherlands.

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