Autism Learning Lab Podcast

Chris Blankenship, LCSW
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Arts

A podcast that explores the latest news, research, and support for autistic individuals and their families. 

  1. Oct 28

    Episode 38: Clothing and Self Expression

    In this edition of the Autism Learning Lab Podcast, Chris chats with Kay Rodgers, a clinical psychology doctoral student at Mercer who specializes in working with neurodivergent clients. Kay shares how fashion psychology can help autistic people express themselves and build confidence. Drawing from her own experience and clinical work, Kay explains how clothing can become a meaningful tool for self-expression, social connection, and emotional regulation. Autism Learning Lab: https://www.autismlearninglab.com/ Email: info@autismlearninglab.com Quotes: [5:26-5:31] Kay “How will you ever know who you are if all you have ever done is try to fit in with everyone else around you?” [5:55-6:01] Kay “Fashion (and what you wear) is one way that you can communicate who you are without having to say anything at all.” [14:16-14:22] Kay “You have very little to lose, but a lot to gain if you can find that sense of style that really speaks to you and makes you feel good.”

    Episode 38: Clothing and Self Expression

  2. Oct 8

    Episode 37: The Sandbox for Growth - Neurodiversity, Connection, and Finding Strengths

    What if personal growth is less about fixing what’s missing—and more about discovering what you uniquely bring to the world? In this Autism Symposium Edition, Chris sits down with Dr. Danny Recio, program director and co-founder of The Bridge Costa Rica and New Summit Academy, to discuss neurodiversity, identity, and creating safe spaces for autistic young adults to explore, grow, and discover their strengths. Danny shares how a low-judgment “sandbox” for life can encourage experimentation, connection, and growth beyond the comfort zone. They also explore artificial intelligence, the importance of real-world human connection, and practical ways families can create meaningful opportunities for growth without coercion. Links: Autism Learning Lab: https://www.autismlearninglab.com/ Email: chris@autismlearninglab.com Guest Info: Bridge Young Adults: https://www.bridgeyoungadults.com/ Quotes: [5:03-5:08] Danny: “You just get the opportunity to practice and just explore. And if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out.” [11:18-11:21] Danny: “Growth happens at the edge of your comfort zone.” [20:30-20:42] Danny: “Time is important, repetition is important, salience is important, dissonance is important, choice is important, challenge is important, feedback is important.”

    Episode 37: The Sandbox for Growth - Neurodiversity, Connection, and Finding Strengths

  3. Sep 21

    Episode 36: Ready for College? Preparing Neurodivergent Students to Thrive

    Chris sits down with Dr. Eric Endlich, clinical psychologist, certified educational planner, and founder of Top College Consultants, to discuss what neurodivergent students and their families need to know before making the transition to higher education. They explore independent living skills, self-advocacy, college accommodations, and practical ways parents can gradually help their child build confidence and independence. Dr. Endlich also shares insight into autism support programs, community college, gap years, and why finding the right college environment can be more important than simply following a traditional path. Most importantly, this conversation offers encouragement and hope: there is no single timeline or path to college. With thoughtful preparation, the right environment, and appropriate support, autistic students can find their own path and thrive. Links: Autism Learning Lab: https://www.autismlearninglab.com/ Email: chris@autismlearninglab.com Top College Consultants: https://www.topcollegeconsultants.com/ Quotes: [9:33-9:36]Eric “[You don’t] have to have every skill completely mastered the day you walk into college.” [19:26-19:30] Eric “[College] is not the time to throw away all the supports that helped you get to where you are.” [25:16-25:20] Eric “Time is on your side. There's no deadline.”  [27:15-27:19] Eric “You deserve to go to college. If that's what you want to do, you can be successful.”

    Episode 36: Ready for College? Preparing Neurodivergent Students to Thrive

  4. Sep 1

    Episode 35: What Does School Readiness Mean for Neurodivergent Students?

    Chris sits down with Chris Heys, Head of School at Hampshire Country School, to discuss what true school readiness really means. Together, they explore why readiness is about far more than compliance. They show how parents and educators can recognize when a child is struggling and why relationships and trust are essential for meaningful learning. They also discuss the importance of self-advocacy, and knowing when a different educational environment may be the right fit. For many neurodivergent students and their families, back-to-school season can bring uncertainty and difficult decisions, but this conversation offers practical guidance and encouragement for parents preparing for the new school year. Links: Autism Learning Lab: https://www.autismlearninglab.com/ Email: chris@autismlearninglab.com Hampshire Country School: https://www.hampshirecountryschool.org/ Quotes: [7:15-7:20] Heys: "Readiness is not obedience and compliance. Readiness can look many different ways." [12:23] Heys: "Breaks are always okay." [22:40-22:42] Heys “Nobody else on the planet knows your child better than you."

    Episode 35: What Does School Readiness Mean for Neurodivergent Students?

  5. Aug 19

    Episode 34: When Girls Go Undiagnosed: Autism, Pain, and the Cost of Being Misunderstood

    Chris Blankenship invites therapist Regan Adair to discuss the unique challenges autistic adolescent girls who are often diagnosed later in life face. They explore the impact of chronic pain, sensory differences, shame, and years of being misunderstood. Regan shares how listening deeply, believing clients' lived experiences, and collaborating across disciplines can dramatically improve quality of life. This conversation offers insight and encouragement for parents, clinicians, and autistic girls seeking support. Links: Autism Learning Lab: https://www.autismlearninglab.com/ Email: chris@autismlearninglab.com Regan Adair Practice: Blue Ridge Wilderness Quotes: [8:29 - 8:37] Regan "I want to seek understanding from my clients. I want to always be listening to them. She is the expert on her experience." [15:33-15:38] Regan “listen and challenge yourself to believe what your child is saying” [15:55-16:02] Regan "If you haven't found a provider who believes you and listens to you, please keep looking. They're out there. We are out there."

    Episode 34: When Girls Go Undiagnosed: Autism, Pain, and the Cost of Being Misunderstood

  6. Jul 22

    Episode 33: Redefining Expectations in Autism

    Chris chats with Kellyn Smythe, Director of Admissions at Pacific Quest and a father navigating autism in his own family. Kellyn shares his personal journey of his son’s early feeding struggles and eventual autism diagnosis. This conversation offers an honest look at the realities many families face. However, this episode offers hope with Kellyn reflecting on how perspective shifts over time explaining how what once felt devastating can become a source of joy. Links: Autism Learning Lab: https://www.autismlearninglab.com/ Email: chris@autismlearninglab.com Pacific Quest: https://pacificquest.org/ Quotes: [7:50-8:00] Kellyn “All that suffering and all that distress and worry and sleepless nights and all those things that made a big old hole that we get to fill up with everything he does now it's just so rewarding.” [10:45-10:55] Chris “I like the fact that you're other people are putting up boundaries, and you're saying ‘no I'm gonna take that away and let's at least try.’ If you're not going to do that for your kid, who's going to?” [15:21-15:24] Kellyn “Our healthy relationships involve attuned expectations.”

    Episode 33: Redefining Expectations in Autism

  7. Jul 6

    Episode 32: Understanding Sensory Processing and the Power of Neuroplasticity

    In this episode of the Autism Learning Lab Podcast, host Chris Blankenship sits down with occupational therapist and Mountain Valley Treatment Center Executive Director Zachary Schafer to discuss sensory processing challenges in adolescents. Together, they explore the remarkable power of neuroplasticity and explain why it's never too late to support meaningful change. Zachary challenges the common belief that sensory development is fixed after early childhood, offering hope, practical insights, and encouragement to families and individuals navigating sensory sensitivities. Links: Autism Learning Lab: https://www.autismlearninglab.com/ Email: chris@autismlearninglab.com Fear Less Podcast: https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/resources/podcast/ Mountain Valley Treatment Center: https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/ Quotes: [1:30-1:38] Zachary  “Did you know that we could actually maybe change the way that they process sensory information and that this might not be a fixed challenge?” [6:20-6:22] Zachary “Before you can do any of this, you have to educate.” [11:03 - 11:07] Zachary “Your sensory processing capacity is something that's a  lifelong experience.”

    Episode 32: Understanding Sensory Processing and the Power of Neuroplasticity

  8. Jun 24

    Episode 31: How A Diagnosis Should Guide Treatment, Not Define a Person

    In this episode of the Autism Learning Lab Podcast, Chris Blankenship discusses the complexities of autism diagnosis and treatment with Neil Wallace the director of Spark. They discuss the challenges of ever emerging autism labels and how those labels can impact care, identity, and outcomes. Neil also shares insights on rigidity, PDA, and why diagnosis should guide treatment, not define a person. This episode is great for parents and caregivers, highlighting the powerful role they play in helping children regulate, grow, and navigate the world. Links: Autism Learning Lab: https://www.autismlearninglab.com/ Email: chris@autismlearninglab.com Spark: https://www.spark.heritagertc.org/ Quotes: [00:57-1:03] Chris: “We're all slaves to this. big purple book called the DSM.” [6:05-6:07] Neil: “ a diagnosis is to help guide treatment.”  [8:47-8:56] Neil: “And [labels] almost become a permission structure for allowing rigidity, allowing noncompliance, allowing this behavior that maybe otherwise we would challenge. [15:46-15:51] Neil: “you've got to be able to regulate the body first and then everything else we get so much easier”

    Episode 31: How A Diagnosis Should Guide Treatment, Not Define a Person
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

A podcast that explores the latest news, research, and support for autistic individuals and their families. 

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Blankenship, LCSW
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Autism Learning Lab Podcast
  • Show Website
    Autism Learning Lab Podcast

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