Raising The Spectrum

Jerry Brunskill
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  • Parenting
  • Weekly

Raising The Spectrum is an honest conversation between parents, family members, and providers of neurodivergent children. It puts real people and real stories at the center — the lived, day-to-day experience of caring for and supporting neurodivergent individuals. It is candid, warm, and unfiltered, and it speaks directly to a community that rarely sees itself represented with this much honesty. The show airs as a simulcast — every episode broadcasts live and simultaneously across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Raising The Spectrum is hosted by Cameron Moulène, the French-American actor known for his work in television and film, including MTV's Happyland, Hulu's A Teacher, and the series Foursome. The show is deeply personal for Cameron: he is raising a neurodivergent son, and he created Raising The Spectrum to raise awareness, educate parents, and support anyone whose life is touched by neurodivergence. He brings an on-camera presence and a genuine, conversational interview style that lets guests truly open up.

Episodes

  1. Sep 30

    Their Son’s Autism Changed Everything — Then They Changed Thousands of Lives

    This episode of Raising the Spectrum looks at autism across an extraordinary 30-year journey. Izzy and Danielle share the story of raising their son Isaiah, who was diagnosed with autism in the early 1990s — a time when public understanding, support systems and even basic awareness of autism looked dramatically different than they do today. They recount painful encounters in public, frightening experiences with authorities, the isolation of raising a child whose behavior strangers didn't understand, and the enormous pressure placed on parents trying to navigate therapies, schools and services with very little guidance. But Isaiah's story also led somewhere remarkable: the ocean. After discovering how profoundly being in the water affected their son, Izzy and Danielle helped create Surfers Healing, which has spent decades giving children with autism and their families the opportunity to experience surfing — free of charge. The conversation also tackles subjects many autism families eventually face but rarely hear discussed openly: profound autism, caregiver burnout, ABA therapy, employment for autistic adults, respite care, crisis intervention, and the difficult question of what happens as autistic children become adults. It's an honest conversation about how far autism awareness has come — and how far there still is to go. Raising the Spectrum explores autism, neurodiversity, parenting and the realities families experience beyond the diagnosis.

  2. Aug 26

    What If We’ve Been Looking at Autism the Wrong Way? | Dr. Robert Melillo

    Raising The Spectrum is brought to you by Zocdoc. Your health matters and taking care of yourself shouldn't be complicated. Find and book the right doctor with Zocdoc. Head to https://www.zocdoc.com/RTS to get started and check that appointment off your to-do list! In this episode of Raising the Spectrum, Cameron Moulene sits down with Dr. Robert Melillo for a deep and provocative conversation about autism, neurodevelopment, non-speaking individuals, brain-body connection, primitive reflexes, and the remarkable complexity of the developing human brain. Dr. Melillo presents his theory that many characteristics associated with autism may be understood through what he calls developmental asynchrony — differences in the timing and coordination of developing brain networks. He discusses short- and long-range brain connectivity, movement, sensory processing, interoception, body awareness, developmental milestones, and why he believes understanding the developing brain is critical to understanding neurodivergence. The conversation becomes especially powerful when Dr. Melillo discusses non-speaking autistic children who communicate through spelling and other methods. He shares stories of children whose apparent cognitive abilities were dramatically underestimated, including a non-speaking child who demonstrated an unexpected understanding of advanced physics. Cameron also challenges Dr. Melillo on causation, intervention, ABA and other therapies, developmental milestones, environmental risk factors, and an essential question for parents: How do we help reduce disabling symptoms without trying to eliminate the qualities that make an autistic person who they are? Dr. Melillo also discusses his work involving primitive reflexes and his approach to developmental intervention, while emphasizing his own theories about how genetics, environment, movement and development interact. IMPORTANT: Raising the Spectrum is for storytelling, entertainment and educational purposes and does not provide medical advice. The views and experiences expressed by guests are their own and should not replace diagnosis, medical evaluation or clinical oversight. Every neurodivergent person is different. Discuss medical or therapeutic decisions with qualified healthcare professionals. Topics include: Autism • Neurodivergence • Non-Speaking Autism • Brain Development • Neuroplasticity • Developmental Milestones • Interoception • Primitive Reflexes • Speech • Sensory Processing • ADHD • Brain Connectivity • Autism Parenting • Developmental Neurology 00:00 Important Medical Disclaimer 00:41 The Hidden Intelligence of Non-Speaking Autism 02:08 Dr. Melillo’s Developmental Asynchrony Theory 05:29 The Fine Line Between Exceptional Ability and Disability 08:27 What Actually Changes in the Autistic Brain? 11:58 Short Roads vs. Highways: Understanding Brain Connectivity 14:08 Can You See Autism on an MRI? 15:20 Brain Networks, Stimming and Motor Control 16:30 Sponsor Break 17:36 Can We Reduce Disabling Symptoms Without Changing the Person? 20:24 Genetics vs. Development 23:54 Why Human Brain Development Is So Vulnerable 25:22 Primitive Reflexes and Early Development 28:23 Why Extraordinary Strengths Can Come With Challenges 31:44 Why Don’t Some Autistic Kids Speak? 34:14 The Brain-Body Connection 38:00 The 8-Year-Old Who Knew Quantum Physics 40:20 Can the Brain-Body Connection Be Rebuilt? 43:13 Interoception: Feeling Your Own Body 44:28 A 27-Year-Old Speaks for the First Time 48:40 Where Does Development Begin to Diverge? 49:42 Genetics, Environment & Autism Risk 54:30 The “Perfect Storm” Theory** 55:20 Why Developmental Milestones Matter 57:36 Can This Information Frighten Parents? 1:02:04 Too Many Therapies, Too Little Coordination 1:03:10 What Does Dr. Melillo Think of Autism Treatments? 1:04:07 His Critique of Symptom-Based Treatment 1:18:42 Final Thoughts 1:19:46 Where to Find Dr. Robert Melillo

  3. Aug 24

    Autism Signs Parents Shouldn’t Ignore | Dr. Tay Explains Diagnosis

    Raising The Spectrum is brought to you by Zocdoc. Your health matters and taking care of yourself shouldn't be complicated. Find and book the right doctor with Zocdoc. Head to https://www.zocdoc.com/RTS to get started and check that appointment off your to-do list! In this episode of Raising the Spectrum, host Cameron Moulene sits down with psychologist Dr. Taylor “Dr. Tay” Day for an in-depth conversation about autism diagnosis, the signs parents often notice first, and why some autistic children can be missed during traditional evaluations. Dr. Tay brings a unique perspective to the conversation. In addition to specializing in autism diagnosis, she grew up as the older sister of an autistic brother who was diagnosed at just 23 months old. That experience ultimately helped inspire her career working with autistic children and their families. Cameron and Dr. Tay discuss what parents should actually look for when they suspect their child may be autistic — including persistent dysregulation and meltdowns, sensory sensitivities, difficulty with transitions, intense interests, social differences and more subtle presentations that don't necessarily match the stereotypical picture of autism. Dr. Tay also explains why no individual trait by itself means a child is autistic. They also tackle a much larger problem: access to diagnosis. Why are families waiting so long for evaluations? Why do some psychologists choose to work outside insurance? Could pediatricians play a larger role in autism diagnosis? And could responsible, HIPAA-compliant technology help providers spend less time on administration and more time actually helping families? The conversation also explores ABA therapy, neurodiversity-affirming care, parental advocacy, finding providers who actually listen, and one of the most important lessons Dr. Tay shares: parents can advocate for their children now so that, eventually, their children can learn to advocate for themselves. Raising the Spectrum is about storytelling, education and sharing the experiences of families and professionals in the autism community. This program is not medical advice and should not replace evaluation or care from a licensed medical professional. 00:00 Important Medical Disclaimer 00:41 Meet Dr. Taylor “Dr. Tay” Day 01:43 Growing Up With an Autistic Brother 05:11 Can an Autism Diagnosis Ever Be Removed? 07:28 Are There Downsides to an Autism Diagnosis? 10:20 What Are the Signs of Autism? 11:43 Meltdowns, Dysregulation & Transitions 12:36 Sensory Sensitivities & Intense Interests 13:54 Social Differences & Masking 15:05 When a Child Doesn't Fit the “Typical” Profile 16:15 Sponsor Break — Zocdoc 17:20 Why Parents Should Trust Their Instincts 19:11 When Autism Gets Missed in an Evaluation 20:10 Why Dr. Tay Doesn't Rely on Insurance 24:43 America's Autism Diagnosis Bottleneck 26:01 Could AI Help Speed Up Evaluations? 27:09 Making Autism Information More Accessible 29:07 Why the Healthcare System Is Failing Families 32:26 HIPAA-Compliant AI in Autism Care 33:17 The Problems With ABA Therapy 35:44 Neurodiversity-Affirming ABA 36:16 Do Medical Providers Understand Autism? 37:10 Could Pediatricians Diagnose More Children? 38:44 When Parents Know More About Their Child 41:24 Evidence-Based Medicine vs. Thinking Outside the Box 42:50 When Parents Have to Challenge the Experts 44:27 Teaching Autistic Children to Self-Advocate 46:29 The Hardest Cases Dr. Tay Faces 49:17 Parents, Grief & Changing Expectations 52:00 Making Autism Resources Accessible 53:12 Why There May Be No Simple Solution 54:34 Where to Find Dr. Tay

  4. Aug 9

    The Autism Care Crisis: Why Families Are Waiting Too Long | Easterseals’ Marcy Traxler

    Raising The Spectrum is brought to you by Zocdoc. Your health matters and taking care of yourself shouldn't be complicated. Find and book the right doctor with Zocdoc. Head to https://www.zocdoc.com/RTS to get started & check that appointment off your to-do list! In this episode of Raising the Spectrum, Cameron Moulène sits down with Marcy Traxler, SVP of Network Advancement at Easterseals, for a wide-ranging conversation about autism, disability services, early intervention, healthcare access, and the future of support for neurodivergent families. For more than a century, Easterseals has worked to reduce barriers for people with disabilities. Marcy explains how that mission now includes developmental screening, autism services, speech and occupational therapy, workforce development, family support, and programs designed to help people transition into adulthood. Cameron and Marcy dig into one of the biggest problems facing families today: time. Parents may suspect something is different with their child, yet long waits for evaluations and services can delay access to support. They discuss Easterseals' Make the First Five Count developmental screening program, emerging diagnostic technology, telehealth, and whether AI can help reduce some of the friction in an increasingly complicated healthcare system. They also tackle affordability and healthcare inequality, the challenge of coordinating multiple providers, the transition many neurodivergent young adults face around age 18, employment opportunities, and why understanding autism as a constellation of characteristics rather than a simple linear spectrum may help change how society views neurodivergence. Plus, Cameron shares how his experience raising a neurodivergent child changed his perspective—and why he believes a world filled only with people who think and behave the same way would lose some of the very qualities that drive creativity, innovation and progress. Topics include: Autism screening and diagnosis • Early intervention • Easterseals • Developmental delays • ABA, OT and speech therapy • Healthcare access • Autism diagnosis waitlists • AI in healthcare • Telehealth • Neurodiversity • Transition to adulthood • Employment • IEPs • Parent support • Care coordination 00:00 Medical disclaimer 00:41 Meet Marcy Traxler of Easterseals 02:23 What does Easterseals actually do? 05:03 Marcy's personal connection to Easterseals 08:14 Autism, early intervention & workforce support 08:38 Make the First Five Count 10:25 Why early intervention matters 12:08 Can technology shorten diagnosis waitlists? 14:33 Supporting parents after a diagnosis 16:18 Sponsor break 17:23 AI and the future of care coordination 19:15 What's broken in the healthcare system? 24:17 If Marcy could change one thing 28:57 The economics of early intervention 31:05 What gives Marcy hope? 32:16 Telehealth and underserved communities 33:13 Building community for autism families 34:31 New technology in autism services 36:01 Preparing autistic teens for adulthood 38:23 Cameron's "magic wand" for neurodiversity 40:46 Autism isn't simply a linear spectrum 43:28 Marcy turns the interview around 44:10 Cameron explains the future of Augie 48:06 Connecting neurodivergent families 49:15 Final thoughts Raising the Spectrum is intended for storytelling, entertainment and education and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals regarding diagnosis, treatment or care decisions.

  5. Aug 5

    Why This All-Inclusive School Has a 1,000-Student Waitlist

    What makes an autism-friendly school truly successful? In this episode of Raising the Spectrum, Cameron Mouléne sits down with Erin Studer, Executive Director of CHIME Institute, one of the country's most respected inclusive education programs. Together they discuss: Why inclusive classrooms benefit every student The surprising reason CHIME has nearly a 1,000-student waitlist How autism support changes when schools focus on communication instead of punishment Why many traditional special education models unintentionally widen learning gaps Universal Design for Learning (UDL), co-teaching, and individualized support Why inclusion is as much a civil rights issue as an educational one Real stories of students whose lives changed through the CHIME model Whether you're raising an autistic child, work in education, or simply care about creating better schools, this conversation offers practical insights and hope for what's possible. 👍 Like, Subscribe, and Share if you'd like to see more conversations that support neurodivergent children and their families. #Autism #InclusiveEducation #SpecialEducation #Neurodiversity #Parenting #RaisingTheSpectrum #CHIME #Education #AutismSupport #Teachers Video Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:14 Meet Erin Studer & CHIME Institute 04:25 Why Aren't More Schools Like This? 06:32 What an Inclusive Classroom Really Looks Like 10:16 Common Parent Concerns About Inclusion 14:30 Universal Design for Learning Explained 16:50 Does Inclusion Cost More? 20:13 Do Students Need Less Support Over Time? 23:35 Why Traditional Special Education Often Falls Behind 27:18 Benefits for Neurotypical Students 32:05 Erin's First Experiences with Disability 38:05 Education, Civil Rights & Inclusion 44:34 Why Systemic Change Is So Difficult 51:05 Incredible Success Stories at CHIME 58:20 What Parents Often Get Wrong 01:00:00 Why Private Schools Still Struggle With Inclusion

  6. Aug 2

    The Untold Reality of Raising a Child with Profound Autism | Tiffany Sumner

    Raising The Spectrum is brought to you by Zocdoc. Your health matters and taking care of yourself shouldn't be complicated. Find and book the right doctor with Zocdoc. Head to https://www.zocdoc.com/RTS to get started & check that appointment off your to-do list! What is life really like raising a child with profound, nonverbal autism? In this deeply personal episode of Raising the Spectrum, Cameron Mouléne sits down with autism advocate Tiffany Sumner to discuss the realities that many families face but few people truly understand. Tiffany shares her journey as a single mother, navigating severe behavioral challenges, grief after diagnosis, advocacy, school battles, caregiving, mental health, and finding hope despite overwhelming obstacles. Together they discuss the need for better support, improved resources, caregiver burnout, and why profound autism deserves greater public awareness. This is an honest, compassionate conversation for parents, caregivers, educators, medical professionals, and anyone wanting to better understand the autism community. Topics include: Profound autism Nonverbal autism Autism parenting Caregiver burnout School advocacy Mental health Residential care Autism resources Family resilience Hope for autism families 00:00 Disclaimer 00:44 Meet Tiffany Sumner 03:00 From Marketing Executive to Autism Advocate 05:00 Receiving Her Son's Diagnosis 08:20 The Grief Parents Experience 12:00 Severe Aggression & Safety Challenges 16:00 The Difficult Decision for Residential Care 21:00 Fighting School Systems 26:00 Early Signs of Autism 31:00 Mental Health, Addiction & Family Loss 38:00 Supporting Siblings 41:00 What Society Gets Wrong About Autism 44:00 Searching for Causes 48:00 ABA Therapy Discussion 53:00 Dating as a Parent of a Neurodivergent Child 57:00 PTSD Among Autism Caregivers Subscribe for more conversations supporting neurodivergent families.

  7. Jul 29

    Growing Up With an Autistic Brother Changed My Life | Shane Harper

    Raising The Spectrum is brought to you by Zocdoc. Your health matters and taking care of yourself shouldn't be complicated. Find and book the right doctor with Zocdoc. Head to https://www.zocdoc.com/RTS to get started and check that appointment off your to-do list! What is it really like growing up with an autistic sibling? Actor, musician, writer and filmmaker Shane Harper joins Cameron Mouléne for one of the most personal conversations ever featured on Raising The Spectrum. Shane shares the story of his younger brother Sullivan, his autism diagnosis, growing up together, navigating school, bullying, communication challenges, and ultimately discovering that autism wasn't something to "fix"—it helped shape their entire family for the better. They also discuss: • Growing up with an autistic brother • Early autism diagnosis in the late 1990s • Speech delays, echolalia & apraxia • Sibling relationships • Bullying & advocacy • Autism acceptance vs. awareness • Inclusive education • Neurodiversity • Parenting autistic children • Faith, family & identity • Why society—not autism—is often the biggest obstacle Whether you're a parent, sibling, educator, therapist, or simply want to better understand autism, this conversation offers compassion, honesty, and hope. Subscribe for new episodes of Raising The Spectrum every week.

  8. Jul 27

    Laura Clery Opens Up About Autism, ADHD & & Her Journey as a Single Parent

    Laura Clery joins Cameron Mouléne for one of the most honest conversations yet on Raising The Spectrum. Laura shares the emotional story of recognizing the first signs of autism in her son Alfie, receiving a Level 3 autism diagnosis before age two, navigating early intervention, ABA therapy, ADHD, addiction recovery, and learning to trust her instincts as a parent. The discussion also explores neurodiversity, autism awareness, social media misconceptions, parenting challenges, sibling dynamics, and why every child deserves to be understood as an individual—not a diagnosis. Whether you're raising a neurodivergent child, know someone who is, or simply want to better understand autism, this episode offers practical insight, hope, and a lot of laughter. Topics include: • Laura Clery's autism journey • Early signs of autism • ADHD and creativity • ABA therapy • Speech delays • Autism diagnosis • Parenting neurodivergent children • Autism misconceptions • Recovery and addiction • Finding hope after diagnosis 00:00 Disclaimer 00:41 Welcome Laura Clery 03:00 How Cameron discovered Laura 05:30 Growing up with ADHD 10:00 Comedy, creativity and school 13:30 Addiction & sobriety 22:00 First exposure to autism 28:00 Alfie's early signs 35:00 Receiving the diagnosis 44:00 Autism misconceptions 52:00 Social media & self-diagnosis 59:00 Early intervention 1:06:00 ABA therapy discussion 1:22:00 Learning what works 1:38:00 Parenting on the spectrum 1:53:00 Hope for families 2:15:00 Final thoughts Subscribe for new conversations every week.

  • 8 Episodes

About

Raising The Spectrum is an honest conversation between parents, family members, and providers of neurodivergent children. It puts real people and real stories at the center — the lived, day-to-day experience of caring for and supporting neurodivergent individuals. It is candid, warm, and unfiltered, and it speaks directly to a community that rarely sees itself represented with this much honesty. The show airs as a simulcast — every episode broadcasts live and simultaneously across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Raising The Spectrum is hosted by Cameron Moulène, the French-American actor known for his work in television and film, including MTV's Happyland, Hulu's A Teacher, and the series Foursome. The show is deeply personal for Cameron: he is raising a neurodivergent son, and he created Raising The Spectrum to raise awareness, educate parents, and support anyone whose life is touched by neurodivergence. He brings an on-camera presence and a genuine, conversational interview style that lets guests truly open up.

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