Living the Sky Life - Our Autism Journey

Laurie Hellmann
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Living the Sky Life - Our Autism Journey

This podcast comes to you from a very tired and eternally hopefully autism mom of an adult son with profound needs. My intention is to bring together caregivers of special needs children and those who may want to gain a better understanding of our challenges and triumphs. Through the sharing of our stories and experience, I hope to build a larger, more inclusive community of support. Living the Sky Life offers a personal connection from someone who walks daily in caregiver shoes.

  1. S5: Episode 182 - Through his new book, this autism dad shares practical advice & hopes to be a voice for other fathers who may be struggling.

    05/09/2024

    S5: Episode 182 - Through his new book, this autism dad shares practical advice & hopes to be a voice for other fathers who may be struggling.

    A devoted family man, Harry Psaros has been happily married to his wife Michelle for 24 years and is a proud father of two sons, Costa “Gus” and Maximos “Max.” With a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as minors in physics and philosophy, Harry has a strong educational foundation. Further expanding his expertise, he obtained a certification as a health coach from the Institute of Integrated Nutrition. Professionally, Harry serves as an Executive Neuroscience Account Specialist for AbbVie. Known affectionately by fans as the “Pitt Guru,” he is a top social media influencer for University of Pittsburgh athletics and the senior writer for Pittsburgh Sports Now. Harry is on the Board of Directors for the Autism Caring Center, President of North Fayette Township’s Parks and Recreation Board, Vice President of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Weirton, WV and one of the founders of North Fayette P.A.L.S. (an organization for special needs children). Harry is an avid reader, enjoys strength training, running, martial arts and lives to serve others.

    42 min
  2. S5: Episode 181 - Preparing but not stressing for adulthood & never losing hope that our kids will determine their own incredible future

    04/04/2024

    S5: Episode 181 - Preparing but not stressing for adulthood & never losing hope that our kids will determine their own incredible future

    Jo-Ann Turning also known as “Mrs. Bacon”  is one half of the married, blogging couple from Bacon and Juice Boxes: Our Life with Autism. She's mom to Eric (age 19 on the autism spectrum) and Anna Kate (age 22, recent college graduate who is now working in NYC.)  When her son, Eric, was first diagnosed with autism 18 years ago, she couldn’t say the word “autism” without crying.  After many years, and many experiences parenting in both the neuro-typical and special needs world, Jo-ann has become passionate about building bridges of hope for her family and other families like theirs. She's been honored to be invited to give several lectures at conferences and schools, works full-time outside the home, and is President of Special Wants, Inc. a 501c3 organization. If she's lucky enough to get a few hours to herself, Jo-ann loves to bake, cook, read and make watercolor greeting cards. https://www.facebook.com/BaconandJuiceBoxes/ https://www.facebook.com/SpecialWantsInc/ www.specialwants.org

    1h 10m
  3. S5: Episode 180 - Uncovering GI issues with a nonverbal teen and beginning to plan for adulthood

    03/21/2024

    S5: Episode 180 - Uncovering GI issues with a nonverbal teen and beginning to plan for adulthood

    Kentucky mom & former ICU nurse, Rachel Moldoveanu shares her experience navigating through the world of Autism with her almost 15-year-old son Frankie while also parenting her two neurotypical daughters, Livi age 16 and Ellie age 6.  Rachel's love of Diet Coke, Jesus and Kentucky basketball get her through the tough days!   You can reach out to Rachel on FB: @Rachel Moldoveanu Rachel's first appearance on my show was January 2020 (Episode 12) if you want to listen to more of her family story!

    1h 28m
  4. S5: Episode 179 - Keeping hope alive... and the power of 'yet'

    03/14/2024

    S5: Episode 179 - Keeping hope alive... and the power of 'yet'

    On this solo episode, I outline our 20 year journey to uncovering and resolving Skyler's GI issues. It finally feels like we are making significant progress! Through his smiles, laughter and decreased frustration (and subsequent hitting), it appears Skyler is becoming less uncomfortable in his own body! I provide a more detailed account of our experiences in my book 'Welcome to My Life - A Personal Parenting Journey Through Autism' which is available on Amazon. Want to be a guest on Living the Sky Life? Connect with me via my website lauriehellmann.com to learn how!

    27 min
  5. S5: Episode 178 - Turning those labeled as "low functioning" into higher functioning individuals through a successful life & job skills training program

    03/07/2024

    S5: Episode 178 - Turning those labeled as "low functioning" into higher functioning individuals through a successful life & job skills training program

    Mike Stuart is a 74 year old retired educator who lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He and his wife Harriet and their 32 year old autistic son, Aaron, moved from Florida 16 months ago to be closer to their daughter and her family.   In 2015, Mike created a life and job skills program for the more significantly-challenged autistic and other developmentally-disabled individuals called Operation Meaningful Life. It has been incredibly successful in turning Aaron into a skilled higher-functioning individual from his formerly designated "low-functioning" label.   Through the FB group for Operation Meaningful Life, Mike shares programming and behavioral insights with his 12,000 followers. Mike and Harriet are now formulating the next major phase of Aaron's life: a permanent, secure, life-fulfilling, and compassionate residential model for Aaron and others who are considered more-heavily or severely challenged.    You can connect with Mike via his FB page: @Operation Meaningful Life or his website: operationmeaningfullife.com

    1h 13m
  6. S5: Episode 177 - The importance of improving GI health to eliminate additional neurological effects caused by IBD/Crohn's/ Colitis

    02/22/2024

    S5: Episode 177 - The importance of improving GI health to eliminate additional neurological effects caused by IBD/Crohn's/ Colitis

    Josh Dech is an ex-paramedic and Holistic Nutritionist, specializing in Crohn’s and Colitis, and other related gut issues. It was the successes his clients have had with complex digestive diseases, previously thought to be impossible to fix, that got him connected to some of the world’s most renowned doctors. Since then, he’s been recruited to the Priority Health Academy as a medical lecturer, helping educate doctors on the holistic approach to gut health, and inflammatory bowel disease. You can connect with Josh on FB & IG @Josh Dech and find his podcast ReversABLE on all platforms.

    1h 5m
  7. S5: Episode 176 - Diving deep into the methods of toilet training

    02/08/2024

    S5: Episode 176 - Diving deep into the methods of toilet training

    Dr. Mary Barbera “fell” into the autism world in 1999 when her first-born son, Lucas was diagnosed with autism. Since then, Mary transformed from a confused and overwhelmed parent to a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and best-selling author.  After earning a PhD, Mary launched her first online course in early 2015 and later built additional courses and a membership program to help both parents and autism professionals.  In her vlogs, podcasts, books, webinars, and online courses, Mary teaches her unique step-by-step system and method to help children with autism (or signs of autism) talk more while reducing tantrums and other problem behaviors.  Mary’s latest book Turn Autism Around was published in 2021 by Hay House and is helping parents and professionals start turning things around for young children with early signs of autism and older children with an autism diagnosis who are still struggling with talking, tantrums, eating, sleeping and potty training.    For more information go to marybarbera.com to access her FB, IG & YouTube pages.

    59 min
  8. S5: Episode 175 - Chatting with an OG of the Spelling Method for Communication and why it's important to always presume competence

    02/01/2024

    S5: Episode 175 - Chatting with an OG of the Spelling Method for Communication and why it's important to always presume competence

    Dawnmarie Gaivin is the Founder & Executive Director at Spellers Center San Diego, located in Oceanside, CA. Before her career moved into the world of nonspeaking autism, Dawnmarie worked for over 11 years as a trauma & transplant RN.  In 2005 her first son regressed and was diagnosed with autism. A year later, her second son followed the same path. Today her eldest, Evan (20) is a nonspeaker and fluent letterboard communicator.  Her younger son, Trey (18) is a minimal speaker who uses multiple modalities for effective communication.   Dawnmarie is a former DIR/Floortime® provider, cofounder of the Spellers Method, and an Assistive Technology Specialist (AT-ACP).  In March 2021, Jamison Handley, a fluent speller, and his dad JB wrote a book entitled “Underestimated" about their journey learning how to spell for communication with her.  In 2023 their award-winning documentary SPELLERS was released, showcasing how spelling and typing as a method of communication has liberated many nonspeakers from a lifetime of silence.  Dawnmarie also currently serves as the interim co-director of Spellers Freedom Foundation, a nonprofit run by a board made up mostly of nonspeakers, who give scholarships and help create community for other spellers. Dawnmarie's children inspired her specific passion to support all nonspeakers in the development of purposeful motor skills and a reliable form of communication.  You can learn more about her and the programs offered through her team at www.spellers.com. You can connect with her via various social media accounts: IG = spellers__ IG = spellers center_sandiego FB = www.facebook.com/spellersrev FB Group = Spellers Community

    1h 12m
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About

This podcast comes to you from a very tired and eternally hopefully autism mom of an adult son with profound needs. My intention is to bring together caregivers of special needs children and those who may want to gain a better understanding of our challenges and triumphs. Through the sharing of our stories and experience, I hope to build a larger, more inclusive community of support. Living the Sky Life offers a personal connection from someone who walks daily in caregiver shoes.

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