Joyriding In Autismland: Autism Podcast with Kid Gigawatt
36 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 10 years ago - ★★★★★ - 62 ratingsLaunched by parents of an infectiously funny and *mostly* happy boy on the spectrum, the Joyriding in Autismland podcast chats with ASD parents, kiddos, therapists, writers, and artists about the unexpected, charming, and funny moments with autism. Because laughing? Is the best vacation. Find the show notes online at http://www.joyridinginautismland.com/podcast
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Episodes
36 Jessica Kupferman | On ADHD, autism, and comb-overs.
June 13, 2014 10:00 - 28 minutes - 16.9 MBHold onto your comb-overs, people! Today we're chatting with entrepreneur, business coach, and fellow podcaster Jessica Kupferman. Jessica has a teenaged son with high functioning autism, and she is VERY funny. Jessica talks about having ADHD, Nate's late autism diagnosis, and what it's changed for them. Here are Jessica's deets: Website: Lady Business Podcast: Lady Business Radio Facebook: Lady Business Central Twitter: Jessica Kupferman Kelley PS Click here ...
35 Jen Turrell | On ABA, staffing up, and first plane rides
June 06, 2014 11:18 - 19 minutes - 11.6 MBJen Turrell is mom to two daughters on the spectrum, and is the author of the new book Help! My Child Has Autism: A Parent's Guide to Start, Fund, and Maintain an Evidence Based Intervention. We chat about ABA, staffing up, and first plane rides. The particulars: Autism Website: Able Interventions Book: Help! My Child Has Autism Personal Website: Jen and Stew Kelley PS Click here to listen, subscribe, rate, and review us on iTunes: Joyriding in Autismland
34 Officer Matt Brown | On why registering our kids saves lives, and on summertime safety on the spectrum
May 30, 2014 22:34 - 23 minutes - 13.8 MBHey guys! So summer is coming, even though you wouldn't really be feeling it yet if you are up in Maine with us, and I wanted to do an episode about safety issues and autism. This is super important because statistically, most accidents involving people on the spectrum happen in the warmer months. I'm excited to be speaking today with Federal Law Enforcement Officer, autism parent, and autism first responder trainer Matt Brown. We talk about why it is sooooo important to register kids with...
33 Kid Gigawatt | On 3 things that made us better autism parents, plus 5 coping tools for bumpy days
May 24, 2014 02:55 - 20 minutes - 11.9 MBThrilled to be joined by my husband to discuss three things we feel have made us better autism parents people. I hope listening to these will get you thinking about how your past experiences relate to the spectrum. Don't skip the last bit, where I list out our five favorite coping tools (spoiler alert: one of these may involve Jon Stewart, but I can neither confirm nor deny.) <--it's true! Here is the link-o-rama mentioned on the episode: Kid Gigawatt website: http://www.kidgigawatt.com ...
32 Patty Pacelli | On preparing younger kiddos for the workforce, what makes some people with autism fantastic hires, some of the best and worst jobs for people with autism, and about helpful work accommodations.
May 16, 2014 19:39 - 18 minutes - 11.1 MBToday I'm excited to speak to author Patty Pacelli, whose young adult son has autism. She advocates for people on the spectrum to achieve their career dreams and contribute their exceptional talents to the workforce, and has just written a book entitled Six Word Lessons for Autism Friendly Workplaces. We chat about preparing younger kiddos for the workforce, what makes some people with autism fantastic hires, some of the best and worst jobs for people with autism, and about helpful work acc...
31 Kyle Crawford | On his new autism book, customized education, inclusion, laughing, and magical moments. (<--dolphins included!)
May 09, 2014 19:34 - 30 minutes - 17.7 MBKyle's work in autism spans direct services, research, and administration. He worked one-on-one with adults on the spectrum in Santa Barbara, CA, focusing on improvements in quality of life, employment, health, and social networks. For two years, while pursuing his Master's of Social Work, he worked for a multi-million dollar state and federally funded psychosocial intervention research project at the University of Pittsburgh for adults with autism that aims to be a new standard in adult aut...
30 Kelley Fitch | On episodes 1-29 - a quick guide
May 03, 2014 03:30 - 6 minutes - 4.15 MBToday's episode is a bit different, because I won't be doing any interviewing - I'm flying solo. It's been a rough week for us all, because my father-in-law died on Monday afternoon, and he was just a great guy. A coach, a teacher, a veteran, a lifelong athlete, and a kind and gentle man. I'm feeling nostalgic, so I wanted to give a look back and give you guys a quick guide to our previous episodes to help you find a good one you might have missed. The episodes from the parent perspecti...
29 Julie Cole | On labels, raising 6 kids, and running a successful business
April 25, 2014 13:15 - 33 minutes - 19.6 MBToday, I'm so excited to speak to Mabel's Labels founder, blogger, and mama to many, Julie Cole. Julie's business has been featured on the Huffington Post, The View, InStyle Magazine, Forbes, and many others, and her oldest of 6 kids has autism. You can get Mabel's Label's through their website or at Target. For those of you with runners (I'm lookin' at you, Roman!), I'm gonna encourage you to check out these handy disposable ID bracelets - especially if you're planning to go somewhere m...
28 Cynthia Lord | on her Newberry award-winning book, Rules, and what's next
April 18, 2014 17:15 - 18 minutes - 11.1 MBToday I am super excited to speak to fellow Mainer and Newberry award-winning author of the book Rules, Cynthia Lord. We chat about writing a book with autism at the center, her new books coming out this year, and some ideas for making libraries more inclusive for kiddos on the spectrum. My favorite rule for David: "Sometimes people laugh when they like you, but sometimes they laugh to hurt you." So true! Grab your copy through your local independent bookseller here. You can find...
27 Chris Brogan | On being a freak, a misfit, and a weirdo - and how that can make you a successful entrepreneur
April 11, 2014 12:42 - 20 minutes - 11.9 MBNamed one of Forbes' top 30 Twitter influencers in 2013, social media rockstar, best-selling author, publisher, speaker, business consultant and super nice guy Chris Brogan is today's guest. We chat about the inspiration behind his new book, The Freaks Shall Inherit the Earth: Entrepreneurship for Weirdos, Misfits, and World Dominators. I met Chris at the Agents of Change social media conference in Portland Maine last year, where he was the keynote speaker. He hung around after his talk,...
26 Kid Gigawatt's Roman Holidays | On our summer road trip documentary plans
April 05, 2014 01:59 - 18 minutes - 11.1 MBOn road tripping from Portland Maine to Portland Oregon this summer, and our plans to make a documentary movie. Check out the deets here. Kelley
25 Rachel See | On the differences between music lessons and music therapy, customizing client sessions, and the benefits for our kiddos on the spectrum
March 28, 2014 20:21 - 18 minutes - 11 MBThrilled to be speaking with Rachel See today- she's a licensed music therapist, and has a private practice in Austin, Texas. We chat about the differences between music lessons and music therapy, how she customizes a client's sessions to work on their specific treatment plan goals, and the benefits for our kiddos on the spectrum. Rachel's practice can be found here, and she also has two unbelievable cute ebooks for sale worth checking out: Listen, Sing, Speak: Children's Songs fo...
24 Tim Villegas | On what true inclusion looks like, IDEA, and the Least Restrictive Environment
March 21, 2014 11:00 - 21 minutes - 12.6 MBSuper excited to chat today with Tim Villegas, special education teacher, blogger, podcaster, founder of the thinkinclusive.us website, and crusader for the true inclusion of kids with disabilities. Catch up with Tim on Facebook and on Twitter.
23 Tom Angleberger | On making Asperger's his superpower, and on being a NY Times best-selling author
March 14, 2014 11:00 - 20 minutes - 12.4 MBI'm stoked to be speaking with Tom Angleberger today, New York Times best selling author of the Star Wars-inspired book series that began with Origami Yoda in 2010. The series stars a middle schooler named Dwight, whose Yoda paper finger puppet is both wise and weird. Tom's self-proclaimed superpower is Asperger's, and we chat about how wearing a fake chicken on his head made him invincible on stage, going back to speak at his own middle school, and his favorite Star Wars character. You. M...
22 Eric Tivers | On treating ADHD from both sides of the couch, forgetting your Mom's birthday, and the neurological equivalent of the polar vortex
March 08, 2014 01:32 - 33 minutes - 19.7 MBStoked to be chatting with Eric Tivers, licensed Clinical Social Worker, coach, consultant, and counselor for ADHD and High Functioning Autism. We chat about what led him to an ADHD diagnosis in college, and what happens when autism is comorbid with ADHD. (<-- See also: polar vortex.) Eric has a new podcast coming out soon, ADHD Rewired, and can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Kelley PS Click here to listen, subscribe, rate, and review us on iTunes: Joyriding in Autismland
21 Margret Ericsdottir | On raising a teenager with nonverbal autism, her documentary movie, and partnering with Kate Winslet
February 28, 2014 12:00 - 26 minutes - 15.3 MBSo inspired to speak to Icelandic filmmaker Marget Ericsdottir, whose teenage son, Keli, has nonverbal autism. Margret's moving documentary, A Mother's Courage, follows her quest to understand autism, and ultimately leads to her son being able to communicate via a letter board. Initially thought to be mentally disabled with the intelligence of a two year old, Keli is now a mainstreamed high school student with a 3.9 GPA. Margret's English voiceover for the film was provided by Kate Winslet,...
20 Andrew Solomon | On the fantasy of normal, neurodiversity, and the horizontal identity of autism
February 21, 2014 12:00 - 21 minutes - 12.6 MBThrilled to be interviewing Andrew Solomon today, author of the 2012 National Book Critics Circle Award winning book, Far From the Tree: Parents, Children, and the Search for Identity, which explores ideas of abilities, disabilities, illness and identities in extraordinary children born to ordinary parents. His tome represents a decade of researching and interviewing parents raising kids with dwarfism, Downs Syndrome, autism, or schizophrenia, children born deaf, as well as prodigies, childr...
19 Elizabeth Mortati | On art therapy, outsider art, and directing The Art Department in Portland, Maine
February 14, 2014 17:18 - 24 minutes - 14.5 MBLiz Mortati founded and directs The Art Department in Portland, Maine - they provide art therapy and working space to adults with disabilities, and sell the artists' work in their gallery space. After graduating from college, Liz worked at San Francisco-based nonprofit arts organization Creativity Explored, which became the inspiration for her work once she returned to Maine. Initially connecting with Creative Trails, she worked with them to develop an arts program that became The Art De...
18 Kara Wilson | On parenting a hilarious daughter with Asperger's, and the importance of humor in getting through
February 07, 2014 12:00 - 22 minutes - 13.6 MBI'm stoked to be chatting with Kara Wilson today. Kara has a 6 year-old daughter with Asperger's, and pens a fantastic blog called Karacteristic: Stirred, Not Shaken.<--LOVE. I discovered her hilarious short story Welcome to Asperger's Island in the 2011 book Wit and Wisdom from the Parents of Special Needs Kids: Mostly True Stories of Life on the Spectrum. I read the story for you at the end of the episode. Heads on your desks, people- it's story time! Catch Kara on Twitter @ellieswords, ...
17 Jill Schacht | On Occupational Therapy, itchy sweaters, and getting to know kids on the spectrum
January 31, 2014 12:00 - 20 minutes - 12.3 MBToday, I speak with certified Occupational Therapist, Jill Schacht. I am also prepared to knight her with the highly coveted UNP certification.* Jill has worked with the Romanator for over a year, and with all of his anxiety issues, he has never - not once - not RUN to the car at OT time. This is a small miracle. But no wonder, given Jill's fun and positive disposition. We chat about how she became an OT, tips and tricks for redirecting kiddos towards completing non-preferred tasks. (Spoil...
16 Sarah Bronson | On therapeutic horseback riding, and orchestrating as Executive Director of Riding to the Top in Windham Maine
January 24, 2014 22:29 - 27 minutes - 16.1 MBStoked to be speaking today with Sarah Bronson, Executive Director of Riding to the Top, a nonprofit therapeutic horseback riding center in Windham, Maine. Riding to the Top has been a Premier Accredited Center by PATH International (the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) since 2000, and is where my little (Roman) cowboy has been riding for years. We chat about the human-horse connection, what sort of activities they focus on, and why running the farm is like orchestratin...
15 Kid Gigawatt | On who we are, why autism therapies are so important, and why we do what we do
January 17, 2014 17:22 - 25 minutes - 14.9 MBToday's episode is all about Kid Gigawatt, and I'm here with my husband and Kid Gigawatt co-founder, Jeff Waites. We chat about autism stats, what therapies actually ARE, and why they're important. Also, your mother knows when you're not paying attention in church. Just sayin'. Kelley PS Check out the yeti on skis, who is on our new tees at http://kidgigawatt.com/pages/yeti :)
14 Wayne Gilpin | On laughing with autism, on becoming the powerhouse autism publishing company in America, and on his late son Alex
January 10, 2014 21:48 - 29 minutes - 17.3 MBWayne Gilpin began his publishing career by bringing car repair and law books to market. When his son Alex was diagnosed with autism, he joined the Autism Society of America, and became its president in 1987. Alex was 15 when the first edition of Wayne Gilpin’s lighthearted self-published book was released in 1993, Laughing & Loving with Autism: A Collection of “Real Life” Warm & Humorous Stories. The 500 copies he conservatively printed sold out in just 3 days. He founded Future Horizo...
13 Alisa Anderson | On directing the adaptive ski program at Smuggler's Notch in Vermont, and the benefits of hitting the slopes on the spectrum
January 03, 2014 21:30 - 28 minutes - 16.6 MBAlisa Anderson, director of adaptive ski programs at Smuggler's Notch in Vermont, on how she started taching kids with disabilties to ski, why it's not about IF we're going to ski, it's HOW, her team of Special Olympic skiers, and about how sometimes, the biggest barrier to getting a kiddo on skis are the parents.
12 Jeff Waites | On Kid Gigawatt, having a son on the spectrum, and positive ions
December 27, 2013 10:00 - 35 minutes - 20.5 MBMy husband, Jeff, about having a kiddo on the spectrum, superpowers, positive ions, and the extended version at the record store.
11 Lauren O'Neil | On In-Home Support, having a brother on the spectrum, and working with the Romanator for over a year
December 20, 2013 10:00 - 19 minutes - 11.8 MBEpisode number 11 is with my boyo Roman's fantabulous In-Home Support staff, Lauren O'Neil, who has worked with Romi for a little over a year in our messy... chaotic... loud... *ahem* lively home. Her little brother also has autism, and we chat about how she started working on behavioral plans in people's homes, and how autism has amped up both her patience - and her intolerance - at the same time. (<-- This will totally make sense!) In Maine, In-Home Support is funded through Mainecare, w...
10 Jennifer McIlwee Myers {Part 2} | On Aspies, Normies, Thor, the zombie apocalypse, and manscaping.
December 13, 2013 10:00 - 24 minutes - 14.4 MBOk guys, if you need a laugh, this is the interview for you. I first heard Jennifer McIlwee Myers speak at this year's Portland Autism Conference, and I cackled laughed. Inappropriately loudly. Then I laughed the entire way through this interview, AND I laughed again a week later while editing the audio. I am a fan. Jennifer was diagnosed with Asperger's as an adult, is married to an Aspie, has a sister with Asperger's, and a brother with Autism. She co-wrote Asperger's and Girls in 2006...
09 Jennifer McIlwee Myers {Part 1} | On autism in girls, and her family's prodigious coping skills.
December 13, 2013 09:30 - 31 minutes - 18.7 MBOk guys, if you need a laugh, this is the interview for you. I first heard Jennifer McIlwee Myers speak at this year's Portland Autism Conference, and I cackled laughed. Inappropriately loudly. Then I laughed the entire way through this interview, AND I laughed again a week later while editing the audio. I am a fan. Jennifer was diagnosed with Asperger's as an adult, is married to an Aspie, has a sister with Asperger's, and a brother with Autism. She co-wrote Asperger's and Girls in 2006...
08 Rupert Isaacson | On "The Horse Boy", and on putting your own dreams in service of those more vulnerable
December 06, 2013 10:00 - 24 minutes - 14.6 MBSuper excited to be chatting with journalist, travel writer, author, and documentary filmmaker Rupert Isaacson! I was deeply touched by his book and film The Horse Boy, documenting his epic journey to Mongolia with his wife and son Rowan, who has autism. We talk about what Rowan was like before their trip (spoiler alert: like “ten toddlers in one body”), what they’ve been up to since the movie, and how Rowan is doing now (like one happy 11-year old). Also, we can neither confirm nor deny ...
07 Dan Korins | On singing his son's praises
November 29, 2013 12:00 - 16 minutes - 9.81 MBDelighted to be speaking with Dan Korins, father to 19-year old Michael, an accomplished singer with autism. Michael was one of 8 Genius of Autism honorees in 2013, and can be seen singing on YouTube here. His Twitter page is @MikeKorins. I chat with Dan about how Michael began singing, what his desired superpower would be, and what's next for them. Lend us a hand? Please subscribe, rate, and/or review us in iTunes: http://joyridinginautismland.com/review Thanks a hundred zeroes!
06 The Kids Are All Right | On being an ASD sibling, and meeting Roman
November 26, 2013 12:00 - 16 minutes - 9.99 MBIn honor of my oldest son Quinn turning 17(!) today, I'm posting episode 6: interviews that I did with him, my 14-year old daughter Lucca, and the 11-year old Romanator. Living with autism is something we DO as a family, but it’s not something we TALK about, or lament, or curse the skies over. Because loving Roman to pieces? Is the one thing all of us, even my two teenagers, can agree on. ;)
05 Keri Bowers {Part 2} | On the cucumber and the pickle: when autism goes to college
November 21, 2013 13:19 - 22 minutes - 13.1 MBKeri Bowers is an artist, an autism advocate and activist, an art therapist, a speaker, and a filmmaker, whose oldest son, Taylor, has high-functioning autism. I chatted with Keri about the role of the arts in child development, autism and technology, and sending your kids off to college – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Lend us a hand? Please subscribe, rate, and/or review us in iTunes: http://joyridinginautismland.com/review Thanks a hundred zeroes!
04 Keri Bowers {Part 1} | On arts, activism, and mothering a son on the spectrum with filmmaker dreams
November 21, 2013 13:17 - 36 minutes - 21.3 MBKeri Bowers is an artist, an autism advocate and activist, an art therapist, a speaker, and a filmmaker, whose oldest son, Taylor, has high-functioning autism. I chatted with Keri about the role of the arts in child development, autism and technology, and sending your kids off to college – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Lend us a hand? Please subscribe, rate, and/or review us in iTunes: http://joyridinginautismland.com/review Thanks a hundred zeroes!
03 James Ball | On how he fell into the autism field aver 25 years ago, and finding the humor in autism
November 19, 2013 22:00 - 19 minutes - 11.4 MBDr. James Ball is a board certified Behavior Analyst, a private autism consultant with over 25 years of experience, and current chairman of the national board of the Autism Society. We talk about how he fell into the autism field, and how he goes about evaluating school settings. Plus, he tells us a funny story. (Bonus!) Lend us a hand? Please subscribe, rate, and/or review us in iTunes: http://joyridinginautismland.com/review Thanks a hundred zeroes!
02 Temple Grandin | On thinking in pictures, what she dreams about at night, and what makes her laugh
November 19, 2013 21:30 - 23 minutes - 11.1 MBDr. Temple Grandin grew up in the 1950s with high functioning autism. Today, she is an autism advocate, speaker, author, humane livestock handling expert, one of Time's 100 Most Influential People, and the subject of an autobiographical movie. I chat with Dr. Grandin about having Autism, thinking in pictures, what she dreams about at night, and what makes her laugh. Lend us a hand? Please subscribe, rate, and/or review us in iTunes: http://joyridinginautismland.com/review Thanks a hundred...
01 Gary Vaynerchuk | On being weird, his most desired superpower, and what wine pairs best with autism
November 19, 2013 21:00 - 19 minutes - 9.25 MBWine expert, best selling author, and social media superstar Gary Vaynerchuk. I ask Gary Vaynerchuk what makes him weird, what his desired superpower would be, and I grill him on what wine pairs best with autism. Lend us a hand? Please subscribe, rate, and/or review us in iTunes: http://joyridinginautismland.com/review Thanks a hundred zeroes!