Uniquely Human: The Podcast
75 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 223 ratingsUniquely Human: the Podcast expands the conversation on autism and neurodiversity by amplifying the voices of autistic individuals and thought leaders in providing insightful, cutting-edge and practical information about the autistic experience. Hosted by Barry Prizant and Dave Finch.
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Episodes
Logically Illogical: Ros Blackburn with Special Guest Sigourney Weaver
April 23, 2021 12:30 - 1 hour - 87.1 MBWe have a discussion with Ros Blackburn, an autistic friend, colleague and international speaker from the UK who speaks with great insight about her autistic experience. In Barry's book, Uniquely Human, he shares so much of what he learned from Ros in their travel and presentations together, and Ros expands on her insights in today's discussion with great humor and candor. We surprise Ros when we are joined by the world-renowned actress, Sigourney Weaver, who played an autistic woman in the...
Supporting Happy and Positive Sexual Lives - Michael John Carley
April 16, 2021 12:30 - 51 minutes - 70.6 MBMichael John Carley discusses the great possibilities that sexual behavior offers for persons on the autism spectrum, based on his new book, “The Book of Happy, Positive and Confident Sex for Adults on the Autism Spectrum…and Beyond!” In our discussion, we touch upon the complexities that autistic people face when confronted with societally-imposed fear-based taboos about sex, and how to circumvent such problems to support full engagement in this most human of activities.
Spectrum Theatre Ensemble
April 09, 2021 12:30 - 52 minutes - 71.6 MBSpectrum Theatre Ensemble (STE) is a professional company of neurodiverse theatre artists, based in Providence, RI. STE was developed by Clay Martin, Artistic Director, in partnership the Trinity Repertory Company and Brown University. It was co-founded by a group of neurodiverse theatre artists with the belief that theatre provides a unique, collaborative venue that fosters societal understanding and inclusion. STE provides high-quality productions and sensory-friendly consulting. We inter...
Disclosure and Self-Advocacy: A Discussion with Dr. Stephen Shore
April 02, 2021 12:30 - 1 hour - 95.2 MBDisclosure and self-advocacy for autistic people has become two of the topics of greatest interest in the autism self-advocate community, and for professionals, parents and family members as well. Although there has been much discussion, it is difficult to find specific guidance that is informed by people on the spectrum. We discuss these issues with Dr. Stephen Shore, who has provided some of the most specific and thoughtful guidance based on his own experience on the spectrum, and as one ...
Autistic Advocacy: An Interview with Julia Bascom
March 26, 2021 12:30 - 1 hour - 99.5 MBAutistic advocacy is one of the most dramatic changes we are witnessing for autistic people and those with other neurodevelopmental differences. Julia Bascom, the Executive Director of The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN), discusses the history of disability self-advocacy, ASAN’s mission and current priorities, and what needs to be done to change society’s inaccurate perceptions of autistic and disabled individuals. We also shift to a fascinating discussion of echolalia and language.
Respect Begins With the Language We Use
March 19, 2021 12:30 - 55 minutes - 51 MBThe language used in autism culture has a profound impact on perceptions of autistic people and family members. It can communicate respect, or cause mistrust. We discuss the importance of scrutinizing the language we use, and then recommend actions to make the language culture of autism more accurate and respectful, rather than judgmental.
Nonspeakers Have a Lot to Say
March 12, 2021 13:30 - 1 hour - 78.2 MBOne of the least understood, and most marginalized groups of autistic people are those who are non-speaking, or who have minimal or unreliable speech due to neurologically-based motor speech disorders. With advances in AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), involving both low and high tech approaches, nonspeakers voices are now being heard, and what they have to say is shattering erroneous stereotypes about those for whom speech is not their primary mode of communication. Harmful...
"Trust Must Be Earned": Parent-Professional Relationships
March 05, 2021 17:35 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBIn the complex process of developing relationships, things can go so right in some situations and so wrong in others—right, when time spent together engenders trust and builds positive and collaborative relationships; wrong, when encounters create mistrust, suspicion, and even anger (typically for the parents, but sometimes for professionals as well). Autism is a passionate affair for all involved, and in this episode, Barry and Dave discuss some of the challenges as well as solutions for bu...
Autism and the Complexities of Intersectionality with guest Morènike Giwa-Onaiwu, Ph.D
February 27, 2021 18:54 - 1 hour - 103 MBIn this episode, we will explore the multi-dimensional nature of the autistic experience in individuals who also may have identity differences related to race, gender identity and ethnicity. Our guest, Dr. Morenikè Giwa-Onaiwu shares her expertise and knowledge as an educator, prolific author, and tireless advocate, as well as her personal experiences as an African American mother of autistic children.
Interview with Carol Gray: The Queen of Social Stories
February 19, 2021 13:30 - 1 hour - 90.9 MBCarol Gray is one of the most respected and creative educators with decades of experience in supporting autistic individuals. Barry and Dave chat with Carol about her influential career and her philosophy about educating students on the autism spectrum. The purposes and the appropriate use of Social Stories, as well as how Social Stories have been misused are reviewed in a lively discussion.
Challenging the Stigma of Autism
February 12, 2021 13:30 - 54 minutes - 75.4 MBThere remains a great deal of controversy and divisiveness around how autism is viewed. This has a direct impact on the stigma that historically has become associated with the word autism or ASD. Is autism a "disease" that needs to be cured, or is it a human condition, characterized by strengths and challenges, that is as much a part of a person as is their gender and racial identity? Is it something that a person has, or is it more about who a person is?
Nobody's Normal
February 06, 2021 00:00 - 55 minutes - 50.5 MBBarry and Dave are joined by Dr. Richard Grinker to discuss his new book, "Nobody's Normal," and how culture has created a stigma of mental illness.
Autism and Building Trust
January 29, 2021 13:30 - 57 minutes - 79 MBBarry and Dave discuss the process of building trust between autistic and neurotypical people. Barry shares 8 proven strategies to help clinicians, educators, and other professionals earn a trusting relationship with autistic people and their families.
Honoring the Culture of Autism
January 22, 2021 21:47 - 51 minutes - 71 MBMichael John Carley joins us to discuss the importance of respecting autism culture in school and at work.
Autism and Personal Fulfillment with Dr. Temple Grandin
January 08, 2021 13:30 - 1 hour - 90.5 MBDr. Temple Grandin joins us to share her perspective on setting oneself up for success in a lifelong journey of personal growth. David LaFrenz shares the impact his work has made on him, and he receives this episode’s Enthusiasm of the Week! Award.
Autism at the Holidays; Kristy Forbes; Kristen Finch
December 18, 2020 13:30 - 54 minutes - 75.3 MBThe holidays can be such a fun and spiritual time of year for a lot of us, but there are also challenges, especially if you or a family member is autistic. We hear from two guests with interesting perspectives on how to enjoy family time at the holidays in a neurodiverse family. Kristy Forbes joins us from Australia, and Dave’s wife Kristen spills the tea on their own family’s strategies for enjoying the holidays together. And, hear a special performance from our autistic friend, Conner.
Autism and the Arts
December 04, 2020 13:30 - 1 hour - 106 MBLife imitates art and inspires the artist. Barry and Dave are joined by two parent-visionaries, Elaine Hall and Michael Kregler, to explore the value of neurodiversity in artistic expression, and the many roles artistic expression plays in our neurodiversity. We learn about The Miracle Project and hear from TMP veteran, Dom, about their new Broadway-On-Demand feature project.
The Harmful Myth of High-Functioning and Low-Functioning Autism; An Autism Fathers’ Group; Guest Dr. Robert Naseef
November 22, 2020 21:33 - 1 hour - 98.4 MBBarry and Dave examine the potentially damaging dichotomy of so-called “high-functioning” and “low-functioning” autistic individuals. The hosts make a compelling case for eliminating these terms from our conversations about autism and autistic people. Clinical psychologist and father of an autistic Black man, Dr. Robert Naseef, joins us to discuss the effects of systemic inequities on underprivileged families dealing with autism and his burgeoning Fathers’ Group, which provides a comfortable...
Autism and Improving Quality of Life- Special Guest Becca Lory Hector
November 06, 2020 21:06 - 1 hour - 64 MBWhat are the indicators for quality of life for people with autism? How can autistic people build a more self-defined life, starting where they are now? Autistic autism consultant and speaker Becca Lory Hector shares her perspective on improving quality of life, as Barry and Dave discuss the indicators and factors that go into it.
Enthusiasms; Special Guest Steve Silberman Discusses Autism Research
October 23, 2020 21:49 - 57 minutes - 79.1 MBWe welcome bestselling science writer Steve Silberman, author of NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity, to discuss building bridges of understanding between autistic and neurotypical people. Afterwards, we discuss the significance and value of autistic enthusiasms, and we present our first-ever Enthusiasm of the Week! award to fans Latrice and Terrence Hamilton.
Stimming Rocks! Special Guest: Chloe Rothschild
October 08, 2020 19:43 - 48 minutes - 66.4 MBAutistic autism advocate Chloe Rothschild lends her perspective on effective communication strategies, AAC, and interoception. Afterwards, Barry and Dave share important insights into the benefits of stimming as we reframe this classic behavior for parents, educators, and clinicians.
Stimming Rocks!
October 08, 2020 19:43 - 48 minutes - 66.4 MBAutistic autism advocate Chloe Rothschild lends her perspective on effective communication strategies, AAC, and interoception. Afterwards, Barry and Dave share important insights into the benefits of stimming as we reframe this classic behavior for parents, educators, and clinicians.
A Fresh and Uniquely Human Perspective on Autism
September 22, 2020 21:37 - 1 hour - 57.5 MBEPISODE 1 A Fresh and Uniquely Human Perspective on Autism Play the Episode… …and Continue the Discussion Do you have a book or podcast club? If so, you may use this discussion guide to facilitate a conversation about this episode. 1. Barry coined the term “Uniquely Human” to de-pathologize and reframe the way we understand autistic individuals and the autistic experience. In your opinion, does “Uniquely Human” help to achieve these goals of...
Uniquely Human: The Podcast (Trailer)
September 21, 2020 00:08 - 4 minutes - 6.53 MBTrailer for Uniquely Human: The Podcast Play the audio… Featuring Show Notes We are so excited to share this original podcast series, Uniquely Human: The Podcast. An expansion upon Barry’s groundbreaking book, Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism, this podcast is for autistic people and the parents, people, and professionals who love them. Enjoy the trailer, and we’ll see you soon! ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Music Matt Savage, courtesy of Savage Records Matt Savage is an autist...
Uniquely Human Podcast Trailer
September 12, 2020 23:11 - 4 minutes - 6.77 MBTrailer for Uniquely Human: the Podcast Play the Episode… …and Continue the Discussion Do you have a book or podcast club? If so, you may use this discussion guide to facilitate a conversation about this episode. Featuring Show Notes We are so excited to share this original podcast series, Uniquely Human: The Podcast. An expansion upon Barry’s groundbreaking book, Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism, this podcast is for autistic people and the parents, people, and profess...