Interviews Archives - Page 16 of 24

Autism Interview #79 Part 1: Jo Farrell on Employment, Mutism, and Studying Buddhism

October 9, 2018Jenna1 CommentInterviews

Photo by Jo Farrell

Jo Farrell is a British caucasian and UK-based mother (to an adult son), blogger, marketeer, amateur photographer, and practitioner of Nichiren Buddhism. She blogs at The Autistic Buddhist to support other people on the spectrum offering a positive, inspirational approach to autism and is an advocate of human neurodiversity. This post is Part One of a two-part interview. This week she shared information about her past and current employment experiences, her difficulty with mutism, and how she has benefited from learning to practice Buddhism.

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Autism Interview #78: Bennett Gaddes on Spectrum Codes and the Current State of Disability Advocacy

October 2, 2018JennaInterviews

Bennett Gaddes is the chairman of Autistic Self Advocacy Atlanta and co-founder of Spectrum Codes, an advocacy group with the purpose of preparing neurodiverse individuals for careers in technology. He is especially interested in creating accessible technology. This week Bennett discussed his involvement with Spectrum Codes as well as his perspective on the current state of disability advocacy.

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Autism Interview #77: Terra Vance on Functioning Labels, Employment, and Diversity

September 25, 2018JennaInterviews

Terra Vance is an industrial and organizational psychology consultant and the proprietor of Acumen Consulting, LLC. She specializes in diversity, inclusion, multiculturalism, and poverty dynamics. She is also the author of the Unapologetically Aspie blog on PsychCentral.com and founder of The Aspergian, a collective for autistic voices, a showcase for autistic talent, and a directory of resources to assist NTs and NDs with navigating autism and thriving with it. This week she shared some autism advocacy tips as well as her experience leading diversity initiatives as a business consultant.

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Autism Interview #76: Amber Perry on Disability Advocacy

September 18, 2018JennaInterviews

Amber Perry is an ASAN Chapter Leader and Representative for the Lane County Chapter of the Autism Society of Oregon. She started Central Oregon Autism Support Team (COAST) in Central Oregon and was a member and webmaster for the Bend-Redmond Asperger’s Support group. Today she is an active self-advocate and community and Kindtree volunteer and pending member of the Kindtree Board of Directors. This week Amber shared a few important topics for disability advocates.

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Autism Interview #74: Austin Shinn on Advocacy in Childhood, College, and Beyond

August 21, 2018JennaInterviews, Practical Parenting

Austin Shinn is an author, editor, film buff, husband, father, and advocate for individuals diagnosed with autism. Austin is diagnosed with Aspergers and blogs mostly about his life with perspectives on autism, disability, and advocacy at A Flickering Life. He is also the author of A Flickering Life: A Memoir of Autism, which chronicles his struggle to live life no different than anyone else. This week he shared some specific supports and advocacy strategies that resonated with him in childhood, his college years, and adulthood, and offered advocacy advice for parents and caregivers of other autistics. …

Autism Interview #73: Jamie Knight and Lion on Technology, Autonomy, and Safe Environment

July 24, 2018JennaInterviews

Jamie Knight is a developer, writer, public speaker and mountain biker who lives in London. By day he works for the BBC where he is a senior research engineer and spends his time working to make the BBC products usable by the whole audience. Lion is Jamie’s 4-foot plushie who goes everywhere with Jamie and has been working with him for over 10 years! This week Jamie shared his experience as a public speaker, as well as how he has worked with those around him to create a safe environment that encourages autonomy and independence.

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Autism Interview #72: Laura Nadine on Music, FC, and Presuming Competence

July 17, 2018Jenna1 CommentInterviews

Laura Nadine is an Autistic Self-Advocate, parent of a child with Autism, and teacher of people with Autism. She works as a public speaker, author, educator and consultant and runs a music school called Enlightened Audio, LLC. This week she shared some of her experiences teaching music to autistic students, tips for promoting self-confidence in both children and adults, and the importance of presuming competence in Facilitated Communication and all areas of life.

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Autism Interview #71: Marie on Embracing and Supporting Autism

July 10, 2018JennaInterviews

Marie is a published poet, writer, translator, puzzler, and artist who lives on the South Coast of Australia with her handsome cockatiel. She advocates for individuals on the spectrum, and believes she owes her creativity to having Asperger’s. This week she shared some of her advocacy work and how she finds ease in social situations.

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Autism Interview #70: Tom Iland on Law Enforcement, Self Discovery, and Advocacy

July 6, 2018JennaInterviews

Diagnosed with autism at 13 years old, Thomas “Tom” Iland has worked hard to achieve his goals: learning to drive, living on his own, graduating from college, obtaining full-time employment and having a girlfriend. Tom recently left his career as a certified public accountant (CPA) to educate, inspire and motivate people affected by autism and other learning differences. One of only 4,000 Distinguished Toastmasters in the world and a member of the National Speakers Association, his mantra “Know Yourself. Love Yourself. Be Yourself.” has been featured in keynote speeches in autism conferences around the country and is among the topics in his award-winning, bestselling book, “Come to Life! Your Guide to Self-Discovery.” This week Tom shared advice about advocacy and his background as a public speaker, including training individuals on how to interact with law enforcement.

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