All Autism Talk

Caroline Wilson, RN, BSN, Nurse, Special Needs Advocate & Executive Director Caroline and her husband Dean are the parents of two adults on the autism spectrum, Merritt, age 25 and Eliza, age 23. Born and raised in Southern California, Caroline received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at California State University, Long Beach and worked as a Medical, Surgical, Oncology, and Labor and Delivery nurse for more than 15 years. She became a School Nurse for the Long Beach Unified School District in 1997, and earned a credential in school nursing from California State University, Los Angeles in 2000. In 2004 Caroline left nursing to become an advocate for families with autism. She also became the president of the Autism Society of Los Angeles that same year. Caroline served as President from 2004 to 2009, when she became the Executive Director of the Autism Society of Los Angeles. All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by Autism Spectrum Therapies (autismtherapies.com) and Trellis Services (trellisservices.com) and Learn It Systems (learnitsystems.com)

In this episode, we speak to the young women who is the focus of the award-winning documentary, Best and Most Beautiful Things. In rural Maine, a bright and magnetic 20-year-old woman named Michelle Smith lives with her mother Julie. Legally blind and on the autism spectrum, Michelle defies labels as she chases big dreams with humor and bold curiosity. After graduating from Helen Keller’s alma mater, she finds herself unemployed and isolated. Searching for community, Michelle explores an uncensored world online and experiences a provocative sexual awakening. Her joyful story of self-discovery celebrates outcasts everywhere. From New York Times Review: What happens to children with serious disabilities when they reach adulthood? They disappear, at least as far as most of society is concerned. “Best and Most Beautiful Things” is a remarkably forthright documentary about a young woman in Maine, Michelle Smith, who rebels at the idea of becoming invisible and wants desperately to find a place in the grown-up world and to find herself in the process. Ms. Smith is legally blind and has Asperger’s syndrome. The filmmaker, Garrett Zevgetis, followed her over several years but focuses on the pivotal time when she is entering her 20s. It’s a difficult transition for someone with disabilities — the end of the schooling years, with their structure and relative safety. All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by Autism Spectrum Therapies (autismtherapies.com) , Trellis Services (trellisservices.com) and Learn It Systems (learnitsystems.com)

Matthew O’Brien, Ph.D., BCBA-D, is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. He completed his doctorate in Psychological and Quantitative Foundations from the University of Iowa under the guidance of Dr. David Wacker and completed postdoctoral fellowships in neuropsychology and behavioral psychology at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Dr. O’Brien serves as the Director of Biobehavioral Services and Director of Research and Psychology for the Iowa LEND program. He is a Co-Principal Investigator on a multisite R01 research grant funded by NIH evaluating behavioral assessment through telehealth and conducts research related to functional analysis of severe and challenging behavior in individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Kelly M. Schieltz, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics at the University of Iowa. She is a licensed psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. For over 15 years, she has worked in a variety of outpatient clinics for problem behavior, and on a variety of federally-funded and state-funded research and service grants that focused on training parents and school professionals on behavior analytic procedures in-vivo and via telehealth. Additionally, she has trained primary care physicians to diagnose autism via ECHO Autism. Currently, she directs a brief outpatient clinic for problem behavior and serves as an investigator on two federally-funded research grants: one focused on training parents in their homes via telehealth and one that evaluates behavioral persistence and treatment relapse when treatment is challenged. She also serves as an expert panel member of ECHO Autism: Behavior Solutions. All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Albert Knapp, PsyD, BCBA-D, RPT-S, received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Argosy University, Orange County. He is a Clinical Psychologist in California, a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral, and a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor. Dr. Knapp completed his doctoral research on studying the effect of autism spectrum disorders on parental stress, anxiety, and coping. He has presented his research findings at multiple professional conferences. Dr. Knapp has taught graduate-level applied behavior analysis classes at National University, the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and Pepperdine University. He also has extensive professional experience working with infants through older adults with developmental disabilities—mainly with autism, behavioral problems, mental health problems, and dually diagnosed in various capacities, including direct service, supervision, consultation, school/paraprofessional training, parent training, psychological assessment, and psychotherapy. Dr. Knapp currently resides in Los Angeles, California, with the most adorable teacup Yorkie. He owns and runs a mental health clinic, Albert Knapp & Associates. His Book: https://amzn.to/3eocPQt For More Information: http://www.akatherapy.com/ https://www.facebook.com/dralbertknapp All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Arfa Alam is a senior manager at the Partnership for Public Service, a non-profit that envisions a dynamic and innovative federal government that effectively serves our diverse nation. Prior to joining the Partnership, Arfa performed labor human rights and social responsibility work in more than 40 countries in both the public and private sectors. Arfa joins us to share her experience and deep conviction for the appropriate care, and rights for all. She is the proud mother, wife, and sister of disabled and differently-abled individuals, including her two autistic sons, her husband who lives with early onset Parkinson's disease, and her twin sister, who is deaf and was the first person in life to teach her about differences and empathy. As she shares, “As a first-generation American, it is particularly important to me to bring awareness, acceptance, and inclusion to our communities for individuals with disabilities and neurodivergences.” Arfa’s passion for public service stems from her experience as a first-first-generation Muslim-American with special needs family members. We are grateful for the opportunity to have this discussion with Arfa and we look forward to having her with us again soon. For more information: https://www.bestbuddies.org/ https://marybarbera.com/ All autism talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).