Neurodiversity Advocacy: Promoting Acceptance and Inclusion for Autistic Individuals

Explicit content warning

11/14/24 • 17 min

Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by a range of challenges in social interaction, communication, and behavior. Affecting individuals differently, autism encompasses a wide spectrum of abilities and needs, making each person's experience unique. Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve outcomes, enabling individuals to lead fulfilling lives. Awareness and understanding of autism are crucial for fostering acceptance and support within communities. As society evolves, the importance of embracing neurodiversity and promoting inclusive environments continues to grow, paving the way for greater opportunities for those on the autism spectrum to thrive.

Today’s episode is a mashup of different episodes. First, we have Michael Villines, The Autoimmune Coach, who shares his mission to empower those with multiple sclerosis to live confidently and authentically. Next, Nancy Masannat offers her holistic approach to parenting autistic children, emphasizing the importance of nurturing the child as a whole rather than focusing solely on their autism diagnosis. As a certified Life Coach, she provides invaluable insights into celebrating each child's unique qualities while offering tailored support for their challenges. Finally, we hear from Dr. Matthew Zakreski, a clinical psychologist and co-founder of The Neurodiversity Collective, who discusses his extensive work in supporting neurodivergent individuals across various settings, from schools to workplaces. This episode is packed with actionable strategies and heartfelt stories that underscore the significance of understanding diverse communication styles, fostering acceptance in our communities, and empowering autistic individuals to thrive. Tune in to discover how you can contribute to a more inclusive world for everyone on the autism spectrum!

Timestamps

[02:11] Learning your own style of communication

[05:51] About Michael Villines and his job

[06:55] About Mancy Masannat

[08:48] Things that helped Nancy as an autistic parent

[11:48] Tools to help parents talk about their autistic children

[15:42] The most exciting part about Dr. Mathew’s job

Notable Quotes

“Learn to learn about each person and take each person individually, don’t put people in boxes.”
“Just getting to share your story sometimes makes a huge difference when you get to talk to somebody.”
“.If you are an autism parent, you have to remember to parent your kid as a kid and not parent the autism.”
“It is always better to know that you are a zebra, not a weird horse.”

Get The Full Episodes Here:

Navigating Autism in This Neurodivergent World - Micheael Villines’ Insights: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/navigating-autism-in-this-neurodivergent-world-micheael/id1527076930?i=1000672455723
Parenting the Child, Not the Autism: Nancy’s Holistic Approach to Raising an Autistic Child: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parenting-the-child-not-the-autism-nancys/id1527076930?i=1000673389735
The Neurodiversity Playbook: Dr. Matthew Zakreski’s Parenting Strategies for Neurodivergent Children: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-neurodiversity-playbook-dr-matthew-zakreskis/id1527076930?i=1000676011687

Connect With The Guests: Michael Villines

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeljvillines/?ref=axnnroyd&hl=am-et

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.villines/?locale=af_ZA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-villines-36160b105/

Nancy Masannat

Website: https://simplejoydesigns.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simplejoydesigns/

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028875413008

X (Twitter):

Timestamps

[02:11] Learning your own style of communication

[05:51] About Michael Villines and his job

[06:55] About Mancy Masannat

[08:48] Things that helped Nancy as an autistic parent

[11:48] Tools to help parents talk about their autistic children

[15:42] The most exciting part about Dr. Mathew’s job

Notable Quotes

“Learn to learn about each person and take each person individually, don’t put people in boxes.”
“Just getting to share your story sometimes makes a huge difference when you get to talk to somebody.”
“.If you are an autism parent, you have to remember to parent your kid as a kid and not parent the autism.”
“It is always better to know that you are a zebra, not a weird horse.”

Get The Full Episodes Here:

Navigating Autism in This Neurodivergent World - Micheael Villines’ Insights: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/navigating-autism-in-this-neurodivergent-world-micheael/id1527076930?i=1000672455723
Parenting the Child, Not the Autism: Nancy’s Holistic Approach to Raising an Autistic Child: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parenting-the-child-not-the-autism-nancys/id1527076930?i=1000673389735
The Neurodiversity Playbook: Dr. Matthew Zakreski’s Parenting Strategies for Neurodivergent Children: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-neurodiversity-playbook-dr-matthew-zakreskis/id1527076930?i=1000676011687

Connect With The Guests: Michael Villines

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeljvillines/?ref=axnnroyd&hl=am-et

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.villines/?locale=af_ZA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-villines-36160b105/

Nancy Masannat

Website: https://simplejoydesigns.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simplejoydesigns/

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028875413008

X (Twitter):

Previous Episode

The Neurodiversity Playbook: Dr. Matthew Zakreski’s Parenting Strategies for Neurodivergent Children

Parenting neurodivergent children requires a unique approach that embraces their individual strengths, challenges, and perspectives. Neurodivergence encompasses a range of neurological differences, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other conditions that affect how a person's brain processes information and interacts with the world. As a parent, understanding and supporting your neurodivergent child's specific needs is crucial for their overall development and well-being.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Matthew "Dr. Matt" Zakreski, a clinical psychologist and expert in neurodiversity. Dr. Matthew Zakreski is a renowned speaker and the co-founder of The Neurodiversity Collective. He has dedicated his career to supporting neurodivergent individuals across all walks of life, from schools to workplaces. Dr. Matt brings a wealth of knowledge and practical strategies for parenting neurodivergent children, his approach, as outlined in his book "The Neurodiversity Playbook," emphasizes embracing each child's unique strengths and perspectives while providing tailored support for their challenges. Dr. Matt shares powerful insights on early intervention, common misconceptions about neurodivergent children, and effective ways to nurture their abilities. From identifying initial signs to creating supportive environments, Dr. Matt offers valuable tools for parents to help their children thrive in various settings. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of neurodiversity and learn how to empower your neurodivergent child to reach their full potential.

Timestamps

[03:20] About Dr. Matthew Zakreski

[05:37] How Dr. Matt got into clinical psychology

[07:05] Dr. Matt’s book: Neurodiversity Playbook

[09:50] Steps to take when your child is neurodivergent

[12:59] Things parents naturally get wrong about autistic children

[16:34] Ways parents can strengthen their neurodivergent children

[20:09] Places and activities that are more impactful in helping neurodivergent children

[28:16] Tools to help parents talk about their autistic children

[32:15] The most exciting part about Dr. Matt’s job

[34:02] Dr. Matt’s final remarks about the work

Notable Quotes

“When you do life right, you end up doing intentional work.” - Gabi Garland [06:42]
“You cannot really do something until you are ready to do it.” - Dr. Matthew Zakreski [07:37]
“It’s never too easy to start working at something because the sooner we start, the better it tends to go.” - Dr. Matthew Zakreski [12:18]
“People will choose things that make them feel best.” - Dr. Matthew Zakreski [17:01]
“I don’t think we ever grow if we don’t get challenged.” - Gabi Garland [23:15]
“It is always better to know that you are a zebra, not a weird horse.” - Dr. Matthew Zakreski [28:27]

Resources Mentioned

The book Neurodiversity Playbook by Dr. Matthew Zakreski: https://www.amazon.com/Neurodiversity-Playbook-Neurodivergent-People-Neurotypical/dp/195336036X

Connect The Guest: Dr. Matthew Zakreski

Website: https://www.drmattzakreski.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drmattzakreski/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmattzakreski/

Connect with me: Gabi Garland

Website: www.resilientvoicemedia.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabi.garland/

Next Episode

The Voice of Women in the Workplace: Narima Santos' Go Girl Careers Journey

The voice of women in the workplace is a powerful catalyst for change, driving innovation, diversity, and success across industries. Empowering women to speak up, share their ideas, and take on leadership roles is not just a matter of equality—it's a strategic imperative for businesses seeking to thrive in today's competitive landscape. When women's voices are heard and valued, organizations benefit from a broader range of perspectives, increased creativity, and improved decision-making. By fostering an environment where women feel confident to contribute, companies can unlock the full potential of their workforce, leading to enhanced productivity, higher employee satisfaction, and ultimately, greater profitability

In this episode, I am joined by Narima Santos, a passionate Career Coach, Talent Enabler, and Neurodiversity Ally who is dedicated to empowering women to achieve their professional dreams. Narima is the founder of Go Girl Careers, a platform that amplifies the voice of women in the workplace and drives positive change across industries. Narima shares invaluable insights on fostering women's confidence in the professional world, offering advice on how employees can be seen and valued in their companies, and discussing the delicate balance of career and motherhood. From exploring the origins of Go Girl Careers to celebrating recent wins and looking towards future aspirations, Narima's story is a testament to the power of women supporting women. Her message resonates with the belief that all women doing great things deserve to have a voice, emphasizing the importance of empathetic leadership and the transformative impact of women speaking up and taking on leadership roles in the workplace. Tune in to learn more about empowering women in their careers, strategies for being valued at work, balancing professional life with motherhood, and how to make a path forward in your career journey.

Timestamps

[01:56] About Narima Santos

[05:55] How Narima came up with the name Go Girl Careers

[08:41] Narima’s wins in the last couple of years with Go Girl Careers

[11:43] New roles Narima is doing now from Go Girl Careers previous experiences

[15:43] Advice to help employees be seen and valued in their companies

[20:15] Go Girl Careers and Narima’s life as a mum

[23:47] Narima’s favorite things about boy-mum life

[29:19] What Narima is looking forward to for Go Girl Careers

[34:07] Advice to women to make a path forward for their careers

[37:08] Narima’s final remarks

Notable Quotes

“There is nothing wrong with monetizing things that we are naturally freaking good at.” “All women that are doing great things deserve to have a voice.”
“When you have empathetic leadership you thrive.”
“This world is not fair, and we must help other people.”
“Women deserve to be believed when they say they are in pain.”
“The belief is built in doing, not in the planning”
“When you know better, then you do better.”

Resources Mentioned