Exploring Different Brains

Anthony Pacilio of CAI shares of they are helping organizations realize the benefits of neurodiversity. Anthony Pacilio, is recognized domestically and internationally, as an expert in neurodiverse employment and currently serves as Vice President of CAI Neurodiverse Solutions. Pacilio specializes in advancing neurodiversity programs and leads the global expansion efforts of CAI Neurodiverse Solutions. CAI Neurodiverse Solutions is an end-to-end neurodiversity employment program that helps organizations realize the benefits of neurodiversity. Our successful employment model is designed to bring the untapped talent pool of neurodivergent individuals into the workforce and creates more career opportunities for the neurodiverse community. Our mission is to build innovative business solutions that deliver results while developing rewarding, long-lasting careers for the neurodiverse community and leading the way to an inclusive workforce environment. For more about CAI Neurodiverse Solutions: https://www.cai.io/neurodiverse-solutions/ Or visit their homepage at: https://www.cai.io/ Follow Different Brains on social media: https://twitter.com/diffbrains https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/ https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/ Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains! http://differentbrains.org/category/edb/

Self-advocate & EMT Ali Idriss discusses how his ADHD traits help him navigate his work in emergency rooms, and offers advice for dealing with a trip to the ER. Ali Idriss is a Different Brains team member and ADHD self-advocate. He aspires to share his journey and help others with the tools that have allowed him to overcome many of the challenges along the way, as he co-hosts the webisode series ADHD Power Tools. Ali has also completed his bachelor’s in Biological Sciences at Florida Atlantic University and is currently completing his second bachelor’s in Neuroscience and Behavior as he is conducting both clinical and public health research. He is also an Emergency Room Tech/EMT aspiring to become a Physician. For more about Ali’s work: https://differentbrains.org/author/ali-idriss/ http://differentbrains.org/category/adhd-power-tools/ Follow Different Brains on social media: https://twitter.com/diffbrains https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/ https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/ Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains! http://differentbrains.org/category/edb/

Dr. Jennie Trocchio shares how developmental therapy can help autistic individuals, and how it differs from behavioral methods. Dr. Jennie Trocchio is an autism educator, speaker, Developmental Therapist, and Vice President of Clinical Operations at Positive Development. Positive Development’s mission is to “…help people with autism and other developmental differences build connections and shape their futures.” Positive Development follows the Developmental Relationship-Based Intervention (DRBI) model. Jennie is a Maryland native located in sunny South Florida. With a Bachelor’s from University of Miami in Special Education and Creative Writing and a Master’s in Exceptional Student Education and Reading, Jennie worked in special education in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. During this time she developed a focus on autism and was introduced to DIR/Floortime approach. This model was put into practice at CasaBlanca Academy, a non-profit school for students with autism, where Jennie became the lead teacher, Director of Education and later the President of the Board of Directors. In 2013, Jennie graduated with a Ph.D. from Barry University in Special Education and Leadership with a focus in Autism. Her research included a collaboration with Dr. Rick Solomon, the Medical Director of the P.L.A.Y Project in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 2014, Jennie left her role at the school, and is currently teaching the autism courses at Barry University and Lynn University. She is certified in DIR/Floortime, PLAY Project and Teaching PLAY. For more about Jennie’s work: https://www.positivedevelopment.com/ https://www.drjennie.co/ Follow Different Brains on social media: https://twitter.com/diffbrains https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/ https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/ Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains! http://differentbrains.org/category/edb/

In the second part of our review of 2023, we hear from some of the neurodiversity change-makers that have appeared on the show. Featured are: DR. MICHAEL ALESSANDRI - full interview: https://differentbrains.org/working-together-for-the-autism-community-with-dr-michael-alessandri-edb-290/ | learn more about their work here: https://people.miami.edu/profile/fb8af2465e6219dc0d6be35a692a7472 CHRISTINA SULLIVAN - full interview: https://differentbrains.org/individualized-learning-for-the-neurodivergent-with-christina-sullivan-edb-311/ | learn more about their work here: https://www.evolvelearningcommunity.com/ HINRIK ATLASON - full interview: https://differentbrains.org/atlas-primer-making-education-accessible-with-hinrik-josafat-atlason-edb-305/ | learn more about their work here: https://www.atlasprimer.com/ TERC team members DR. ZACHARY ALSTAD & DR. IBRAHIM DAHLSTROM-HAKKI - full interview: https://differentbrains.org/neurodiversity-in-s-t-e-m-education-with-the-terc-team-edb-304/ | learn more about their work here: https://www.terc.edu/ HILARY KOKENDA - full interview: https://differentbrains.org/launching-neurodivergent-careers-with-hilary-kokenda-of-zavikon-edb-296/ | learn more about their work here: https://www.zavikon.net/ DR. MAI PHAM - full interview: https://differentbrains.org/exceptional-care-for-the-neurodivergent-with-dr-hoangmai-mai-pham-edb-291/ | learn more about their work here: https://www.ie-care.org/ DR. COLE GALLOWAY - full interview: https://differentbrains.org/go-baby-go-independence-through-mobility-with-dr-cole-galloway-edb-288/ | learn more about their work here: https://sites.udel.edu/gobabygo/contact/ DR ERIN BROOKER LOZOTT - full interview: https://differentbrains.org/els-for-autism-creating-lifelong-resources-for-the-neurodivergent-w-dr-erin-brooker-lozott-edb-287/ | learn more about their work here: https://www.elsforautism.org/ JOSEPH LENTO - full interview: https://differentbrains.org/rethinking-education-making-school-work-for-every-brain-with-joseph-lento-edb-307/ | learn more about their work here: http://differentbrains.org/author/joseph-lento/ LAUREN SHURE - full interview: https://differentbrains.org/psychology-social-justice-with-lauren-shure-ph-d-lmhc-edb-301/ | learn more about their work here: https://www.barry.edu/en/c-vitae/professors/lauren-shure-ph-d/ JR HARDING - full interview: https://differentbrains.org/pioneering-workplace-inclusion-with-dr-jr-harding-edb-297/ | learn more about their work here: https://jrharding.com/ Follow Different Brains on social media: https://twitter.com/diffbrains https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/ https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/ Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains! http://differentbrains.org/category/edb/

In the first part of our review of 2023, we hear from the neurodivergent self-advocates that have appeared on the show. Featured are: JR HARDING - full interview: https://differentbrains.org/pioneering-workplace-inclusion-with-dr-jr-harding-edb-297/ | learn more about their work at: https://jrharding.com/ HAYLEY & MATTHEW LEACH - full interview: https://differentbrains.org/autism-advocacy-siblings-with-hayley-and-matthew-leach-edb-306/ | learn more about their work at: https://linktr.ee/hayleyleach KAYLAH TAYLOR / AUTISM THEATER PROJECT - full interview: https://differentbrains.org/the-autism-theater-project-creating-inclusion-on-the-stage-screen-edb-303/ | learn more about their work at: https://autismtheaterproject.org/ TRAVIS MISURELL - full interview: https://differentbrains.org/making-democracy-accessible-with-travis-misurell-edb-302/ | learn more about their work at: https://futureis.org/ SHANNA ANSSARI - full interview: https://differentbrains.org/studying-psychology-maintaining-mental-health-with-shanna-anssari-edb-295/ JOSE DEL CUETO - full interview: https://differentbrains.org/succeeding-after-trauma-with-jose-del-cueto-edb-294/ | learn more about their work at: https://www.josedelcueto.com/ CYNTHIA HAMMER - full interview: https://differentbrains.org/living-with-inattentive-adhd-with-cynthia-hammer-edb-312/ | learn more about their work at: http://www.iadhd.org/ GABRIELA GUARDARRAMA - full interview: https://differentbrains.org/navigating-mental-health-challenges-with-gabriela-guardarrama-edb-310/ | learn more about their work at: https://differentbrains.org/author/gguardarrama/ MICHAEL ELLENBOGEN - full interview: https://differentbrains.org/living-with-dementia-with-michael-ellenbogen-edb-286/ | learn more about their work at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%E2%98%85michael%E2%98%85ellenbogen%E2%98%85/ BROOKE SCHNITTMAN - full interview: https://differentbrains.org/activate-your-adhd-potential-with-brooke-schnittman-ma-pcc-bcc-edb-309/ | learn more about their work at: https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/ Follow Different Brains on social media: https://twitter.com/diffbrains https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/ https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/ Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains! http://differentbrains.org/category/edb/

Cynthia Hammer, self-advocate & founder of the Inattentive ADHD Coalition, shares her experiences with the disorder, and how it can differ from other types of ADHD. Cynthia Hammer is the Founder and Executive Director of the Inattentive ADHD Coalition, and author of the book She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work in 1972. For many years she was a stay-at-home mom raising three sons while her husband spent long days at work as a general surgeon. She started a non-profit organization in 1993 to help adults with ADHD, and she recently started a different non-profit, the Inattentive ADHd Coalition to create more awareness of Inattentive ADHD. For more about the Inattentive ADHD Coalition: www.iadhd.org To learn more about Cynthia’s book: https://a.co/d/h8EpdXI Follow Different Brains on social media: https://twitter.com/diffbrains https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/ https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/ Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains! http://differentbrains.org/category/edb/

Evolve Learning Community’s Christina Sullivan discusses how the micro-school gives unique support to students that have struggled in traditional classrooms. Christina Sullivan is Co-Founder and Clinical Director of Evolve Learning Community (ELC), and provides individual therapy, coaching, training, and consultation in the community. From ELC’s website: “ELC is a progressive and inclusive homeschool drop-off program that supports cognitively average to above average middle and high school students who are neurodivergent, gifted, have anxiety or mild learning differences. We also provide in-person and virtual tutoring and one-on-one classes for learners ages 5-18.” Christina Sullivan, MSW (Master in Social Work), LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), ADHD-CCSP (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-Certified Clinical Services Specialist), earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology from University of Maryland at College Park and a Master’s in Social Work degree from Barry University in Miami. She is also the mother of a now-adult son diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, For more about ELC: https://www.evolvelearningcommunity.com/ Follow Different Brains on social media: https://twitter.com/diffbrains https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/ https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/ Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains! http://differentbrains.org/category/edb/

Mental Health counselor Gabriela Guardarrama shares her personal experiences dealing with bipolar disorder. Gaby is an an Outpatient Mental Health Therapist in the South Florida area. She was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder Type 1 at age 19, and is dedicated to helping others deal with their mental health challenges. She is also a poet who uses her writing as a mental wellness tool, and to help others. Follow Different Brains on social media: https://twitter.com/diffbrains https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/ https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/ Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains! http://differentbrains.org/category/edb/

ADHD Coach & self-advocate Brooke Schnittman MA, PCC, BCC returns to discuss helping people overcome ADHD related challenges. Brooke Schnittman MA, PCC, BCC is an esteemed expert in the field of ADHD management and support, renowned for her unwavering dedication to empowering individuals with ADHD to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential. Her new book is Activate Your ADHD Potential. ​Brooke's personal journey, being diagnosed with ADHD later in life and marrying into a family of ADHDers, has provided her with profound insight and empathy for her clients. In 2002, she embarked on her mission to make a positive impact in the lives of individuals with disabilities. She earned her Bachelor's in Elementary Education from Penn State University and her Master's Degree from New York University, specializing in Students With Disabilities. With over two decades of experience, Brooke has worked closely with thousands of individuals with ADHD, utilizing her comprehensive knowledge and expertise to guide them toward success. In 2018, she founded Coaching With Brooke, a groundbreaking organization that has rapidly become a leading global authority in the field of ADHD coaching. Beyond her coaching practice, Brooke actively contributes to the ADHD community through various initiatives. She is the mastermind behind ADHDEdCamp, a platform that fosters education and collaboration within the ADHD community. Additionally, Brooke co-hosts the popular ADHD PowerTools podcast and hosts the SuccessFULL with ADHD Podcast, where she shares valuable insights and strategies to help individuals overcome obstacles and achieve success. For more about Brooke: https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/ To order Brooke’s book: https://www.coachingwithbrooke.com/activatebook Follow Different Brains on social media: https://twitter.com/diffbrains https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/ https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/ Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains! http://differentbrains.org/category/edb/

Author & psychiatrist Dr. Mark Goulston shares the peace and wisdom he has found while facing cancer. Originally a UCLA professor of psychiatry for over 25 years, and a former FBI and police hostage negotiation trainer, Dr. Mark Goulston’s expertise has been forged and proven in the crucible of real-life, high stakes situations. An influencer who helps influencers become more influential, his unique background has made him an indispensable and sought after resource and change facilitator to Fortune 500 leaders, entrepreneurs and educators across the nation. He is also host of the podcast My Wakeup Call. and is a producer on the documentary What I Wish My Parents Knew. For more about Dr. Goulston: http://markgoulston.com/ For Mark's “I’m Dying to Tell You” series: https://www.youtube.com/@Imdyingtotellyoudrmark To learn more about the Deeper Coaching Institute: https://ongloballeadership.com/dci Follow Different Brains on social media: https://twitter.com/diffbrains https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/ https://www.instagram.com/diffbrains/ Check out more episodes of Exploring Different Brains! http://differentbrains.org/category/edb/