"First of all, everybody is a person and everybody counts. And it comes down to the idea that we should never give up on any human; we should never leave anyone completely on their own with no hope. Everybody needs somebody in their corner, especially when everybody has left their corner. As a defense lawyer, I am very cognizant that I may be the only person left standing with this individual," says Christine Sunnerberg. Christine joins this episode to discuss being a criminal defense attorney, social justice within the context of the autistic experience, and support groups for autistics. To learn more about Christine and Partners for Justice visit: https://www.partnersinjustice.com .

"There's so many talented artists and writers, but they don't get showcased because they are somebody that's disabled, autistic, or ADHD. We saw that barrier and we want to create an avenue for the people that can't get published, whether they can't get published because of the politics of publishing, or because they don't have the energy, mental health, or the ability to go through the steps. We wanted to remove that issue," says Tas Kronby. Tas joins this episode to discuss their creation of Neurodiversity Times Magazine, being part of a D.I.D. System, and their other exciting projects that will be happening this year. To learn more about Tas and Neurodiversity Times Magazine  visit https://tasthewriter.com/coming-soon-in-2023/ . If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"It's mental health care, but it unfortunately doesn't mean that the people who facilitate it understand autism. I know that may be a broad statement here, but in my personal experience, even in grad school I think I was the only person with documented ASD, and I always felt that I had to keep my professors on their toes. Any place I worked, the feeling that they're not really expecting someone like you to be within their ranks is quite palpable," says Michael Macedo. Michael joins this episode to discuss being a therapist, his experience as an outpatient clinician, and running for his college cross country team. To learn more about Michael visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-d-macedo-lcsw-0417a873/ If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"I wanted it to feel even though it takes place in the modern day, it's kind of an unearthed story. Because it's a story of people that have always been there, yet, never been truly acknowledged up until more recent times. Hopefully, we'll be acknowledged. The day that disabled people have opportunities and have opportunities on screen, and I don't have to make it myself, that'll be a happy day for me," says Justin Janoson. Justin joins this episode to discuss his tv show  What's the Rule and starting his media company IndEP media. To learn more about Justin and What's the Rule visit https://www.indepmedia.com/whatstherule  If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"Regulation comes in different forms depending on what is dysregulating a person. It could be trying strategies of proprioceptive input, having fidgets or body engagers available, or feeding the brain with high-cognitive materials. My wonderful CRPs vary in their approaches, but all work hard to help me regulate," says Jack Haynes. Jack joins this episode to discuss the importance of regulation with communication partners and why the holidays can be very stressful to non-speakers. If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"Everyone is allowed to have their opinions, but those aren't my responsibility. The only thing I'm committed to is conveying myself the way I intended, and making sure those like me know that too. It also helps a lot that my team believes in me so I don't have to worry about miscommunication because I know they have my back," says Justice Killebrew. Justice joins this episode  discuss his keynote at the AAC conference Communication Always Matters All Ways and being a voice character on the Netflix Show "Ada Twist, Scientist". To learn more about Justice visit https://www.instagram.com/whatsjsaynow/ . If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"You go back as far as 2010 or so, and the idea of having an autistic person on the research team to inform the design of the study was a completely foreign concept. This wasn't happening at all, there were maybe one or two research groups in the world doing this.  Now, it's not uncommon. At least people do it at the level of consultation or having a community advisory board," says Zack Williams. Zack  joins this episode to discuss where we are and how far we have to go with autistics being part of autism research teams, research on sound sensitivity, and  what psychiatrists need to learn about treating autistic patients. To learn more about Zach's sound sensitivity study visit https://redcap.link/sound_study and the INSAR Community Collaborator Request go to https://www.autism-insar.org/page/ICCR. If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"It's a hallowed space for me. I see the impact when people are treated with respect and they have consent over their stories, and they have consent over what they want to focus on and what they can focus on that day. It really works more and more momentum to feeling this curiosity to look below these masks," says Tasha Hansen. Tasha joins this episode to discuss being a social worker, strategies to sustain a reliable flow in your life, and the importance of integrated healthcare. To learn more about Tasha visit https://www.azcpllc.com/. If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"With their journey with me, we slowly take down those walls in comfortable steps, little by little, and at the same time we build something that I like to describe as an armor made out of light. That is this powerful thing that carries you through life and makes you feel safe within yourself, makes you feel secure, makes you feel like you can trust yourself. You're capable and it's great to be you," says Ana Aragon. Ana joins this episode to discuss how autistics grow from peer mentorship, what makes someone a good mentor, and all the things she loves. To learn more about Ana and Autistic Thoughts visit https://autistic-thoughts.com . If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.

"If I was employed by somebody else, and I needed to sleep like right now, that's not gonna happen. I'm probably gonna get fired. I really stress the importance of self-employment because that money that I'm making is going to me. It's not going through multiple channels where I am probably paid the lowest possible amount for labor that really sucks the life out of me," says Margaux Wosk. Margaux joins this episode to discuss being an entrepreneur, executive functioning while running a business, and providing opportunities for disabled creators. To learn more about Margaux and Retrophillac visit https://shopretrophiliac.com .  If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.