Autism Resource Podcast

Shellee Howard is the Founder and CEO of College Ready and a Certified Independent College Strategist who helps families navigate the college admissions process with a proven, personalized approach. A best-selling author and global speaker, she specializes in helping students gain admission to top-tier schools and graduate debt free. With real-world experience as a mother of four college graduates, she empowers students to build standout strategies for academic, financial, and personal success. #neurodiversity #neurodivergent #autism #disabilities #podcast #podcasts #inclusion #education #college #financialaid #scholarships www.autismresourceproject.org/podcast

Naomi Matanick is a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in sensory integration therapy, surf therapy, and child development. She has served infants to early adolescents in a variety of areas including physical and emotional regulation, and acquisition of vital developmental milestones. Her mission is for each caregiver and child to feel understood and empowered as they are equipped with life-long tools. www.autismresourceproject.org/podcast

Dr. Tracy Burton is a board-certified pediatrician, and has over 10 years of experience providing care to children. As the Chief Medical Officer for As You Are, she is dedicated to ensuring both families and colleagues receive the highest level of care and support. She is licensed to see families for autism evaluations in 15 states as well as Washington D.C. www.autismresourceproject.org/podcast

Lynda has spent her life creating—art, pottery, and writing have always been at the heart of who she is, ultimately serving as a Vice President of Marketing in the skincare industry. When her youngest son was diagnosed with autism at age two, she shifted her focus to supporting him, and published her first book, Squirmy Wormy: How I Learned to Help Myself, igniting a new chapter of advocacy and creativity. Lynda has illustrated over 120 children’s books and authored three additional titles. Her most recent is titled Splish, Splash, Squawk! Finding Joy in a Sensory-Friendly Vacation, a children’s book designed to encourage families with children on the autism spectrum to embrace the joys of travel. www.autismresourceproject.org/podcast

As a mom and stepmom to eight children—four of whom have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities —Katherine Gyolai founded Find Love Safely to provide a safe, supported way for her children to form relationships. In addition to running Find Love Safely, Katherine is a marketing consultant for a healthcare startup, and an International Coaching Federation-certified executive and team coach. www.autismresourceproject.org/podcast

Chris Biscoe is the Founder of ChrisBOnTheWeb Media which has been operating for over 10 years. Now 39, he was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 8. For the past 19 years he has been creating online and streaming content with his team. With a recent additional diagnosis of anxiety, he is a big advocate for mental health and for all those with autism. www.autismresourceproject.org/podcast

Drew is the inventor of Caroline’s Cart, a game-changing, patented, special-needs shopping cart designed to provide an inclusive and accessible shopping experience for individuals with special needs. Inspired by her daughter Caroline, who has special needs and could not use a traditional cart, Drew Ann took matters into her own hands—sketching her first idea on a napkin and eventually bringing the patented design to life. Today, Caroline’s Cart is in retailers across all 50 states and eight countries, used by families, caregivers, senior adults, and stores committed to inclusion, accessibility and dignity. www.autismresourceproject.org/podcast

Kimberly Lavelanet is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst with over 19 years of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis. She served as a Clinical Behavior Consultant at Harbor Regional Center for 9 years, supporting individuals, families, and providers as part of the Psychological and Behavior Services Team. She became a certified UCLA PEERS Provider in 2016, specializing in evidence-based social skills training for adolescents and adults. In 2022, she became an AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator, expanding her experience into sexual health education. In an effort to meet gaps in services, Kimberly founded BEHAVRIUM Health Services in 2023 to promote behavioral and sexual health for every learner and their families. www.autismresourceproject.org/podcast

Whitney Fallon is a holistic wellness expert, neurodivergent advocate, and self-proclaimed wellness detective who helps individuals uncover the missing pieces to their energy, focus, and emotional well-being. With a background in sleep medicine, psychology, and functional wellness, she specializes in supporting neurodivergent minds and bodies through a blend of science, soul, and strategy. As the founder of Wooded Lake Wellness and creator of the Neuro Blueprint™, Whitney is on a mission to help people embrace their unique neurostyles and optimize their health, habits, and happiness—without burnout or overwhelm. www.autismresourceproject.org/podcast

Drew Deraney is a coach, author, and advocate dedicated to empowering caregivers and families of individuals with autism. As The Caregiver & Family Health Coach, he helps parents and caregivers find balance, build resilience, and care for themselves as compassionately as they care for their loved ones. Drew is the proud father of three children, including a son with autism, which inspires his mission to provide guidance, education, and community support. Through coaching, speaking, and his podcast From Caving In To Crushing It, Drew encourages others to live authentically, rise with strength, and lead with purpose. www.autismresourceproject.org/podcast

Priscilla Leto is a dedicated advocate for children with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Her commitment to aiding children to reach their highest potential is rooted in personal experience, as the mother of a son on the autism spectrum. Priscilla’s work extends beyond administrative duties; she is a vocal proponent for addressing the underlying causes of neurodevelopmental conditions, advocating for comprehensive support that transcends surface-level therapies. https://autismresourceproject.org/podcast/

Matt co-founded MapHabit along with neuroscientist Dr. Stuart Zola to disrupt the standard of care for neurodivergent populations, including those with dementia, autism, intellectual & developmental disabilities and brain injuries. Those people who need cognitive support typically struggle with activities of daily living. By teaching caregivers to be thoughtful observers and critical thinkers, and empowering individuals with the ability to manage their daily routines with personalized step-by-step instructions, he is helping to transform independence across the lifespan. https://autismresourceproject.org/podcast/

Jessica Broutt is the Program Director for Pathway at UCLA Extension, an inclusive college program for neurodivergent young adults at UCLA Extension. Over the past six years, Jessica has worked to increase student access to the Pathway program, and maintain a high level of inclusion. Prior to joining the Pathway team, Jessica was the Manager of Educational Programs at Outfest, supporting at-risk LGBTQ young adults in obtaining an education in film. https://autismresourceproject.org/podcast/

Bill Walters is a compassionate financial advisor who helps families navigate complex challenges with empathy and strategy. Shaped by personal experiences—overcoming childhood illness, caring for his mother with dementia, and raising a daughter with special needs—he brings heart to every client relationship. He serves on nonprofit boards, church finance committees, and coaches Special Olympics. His planning philosophy blends numbers with purpose, legacy, and love. Bill’s mission is clear: to guide caregivers toward clarity and abundance with personalized, purpose-driven financial and estate planning rooted in lived experience. https://autismresourceproject.org/podcast/

Casey von Stein, aka Miss Freddy, is a certified Professional Photo Organizer. After 10 years as a professional photographer, she realized that what people really needed was HELP organizing and enjoying their photos. She offers remote organizing services for clients worldwide and self-paced online courses for those who want to tackle their photo organizing on their own. https://autismresourceproject.org/podcast/

Mara McLoughlin is the Founder and Program Director of IRL Social Skills. Working for over 15 years as an autism specialist and speech language pathologist, she recognized students and families needed much more support than schools and private one on one mental health therapy could provide. In March 2021 — during the height of a global pandemic and recession — she assembled an interdisciplinary team to serve families of socially struggling teens and young adults from across the United States. https://autismresourceproject.org/podcast/

Laura Mitchell is a co-founder and CEO of GrandCare Systems, a touchscreen and sensor-based technology platform designed to improve independence and enhance remote supports for individuals living with disabilities and older adults. She has over 20 years of experience in the remote monitoring and connected health industry. She speaks across the country on the Connected Home, Technology First, Technology for Aging in Place and Technology-powered caregiving. https://autismresourceproject.org/

Sara Langley is a dedicated Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specializing in the medication management of children and adolescents. She specializes in Nutritional Psychiatry, including how food impacts mood and behavior, as well as traditional medication management. She treats conditions such as ADHD, Autism, depression and anxiety. She is double board certified in Primary care and Psychiatry and is based in Beverly Hills, CA.

Ambassador Ian Hale has written Support Platform extensively about autism. He himself identifies as being on the spectrum and is an amazing advocate and voice for the autism community. He is a member of the world Academy of Medical Science, Mensa, a Trustee of Autistic Nottingham and a longtime Member of the UK Government Advisory Policy

Angela Andrieux is a fine art photographer, photography coach, and product evangelist for Mylio Photos. She is passionate about helping others organize, edit, and protect their photos. She delights in the control Mylio Photos offers for meticulous organization, satisfying her analytical side, while her creative side is captivated by photography, visual storytelling, and artistic image editing. Her diverse collection predominantly showcases travel, landscapes, cityscapes, and family moments.

Derek Crager is a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD professional who spent a lifetime misunderstood — until he found his voice in technology. With a background in industrial reliability and a mind wired for pattern recognition, Derek turned personal struggle into purpose, founding Practical AI and the community hub AIforAutistics.com. Through his work, Derek helps neurodivergent individuals harness AI not just to cope — but to create, earn, and thrive. His flagship tool, Pocket Mentor, offers voice-powered guidance in industrial settings, proving that AI can be both human-centered and practical.

Dani is a young and talented animator, artist, and entrepreneur on the Autism Spectrum who is dedicated to inclusion and diversity, and passionate about using her skills to help others. Despite being diagnosed with autism at age 3 and being nonverbal until the age of 6, Dani has overcome these challenges to become accomplished in her field and an inspiring speaker. She founded her own company, DaniMation, when she was just 14 years old, and later DaniMation UK in 2019. Dani has taught animation to over 3000 students with autism and premiered 14 short films at San Diego Comic-Con. As a national speaker and cast member of Love on the Spectrum, Dani uses her platform to inspire and mentor others.

Michelle Raz is an author and Board-Certified Coach specializing in ADHD and executive functioning, and is the founder of Raz-Coaching Academics, Thrive Beyond Therapy, and Sprout Coach. She has been empowering neurodivergent students since 2010 through her online academic coaching platform, which uses neuroscience-backed strategies to help middle school, high school, and college students develop executive function skills for academics and career development. She is also a founding member of the Octopus Movement, a global think tank for promoting the gifts of non-linear thinkers.

Rachelle Vartanian is the Founder and President of Living and Learning Enrichment Center, a nonprofit organization providing a broad range of resources and support services to individuals with disabilities and their families across 12 southeast Michigan counties. Since 2015, the agency has partnered with more than a hundred businesses and organizations to provide access to inclusive employment skill-building opportunities and meaningful job placement support. Rachelle is an active member of dozens of regional business and service organizations bringing with her a mission of empathy, education, and advocacy. Rachelle is also the parent of an adult son with autism and is committed to forging pathways to a higher quality of life for Michigan residents with autism and other disabilities. =

Wendy is the CEO of Adjoin, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism across California, and eventually other states as well. With over 30 years in the disabilities field and two decades of executive leadership, she is a passionate advocate, with a commitment to build inclusive, transformative opportunities for the community she serves. Wendy was the visionary for Path-Now, a unique online app that custom matches individuals with disabilities and autism to tailored service connections.

Dr. Norma Hollis is a transformational strategist who writes, develops and implements programs for human development. She is an international speaker and coach specializing in transforming the lives of people who want to live the authentic life they were born for. She is a leading authority on authenticity and is affectionately known as the Godmother of Authenticity.

Jordan is a race car driver, business owner, motivational speaker, and proud Autism Super Dad. He is the founder of Racers 4 Autism, a nonprofit using motorsports to drive awareness, inclusion, and acceptance for individuals on the spectrum. He also leads two Express Employment Professionals offices in Upstate NY, where he brings his passion for leadership and purpose-driven work to life. He speaks across the country about resilience, leadership, and the lessons learned from raising a daughter with autism, running a business, and racing full throttle—both on the track and in life.

Ricki's education in marriage and family therapy, and her 25 years of experience working in mental health services with children and disability services for adults, has influenced her vision to run an agency that meets the needs of the clients served by, as well as the employees who work at, Pleasantview Industries. With significant nonprofit and social services experience, Ricki is now learning about the world of business with the hope of helping businesses see the opportunities they have in connecting with one of the least accessed workforce resources across the nation - individuals with disabilities.

Judi Uttal is president of the Orange County Asperger’s Support Group, a nonprofit organization improving the quality of life for individuals and families dealing with high-functioning autism. She is a member of several organizations, all working to support the neurodiverse community. In 2022, Judi founded the Autism in Entertainment Workgroup to help support inclusion in the entertainment industry. She is the mother of a 33-year-old son who was diagnosed with Autism at the age of three. Dr. Sasha Zeedyk is an Associate Professor at California State University in Fullerton. Her research is mainly focused on the social and behavior skills of youth with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities across the course of development. She is interested in understanding how behavior problems and social skills relate to social, mental health, and academic outcomes for these youth, as well as how these skills impact their parents’ psychological well-being. Recently, she has begun to study postsecondary outcomes for youth with ASD who attend college.

Emmy and Annie Award-winning Jorge R. Gutierrez is a Mexican animator, painter, voice actor, writer and director. A CalArts Experimental Animation BFA & MFA graduate, Gutierrez has completed various films, cartoons, and paintings exploring his love affair with Mexican pop and folk culture. He was the Director & Co-Writer of the Guillermo del Toro produced animated feature The Book of Life, which earned him a 2014 Golden Globe Award nomination. Along with his wife and muse, Sandra Equihua, they created the multiple Emmy Award-winning animated series El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera, for Nickelodeon. Gutierrez most recently created, wrote, and directed the event series Maya and the Three for Netflix which won 2 Annie Awards, and 4 Emmys. Gutierrez is currently writing and directing a Netflix animated feature named I, Chihuahua with Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias.

Judi is president of the Orange County Asperger’s Support Group, a nonprofit organization improving the quality of life for individuals and families dealing with high-functioning autism. She is a member of several organizations, all working to support the neurodiverse community. In 2022, Judi founded the Autism in Entertainment Workgroup to help support inclusion in the entertainment industry. She is the mother of a 33-year-old son who was diagnosed with Autism at the age of three.

As a leader in self-directed services policy and implementation, Molly brings over a decade of experience working with states, participants, and provider organizations to enhance and expand self-direction programs nationwide. Through her work, she has shaped policy initiatives, developed critical resources, and built partnerships that advance self-determination for individuals with disabilities and serious mental illness. Molly is a co-founder at The Self-Direction Center.

Dr. L is a Family Advocate, a consultant to the United Nations, a clinical neuroscientist, and a children's performance optimizer. He is the creator of Role Model Maker, founder of the Amazing Parents' Network, and director of Foundation for Optimal Beginnings.

Emily Holl is the Director of The Sibling Support Project at Kindering, the first national program dedicated to supporting siblings of people with developmental and health concerns. As a social worker and a sibling herself, Emily has published her research and written in blogs, magazines and books. She co-edited “The Sibling Survival Guide: Indispensable Information for Adult Brothers and Sisters of People with Disabilities.”

Michelle Wolf is a parent disability advocate and non-profit social services innovator. She is the Founding Executive Director of the Jewish Los Angeles Special Needs Trust, the first pooled nonprofit trust based in LA County for persons with a range of disabilities. Her professional career has been devoted to ensuring that people with chronic health conditions and disabilities are able to access government benefits and enjoy a higher quality of life.

John Graham, who identifies as autistic, shipped out on a freighter when he was 16, hitchhiked through the Algerian Revolution at 19 and was on the team that made the first ascent of Denali’s North Wall at 20, a climb so dangerous it’s never been repeated. He hitchhiked around the world at 22, working as a correspondent in every war he came across and was a US Foreign Service Officer for 15 years. He has supported initiatives for peace and justice in Asia, Africa and Cuba, including engineering a UN plan that helped end apartheid in South Africa. For the last 42 years he’s been a leader of the Giraffe Heroes Project with his wife, Ann Medlock, who identifies as neurotypical.

Steve Winshel holds a PhD in experimental cognitive psychology but has spent his career as a serial startup founder and coach, mentor and teacher to many communities. He helps entrepreneurs start their own businesses and coaches people who are at inflection points in their lives - career and personal. He works specifically with neurodivergent clients to help them develop executive functions, move forward to successful careers, or start their own businesses.

With a career spanning over three decades, Cathy has established herself as a versatile and comedic powerhouse in the entertainment industry seamlessly navigating various mediums, and earning a variety of accolades and awards. Cathy's passion for the arts extends to mentoring young adults on the autism spectrum through Spectrum Laboratory, with her commitment to diversity and inclusion shining through in every project.

Jessica Patay is the founder and executive director of We Are Brave Together, a nonprofit organization that supports caregiving moms with children of all types of disabilities and neuro-diverse diagnoses. In addition, she is a sought-out speaker, podcast guest, writer and retreat coordinator, fundraiser, mother of three, social influencer, and a champion of self-care practices and their positive effect on motherhood.

Jeff is founder and president of ABS Kids which has become a leading provider of services to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The company has locations in California, Utah, and North Carolina and works with a team of more than 800 treatment providers. Jeff has been active in the autism community for almost two decades, holding numerous positions on various committees and boards. He is an advocate and a nationally recognized expert in treatments for children with ASD.

Kari is a former financial services executive and business owner turned author, speaker, and podcaster. She is the founder of KIND Families, a community of people who love Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences and is the host of The KIND Families Podcast. Kari became a KIND mom in 2014 when her son Brady was diagnosed with autism at age three. She started KIND Families to encourage, support, and inspire others to find purpose and promise in their individual journeys.

Judy Mark is President of Disability Voices United, an organization directed by and for people with disabilities and their families. DVU advocates for choice and control over our lives, meaningful outcomes that matter, and systems that are equitable and accountable. Judy has led efforts in California to enact several disability rights laws, spoken widely before diverse audiences and appeared extensively in the media about disability issues including on NBC News, the LA Times, and NPR. Judy also identifies as a person with a disability.

Valery Goldes is a recording artist, pianist, singer-songwriter, composer and a producer who grew up in Israel. A child prodigy in classical piano, he has played with orchestras across Europe & Israel, including under the baton of Zubin Mehta with the Israel Philharmonic when he was only 13. As a piano coach, Valery's passion has always been to share his music knowledge and experience with his students. He believes in being not only an instructor but a mentor to each of his students, many of whom are neurodiverse.

Taiba Bajar is on a mission to help parents of autistic children achieve their developmental milestones. She accomplishes this through her award-winning 7-Step Autism Action Plan, which is designed to help autistic children reach their milestones within 12 months. Also an award-winning researcher, Taiba was the recipient of the Clinical Research Prize from the University of Bristol, where she graduated with two degrees in Dentistry and Bioethics

Jessica is the founder of The Center for Siblings of People with Disabilities and the author of Billy’s Sister: Life when your sibling has a disability--a picture book based on her experiences growing up with her brother, Billy, who has autism. She has also spent over a decade working in nonprofit marketing and communications and is the owner of Sing Creative Group.

J.D. Barker is an international bestselling American author whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural. He was diagnosed with autism at the age of 22, and considers it one of the main reasons he is so successful.

Liz is a certified Kundalini Yoga and Meditation Teacher, a certified Transformation Coach and Trainer and a Wellness Retreat Leader. Her teachings include providing accessible tools to regulate the nervous system, tune into one’s inner guidance, expand awareness, and go beyond perceived limits. Her work is deeply rooted in helping to cultivate self-care rituals and practices that create resilience and foster a kinder and gentler way of being with oneself, and in turn, with others.

Heidi Rome, is a speaker, author, coach, facilitator, advocate, mentor, perspective re-framer, solace-bringer, and mother of two sons, one with severe autism. Author of You Just Have to Love Me and creator of the Win/When Skillsets, she understands how to overcome overwhelm through loving kindness toward oneself and others. As founder of Moms Spectrum Oasis, Heidi is spreading the word that it's time to change the narrative around autism if we are to live the ideals of true inclusion and belonging.