My Autism Tribe

EPISODE 53: SOCIALIZATION OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

With Dr. Annette Nunez

INTRO:

Hi, everyone! Welcome to this week’s episode primarily focusing on mainstreaming and socialization of children with autism. I’m speaking with Dr. Annette Nunez, the founder and director of Breakthrough Interventions. You may have even seen her on FOX News as she does many interviews on the power of positivity and autism. Stay tuned to listen to this awesome lady share her experience and advice on cultivating positive relationships through facilitated play and much more.

Also, a friendly reminder that if you’re enjoying the podcast, I would love for you to take just a minute to rate and review wherever you listen to podcasts and share with a friend. That’s how we make our voices stronger. Thanks for listening!

SEGMENT:

Dr. Annette Nunez conducts many seminars both nationally and internationally, in addition to consulting with schools in China and South Africa on autism interventions. She is a licensed psychotherapist and has worked with children on the spectrum and other related disorders for over 20 years. She has a B.A. in Psychology, a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy, and a Ph.D. in Quantitative Research Methods with a specialization in Child Development. She loves working with the whole family, so much so that she created an online community called Breaking Through Autism where she shares support and self-care tips. We all know that every journey looks different, but it’s the support system that you need to help guide, inspire and encourage you along the way. That’s what keeps EVERYONE moving forward. I’m really excited to introduce Dr. Annette Nunez to our show today.

CONCLUSION:

As Dr. Nunez has stated, “Success for me is not what I can do for your child. Success is when parents trust and support the process no matter how hard it can be. Success is when I have the privilege to watch my clients realize their full potential and have a positive outlook on life and their future.” Rather than focusing on the negatives that you may hear, “your child will never, can’t, etc.”, try focusing on the positives. Thanks so much for being a part of My Autism Tribe, and I hope to see you next week.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Dr. Annette Nunez Bio

Dr. Annette Nunez is the founder and director of Breakthrough Interventions, LLC. She is a licensed psychotherapist and has worked with children with ASD and other related disorders for over 20 years. She received a B.A. in Psychology, an M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Ph.D. in Quantitative Research Methods with a specialization in Child Development. At UCLA, she studied and trained with renowned autism expert, Dr. Ivar Lovaas on Discrete Trial Training (DTT). She also received training from the Institute for Child Development in California on the Floortime Approach and developed a successful behavioral program that combined aspects of DTT and Floortime.

As part of her doctorate work at the University of Denver, Dr. Nunez developed the Children’s Social Competence Scale (CSCS). The CSCS is an early intervention evaluation tool that measures social competency in young children. She serves as the Program Director for Connect Us, a non-profit organization that helps children cultivate positive relationships through facilitated play. Her research interests include the mainstreaming and socialization of children with High Functioning Autism.

Dr. Nunez co-wrote the Friendship Is… book and is currently writing a book about the Breakthrough Interventions model that will be published this year. She conducts many seminars both nationally and internationally and has consulted with many schools in China and South Africa. Dr. Nunez also consults and supervises the therapists at the Breakthrough Interventions site in South Africa.

Dr. Nunez was honored by the Autism Society of Colorado as a finalist for the 2011 Faces of Autism Professional Award. You can see Dr. Nunez on FOX News as she as she does many interviews on the power of positivity and autism. She plans to continue educating parents and professionals about mainstreaming and socialization of children with Autism.

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BTInterventions

Podcast: http://www.btinterventions.com/episodes/

EPISODE 52: ATYPICAL AND PROUD OF IT

With Joy Johnson

INTRO:

Hi there! Welcome to this week’s podcast episode “Atypical and Proud of It”. I’m really excited to be speaking with behavioral therapist Joy Johnson who is also on the spectrum herself. I fell in love with her Instagram page because she is just super honest, and let’s be real…what better way to learn about neurodiversity than from someone that is on the spectrum. I hope you enjoy!

Also, make sure that you’re following My Autism Tribe on our social platforms, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and also YouTube. Let’s make our voices stronger.

SEGMENT:

Joy Johnson is an autism advocate, behavior and inclusion specialist, and is on the spectrum. She uses her social platform to not only share her thoughts on everyday life, but also her thoughts on some of the more popular autism research and science. It’s such a joy to welcome Joy Johnson to our show today!

CONCLUSION:

In the past, our traditional expert knowledge came from observations by professionals who often lacked the personal experience of being autistic, but by listening to autism advocates that are on the spectrum, we can gain a larger understanding and acceptance of autism. One might even say that those on the spectrum are the true experts, right? Thanks for listening to this week’s episode, and thanks for being a part of My Autism Tribe. I’ll see ya next week!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

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

EPISODE 51: AN AUTISM DAD’S FIELD GUIDE

With Tim Gonzalez-Smith

INTRO:

Hi there! Welcome to My Autism Tribe! Today I’m speaking with an autism dad, Tim. So often times, we are listening to the voices of mothers to children on the spectrum, but Tim is going to share all about his journey with his son, Rafa, and how he is educating and supporting the autism community from a dad’s perspective. Keep listening – he’s awesome!

And, if you’ve been enjoying this podcast, I would love it if you could rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts and share with a friend. It helps make our voices stronger.

SEGMENT:

I started following Tim through his Instagram account @autismdads, because a dad’s perspective is just as important as a mother’s when raising a child on the spectrum. Tim knew this and wanted to connect with the autism community. Along the way he has provided support for so many people, and has also learned so much from others, which he shares with us. He has struggled with anxiety, just like a lot of us, and is such an awesome advocate for his son. Please welcome Tim.

CONCLUSION:

To all the dads out there that are traveling on this autism journey, thank you for everything that you do. We see you! You are a very important member of our Autism Tribe. Thanks for joining me this week, and thanks for being a part of My Autism Tribe. I’ll see ya next week!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/autismdads/

BOOKS:

“The Autism Field Guide” – A book to help parents of newly diagnosed kids use empathy and understand as a way to support & empower.

“8 Ways to Support an Autistic Child and Improve Yourself” on the www.theautismfieldguide.com

EPISODE 50:  FROM REAL HOUSEWIVES TO AUTISM ADVOCACY, JACQUELINE LAURITA DOES IT ALL

INTRO:

Hi, everyone! You are in for a special treat today. Today’s guest is none other than autism mom advocate extraordinaire and reality tv celebrity, Jacqueline Laurita. She was on Bravo TV’s “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” for seven seasons, and during this time her adorable son Nicholas received his autism diagnosis. She’s gonna share all about that, so stay tuned. You definitely don’t want to miss it.

Also, you may have seen, the My Autism Tribe podcast and nonprofit organization just recently celebrated our one-year birthday. That’s one year of successes, one year of challenges, and one year of getting to know each of you. Thank you for coming along on this journey with me, and for listening to this podcast! Your support means the world.

SEGMENT:

Jacqueline’s son Nicholas was diagnosed with autism in 2012 at the age of three, and since this time Jacqueline has become a leading advocate in campaigns for increasing autism awareness. She’s a female powerhouse with a mama bear’s love for her family. I’m so excited to introduce to you, Jacqueline Laurita.

CONCLUSION:

Whether you are a regular on a TV reality show, a teacher, a service provider, a stay-at-home mom, ALL of our voices are absolutely necessary in spreading autism awareness and acceptance in our communities. Maybe your platform is social media, or being a part of your child’s PTA. Don’t be afraid to make your voice stronger. Thanks so much to Jacqueline for her time and willingness to share her family’s story with us, and thanks so much to you for listening. You are an amazing member of My Autism Tribe, and without you none of this would be possible. I’ll see ya next week!

QUESTIONS ANSWERED DURING PODCAST:

1. Can you tell us more about the diagnosis story- who, what where when and how- 
2. What have been some of the biggest challenges you and your family have faced? 
3.  Let’s talk about advocating and awareness- what recent work have you done that has helped with awareness? 
4. With all the many projects you have going on and caring for your family how do you like to unwind and relieve stress? 
5. What words of advice would you tell the person you were 10 years ago? 
6. Can you share a story of success in your journey? 
7. Tell us more about Simple Spectrum and why you’re so passionate about this company?
8. Can you tell us more about your nutrition background and why you got into this?
9. Why do you think Simple Spectrum is so different than most supplements out there? 
10. Can you tell us the difference that nutrition and supplements have made for you guys? Gluten free/ casein free diets? 
11. Do you miss being on the housewives? Any chance you will do it again?
12. Can you tell us more about The Lookover Ladies podcast? How’s that been going?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR JACQUELINE

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JacLaurita

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Get-Beauty-Wellness-Getting-Together/dp/1940363845/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=get+it%3A+a+beauty%2C+style%2C+and+wellness+guide&qid=1580314793&sr=8-1

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lookover-ladies/id1479048850