Episode #62: Interview with Pro-golfer, Billy Mayfair Synergy Autism Podcast · Episode #62: Interview with Billy Mayfair Listen in to my interview with one of the top golfers in the United States discussing his diagnosis of autism as an adult.  He shares his story and is vision to support those surrounding people with autism, as well. It was my pleasure to have Billy Mayfair on the Synergy Autism Podcast. Please enjoy! _________ Billy Mayfair is one of the top professional golfers in theUnited States and has been a regular on the PGA Tour since1989.He boasts five PGA Tour victories and is the only player to ever beat Tigers Woods in a PGA Tour playoff. He is currently playing on the PGA Tour Champions. Mayfair’s five PGA Tour victories include the Nissan Open(1998), Buick Open (1998), Motorola Western Open (1995),TourChampionship (1995) and Greater Milwaukee Open (1993). His two amateur victories include theU.S. Amateur(1987) and U.S. Public Links (1986). In the PGA Tour Champions, Ma

 Episode #61: MP - Challenging Behaviors Deconstructed In this podcast, I share with you what to do when your child has challenging behaviors so that everyone on your team is consistent, your child learns positive behaviors, and you have more peaceful days together. Hello Synergy Autism Podcast listeners. My. apologies for not posting a podcast in a couple-few weeks. My book came out, I have family in town, and I'm enjoying the last days of summer weather.  A special thank you to my son who does the music for my podcast, by the way.  I think you will find today's podcast helpful if it is new to you and as a refresher if it is not new. Today, I am going to talk to you about what to do when. your child has challenging behaviors. These might be meltdowns, shutdowns, refusals, dropping to the floor, hitting, kicking, biting, destroying property, or some combination of these. I've had a few children's parents already report these behaviors happening at school so I'll cov

 Episode #60: MP - On the Wrong Side of the Law Synergy Autism Podcast · Episode #60: MP - On the wrong side of the law I feel the need to do a podcast on a very important and tough topic today. I'm going to talk about autistic individuals committing crimes. "WHAT!?" you may ask.. People with autism commit crimes? Or, you may be terrified knowing your child, client, or yourself. could end up committing a crime. There are some great websites, trainings, and supports available and I will be sure to share those. This podcast is not meant to replace those excellent resources. I am just an autism specialist who has sadly now seen the inside of jails, juvenile corrections facilities, courtrooms, and the Oregon State Hospital.  It seems there are a few things at play that are landing autistic people on the wrong side of the law. I have now been involve din two sexual assault cases, numerous aggravated assault cases, and two theft cases.  Families experiencing challenges with th

 Episode #59: MP - Perception Chaos Synergy Autism Podcast · Episode #59: MP - Perception Chaos Hello Synergy Autism Podcast Listeners. My name is Barb Avila and this is one of my mini-podcasts for you for 2021.  Today, I want to share a bit about what I have learned happens for many autistic individuals and some ideas for alleviating it. This is the experience of what I am calling "perception - chaos."  You've heard me share and discuss that aUtistic people often feel flooded and are ridding high or are hyper-vigilant much fo the time. This is along those lines. Imagine for a moment (or if you are autistic, this may describe your experience) that you are sitting in a crowded room with little to no ability to distinguish between or prioritize sensations coming from both outside and inside your body. You are experiencing a rumbling stomach perhaps while someone is talking next to you. Your emotions are all over the place from sad to hopeful to nervous or anxious. The ligh

  Episode # 58: MP - The Trouble with Favorites Synergy Autism Podcast · Episode #58: MP - The Trouble with Favorites Hello and welcome to another episode of the Synergy Autism Podcast. I am Barbara Avila and this is one of my 2021 mini podcasts which I produce almost every weekend based on some of the conversations I have in my work with individuals,  families, and professionals. I do want to mention, of course, that my book is out! You can find it anywhere  you purchase your books. It only  currently out in paperback but soon to be out as an ebook.  Today, I thought I’d return to a common dilemma faced by parents and professionals supporting autistic individuals and that is the concept of favorites. Most of us neuro-typicals have lots of favorites like favorite colors and favorite foods. But many autistic individuals struggle with the concept of favorites and may be unable to answer the question “which one is your favorite?” when presented with 2 or 3 nice and positive choices.  W

Episode #57: Interview with Yasmine White, CEO & Founder of Voices Together Synergy Autism Podcast · Episode #57: Interview with Yasmine White, CEO & Founder of Voices Together I had a very special guest join us, her name is Yasmine White and she is the founder and CEO of Voices Together which is the largest music therapy organization in North Carolina. I was lucky enough to be introduced to Yasmine by my good friend and colleague, Jonathan Chase who some of you may be familiar with from previous podcasts. Yasmine and I had a lovely conversation where she described music therapy and her curriculum specifically. She inspires the audience to understand that music lives within all  of us and calls parents to share music with children of all ages and abilities. Here are two articles that Yasmine mentioned in this podcast and that she has shared with our listeners: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BpLKfmZL52I8FO69rL3VEhDJ3iMdQBVm/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XY