MPS: Spoon/Token Theory Synergy Autism Podcast · Episode #32: Spoon/Token Theory for Autism Hello and welcome to the Synergy Autism Podcast where I bring listeners the inside view of our autism community and how passionately we all work for the same mission - to better understand autism together.  This is one of my Miniature Podcasts where I take just one topic that I commonly discuss with clients and share it with you in a short and hopefully clear manner for you to contemplate and consider how it relates to your personal situation. So today,  I am going to share with you the topic of never seeming to have enough energy which often looks like sleeping all day, for many of my clients (or it can look like simply holing up in one’s room playing video games, reading, listening to music). This issue comes up frequently with my clients who are trying desperately to be independent but struggling to have enough energy to simply get through days. Medical appointments and/or job searches may e

Creating an Emotional Landscape at Home Synergy Autism Podcast · Episode #31 (Mini-Podcast): Emotional Landscapes Hello and welcome to the Synergy Autism Podcast where I bring listeners the inside view of our autism community and how passionately we all work for the same mission - to better understand autism together.  This is one of my Miniature Podcasts where I take just one topic that I commonly discuss with clients and share it with you in a short and hopefully clear manner so that you can contemplate and consider how it relates to your personal situation. Today, I am going to talk about the importance of creating an emotionally rich (and clear) landscape in your home, what that means, and a few simple steps to do it.  Now, you ask… what is an emotional landscape? Well, it’s created by both the said and unsaid emotions within you and each person around you. You have an internal emotional landscape as well as an external emotional landscape. We all experience emotions, autism or no

 Episode #30: Interview with Autistic Advocate Jonathan Chase on Protesting for the BLM Movement Synergy Autism Podcast · Episode #30: Interview with Autistic Advocate Jonathan Chase on Protesting for the BLM Movement Jonathan has admirably chosen to accept, work with, and manage his sensory sensitivities in order to do the important work of protesting the rights of people who have been marginalized for far too long. He goes out into the crowds of activists approximately 2x per week to share his solidarity. He has encountered kindness, generosity, and community-building-energy from those protesting as well as repeatedly witnessed unjust brutality. Listen in to this podcast to hear how he not only has navigated downtown Portland during these protests but also found ways to grow personally and morally.  Photos by David Gonzalez, 2020 For terminology used in the podcast, Jonathan shared a few helpful links with you: Slacktivism : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slacktivism Mutual Aid (spe

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THIS INFORMATIVE PODCAST  or go to anywhere you find your podcasts and search for "Synergy Autism Podcast." Listen in to the interview by Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak of myself and the fabulous Dr. Dan Siegel regarding his book: The Power of Showing Up. We discuss how attachment theory interweaves with autism and brain development. I think I learn something every time I listen to this again.  If a child is not seen by others, they will lack attachment. If your emotions or sensory experiences are so overwhelming not only to you and others, you may have trouble connecting.  You can read more about the book by clicking HERE.

Barb is joined by Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak in this fabulous episode where we go deep into the complex issue of inclusion. We ask listeners to consider the law while also viewing inclusion through the lens of social justice. Listen in. We think you will feel validated and inspired. "Progress does not take place like a shot out of a pistol; it takes the labor and suffering of the negative. How to use the negative as a way to advance the positive is our challenge." ~  Grace Lee Boggs Synergy Autism Podcast · Episode #28: Inclusion and the Autistic Child Some of the references mentioned in the podcast were: Inclusive School (Julie Causton) https://www.inclusiveschooling.com/ Simple Interactions https://www.simpleinteractions.org/ Crip Camp Documentary https://www.documentary.org/project/crip-camp Janice Fialka http://danceofpartnership.com/index.htm Laura Fish https://consulting.laurafishtherapy.com/ Ijumaa Jordan https://ijumaajordan.com/ HeadS

In this podcast, Barb explains the why behind giving people on the autism spectrum processing time then into how. There are neurological reasons not to mention the emotional benefits of feeling heard and your ideas respected. And as always, if you have any thoughts, questions, or comments, you can always email me at barbara@synergyautismcenter.com Synergy Autism Podcast · Episode #27: Allow Processing Time