Joyce Bernheim joined me for a frank discussion about her own journey into understanding the importance of social-emotional intelligence in today's society prior to having her own son diagnosed with autism. She then delved into the neuroscience behind this intelligence with a vengeance while also becoming an incredible advocate for the autism community here in Oregon through her work on the state autism commission.

One of my first guests is Diane Solomon. She is a mental health nurse practitioner who also has a son on the autism spectrum. Her son is the youngest of 4 beautiful children. She was a nurse midwife who did not believe in the use of prescription medications... then learned to appreciate their support with post-partum women with challenging depression. This new understanding guided her into her own pursuit to become a mental health nurse practitioner who could prescribe such medications. Later, when faced with the decision about medicating her own son, she had perspective that many parents do not have. She shares this wisdom, what she chose to do, among other tough decisions and wonderful celebrations along the way.

Welcome to the Synergy Autism Podcast blog.  I decided to start this blog to share the behind the scenes work it is taking to get the Synergy Autism Podcast on air! The Synergy Autism Podcast Host: Barbara Avila, M.S. RDI® I am an autism specialist and trainer in Portland, Oregon. I own Synergy Autism Center. I feel extremely blessed to have almost 30 years of experience working in the field of autism. I met a child with autism when volunteering at a weekend "camp" in 1985 and through my one on one work with a child with autism, became intensely curious about the brain, development, and autism. Over the 29 years, I have been a line therapist and lead interventionist using ABA, an evaluator for school eligibilities, a teacher, a group home parent, a lecturer on autism for university courses, a consultant for school teams and parents, and trainer. I have received and provided training on almost every intervention available over the past 29 years. I am realizing the perspe...