Autistic Syndrome

April Is Autism Month: Exploring Why Early Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Intervention is Critical in the First Five Years

Dr. Yvonne Bruinsma, PhD, BCBA-D serves as a Board Member of the national non-profit Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP) and provider of TheSpectrum.org, an online resource for parents of children with autism joins eHealth Radio and the Autism Information and Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Dr. Yvonne Bruinsma discuss the following:
We’re approaching April, which annually is Autism Acceptance Month. What would you like to share with our listeners on the resources provided on TheSpectrum.org to keep top of mind for April and all year round?
A child’s autism diagnosis comes with many questions for parents and families. Could you share more about why a child’s first five years is a critical window for development as families consider how to navigate the spectrum?
Let’s talk more about Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment. Could you detail for our listeners how this treatment works for children with autism and their families?
What are some of the specific skills that early ABA treatment can help develop?
How can parents, or their healthcare providers who may be advising them, best seek out treatment options for their child?
What is one tip you would like to share on how communities at large can be more aware of the best ways to support children with autism and their families?
Yvonne Bruinsma, PhD, BCBA-D serves as a Board Member of the national non-profit Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP) and provider of TheSpectrum.org, an online resource for parents of children with autism with a library of information, perspectives, and community support on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment.
Dr. Bruinsma founded In STEPPS, a multi-disciplinary agency providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities, in 2010 and In STEPPS Academy, a non-profit private school for students with autism in 2019. She has more than 30 years of experience in the field. Dr. Bruinsma previously gained extensive experience as the clinical director and clinical manager at several agencies and brought PRT to the Netherlands. She has been an active researcher and continues publishing in the field.
Dr. Bruinsma has written articles in peer-reviewed journals and in 2015, wrote and published a seminal article with other top researchers in autism treatment about Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions such as PRT. She also has co-written a book about Naturalistic Developmental Behavior Interventions (NDBI) currently translated into 3 languages. She has worked in a variety of settings, including developmental centers, group homes for adults with developmental disabilities, vocational sites, and schools.
Dr. Bruinsma earned her master’s in developmental psychology from the University of Leiden, the Netherlands, and her master’s and doctorate in special education, developmental disabilities, from University of California, Santa Barbara. Dr. Bruinsma was certified as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D) in 2008.
About TheSpectrum.org
TheSpectrum.org is a new online resource developed by the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP). It serves as an educational hub that provides a library of videos and resources on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment. The goal is to empower parents of children with autism by offering objective information and fostering community conversations to help them make informed decisions about their child's care. 
Website: https://thespectrum.org
Social Media Links: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/council-of-autism-service-providers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CASProviders Instagram: http://instagram.com/casproviders  
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Autism from the Inside: A Mother-Son Journey

 
Joseph D. Shipman, the author of A Mother’s Guide Through Autism, Part II: Through the Eyes of the Guided which is Joseph’s debut as an author joins eHealth Radio and the Austism Information and Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Joseph D. Shipman discuss the following:
What are your earliest memories growing up with Autism?
When did you first learn you were on the spectrum?
Did people ever pick on you/feel bad for your being autistic?
What are your favorite/least favorite parts of your autism/how autism "manifests in you"?
Have you ever wished you were neurotypical/not on the spectrum?
What are some good general life tips from your life/experience (especially for others on the spectrum or their loved ones)?
What is your current OR most closely held special interest(s)?
Who are some of your favorite autism-related/autistic people?
Joseph D. Shipman, despite grim predictions by some following his autism diagnosis, gained recognition working for numerous radio stations, and currently gives time to various political and social causes, including autism advocacy. He enjoys playing video games, spending time with friends and family, and studying and talking about various topics consisting of, but not limited to, art, history, and philosophy. A Mother’s Guide Through Autism, Part II: Through the Eyes of the Guided is Joseph’s debut as an author! 
Website: https://mothersguidethroughautism.com
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Medical Advances in the Treatment of Autism: Dr. Eric Weiss on Stem Cell Therapy

 
Dr. Eric Weiss, Founder of the North Florida Stem Cells Clinic and Co-author of "Educating Marston: A Mother and Son’s Journey Through Autism joins eHealth Radio and the Autism Information and Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Dr. Eric Weiss discuss the following:
What is neuroinflammation?
How does neuroinflammation affect people on the autism spectrum?
How are umbilical cord blood/stem cells used to treat the symptoms of autism?
What are stem cell replacement therapy's other uses?
What are some tips for parenting a child with autism?
Summary: Autism is a neuroinflammatory disorder. Umbilical cord blood and its stem cells have the ability to turn off the inflammation and turn on restoration. 
Dr. Eric Weiss is a leader in advanced regenerative medicine and the co-author of Educating Marston. Founder of the North Florida Stem Cells Clinic, Dr. Weiss provides stem cell replacement therapy to treat various conditions such as Osteoarthritis (OA), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), with a special focus on the treatment of Autism.
Dr. Weiss co-wrote Educating Marston with his wife, Christine Weiss, as a memoir of their journey through programs and therapies to improve the quality of life of their autistic son, Marston. Trying seemingly everything under the sun, nothing clicked until they discovered stem cell replacement therapy in conjunction with intensive work at programs like the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential. Once with limited verbal communication abilities, Marston can now hold a conversation and do so much more. With Educating Marston, Dr. Weiss is on a mission to help fellow parents of children on the autism spectrum and spread the word about stem cell replacement therapy as a treatment therapy for autism.
Dr. Weiss and Educating Marston have been featured on local and national outlets, including LA Weekly, Life & Style, Wake Up with Marci, and more.
A graduate of Duke University Medical School, Dr. Weiss completed his general surgery residency in the University of California system and a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery residency at the University of Miami. Board certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (American Board of Plastic Surgery), Dr. Weiss is also a Fellow (FACS) in the American College of Surgeons, Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners, Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the Greater Jacksonville Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, and a volunteer with “Hands Healing Hearts,” which makes annual medical missions to South America to perform reconstructive surgery on patients with birth defects.
Dr. Weiss lives with his wife Christine in sunny Jacksonville, Florida.
Website: https://northfloridastemcells.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northfloridastemcells
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Why Talking to Autistic Families About Brain Donation Matters

 
Dr. David G. Amaral, Ph.D., Scientific Director of Autism BrainNet and UC Davis Distinguished Professor at the UC Davis MIND Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences joins eHealth Radio and the Health News Channel. Dr. Amaral will be educating us about Autism BrainNet, a program of the Simons Foundation, that collects, preserves, and disseminates donated brain tissue to advance autism and related neurogenerative disease research. 
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Dr. David G. Amaral discuss the following:
What is brain donation and how does it differ from organ donation?
Why is brain donation important to learn more about autism?
What is Autism BrainNet? I understand it’s the program’s 10th year anniversary.
How does brain donation work and what do families need to know?
How can people learn more about Autism BrainNet?
David G. Amaral, Ph.D., Scientific Director of Autism BrainNet and UC Davis Distinguished Professor at the UC Davis MIND Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
Dr. David G. Amaral received his undergraduate education at Northwestern University and graduated with a degree in Psychology. He then moved to the University of Rochester where he received a joint PhD in Neuroscience and Psychology. He conducted postdoctoral research at the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at Washington University. He then moved to the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla where he remained until moving to the University of California, Davis in 1995 as a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Center for Neuroscience.
Dr. Amaral was the Beneto Foundation Chair and founding Research Director of the MIND Institute from 1998 to 2018. In 2015, Dr. Amaral became Editor-in-Chief of Autism Research, the official journal of INSAR. He also serves as Scientific Director of Autism BrainNet, a program funded by the Simons Foundation to develop a postmortem brain repository to enhance autism research. He has published over 350 research articles that have been cited more nearly 90,000 times. He has co- edited three books. In 2019, Amaral was elected to the prestigious US National Academy of Medicine.
Website: https://www.autismbrainnet.org
Social Media Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutismBrainNet  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autismbrainnet  X: https://x.com/autismbrainnet 
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Proven Travel Tweaks for Families with Children on the Autism Spectrum

 
 
Dawn M. Barclay, an award-winning author who has spent a career working in different aspects of the travel industry joins eHealth Radio and the Autism Information & Family Channels. Her new book is Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Dawn M. Barclay discuss the following:
What inspired you to write this book?
How can parents "start small" to introduce the concept of travel to children?
How can they best prepare for their vacation?
How can parents create a child-centric vacation?
What are some safety tips you recommend when traveling?
How can readers get updates to the information contained in the book?
Dawn M. Barclay is an award-winning author who has spent a career working in different aspects of the travel industry. She started as an agent with her parents’ firms, Barclay Travel Ltd., and Barclay International Group Short-Term Apartment Rentals, and then branched out into travel trade reporting with senior or contributing editor positions at Travel Agent Magazine, Travel Life, Travel Market Report, and most recently, Insider Travel Report. Her new book is Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers; Aug. 15, 2022).
 
 
Website: https://travelingdifferent.com
Social Media Links: Facebook: https://facebook.com/travelingdifferent Instagram: https://instagram.com/traveling_different  Twitter: @travelingdiff

DHD, Autism and the Neurodiverse learner

 
 
Sasha Shtern, the CEO of Goally, a company dedicated to making software for special needs kids joins eHealth Radio and the Autism Information Channel. Sasha Shtern of breaks down the challenges faced by these children and adult learners – and the parents, teachers and clinicians working tirelessly to help them.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guests Sasha Shtern discuss the following:
Why does it appear that there is such a spike in cases of ADHD, autism and other challenges?
What has been traditional treatment methods and why do you feel they fall short?
What does Goally offer the neurodiverse learning community?
Treatment for these children and adult learners appear to be fairly expensive. Does Goally address this?
Has the pandemic helped or hindered the effort to reach and teach these students?
Sasha Shtern is CEO of Goally, a company dedicated to making software for special needs kids. Goally’s tools help parents implement at home the strategies professionals use in clinics and schools.
A successful serial entrepreneur, angel investor, co-organizer of Ethereum Denver, and co-founder of Rocky Mountain Blockchain, Shtern advocates for other serial entrepreneurs to move into social enterprises. In 2015 he co-founded Impact Makers Table, a nonprofit dedicated to channeling data-driven philanthropy. He is passionate about education policy and healthy eating for kids.
 
Website: https://getgoally.com

Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Therapy for an Austic Child

 
 
Dr Eric Weiss, the Founder of Northeast Florida Plastic Surgery Center and the Co-author of the book Educating Marston joins eHealth Radio and the Autistic Syndrome and Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guests Dr. Eric Weiss discuss the following:
With April being Autism Awareness Month, lets start with defining autism? Can you tell us in your own words what is autism and why is sometimes referred to as autism spectrum disorder?
Can you tell us more about the spectrum?
How does one get diagnosed and at what age is diagnosis possible?
Do the signs and symptoms of autism change over time and if so, how?
They say kids on the spectrum feel differently and have more issues with confidence and trouble in social situations. Is that true and tell us a bit more about that?
You recently released a book with your wife Christine Weiss called Educating Marston. Tell us why this book is important to you and how it is a helpful resource for anyone with an autistic child?
You have an autistic child named Marston. You indicate that stem cell replacement therapy helps. How has it helped Marston and do you feel it will ultimately be the wave of the future in helping autistic children?
Can one come for stem cell replacement therapy at your office?
Dr. Eric Weiss is the Founder of Northeast Florida Plastic Surgery Center and the Co-author of the upcoming book Educating Marston. Dr. Weiss practices all aspects of plastic surgery including: breast reconstruction, cleft lip/palate, congenital malformations, trauma; as well as breast augmentation, tummy tucks, liposuction, fat grafting, etc. He has recently incorporated Umbilical Cord Blood/Stem Cells into his practice after seeing the incredible healing properties in his son Marston.
Dr. Weiss was born in Brunswick, Maine, but early on moved with his family to New York where he was raised. The family moved to St Petersburg, Florida; where he graduated from Boca Ciega High School. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Davidson College with special attainments in chemistry and graduated from Duke University Medical School. He graduated from his general surgery residency from University California, Davis-East Bay. He graduated from his Plastic and reconstructive residency at University of Miami.
After his formal education in medicine/surgery, Dr. Weiss entered the United States Navy as a Lt commander. His duty station was at the Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, where he was the staff plastic surgeon. He left the Navy in 1998 and has been in private practice (plastic surgery) to the present. Educating Marston is available for purchase.
 
 
Website: EducatingMarston.com

Stem Cell Replacement Therapy Helps Autism

 
 
Dr Eric Weiss, the Founder of Northeast Florida Plastic Surgery Center and the Co-author of the upcoming book Educating Marston joins eHealth Radio and the Autistic Syndrome and Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guests Drs. Eric & Christine Weiss discuss the following:
Tell us about your background, what do you do for a living and your inspiration for co-authoring Educating Marston?
You have a son named Marston that is autistic. When did you first realize he was autistic and what did you feel at that moment?
They say kids on the spectrum feel differently and have move issues with confidence and trouble in social situations. Is that true and tell us a bit more about that?
Autism wasn’t widely talked about when you first got the diagnosis of Marston. How did you go about finding a way to help him?
You indicate that stem cell replacement therapy helps autism. How has it helped Marston and do you feel it will ultimately be the wave of the future in helping autistic children?
With Covid-19 you have no choice but to home-school right now. Are there any suggestions or tips you can provide for those struggling to help their children at home?
How do you manage having a full time business, writing a book and having the time to do things with your family?

Dr. Eric Weiss is the founder of Northeast Florida Plastic Surgery Center and the co-author of the upcoming book Educating Marston. Dr. Weiss practices all aspects of plastic surgery including: breast reconstruction, cleft lip/palate, congenital malformations, trauma; as well as breast augmentation, tummy tucks, liposuction, fat grafting, etc. He has recently incorporated Umbilical Cord Blood/Stem Cells into his practice after seeing the incredible healing properties in his son Marston.
Dr. Weiss was born in Brunswick, Maine, but early on moved with his family to New York where he was raised. The family moved to St Petersburg, Florida; where he graduated from Boca Ciega High School. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Davidson College with special attainments in chemistry and graduated from Duke University Medical School. He graduated from his general surgery residency from University California, Davis-East Bay. He graduated from his Plastic and reconstructive residency at University of Miami. After his formal education in medicine/surgery, Dr. Weiss entered the United States Navy as a Lt commander. His duty station was at the Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, where he was the staff plastic surgeon. He left the Navy in 1998 and has been in private practice(plastic surgery ) to the present.
Educating Marston comes out in the fall of 2020 and will be available for purchase.
 
 
Websites: ericweissmd.com  | EducatingMarston.com (Coming)

How you can utilize DBT with clients on the Autism Spectrum

 
 
Rebecca DeLeon a licensed MFT providing individual, group and family therapy to young adults at OPI, a residential treatment program in Woodland Hills, California joins eHealth Radio and the Health News Channel.
 
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Rebecca DeLeon discuss the following:
How does your program work with clients on the Autism Spectrum?
Where does DBT fit into the work you do?
What are some typical skills that would be of benefit to those with ASD?
What are some basic skills that the everyday person can start to use without much knowledge of DBT?
Can you share an example of a success story?

Rebecca DeLeon has been with OPI for almost 12 years. She has seen tremendous growth in the company and identifies with the core values of providing empathy, service, building trusting relationships and establishing growth with clients and team members.
Rebecca has been Intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and oversees the curriculum utilized in the skills groups. Rebecca provides basic DBT training to all OPI staff and provides weekly educational emails for both staff and parents of clients to inform them of skills being taught in the groups that week. She provides informed DBT to all OPI clients through skills groups and also utilizes DBT in individual sessions with her clients.
 
 
Website: OptimumPerformanceInstitute.com
Social Media Links: Facebook: facebook.com/OPILiving  Instagram: @optimumperformanceinstitute

Mom Develops Educational App and Game that Teaches Children with Autism Basic Learning Skills

 
 
Jamie Lynn Juarez, Founder and Executive Director for Hope for Autism, an organization that offers cutting edge medical, educational and behavior solutions for parents with children with autism joins eHealth Radio and the Autism & Health News Channels.
 
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Jamie Lynn Juarez discuss the following:
How does the educational digital app and game Your Child Can Type ® work?
What is the most challenging aspect of autism?
What are some ways to improve the autism community?
How can treatments for autism be improved?
Do individuals with autism have gifts unknown to the world?

Jamie Juarez is a licensed marriage and family therapist, behavior analyst and clinical counselor, who has spent 20 years practicing neuroscience principles and applied behavior analysis. She founded the organization Hope For Autism and developed the educational brain training digital app and game, Your Child Can Type® which helps children with autism improve their memory hub, as well as their reading, writing and typing skills. Juarez is also the author of Hope for Autism, a #1 international best-selling book in five children’s health categories.
 
 
Website: hopeforautism.com