Alita Truch is the Executive Vice President of Operations for The Reading Foundation clinics. The Reading Foundation is a specialized literacy center that has been working with neurodiverse and neurotypical children, teens and adults for 35 years. Alita oversees daily operations while fostering a positive organizational culture. Since joining in 1999, Alita has collaborated closely with clinical teams and families to create and sustain a warm, supportive learning environment. She is committed to building strong relationships within the community and with industry professionals, while using her extensive clinical background to support student success.

#neurodiversity #neurodivergent #autism #disabilities #podcast #podcasts #reading #math #learning #confidence #ADHD #processing #comprehension

www.autismresourceproject.org/podcast

Tamala Takahashi is currently the Mayor in Burbank, California. Tamala is the first openly AuDHD mayor in the country, and the first openly female autistic city councilmember. Tamala is an associate MFT and PCC in the state of California, and specializes in working with neurodivergent adults, relationship trauma, and high conflict in couples.

#neurodiversity #neurodivergent #autism #disabilities #podcast #podcasts #diagnosis #pathology #ASD #ADHD #AuDHD #latediagnosis #relationships #trauma #couples www.autismresourceproject.org/podcast

Mandy Casteel-Denney is the founder of Blue Tulip Inclusive Education and a parenting coach who helps neurodivergent families reconnect with calm, confidence, and joy through nature. With a background in environmental education and a lifetime of love for the outdoors, Mandy blends science, lived experience, and play to support emotional regulation, social connection, and authentic self-expression. As a neurodivergent parent raising neurodivergent children, she understands firsthand how powerful the natural world can be as a place to reset, unmask, and belong. Through family coaching, youth programs, and speaking, Mandy helps families step outside—and discover new ways to thrive together.

#neurodiversity #neurodivergent #autism #disabilities #podcast #podcasts #nature #authenticself #selfregulation #masking #unmasking #emotionalregulation #socialconnection #play #selfexpression

www.autismresourceproject.org/podcast

Founder of Blue Glasses Advocacy and mother of a 21-year-old with global developmental delays who proudly wears blue glasses, Vicki Christensen empowers parents with the knowledge and tools to navigate disability rights and is passionate about advocating for families through the Individualized Education Program, or IEP, process.Vicki supports parents and guardians of students in special education by providing effective advocacy strategies to foster positive, collaborative relationships at school. Her work, both in advocacy and in parenting, combines expertise, empathy, and firsthand insight, making her uniquely qualified to guide and inspire families navigating the challenges and triumphs of raising a neurodivergent child.

#neurodiversity #neurodivergent #autism #disabilities #podcast #podcasts #IEP #IndividualizedEducationProgram #advocacy #disabilityrights #specialeducation

www.autismresourceproject.org/podcast

Dr. Theresa Lyons is the founder and CEO of Navigating AWEtism, a groundbreaking platform dedicated to turning autism complexity into clarity. With a Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry from Yale University and a deep personal connection as a parent to a daughter with autism, she combines rigorous science with real-world experience to empower families navigating autism.

#neurodiversity #neurodivergent #autism #disabilities #podcast #podcasts #resilience #author #stressmanagement #resources #advocacy #autismresearch #caregiving

www.autismresourceproject.org/podcast

Jim Festante is a former executive turned digital safety architect. For over 20 years, he built content for media corporations, social media companies, and video game studios, mastering the engagement loops and attention mechanics that keep audiences hooked. Now, he uses that insider knowledge to help families break the spell. As the Executive Director of Health-e-Habits, Jim moves beyond generic “screen time” advice to provide tactical digital defense strategies. He pulls back the curtain on the Black Box of technology, teaching parents, students, and educators how to distinguish between creative tools and predatory design, and how to navigate the social minefield of algorithmic feeds.

#neurodiversity #neurodivergent #autism #disabilities #podcast #podcasts #techsafety #technologyaddiction #digitalsafety #medialiteracy #digitalwellness

www.autismresourceproject.org/podcast

Dr. Alissa Ellis is a clinical neuropsychologist, researcher, and the founder and director of Ellis Effect Psychological Group, a practice dedicated to evidence-based assessment and treatment for children, adolescents, and adults experiencing mood, anxiety, and attention difficulties. As the creator of the thinkSMART® program, she developed the first transdiagnostic group intervention for teens and their parents specifically designed to strengthen executive functioning skills. This innovative, research-based program helps families build practical strategies for organization, time management, planning, and goal setting—skills that support academic success and emotional well-being across diagnoses. A true scientist-practitioner, she bridges cutting-edge research and clinical innovation to create groundbreaking interventions that empower youth and families toward lasting change.

#neurodiversity #neurodivergent #autism #disabilities #podcast #podcasts #executivefunction #communication #routines #education #attentiondisorders #anxiety #organization #timemanagement #goalsetting

www.autismresourceproject.org/podcast

Lois Brady is a speech-language pathologist, assistive technology specialist, and Certified Autism Specialist with over 25 years of experience. Her accomplishments include winning three Autism Hackathons, the Benjamin Franklin Award for Apps for Autism, and an Ursula Award. She co-authored Apps for Autism and Speech in Action, authored professional courses on technology and animal-assisted therapy, and presents internationally on autism and technology. Lois develops multi-sensory products to enhance communication and quality of life for individuals with autism.

#neurodiversity #neurodivergent #autism #disabilities #podcast #podcasts #speechsupport #speechtherapy #earlyintervention #diagnosis

www.autismresourceproject.org/podcast