Episodes Archive - Page 15 of 16

Episode #13: Stimming Behavior in Autistic Children and Adults

April has been Autism Acceptance Month, and we continue our focus on autism-related topics by having an open discussion on stimming. Stimming is a word that stands for self-stimulation and is a behavior that is commonly associated with autism.
In this episode, Justin Houcek from ASDwithME.com joins us again as we discuss the topic of stim behaviors and if they can be good or bad. Our focus this episode is to help parents of young children recognize the value stimming may give to their children and to know when they may need to step in and help redirect the behavior. As an autistic adult, Justin once again helps us break down the topic and understand it better.
Contributions for this discussion were made by several Reddit members, and we’d like to thank DraconWolf2, littlemiddlemissy, lilisophieraris, and Maddybear167 for their comments about what stimming is for them. We’d like to thank Reddit user Abrab736 for providing the short video segment on his experience with stimming and his suggestions for parents of young children. We’d also like to thank Dr. Wegner, the author of the Brody the Lion books for young children, for allowing us to use one of her Instagram posts @Brody.The.Lion to help explain what stimming can look like, and we look forward to having her on the podcast in a couple of weeks to share more with us!

Episode #12: Support for Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and other Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

Are you a parent of a child with autism or another intellectual or developmental disability? Do you know what resources are in your community and available to help support your child?

In today’s episode, Tonya is speaking with Jennifer Pfaltzgraff, the executive director of the Arc of the Triangle in Raleigh, NC about the types of services they offer individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Jennifer’s son has cerebral palsy, and she talks about some of her experiences as a parent of a child with cerebral palsy and how that led her to become involved with her local Arc chapter.

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Music Used: “LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode #11: Helping parents understand their child with autism.

In this episode of the Water Prairie Chronicles, Justin Houcek talks with Tonya about how autism has impacted his life and how he mentors others who have autism through his business, ASD With Me. Justin shares some good points on autism for parents, and how he’s advocating for individuals with invisible disabilities when he works with First Responders.
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Music Used: “LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode #10: The IEP Parent Academy & How to Start Advocating for Your Child

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the IEP process?

In today’s episode, Nicole Schlechter talks with Tonya about parenting a child with a disability and how to start advocating for your child at school. Nicole is the owner of the IEP Parent Academy and has some tips for parents as they begin to navigate the IEP process as well as for those seasoned parents who need some pointers on how to advocate more effectively at school. She also answered some of our listeners’ specific questions about advocating for their child.

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Music Used: “LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode #9: Parenting Visually Impaired Children & The Role of an O&M Specialist

What is an orientation and mobility specialist, and what do they do?

How do you advocate for your visually impaired child?

Tonya learns the answers to these questions during her interview with Traci Wilkerson, a parent of two children who have a visual impairment. After becoming a mom to her children, Trace went back to school to expand her knowledge of how to help her children and started a new career as an orientation and mobility specialist.

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Music Used: “LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode #8: Wake Up and Play Ball!

Show Notes:

Can a teenager with narcolepsy play NCAA sports?

In this episode, Tonya finishes her interview with Christopher as he talks about how he manages his study and training schedule at college. He also shares how he overcame a major setback during high school before joining a Division II NCAA baseball team and what role narcolepsy plays in his daily schedule.

Be sure to listen to more of Christopher’s story in episodes 4 & 5:

Episode #4: Special Needs Siblings
Episode #5: Misunderstood Invisible Disabilities

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Music Used: “LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode #7: Sensory Friendly Play at Marbles Kids Museum Raleigh, NC

Do you have a sensory sensitive child and feel like visiting a kids’ museum is too much stimulus for them? Join us on a visit to Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh, NC to see what they’re offering to families who want a sensory friendly play option. Tonya discusses the museum’s accessible features for children with different types of disabilities and the special offerings offered to families who desire a quieter play time for their children with special needs.

In today’s episode, Hardin Engelhardt, the Vice President of Engagement at Marbles Kids’ Museum, talks with Tonya during a special Sensory Friendly Play event held at the museum.

Connect with Marbles Kids Museum:

Marbles Kids Museum websiteMarbles Kids Museum on YouTubeMarbles Instagram: @marblesraleigh

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Music Used: “LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode #6: The Creator of the Dancing Eyes Podcast

Show Notes:

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to have your eyes dancing all the time?

In this episode of the Water Prairie Chronicles podcast, Tonya talks with Frankie Caputo, the creator of the Dancing Eyes Podcast, about growing up with congenital nystagmus. Frankie helps answer the question, what is nystagmus by sharing what his childhood was like, how he was treated by other students, and if he has needed to make modifications in how he does everyday activities. He also shares how he created his podcast and is meeting people all around the world who live with nystagmus.

Be sure to check out his podcast at https://www.youtube.com/dancingeyespodcast!

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Music Used:

“LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode #5: Misunderstood Invisible Disabilities

In this episode, Tonya continues her conversation from Episode #4 with our son, Christopher. He tells about being misunderstood by teachers and others because of the invisible disabilities he lives with.

If you have a child who is misunderstood, you’ll enjoy hearing Christopher speak about his experiences and how he was eventually diagnosed with dysgraphia, ADHD, and narcolepsy. He shares tips for parents and kids and the accommodations he’s used to help him succeed in school.

Christopher’s story isn’t over yet. In Episode #8, we’ll post the rest of his story about playing baseball in college and how he went through a difficult injury that almost put an end to his dreams of playing baseball. Make sure you subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss it!

Episode #4: Special Needs Siblings

In this episode, Tonya talks with our son, Christopher, about growing up with a sibling who has special needs. Christopher shares how his understanding of his sister’s disability has changed since he was young, and he talks about their relationship today as young adults. Next week, Christopher will continue his conversation with Tonya and share some of the challenges he has had personally and how they have impacted his desire to play baseball in college.

Next week, in Episode #5, Christopher will continue his conversation with Tonya and share some of the challenges he has had personally and how they have impacted his desire to play baseball in college.

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Music Used:

“Your Intro” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/