Autism Blueprint Podcast

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ABP Episode 23 | Autism On The Couch | A Reverse Interview of Janeen Herskovitz | With Guest Interviewer Dr. Patricia Sherman

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Today we’re in Janeen’s house for a reverse interview. We’ll get to know host, Janeen Herskovitz even better and hear about her autism experience from both a personal and professional perspective. Dr. Patricia Sherman leads the interview as part of her Treating Trauma Without Drama telesummit.

In this episode you will discover:

  • Janeen’s autism mom story and how it led her to become a therapist

  • Why getting an autism diagnosis is a traumatic experience for parents

  • How autism trauma affects the marriage and family

  • How Janeen learned to take care of herself and put her own needs first

  • How Janeen uses EMDR therapy in treating clients with autism.

Mentioned on the podcast:

Click here for a video version of the interview.

Join the conversation: Our Autism Blueprint Private Facebook Page 

Dr. Sherman’s Telesummit: Treating Trauma Without Drama

Heart Math 

Info about EMDR Therapy 

Autism Mom/Combat Soldier study 

The Body Keeps The Score, By Bessel Van Der Kolk

Giveaway mentioned on the podcast:

5 Best Practices For Therapists Working with Autism

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Meet today’s Guest Interviewer, Dr. Patricia Sherman, Ph.D, LCSW:

Dr. Patricia Sherman, Ph.D, LCSW

Dr. Patricia Sherman is a trauma treatment speaker, educator, trainer and supervisor. She helps mental health professionals feel more comfortable treating clients who have experienced trauma. She has taught at Kean College in New Jersey, and is a licensed clinical social worker.

 

 

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ABP Episode 20: Motherhood Maze | Creating Balance Without Getting Lost | A Conversation With Kirsten Goffena

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We’re in the garden today, engaging in some self-care and talking about creating balance in your life as a mom. Why the garden, you ask? Because it’s where we relax, unwind, and grow!

Too many moms- especially those raising a child with autism or special needs, put their needs last. This can create an imbalance in your life as well as cause a great deal of pain.  My conversation today is with Kirsten Goffena, a psychotherapist who has learned the lessons of self-care and now teaches it to others.

In this episode you will discover:

  • The importance of self-care.
  • Kirsten’s “autism mom” experience and how it has changed her.
  • How you can take better care of YOU.
  • How to join the supportive online community Kirsten has created.

Mentioned on the podcast:

Join the conversation: Our Autism Blueprint Private Facebook Page 

Join Kirsten’s Lost In Motherhood Community HERE. 

Women In Depth Podcast Interviews:

Interview with Janeen, “Perspectives On Motherhood: The Experience of Autism Moms”

Interview with Kirsten, “Lost In Motherhood”

Giveaway: “Water Your Garden” Self-Care Exercise printable

(Which I totally forgot to mention in the podcast…oops!)

ABP Episode 20: Water Your Garden Self-Care Exercise

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Meet today’s guest, Kirsten Goffena:

Kirsten is a play therapist and healer who specializes in supporting women who feel lost in motherhood.  In her Fort Collins, Colorado practice she and her certified therapy dog Luna, help children and families strengthen their relationships by healing trauma and attachment wounds.  Kirsten is passionate about helping mothers find balance in their lives by reconnecting to themselves and their own playfulness. She has just launched an online community for moms called Lost in Motherhood.

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ABP Episode 19: Wandering Worries | How To Keep Track of Your Kiddo | A Conversation With Krista Teare

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We’re in your child’s bedroom room today talking about keeping your child safe from wandering and elopement. My guest today is Krista Teare, co-founder of the DECCO Toddler Monitor company. We will be chatting about ways to keep your child safe.

In this episode you will discover:

  • What wandering and elopement is and how to prevent it.
  • How one mom-entrepreneur turned a scary experience into a product to help other families.
  • Tips for keeping your child safe at home.

Mentioned on the podcast:

Join the conversation: Our Autism Blueprint Private Facebook Page 

Here is the Mashable video Krista mentions:  https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=mashable%20toddler%20monitor

Wandering tips from the NAA: http://nationalautismassociation.org/wandering-quick-tips/

For more info about the DECCO Toddler Monitor: https://www.toddlermonitor.com/

To pre-order a DECCO monitor:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/decco-the-toddler-monitor-app-bluetooth#/

Meet today’s guest, Krista Teare:

Krista Teare and her business partner, Lisa.

 

Krista and her business partner Lisa, are moms and management consultants, turned entrepreneurs.

When their toddlers moved from cribs to “big boy beds”, they experienced some interesting and frightening situations that warranted a creative solution. 

As they discussed their challenges, they quickly learned two things:

1. Toddlers wandering undetected, especially at night, is a huge problem that causes frustration and stress for many parents.

2. There are no products in the market that reliably solve this problem, causing parents to worry or take drastic measures such as locking their child into their room to keep them safe.

They decided to solve this problem so that parents can have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that their toddlers, and children with special needs are in bed, safe and sound. And so, a new category of child safety products was born.

About the DECCO Monitor:

DECCO, up close, and in use.

Toddler Monitor (www.toddlermonitor.com) is the first of its kind, a Bluetooth-enabled motion sensor that hangs on the doorknob to your child’s room. When it senses the door open, it sends an alert to a smartphone app. Simple as that, you know your kid’s on the move!

 

Model, Jordan Grace.

Partnership with Changingthefaceofbeauty.org

 

Giveaway: Preventing Wandering Guide

ABP Episode 19:Preventing Wandering Guide

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ABP Episode 17 | Good Grief Part 2 | How To Handle The Grief That Accompanies Autism

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We’re continuing our discussion ‘on the couch’ today talking about grief. This is part two of a conversation that started in episode 16.  In this episode we’ll go into detail about the five stages of grief as they relate to raising a child with autism, as well as some tips to get you through each stage.

In this episode you will discover:

  • How each stage of grief has it’s own unique attributes.
  • Tips on how to get through each stage of grief.
  • How to identify the stage of grief you may be in.

Mentioned on the podcast:

Join the conversation: Our Autism Blueprint Private Facebook Page 

Click here for the previous episode, where I introduce the concept of grief in autism parenting.

Giveaway: Autism Stages of Grief Guide

ABP Episode 17: Stages of Grief Guide

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ABP Episode 16 | Good Grief | How To Handle The Grief That Accompanies Autism

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We’re ‘on the couch’ today talking about grief. I’ll be covering the topic of grief and autism during the next two episodes. In this episode we’ll address the importance of being aware of the grieving process in the autism family.

In this episode you will discover:

  • The five stages of grief.
  • Why it’s important to understand when you’re grieving.
  • Janeen’s own grief triggers and what she does about it.
  • Tune in next week when we take a more in-depth look at each of the stages.

Mentioned on the podcast:

Join the conversation: Our Autism Blueprint Private Facebook Page 

Treating Trauma Without Drama Telesummit

5 Stages of Grief

Giveaway:

Link to Janeen’s Goodtherapy.org article:

Processing Grief Over a Loved One’s Autism Diagnosis

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ABP Episode 015 | Summer Survival | Tips For Getting Through The Summer With Your ASD Kiddos

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We’re in the backyard today talking about how to survive the summer! Summer is a tough time for any parent but for the autism parent it’s a huge challenge. In this episode we’ll address the struggle and some helpful suggestions.

In this episode you will discover:

  • Why summer is such a difficult time for ASD parents and ways to cope.
  • Advice from other moms about what to do to keep your kids busy and your sanity intact.
  • A giveaway that could save your child’s life.

Mentioned on the podcast:

Camp I Am Special 

Join the conversation and tell us what you’re doing this summer:

Our Autism Blueprint Private Facebook Page 

Giveaway: I’m It Safety Tag

ABP Episode 15: I'm It Safety Tag

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ABP Episode 14: Perfectly Imperfect | Why There’s No Place For Perfectionism In Autism

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We’re ‘on the couch’ today, talking about perfectionism and why it has no place in autism…or in your life.

In this episode you will discover:

  • How host, Janeen Herskovitz, overcame her own struggle with perfectionism.
  • Learn how authenticity is the antidote to perfectionism.
  • An exercise that will help you get more in touch with yourself.

Mentioned on the podcast:

Book: I Hope I Screw This Up , By Kyle Cease

Our Autism Blueprint Private Facebook Page 

 

Giveaway: Thoughts Exercise Worksheet

ABP Episode 14: Thoughts Exercise Worksheet

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ABP Episode 13 | Bedroom Benefits | How To Make Your Child’s Bedroom More Therapeutic | A Conversation With Starlight Project’s Cherie Sussman

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Summary

We’re in the bedroom today, chatting with Cherie Sussman. Cherie and her husband, Craig started the Starlight Project in 2011, and have been providing bedroom makeovers for children with special needs ever since. In today’s conversation we’ll be discussing how your child’s room can be, not only a place to sleep, but a therapeutic, safe space as well.

In this episode you will discover:

  • How The Starlight Project got started, and what Cherie has gained from her experience.
  • Changes you can make to your child’s bedroom to reduce anxiety and help their ability to self-soothe.
  • How you can apply for a bedroom makeover for your child.

Mentioned on the podcast:

The Starlight Project Website

Ben’s Room Makeover: See pics here

Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville

 

Giveaway: ASD Bedroom Tips

ABP Episode 13: ASD Bedroom Tips Sheet

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Meet Cherie Sussman, Founder of the Starlight Project

Cherie and Craig Sussman, Founders of The Starlight Project

Cherie Sussman is a 34 year-old mama of three, living in St. Augustine, Florida with her amazing husband, Craig. They founded The StarLight Project in 2011, a non-profit organization parented with the Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville, that creates dream rooms for children with special needs. Over the past 5 years they have reached out and supported over 200 children in Jacksonville and St. Augustine. Cherie is honored to have the opportunity to share their passion with all of you. In addition to creating dream bedrooms, the Sussmans love spending time outdoors biking, hiking and swimming.

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ABP Episode 12 | Autism Reframe | Viewing Autism From A Trauma Perspective | A Conversation With Robert Cox

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photo: Jessica Ruscello via Unsplash

Summary

What if the behaviors we see in autism had a reason and purpose other than just being “a part of autism we need to get rid of?” What happens when we treat autism as a trauma, and make our number one priority helping them feel safe?

We’re in the therapy room today with therapist, author and podcaster, Robert Cox. In today’s conversation we’ll be re-framing our view of autism and autism treatments, based in a trauma perspective.

In this episode you will discover:

  • How your child’s “behaviors” may stem from trauma or extreme anxiety.
  • What our kids really need in order to improve their social skills (HINT: It’s NOT more social skills training.)
  • What happens when we re-frame the autism experience through the lense of trauma.

Mentioned on the podcast:

Movie: Autism In Love (on Netflix)

You can find Robert’s autism work by going to http://www.autismtraumatreatment.org

Listening to autism podcast iTunes link is: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/listening-to-autism-podcast/id1200311413?mt=2

Robert’s Book :The Life Recovery Method: AutismTreatment From A Trauma Perspective:

The first 50 to sign up on the book page will receive half off when it is published this spring  http://liferecoveryconsulting.com/autism-2/

Giveaway:

MP3 Mindfulness Exercise,  compliments of  Robert. 

 

Meet Our Guest: Robert Cox, MA, NCC

Robert has been working in the field with autism in one capacity or another for over 20 years.  During his research on trauma in his master’s program he noticed similarities in the responses of trauma patients and those of the autism clients he had worked with.  It led Robert to devise a new method of seeing and treating autism from a trauma perspective which has had remarkable results.  You can read about some of it in his new book, “The Life Recovery Method: AutismTreatment From A Trauma Perspective” which shows how autism acts as a trauma-inducing event in the lives of individuals and what to do to improve treatment results. 

In addition, Robert has a podcast “Listening To Autism” along with a support group on Facebook of the same name where individuals, parents and professionals can find mutual support and answers.

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ABP Episode 11 | The Trauma Tightrope | When Autism And A Parent’s Past Collide

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Summary

We’re in the family room today with author and trauma advocate, Heather Tuba. In today’s conversation we’ll be talking about the difficult balance between autism and a parent’s traumatic past.

In this episode you will discover:

  • What Heather learned after her husband’s traumatic past and autism collided.
  • How to handle your own “stuff” when it comes to the surface.
  • How to balance life when you have more issues than just autism in your household.

Mentioned on the podcast:

Get Heather’s FREE e-book and read her blog: HeatherTuba.com 

Giveaway: 8 Survival Tips When Autism And A Parent’s Traumatic Past Collide

ABP Episode 11: 8 Survival Tips when Autism And A Parent's Traumatic Past Collide

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Meet Our Guest: Heather Tuba

Heather Tuba, B.A. is an author and advocate for the partners and families of childhood abuse survivors. Her husband, Derek is a survivor of childhood trauma. They are parents to three daughters. Their 21-year old daughter was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (formerly Asperger’s Syndrome) in 2005.

Although Heather primarily writes about the impact of childhood trauma, her vision is for the creation of holistic, comprehensive support systems that address the needs of all family members – no matter the issue.  It is her hope that her family’s story will draw attention to the need for support for all members. She recently finished a short ebook called For the Partners of Childhood Abuse Survivors, which is being used by the Blue Knot Foundation (Australia) as a resource for their counselors. Her blog post “Anna O: A Role Model in the Time of Trump” is also used in professional trainings held by CIS’ters United Kingdom (a non-profit providing support and professional trainings about childhood sexual abuse). She has appeared as a guest on other childhood trauma websites, videos, and podcasts.

Heather has over 15 years’ experience as a support worker in the field of mental health. She has studied psychology and counseling. She is working towards certification as a Trauma Integrated Practitioner with the Attachment & Trauma Treatment Centre for Healing in St. Catharine’s, Ontario.

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