Behind the Breakthroughs

Latest Episodes:

Burnout Sep 03, 2019

Show notes

In this episode Dr. Annette Nunez and Maylene Johnson discuss how parent burnout is real and they give permission to parents to feel the burnout! Parenting is a 24/7 job and if you don't allow yourself a self-care break, burnout is inevitable. Annette and Maylene talk about the importance of accepting burnout and recognizing what the beginning stages of burnout feel and look like within you. Do you become irritable with your kids? Do you want to sleep all day? By recognizing your stages of burnout you can make some changes and take some time for yourself in order to deescalate and avoid being impatient with your kids. Remember parenting is not perfection, you are human and that in it self makes you the best parent.

MINDSHIFT (takeaways)

Evaluate your day figure out when you are at your best (i.e. have the most energy) and schedule errands and activities based on that time.
Remember the simple fact that you are human and not a robot, and that being human doesn't mean perfection

Autistic Interpretations Aug 27, 2019

Show notes

In this episode Dr. Annette Nunez and Maylene Johnson chat with Val and Jess Brooks the mother and daughter duo of the famous blog entitled, "Autistic Interpretations." What started off as an interview with Val and Jess, quickly turned into Jess interviewing Annette and May. Find out their likes and dislikes and who is a "Good One" and "Bad One." Stay tuned... because Jess will be a featured guest having her own monthly episode entitled, "Convos with Jess."

MINDSHIFT (takeaway)

"Everybody be a good one!"

Autism Nutritionist Aug 20, 2019

Show notes

In this episode Dr. Annette Nunez and Maylene Johnson chat with Jenny Friedman from Jenny Friedman Nutrition, aka "The Autism Nutritionist." She talks about the causes of picking eaters and shares helpful tips and strategies on how to expose children to different variations of food in fun and playful ways. Jenny reminds us that mealtime shouldn't be overwhelming and stressful and by taking the focus away from eating food and turning it towards playing, talking, and learning about food creates confident eaters. Check out her IG:

@autism.nutritionist for colorful visuals and great ideas of how to introduce new food to your child in fun, playful, and creative ways.

IN THIS EPISODE:

MINDSHIFT (takeaways)

The number one thing to remember is that you won't get anywhere if everyone is stressed. Take a step backwards and bring the fun back to eating.
Create a fun "hands on" exposure to food outside of meals. Get creative and take the pressure off of eating and put it more into the learning and enjoying food. That will take you really far!

Kulture City Aug 13, 2019

Show notes

In this episode Dr. Annette Nunez and Maylene Johnson chat with Michele Kong, M.D., an empowering Autism Mom and Co-founder of KultureCity. Michele shares her journey of how her son's autism, "the invisible disability," left her family feeling socially isolated. Through her journey she connected with other families who shared similar experiences with social isolation. This led her to ask the question of, " How do we change it?" Change happens by changing the culture and that is how KultureCity was created. Acceptance and inclusion are key factors for integrating not only the individual, but also the family into society and the community. KultureCity is a movement and only when everyone buys into it, there is a culture shift and change for true acceptance and inclusion regardless of the each individual's challenges. The core of KultureCity is to make the never possible. Listen to this episode to find out more about KultureCity and to find a site near you.

IN THIS EPISODE:

MINDSHIFT (takeaways)

For parents, know that you are never alone, especially in those long silent hours and long nights. It may feel like you are alone, but know that there is someone always there for you.
Never give up! The love and drive you have for your child will be enough to keep you going.
You are going to get told, "no " many times. Know that it is possible to overcome the "no's" and "nevers." It requires hope and love.
As a community we need to pick up the responsibility and burden and together with these families meet them where they are. By working together it is possible to make it a reality where there is inclusion for everyone regardless of what the challenges are.

Empower Aug 06, 2019

Show notes

It is the start of Season 3 and in this episode Dr. Annette Nunez and Maylene Johnson chat about Empowerment, the theme of the season. The next 25 episodes will focus on empowering parents to be their best selves, individuals with autism to let their voices be heard, and professionals to make an impact in the lives of others. They will reveal what empowers them and talk about the 8 ways for individuals to feel empowered. By empowering yourself you can help foster empowerment among those around you.

IN THIS EPISODE:

MINDSHIFT (takeaways)

Ask yourself... What does empowerment mean to you? How can you become more empowered?
Get to know yourself and find ways to be empowered and inspired, so that your world is empowering and inspiring.
Trust your instinct!!! YOU are your most empowering tool.

Grateful for 50 Jun 25, 2019

Show notes

It is Behind the Breakthroughs 50thepisode and it is time to celebration!!! In this Episode Dr. Annette Nunez and Maylene Johnson talk about their great podcast season of 25 episodes and highlight each one. They express their gratitude of being able to connect with and to share the stories of such amazing people. Listen to this episode and get a recap and highlight of Season 2 and if you missed an episode so you can go back and listen to all the inspiring journeys that were shared.

IN THIS EPISODE:

MINDSHIFT (takeaways)

1. Listen to the podcast and reach out to us! If you have a story we would love to connect! This is your platform!

2. Find us, Search Behind the Breakthroughs and Comment, subscibe, review, we are on all major platforms: iTunes, Spotify, iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Google Podcasts.

3. Listen, and share these stories its all about building a tribe and community because you are not alone. We started this podcast to relate to others so you don't feel alone!

Autism and Red Lipstick Jun 18, 2019

Show notes

In this episode Dr. Annette Nunez and Maylene Johnson chat with a mother who describes her journey of raising her extraordinary son diagnosed with autism. She talks about both the highs and lows of her autism journey and how it led her to start writing her blog entitled, Autism and Red Lipstick. She created this blog as a way to connect with other mothers on their journeys. Her blog is honest and real and can be dark at times but her pictures are vibrant and colorful and sends a message of hope to help inspire families.

Meet Andrea Andrade mother, blogger, advocate, and lover of red lipstick. Andrea shares how she has lived and breathed autism for the past 17 years in order to help get her son to graduate highschool with his "typical" peers. As an escape from the the difficult moments she would go to Sephora with her daughter everyweek and try on different lipsticks. For Andrea it was time for her to take a deep breathe and know that everything would be ok. This form of self-care inspired her to write a blog to encourage other mothers to find their form of self-care. Her message to all autism mothers is whatever life throws at you show up and put on your best face. Make them wonder...

IN THIS EPISODE:

MINDSHIFT (takeaways)

Hold on... life gets better. Throughout all your obstacles and struggles it is important to take care of yourself.
Work on yourself by finding something you can do everyday to make yourself feel better.
In the end we will not be of service to our child if we do not take care of ourselves. You do a disservice to your child when you do not open up your world and find joy.
Keep trying, searching and finding ways to be better, there's so much hope in the progress of everyday.
The joy of baby steps are so much greater than any other joy, so live in that moment as much as you can.

Autism Renaissance Jun 12, 2019

Show notes

In this episode we chat with the co-host of Sounds Like Autism, Dave Thompson, aka "The Dude Without Autism." He is changing people's view on autism by encouraging them to look beyond the label and to see individuals with autism as an incredible talent who can surpass what the average individual can do.

Meet Dave Thompson, educator, podcaster, and just all around an awesome dude! He chats with Dr. Nunez and Maylene about podcasting, and all the great work that he is doing in the community in which he mentors and provides employment opportunities for adults with autism. One of the workplaces Dave mentors at is Spectrum Design Foundation, an apparel business that does screen printing, design, embroidery, and digital printing. The company has had huge success employing individuals in autism and now makes shirts for Google, Facebook, and Uber... just to name a few. Through is podcast and providing vocational training and employment opportunities, Dave is opening the doors for autistic individuals and is truly an Autism Renaissance Man!

IN THIS EPISODE:

MINDSHIFT (takeaways)

If you want to see something in the world or your area change join the movement. Especially the movement towards inclusion and employment! It is the time of the Autism Renaissance.
Speak your truth. Things may not turn the way you expected but that's the journey.

Annette's Vignette VIII Jun 04, 2019

Show notes

This is the eighth vignette that Dr. Annette Nunez shares. In this vignette she talks about summer break and the importance of structure and predictability.

In this episode Dr. Nunez and Maylene chat about how summer can produce anxiety in both children and their parents. They share tips on how to reduce summertime anxiety by going "Back to Basics." This simply means to provide daily structure for your child by using visual schedules, calendars, or making social stories. These techniques not only provide predictability for your child, but it also sets the expectations of what is to be expected of both you. Summer doesn't have to be daunting, as a parent it is important remember to be present with your child and to enjoy one another. Summer is a time to explore and have FUN!!!!

IN THIS EPISODE:

MINDSHIFT (takeaways)

The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.
Go "Back to Basics" and provide structure for your kids during the summer months.

Happily Distracted May 28, 2019

Show notes

In this episode we chat with a mother who describes her journey of juggling school, being a wife, mother, but most importantly sharing her life with others on social media in hopes of connecting with and inspiring other autism parents. She explains that life on the spectrum can often times be lonely and if she can help one person not feel alone by sharing her experiences, then she has done her part.

Meet Shannon Biancamano, the Mother behind the Instagram entitled, "Life With a Side of Spectrum." Through her IG posts and stories she connects with other parents by showing both the highs and lows of life and parenting a child with autism. Shannon's wit, deep insight, and vulnerability, has led her to capture an audience from around the world. With each new post she is teaching parents to not be ashamed of the diagnosis, but rather to embrace autism. This episode will leave you feeling inspired and not alone!

MINDSHIFT (takeaways)

We are not always promised tomorrow.
Love others and see them for their best selves, in their worse moments.
Look at people with empathy and sit and join them in their pain and joyful times. Embrace every moment you can with people and be willing to be open to learning new things.
Just because we don't understand something doesn't mean we can't be taught how to understand it. In doing so, we can connect better and learn from one another.
Pay attention to children because they are our ultimate teachers.

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