Joyriding In Autismland: Autism Podcast with Kid Gigawatt

Latest Episodes:

36 Jessica Kupferman | On ADHD, autism, and comb-overs. Jun 13, 2014

Show notes

Hold onto your comb-overs, people! Today we're chatting with entrepreneur, business coach, and fellow podcaster Jessica Kupferman. Jessica has a teenaged son with high functioning autism, and she is VERY funny.

Jessica talks about having ADHD, Nate's late autism diagnosis, and what it's changed for them.

Here are Jessica's deets:

Website: Lady Business

Podcast: Lady Business Radio

Facebook: Lady Business Central

Twitter: Jessica Kupferman

Kelley

PS Click here to listen, subscribe, rate, and review us on iTunes: Joyriding in Autismland

35 Jen Turrell | On ABA, staffing up, and first plane rides Jun 06, 2014

Show notes

Jen Turrell is mom to two daughters on the spectrum, and is the author of the new book Help! My Child Has Autism: A Parent's Guide to Start, Fund, and Maintain an Evidence Based Intervention.

We chat about ABA, staffing up, and first plane rides.

The particulars:

Autism Website: Able Interventions

Book: Help! My Child Has Autism

Personal Website: Jen and Stew

Kelley

PS Click here to listen, subscribe, rate, and review us on iTunes: Joyriding in Autismland

34 Officer Matt Brown | On why registering our kids saves lives, and on summertime safety on the spectrum May 30, 2014

Show notes

Hey guys! So summer is coming, even though you wouldn't really be feeling it yet if you are up in Maine with us, and I wanted to do an episode about safety issues and autism. This is super important because statistically, most accidents involving people on the spectrum happen in the warmer months. I'm excited to be speaking today with Federal Law Enforcement Officer, autism parent, and autism first responder trainer Matt Brown.

We talk about why it is sooooo important to register kids with autism with the local and state police departments. <--Hint: it literally saves lives.

Check out Officer Brown's website at http://www.aset911.com, and print out the registration form here: http://aset911.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/autism-registration-form-shortened.pdf

You can find our show notes at http://www.joyridinginautismland.com/34

Kelley

PS Click here to listen, subscribe, rate, and review us on iTunes: Joyriding in Autismland

33 Kid Gigawatt | On 3 things that made us better autism parents, plus 5 coping tools for bumpy days May 24, 2014

Show notes

Thrilled to be joined by my husband to discuss three things we feel have made us better autism parents people. I hope listening to these will get you thinking about how your past experiences relate to the spectrum.

Don't skip the last bit, where I list out our five favorite coping tools (spoiler alert: one of these may involve Jon Stewart, but I can neither confirm nor deny.) <--it's true!

Here is the link-o-rama mentioned on the episode:

Kid Gigawatt website: http://www.kidgigawatt.com

Kid Gigawatt blog, called Thread & Wing: Navigating Autismland: http://kidgigawatt.com/blogs/news

Kid Gigawatt movie teaser: http://www.bitly.com/kgfilm

And... why are we doing this? http://kidgigawatt.com/blogs/news/10835741-romans-holiday

DSM 5: http://www.dsm5.org/Pages/Default.aspx <--you can also use this as a fast-acting sleeping aid

My Autism Team: http://www.myautismteam.com

Jon Stewart: http://thedailyshow.cc.com

Email me at kelley@kidgigawatt.com with any suggestions, comments or additions to my lists- I already like you for being here! :)

Kelley

PS Click here to listen, subscribe, rate, and review us on iTunes: Joyriding in Autismland

32 Patty Pacelli | On preparing younger kiddos for the workforce, what makes some people with autism fantastic hires, some of the best and worst jobs for people with autism, and about helpful work accommodations. May 16, 2014

Show notes

Today I'm excited to speak to author Patty Pacelli, whose young adult son has autism. She advocates for people on the spectrum to achieve their career dreams and contribute their exceptional talents to the workforce, and has just written a book entitled Six Word Lessons for Autism Friendly Workplaces.

We chat about preparing younger kiddos for the workforce, what makes some people with autism fantastic hires, some of the best and worst jobs for people with autism, and about helpful work accommodations.

In case you're thinking about picking up the book here's a chapter summary1. The Need for Autism Friendly Workplaces2. Career Preparation for Parents and Children3. How to Find the Best Jobs4. ADA Laws and Rules for Work5. Best Interview Practices for the Employer6. Interview Tips for People with Autism7. Reasonable Accommodations for Employers to Offer8. Accommodations that can Help Autistic Employees9. Benefits of Hiring People with Autism10. Be Aware of Unique Autistic Traits11. Social Expectations for Workers with Autism

And here are Patty's deets:

Website: http://www.growingupautistic.comBook: http://www.growingupautistic.com/six-word-lessons-for-autism-friendly-workplaces.htmlFast Company article: http://www.fastcompany.com/3028536/leadership-now/how-to-build-an-autism-friendly-workplaceEntrepreneur article: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/233281

Kelley

31 Kyle Crawford | On his new autism book, customized education, inclusion, laughing, and magical moments. (<--dolphins included!) May 09, 2014

Show notes

Kyle's work in autism spans direct services, research, and administration. He worked one-on-one with adults on the spectrum in Santa Barbara, CA, focusing on improvements in quality of life, employment, health, and social networks. For two years, while pursuing his Master's of Social Work, he worked for a multi-million dollar state and federally funded psychosocial intervention research project at the University of Pittsburgh for adults with autism that aims to be a new standard in adult autism services. And he's author to the recent book, Connect: Findings for a New Era of Autism.Here are all the deets on Kyle:

Website: http://www.autismstat.org
Book: https://gumroad.com/l/connect/beta
New Venture: http://spot.launchrock.com
Twitter: @autismstat

Kelley

PS Click here to listen, subscribe, rate, and review us on iTunes: Joyriding in Autismland

30 Kelley Fitch | On episodes 1-29 - a quick guide May 03, 2014

Show notes

Today's episode is a bit different, because I won't be doing any interviewing - I'm flying solo. It's been a rough week for us all, because my father-in-law died on Monday afternoon, and he was just a great guy. A coach, a teacher, a veteran, a lifelong athlete, and a kind and gentle man.

I'm feeling nostalgic, so I wanted to give a look back and give you guys a quick guide to our previous episodes to help you find a good one you might have missed.

The episodes from the parent perspective are:

Numbers 4 & 5 with Keri Bowers, fillmaker and art therapist on raising a son on the spectrum Number 7 with Dan Korins on his son, who has an amazing voice Number 8 with Rupert Isaacson, NYT best-selling author and filmmaker of "The Horse Boy" Number 12 with my husband Jeff Waites, on raising the Romanator Number 14 with Wayne Gilpin, author, and autism book and magazine publisher Number 18 with Kara Wilson, on raising a daughter with Asperger's Number 21 with Margret Ericsdottir, filmmaker and mom of a nonverbal teenaged boy Number 28 with Cynthia Lord, NYT best-selling children's author, and mom to a young adult son with autism Number 29 with Julie Cole, entrepreneur and mother of 6 kids, the oldest of whom has autism

Writing from the first-hand perspective of autism

Episode 2 with Temple Grandin, autism rock star Episodes 9 & 10 with Jennifer McIlwee Myers, Aspie and author Episode 23 with Tom Angleberger, Aspie, NYT best-selling author of a series of kids books with Aspie main characters

The sibling perspective is highlighted with my own kids in episode 6

Authors- we have a bunch in the parent category (Rupert Isaacson, Wayne Gilpin, Cynthia Lord), but also:

Episode 3 with James Ball, chair of the national Autism Society and autism behavioral consultant Episode 20 with scholar, NYT best-selling author and speaker Andrew Solomon

And then there are therapists and therapies on

Episode 13 with Alisa Anderson on adaptive ski Episode 16 with Sarah Bronson on therapeutic horseback riding Episode 17 with Jill Schacht on occupational therapy Episode 19 with Elizabeth Mortati on art therapy Episode 25 with Rachel See on music therapy

School & Home focused:

We talk in-home support in number 11 with Lauren O'Neil We talk school inclusion in episode 24 with Tim Villegas

Episode 22 with Eric Tivers is about how ADHD tends to co-occur with autism

And then there are two episodes not specifically related to autism, but to being different:

Episode 1 with NYT best-selling author, wine expert and social media guru Gary Vaynerchuk Episode 27 with NYT best-selling author, magazine publisher, super nice guy, and business consultant Chris Brogan

And the last episodes I haven't mentioned are about Kid Gigawatt (that's us!)

Number 15 is about why we sell t-shirts to microfund therapies for kiddos with autism Number 26 is about the road trip documentary movie we're making this summer

And today is episode 30, so there you have it! And after 4 planes and a funeral, what I'd really love more than anything, is to hear from you. Please email me your funny stories from Autismland, I'd love to put together an episode together just with some of the bright spots. So when we're feeling a bit blue, we can have a good laugh. Email me at kelley@kidgigawatt.com- I'm counting on you! :)

Kelley

PS Here's a link to the blog post I mentioned on the podcast, Remembering Opa.

29 Julie Cole | On labels, raising 6 kids, and running a successful business Apr 25, 2014

Show notes

Today, I'm so excited to speak to Mabel's Labels founder, blogger, and mama to many, Julie Cole. Julie's business has been featured on the Huffington Post, The View, InStyle Magazine, Forbes, and many others, and her oldest of 6 kids has autism.

You can get Mabel's Label's through their website or at Target. For those of you with runners (I'm lookin' at you, Roman!), I'm gonna encourage you to check out these handy disposable ID bracelets - especially if you're planning to go somewhere magical like Disney, and want to make it out the other side with your kid.

Here's the link to the excellent summer camp guide that I mentioned on the podcast - Julie wrote this backed by her experience in choosing camps for her own kids, and it picks apart how to consider your child's unique character and interests, figuring out what's left in your wallet, and finding the right environment for them.

Also, here are links to her blog post Nice Things You Say That Annoy Me, and her hilariously well-reasoned 6 Reasons to Have 6 Kids, that originally appeared in the Huffington Post.

Here are Julie's deets all in one place:Website: http://www.mabelslabels.comPersonal Blog: http://www.yummymummyclub.ca/blogs/julie-cole-the-baby-machineBusiness Blog: www.mabelhood.com/JulieColeFacebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MabelhoodTwitter profile: https://twitter.com/mabelhoodPinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mabelslabels

Best quote ever? "Labels are for clothes."

Kelley

28 Cynthia Lord | on her Newberry award-winning book, Rules, and what's next Apr 18, 2014

Show notes

Today I am super excited to speak to fellow Mainer and Newberry award-winning author of the book Rules, Cynthia Lord. We chat about writing a book with autism at the center, her new books coming out this year, and some ideas for making libraries more inclusive for kiddos on the spectrum.

My favorite rule for David: "Sometimes people laugh when they like you, but sometimes they laugh to hurt you." So true!

Grab your copy through your local independent bookseller here.You can find Cynthia's website at cynthialord.com, and she's also on Facebook and Twitter.

Kelley

PS A link to my blog post on our top 15 audiobooks.

PPS Click here to listen, subscribe, rate, and review us on iTunes: Joyriding in Autismland

27 Chris Brogan | On being a freak, a misfit, and a weirdo - and how that can make you a successful entrepreneur Apr 11, 2014

Show notes

Named one of Forbes' top 30 Twitter influencers in 2013, social media rockstar, best-selling author, publisher, speaker, business consultant and super nice guy Chris Brogan is today's guest. We chat about the inspiration behind his new book, The Freaks Shall Inherit the Earth: Entrepreneurship for Weirdos, Misfits, and World Dominators.

I met Chris at the Agents of Change social media conference in Portland Maine last year, where he was the keynote speaker. He hung around after his talk, and later in the afternoon, he walked up to a little group of us to tell me that he liked my lightning bolt t-shirt. So I sent him one, and he sent me back a superhero selfie. (FANCY)

Last month, when I read that his new book was coming out, I congratulated him over Twitter, and then he decided to tweet about Kid Gigawatt for a month solid. I pushed my luck by asking to interview him about his new book, and he said yes. Hooray!

And then, on his 44th birthday, he wrote this post sending folks our way: http://www.chrisbrogan.com/on-the-occasion-of-my-44th-birthday Whatttttt? I really wouldn't be surprised if he came over to mow our lawn next. (Hint: he really is a superhero.)

Here are all his deets: