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In this episode, we sit down with J.D. Barker, a New York Times bestselling author known for his thrillers, to discuss his inspiring journey as a neurodiverse individual. Diagnosed with autism as an adult, J.D. reflects on his career transformation, shares strategies for navigating neurotypical expectations, and offers invaluable insights for parenting neurodiverse children. This heartfelt conversation is filled with practical advice, empowering takeaways, and hope for families navigating similar paths.

Guest:
J.D. Barker is an acclaimed author of numerous bestselling books, including Heavy Are the Stones and The Writer (co-written with James Patterson). Diagnosed with autism in his 20s, he combines his unique perspective with his passion for storytelling to advocate for understanding and acceptance.

Website: https://jdbarker.com/

Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Key Takeaways:

1. Leaning into Strengths: "Find the one thing your child loves and encourage it. That can open so many doors." J.D. credits his love for reading and writing as his gateway to success.

2. The Role of Community: J.D. highlights the importance of a supportive network, from his wife’s life-changing encouragement to his daughter’s school team.

3. Overcoming Challenges: Social interactions can be tough, but J.D. has developed strategies like slowing down, maintaining eye contact, and focusing on one response at a time.

4. Parenting with Compassion: J.D. advises parents to embrace their child's unique strengths and to view neurodiversity as a collection of superpowers.

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Welcome back to the Autism Family Resource Podcast! In this episode, we spoke with Kari Baker—a local podcaster, author, and an inspiring mom who is navigating life alongside her 13-year-old son, who has both autism and ADHD. Kari shares her journey through powerful stories, lessons, and insights on finding kindness in the everyday moments of parenting and how she has grown through her experiences.

Guest:

Kari Baker’s path took a transformative turn with the birth of her son, Brady, and his autism diagnosis at age three. Driven by a new perspective on success and purpose, Kari shares her family’s journey and founded KIND Families, a resource supporting Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences. She is the author of Finding Kind: Discovering Hope and Purpose while Loving Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences.

Website: https://kariabaker.com/

Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn

Key Takeaways:

• Grieving the loss of an imagined ideal life is natural, yet there’s a greater reality: your child is perfect just as they are.
• Your child’s challenges are also what make them wonderfully unique—these qualities are gifts to be appreciated.
• Building connections with others on a similar journey is essentia—community matters.
• Your child has a bright future, and early intervention will greatly benefit them, you, and your relationship in the long run.

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Welcome back to the Autism Family Resource Podcast!

Are you a parent of a child with autism struggling to find the right support and therapy for your child? You are not alone. Many parents find it challenging to navigate the world of autism care, especially with the numerous therapies and approaches available.

But what if there was a different approach to autism care that focused on the whole family and was more collaborative and supportive? What if there was a therapy that was more play-based and encouraged intrinsic motivation?

We have good news! There is. In this episode, we have another awesome guest on our show, Will Martin, from Soar Autism Center. Soar Autism Center is doing amazing work, taking a fresh approach to autism care that is centered on whole family support, early intervention, and collaborative care.

Guest:

Will Martin MEd, BCBA is a board-certified behavior analyst and Head of Care Model Design implementation at Soar Autism Center. Soar provides Early Start Denver Model-based therapy to children with autism in the Phoenix and Denver metro areas.

Website: https://soarautismcenter.com/

Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube

Key Takeaways:

• The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is a play-based intervention that encourages intrinsic motivation.

• The goal of ESDM therapy is to find something the child likes and incorporate therapy into that activity.

• DTT stands for Discrete Trial Training and is one of the original forms of ABA. It involves repeated practice of skills in an isolated or controlled context.

• When looking for an ABA provider for your child, it is important to ask questions about the type of therapy and the approach used.

• Red flags that may indicate your child would benefit from an autism assessment include: communication struggles, challenging behaviors, and difficulties engaging with your child in play.

• Any interventions or therapies should match the child's values and the family's values.

• Soar Autism Center typically serves children between two and five years old. Sometimes, they will serve children a little older than that if they are getting ready to transition to school.

• Soar Autism Center takes all major insurance, including Medicaid and most commercial insurance plans.

• Once an assessment is complete, the BCBA, speech-language pathologist, and occupational therapist will get together and make clinical recommendations.

Soar Autism Center Resources:

Website: https://soarautismcenter.com/

Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube

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Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts,

Visit our Website:

www.pureheartstherapy.com

Follow Us:

Facebook: Pure Hearts Therapy

Instagram: purehearts_therapy