autistic

A new approach to fitness is getting some traction. That approach is getting those with mental disabilities on the road to living happier, healthier lives.
A lot of us understand that the importance on having their loved ones, set up with OT's, Therapists, Psychiatrists and Doctors but, few realize the importance on exercise.

Matthew Alexander is the PRIME example of how and why fitness is not only important but, crucial. He was diagnosed with Autism, ADHD and Anxiety and never really understood the value of fitness himself.  He basically went through life trying to figure out how to cope with it, until his family got him to start taking spin classes. 
He feel in love with it and almost immediately after started feeling happier.  It took him a while but, he finally realized that those classes helped keep him on the right path towards a happier life.
Why is that the case? Because serotonin and dopamine get released immediately after exercise and it started to really get him more and more focused.
The issue, was that he quickly learned, the professionals in the field didn't really understand how to train people like him.  No fault of their own, but they were never taught. 
So Matthew, like most entrepreneurs, took this and ran with it.  He started collecting data and wanted to form his own company where he can help educate the fitness world on how to work with people from all walks of life.

Matthew is a true inspiration to those that really want to make a difference in this world. 
Here is an article he did
Connect with him on FB

I didn't expect to record an episode tonight, but after being left in a bit of a shaken state, I thought it might be good to capture a few authentic moments to talk about fireworks and folks with sensory issues... like autistic folks and many military veterans.

At the time of this recording, this show is entirely unsponsored and without ads. It is listener-supported. Will you support us? For only a dollar a month, you can show your support as a fan of the show. For five dollars a month, you can be an Official Patron. And as a show of gratitude, you'll have access to new episodes several days before everybody else. You can learn more about the show and how to support it on our Patreon page.

Host: Magnus Hedemark

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Background sound:

• "Atlantic Ocean Waves" by tim.kahn

Show notes:

• Most of my jobs were short-lived because the constraints were insufferable.
• I had one job where I lasted 5 years, mostly because I was entirely neglected.
• Neurotypical notions of how to manage people undermined the benefits of how my autistic brain works.
• Unplanned, urgent, but ultimately unimportant work regularly derails progress on the really important, strategic work.
• These distractions keep my autistic brain from ever getting up to speed.
• There are aspects of working with someone like me that can be like surfing, like catching the perfect wave. You can't summon the wave. And you have to respect the natural cycles of the ocean to benefit from its strengths.
• Slow down. Make room in the conversation for others. Make room in the conversation for digestion.

At the time of this recording, this show is entirely unsponsored and without ads. It is listener-supported. Will you support us? For only a dollar a month, you can show your support as a fan of the show. For five dollars a month, you can be an Official Patron. And as a show of gratitude, you'll have access to new episodes several days before everybody else. You can learn more about the show and how to support it on our Patreon page.

Host: Magnus Hedemark

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Music:

• "AcidJazz" by Kevin MacLeod

Show notes:

• This episode was meant for sharing with non-autistic people who are dying on the hill of arguing with autistic people about identity language.
• Identity-first language: "autistic person", "I am autistic"
• Person-first language: "person with autism", "I have autism"
• Autistic people are the primary and solitary stakeholders in the conversation about what language we prefer. Non-autistic people, no matter their proximity to autistic people or their clinical credentials, have no say in this.
• Most autistic people are adults, not children.
• Most autistic adults prefer identity-first language. Some prefer person-first language. 
• It's good to adapt to the preferences of the individual you're speaking to or about. But collectively, when talking about autistic people as a group or in general, we want identity-first language.
• I really suck at impersonating Aunt Karen, but I'm going to do it anyway.
• F bombs were dropped. The explicit content flag has been reached.

At the time of this recording, this show is entirely unsponsored and without ads. It is listener-supported. Will you support us? For only a dollar a month, you can show your support as a fan of the show. For five dollars a month, you can be an Official Patron. And as a show of gratitude, you'll have access to new episodes several days before everybody else. You can learn more about the show and how to support it on our Patreon page.

Host: Magnus Hedemark

• Twitter
• Instagram

Music:

• "AcidJazz" by Kevin MacLeod

Show notes:

• Neurodiverse - Group of people who collectively show a wide variety of neurotypes (including Neurotypical and Neurodivergent).
• Individuals can't be "diverse", nor can they be "neurodiverse".
• People who diverge from Neurotypical (NT) brain structures are "Neurodivergent" (ND).
• Most "autism-at-work" programs are not neurodiverse, but are rather autistic monocultures under neurotypical management... and it seems oppressive!
• Neurodiversity at work requires a diversity of neurotypes at all levels of the corporate structure.

At the time of this recording, this show is entirely unsponsored and without ads. It is listener-supported. Will you support us? For only a dollar a month, you can show your support as a fan of the show. For five dollars a month, you can be an Official Patron. And as a show of gratitude, you'll have access to new episodes several days before everybody else. You can learn more about the show and how to support it on our Patreon page.

Host: Magnus Hedemark

• Twitter
• Instagram

Music:

• "AcidJazz" by Kevin MacLeod

Show notes:

• "Nothing about us without us." - No policy should be decided by any representative without the full and direct participation of members of the group(s) affected by that policy.
• "Autism Community" - Larger, more powerful, better-funded group of people talking about autism. But primarily are not themselves autistic. There are some autistic allies, but they are often amplifying non-autistic voices.
• "Autistic Community" - Autistic people talking about autism, with some non-autistic allies who put Autistic voices first in the conversation about autism.

In this episode, Zach talks with Carrie Clark, a speech-language pathologist and founder of speechandlanguagekids.com. They discuss the importance of education, the connection between support and therapy and how the coronavirus will lead to positive structural changes in the industry. Carrie also shares what bugs her about her job and what we can all do to make a difference.

Carrie Clark Main Site: https://www.speechandlanguagekids.com/

Send The AAK Podcast An Email: hello@aakcares.com

Kirk Smith: What's Funny About Autism?

In this episode, Zach talks with Kirk Smith, a stand-up comedian and father to a 21-year old severely autistic son. They discuss the lack of certainty in a creative profession, how autism is challenging but funny, and why you have to adjust your expectations to find joy. Kirk also shares the permanence of loss and the secret to a successful career in comedy.

Follow Kirk: https://www.instagram.com/kirksmithcomedy/

Kirk Smith's Main Site: https://www.kirksmithcomedian.com/

Send The AAK Podcast an email: hello@aakcares.com

For our final installment of the Fall 2019 semester, Gina and Tom talk with Professors Karin Donahue and Kate Crassons about their new book Right from the Start: A Practical Guide for Helping Young Children with Autism. Join us as Karin and Kate explain why we should be cognizant of neurodiversity, how flexible classrooms can lead to student success, and how a collaborative learning relationship can lead to a validating experience for our students. Please be sure to subscribe to, rate, and review the podcast and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @pedagogyagogo. 

Host Ariana Evans and Shannon Lee Miller discuss Shannon's parenting her Autistic son while also parenting her other neurotypical children, how her son brought her back into music and how she writes and runs to process all of it.

You can read Shannon's beautiful, honest and insightful writing on https://medium.com/@shannonlmiller

and follow her beautiful story on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shantasticvoyage