Podcast
Autism Live
Hosted by Autism Network ® · EN
The #1 rated autism podcast worldwide. Autism Live's mission is to provide information and inspiration to the larger autism community, that starts with individuals on the spectrum but includes everyone who loves and cares for those individuals. Host Shannon Penrod shares the Jargon of the Day, interviews with experts, community events and much more. Viewers are invited to interact live to address questions, concerns and topics of interests.
24episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Autism Live: Dr. Molly O'Shea
4d ago01:07:56Tap to summarizeOn today's show Shannon welcomes Dr. Molly O'Shea to talk about water safety and the terrible statistics surrounding drowning and children on the spectrum. Goldfish Swim School has a new program to help swimmers be safe in and around the water. The jargon is Antecedent Modification. 00:00 Disclaimer 00:00:46 Show Intro + What's Ahead 00:01:39 California Medi-Cal Advocacy Update 00:05:15 Personal Reflection + Gratitude 00:07:16 Autism Community & Show Mission 00:07:35 How to Watch + Follow the Show 00:09:52 Jargon of the Day: Antecedent Basics 00:18:45 Guest Intro: Dr. Molly O'Shea 00:21:07 Autism & Attraction to Water Risks 00:23:30 Why Swim Skills Are Critical 00:24:00 Goldfish Swim Schools Overview 00:25:05 Sensory-Friendly Swim Programs 00:29:08 How Swim Lessons Work by Age 00:33:04 Big Life Journal & Goal Setting 00:37:58 Autism & Drowning Risk Statistics 00:39:10 Water Safety Basics (Life Jackets & Supervision) 00:40:35 Layers of Protection (Fences, Locks, Alarms) 00:43:48 "Water Watcher" Safety Strategy 00:44:18 Real-Life Drowning Story (Impact) 00:47:15 CPR & Emergency Preparedness 00:48:43 Why Swim Skills Must Be Repeated 00:50:39 Why Swim Lessons Are Prevention 00:51:21 Pediatric Practice for Neurodivergent Kids 00:54:05 ABA + Real-World Social Skills Discussion 01:01:16 Practicing Skills Beyond the Home 01:05:05 Final Thoughts + Takeaways 01:06:56 Closing + Outro
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Autism Live: Kelley Jensen
2w ago01:13:00Tap to summarizeKelley Jensen, host of the Refrigerator Moms Podcast joins Shannon today to talk about TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), a noninvasive brain stimulation therapy. Today's jargon is Elopement. 00:00 Intro & Disclaimer 00:33 Show Overview & Guest Preview (TMS + Refrigerator Moms) 01:29 How to Watch & Engage (Live + YouTube + Podcast) 03:15 Ad-Free Subscription Option Explained 04:23 All Ghouls Gala Announcement (Autism Care Today Fundraiser) 05:01 Call to Action: Contact Governor Newsom 06:15 Proposed Medi-Cal Changes Impact Autism Care 08:23 Transportation Limits & Access to Treatment 10:05 Diagnosis Requirements & Waitlist Concerns 11:33 Personal Story: Early Intervention Success 13:39 Kevin Hart Roast Controversy & Autism Representation 16:05 Identity & Autism Community Discussion 17:23 "Patience" TV Show Recommendation (Autistic Representation) 19:54 Transition to TMS Interview 20:47 Guest Introduction: Kelly Jensen 21:22 What is TMS? (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Explained) 23:08 TMS Treatment Process & Safety 25:15 FDA Approval, Insurance, and Use Cases 27:12 What TMS Feels Like (Patient Experience) 28:44 Early Results & Behavioral Changes 30:18 Major Improvements in OCD & Anxiety 31:18 Continued Progress After Treatment 34:20 How TMS Impacts Brain Function 35:28 TMS + Therapy + Medication Benefits 37:13 Reduced Medication Use & Outcomes 38:00 Brain Performance Technologies Overview 40:12 FDA-Approved Conditions for TMS 42:10 Side Effects & Considerations 42:36 Why TMS Isn't Widely Used in Autism 43:58 Discussion: John Elder Robison & TMS Experience 47:15 How to Learn More About TMS 49:37 Refrigerator Moms Podcast Origin Story 52:29 What the Podcast Covers (Research + Parent Guidance) 58:31 Where to Listen & Watch 59:52 Jargon of the Day: Elopement Defined 01:01:24 Why Elopement Is a Major Safety Risk 01:02:25 STOP Method for Preventing Elopement 01:11:24 Closing Remarks & Resources
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Autism Live: Antoinette Elliott
3w ago01:05:06Tap to summarizeChildcare expert Antoinette Elliott joins Shannon to share important information parents and caregivers need to know to appropriately support children on the autism spectrum. Today's jargon is Adaptive Skills. 00:00 Disclaimer 00:31 Show Intro & Welcome 00:55 Today's Topic: Child Care Support 01:16 About Shannon & Neurodiversity 02:05 Autism Live Mission & Community 02:58 Why Child Care Matters for Parents 04:33 Finding & Trusting Caregivers 05:18 Halloween Fundraiser Announcement 06:22 Where to Watch & Listen (Podcast Info) 07:54 Ad-Free Subscription Option 08:41 How to Support the Show (Like, Share, Subscribe) 11:07 Jargon of the Day: Adaptive Skills 12:38 What Are Adaptive Skills? 13:44 Examples: Toileting, Hygiene, Independence 15:00 Why Adaptive Skills Matter for Families 17:09 Potty Training: What Parents Should Know 20:06 Guest Introduction: Antoinette Elliott 21:09 Why Child Care Feels Out of Reach for Parents 21:55 Importance of Caregiver Training 23:44 Understanding Child Behavior & Crisis 24:14 Supporting Children Without Burnout 25:36 How to Evaluate Therapists & RBTs 26:50 About All Our Children Elite Child Care Academy 29:33 Marcus Autism Crisis Prevention Training 32:02 Problems with Untrained Staff 33:47 Why Training Improves Outcomes 36:01 Concerns About RBT Training Quality 40:04 Success Story: Rapid Potty Training 41:54 Why the Right Therapist Matters 42:18 Expanding Training Beyond One School 46:26 How Parents Can Choose the Right Caregiver 49:48 Group Settings & Social Development 51:02 Impact of COVID on Child Behavior 56:10 How to Find the School Online 58:05 Why Parents Need Breaks Too 59:02 Child Care Costs & Funding Options 01:01:29 Flexible Scheduling & Drop-Ins 01:02:19 Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts 01:03:04 Outro & Next Episode 01:04:29 Subscribe & Follow Reminder
Transcribe →Autism Live: Tory and Vanessa Ridgeway
4w ago01:00:05Tap to summarizeOn today's show Shannon welcomes Vanessa and Tory Ridgeway to tell one of the most shocking and inspirational stories. Years ago, Autism Live covered Tory Ridgeway's story was his full NRROTC scholarship was revoked because of his autism diagnosis. Tory and his mother are back with an update that will knock your socks off! The jargon in Self Disclosure.
Transcribe →Autism Live: Alex Lin
May 601:02:41Tap to summarizeAlex Lin joins Shannon on today's show to talk about the 10 year anniversary of Autism Rocks and what is next. Alex also shares his opinions on the current focus to find the cause of autism. The jargon of the day is Self Advocate! 00:00 Introduction & Autism Live Disclaimer 00:31 Welcome to Autism Live with Shannon Penrod 01:12 Celebrating 10 Years of Autism Rocks 02:18 Choosing Words: Identity, Language & Respect 03:18 Where to Watch & Listen to Autism Live 04:02 Podcasts, YouTube Channels & Ad-Free Options 05:29 Save the Date: All Goals Gala on Halloween 05:54 Jargon of the Day: What Is Self-Advocacy? 07:07 Who Gets to Speak About Autism? 09:22 Defining Self-Advocacy (Autistic Self-Advocacy Network) 11:14 Communication as a Civil Rights Issue 13:21 Supporting Communication for Non-Speakers 15:04 Introducing Alex Lynn 16:15 Alex Joins Live from Taiwan 17:48 The Origin Story of Autism Rocks 19:27 Grandmother's Influence & Finding Purpose 21:40 10th Anniversary of Autism Rocks 23:02 Expanding Autism Rocks Internationally 24:47 Autism Rocks Performers Over the Years 26:03 2026 Autism Rocks Lineup Preview 28:31 Role Models, Music & Representation 31:19 Alex's Podcast "Issues at Hand" 33:12 Podcast Topics & Autism Advocacy 35:46 Self-Advocacy vs Advocacy – Alex's Perspective 37:55 Parents Speaking for Autistic Children 40:14 Autism Culture & Language in Taiwan 41:58 Disability Rights & Workplace Accommodations 44:07 U.S. Disability Laws & Current Challenges 44:57 Autism, Politics & Public Perception 48:32 Trauma, Bullying & Mental Health 49:51 Why Acceptance Matters More Than a "Cure" 51:18 Identity, Growth & Personal Evolution 53:01 Learning Self-Worth & Letting Go of Pleasing Others 56:07 Family Relationships & Independence 58:03 Managing Anxiety & Panic Attacks 59:33 Autism Rocks 2026 Event Details 01:00:47 Next Week on Autism Live 01:02:05 Like, Subscribe & Final Sign-Off
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Autism Live: Sharon Newhardt
Apr 2901:03:57Tap to summarizeOn today's show, Shannon welcomes Sharon Newhardt from Morgan's Wonderland the first and only theme park designed for neurodivergent guests! Sharon will share the mission of this truly magical place and give updates on what is coming next! You won't want to miss it! The jargon is inclusion.
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Autism Live: Rebecca Meuschke
Apr 2201:01:31Tap to summarizeRebecca Meuschke joins Shannon today to discuss all things SIBLINGS. What do parents need to know to support siblings? Rebecca, who has first-hand experience with this topic, shares insights, resources and tips to make sure siblings don't get left behind. 00:00 Disclaimer & Show Opening 00:30 Welcome to Autism Live & April Autism Month 01:31 April Focus on Education 01:51 Today's Topic: Siblings in Autism Families 02:57 Audience Question: Hormones, Perimenopause & Autism 05:01 Why Siblings Grow Into Remarkable People 05:46 Live Show Context & Visiting CARD Centers 06:51 Autism Live Mission: Information & Inspiration 08:13 Jargon of the Day: Pairing (Intro) 09:02 What Is Pairing in ABA? 10:15 Pairing, Joint Attention & Learning 13:13 Pairing in Everyday Life (Thanksgiving Example) 14:48 Real-Life Pairing Example: Homework & Kool-Aid 17:04 Stimulus–Stimulus Pairing Explained 18:23 Pairing for Speech & Vocalization (Bubbles Example) 20:23 Why Rapport & Pairing Really Matter 20:49 Introducing Guest: Rebecca Meuschke 22:28 Rebecca's Family & Sister's Diagnosis 24:37 Growing Up as a Sibling Caregiver 28:19 Losing a Parent & Taking on Responsibility 32:16 The Cycle of Success and Failure in Therapy 36:28 Isolation & Family Strain 40:37 What Support Siblings Need 43:43 How Lived Experience Shapes Rebecca's Work 44:59 Balancing Attention Between Siblings 49:19 Creating One-on-One Time with Siblings 52:27 Learning & Setting Healthy Boundaries 55:42 Media Representation & "The Pitt" 57:44 Advocacy, Gratitude & What's Next 59:31 April Programming Notes & AI for IEP Advocacy 01:01:20 Final Goodbye & Where to Find More Content
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Autism Live: Ten Tips for Working with Teachers & IEP or 504!
Apr 1501:10:02Tap to summarizeOn Today's show Shannon Penrod gives ten tips for working with teachers when your child is on an IEP or 504 plan. Setting up a collaborative environment with your child's teacher is almost as important as the IEP itself. Tune in to hear Shannon's easy tips to foster trust and teamwork so your child can have the best possible educational experience.
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Autism Live 4.1.26: James B. Adams, Ph.D.
Apr 101:05:29Tap to summarizeDr. James Adams returns to the show to discuss new products that can diagnose bacterial and yeast infection issues and help restore gut health issues, which has been shown to improve autism symptoms. The jargon of the day is Neurotransmitters.
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Autism Live 3.25.26: Ebony Turner-Bailey, M.S. CCC-SLP
Mar 2501:08:39Tap to summarizeOn today's show Shannon talks with Ebony Turner-Bailey, M.S. CCC – SLP, the Founder and Executive Director of Prime Speech Solutions, about building language and accessing quality speech services even in underserved communities. For more information visit: Online Speech Therapy | Prime Speech Solutions The Jargon of the day is SLP.
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