The Understanding Autism Podcast
Episodes
Season 2 Episode 51: What Happens When Our Autistic Adult Child Gets Into Legal Trouble?
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As parents of autistic children who have moderate to severe needs, we worry about how our children can protect themselves legally as they become adult...
Season 2 Episode 50: How the Neurodiverse Can Safely Interact With Police
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
One instinct that all parents share is the desire to keep their children safe. But what if you are the parent of a neurodiverse adolescent or young ad...
Season 2 Episode 49: Interview With Maureen Welch With Navigating Disability Colorado
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we continue our conversation about accessing government disability benefits. In today’s interview, we talk with Maureen Welch, foun...
Season 2 Episode 48: Accessing Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
With the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Affordable Care Act, it can be difficult to plan for health care costs when you have a disability. In our...
Season 2 Episode 47: Interview with Lindsay Wagner and Amy Faraone from the League School For Autism
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In our second of two episodes focusing on innovative schools that support life after high school for neurodiverse students, we interview Lindsay Wagne...
Season 2 Episode 46: Interview with Jared Stewart and Scott Wood with Scenic View Academy
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There are several schools across the nation that are dedicated to educating neurodiverse students; a few of them address life after high school. One s...
Season 2 Episode 45 Interview with Kara Fenton, Clinical Researcher at CU Anschutz Medical Campus
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we continue to explore the connections between ADHD and autism, we interview Kara Fenton, Clinical Research Coordinator, at the University of Color...
Season 2 Episode 44: Interview with Brandon Slade of Untapped Learning
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many people with autism struggle with executive functioning throughout their lives. Today we interview Brandon Slade, founder of Untapped Learning, as...
Season 2 Episode 43: Autism and Mental Health: The Healthy Deviant (Part 2)
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In Part 2 of our review of the book The Healthy Deviant by Pilar Gerasimo, we examine the remedies, solutions and strategies that will help create a h...
Season 2 Episode 42: Autism and Mental Health: The Healthy Deviant Book Review (Part 1)
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In our last of our four part series on autism and mental health, we review the book The Healthy Deviant by Pilar Gerasimo. Gerasimo addresses the unhe...
Season 2 Episode 41: Autism and Mental Health: Living With PTSD on the Autism Spectrum by Lisa Morgan and Mary Donahue (Part 2)
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we continue our review of Lisa Morgan and Mary Donahue's book, Living With PTSD on the Autism Spectrum. Here, we focus on the impact ...
Season 2 Episode 40: Autism and Mental Health: Living With PTSD on the Autism Spectrum by Lisa Morgan and Mary Donahue (Part 1)
04 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In part three of our four part series on autism and mental health, we review the book Living With PTSD on the Autism Spectrum by Lisa Morgan and Mary ...
Season 2 Episode 39: In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts Part 2
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we continue our analysis of Gabor Mate’s book, In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts. We examine what behavioral addictions could look like ...
Season 2 Episode 38: Autism and Mental Health: In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts Book Review (Part 1)
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we continue our mini series on autism and mental health by reviewing Gabor Mate’s book, In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts. While Mate lo...
Season 2 Episode 37: Autism and Mental Health: Dopamine Nation Book Review
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
People on the spectrum often have challenges around instant gratification, escapism, and addiction; all of which have been compounded by our interacti...
Season 2 Episode 36: Interview with Lila Low Beinart of Divergent Paths Counseling
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we interview Lila Low-Beinart, a licensed therapist in Boulder County, Colorado who specializes in neurodiversity-affirming therapy fo...
Season 2 Episode 35: Interview With Alley Joel and Rebecca Seiden of Boulder County Department of Human Services
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Successful housing programs for neurodiverse people can be based on publicly funded initiatives. In 2002, voters in Boulder County, Colorado passed on...
Season 2 Episode 34: Interview With Desiree Kameka Galloway, Director of the Autism Housing Network
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Madison House Autism Foundation’s mission is to promote, model and advocate for the full inclusion of adults with autism in the life of communit...
Season 2 Episode 33: Housing and Transportation
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Two of the biggest issues in moving towards adult independence are housing and transportation. This is especially difficult for those who are neurodiv...
Season 2: Episode 32: Interview With Joie Laykoff and Mitch Carver of Fusion Academy
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we continue our conversation about the role that education plays in preparing neurodivergent students for independence. Joie Laykoff ...
Season 2 Episode 31: Interview With Jen Wilger of the Temple Grandin School
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Transitioning from high school to career or college can be challenging to those on the spectrum. In this episode, we interview Jen Wilger of the Templ...
Season 2 Episode 30: Transitioning to Living Alone
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Moving out of the house can be overwhelming and scary for the autistic adult as well as for parents and caregivers. In this episode we explore differe...
Season 2 Episode 29: Moving Out and Communicating With Those in Your Residence
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The transition from living with parents to having your own place comes with a lot of challenges. One area that does not get a lot of attention for tho...
Season 2 Episode 28: Interview with Erin Gaskins of Room Redefined
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As part of our series on building life skills for independence, Erin Gaskins founder of Room Redefined, shares how she helps her neurodiverse clients ...
Season 2 Episode 27: Practicing Life Skills and Routines
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The road to adult independence for our autistic children does not have to start when they are 18 years old. To make this challenging transition easier...
Season 2 Episode 26: Parenting Autistic Children in Their Journey Towards Independence
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Parenting an autistic child is never easy. Is loving our child enough or is there more to raising a capable child? In the first part of this two part ...
Season 2 Episode 25: Parent's & School's Role In Adult Independence
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Helping our children to become independent adults can be a challenge for any parent. How we support and communicate with our child about their indepen...
Season 2 Episode 24: Interview with Gail Suitor of Ignite Change Makers
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our first guest of the second season, Gail Suitor, founder of Ignite Change Makers, talks about her dedication in supporting educators, students and f...
Season 2 Episode 23: Creating An Adult Independence Plan
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Transitions can be scary. For those on the spectrum, making the transition from living with parents to being on their own can be an intimidating proce...
Understanding Autism Podcast Season 2 Trailer
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We can't believe that Season 2 of the Understanding Autism Podcast is actually right around the corner! Here we explain our focus for Season 2 and som...
Season 1 Episode 22 Part 2: Season 1 Retrospective
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this our final episode of season 1, we continue to reflect on how we created the Understanding Autism Podcast. This episode focuses on recording an...
Season 1 Episode 22: Season 1 Retrospective (Part 1)
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this next to final episode, we reflect on the amazing journey we both experienced in producing the Understanding Autism Podcast. While our previous...
Season 1 Episode 21: Interview with Katelyn Szymanski on Suicide Ideation
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we interview licensed social worker and QPR Gatekeeper Instructor, Katelyn Szymanski on the research and advocacy work she has done a...
Season 1 Episode 20: Autism and Suicidal Ideation
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we explore the sensitive topic of suicide. How does autism impact suicidal thoughts? What social and cultural factors might contribute...
Season 1 Episode 19: Autism and Shaming
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Neurodiverse people often know they are different and that they may stand out from neurotypical people. But how does society treat those that are diff...
Season 1 Episode 18: Autism and Perfectionism
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Perfectionism, or the tendency to demand flawless behavior or performance, is a challenge many with autism struggle with. In this episode, we examine ...
Season 1 Episode 17: Autism and Depression
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Depression can be a real concern for many of us especially around the holidays, but how do people on the spectrum experience depression? In this episo...
Season 1 Episode 16: Autism and Anxiety
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Anxiety is a common occurrence for all of us, but how does a person on the spectrum experience anxiety? In this episode, we will explore the link betw...
Season 1 Episode 15: An Autistic’s Relationship With Food
14 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Many people on the spectrum struggle with food. What might look like picky eating habits to the neurotypical person, is actually an autistic person’...
Season 1 Episode 14: Emetophobia
23 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
While many of us struggle with phobias that impact our lives, emetophobia, or fear of vomiting, can be extremely debilitating. In this episode, Nicole...
Season 1 Episode 13: Autism and Phobias
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Many people can suffer from phobias but how exactly are autistic people impacted by phobias and what are some methods to cope with them? In this podca...
Season 1 Episode 12: Transition Stress
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Managing transitions can be extremely frustrating for neurotypical people as well as those on the autism spectrum. In this episode we explore why chan...
Season 1 Episode 11: Autism and Masking
13 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
People with autism often experience bullying at school or stigmatization at work. That is one reason why many people on the spectrum "mask" their auti...
Season 1 Episode 10: Object Permanence and Working Memory
29 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As an autistic person, are you someone who constantly misplaces objects and lose your cool when you’re trying to find it? In this episode we examine...
Season 1 Episode 9 Part 2: Low Frustration Tolerance
14 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A common challenge that many autistic people face is tolerating unpleasant or stressful situations. In part 2 of this episode, we will discuss how low...
Season 1 Episode 9: Low Frustration Tolerance (Part 1)
02 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A common challenge that many autistic people face is tolerating unpleasant or stressful situations. In part one of this episode, we will explore the s...
Season 1 Episode 8: Perseverations
17 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Some autistic people experience the feeling of being 'stuck'. This can manifest itself in the form of thinking patterns, speech, and body movements. I...
Season 1 Episode 7: Fixations and Special Interests
03 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One characteristic of autistic people is that they can develop a strong fixation on a topic or special interest, often at the expense of other tasks. ...
Season 1 Episode 6 Part 2: Sensory Processing Disorder
19 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In Part 2 of this episode, we focus on treatments for Sensory Processing Disorder, how SPD can impact socializing for those with autism, and SPD resou...
Season 1 Episode 6: Sensory Processing Disorder (Part 1)
05 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Some autistic people are highly sensitive to the world around them. Textures, sights, sounds, noises, and smells, can lead to overwhelm, and in some c...
Season 1 Episode 5 Part 2: Meltdowns, Shutdowns, and Self-Harming Behaviors
22 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In Part 2 of this episode, Nicole shares her experiences with meltdowns, shutdowns, and self-harming behaviors as an adult. We also offer some advice ...
Season 1 Episode 5: Meltdowns, Shutdowns, and Self-Harming Behaviors (Part 1)
08 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Some of the more alarming autistic behaviors for parents and caregivers are meltdowns, shutdowns, and self-harming behaviors. In Part 1 of this episod...
Season 1 Episode 4: Stimming and Fidgeting
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Many people with autism stim or fidget. In this episode, we explore the reasons behind this behavior and its importance to those on the spectrum.Â
Season 1 Episode 3: Avoiding Eye Contact
19 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
People with autism can experience a great deal of stress making eye contact. In this episode we explore why those on the spectrum avoid eye contact an...
Season 1 Episode 2: What is Autism?
19 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What exactly is autism? In this show we examine various definitions of autism and how these definitions shape our understanding of what autism is.Â
Season 1 Episode 1: Who We Are
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our first podcast episode! In this episode Nicole Kubilus (diagnosed with autism at age 2) and Bret Thayer (parent of an autistic child and former tea...