Autism Live

On 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

Kelley 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

Childcare 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

On 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.

Alex 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