Autism Weekly Podcast

This week, we are joined by Dr. Amy Keefer, a board-certified psychologist at Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Autism Services, Science and Innovation and assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Keefer is a leading expert in autism and anxiety research, and she’s here to discuss an exciting clinical trial called DINOSAUR, which focuses on a novel anxiety treatment for 4-6-year-old autistic children. Download latest episode now to learn more!
Resources
Check out study flyer: https://8717295.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/8717295/DINO_StudyFlyer_7.25.pdf
DINO Trail: https://www.kennedykrieger.org/patient-care/centers-and-programs/center-for-autism-services-science-and-innovation/research-innovation/research-studies/participate-in-research 
They are about to begin screening children virtually which means that anyone on the eastern seaboard could participate in the trial.
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Autism weekly is now found on all of the major listening apps including apple podcasts, stitcher, Spotify, amazon music, and more. Subscribe to be notified when we post a new podcast. Autism weekly is produced by ABS Kids. ABS Kids is proud to provide diagnostic assessments and ABA therapy to children with developmental delays like Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can learn more about ABS Kids and the Autism Weekly podcast by visiting abskids.com.

This week, we’re joined by Dr. Erin Kang, an Assistant Professor at Montclair State University whose groundbreaking research bridges science and practice to improve autism interventions. We’re also thrilled to welcome Dr. Sadaf Khawar, a postdoctoral researcher whose award-winning work focuses on the barriers South Asian and MENA families face in accessing autism services. 
Together, we’ll discuss how cultural and structural factors shape access to care and share practical advice for families navigating these challenges. Download latest episode to learn more!
Resources
NEURO LAB
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Autism weekly is now found on all of the major listening apps including apple podcasts, stitcher, Spotify, amazon music, and more. Subscribe to be notified when we post a new podcast. Autism weekly is produced by ABS Kids. ABS Kids is proud to provide diagnostic assessments and ABA therapy to children with developmental delays like Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can learn more about ABS Kids and the Autism Weekly podcast by visiting abskids.com.

This week, we are joined by Colleen Katzenmoyer, the newly appointed vice president of education services at Devereux, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit providers of behavioral healthcare. Dr. Katzenmoyer brings nearly 20 years of experience in education and behavioral health, and she’s here to share how her new role will enhance services for families, schools, and communities nationwide. Download episode to learn more!
Resources 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/devereux
Handle: @devereux
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/DevereuxNational
Handle: @devereuxnational
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DevereuxNational
Handle: @DevereuxNational
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@devereuxnational
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Autism weekly is now found on all of the major listening apps including apple podcasts, stitcher, Spotify, amazon music, and more. Subscribe to be notified when we post a new podcast. Autism weekly is produced by ABS Kids. ABS Kids is proud to provide diagnostic assessments and ABA therapy to children with developmental delays like Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can learn more about ABS Kids and the Autism Weekly podcast by visiting abskids.com.

This week, we are joined by Vijay Ravindran, founder of Floreo and an inspiring innovator in the world of autism technology. Vijay’s journey as an autism father, combined with his impressive career at companies like Amazon and The Washington Post, led him to create groundbreaking virtual reality tools that are transforming how individuals with autism learn and grow. Today, we’ll discuss how AI and VR are shaping the future of autism support. Download latest episode to learn more! 
Resources 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijayravindran/
https://x.com/vijayravindran
https://www.instagram.com/vijayravindran/
Research-based Virtual Reality Information: https://floreovr.com/ctp3
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Autism weekly is now found on all of the major listening apps including apple podcasts, stitcher, Spotify, amazon music, and more. Subscribe to be notified when we post a new podcast. Autism weekly is produced by ABS Kids. ABS Kids is proud to provide diagnostic assessments and ABA therapy to children with developmental delays like Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can learn more about ABS Kids and the Autism Weekly podcast by visiting abskids.com.
 

This week, we are joined by David Geslak, also known as Coach Dave, a pioneer in using exercise to support individuals with autism. He’s the founder of a fitness program taught in nine universities and has partnered with the American College of Sports Medicine to create the Autism Exercise Specialist Certificate. David has dedicated his career to empowering the autism community through movement.  
Today, we’ll discuss how exercise supports development, share strategies for daily routines, and highlight the global impact of his work. Download latest episode to learn more!
Resources 
Facebook - @ExerciseConnection
 
Twitter/X - @ExerciseConnect & @davidgeslak
 
Instagram - @exerciseconnection & @davidgeslak
 
YouTube - @exerciseconnection
 
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Autism weekly is now found on all of the major listening apps including apple podcasts, stitcher, Spotify, amazon music, and more. Subscribe to be notified when we post a new podcast. Autism weekly is produced by ABS Kids. ABS Kids is proud to provide diagnostic assessments and ABA therapy to children with developmental delays like Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can learn more about ABS Kids and the Autism Weekly podcast by visiting abskids.com.

This week, we are joined by Dr. Dena L. Gassner, Senior Research Scientist at AJ Drexel, autism advocate, and member of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC). Dena is rewriting the narrative around autistic identity, challenging stereotypes, and advocating for gender diversity and inclusivity in autism research and policy. 
Her personal journey as a proud autistic mother adds a deeply relatable perspective to her work, and she teaches through storytelling to inspire and inform. Download episode now to learn more!
Resources
dg3242@drexel.edu
facebook-https://www.facebook.com/CenterforUnderstanding
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-dena-gassner-35532b78/
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Autism weekly is now found on all of the major listening apps including apple podcasts, stitcher, Spotify, amazon music, and more. Subscribe to be notified when we post a new podcast. Autism weekly is produced by ABS Kids. ABS Kids is proud to provide diagnostic assessments and ABA therapy to children with developmental delays like Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can learn more about ABS Kids and the Autism Weekly podcast by visiting abskids.com.

This week, we welcome Dr. Diana Robins, professor and director at the AJ Drexel Autism Institute. Renowned for her work on early autism detection and the development of the M-CHAT, Dr. Robins has helped countless families access earlier diagnoses and crucial interventions. Join us as we explore early detection, strategies to support development, and exciting advancements in autism research. Watch now to learn more!
Resources
 
Facebook: AJDrexelAutismInstitute
LI: aj-drexel-autism-institute
X: Drexelautism
 
Check out AJ Drexel Autism Institute website for latest news and resources.
 
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Autism weekly is now found on all of the major listening apps including apple podcasts, stitcher, Spotify, amazon music, and more. Subscribe to be notified when we post a new podcast. Autism weekly is produced by ABS Kids. ABS Kids is proud to provide diagnostic assessments and ABA therapy to children with developmental delays like Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can learn more about ABS Kids and the Autism Weekly podcast by visiting abskids.com.

This week we’re discussing "The Power of Listening and Mentorship Programs" through the Making Mentors program. This initiative pairs autistic college students with high school students to foster connection, growth, and empowerment. Joining us are Kristen Gillespie-Lynch, Taylor (T) Abbatemarco, Louis Rotondo, and Rita Strickland to share how mentorship and peer support are transforming the autistic community. Download episode to learn more!
Resources
College Autism Network: https://collegeautismnetwork.org/
College Autism Summit: https://collegeautismnetwork.org/event/college-autism-summit-2025/
Project REACH: https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-affairs/programs-services/disability/projectreach/
Communication First: https://communicationfirst.org/
STEM For All: https://multiplex.videohall.com/presentations/1193/2468.html
Specialist Autism Mentoring in UK: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/mentoring-university
Autism and Universal Design Training for University Staff: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349832158_Autism_UD_Training_for_FacultyTeachers_and_other_University_Staff
Presentation about Making Mentors at CUNY Neurodiversity Conference: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/393178315_Improving_Making_Mentors_How_Can_We_Use_Data_to_Improve_an_Autistic-Led_Maker-_Focused_Mentorship_Program
Participatory Research Guidelines from AASPIRE: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30939892/
Co-design resources:
 https://doingresearchtogether.com.au/
https://www.beyondstickynotes.com/toolsforcoproduction
Employment Resources: https://sites.google.com/view/nsfworkshop23/employment-resources
Open-access curriculum and training for neurodiversity-affirmative STEM workshops: https://sites.google.com/view/gamedesignemploymentresources/workshop-resources-2023/training-2023
Employment Resources Autism: https://autism.org/employment-resources-for-individuals-with-autism/
https://iacc.hhs.gov/resources/employment/websites/
https://autismspectrumnews.org/empowering-autistic-job-seekers-through-mentorship/
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Autism weekly is now found on all of the major listening apps including apple podcasts, stitcher, Spotify, amazon music, and more. Subscribe to be notified when we post a new podcast. Autism weekly is produced by ABS Kids. ABS Kids is proud to provide diagnostic assessments and ABA therapy to children with developmental delays like Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can learn more about ABS Kids and the Autism Weekly podcast by visiting abskids.com.