Episodes

  • Autism Live: Brady Huggett

    Autism Live: Brady Huggett
    Jun 24 2026
    On today's show Shannon welcomes Brady Huggett, a features editor for the neuroscience publication The Transmitter. Topics covered include the lack of funding dollars to research the lives of Autistic Adults. A new five part podcast called "When Autistic Kids Grow Up" looks at the lack of funding for research into the lives of autistic adults, told through the story of an autistic researcher who called attention to this problem. The jargon is Neuroscience. Join us at 10am! 00:00 Welcome, Disclaimer & Show Overview 08:15 What Is Neuroscience? Definitions & Why It Matters 16:00 Podcast Introduction: "When Autistic Kids Grow Up" 24:00 Autism Research Funding Gap Explained 32:00 Adult Autism Outcomes & Life Expectancy Concerns 40:30 Challenges in Research Funding & System Barriers 48:30 Interview Wrap-Up & How to Listen to the Podcast 50:00 Policy Discussion: ADA, IDEA & Disability Rights 55:00 Call to Action: Advocacy, Funding & Community Response
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Autism Live: 25 Things to Teach Your Child During the Summer!

    Autism Live: 25 Things to Teach Your Child During the Summer!
    Jun 17 2026

    On today's show Shannon gives the rundown on 22 things you can teach in the summer months to catch your child up and prepare them for success in the new school year.

    00:00 Intro & Autism Live Mission

    02:59 Summer Learning Opportunities for Kids

    03:24 25 Skills to Teach Over the Summer

    08:06 Overview of All 25 Life Skills

    12:19 Skill #1: Building Reading Habits

    18:01 Skill #2: Potty Training & Generalization

    19:46 Skill #3: Making Math Fun

    23:13 Skill #4: Swimming Safety & Skills

    25:23 Skill #5: Teaching History Creatively

    27:30 Skill #6: Exercise & Self-Regulation

    29:28 Skill #7: Speech Practice with Tongue Twisters

    32:21 Skill #8: Enjoying Museums with Sensory Needs

    36:05 Skill #9: Live Music & Theater Skills

    40:28 Skill #10–15: Cooking, Help, Social & Travel Skills

    51:18 Skill #16–25: Daily Living, Independence & Confidence 1:05:58 Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Autism Live: Dr. Molly O'Shea

    Autism Live: Dr. Molly O'Shea
    Jun 3 2026

    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
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Autism Live: Kelley Jensen

    Autism Live: Kelley Jensen
    May 27 2026

    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
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Autism Live: Antoinette Elliott

    Autism Live: Antoinette Elliott
    May 20 2026

    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
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Autism Live: Tory and Vanessa Ridgeway

    Autism Live: Tory and Vanessa Ridgeway
    May 13 2026

    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.

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    1 hr
  • Autism Live: Alex Lin

    Autism Live: Alex Lin
    May 6 2026

    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
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Autism Live: Sharon Newhardt

    Autism Live: Sharon Newhardt
    Apr 29 2026

    On 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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    1 hr and 4 mins