Tag Archives: autism awareness

Doctor with an Autism Podcast Believes We Are All on The Autism Spectrum and It Is About Living with Autism, Not Trying to Fix It

PHOENIX, Ariz. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Otherness Podcast is a narrative exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories from those who have lived with it. Dr. Todd Peter Levine, a psychiatrist with a brother with autism, presents conversations, concepts and guests covering an array of interactions and experiences from those with or close to autism. It is the establishment of a voice to curate the stories that he feels have deep meaning for those people who are living with autism in their daily lives.

The Otherness Podcast started when Todd was with close friends on a boat and he asked for their advice on what a creative endeavor on a life spent in autism could look like. The idea of a podcast took shape and became a narration of family stories of autism. Todd remembers how the support of his friends started his path towards opening up the conversations he was having in his office treating children and adults with autism, "It was really the establishment of a voice, a narration to curate the stories that I knew would have deep meaning for those people that have lived with autism, whether they have autism themselves or whether they are family members of someone on the spectrum."

Dr. Todd Peter Levine now has one season under his belt and as the second season has started, he is sharing more stories of what it means to feel the vast spectrum of feelings that include terror, rage, sadness, and pain that can create a venue to move into the humanity of autism and away from the diagnosis itself.

Todd believes "We define our children by who they are as humans. Then looking with the lens through which autism is viewed, while different, has a unique perspective that can actually open our minds up to humanity in a greater way.

"I feel everyone is on the autism spectrum to some degree and the official diagnosis comes from the realization that some of us have more struggles with how our minds and bodies respond differently to the social and non-social environment."

The Otherness Podcast is also amplifying how the stories of living with autism have been much more important than any textbook, any medical journal or any lecture he's ever been to. Todd also states "Most of these stories do not have happy endings, mostly because they are still being told."

For season 2 and beyond, Todd wants to have people come on and share their stories, and ask questions that can get us to those places of vulnerability and resilience that many can relate to. He is particularly interested in those who have family members affected by autism and are affected by autism themselves.

For more information, visit: https://othernesspodcast.com/

Listen to the Otherness Podcast and Dr. Todd Peter Levine on:

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/otherness-podcast/id1558614588

Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/otherness-podcast/PC:78573

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0syuA1Py9z8am7FkpbI9yp

And wherever else podcasts are available.

The Otherness Podcast is a narrative exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories from those who have lived with it. Dr. Todd Peter Levine, a psychiatrist with a brother with autism, presents conversations, concepts and guests covering an array of interactions and experiences from those with or close to autism.

Related link: https://othernesspodcast.com/

Mom of Three Autistic Boys Pens Book About Navigating the Pandemic and Sobriety with Grit, Humor and Love

LONG ISLAND, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- The global pandemic has average parents becoming teachers, referees, cooks, therapists, and so much more. One mother, Melanie Donus, took on the extra challenges of parenting three autistic boys while leaping into sobriety and published a book about the experience.

"I suddenly found myself in sink or swim mode and had to find a creative outlet to alleviate stress. Writing letters to my mom helped me cope with our suddenly upside down world and provided a soothing sense of calm, inspiration and motivation, Donus said." Her efforts soared in the ranks during pre-sale giving her an Amazon "Best Selling Author" badge.

"Leaning On Mom: Letters to Roberta, How a Mom of Three with Autism Found Strength During the Pandemic" (ISBN: 978-0578741789) provides a raw and humorous window into the world of author Melanie Donus, who could be viewed as the next Marvel superhero. In this collection of letters to her own mother, Roberta, Melanie shares what day-to-day life was like for her and her family during the first four months of the coronavirus pandemic.

Donus has "three boys who are quite different, but all who need their routine, structure, education, treatment, school, and therapists. Suddenly, Melanie had to be all those things," says Ray Cepeda, Founder and Director of ABAskills, who wrote the Foreword for Leaning on Mom.

"Please be extra kind to an ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) mom if you see her in the community over the next few months. Getting 'back to normal' is not in our vocabulary," Donus says.

The scenes in "Leaning on Mom" move quickly and reveal the endless questions, epic meltdowns, musical Zoom calls, behavior challenges, and heart-wrenching moments that show Donus' boys regressing before her eyes. Her journey through the decision process and arrangements for one of her boys to relocate to an out-of-state residential school is particularly moving.

"Leaning on Mom" is NOT, however all "doom and gloom." Donus details her challenge unfriending "Donna" (code for chardonnay) and includes stories of miracles, heroes, and unexpected acts of kindness. Donus dedicates the book to herself not to reflect narcissism but as a way to shine a light on the enormous responsibilities of those who give 200 percent to their autistic children, leaving little time for themselves. She recognizes that this can result in isolation, loneliness, and a reliance on alcohol as a best friend; and shares her pandemic journey to sobriety, the second pivotal point in her life when she turned away from alcohol.

These un-sugarcoated scenes from the real life of a resilient and resourceful mom as she navigates unprecedented challenges will educate readers about Autism Spectrum Disorder and inspire them to find their own inner strength. This snapshot in time is one for the history books.

ABOUT MELANIE DONUS

Melanie Donus is the proud mother of three school-aged children, Dimitri (17), Michael (17), and Maxx (12), who all have Autism Spectrum Disorder and three very different profiles of abilities and challenges. She lives on Long Island, New York, with her husband Andrew. "Leaning on Mom" is Melanie's first book and became a pre-sale Best Seller on Amazon.

Learn more at: https://www.melaniedonus.com/

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/Ve5cjHzr97s

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0909s2p-leaning-on-mom-300dpi.jpg

The global pandemic has average parents becoming teachers, referees, cooks, therapists, and so much more. One mother, Melanie Donus, took on the extra challenges of parenting three autistic boys while leaping into sobriety and published a book about the experience.

Related link: https://www.melaniedonus.com/

Geek Club Books Releases Digital Autistic Hero Comic for Inclusive Learning

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 3, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Geek Club Books, Inc., an autism nonprofit, today announced the release of their interactive digital comic, "The Mighty League, Vol. 2: The Horrible Hug." This is the second in their digital and app autistic hero comic series created to help children understand their autistic peers and end the stigma of autism. The comic is downloadable via the Geek Club Books website.

The digital comic addresses the fear and anxiety of going to school, making friends and feeling acceptance for being different.

"We turned a story of going to a new school into a space adventure," said the organization's spokesperson and President, Jodi Murphy. "On the journey, our autistic star ship captain eventually lowers his shields and engages after learning the welcoming signs of friendship and acceptance."

The curriculum for "Horrible Hug" helps educators, teachers, students who are not on the autism spectrum and autistic students have a better understanding of the characteristics of autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

"It helps to dispel the false assumptions often made by the general education population that 'different' means 'difficult' or disabled," said Jayne Clare, "Horrible Hug" curriculum developer and special education consultant.

Both digital comic and curriculum help all children become more aware of their social and emotional health as well as those around them, learn appropriate social skills, and give students a "why they are important" overview.

Access to Geek Club Books' Autistic Hero Comic can be found at http://geekclubbooks.com/mighty-league-2-ebook/.

About Geek Club Books:

Founded by Jodi Murphy in 2014, Geek Club Books, is a 501c3 autism charity with an autism education and empowerment mission. They produce interactive children's story apps, enhanced e-books, curriculum, digital media and webisodes to change perceptions and end stigmas surrounding autism. The nonprofit partners with clinical advisors and educational specialists. A team of autistic adults collaborate and contribute their talents to everything the organization produces. Information: http://geekclubbooks.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/GeekClubBooks.

About Jayne Clare Consulting:

Jayne Clare is a a thirty-year veteran teacher in special education, has been a leader in introducing educational technology into the classroom. She is co-founder of Teachers With Apps, an NSBA "20 to Watch" Leader Advancing Education Technology, contributor to George Lucas' Edutopia, and weekly host of EdAppTalk, an open table Facebook Group. Information: http://www.jayneclareconsulting.com/.

*IMAGE for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/16-0503-horrible-hug-book-300dpi.jpg

*Image caption: "The Mighty League, Vol. 2: The Horrible Hug," an interactive digital autistic hero comic helps all children become aware of their social and emotional health.

Twitter: @geekclubbooks #ProjectHug #AutismAwareness #Autism #AutisticHero

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/geek-club-books-releases-digital-autistic-hero-comic-for-inclusive-learning-2016-0503-06.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE Geek Club Books Inc. :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2016 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.