What if the way we've been approaching autism communication has been all wrong? In this episode, Julie Sando, the visionary behind Autistically Inclined, shares the groundbreaking moment when a young man named Kagan shattered preconceived notions about non-speaking individuals with autism through the use of a letter board. Julie's story is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of understanding and re-evaluating our perceptions of autism and communication.

Julie emphasizes the need for flexibility and creativity in finding the most effective ways to support each individual's unique communication journey. We explore the difference between meaningful versus unreliable communication and Julie shares a theory on the brain and motor movement disconnection.

Julie also shares about her ambitious efforts and overcoming obstacles to scale Autistically Inclined into a global initiative. Learn about her innovative strategies during the pandemic, her exciting fundraising campaigns, and her commitment to integrating communication methods into university curriculums. Julie's vision extends beyond childhood, aiming to empower non-speaking individuals as they transition into adulthood, ensuring they lead fulfilling lives. This episode is a compelling exploration of the power of community, adaptability, and profound understanding in revolutionizing autism communication.

To learn more and connect with Julie, find her at

https://www.autisticallyinclined.com/

https://www.communicationforeducation.com/

https://tevacommunity.org/

https://www.instagram.com/juliesando1/

https://www.instagram.com/autistically_inclined/

Exploring the World of Empaths and Energy Healing with Marianne Walker

Join us in an enlightening conversation with Marianne Walker, a coach for empaths, healers and people pleasers as she shares her journey and insights into the world of empaths. Discover how she stumbled upon her gift later in life, transitioning from reflexology to coaching. Marianne discusses the challenges of people-pleasing, setting boundaries, and finding alignment with one’s authentic self. Learn practical tips to avoid burnout and practice self-care while helping others. Dive into the power of mindset, conscious creation, and the transformative impact of embracing your true self. Marianne also shares her experiences with energy and her exciting plans for the future, including speaking at the largest energy healing conference in the world.

00:00 Warm Welcome and Introduction to Marianne
00:33 Embracing Authenticity and Social Media Presence
00:54 Journey into Empath Coaching and Healing
01:51 Discovering Empath Abilities and Personal Growth
03:05 Transitioning Careers and Embracing Energy Healing
05:21 Navigating People Pleasing and Setting Boundaries
06:53 Exploring Visual and Sensory Experiences of Energy
07:50 The Importance of Self-Regulation and Emotional Management
13:13 Parenting Insights: Teaching Kids About Emotions and Boundaries
19:19 Navigating People Pleasing in Relationships and Self-Care
28:44 Understanding and Breaking the Cycle of People Pleasing
30:41 Exploring the Dynamics of People Pleasing
31:31 The Journey of a Recovering People Pleaser
32:00 Navigating the Intricacies of Energy and Intuition
35:31 The Power of Asking and Receiving in Personal Growth
39:33 Embracing the Conscious Creator Within
43:32 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs and Embracing Abundance
46:39 The Thriving Path of Alignment and Authenticity
51:54 Leveraging Social Media for Personal Growth
54:50 Looking Ahead: Future Endeavors and Projects

Erin is a mother of two including a teenage son, Noa, who has autism and is non-speaking. Erin prioritizes giving him the best quality of life and helping him develop close relationships. Erin began working with Autistically Inclined to learn alternative communication in 2019.

Erin shares, "Imagine you were in your child's body. One that can do so many things, but depending on the environment, does not always cooperate and sometimes does the exact opposite of what you want. A body that can be impulsive. The more you try to control the impulses, the more out of control they become. A body that processes big emotions by self-injuring or being aggressive towards others, even though that's the last thing you want it to do, but you don't know how else to process through those emotions. Most of the people around you think you have the mind of a toddler, but in reality you understand everything, you just don't have a way to show people. All the while you have no reliable way to communicate any of this to others. Every thought and idea is trapped inside you dying to get out, but it has no chance unless someone else helps you find a way. What would it hurt to try to learn to spell on a letterboard? There is nothing to lose except all of the heaviness that comes from experiencing all of this every single day of your life. It will take time and a lot of work, and even if fluent open communication isn't fully achieved, the feeling of knowing that someone cared enough to believe in you, to make such an effort to help you get your voice heard can change how you feel about yourself and impact the way you experience the world."

In this episode Erin shares about

• Navigating the world of autism therapy options
• Personal growth and perspective
• Presuming competence
• Joining the Autistically Inclined Team
• and her families journey utilizing spelling to communicate

Check out the video on https://youtu.be/oFe84I3HoLs

Learn more about Austically Inclinded at https://www.autisticallyinclined.com/

And check out Erin's podcast "Growing through Autism" wherever you get your podcasts.