1 in 31: Autism Today

Steve Tseckares and Dillon Faulkner - Backyard Sports Cares

This weekend's 1 in 31 guests are Steve Tseckares and Dillon Faulkner. Steve Tseckares is the Executive Director of Backyard Sports Cares , Dillon Faulkner is the President and Chief Operating Officer. Backyard Sports Cares is a nonprofit division of Backyard Sports, the leading provider of community team sports programs for kids of all ages in Westchester County. Recently, they rolled out their BYSC Plus Program which is open to the public and serves children and young adults of all ability levels including individuals with special needs. This program works to build skills, confidence, and self esteem is staffed 1:1 by teacher/coaches and high school peer mentors. Tune in to learn more or visit: https://byardsportscares.org/

 

Erica Stanzione - BluePath Service Dogs

This weekend's 1 in 31 guest is Erica Stanzione. Erica is the Director of Marketing and Development for BluePath Service Dogs. Recently, BluePath Service Dogs received two monetary grants from Anderson Foundation for Autism in support of their Autism Service Dogs program.

BluePath works to transform the lives of children with autism through the placement of expertly trained service dogs. Each BluePath dog comes with thousands of hours of training from dedicated volunteers and professional staff. These dogs offer freedom to families, with their primary role being to provide safety for a child while out in public. Families can apply for an autism service dog directly on the BluePath Service Dogs website.

Tune in or learn more: https://bluepathservicedogs.org/autism-service-dogs/

Dr. Jacob Corey - Arcadia University

This weekend's 1 in 31 guest is Dr. Jacob Corey. Dr. Corey is an assistant professor of physical therapy at Arcadia University in Pennsylvania. His research focuses on improving health, participation, and quality of life for neurodivergent individuals and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities through mixed methods inquiry, patient-centered intervention design, and implementation science. Dr. Corey is also the co-founder and president of Happy Valley FitLink, a nonprofit organization that provides free wellness classes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Recently, he received an Anderson Foundation for Autism grant to support his work STRETCH (Supporting, Training, Rehabilitation, Empowerment, Transformation, Community, and Health)-Arc project at Arcadia. 

Tune in to learn more, or visit: Weekly Fitness Classes | Happyvalleyfitlink | https://www.arcadia.edu/news/anderson-foundation-for-autism-awards-5000-grant-to-arcadia-university/ 

Tracy Schober - Autism Society Greater Hudson Region

This weekend's 1 in 31 guest is Tracy Schober. Tracy is the Executive Director at Autism Society Greater Hudson Region (ASGHR). She leads the organization in five core service areas including Education, Advocacy, Support, Community, and Information & Referral, covering 21 counties in Eastern New York. Tracy joins us to discuss upcoming some of ASGHR's programs, and upcoming events. ASGHR hosts a Mom’s Night Out Social Connection Club. This is a great way to meet other caregivers, exchange ideas, share strategies and resources, make friends, and find a sense of community. ASGHR recently started their BRIGHT (Brave Resilient Inspiring Girls Happening Together) initiative. BRAVE is a social and empowerment program for autistic and neurodiverse pre-teen and teen girls designed to build confidence, friendships, and self-awareness. You can follow ASGHR on Facebook for information on upcoming events, fundraisers, and other advocacy efforts!

 

Learn more about how you can support ASGHR: https://asghr.org/ | Email: communications@asghr.org 

 

Tracy's Bio: Tracy is the Executive Director at Autism Society Greater Hudson Region (ASGHR). She leads the organization in five core service areas including Education, Advocacy, Support, Community, and Information & Referral, covering 21 counties in Eastern New York. Previously Tracy had a thirteen-year tenure as an ACA team member, she served as an Admissions Administrator, Supervisor of Medicaid Service Coordination, Senior Admissions Administrator, Director of New Program Development, and ECHO Autism Lead. As Executive Director of ASGHR Tracy continues to develop and implement trainings at local and national levels. Tracy is a doctoral candidate, pursuing her Doctor of Public Administration degree at Capella University. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Marist College, a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from SUNY College at Brockport, and an Associate’s degree in Recreation Leadership from Erie Community College. Tracy earned a certificate as A Social Change Ambassador from the American Association of University Women (member). Tracy is an approved Housing Navigator (NYHRC) and an approved Trainer for Autism Society of America’s Safety on the Spectrum™ - First Responders training. Tracy is also a member of the American Society for Public Administration and the Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society. Tracy previously served as Program Manager of Adult Residential Services at COARC, a non-profit disabilities service provider, in Columbia County, NY, where she oversaw multiple Individual Residential Alternatives and apartments. Tracy’s doctoral focus is on housing. She is a proud mom of an adult on the spectrum.

 

Where to listen: 

• The Beacon, WGHQ 92.5FM/920AM
  Kingston, NY, hvbeacon.com, Sundays, 8:30AM EST
• WBPM 92.9FM/96.5FM and 1260AM/1420AM
  Beacon, NY, 929wbpm.com, Sundays, 6:00AM EST
• WHUD 100.7FM
  Beacon, NY, WHUD.com, Sundays, 6:00AMEST
• Oldies, WGNY 98.9/105.3FM and 1220AM
  New Windsor, NY, WGNYFM.com, Sundays, 7:30AM EST

 

1 in 31 can be streamed from the following apps:
Search ‘1 in 31’ or ‘Anderson Center for Autism’

Amazon Music
Apple Podcasts
Boomplay
iHeart
Podbean
Podchaser
Spotify
YouTube

 

Learn more

http://andersoncenterforautism.org/1in31 

https://www.facebook.com/ASDpodcast 

 

Jeremy Buzzell - National Parks System PAVE Program

This weekend's 1 in 31 guest is Jeremy Buzzell. Jeremy is the Manager of Park Accessibility for Visitors and Employees (PAVE) program within the National Park Service. He joins us to discuss the National Park Service's growing inclusivity and accessibility initiatives, aimed at removing barriers for individuals with intellectual disabilities and physical impairments. New supports now include social stories and sensory guides for neurodiverse visitors, and additional training for NPS staff that can better respond to families' needs. Individuals with a disability can attain an America the Beautiful Access Pass for free entry to most Federal Recreation Sites.
Tune in to learn more or visit: https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/accessibility.htm

Dr. Blake Warner - UCLA PEERS Clinic

This weekend's 1 in 31 guest is Dr. Blake Warner. Dr. Warner is a Chief Clinical Fellow at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Warner works within the Tarjan Center at UCLA, which is a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). He received his PhD with a dual specialization in Clinical and Disaster Psychology from the University of South Dakota. Dr. Warner joins us to discuss the PEERS (Program for Education Enrichment of Relational Skills) for Dating Clinic. This new 20-week program aims to demystify the often complex social rules surrounding dating and help participants gain a deeper understanding of relationship dynamics. The PEERS Clinic is currently recruiting participants for the free, 20-week study, set to begin in late January. To learn more, visit: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/peers

You can also contact the clinic directly: 310-26-PEERS or peersclinic@ucla.edu.

Ashley Quitoni - Adaptive Crossfit 845

This weekend's 1 in 31 guest is Ashley Quitoni. Ashley is a coach with Crossfit 845. The organization recently created a new program - fitness for all - called Adaptive 845. The 8-week program meets twice a week and helps individuals build strength, confidence, and community! Individuals leave this program feeling empowered, included, and a part of the fitness community. Personalized fitness sessions include tailored workouts for ALL ability levels. 

Interested in signing up for their next session? Learn more: https://adaptive.crossfit845.com/

 

Jennifer McGee - Inclusive Art House

Jennifer is the founder of Inclusive Art House, a nonprofit located in Georgia. Jennifer has been a visual artist for over 25 years. She founded Inclusive Art House to empower and uplift disabled and special needs persons. She was inspired by her nephew Isahiah (now 20 years old) who came to live with her and her family in 2020. Isahiah is the focus of Jennifer's book series "Izzy Can't Talk", and has the title Chief of Inspiration within the organization. Jennifer has a new book coming out October 20th, 2025. Books can be purchased at the link below!

Learn more: https://inclusivearthouse.com/

Heather Edwards - AhHa! Broadway

This weekend's 1 in 31 guest is Heather Edwards. Heather is the co-founder and CEO of AhHa! Broadway, a New York City based nonprofit. Heather has trained as a classical pianist and graduated from Berklee College of Music. AhHa! Broadway enables opportunities for performing arts education and programming to under-resourced kids, veterans, seniors, and neurodivergent adults. They recently partnered with Queens Centers for Progress (QCP) on an inclusive theater program resulting in the QCP's inaugural production of Willy Wonka. The partnership provided opportunities for individuals to participate in various aspects of theater, including acting, backstage crew, and artistry.
Heather wants all individuals to believe in themselves, if you want to be a Broadway star, go after your dreams. Tune in to learn more or visit: https://ahhabroadway.org/

Referenced inspirational works: How to Dance in Ohio (Broadway show) all castmembers had a diagnosis of ASD

"Super Avery and the Day of the big Race” by Avery Thomas.

 

Dr. Alex Kolevzon - Seaver Autism Center

This weekend's 1 in 31 guest is Dr. Alex Kolevzon. Dr. Kolevzon is the Clinical Director of the Seaver Autism Center at Mount Sinai Health System. He joins us today to talk about the CDC's latest estimate that 1 in 31 children in the United States are identified as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Dr. Kolevzon suggests a number of possible reasons why this statistic has been on the rise. He also discusses various research challenges and approaches for studying individuals on the autism spectrum. Dr. Kolevzon suggests the prevalence rate may stabilize around 1 in 100 individuals, rather than the current 1 in 31 figure, suggesting some correction in diagnostic practices may occur in the future.

If you are interested in reading further into the study mentioned by Dr. Kolevzon, it can be found here: https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ajp.162.6.1133

Tune in to learn more!