1 in 31

Max Muscato & Alea Conte - Rock Autism

This weekend's 1 in 31 guests are Max Muscato and Alea Conte. Max is the Founder, President, and CEO of Rock Autism. Alea is the organization's Executive Director. Max is a recording artist himself, and was inspired to start Rock Autism as his brother Sonny is on the Autism Spectrum. The non-profit is located in Buffalo, NY. Their mission is to support individuals on the autism spectrum to develop a craft in music, film, and the multimedia arts that leads to employment in their given field of interest. Through Rock Autism Multimedia Vocational Programs, they are able to empower individuals with autism with the skills needed to "build a craft in the creative arts and carve out a career path". Their programs also help to keep individuals "free from depression, crime, drug abuse and suicide; all elements of Sonny's (Max's brother) struggles with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Tune in to learn more or visit: https://rockautism.org/

 

 

 

training and employing young adults with Autism in the entertainment industries, keeping them free from depression, crime, drug abuse and suicide; all elements of his own brother’s struggles with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

ALEA CONTE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Alea Conte is a marketing specialist and licensed event planner who generates community outreach for Autism through Rock Autism benefit events. Alea serves as Volunteer Executive Director of Rock Autism. She oversees the development of Rock Autism Multimedia Vocational Programs and expands Rock Autism’s partnerships with both local and national foundations, Autism non-profits and initiatives to generate new ideas, stronger relationships and a broader network to maximize Rock Autism’s impact in Western New York and beyond.

Alex K. Lin - 8th Annual Autism Rocks Concert

This weekend's 1 in 31 guest is Alex K. Lin. Through his organization Autism Rocks, Alex will host the 8th annual Autism Rocks Concert at Universal City Walk in Hollywood on June 28th. He joined us before the concert to discuss all the details! Performers include: The Miracle Project, Laura K. Jane, Gemma Brooke Allen, Nico Vargas, Ethan Mathias, Lucas Metge, Dakota Lotus and more! The event will be co-hosted by Alex and Dani Bowman, and is sponsored by the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism.  Tune in to learn more, or watch the live stream: https://www.autismrocksevents.org and https://www.instagram.com/autismrocksevents/

Richard Rakesh & Dr. Selvanayaki Venkatesan - Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation (VMRF)

This weekend's 1 in 31 guests are Richard Rakesh and Dr. Selvanayaki Venkatesan. Richard Rakesh is the Chief Consultant for Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation (VMRF), located in India. Dr. Selvanayaki Venkatesan is a Professor at the Annapoorna College of Nursing (A unit of VMRF). Richard and Dr. Venkatesan are visiting with us this month at Anderson Center for Autism, and we are excited to host them! Richard first learned about Anderson Center for Autism as an international scholar in the Anderson Center International program, he is back now as a consultant. 

Tune in to learn more or visit: https://vmrfdu.edu.in/

 

Rick Soshensky MA, LCAT, MT-BC, NRMT - Music Therapy Studio

This weekend's 1 in 31 guest is Rick Soshensky. Rick is the founder and director of the Music Therapy Studio in Kingston, NY. He has been a Music Therapist for 30+ years and has lived his entire professional life in the world of music. The Music Therapy Studio was founded in 2012, and is open to people of all abilities. They offer in-studio, online/zoom, and home/school/facility visits. Each Friday, they host a FREE pilot program, The Community Music Therapy Project from 1PM to 3PM. "Make Music, Meet Friends, Have Fun"! Tune in to learn more or visit: https://themusictherapystudio.com/ 

Kathleen Somers - Barely Visible: Mothering a Son Through His Misunderstood Autism

This weekend's 1 in 36 guest is Kathleen Somers. Kathleen is the author of a recently published book titled 'Barely Visible: Mothering a Son Through His Misunderstood Autism'. The book is a candid memoir of Kathleen's experiences, being a parent of a child on the Autism Spectrum for the last 20+ years.

"For any parent who has ever struggled with a child’s difficult or peculiar behavior, this candid and compelling memoir about raising a child on the spectrum offers reassurance that you are not alone—and a path forward is possible."

Tune in to learn more or visit: https://www.kathleensomers.com/

Purchase Kathleen's book: https://www.amazon.com/Barely-Visible-Mothering-Misunderstood-Asperger/dp/1647428823

James Bowers - New York Sheriffs' Association

This weekend's 1 in 36 guest is James Bowers. James is the Program Director at the New York Sheriffs' Association located in Albany, New York. He joins us to discuss the Blue Envelope Program, and other safety programs rolled out by the NY Sheriffs' Association. The Blue Envelope Program aims to facilitate smoother communication and reduce anxiety during traffic stops for drivers with autism and other disabilities. Drivers with autism or other disabilities can obtain a blue envelope from their local sheriff's office (they are distributed to them by the NY Sheriffs' Association) and place their driver's license, registration, insurance card, and emergency contact information inside. Tune in to learn more about James, and the Blue Envelope Program!

Alex K. Lin - Autism Rocks

This weekend's 1 in 36 guest is Alex K. Lin. Alex is the co-founder of Autism Rocks, a nonprofit concert event founded along with Ned Specktor in 2016.

Their main mission is to de-stigmatize any stereotypes people have on the Autism community by filling the concert with performances by musicians with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and by shedding a light on the bullying epidemic happening within the Autism Community.

Alex also discusses his Instagram live show - "Issues at Hand". Tune in to learn more or visit: https://www.autismrocksevents.org/

 

Dave Kot - Autism at Face Value

This weekend's 1 in 36 guest is Dave Kot. Dave is the co-founder of Autism at Face Value, a non-profit organization focused on providing social and emotional support programs for individuals with autism, primarily utilizing tabletop roleplaying games (RPGs). Dave founded the non-profit in Pennsylvania with his wife Angela, to educate the public about autism, raise awareness, and promote inclusivity. Recently, Autism at Face Value applied for, and won a grant from Anderson Foundation for Autism. Tune in to learn more about Dave, Autism at Face Value, and their plans for the future! Visit: https://facevaluecomics.wordpress.com/

Dani Bowman - DaniMation

This weekend's 1 in 36 guest is Dani Bowman. Dani is an entrepreneur, producer, speaker, and more! She was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age three, and did not speak until age six. You may recognize Dani from appearing on Netflix's Love on the Spectrum US as a cast member. Dani joins us today to discuss DaniMation, which she is the founder and CEO of. DaniMation, a cloud-based autism talent development company that produces original and contract Animation, Illustration, and Graphic Arts. They provide remote animation classes that are available in both group and 1:1 settings. Tune in to learn more or visit: https://danimationentertainment.com/online-classes/

Gary Shulman MS. Ed. - Autism Consultant, Advocate, & More

This weekend's 1 in 36 guest is Gary Shulman. Gary was the Program Director of Social Services, Training Coordinator and Special Camp Fair Coordinator for Resources for Children with Special Needs, Inc. for over 24 years. He has now transitioned to the role of consultant/trainer on a private basis. Gary is also a published poet. He also serves as a volunteer Advisory Commissioner in Arlington, VA. Tune in to learn more about the virtual workshops he provides nationally, or visit: https://garyshulman.jimdo.com