1 in 31: Autism Today

This weekend's 1 in 44 guest is Britini D'Angelo. At 22 months old, Britini was diagnosed with autism. When she was 5, her parents enrolled her in dance lessons which enabled her to escape the stigma associated with her diagnosis, and thrive. She is still an avid dancer to this day! D’Angelo is a Niagara Falls native, she received a BFA and a masters degree in Early Childhood and Childhood Education with additional certifications in Special Education and Theatre Education from Niagara University. More recently, she was a house guest on the hit CBS reality TV show Big Brother for season 23. Britini kept her autism diagnosis a secret throughout her time on the show. She courageously announced her autism diagnosis to the rest of the contestants during the Big Brother season finale saying: “I am so much more than what my disability is.”

You can connect with Britini on social media! Twitter: @britinidangelo & Instagram: @britni_dangelo

This weekend's guests are Nyasha Sibindi and Rhoda Nassolo. Nyasha & Rhoda are fellows in the Anderson Center International (ACI) Fellowship Program. Nyasha is originally from Zimbabwe, Rhoda is from Uganda. Both are excited to take the information and skills they are learning here at Anderson, back home to help individuals with autism in Africa. Tune in to learn more about Nyasha and Rhoda or visit www.andersoncenterforautism.org/aci for more information regarding ACI. 

This weekend's guest is Rita Nasrallah! Rita is the founder of Blissful Seeds, a San Diego CA non-profit. All of their soap and bath products are made with nautral and organic ingredients! Rita is also the mother of a child with autism. Rita’s goal was to create an inclusive environment where young adults on the spectrum can have meaningful jobs and a sense of community! The mission of Blissful Seeds is: empowerment, support, and hope for individuals living with autism spectrum disorder – handmade and delivered to your doorstep. Tune in to learn more and be sure to check out the lovely Blissful Seeds items and the Be Bliss Box for sale at https://www.blissfulseeds.org/

This weekend's 1 in 44 guests are Tracy-Ann and Jamiyl Samuels. Tracy-Ann & Jamiyl are authors, spreading awareness for individuals with autism through their children's books. As the parents of a child on the autism spectrum, they have advocated on behalf of this community with respect to access to education and services, anti-bullying, interfamily communications and social dynamics. The Amazingly Sensational Kids (T.A.S.K.) book series, The Amazingly Awesome Amani and Sensationally Super Sandy, are inspired by their son Trey's courageous journey as a child with autism. Tune in to learn more about T.A.S.K , or visit their site: https://www.theamazinglysensationalkids.com/ 

This weekend's guest is Angela Taylor, aka Geege! Her family is the main focus of the new Lifetime family docuseries "Leave It to Geege". Geege is a single mother of a child with autism, her son Pootie. Geege is a huge advocate for autism acceptance, she hopes to educate and help others navigate their way through the ups and downs of raising a child with autism. Tune in to learn more, or catch season one of Leave It to Geege on www.mylifetime.com! 

This weekend's guests are Joseph McCleery & Mary Ann Newell of the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support at Saint Joseph's University. Joe is the the Executive Director of Academic Programs, Mary is the Assistant Director of College Support. The Kinney Center has a two-fold mission: to educate and train the autism professionals of tomorrow, while supporting and serving the individuals and families affected by autism today. The center is now offering a new Neurodiversity at Work Minor, tune in to learn more! https://www.sju.edu/kinney/

This weekends guest is Dr. Joseph Dougherty. Joe runs the Genetics Lab at Washington University in St. Louis in Missouri. His research focuses on trying to understand the genetic and cellular underpinnings of both normal behavior and psychiatric disorders, primarily autism. One of Joe's current projects is studying the MYT1L gene. Tune in to learn more! Visit genetics.wustl.edu/jdlab to learn more about Joe's lab and their research! 

This weekend's guest is Karen Finnegan, founder of Chickens with Attitude, and the author of Jolene, the Disability Awareness Chicken. Jolene was one of six chicks who hatched in the Hudson Valley in the spring of 2021. Jolene was born with a birth defect known of as perosis which made it impossible for her to fly or run. In Karen's book, Jolene and her sister Christopher help inspire children to embrace what is special and different in each other. Tune in to learn more about Jolene's Story, and how Chickens with Attitude was launched. Visit: sites.google.com/chickenswithattitude.com/jolene/home

Nellie Freeborn is the Executive Director of Visit Visalia, the "marketing arm" of Visalia, CA. Steve Nelson is the CEO of Downtown Visalians, and he is the mayor of the city of Visalia! Tune in to hear Nellie & Steve discuss Visit Visalia becoming an Autism Certified Center in 2021. Visit Visalia is the first Destination Marketing Organization in California to earn this designation through IBCCES. This designation means that visitors with autism can travel to Visalia with confidence knowing that they are prioritizing accessibility and inclusion. Visit Visalia also has established the “Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program”. This initiative is a simple way for our visitors and residents to self-identify they have a disability that might require a little extra help. Learn more about these programs and view resources at: www.visitvisalia.com

 

 

Join us today to hear from Jenny & Loz! Jenny McLaughlan is the founder of Chewigem™ which she started in 2010. The business is UK based, they sell chewable jewelry designed to meet the needs of children and adults who need to chew! Their mission is to build the Worlds Number 1 Community For Sensory Seekers. Learn more about these awesome products at chewigem.com and, at sensooli.com to purchase.