THROWBACK EPISODE*

This episode with Catherine, Enesa and Moji was originally released on October 10, 2020. ----more----

Discover what’s possible when the world says no, but mothers say yes.

Our guests today are Catherine Verhoeff Shauf, Enesa Muratovic, and Moji Swartjes. These three strong and determined women are mothers of children on the autism spectrum. Another thing they all have in common is that they are ex-pats living in the Netherlands. Catherine is from the US, Enesa is from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Moji is originally from Nigeria but has also lived in the US and Scotland.

Catherine is the founder and owner of Stichting REACH, an autism center in The Hague that applies a multidisciplinary approach based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. Both Enesa’s son and Moji’s receive services there.

The Global Autism Project partnered with REACH from 2017 to 2019. We sent five SkillCorps volunteer teams to provide hands-on training to their therapists. As the Global Autism Project’s Regional Coordinator in Europe last year, it was exciting for me to witness the center’s growth.

In today’s conversation, our guests discuss the attitudes around autism in the Netherlands compared to those in their respective home countries, the challenges they have faced in accessing proper services, and their ideas on how to promote autism inclusion within their community.

Catherine talks about her journey of creating REACH and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected services at the center. Catherine, Enesa, and Moji also comment on how they dealt with managing stress during the quarantine and offer advice for parents to combat burnout.

For more information about Stichting REACH, please visit http://stichtingreachholland.nl/

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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.

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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.

THROWBACK EPISODE*

This episode with Cassidy Hooper was originally released on May 27, 2021. ----more----

Discover what’s possible when a butterfly spreads her wings.

Cassidy Hooper is a 27-year-old autistic self-advocate from Mississippi who also has a rare genetic condition called Turner Syndrome. As the President of The Arc of Northeast Mississippi Autism Now Division, she mentors other autistic people and connects them with resources in their area. Some of her other advocacy work includes volunteering for Autism Grown Up and the Turner Syndrome Foundation. Cassidy also hosts her own podcast called The Diverse Butterfly, in which she spreads awareness about Turner Syndrome and aims to inspire others to follow their goals.

Sadly, shortly after we recorded this interview, Cassidy’s mother passed away from a sudden heart attack. This episode is in memory of Regina Hooper.

Mrs. Hooper was a strong advocate for Cassidy throughout her life, always fighting for what she thought was best for her family. She was a sweet and caring mother, wife, grandmother, and teacher’s assistant who loved children. Regina Hooper will be missed by Cassidy and so many others whose lives were touched by her kind and tender spirit.

In today’s conversation, we discuss:

• What Turner Syndrome is and how it affects Cassidy’s life
• Receiving her autism diagnosis at 17
• Her learning style and special interests
• The lack of support for adults with disabilities in rural areas of the US
• Advice for other girls and women with Turner Syndrome

To learn more about Cassidy Hooper and Turner Syndrome, you can listen to her podcast The Diverse Butterfly.

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Are you a self-advocate willing to share your experiences and educate others? Are you a professional seeking to hear directly from autistic voices and improve your practice? Are you a family member hoping to support and empower your loved one? Whatever your role related to autism is, you can join our Global Autism Community to connect and collaborate with people all over the world.

Sign up today at community.globalautismproject.org. Let’s work together to transform how the world relates to autism.

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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too.

Follow us on Instagram: @autismpodcast

Join our community on Mighty Networks: Global Autism Community

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Global Autism Project

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We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.

THROWBACK EPISODE*

This episode with David Bodanis was originally released on January 21, 2021. ----more----

Discover what’s possible when everyone has a place they belong.

David Bodanis is a father to three young men, two of which are on the autism spectrum. David and his wife Irene are the founders of Jake’s House, a charitable organization based in Canada whose mission is to support individuals on the spectrum throughout their lifespans. They offer four core initiatives: annual holiday parties, the Legends Mentoring Program, employment mentoring, and inclusive housing solutions.

In this conversation, David talks about the dynamic between his three sons growing up, how the understanding of autism in Canada has changed over the last 20 years, and why he and his wife decided to start Jake’s House.

David also describes a recent, exciting project at Jake’s House in which they formed the band ASD, comprised of young musicians with autism.

For more information about Jake’s House, please visit jakeshouse.ca.

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We appreciate your time. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support our mission, please take just a few seconds to share it with one person who you think will find value in it too. You can also follow us on Instagram @autismpodcast and subscribe to our YouTube channel Global Autism Project.

----more----

We would love to hear your feedback about the show. Please fill out this short survey to let us know your thoughts: Listener Survey.