Original Air Date: 02/28/2010

 Paula C. Durbin-Westby ~ASAN and IACC

 Paula C. Durbin-Westby is on the Board of Directors for The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network and is ASAN’s coordinator for Virginia. Paula works with ASAN on public policy advocacy, educational issues, media and community outreach.

She is an autistic community member of the Academic Autistic Partnership In Research and Education(AASPIRE). She is also a graduate of the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities’ Partners in Policymaking Class of 2009.  Paula has testified at numerous Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee  (IACC)  meetings, calling for research into supports and services throughout the lifespan.

In November 2008,  she gave an invited presentation to the IACC committee on “Ethical Concerns in Autism Research.” Most recently she has participated in the IACC Scientific Workshop held September 30-October 1, 2009.

Original Air Date: 02/24/2010

 Dallas, Obanion ~Six Year Old Autistic Boy Faces Felony Charges

Six Year Old Dallas Obanion, diagnosed with autism is facing felony charges for allegedly biting a teacher while he was being restrained by two adults laying on top of him. Charges were not filed until after Dallas' mother, Tina Obanion refused to sign a waiver whereby allowing any school staff (trained or untrained) to restrain her child as they deemed necessary. Tina joins us to discuss her son's ongoing trauma due to the continual restraints used on him on a near daily basis.  

Original Air Date: 02/19/2010

 Sara Childers the Animal Whisperer

Sara is an 18 year old autistic female currently attending college, and has worked at a animal sanctuary since age nine. Sara has a unique gift with animals, an "unspoken bond" she explains. Sara believes it is because of her autism that she connects in a magical way with all kinds of animals. Sara's story has been featured on CNN and the History Channel.

Original Air Date: 02/11/2010

 Heather & Marc ~Examiner Reporters for Autism Community

 Heather Sedlock writes for Examiner.com as a Special Needs Kids Examiner in Tulsa. Heather has worked with individuals who are on the autism spectrum, social anxiety disorders, post traumatic disorders, reactive attachment disorder, disorder, oppositional defiance disorder, and agoraphobia.

Marc Rosen is currently a student at Dowling College, majoring in English Literature, an activist for the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, and autistic. Marc is dedicated to addressing issues to ensure a better future for autistic people, as well as improving their present situation. He feels his perspective as an autistic adult is vital to any discussion regarding autism.

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Original Air Date: 02/10/2010

 Temple Grandin

 Temple Grandin addressed neurodiversity, visual thinking, pattern thinking, education, the recent HBO Movie about her life story portrayed by actress Claire Danes and much more.   ~A special Autism Women's Network thank you to Dana Commandatore of Rethinking Autism for the informative and enlightening conversation she had with Temple about successful education for children on the autism spectrum.

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Original Air Date: 01/30/2010

 Personal Safety Expert Anny Jacoby on Issues of Stalking & Violence

Anny Jacoby, Personal Safety Expert offers a unique understanding of self defense, and in her workshops she teaches females important safety tips as well as self defense training. In these classes she also addresses awareness of abusive relationships, assault, and pro-active options.

Anny consulted with an professional regarding females on the autism spectrum and their unique vulnerabilities as it pertains to these matters. Anny's approach to safety training is proactive, strategy, and foremost awareness.

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Original Air Date: 01/29/2010

 Liane Holliday Willey on Autistic Females and their Vulnerabilities to Violence and Abuse

Best selling author of Pretending to be Normal, Liane Holliday Willey was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome as an adult. Liane is an accomplished writer, editor, communications consultant, a mother, and a wife. She is dedicated to helping others understand the importance of accepting the diversities of people as an inspirational and motivational speaker. Liane joined us on AWN Radio to discuss the vulnerabilities of females on the autism spectrum with respect to violence and abuse. For the first time during a live interview, Liane will share her own story of survival and determination to heal after the trauma of abuse & sexual assault. 

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Original Air Date: 01/22/2010

 Guest Dr. Stephen Shore on Self Advocacy

Diagnosed with "Atypical Development with strong autistic tendencies" Dr. Shore was viewed as "too sick" to be treated on an outpatient basis and recommended for institutionalization. Nonverbal until four, and with much help from his parents, teachers, and others, Stephen completed his doctoral dissertation at Boston University focused on matching best practice to the needs of people on the autism spectrum. Stephen presents and consults internationally on adult issues pertinent to education, relationships, employment, advocacy, and disclosure as discussed in his books Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Ask and Tell: Self-advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum, and the critically acclaimed Understanding Autism for Dummies.

 _{President of the Asperger’s Association of New England, Dr. Shore serves on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, for the Board of Directors for Autism Society of America, Unlocking Autism, MAAP, the College Internship Program, and USAAA.}

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Original Air Date: 01/13/2010

 Temple Grandin

Temple joined us for a great discussion on Autism Women's Network Radio today, and took questions from callers to discuss how teachers played a significant & vital role in her life. She shared how developing her talent in art was a guiding force which led her to the career she enjoys today. I visited with Temple after the show & she shared with me a few important facts about herself which may help us to understand why she may not respond immediately to some questions during interviews. First, as an individual on the autism spectrum, Temple processes information unique to her personal sensory code. To be specific, Temple explained how she needs time to process any new information given to her. If the information she receives is highly charged or emotional she will utilize additional time in order to absorb everything so she can reply in what she referred to as, "responsibly." We are pleased that Temple will now be working along side us at Autism Women's Network. Specifically, AWN Radio will be producing ongoing episodes whereby Temple will be joining is regularly to address autism, including characteristics unique to autistic females, and much more. Stay tuned for details about our regularly scheduled shows with Temple. 

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Original Air Date: 12/28/2009

 ASAN President Ari Ne'eman Answers Your Questions Re: Preventing Harmful Restraint & Seclusion Act

 ASAN President Ari Ne'eman joined us for a Question and Answer broadcast about the recently introduced Preventing Harmful Restraint & Seclusion Act. He addressed issues including: how it can impact students with disabilities and what members of the autistic and broader disability community can do to help stop school abuse. There is a need for all of us to contact our congressman and ask them to sponsor this Legislation. Ari invites you to contact him if you have any questions. His email is: aneeman@autisticadvocacy.org 

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Oiginal Air Date: 12/27/2009

 Sharon and Tricia's Midnight Crawl: 2009's Year in Review

Sharon and Tricia reviewed this past year's news & headlines from around the world. Discussions covered everything from pop-culture to politics, and of course the autism community 2009 flashbacks.

We played several "Quick Draw" trivia games for instant prize give-aways. All listeners who signed into our chat room while joining us during our live broadcast had their names entered into the drawing for AWN's two monthly prizes from our sponsor b-CalmSound.

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Original Air Date: 12/18/2009

 Inclusive Schooling for Students with Autism and Other Disabilities

 Dana Commandatore joined us to discuss inclusive education in our children's classrooms. We discussed a wide range of experiences, including whether or not inclusive education is beneficial for every child. Our conversation also addressed the unnecessary obstacles we are confronted with in order to ensure our children's fundamental right to an education which is as flexible and diverse as their individual needs dictate.

Dana is the mother of a young son in 2nd grade who is on the autism spectrum. She is an accomplished producer and director of autism awareness videos. Dana announced during our broadcast that her next video production will be geared toward successfully educating others about the variety of benefits resulting from Inclusive Classrooms. Dana is also the author of Michelangelo the Diver which she dedicated "to all the parents who need to remind themselves to keep dreaming and to Andy the Diver for giving her son Michelangelo something to dream about."

Take a few minutes to visit Dana's website at Rethinking Autism and join her in changing the autism conversation "one video at a time."

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Original Air Date: 12/11/2009

 Autism Dad Jim Gott Former Major League Pitcher 

Jim is a retired Major League Baseball Pitcher, and he & his wife Cathy have 2 sons on the autism spectrum. Jim and Cathy are the founders of Education Spectrum where Jim is now an Instructor, Unite Autism, and Danny's Farm which Cathy founded for their autistic son Danny. They are both committed to assisting other parents who have children on the autism spectrum. Thank you Jim and Cathy for all you do in the autism community!

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Original Air Date: 11/30/2009

The ABC's of an IEP with Kristina Chew

Parent advocate Kristina Chew joined us on AWN Internet Radio to discuss the IEP process. She has been an active participant in her son's IEP meetings for several years, and understands first hand the importance of comprehending your child's rights as it pertains to their IEP.

Kristina guided us through the must know facts and myths surrounding your child's rights, and how you can be an active participant in successfully developing & implementing your child's IEP.

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