
2M
Downloads
145
Episodes
šļø Adulting with Autism ā 2 MILLION DOWNLOADS & GROWING! š https://buymeacoffee.com/adultingwithautism Navigating adulthood as an autistic individual comes with unique challenges and triumphs. Hosted by April Ratchford, an autistic occupational therapist, this podcast is your go-to resource for independent living, career growth, relationships, and self-advocacy. š” Featuring Exclusive Interviews with Leading Experts & Advocates: š Dr. Robert Melillo ā Neurodevelopmental expert & author (Disconnected Kids). š Amanda Ralston ā Founder of NonBinary Solutions & neurodiversity advocate. š Thomas DāEri ā Co-founder of Rising Tide Car Wash, a social enterprise empowering autistic individuals. š Shell Mendelson ā Career coach helping neurodivergent professionals find fulfilling careers. š Sam Mitchell ā Host of Autism Rocks and Rolls, sharing powerful personal insights. š Doug Blecher ā Autism advocate and creator of impactful neurodiversity content. š Steve Gallegos ā Speaker and mentor focused on empowering individuals with disabilities. š McCracken Poston Jr. ā Attorney in the landmark Truman Show Delusion case. š Upcoming Interviews: š Dr. Matt Zakreski ā Clinical psychologist specializing in neurodiversity. š Dr. Foojan Zeine ā Psychotherapist & expert in emotional wellness. Join 1.1M+ listeners worldwide! Tune in every Wednesday & Saturday for expert insights, real-life stories, and strategies for thriving as an autistic adult. š§ Listen now on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube! š© Follow for updates & behind-the-scenes content! š„ #AdultingWithAutism #Neurodiversity #AutismPodcast #1MillionDownloads #AutisticVoices š New Episodes Every Wednesday & Saturday š Follow, Subscribe & Listen:https://feed.podbean.com/adultingwithautismpodcast/feed.xml š¢ Letās Talk! Connect with us on Instagram & YouTube:https://linktr.ee/adultingwithautism Want to be a guest on Adulting with Autism? Send April Ratchford a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1708097947800879cbdd654ca
Episodes

Saturday May 03, 2025
Breaking Free from Fear: Eric Simpsonās Journey from Corporate Life to Bold Living
Saturday May 03, 2025
Saturday May 03, 2025
Feeling stuck in fear? You're not alone ā and this episode with life coach Eric Simpson will help you break free. After leaving a high-powered corporate job in the U.S., Eric took a leap of faith (literally ā he skydives!) and rebuilt his life in the U.K., helping others conquer fear and design bold, fulfilling lives.
If you're autistic, ADHD, or neurodivergent, and fear keeps blocking your next step, this episode is your permission slip to dream bigger. We unpack how to reframe fear, shift your mindset, and take bold actionāeven if the first step feels impossible.
š§ ⨠Weāre now ranked Top 15 on Apple Podcasts in Education ā letās raise more autistic and neurodivergent voices together.
https://www.facebook.com/eric.simpson.58323431
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWcA5AmAn5aWarLh5DIktyw
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmsimpson/
https://www.tiktok.com/@ericsimpsoncoaching
š„ Affiliate Bonus & Community Links:
š Join our Discord for giveaways and behind-the-scenes chats: https://linktr.ee/adultingwithautism
ā Love the show? Fuel it at Buy Me a Coffee:Ā
š Follow, rate, and review so we can keep amplifying real conversations that matter.

Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Hey guys, hey! š Itās the final day of our 30 Days of Content celebrating Autism Awareness and OT Month, and weāre closing things out with a true pioneer in the field: Dr. Robert Melillo.
Dr. Melillo is the author of Disconnected Kids, co-founder of Brain Balance Achievement Centers, creator of the Melillo MethodĀ®, and host of the Everything Brain podcast. With over 35 years of experience as a clinician, researcher, and professor, heās helped transform how we understand and support neurological development in both children and adults.
š§ In this episode, we discuss:
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The brain-body connection in autism, ADHD, OCD & more
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Why brain imbalancesānot damageāare often the root issue
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How the Melillo Method helps retrain the brain non-invasively
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What makes Disconnected Kids a timeless resource
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Insights for autistic adults seeking brain-based interventions
Whether youāre a parent, caregiver, OT, or neurodivergent adultāthis conversation is full of scientific insight and genuine hope.
š Grab the updated edition of Disconnected Kids ā https://amzn.to/4jRhYkI
š§ Learn more about Dr. Melilloās work: DrRobertMelillo.com
š± Follow him @DrRobertMelillo on all major platforms
š© Contact: drm@DrRobertMelillo.com | š (516) 398-3454
š§ Listen to The Melillo Method Podcast: Everything Brain
š Join our Discord Giveaway!
š¬ Be the 1,000th member and win a $100 Visa gift card + exclusive merch ā https://linktr.ee/adultingwithautism
ā Love this content? Support the show at BuyMeACoffee.com/AdultingAutism and help us keep going strong. Every bit goes to content, community, and caffeination. š
šļø Weāre now back to our regular scheduleānew episodes every Wednesday and Saturday.
Thank you for joining us during this incredible month. Your support made this possible.
Until next time...
Keep adulting. Keep growing. And keep believing in your brain. š§ š

Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Revolutionizing Autism Support Through Tech: Amanda Ralstonās Mission
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Hey friend! š Ready to see how technology is transforming autism support from the inside out? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, weāre joined by Amanda Ralstonāaward-winning behavior analyst, international speaker, and founder of NonBinary Solutions and Noetic.ai.
After 25 years in traditional ABA therapy, Amanda made a bold shiftātrading clinics for code to build tech-driven, data-informed, neurodivergent-affirming tools that actually meet people where they are.
š§ What we cover in this episode:
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Why Amanda left the ABA field to pursue something radically different
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The problem with one-size-fits-all autism interventions
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How her platforms use machine learning and clinical insight to personalize support
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What families, clinicians, and neurodivergent adults need most right now
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How to ethically collect and apply data to support autistic individuals beyond childhood
Amandaās work is revolutionizing how we think about autism careāmoving away from outdated models and toward empowerment through technology.
š² Connect with Amanda Ralston:
š nonbinarysolutions.com
š¤ Explore Noetic: noetic.ai
š¼ Speaker & media: amandarlston.com
š± IG & LinkedIn: @amandarlston
š° Sign up for updates on pilot programs & beta tools
š§ Also available on Spotify | Apple | Podbean
ā Support the show via Buy Me a Coffee
š§© FTC Affiliate Disclaimer: This episode may contain affiliate links that support our work at no additional cost to you.
š¬ COMMENT: What would a tech-empowered autism future look like for you or your family?
š LIKE if you believe innovation belongs in the autism world
š FOLLOW for weekly conversations that bridge neurodivergence, inclusion, and innovation
#AmandaRalston #NoeticAI #AutismTech #NeurodivergentSupport #AutismInnovation #NonBinarySolutions #AdultingWithAutism #DigitalHealthForAutism #ABAAlternatives #AutismCare2025 #NeurodiversityAndTech #PodMatch

Monday Apr 28, 2025
Monday Apr 28, 2025
Hey there, friends! š Pull up a chair and get comfy, because todayās episode of Adulting with Autism is packed with inspiration and real-world advice!
Weāre thrilled to welcome Ed Roe, Program Director at CIP Bloomington. With over two decades in K-12 educationāand a personal connection to autism through his own sonāEd brings a deep, heartfelt understanding to the journey of building independent, confident lives for autistic young adults.
š In this empowering conversation, youāll discover:
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The 40-year legacy of the College Internship Program (CIP)
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How CIP Bloomington empowers students through life skills, academics, and career development
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Tips for young adults navigating the transition to independent living
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Why community integration, public transportation, and vocational coaching are game-changers for success
Whether you're a parent preparing your teen for adulthood or a neurodivergent young adult wondering whatās next, this episode is packed with encouragement, resources, and tangible steps forward. š
⨠Resources & Affiliates: š Learn more about CIPās programs: CIPWorldwide.org
š Join our Discord Giveaway! š Be the 1,000th member and win a $100 Visa gift card + exclusive podcast merch ā linktr.ee/adultingwithautism
ā Support the Podcast! Fuel more conversations like this at BuyMeACoffee
šļø Reminder: We're back to new episodes every Wednesday and Saturday starting May 3rd!
š§ Love this episode? Please follow, review, and share it with someone navigating the path to independence.
Together, letās empower the next generation of neurodivergent leadersāone step at a time. š
Until next time...
Keep adulting. Keep believing. And keep moving forward. š

Sunday Apr 27, 2025
Sunday Apr 27, 2025
Hey there, friends! š Welcome back to Adulting with Autism! Today, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Sylvia Moore Myersāthe powerful voice behind GoldScars.com and author of Gold Scars.
After enduring unimaginable trauma, including the heartbreaking loss of her teenage son, Sylvia embarked on an 18-year healing journey thatās nothing short of inspiring. Her mission? To show us that healing isnāt about āgetting overā paināitās about growing through it and transforming our scars into pure gold. š
š§ In this powerful episode, we dive into:
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How trauma physically imprints itself on the body and mind
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How grief intersects with neurodivergence
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Why owning, naming, and mending your scars is the ultimate act of self-love
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How young adults can heal without repeating painful patterns
Whether youāre navigating grief, trauma, autism, or just working on your own healing, Sylviaās message is a reminder that brokenness isnāt the endāitās the beginning of becoming something even stronger.
⨠Resources & Affiliates: š Get your copy of Gold Scars here ā [Affiliate Link]
š Learn more about Sylviaās work at GoldScars.com
š Join our Discord Giveaway! š Be the 1,000th member and win a $100 Visa gift card + exclusive merch ā linktr.ee/adultingwithautism
ā Feeling inspired? Support the show at BuyMeACoffee
šļø Reminder: Weāre back to our regular scheduleānew episodes every Wednesday and Saturday starting May 3rd!
If this episode touched your heart, follow the show, leave a review, and share with someone who needs a little reminder that their story isnāt overāit's just getting golden.
Until next time...
Keep adulting. Keep growing. And keep turning your scars into gold. šāØ

Saturday Apr 26, 2025
Saturday Apr 26, 2025
Hey friend! Ever worked in a place that felt more like survival than success? Youāre not aloneāand todayās guest, Kelsey Neff, is here to flip the script.
Kelsey is the founder of By Design Consulting, author of 52 Weeks of Impact, and a former nonprofit professional who left the burnout hamster wheel to help leaders actually lead. After years of navigating toxic workplaces filled with favoritism, gaslighting, and burnout, Kelsey realized something big: she didnāt need to play the gameāshe could create a better one.
š§ In this episode, we cover:
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The red flags of toxic work culture (and what to do about them)
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How neurodivergent employees are often the first to feel the cracks in poor leadership
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The power of conscious leadership and trauma-informed teams
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Why most companies confuse āpolicyā with ācultureā
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How to quit with integrity and never lose your values
Whether you're an emerging leader, neurodivergent worker, or just ready to reclaim your energy, this conversation is full of validation, insight, and practical steps to build better workplaces.
š Grab Kelseyās book 52 Weeks of Impact here ā https://amzn.to/3YbT2fl
š Learn more: https://bydesignconsulting.space
š± Follow Kelsey on IG @bydesignconsulting_bdc
š© Book a consult or leadership training ā drm@bydesignconsulting.space
Support the podcast with BuyMeACoffee
š Use affiliate code ADULTING10 for 10% off her digital resources!
⨠Don't forget to hit follow, leave a review, and share this episode with someone navigating their own leadership (or leaving) journey.
šļø New episodes every Wednesday + Saturday.
Until next time... keep adultingāand keep building better. š¼š§

Friday Apr 25, 2025
Empowering Autistic Movers: The Dance Studio Built for Neurodivergence
Friday Apr 25, 2025
Friday Apr 25, 2025
Hey there, friend! š In todayās inspiring episode of Adulting with Autism, we step into a space where movement meets neurodivergent empowermentāthe incredible Autistic Wings Dance Company, a nonprofit studio founded by mother-daughter duo Amanda and Leta in Colorado Springs.
Autistic Wings isnāt your average dance programāitās a trauma-informed, sensory-aware space built by and for autistic dancers. From ballet to hip-hop, every class is designed with neurodivergent communication, learning styles, and sensory needs in mindāno masking, no pressure, just expression.
š©° What we talk about:
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Why traditional dance studios often fail autistic dancers
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How Autistic Wings created the first IEP-style adaptive dance curriculum
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The emotional impact of being seenāand not shoved to the side
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Why therapists are now recommending dance as an alternative form of expression
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Their mission to expand into a larger, sensory-safe space to serve even more dancers
Whether you're an autism parent, educator, or just someone who believes in inclusion with soul, this episode will move youāliterally and emotionally.
š Support Autistic Wings Dance Company:
š autisticwingsdancecompany.org
š Donate or sponsor a class to keep tuition affordable for ALL neurodivergent dancers
š§ Listen to Amanda & Letaās podcast: Leta's Tap Styles
šø Follow on TikTok & IG: @AutisticWingsDance | @LetaTapStyles
ā Love the show? Fuel us on Buy Me a Coffee
š Join our Discordā1,000th member wins $100 + exclusive podcast merch
š² Subscribe on Spotify | Apple | YouTube | Podbean
š¬ COMMENT: What kind of support would you have loved as a neurodivergent kid?
š FOLLOW for more episodes featuring neurodivergent creators, change-makers, and trailblazers
#AutisticWings #NeurodivergentDance #AdaptiveDance #AutismInclusion #LetaTapStyles #InclusiveMovement #AutismParenting #SensoryFriendlyPrograms #AutismSupport #SponsorReadyPodcast #AdultingWithAutism #PodMatch

Thursday Apr 24, 2025
Transforming Trauma with Dr. Foojan Zeine: The Science Behind the Foojan App
Thursday Apr 24, 2025
Thursday Apr 24, 2025
Hey there, friend! š Ever feel stuck in cycles of rumination, avoidance, or emotional shutdownāand wonder why you canāt just āsnap out of itā? In this powerful episode of Adulting with Autism, we sit down with Dr. Foojan Zeineārenowned psychotherapist, international speaker, and the creator of Awareness Integration Theory (AIT) and the Foojan App.
Whether youāre autistic, neurodivergent, or simply navigating your own healing, Dr. Foojan offers science-backed insights into how trauma, negative self-talk, and masking affect our mindsāand what we can do to reclaim peace and clarity.
š§ In this episode, we explore:
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Why rumination and addiction are common coping mechanisms for autistic adults
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The real reason masking drains your mental health
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How AIT reduces anxiety and depression by up to 70%
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What happens when you turn your phone into your emotional regulation coach
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The power of journaling, reflection, and reframingāespecially for neurodivergent brains
Dr. Foojan breaks down complex psychology into tools anyone can apply, making this episode a must-listen for therapists, caregivers, and anyone seeking emotional clarity and lasting transformation.
š² Try the Foojan App:
Available now on Apple App Store and Google Play
š§ Includes 31 life modules, from trauma recovery to self-esteem
š FTC Affiliate Disclaimer: We may earn a small commission if you download using the links aboveāat no cost to you. Your support helps amplify neurodivergent voices!
š Learn more at www.foojan.com
š§ Listen to Inner Voice: A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan
š¼ Book her for trainings, workshops, or therapy consultation
ā Love this podcast? Support via Buy Me a Coffee
š Join our Discordā1,000th member wins a $100 Visa gift card + exclusive merch
š§ Stream on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Podbean
š¬ COMMENT: What emotion are you ready to finally process and let go of?
š FOLLOW for more episodes blending real-life neurodivergence with radical healing tools
#DrFoojanZeine #AwarenessIntegrationTheory #TraumaRecovery #AutismAndMentalHealth #EmotionalRegulationApp #NeurodivergentHealing #SelfDiscoveryTools #SponsorFriendlyPodcast #AdultingWithAutism #MentalHealthTech #PodMatch