Unmasking Autism with AFO
- TRIGGER WARNING-This podcast will discuss autism, suicide, mental health, and wellness, among other topics, with autistic individuals and different professionals with the goal of unmasking stereotypes, increasing awareness, advocating for mental health and wellness, and attempting to shatter the stigmas of these topics through conversation and personal experience.
The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma (AFO), www.autismfoundationok.org, @AutismfoundationOK, strives to improve the lives of Oklahomans (and others) with autism across the lifespan.
According to The National Institute of Mental Health, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. People with ASD often have:
• Difficulty with communication and interaction with other people
• Restricted interests and repetitive behaviors
• Symptoms that affect their ability to function in school, work, and other areas of life
Autism is known as a “spectrum” disorder because there is wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms people experience.
People of all genders, races, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds can be diagnosed with ASD. Although ASD can be a lifelong disorder, treatments, and services can improve a person’s symptoms and daily functioning.
This podcast will discuss autism, suicide awareness and prevention, mental health, wellness, and other important topics with autistic people and professionals.
Some of the risks factors for suicide in autistic people are:
Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions
Masking
Autistic Burnout
Female
Lack of Social Support (Isolation)
Late Diagnosis
- Update frequency
- every 19 days
- Average duration
- 44 minutes
- Episodes
- 19
- Years Active
- 2023 - 2024
Ep. 20: Employment, Getting Hired, & HR- We're Talking About It!
Carley Marissa sits down with AFO Transition & Employment Program Officer Kyle Britt, who holds a masters in HR to discuss all things employment. From job seeking, to interviewing, to is HR your frie…
Ep. 18: Okie School of Adventure, An Alternative Way of Learning!
Carley sits down with Neil & Alex Turner (our youngest guest, yet!) to discuss their personal approach to education, Okie School of Adventure (okieschool.org) and Alex's autism journey.
Ep. 16: Autism in Cherokee Nation with Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. & Dr. Crystal Hernandez
Carley sits down with Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. of the Cherokee Nation and Dr. Crystal Hernandez to discuss their Autism Task Force report, autism and disability in the native community, the importance …
Ep. 17: Profound Autism & Parenting the Spectrum
Carley sits down with Michi Medley (advocate, case manager, future LCSW) and the parent of two children on the autism spectrum. One has profound autism, and the other does not. There are many stereot…
Ep. 15- Officer Galloway: The Autistic Cop
Filmed on April 2nd, World Autism Day, Carley sits down with Jenks, Oklahoma police officer Cody Galloway, to discuss his experience living with autism, what it's like being an autistic cop, and his …
Ep. 14- #ActuallyAutistic!
Carley sits down with Hann Bingham Brunner, PhD, to discuss their published paper about the #ActuallyAutistic community and autistic rhetoric on Twitter regarding Sia’s film “Music”, their experience…
Ep. 13- Conversation with an Autistic Therapist
Carley sits down with Lindsey Vandeventer, LCSW an autistic therapist to discuss their experience being on the spectrum, how they serve others, wellness techniques, and more.
To learn more about Linds…
Ep. 12- Let's Get Real About Autism and Mental Health
Carley sits down with their friend, fellow autistic & comic, Ashley Bartlett, to discuss their experiences of being autistic from the female perspective, their struggles with depression and suicidali…
Ep. 11 Autism & Neurodiversity In The Workplace: A Key to Success
Carley sits down with Workforce Development Coordinator Kyle Britt to discuss the many benefits of autism and neurodiversity in the workplace, how employers can create a successful environment, and A…
Ep. 10- The Autistic Experience, Let's Talk About It
Carley sits down with Gale Hann to discuss their professional and personal opinions on the autistic experience.
Ep. 8- Crisis Centers- What are They?
Carley sits down with Lauren Stover, executive director of the Oklahoma County Crisis Intervention Center and Recovery Unity, to learn about the importance of crisis centers, how they help those in n…
Ep. 9- Children, Autism, and Mental Health Matters
Carley sits down with Dr. Tara R Buck to discuss the importance of identifying co-occurring mental health conditions in children with autism, the latest mental health trends, and why children with au…
Ep. 7- Autism, Law Enforcement, and the Importance of Education
Carley sits down with AFO board member and Law Enforcement Educator Cory Sutton to discuss the importance of continuing education and how training first responders about autism play an important role…
Ep. 6- Mental Health in the Tribal Nations
Carley sits down with Shiela Williams (LPC-S) to shed light on the mental health situation within the tribal nations in Oklahoma, how to be an ally, the importance of belonging, and more!
Learn more a…
Ep. 5- Wellness
Carley sits down with wellness and fitness instructors Lindsay Juarez (www.mindfulmassageok.com) and Carri Baldwin (https://www.templefitnessyukon.com/) to discuss the importance of overall wellness …
Ep. 4- Evan's Promise
Carley sits down with suicide prevention advocate and parent Shellie Smartt to discuss her son Evan Smartt's life, losing a child, the aftermath, and how she advocates for those with similar experien…
Ep. 3- All About 988
What is 988? Carley sits down with Josh DeBartolo from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services to discuss 988 and to learn all about the various help it can provide.
Follow…
Ep. 2- Late in Life Diagnosis, Parenting, and Creating Community
Carley Marissa Dummitt sits down with AFO board member Tom Taylor, who was diagnosed when his child was, to discuss being diagnosed late in life, parenting as an autistic, creating the group 'Autisti…
Ep. 1- Autism and Artistic Expression
Carley Marissa Dummitt of the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma discusses autism, the autistic experience, and how it impacts artistic expression with her friends and fellow autistic artists.