Tony Mantor: Why Not Me the World
Bart Barta: Training First Responders for Autism Encounters
Send us a text When autism intersects with law enforcement, the results can be harmful or even catastrophic without proper training and understanding. Retired law enforcement commander Bart Barta shares his journey of creating specialized training for first responders after his son's autism diagnosis. • Started Autism Safety 101 after 31 years in law enforcement and his son's autism diagnosis at age 3 • Individuals with autism are seven times more likely to encounter law enforcement th...
7 apr. 2025 - 30 min 59 sek
Country Music Unites for Autism Awareness
Send us a text Country music and autism awareness come together at Nashville Palace for "An Acoustic Evening for Autism," where artists use their platform to support families affected by autism through the newly formed Country Music Autism Awareness Foundation. • Doug Mathis explains how his song about an autistic boy named Jack led to creating an annual benefit concert • The event features performances from Daryl Worley, T Graham Brown, John Barry, and others to raise funds for Vanderbilt's...
6 apr. 2025 - 16 min 49 sek
Dennis Debbaudt : reveals how proper training can prevent tragic misunderstandings between autism and law enforcement.
Send us a text Dennis Debbaudt shares his 30-year journey addressing autism-related police interactions and developing training programs for law enforcement nationwide. His pioneering work bridges the gap between public safety professionals and the autistic community through educational materials, videos, and hands-on training that helps prevent tragic misunderstandings. • Former detective agency owner whose autistic son's diagnosis in the 1980s revealed a complete lack of resources on...
5 apr. 2025 - 24 min 26 sek
Elizabeth Kelley:Autism in the Legal System: A Defense Attorney's Perspective
Send us a text Criminal defense attorney Elizabeth Kelly shares her expertise on representing individuals with autism spectrum disorder and mental health conditions in the justice system, revealing how these clients are often misunderstood and how proper legal representation can change outcomes. • Started career representing a client with intellectual disability who was manipulated into criminal activity • Defines mental disabilities broadly to include mental illness, intellectual disabiliti...
4 apr. 2025 - 29 min 35 sek
Jerry Turning: From Officer to Advocate: One Dad's Mission to Bridge the Gap
Send us a text Jerry Turning shares his journey from veteran police officer to autism advocate after his son's diagnosis, creating Blue Bridge Autism Training to educate first responders about autism. His unique perspective bridges the gap between law enforcement and the autism community, helping prevent dangerous misunderstandings during crisis situations. • Turning spent 22 of his 25-year police career as a canine handler before his son's autism diagnosis changed everything • Police ...
3 apr. 2025 - 29 min 46 sek
Meet Dr. Theresa Haskins: The Mom Who Rewrote the Rulebook on Autism
Send us a text Dr. Theresa Haskins shares her journey from a mother seeking answers for her autistic son to becoming an educator and researcher dedicated to creating more inclusive systems for neurodivergent individuals. Her experiences navigating medical dismissals, educational barriers, and workplace challenges illuminate how society needs to fundamentally shift its approach to neurodiversity. • Mother of a "thrice exceptional" son (autistic, ADHD, and gifted) who could count to 100 ...
2 apr. 2025 - 30 min 21 sek
Judge Soonhee(Sunny) Bailey: Breaking the Cycle and Creating America's First Autism Court Program
Send us a text Judge Sonny Bailey shares how she created the nation's only court dedicated to helping autistic youth stay out of the criminal justice system. What began in 2018 as a quieter courtroom for one overwhelmed teen has evolved into an innovative program with a 90% success rate, recently recognized through Nevada legislation as the country's first official neurodiversity specialty court. • Autism court began accidentally when officers brought in an overwhelmed teen who needed ...
1 apr. 2025 - 28 min 03 sek
Gabriella Russo: Embracing Self-Discovery and Advocacy in Autism – Overcoming Challenges and Building a Supportive Community
Send us a text What if discovering your true self could transform your entire life journey? Join me, Tony Mantor, as I sit down with the insightful Gabriella Russo for a powerful discussion on self-discovery and acceptance within the autistic community. Gabriella shares her personal narrative, revealing how her godchild's involvement with an autism support group prompted her own recognition of being autistic. Through her candid reflections, she recounts overcoming challenges like ...
26 mars 2025 - 27 min 43 sek
Why Not Me the World Humanity Over Handcuffs the Special Event for April
Send us a text Hi, I'm Tony Mantor. Imagine a world where the rules don't bend. Where justice feels like a maze with no exit. For autistic people navigating the legal system, this is not imagination. It's reality. Picture your autistic son or daughter tangled in the legal system or an officer at your door because a meltdown was misunderstood. Imagine a loved one walking through a park, having a meltdown, which is mistaken for something much worse, a drug overdose. Thi...
21 mars 2025 - 56 sek
Jess Tuff: Empowering Autism Acceptance Through Advocacy and Empathy – A Mother's Journey in Special Education and Mental Health
Send us a text Jess Tuff shares her emotional journey as a mother advocating for her autistic daughter while navigating the education system and societal stigma. Her story emphasizes the importance of understanding, acceptance, and the changes needed in how we approach autism, advocating for empathy and resources for families still facing challenges. • Jess’s experience in special education and her daughter's diagnosis • The significant role of therapy for both parent and child .
19 mars 2025 - 27 min 08 sek