The Truth About Vaccines (Feat. Heather Brandt, Ph.D, St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center) S4E16

My guest today is Heather Brandt, Ph.D. Heather is the Director, HPV Cancer Prevention Program, Co-associate Director for Outreach, St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center, Member, Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control - St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Vaccines are a hot topic once again because of COVID. There is so much misinformation floating around about vaccines and Heather is the perfect guest to answer the tough questions surrounding the safety and efficacy of vaccines. We also talk about the importance of the HPV vaccine and how it protects our kids from numerous different HPV related cancers in the future. This is so important, so please pay attention, and share this with your family and friends. Vaccine related information and resources: The CDC vaccination information for parents is excellent. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/index.html If someone wants other resources: The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, which is one of the top hospitals for children in the United States and world, has excellent vaccine resources through the Vaccine Education Center. https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center Vaccinate Your Family https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/ UNITY United for Adolescent Vaccination https://www.unity4teenvax.org/ And, last but not least, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has accurate information on the safety and efficacy of vaccines. Right now, we have an excellent resource – Vaccines Bring Us Closer – that offers accurate information about vaccines, specifically COVID-19 vaccines. https://www.stjude.org/media-resources/special-announcements/get-vaccinated.html Here is how to contact Heather Brandt, Ph.D, or the HPV program: Web: stjude.org/hpv Email: PreventHPV@stjude.org LinkedIn – Heather Brandt Twitter @BlondeScientist All my information and relevant links are here Support this podcast: venmo.com/theautismdad Sponsors This episode is sponsored by Mightier. Mightier is an amazing program out of Harvard Medical and Boston Children’s. It uses video games to teach kids to emotionally self-regulate. Visit theautismdad.com/mightier and find out more information, including how to get a free 30-day trial. This episode is also brought to you by Hero Health. HERO is a smart automatic pill dispenser that dramatically improves medication management and compliance. Learn more at theautismdad.com/hero and use code "theautismdad50" to save $50.  CONTACT ME Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Mentioned in this episode: Happy Ladders Happy Ladders is Parent-Led Early Autism Therapy that empowers you, the parent, to teach your toddler essential developmental skills through play. Studies have shown that the parent-led model is highly effective while eliminating frustration over long wait lists, or the worry about losing precious developmental time. All without the disruption of people coming into your home Happy Ladders includes activities that target 150+ essential developmental skills every toddler needs as well as assessments in 4 different developmental areas. There’s also an exclusive community of parents just like you, and professional coaching to ensure success for both you and your toddler. To learn more, get a free trial, and take advantage of an exclusive, limited-time offer for my listeners, visit happyladders.com. Use the code "theautismdad" at checkout to save 50% off the monthly membership. Plus get a free one-on-one session as well as access to the Tantrums and Meltdowns mini-course. This is a limited-time offer so act now. Visit Happy Ladders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Working Mom Blueprint (feat. Dr. Whitney Casares) S4E12

All my information and relevant links are here Support this podcast: venmo.com/theautismdad My guest today is Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, FAAP, pediatrician, special needs Mom, and author of The Working Mom Blueprint: Winning at Parenting without Losing Yourself (American Academy of Pediatrics; May 11, 2021). We’re having a very important discussion about finding a balance between work, kids, relationships, home, and yourself. We’re also going to talk about burnout and the importance of self-care. Stick around because this is a really important episode.  Buy her book: The Working Mom Blueprint: Winning at Parenting without Losing Yourself (American Academy of Pediatrics; May 11, 2021). Check out her website: https://modernmommydoc.com/ Sponsors The presenting sponsor of this episode of The Autism Dad Podcast is Afluencer. Afluencer was created to help influencers and merchants find each other. If you’re someone who’s looking to monetize your social media presence, look no further. Afluencer can help connect you with merchants looking for people, just like you to partner with. This is a great way to bring in extra money and grow your brand. If you’re a merchant or business, looking to connect with a-list influencers to help you grow your business, Afluencer is where you belong. If you’re interested in learning more, visit afluencer.com for more information. That’s a-f-l-u-e-n-c-e-r.com. Link in the show notes. This episode is brought to you by Mightier. Mightier is an amazing program out of Harvard Medical and Boston Children’s. It uses video games to teach kids to emotionally self-regulate. Visit theautismdad.com/mightier and find out more information, including how to get a free 30-day trial. This episode is also brought to you by Hero Health. HERO is a smart automatic pill dispenser that dramatically improves medication management and compliance. Learn more at theautismdad.com/hero and use code “theautismdad50” to save $50.  CONTACT ME Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Mentioned in this episode: Happy Ladders Happy Ladders is Parent-Led Early Autism Therapy that empowers you, the parent, to teach your toddler essential developmental skills through play. Studies have shown that the parent-led model is highly effective while eliminating frustration over long wait lists, or the worry about losing precious developmental time. All without the disruption of people coming into your home Happy Ladders includes activities that target 150+ essential developmental skills every toddler needs as well as assessments in 4 different developmental areas. There’s also an exclusive community of parents just like you, and professional coaching to ensure success for both you and your toddler. To learn more, get a free trial, and take advantage of an exclusive, limited-time offer for my listeners, visit happyladders.com. Use the code "theautismdad" at checkout to save 50% off the monthly membership. Plus get a free one-on-one session as well as access to the Tantrums and Meltdowns mini-course. This is a limited-time offer so act now. Visit Happy Ladders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Diagnosis Delayed (feat. Dr. Jeff Selman) S4E4

My guest today is Dr. Jeff Selman. He’s VP of Clinical Services over at First Children Services. He’s here to talk about how COVID is creating additional delays in kids getting evaluated for autism. This is a huge problem because we know that early intervention is absolutely vital for kids with autism and delays interfere with that. We talk about what is happening and the impact it’s having on kids. We also discuss remote learning and some challenges that we’re not talking about as we prepare to return to in person learning. There’s lots to learn here and I’d love to get your feedback. Leave a comment on the blog post or hit me up on Twitter. About Dr. Jeff Selman: Dr. Jeff Selman is a New York and South Carolina licensed psychologist. He is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at the doctoral level (BCBA-D) and holds current and previous certifications as a school psychologist in New York, New Jersey, and South Carolina. Contact Information: https://www.firstchildrenservices.com jselman@firstchildrenservices.com (888) 966-0745 All my information and relevant links are here Support this podcast: venmo.com/theautismdad Sponsors This episode is sponsored by Mightier. Mightier is an amazing program out of Harvard Medical and Boston Children’s. It uses video games to teach kids to emotionally self-regulate. Visit theautismdad.com/mightier and find out more information, including how to get a free 30-day trial. This episode is also brought to you by Hero Health. HERO is a smart automatic pill dispenser that dramatically improves medication management and compliance. Learn more at theautismdad.com/hero and use code “theautismdad50” to save $50.  CONTACT ME Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Mentioned in this episode: BrainyAct BrainyAct® provides tech-enabled, patent-pending therapy programs delivered via gamification for neurological disorders such as Autism, Asperger’s, Dyslexia, and ADHD. BrainyAct activates the underdeveloped areas of the brain through exercises that strategically target a child’s balance, gravity, gross/fine motor, rhythm and timing, visual motor perception, and memory. Putting hope in motion means putting your family first in everything we do and using movement to affect real change. Shifting hope to a reality. 91% of families report global brain improvements after four months. Our company was built on the premise to create real, measurable, and visible change that shows you how your child is improving through data. BrainyAct is for homes and schools. Visit Kinuu.com. Use promo code THEAUTISMDAD and save $500. This is a limited time offer. Visit BrainyAct Happy Ladders Happy Ladders is Parent-Led Early Autism Therapy that empowers you, the parent, to teach your toddler essential developmental skills through play. Studies have shown that the parent-led model is highly effective while eliminating frustration over long wait lists, or the worry about losing precious developmental time. All without the disruption of people coming into your home Happy Ladders includes activities that target 150+ essential developmental skills every toddler needs as well as assessments in 4 different developmental areas. There’s also an exclusive community of parents just like you, and professional coaching to ensure success for both you and your toddler. To learn more, get a free trial, and take advantage of an exclusive, limited-time offer for my listeners, visit happyladders.com. Use the code "theautismdad" at checkout to save 50% off the monthly membership. Plus get a free one-on-one session as well as access to the Tantrums and Meltdowns mini-course. This is a limited-time offer so act now. Visit Happy Ladders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Talking to Your Kids About COVID19 (feat. Kristin Canavera from St. Jude) S3E21

If you’re a parent who’s trying to discuss COVID19 with your children, this show is definitely for you. Kristin Canavera is a child psychologist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and she’s on the pod today to discuss the St. Jude COVID19 resource kits for kids, tweens, adolescents, and parents. These are free downloadable resource kits and can be found at the link below. We discuss talking to kids about COVID19 in a way that’s developmentally appropriate. Please take a listen and pass this along because COVID19 is here and it isn’t going away anytime soon. I know that’s scary but it’s very important to deal with the facts and St. Jude is here to help us talk with our kids about COVID19. You can find Kristin: https://www.stjude.org/directory/c/kristin-canavera.html St. Jude COVID19 Resource Kits: https://together.stjude.org/en-us/care-support/talking-about-coronavirus-covid-19.html St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats, and cures childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. St. Jude is ranked the No. 1 pediatric cancer hospital by U.S. News & World Report. Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands of more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, and food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now Support This Podcast You can find me: theautismdad.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/theautismdad IMPORTANT COVID19 INFORMATION I wanted to provide you with a list of reliable sources for information regarding COVID19. Facts, science medicine and accurate, truthful information matter now more than ever. These are some of the people and medical facilities that I trust and rely on for information about this pandemic. Please give them a follow. Dr. Tara C. Smith Professor, infectious disease epidemiologist Twitter: twitter.com/aetiology Website: aracsmith.com Cleveland Clinic Twitter: twitter.com/clevelandclinic Website: clevelandclinic.org Mayo Clinic Twitter:twitter.com/mayoclinic Website: mayoclinic.org CDC Twitter: twitter.com/cdcgov Website: cdc.gov This episode is sponsored by Mightier. Mightier is an amazing program out of Harvard Medical and Boston Children’s. It uses video games to teach kids to emotionally self-regulate. Visit theautismdad.com/mightier and find out more information, including how to get a free 30-day trial. This episode is brought to you by AngelSense. Wandering is a huge problem in the Autism community and it’s reached epidemic levels. AngelSense is working to save the lives of Autistic kids who wander, by empowering parents with GPS tracking tools that help them to immediately intervene should an episode of elopement occur. Visit angelsense.com for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Stronger In The Broken Places (feat. Laurie Nadel, Ph.D.) S3E20

We have never experienced anything like COVID-19 in our lifetime and people are scared, myself included. Many of us are dealing with high levels of acute stress, irritability, and sleep disruption. My guest today is Laurie Nadel, Ph.D. Dr. Laurie is a very well-known author, psychotherapist, disaster stress expert and is considered a thought leader in the emerging field of acute stress and PTSD. Dr. Laurie has been a guest on Oprah, CNN, Coast to Coast AM with Art Bell and George Noory, and numerous TV and radio shows in the U.S. and Europe. She has been interviewed about her work with PTSD populations in such major news media as the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Newsday, Reuters News Service, and other publications around the world. Dr. Laurie, is uniquely qualified to help us find the calm amid the crisis; she helped first responders after 9/11 and teens who lost fathers in the Twin Towers, as well as teachers and students in the aftermath of the Parkland school shooting. Her book, The Five Gifts, is like an emergency ‘Go-Kit’ for the mind that minimizes and prevents long-term damage from traumatic events. Dr. Laurie and I talk about how COVID19 is impacting people emotionally and what we can do to help ourselves and each other get through this. Dr. Laurie in my view is a hero. As a former fire/medic, I’m so thankful for the work she has done and continues to do for our heroic first responders. You can find Laurie Nadel, Ph.D: https://www.laurienadel.com/ In the media: http://www.laurienadel.com/inmedia.html Get her book, The Five Gifts: https://www.amazon.com/Five-Gifts-Discovering-Strength-Disaster/dp/0757320449 Check out our Support This Podcast You can find me: theautismdad.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/theautismdad IMPORTANT COVID19 INFORMATION I wanted to provide you with a list of reliable sources for information regarding COVID19. Facts, science medicine, and accurate, truthful information matter now more than ever. These are some of the people and medical facilities that I trust and rely on for information about this pandemic. Please give them a follow. Dr. Tara C. Smith Professor, infectious disease epidemiologist Twitter: twitter.com/aetiology Website: aracsmith.com Cleveland Clinic Twitter: twitter.com/clevelandclinic Website: clevelandclinic.org Mayo Clinic Twitter:twitter.com/mayoclinic Website: mayoclinic.org CDC Twitter: twitter.com/cdcgov Website: cdc.gov This episode is sponsored by Mightier. Mightier is an amazing program out of Harvard Medical and Boston Children’s. It uses video games to teach kids to emotionally self-regulate. Visit theautismdad.com/mightier and find out more information, including how to get a free 30-day trial. This episode is brought to you by AngelSense. Wandering is a huge problem in the Autism community and it’s reached epidemic levels. AngelSense is working to save the lives of Autistic kids who wander, by empowering parents with GPS tracking tools that help them to immediately intervene should an episode of elopement occur. Visit angelsense.com for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Parent to Parent (feat. Melissa Winchell) S3E16

This is a very special episode. I speak parent to parent with Melissa Winchell about the struggles our families are facing on COVID19 lockdown. Melissa’s family was featured on ABC News recently, along with mine and few others. ABC News were exploring the impact COVID19 lockdown is having on special needs families like ours. I speak with Melissa about the challenges she’s facing as a special needs parent, while on lockdown. We both talk very openly about our fears, concerns and the many struggles our kids are currently facing, as we get used to our new normal. This is a very emotional episode and it provides amazing insight into special needs parenting under these lockdown conditions. We discuss some very difficult things that special needs parents are worrying about as a result of the current crisis. About Melissa Winchell: Melissa Winchell, Ed.D., is a disabled parent of kids with disabilities, including a 10-year-old daughter with Down syndrome, ASD, medical complexity, and multiple behavior diagnoses. She is a lifelong public educator and a current assistant professor of secondary education at Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA. She is president of Inclusion Matters, Inc., a non-profit advocating for and educating disabled families. You can find Melissa: Twitter: twitter.com/melissawinchell Follow Inclusion Matters on facebook.com/WBSEPAC IMPORTANT INFORMATION I wanted to provide you with a list of reliable sources for information regarding COVID19. Facts, science medicine and accurate, truthful information matter now more than ever. These are some of the people and medical facilities that I trust and rely on for information about this pandemic. Please give them a follow. Dr. Tara C. Smith Professor, infectious disease epidemiologist Twitter: twitter.com/aetiology Website: aracsmith.com Cleveland Clinic Twitter: twitter.com/clevelandclinic Website: clevelandclinic.org Mayo Clinic Twitter:twitter.com/mayoclinic Website: mayoclinic.org CDC Twitter: twitter.com/cdcgov Website: cdc.gov Support This Podcast You can find me: theautismdad.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/theautismdad This episode is sponsored by Mightier. Mightier is an amazing program out of Harvard Medical and Boston Children’s. It uses video games to teach kids to emotionally self-regulate. Visit theautismdad.com/mightier and find out more information, including how to get a free 30 day trial. This episode is brought to you by AngelSense. Wandering is a huge problem in the Autism community and it’s reached epidemic levels. AngelSense is working to save the lives of Autistic kids who wander, by empowering parents with GPS tracking tools that helps them to immediately intervene should an episode of elopement occur. Visit angelsense.com for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Mentioned in this episode: Happy Ladders Happy Ladders is Parent-Led Early Autism Therapy that empowers you, the parent, to teach your toddler essential developmental skills through play. Studies have shown that the parent-led model is highly effective while eliminating frustration over long wait lists, or the worry about losing precious developmental time. All without the disruption of people coming into your home Happy Ladders includes activities that target 150+ essential developmental skills every toddler needs as well as assessments in 4 different developmental areas. There’s also an exclusive community of parents just like you, and professional coaching to ensure success for both you and your toddler. To learn more, get a free trial, and take advantage of an exclusive, limited-time offer for my listeners, visit happyladders.com. Use the code "theautismdad" at checkout to save 50% off the monthly membership. Plus get a free one-on-one session as well as access to the Tantrums and Meltdowns mini-course. This is a limited-time offer so act now. Visit Happy Ladders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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30 Days On Lockdown S3E14

In this shorter episode, I discuss a major milestone we’ve reached, 30 days on total lockdown. I share how I’m managing a seriously delicate medication situation with my oldest. I talk about how we’re doing and the struggles I’m facing as a single Dad during the worst pandemic in a century. Please remember that self-care is more important than ever. It’s not easy but we have to do our best to look after ourselves, especially during these turbulent and uncertain times. Support This Podcast You can find me: theautismdad.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/theautismdad This episode is sponsored by Mightier. Mightier is an amazing program out of Harvard Medical and Boston Children’s. It uses video games to teach kids to emotionally self-regulate. Visit theautismdad.com/mightier and find out more information, including how to get a free 30 day trial. This episode is brought to you by AngelSense. Wandering is a huge problem in the Autism community and it’s reached epidemic levels. AngelSense is working to save the lives of Autistic kids who wander, by empowering parents with GPS tracking tools that helps them to immediately intervene should an episode of elopement occur. Visit angelsense.com for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Mentioned in this episode: BrainyAct BrainyAct® provides tech-enabled, patent-pending therapy programs delivered via gamification for neurological disorders such as Autism, Asperger’s, Dyslexia, and ADHD. BrainyAct activates the underdeveloped areas of the brain through exercises that strategically target a child’s balance, gravity, gross/fine motor, rhythm and timing, visual motor perception, and memory. Putting hope in motion means putting your family first in everything we do and using movement to affect real change. Shifting hope to a reality. 91% of families report global brain improvements after four months. Our company was built on the premise to create real, measurable, and visible change that shows you how your child is improving through data. BrainyAct is for homes and schools. Visit Kinuu.com. Use promo code THEAUTISMDAD and save $500. This is a limited time offer. Visit BrainyAct Happy Ladders Happy Ladders is Parent-Led Early Autism Therapy that empowers you, the parent, to teach your toddler essential developmental skills through play. Studies have shown that the parent-led model is highly effective while eliminating frustration over long wait lists, or the worry about losing precious developmental time. All without the disruption of people coming into your home Happy Ladders includes activities that target 150+ essential developmental skills every toddler needs as well as assessments in 4 different developmental areas. There’s also an exclusive community of parents just like you, and professional coaching to ensure success for both you and your toddler. To learn more, get a free trial, and take advantage of an exclusive, limited-time offer for my listeners, visit happyladders.com. Use the code "theautismdad" at checkout to save 50% off the monthly membership. Plus get a free one-on-one session as well as access to the Tantrums and Meltdowns mini-course. This is a limited-time offer so act now. Visit Happy Ladders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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