Spectrum Perspectives

Dr. Mark Sherwood- Functional Medicine Doc discusses the possible cause of Autism- Part 2

Dr. Mark is a Naturopathic Doctor runs the Functional Medical Institute in Tulsa, OK. They look for the upstream causes of illness by looking at their genetics, diet, sleep, stress and movement. Their mission statement is to provide a pathway to healing by making lifestyle changes, rather than just treating symptoms. He is also an author and movie producer. We discuss the changes to our bodies over the years that could possibly be causing Autism.

Dr. Mark Sherwood- Functional Medicine Doc discusses the possible cause of Autism- Part 1

Dr. Mark is a Naturopathic Doctor runs the Functional Medical Institute in Tulsa, OK. They look for the upstream causes of illness by looking at their genetics, diet, sleep, stress and movement. Their mission statement is to provide a pathway to healing by making lifestyle changes, rather than just treating symptoms. He is also an author and movie producer. We discuss the changes to our bodies over the years that could possibly be causing Autism.

Dr. Paul Abend-Autism Think Tank Doc & Autism Dad- Part 2

As a doctor, Dr. Abend was surprised to find that when he tried to take his own son to other doctors, they refused to see him because he was autistic. So, when he started a Special Needs sports clinic in his town, he began to invite medical students to help out in order to integrate them into being comfortable with kids with Special Needs. He also started the “Autism Think Tank” where doctors from around the world can get together virtually to discuss a patient to figure out proper medications and diagnosis for autistic patients. Next, he he’s working on a program to help out in the emergency rooms.
This episode was recorded in 2022. Sadly, Paul's son passed away from a seizure in 2024.

Dr. Paul Abend- Autism Think Tank Doc and Autism Dad- Part 1

As a doctor, Dr. Abend was surprised to find that when he tried to take his own son to other doctors, they refused to see him because he was autistic. So, when he started a Special Needs sports clinic in his town, he began to invite medical students to help out in order to integrate them into being comfortable with kids with Special Needs. He also started the “Autism Think Tank” where doctors from around the world can get together virtually to discuss a patient to figure out proper medications and diagnosis for autistic patients. Next, he he’s working on a program to help out in the emergency rooms. 

Kate Swenson-Finding Cooper's Voice Blogger & Author- Part 2

Kate continues to talk about her life as a mom of 4 including her autistic son Cooper. We talk about being in the public eye on social media and her new book coming out this week called “Forever Boy”.

Kate Swenson-Finding Cooper's Voice Blogger & Author from Minnesota- Part 1

Kate Swensen is a mom of 4 from Minnesota and is well known on Facebook and Instagram for her blog about her son called “Finding Cooper’s Voice”. Cooper was diagnosed with Autism at 4 years old. After school didn’t work out for him she pulled him out, moved to a new home, and put a lot of money on credit card sending him to private therapies. When Covid hit, his therapy center decided to not take kids like him anymore. Listen to find out what life is like now.

Jess Ronne-Jess Plus the Mess Blogger

Jess is a writer and blogger of “Jess Plus the Mess”. When Jess was pregnant with her second son he suffered a stroke in the womb. They encouraged her to terminate the pregnancy, but she and her husband decided to “leave it in the Lord’s hands”. They raised their son Lucas and had another daughter. Soon after her husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor and they found out she was pregnant with her fourth child. Within a year she found herself a widow with 4 children including one with Special Needs. A week after his funeral, her Mother In Law said she was praying for Jess to find another husband. Listen to find out what happened next.

Graham Kay-Canadian Comedian, Autism Bro, Podcaster- Part 2

Graham is a professional comedian and Podcast co-host on the “Autastic” podcast. He talks about growing up with his younger brother Peter who is Autistic and how it helped him to not take life too seriously. Peter lives on his own now in Canada in an assisted living type of apartment where “Live, Work, Play” helps to supervise him. As a comedian Graham chose to live in New York rather than LA to be closer to his family and to visit Peter.

Graham Kay-Canadian Comedian, Autism Bro, Podcaster- Part 1

Graham is a professional comedian and Podcast co-host on the “Autastic” podcast. He talks about growing up with his younger brother Peter who is Autistic and how it helped him to not take life too seriously. Peter lives on his own now in Canada in an assisted living type of apartment where “Live, Work, Play” helps to supervise him. As a comedian Graham chose to live in New York rather than LA to be closer to his family and to visit Peter.

Kirk Smith- Comedian, Autism Dad, "Autastic" Podcast Host, Part 2

Kirk is a professional comedian, Autism dad, and co-host of the Podcast “Autastic”. He talks about being a young Dad to his son JJ who has Severe Autism. They moved from California to the UK, to Connecticut, to Texas where they tried swim therapy and horse therapy to try to help him. When they hear of a state of the art school for Autism in New York they moved there to get him help. Kirk’s wife and son had dual citizenship in the Us and Sweden, so when his wife became ill they put JJ in a group home in Sweden. She passed away in 2017 and JJ is still in Sweden where he is very happy. We talk about the difference between care in Sweden verses the US.