Spectrum Perspectives

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.

Kirk Smith- Comedian, Autism Dad, "Autastic" Podcast host- Part 1

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.

Ron Sandison- Autistic Author & Christian Speaker

Diagnosed with Autism at 7 years old. In high school he was a fast runner and competed in track. But when he turned 19 they said he was too old to compete, so they went to court and won the case, blazing the trail for other athletes in Special Ed. Now married with a young daughter, He holds a Master’s Degree and works in the field of mental health. He is also a Public Speaker and the author of several books giving parents practical advice on raising a child with Autism. His non-profit organization “Spectrum Inclusion” helps adults with Autism to find employment.

James Scott-Autism Dad from Scotland, Across the Pond Podcaster- Part 2

James runs “Across The Pond Sports Network”, a sports podcast from Scotland. In our interview he talks about the differences between his two Autistic sons. One talks a lot, the other, not so much. One is picky about food textures, the other will eat pretty much anything. His younger son Carter began having seizures a few months ago, one lasting for over an hour and 20 minutes, so now they have cameras and monitors all over the house.

James Scott-Autism Dad from Scotland, Across the Pond Podcaster- Part 2

James is a podcaster from Scotland who has 3 boys. Logan, 12 and Carter, 6, are both on the Autism Spectrum. They found out that Logan was diagnosed with Autism by accident at meeting. Once Logan started school he began to speak in full sentences by the end of his first year. But Carter only speaks 5 words at 6 years old. We talk about the system in Ediburgh and how they expect Autistic students to attend their first year of school with all of the other children rather than be in a Special Ed setting.

Jessica Weaver- Pink Fix Money- Financial Advisor for Women

Jessica is a Financial Advisor, author and public speaker. Her “Pink Fix Money” blog says she is “not your father’s advisor”. She specializes in helping women to plan for their future and take control of their finances. Since there is an 80% divorce rate among Autism families it’s very important for women to understand the finances in their home and know how to pay the mortgage and bills and to know what’s in their bank account.

Mike Ringel-Financial Advisor for Special Needs Families

Mike is a CPA and financial advisor specializing in helping families with a child with Special Needs. He talks about helping families plan financially for their child’s future, including the do’s and don’ts of what to do.