A Letter for Alzheimer’s Advocacy Accepted into Congressional Record
Advocate and early-onset Alzheimer's sufferer Michael Ellenbogen has written a letter to Congress that highlights both the societal and personal toll the disease can cause.
Succeeding With ADHD: Maximizing the Abilities of Neurodiversity, with Shawn Smith | EDB 49
In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with returning guest Shawn Smith, of Don’t dis-my-ability.
Young Man with Down Syndrome Makes History at Fashion Week
A teen out of Plano, Texas has made history as the first male with Down syndrome to model in New York Fashion Week.
Week in Neurodiversity – Girl With Down Syndrome Realizes Cheerleading Dream (9/24/16)
In this episode, a girl with Down syndrome becomes an honorary cheerleader and have you seen the robot that helps children with autism?
Lost in translation – What I thought my son with autism didn’t understand
Linda Mastroianni discusses how her ways of communicating with her son, who has autism, have evolved over the years.
Diagnosing Neurodiversity: 7 Advocates Tell How They Learned They Have Autism | EDB 48
In this special episode of Exploring Different Brains, Hackie Reitman, M.D. presents 7 previous guests as they tell the story of how they were first diagnosed with autism.
Reality Series About Down Syndrome Wins an Emmy
The A&E reality series Born This Way, which follows the lives of several individuals with Down syndrome, has won an Emmy for outstanding unstructured reality program.
Week in Neurodiversity – Rapper Becomes Autism Advocate (9/17/16)
In this episode, a rapper become an autism advocate, patients with Parkinson’s climb Machu Picchu, and have you heard of the Emmy award-nominated reality series about Down syndrome? All this and more!
Why Kids Need To Earn An Allowance At A Young Age
As parents, we all want our kids to grow up to have a great work ethic and understand the value of a dollar. But things don’t just happen; unless we make them happen.
Moving Beyond Labels and Understanding Neurodiversity, with Dr. Lori Butts | EDB 47
Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with Lori Butts, J.D., Ph.D. and discusses the importance of focusing on symptoms, not labels, when treating the neurodiverse.
Week in Neurodiversity – FSU Football Star Makes the Day of Young Boy With Autism (9/10/16)
In this episode, an amusement park creates a calming room for kids with autism, a young man with Down syndrome gets into his dream school, and how did an FSU football star make the day of a student with autism?
Kids’ Blood Results Could Predict Bipolar Disorder
A potential link between bipolar disorder and specific blood markers has been discovered in a UK-based study.
Why Therapy Shouldn’t Always Lead to Medication, with Dr. Lauren Gerber | EDB 46
In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with returning guest Dr. Lauren Gerber, author and psychologist.
Hackie Reitman,M.D. Speaks at AspenBrainLab 2016 at the Aspen Institute
In this 17 minute presentation, Different Brains™ founder Hackie Reitman, M.D. tells his personal journey to understanding neurodiversity, and why it is so important for society to recognize the differences in our brains.
Week In Neurodiversity – Friends with Down Syndrome Make a Zombie Movie Epic! (9/3/16)
In this episode, Taryn Manning stars in a movie about bipolar disorder, Cara Delevigne opens up about depression, and have you heard of the best friends with Down syndrome that created a zombie flick?
Man Canoes Across Canada for PTSD
Ranta is traveling along with his dog Spitzii to bring awareness to the issues caused by PTSD and honor the veterans of Canada.
College Life with Asperger’s Syndrome, with Dietrich Kuhlmann | EDB 45
In this episode, Dr. Hackie Reitman speaks with Dietrich Kuhlmann, a sophomore at the University of Miami who also happens to have Asperger’s syndrome.
Simple Steps for Massaging Away Meltdowns in the Neurodiverse
Just a few simple massage techniques will bring someone back into the "parasympathetic" state where the heart rate slows, blood pressure lowers and breathing is deeper and calmer.
Week in Neurodiversity – Michael Jordan Makes the Dreams of a Fan with Autism Come True (8/27/16)
In this episode, a young man with Down syndrome scores a touchdown, bee venom is helping those with Parkinson’s, and what did Michael Jordan do for a fan with autism? All these stories and more!
Teen with Down Syndrome Becomes High School Placekicker
17 year old Caden Cox has become a Ohio High School football team's newest addition.
Breathing Your Way to a Healthier Brain, with Ed Harrold | EDB 44
In this episode, Dr. Hackie Reitman sits down with Ed Harrold, performance enhancement coach and motivational speaker, and discusses the positive effect proper breathing can have on the brain.
A Michael Jordan Fan With Autism Gets The Surprise of his Life
A fan of Michael Jordan received gifts and a phone call from the sports legend after his video went viral.
Week in Neurodiversity – Autism Awareness Goes Country! (8/20/16)
In this episode, musicians write a song for autism awareness, a young man with Down syndrome becomes a cop for a day, and did you hear about the man with Parkinson’s who won a Martial Arts title?
The Benefits of Music for Therapy and the Neurodiverse
Martha Summa discusses the important role music can play in therapy for the neurodiverse, and offers insight in to how different tempos can help different conditions.
Charting New Territory in the Brain
In what’s being considered by many as a milestone in neuroscience, researchers have published a new map of the brain detailing close to one hundred previously unknown regions.
Empowering People With Autism: Enabling the Abilities of the Neurodiverse with Stacey Hoaglund | EDB 43
In this episode Dr. Hackie Reitman sits down with Stacey Hoaglund, a tireless advocate for the neurodiverse, and the mother of a son with autism.
Week in Neurodiversity – Can a Watch Predict Epileptic Seizures? (8/13/16)
In this episode, a man with Down syndrome graduates from Clemson, a watch senses seizures, and how does improv help those with OCD?
Woman with Down Syndrome Celebrates 75th Birthday
Cake, presents, and smiles all around, Frances Gillett celebrated her 75th birthday in a beautiful surprise party.
How My Son with Autism’s So-Called Obsession with Directions Shows Me the Genius Within
It’s time to start encouraging our children with autism, who show extreme interest in a subject, that it is healthy and positive.
Seeing the World Through the Eyes of Your Child
The next time your child or client reacts in a way you don’t understand, try to see through their eyes. Ask what and why, before presuming their behavior is inappropriate.
Battling Mental Health Stigma at Henderson Behavioral, with Dr. Steven Ronik | EDB 42
In this episode, Dr. Hackie Reitman sits down with Steve Ronik, the CEO of Henderson Behavioral Health.
Communication and Asperger’s
Eric Zimmerman talks about how communication can present challenges for people on the autism spectrum.
The Multiple Types of ADHD
Shawn Smith identifies the different types of ADHD, and how characteristics can differ.
Week in Neurodiversity – Sailing Away With Autism (8/6/16)
In this episode, a program helps children with autism learn to sail, robots assist with epilepsy, Jim Jeffries talks about having autism at age 36, and can parrots help with PTSD? All these stories in more in this week's episode!
Can Hearing Test ID Autism?
Researchers have found that an inner ear deficiency in children with autism may affect their ability to recognize speech.
Badges and Different Brains: Neurodiversity and Law Enforcement with Dr. Lori Butts | EDB 41
In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with Lori Butts, J.D., Ph.D., the president and director of the Clinical & Forensic Institute, and previous president of the Florida Psychological Association.
How Indian Head Massage May Benefit the Neurodiverse
Giuliana Fenwick tells of how raising a son with autism led her to develop a method of massage that may prove beneficial to anyone neurodiverse.
Week In Neurodiversity – Bowling Away PTSD (7/30/16)
In this episode, a girl with Asperger’s preaches a healthy lifestyle, a girl with Down syndrome video-bombs a news report, and have you heard about the barber in Brooklyn with Tourette’s?
Treating PTSD Can Help Your Addiction
PTSD sufferers often turn to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate. However, substance use enhances PTSD symptoms by encouraging the person to avoid their traumatic memories, hence delaying treatment.
Woman with Asperger’s Cycles 100 Miles for Awareness
In an effort to raise awareness for the autism community, a 47-year-old woman with Asperger’s has cycled more than 100 miles to raise money for the National Autistic Society.
Understanding Acquired Brain Injuries
Steve Gregory discusses lessons he has learned during his own recovery from an Acquired Brain Injury.
Week In Neurodiversity – Can Pokemon Go Battle Depression? (7/23/16)
In this episode, a woman with dementia plays the piano, a boy with autism wins a world title in taekwondo, and what effect is Pokemon Go having on the neurodiverse community?
A Possible New Treatment for People with PTSD
The stories of the combat veterans unfolded in painful detail: how they cradled comrades as they died,…
Autism and the Family: Therapeutic Solutions for the Household, with Dr. Lauren Gerber | EDB 40
In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with author and psychologist Dr. Lauren Gerber.
Life After Caregiving
For every caregiver, the stark reality is this: there is always a beginning and an end to the caregiving journey, and in most cases, we are not prepared for either of these life events.
Week In Neurodiversity – Shark Tank Star Opens Up About Dyslexia (07/15/16)
In this episode a young woman with Asperger’s creates her own business, a new device may help those with Parkinson’s, and a Shark Tank star discusses his dyslexia.
How Do You Get Inspired? Finding Inspiration Through Neurodiversity | EDB 39
In this episode, Dr. Hackie Reitman speaks with 7 amazing people from the world of neurodiversity- parents, employers, educators, and authors – as they tell us how they found their inspirations to make change in the lives of those of us with Different Brains.
Action, Advocacy, and Friends: The Birth of AASCEND
Sixteen years ago our family didn’t have any adult friends on the autism spectrum, now we have a whole roomful of them.
A Mom’s Letter to Those That Snubbed Her Son with Down Syndrome
After her son was not invited to a class birthday party, Jennifer Engele of Langley, British Columbia, took to Facebook to address the issue.
Week In Neurodiversity – Have a Date For The Autism Ball? (7-9-16)
In this episode, a teen creates the “autism ball”, a documentary shows us a unique look at autism, and do you know how scientists are handling neurological conditions?
Rewire Your Brain to the Beat: How Music Therapy Can Benefit the Neurodiverse, with Martha Summa | EDB 38
In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with educator, pianist, and music therapist Martha Summa. Martha discusses music’s ability to aid in the rewiring of brains via neuroplasticity, as well as her own amazing successes as a therapist.
The Poetry in Asperger’s: Self Expression on the Spectrum, with Ian Hale, Ph.D. | EDB Episode 37
In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. continues his conversation with Ian Hale, Ph.D., writer, poet, public speaker and researcher who happens to be on the autism spectrum.
7 Tips To Make 4th of July Friendly to Those With Autism, Asperger’s, and Hyper-Senses
Between the barbecues, parties, and fireworks, the Fourth of July is one of the most festive times of the year. However, it can also be a problem for those with autism, Asperger's, or any other condition that involves hyper senses.
Week In Neurodiversity – Skydiving for Parkinson’s Disease (7-2-16)
In this episode, a man sings to his mother to help with her Alzheimer’s, a girl with Tourette’s graduates high school with her service dog, and how many times did a man skydive in 12 hours to raise money for Parkinson’s research?
Education, Jobs, Friends a Reality for Adults with Autism
Together with local and national leaders, we are demonstrating what’s possible when we work together, solve problems, pioneer new practices, focus on a common goal and raise the bar on what’s possible.
Is Autism Hereditary? Neurodiversity in the Family Tree, with Ian Hale, Ph.D. | EDB Episode 36
In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with Ian Hale, Ph.D., a writer, poet, public speaker and researcher who happens to be on the autism spectrum.
Notions By Nickas: My Journey Into Neurodiversity (Part One)
In this column, I will be discussing my experiences in neurodiversity as well as my own experiences with anxiety. But before I can share my thoughts and observations, it is important that I share my story of how I got into neurodiversity in the first place.
Atypical Travel: Expanding Horizons of the Neurodiverse with Peggy Koutas | EDB 35
In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with Peggy Koutas, founder of Atypical Travel.
Week In Neurodiversity – The MMA Fighter With Autism (6-25-16)
In this episode, a girl with autism receives thousands of cards for her birthday, comedian Michael McCreary opens about having Asperger’s, and did you here about the MMA fighter who was just diagnosed with autism?
Teenager Documents his Dad’s Struggle with PTSD
Colorado teenager's film "After War," tells the story of his father's PTSD, and the impacts it had on family life.
The Neural Tango Plays On!
The power of music as an inspiration is well known by anyone who has been touched by this amazing force. But not nearly as well known is the fact that music is also a commanding force-- a direct conduit to the neural processes in the brain.
Trailblazing 2016: Neurodiverse Entrepreneurship with Alexai Perez | EDB 34
In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with Alexai Perez, coordinator of Trailblazing 2016.
Alzheimer’s at 40, with Michael Ellenbogen | EDB 33
In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with Michael Ellenbogen, author and Alzheimer’s advocate, who discusses his battle with early onset Alzheimer’s.
The Square Root of Father’s Day
You’re a dad. Though maybe you didn’t recognize it at the time, your child has a brain that’s a bit different. You know that when she was growing up you could have done some things differently.
Week In Neurodiversity – Dog with Epilepsy the Next Star of Transformers? (06/18/16)
In this episode, a teen with Tourette’s creates a vlog, an author opens up about OCD, and did you hear about the dog with epilepsy that’s going to be in Transformers?
A Letter to Myself For When My Son Was Diagnosed With Apraxia
Lisa Geng writes a letter she wishes she could've given herself when her son was diagnosed with apraxia.
Downs Designs Dreams: Special Jeans for Special Needs with Karen Bowersox | EDB 32
In this episode, Dr. Hackie Reitman talks with Karen Bowersox from Downs Designs Dreams and NBZ Jeans.
Neuroscientists Awarded $1m for Discovering Plasticity in the Brain
A decades-old notion about how and whether the brain can change in response to experience has been overturned by the research of three neuroscientists.
Changing Lives Through the Special Olympics, with Karlyn Emile | EDB 31
In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with Karlyn G. Emile, MPH, CHES, director of South Florida Healthy Community for Special Olympics Florida.
Muhammad Ali, Angelo Dundee, and Neurodiversity
There is much wisdom to be drawn from Muhammad Ali- such as believe in yourself, stand up for justice, help others, and work hard at your craft. But there is also a surprising lesson to be drawn from his life story— learn to appreciate neurodiversity and neuroplasticity, as did Ali’s legendary trainer and friend, Angelo Dundee.
The Week In Neurodiversity – Can Theater Benefit the Autistic? (6/11/16)
In this episode, a study shows drama classes help those with autism, a town is colored purple for Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, and how did one man gain control of his Parkinson’s?
VIDEO BLOG: Neurodiversity and Time Management
Neurodiversity and time management is a topic that keeps coming up in individual family sessions, so I wanted to make a quick video to really challenge people's perceptions around time, and change your perspective on time management for neurodiverse people.
Employment for the Autistic with Thomas D’Eri of Rising Tide Car Wash | EDB 30
In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with Thomas D’Eri, COO and co-founder of Rising Tide Car Wash.
Fictional Characters on the Autism Spectrum with author Cassandra Dunn | EDB ep.29
In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with Cassandra Dunn, author of “The Art of Adapting.”
The Week In Neurodiversity – Do Kids and Adults Have Different ADHD? (06/03/16)
This week- adult ADHD may differ from that of children, twins with OCD under go a new surgery, a documentary sheds light on epilepsy, and more!
Actors with Down Syndrome Perform at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
The troupe aimed to prove naysayers wrong when they took the stage at Chicago’s Shakespeare Theater for a production of Twelfth Night- and they did.
Neurodiversity in the Arts: It’s Not a Perfect World, but I’ll Take It
Donna Levin reviews Jennifer Rose's book "It’s Not a Perfect World, but I’ll Take It: 50 Life Lessons for Teens Like Me Who Are Kind of (You Know) Autistic"
Don’t Dis-my-ability! Success For The Neurodiverse, with Shawn Smith, M.Ed. | EDB 28
In this episode, Harold Reitman, M.D. speaks with Shawn Smith M.Ed., CCC, founder of Don’t Dis-my-ability.
There’s No Place Like Home: For Adults With Autism & Other Special Abilities
Written from a mother’s heart, pondering his first home away from our family home, here’s what I believe Matt wants and says through his words unspoken.
