Tim Goldstein, Autistic Philosopher of Neurodiversity: Life in the Neuro Cloud™

Ed Thompson from Uptimize.com and I go back to the early days when the few involved were focused on Autism at Work. This episode is a unique twist in that Ed is the host and I am the guest! This came about because Ed had me as a guest on the Uptimize fireside chat webinar series. The content came out so well I asked Ed if I could use the audio as a podcast episode. So here it is. To reach Uptimize, Ed, and his team head over to Uptimize.com

This episode continues Tim's chat with Danny. After years of hearing about Danny and T.A.C.T., we catch up with Danny Combs. Danny was a successful Nashville Musician and a Music Educator and then an idea struck him that completely changed his life. Generations of Danny's family built great careers working with their hands in the trades. He recognized that not all autistic individuals are going to be amazing computer programers despite what many organizations have promoted. His idea was to teach hands on trade skills in the belief that a large segment of autistics could build solid, well paying careers doing the jobs much of American education has forgotten. The result is Colorado based T.A.C.T. (Teaching the Autistic Community Trades). In the 7 years since he began working out of a van he has grown the program to its new home in a beautiful facility teaching a range for trades. His placement rate for graduates is in the high 80% range with high quality career jobs. If creating a successful career program for autistics isn't enough he is also one of the co-founders of the Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce. Believed to be the first chamber of commerce created around neurodiversity, it has attracted the interest of companies large and small. Join us for a 2 episode chat with Danny Combs. T.A.C.T. https://www.buildwithtact.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildwithtact Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tactkidsorg/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tact-kids-inc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRZYpkaoUfVDW5GpD8sg-nA Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce https://www.cndcc.org/ Contact Danny danny@buildwithtact.org

In this episode, after years of hearing about Danny and T.A.C.T., we catch up with Danny Combs. Danny was a successful Nashville Musician and a Music Educator and then an idea struck him that completely changed his life. Generations of Danny's family built great careers working with their hands in the trades. He recognized that not all autistic individuals are going to be amazing computer programers despite what many organizations have promoted. His idea was to teach hands on trade skills in the belief that a large segment of autistics could build solid, well paying careers doing the jobs much of American education has forgotten. The result is Colorado based T.A.C.T. (Teaching the Autistic Community Trades). In the 7 years since he began working out of a van he has grown the program to its new home in a beautiful facility teaching a range for trades. His placement rate for graduates is in the high 80% range with high quality career jobs. If creating a successful career program for autistics isn't enough he is also one of the co-founders of the Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce. Believed to be the first chamber of commerce created around neurodiversity, it has attracted the interest of companies large and small. Join us for a 2 episode chat with Danny Combs. T.A.C.T. https://www.buildwithtact.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildwithtact Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tactkidsorg/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tact-kids-inc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRZYpkaoUfVDW5GpD8sg-nA Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce https://www.cndcc.org/ Contact Danny danny@buildwithtact.org

I had a very enjoyable and informative conversation with Genie Love. While Genie's background is in special education where she worked extensively with high school students, it also has some very interesting twists and turns that helped create the unique perspective she brings to her coaching of adults. One point that came up which I believe in deeply, and so does Genie, is that it doesn't matter what condition label is attached to someone, it is the behaviors we need to be concerned with. If the problem is blurting out in group discussions does it really matter if they are autistic, ADHD, or neurotypical? Regardless of the label the behavior is what the focus needs to be on, not which of all the factors in a human is causing it to happen. Enjoy a great conversation with one of the few coach focused on helping neurodistinct adults and particularly working neurodistinct adults. https://www.genielove.coach https://www.linkedin.com/in/genie-love-beyond-coaching genie@genielove.coach

This was a super enjoyable episode to record for multiple reasons. Angela Powell has a super upbeat and infectious personality which is a great start. Based on her families experience with her son Charlie and the way the medical culture and schools systems recommended she learned that at least for Charlie the approaches were ineffective at best. One of the statements she made that really struck me was that she and her husband came to realize it wasn't Charlie that needed therapy, but her and her husband. This realization revolutionized their view of autism and the approaches that would best enable Charlie to grow to be the adult able to become all is capable of. After their extensive efforts to find resource which could help them to support Charlie and allow him to flourish, Angela saw the need to help parents find the information and services they need to support their child from the perspective of the neurodiversity culture instead of the disability culture. Being the motivated and caring person she is Mad Charlie Inc was created to fill this need. Join Angela and Tim as they talk about what lead to the creation of Mad Charlie Inc, experiences with Charlie and the amazing change when they moved away from the disability/deficit model. Join Tim for a delightful and educational conversation with the amazing Angela Powell. Contact information: Website: madcharlieinc.com Instagram: @madcharlieinc Facebook: Mad Charlie Inc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-powell-madcharlieinc

Here is the bio Karen sent me. Having known her for a number of years I can assure you it is very modest compared to the contributions she has made and the people she has helped. In our chat we cover some of the other things Karen has done which are not reflected in the below bio. In 1998, Karen Simmons a mother of seven, founded Autism Today, the first online global autism resource center, winning the Internet Entrepreneur of the Year in 2001 from Multiple Streams of Income. Featured on PBS, ABC & Woman’s World, she is a “Chicken Soup for the Soul, Children with Special Needs” Co-Author and manifested 14 books including Gold Medal winning “The Official Autism 101 Manual” and hosted 72 conferences across North America. Prior to her current path, Karen worked as a gemologist where she discovered the magic of gemstones. She joined the US Air Force, where she worked in a base hospital and lived across the United States. Karen now lives in Edmonton, Alberta Canada, is transitioning Autism Today into a non profit, Autism Today Foundation with her partner Vincent dela Luna. They plan to share information through a Channel, ARTS network and Learning & Education Division. This will easily and affordably provide resources that are needed to the autism world and beyond. karen@autismtoday.com karen@autissmtoday.ca https://autismtoday.com/

Here is the bio Karen sent me. Having known her for a number of years I can assure you it is very modest compared to the contributions she has made and the people she has helped. In our chat we cover some of the other things Karen has done which are not reflected in the below bio. In 1998, Karen Simmons a mother of seven, founded Autism Today, the first online global autism resource center, winning the Internet Entrepreneur of the Year in 2001 from Multiple Streams of Income. Featured on PBS, ABC & Woman’s World, she is a “Chicken Soup for the Soul, Children with Special Needs” Co-Author and manifested 14 books including Gold Medal winning “The Official Autism 101 Manual” and hosted 72 conferences across North America. Prior to her current path, Karen worked as a gemologist where she discovered the magic of gemstones. She joined the US Air Force, where she worked in a base hospital and lived across the United States. Karen now lives in Edmonton, Alberta Canada, is transitioning Autism Today into a non profit, Autism Today Foundation with her partner Vincent dela Luna. They plan to share information through a Channel, ARTS network and Learning & Education Division. This will easily and affordably provide resources that are needed to the autism world and beyond. karen@autismtoday.com karen@autissmtoday.ca https://autismtoday.com/

Peter and I had a great time talking. I am convinced I would have a great time handing out with him! Below is his formal bio. Peter Mann is the CEO & Founder of Virginia-based Oransi, a leading air purification company known for its efficient, intuitive and reliable products for consumers, schools, organizations and businesses. He also is the Chair of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers’ Air Cleaner Council. In 2021, Oransi merged with Aviemore Technologies and is now a motor technology company with a clean energy mission. Oransi’s new manufacturing facility in Radford, Virginia is making products in the USA with advanced motor technologies. Previously, Peter was the Founder & CEO of the Austin, Texas-based Alen Corp., an air purification company he built, and after 7 years had a successful exit. He went to college on a Navy ROTC scholarship and then served 4 years, including a tour in the Red Sea during the First Gulf War. He was a communications officer and then gunnery officer on the USS McCandless. Peter is late diagnosed autistic and now advocates for autism awareness in the workplace. Connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-mann/

OPPS, Sorry if you got a corrupted download. I was trying some beta software and somewhere along the way missed a very poor file. A new clean version is now available. Peter and I had a great time talking. I am convinced I would have a great time handing out with him! Below is his formal bio. Peter Mann is the CEO & Founder of Virginia-based Oransi, a leading air purification company known for its efficient, intuitive and reliable products for consumers, schools, organizations and businesses. He also is the Chair of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers’ Air Cleaner Council. In 2021, Oransi merged with Aviemore Technologies and is now a motor technology company with a clean energy mission. Oransi’s new manufacturing facility in Radford, Virginia is making products in the USA with advanced motor technologies. Previously, Peter was the Founder & CEO of the Austin, Texas-based Alen Corp., an air purification company he built, and after 7 years had a successful exit. He went to college on a Navy ROTC scholarship and then served 4 years, including a tour in the Red Sea during the First Gulf War. He was a communications officer and then gunnery officer on the USS McCandless. Peter is late diagnosed autistic and now advocates for autism awareness in the workplace. Connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-mann/

Theo Smith is the co-author of the Business Book Awards Winner for best book in DE&I ‘Neurodiversity At Work: Drive innovation, performance and productivity with a neurodiverse workforce’. He’s worked in the recruitment and employment sector as a leader for over 15 years. He brings plenty of lived experience to ND at work, as someone who associates with being ND, Dyslexic, ADHD, Autistic and… He is also the Dad of a neurologically diverse family. I had a great time chatting with Theo. Besides being a bright guy to chat with on a range of topics, Theo brings the understanding of needing to meet those wanting to learn about neurodiversity and become neuroinclusive where they are at. No radical agendas or making neurotypicals feel bad to boost the neurodistinct. As you will hear Theo bring clear straight forward thought and dialogue to our tremendously enjoyable discussion. ND by Design 50 Neurodiversity Evangelists to follow Globally in 2023 80 Neurodiversity Evangelists to follow UK in 2023 ND at Work https://www.linkedin.com/in/theosmithuk/

Theo Smith is the co-author of the Business Book Awards Winner for best book in DE&I ‘Neurodiversity At Work: Drive innovation, performance and productivity with a neurodiverse workforce’. He’s worked in the recruitment and employment sector as a leader for over 15 years. He brings plenty of lived experience to ND at work, as someone who associates with being ND, Dyslexic, ADHD, Autistic and… He is also the Dad of a neurologically diverse family. I had a great time chatting with Theo. Besides being a bright guy to chat with on a range of topics, Theo brings the understanding of needing to meet those wanting to learn about neurodiversity and become neuroinclusive where they are at. No radical agendas or making neurotypicals feel bad to boost the neurodistinct. As you will hear Theo bring clear straight forward thought and dialogue to our tremendously enjoyable discussion. ND by Design 50 Neurodiversity Evangelists to follow Globally in 2023 80 Neurodiversity Evangelists to follow UK in 2023 ND at Work https://www.linkedin.com/in/theosmithuk/

I think Rebecca Beam is one of the most knowledgeable people around when it comes to neurodistinct and particularly autistic employment. Starting before it became a "thing" with global tech companies Rebecca was a co-founder of Mindspark which trained and employed autistic individuals to do QA work for major companies. When Mindspark was sold to Auticon https://smmirror.com/2018/06/santa-monica-company-acquired-by-leading-employer-of-people-with-autism/ Rebecca became the president and CEO of Auticon USA. She has again founded a new company Zavikon https://www.zavikon.net/ to help individuals find the right career and companies to find the right talent. Join us as we discuss neurodistinct employment and some of the ways Rebecca is helping individuals find career jobs though the training and support Zavikon provides. You can learn more about Zavikon and contact them at: https://www.zavikon.net/ or reach Rebecca at: rebecca@zavikon.net

With employment for autistic and other neurodistinct individuals now a very hot topic many different approaches are being tried. There is the Autism, now labeled Neurodiversity, at work efforts of some of the largest companies in the world to small mom & pops. From the other direction there are programs springing up trying to figure out how to train and prepare these individuals to join the workforce or move up to a job that meets their skills. Stacey comes from an organization that has already figured it out. nonPareil is a non profit group founded by 2 dads with autistic children in 2010. Stacey is also the dad of an autistic child. He works to further nonPareil's goal of "Building Better Futures for Adults with Autism" and growing the organization. They now have 4 locations and the complete program online for those who are not near their facilities. New buildings are being built and states and cities are asking to have a branch to help the autistic in their area. Listen in as Stacy and Tim talk about nonPareil, autism in the workplace, and many other topics. This is episode 1 of a 2 episode session. Listen, enjoy, and be impressed with the amazing work Stacey and nonPareil are doing. Stacey Ford's Email : sford@npitx.org non-Pareil website : https://npusa.org/

With employment for autistic and other neurodistinct individuals now a very hot topic many different approaches are being tried. There is the Autism, now labeled Neurodiversity, at work efforts of some of the largest companies in the world to small mom & pops. From the other direction there are programs springing up trying to figure out how to train and prepare these individuals to join the workforce or move up to a job that meets their skills. Stacey comes from an organization that has already figured it out. nonPareil is a non profit group founded by 2 dads with autistic children in 2010. Stacey is also the dad of an autistic child. He works to further nonPareil's goal of "Building Better Futures for Adults with Autism" and growing the organization. They now have 4 locations and the complete program online for those who are not near their facilities. New buildings are being built and states and cities are asking to have a branch to help the autistic in their area. Listen in as Stacy and Tim talk about nonPareil, autism in the workplace, and many other topics. This is episode 1 of a 2 episode session. Listen, enjoy, and be impressed with the amazing work Stacey and nonPareil are doing. Stacey Ford's Email : sford@npitx.org non-Pareil website : https://npusa.org/

Dr Lutza Ireland is an Autistic/ADHD multi-award-winning social designer, psychologist and international speaker located in Australia. Her design guidelines and trainings have been integrated into national and international organizations looking to build capability for neuroinclusion and mental health. She uses design thinking and co-design methods to develop systems, services and resources for cognitive and sensory accessibility, based on universal design. Dr Lutza currently specialises in the design, implementation and consultancy on neurodiversity employment pilots; and design of neurodiversity and mental health related learning and development (L&D) services and materials. Clients and collaborations include Accenture, Avanade, Google and Rio Tinto. Dr Ireland can be reached through her LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-lutza-ireland-5b028116b/

This is the second episode of my enjoyable and informative discussion with Maisie. If you missed the first episode check it out at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/451957/episodes/11618327 Maisie Soetantyo brings a unique viewpoint to the autism community. She started working with autistic individuals in college and too it up as her career. So she has an academic foundation for understanding autism and then many years of working with the autistic professionally. But when she learned her son was autistic it brought an entirely new perspective to her understanding of autism. Maisie is the founder of Autism Career Pathways and now helps autistic individuals to join the workforce. Listen in and learn how her understanding changed and grew when autism came to her own home. You can find more about Autism Career Pathways at: https://autismcareerpathways.org or email Maisie at: maisie@autismcareerpathways.com

Maisie Soetantyo brings a unique viewpoint to the autism community. She started working with autistic individuals in college and too it up as her career. So she has an academic foundation for understanding autism and then many years of working with the autistic professionally. But when she learned her son was autistic it brought an entirely new perspective to her understanding of autism. Maisie is the founder of Autism Career Pathways and now helps autistic individuals to join the workforce. Listen in and learn how her understanding changed and grew when autism came to her own home. Our discussion was so informative and enjoyable there is a second episode with the rest of our discussion. You can find more about Autism Career Pathways at: https://autismcareerpathways.org or email Maisie at: maisie@autismcareerpathways.com

During the years I have been involved with neurodiversity I have had the opportunity to meet, collaborate with, and become friends with many of the leaders and innovators in what started as the autism at work movement which has evolved to become the neurodiversity at work movement. There were far less of us then. One of those who has been a leader from early in the movement is Ed Thompson, founder of Uptimize. Uptimize has been the leading provider of training for companies globally for much longer than most people even heard the word neurodiversity. They bring the power of neuroinclusion to the workplace, optimize culture, processes and environments to enable every type of thinker to thrive. I have the honor and privilege to be one of there global subject matter experts. Besides being an advisor this also allows me to occasionally do presentations and trainings as an Uptimize representative. This episode is a recording of a virtual presentation I gave in Oct. 2022 to a major health care provider which serves approximately 200,000 patients in the US. It is what Uptimize calls a Lunch & Learn and many of us would call a Neurodiversity 101 presentation. Listen in as they start learning about neurodiversity and neuroinclusion as their first step to add the neurodistinct to their already extensive diversity focus and programs.

Due to life taking me on a journey I wasn't looking for I have some great episodes which were recorded in 2019 and never released. I am finally able to get back to releasing more episodes and am starting with the great unused material I recorded about 3 years ago. Mel is enjoyable to listen too and we went down many paths frequently jumping from one topic to another. Mel is the person who got me to understand that a person cannot be neurodiverse as it is an adverb dealing with the makeup of a group. Like many still do I was using the term as a noun for non-neurotypical. This is prior to my coining the term neurodistinct for us non-neurotypical individuals. I have changed some of my thoughts and terminology in the 3 years since this was recorded. But it still has a great discussion and many of Mel's interesting insights. PlanetND Website, the URL has changed to https://www.planetneurodivergent.com instead of the one Mel gave in the podcast. You can find out more about Mel on her professional website MelHowton.com

This is the audio track of a presentation I did for BACEmploy.com and their students in their LaunchIT program. This program trains autistic adults and veterans with PTSD the technologies to become Google certified. This is an amazing program and Susan who runs it does a wonderful job teaching not only the tech, but the skills to be a successful employee. If you want to see the video version with the presentation deck head to my site at: https://timgoldsteinmedia.mykajabi.com/blog/interviewing For more interviewing help and tips check out my book "Geeks Guide to Interviews: 15 Critical Items for the tech type" Available on Amazon