Uniquely Human: The Podcast

Barry and Dave discuss neurodivergence across generations in a family, with Rebecca Rosenzweig and her mother Dr. Karen Carson exploring how neurodivergent traits have been present in both maternal and paternal lines, with Karen sharing her late-in-life diagnosis of autism and ADHD, while Rebecca discussed her diagnosis and the challenges of sensory processing differences. They share personal stories about accommodations and support within their family, including how Karen’s intuitive understanding of Rebecca’s needs helped create a supportive home environment. The conversation also covered the importance of recognizing neurodivergence without pathologizing natural behaviors, and the need to balance masking with authentic self-expression, particularly in different social and professional contexts. Find out more on our Website! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, I have a discussion with Saulo Barbosa, a 43-year-old Brazilian autistic police officer, to discuss his experiences and insights about neurodivergence in law enforcement in his home country of Brazil. Saulo shared how my book, “Uniquely Human” inspired him to transform his approach to policing and develop training programs that focus on understanding and supporting neurodivergent individuals. The conversation also addressed the impact of the book on Saulo’s life and work, including his current activities in training police officers across Brazil and the importance of autistic people connecting with each other Learn more on our website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dave and Barry reflect on the themes and highlights from Uniquely Human: The Podcast in 2025, with their typical insight and good humor. They emphasized themes of collaboration and diversity among their guests. They address specific topics including the importance of early developmental support for neurodivergent children, educational inclusion, and cultural perspectives, while also touching on unique profiles and creative supports for neurodivergent individuals. The hosts shared personal insights gained from their guests and expressed their commitment to continuing the podcast in 2026, inspired by the knowledge and connections formed throughout the year. Check out the episode on our website! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Matt Ross is a professional who has experienced success as an entrepreneur in different businesses, especially regarding music education. When his son was diagnosed with autism and high support needs, including co-occurring medical conditions, his life and that of his family changed dramatically. Barry and Dave and Matt discuss the decisions he made and the path he decided to take to deal with the challenges he experienced and to best support his son and family. Learn more on Our Website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An area of great interest is understanding the experience of highly sensitive people, also known as empaths. There are many overlapping characteristics of highly sensitive people with individuals who have neurodivergent profiles (with or without formal diagnoses). Dr. Judith Orloff is a recognized expert in this area and Barry, Dave and Judith discuss the best ways to understand and support empaths, as well as her new book for children, The Highly Sensitive Rabbit. Find out more on our website! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode of the Uniquely Human: The Podcast features Nina Schiarizzi-Tobin and Vanessa Harwood discussing innovative supports for neurodivergent college students, highlighting the START program at the University of Rhode Island. The conversation explores common challenges neurodivergent students face upon entering college, the specific support needs, and how these compare to those of neurotypical students. The episode also delves into the mission of the START program and its role in fostering community and inclusion. Find out more and access the transcripts on our website! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As an occupational therapist with expertise in child development, Dr. Carrie Alvarado has the unique ability to discuss interrelationships between sensory processing and the development of trustworthy connections with young children. Carrie, Barry and Dave explore the implications of “sensoriaffective” integration in supporting parents of young neurodivergent children. Learn more on our website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Rivera has experienced the need for, and benefits of mentoring in his own life, and has applied his lived experiences to setting up a non-profit for mentoring others. Barry and Dave discuss the various benefits of mentoring with David, and specifically, “Mentoring Autistic Minds”, the non-profit he has created that welcomes autistic and otherwise neurodivergent individuals to benefit from a community that provides opportunities for mentoring relationships. Learn more on our website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kate Reynolds , also known as the Lavender Librarian, is the founder and director of Storytime Solidarity. Based in Ontario, Canada, Kate has been working in public libraries since 2010. She is also a sought after international keynote speaker, trained opera singer, patient advocate, writer, and content creator with a large social media following. Kate’s international advocacy has brought her to high-level events in Sweden, Hungary, Canada, and the United States. Kate holds masters degrees in musicology and library science at Western University as well as a bachelor of music in vocal performance at the University of Windsor. Openly disabled and autistic, Kate is working to make the world a kinder place, one storytime at a time. Learn more on our Website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Julie Green is a professional writer, a mother, and is a late diagnosed autistic women. She, Dave, and Barry discuss what led to her late diagnosis, and the insights she has as an autistic person in raising her now teenage autistic son. Julie has also published professionally on parenting issues and discusses the process of writing a memoir that focuses on motherhood and autism, while simultaneously deepening her understanding of her own autism. Learn more on our Website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As a parent, Daria Brown had some difficult decisions to make about choosing the right path for her young autistic child and her family. She chose a developmental relationship- based approach as it resonated with her as the best fit for her child. That choice led to a professional career in supporting parents, and also to her own late diagnosis as an autistic person. Barry and Dave discussed this choice with Daria, and how her journey has evolved. Learn more on our website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Barry and Dave engage in a lively and wide-ranging discussion with educational specialist, Dr. Shelley Moore, internationally known for her progressive and value-based approach for educating neurodivergent students, and indeed, all students. The focus of the discussion is on changes that are needed to help educational systems to be neuro-affirming, inclusive, strength-based, and respectful of different learning styles. Learn more on our website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sam Young is a neurodivergent professional educator who has established Young Scholars Academy, an online community for 2E students and individuals who are exceptionally gifted and exceptionally challenged. Sam, Dave and Barry have a lively discussion on topics ranging from different learning styles, to limitations of public education for 2E students, to the highest priorities and strategies to support 2E students and individuals. Learn more on Our Website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EPISODE 138 The Development of the Living and Learning Enrichment Center – An Innovative Neuro-Affirming Community, with Rachelle Vartanian. Rachelle Vartanian is the Founder and President of the Living and Learning Enrichment Center, a community that supports neurodivergent individuals and their families in many ways. She began her journey as a special education teacher, and then as a parent, who now has as an adult son on the autism spectrum. These experiences have allowed her to clearly see the priorities that are needed to support individuals like her son and others, and she, Barry and Dave discuss her journey and her innovative center. FIND OUT MORE ON OUR WEBSITE See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tara Phillips, a speech-language pathologist and Founder of Autism Little Learners, interviewed Barry as a prelude to Barry’s keynote address on her podcast for the Preschool Autism Summit, with more than 40,000 professionals, parents, and autistic individuals registered. As Barry was so impressed by this interview, and given that he often receives requests for more specific information about his career path, he asked Tara for permission and she graciously agreed to allow this interview to be rebroadcast on Uniquely Human: The Podcast. Learn more on our website! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the publication of Neurotribes, Barry and Dave reflect back on their friendship with Steve Silberman, who passed last year, by revisiting and discussing portions of their podcast interview with Steve in the Fall of 2021, the third episode of Uniquely Human: The Podcast. Filled with humor and reflections, our goal is to express gratitude to Steve for all of his contributions and the unique human he was, and to ensure that those who did not know him develop a deep appreciation for his profound influence on changing the narrative about autism and neurodiversity. Learn more on our website. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Spin the Spectrum is an innovative, strength-based program music and DJ program for autistic and neurodivergent individuals. Developed by speech language pathologist Courtney Willis, in collaboration with Jay Clipp, a renowned DJ, and Jah born, a Grammy award-winning producer, opportunities are provided for autistic and neurodivergent individuals to engage in music production and creative self expression. Barry and Dave chat with the Spin the Spectrum team about the development and the impact of this program. Learn more on our website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As a developmental pediatrician, Dr. Wendy Ross serves patients who are autistic and neurodivergent and their families, but her work goes well beyond direct clinical care. She believes in having an impact on community understanding, support and inclusion for all people with neurodevelopmental differences. Barry, Dave and Wendy discuss many of her initiatives in the community and at Jefferson Medical Center in Philadelphia, and the types of supports that truly improve quality of life for neurodivergent and autistic children and adults, and their families. Learn more on our website! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Developmental relationship-based interventions have been around for many years, but have not received the level of attention that intervention approaches based on applied behavior analysis have received. Drs. Josh Feder and Andrea Davis, along with a number of colleagues, including Barry, are currently involved in collaborative efforts to bring greater awareness and funding to DRBI interventions. They discuss the justification and research basis for the work currently being undertaken to provide families with greater options for supporting their children’s development. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As a mental health educational professional advocate, and as a black autistic mother of neurodivergent children, Dr. Destiny Huff brings her extensive knowledge of the law, her in depth, understanding of educational systems, and on the ground experience to her work. Destiny, Barry and Dave discuss the challenges that all parents face, but especially parents of color, in advocating for their child, while navigating the complications caused by various roles that parents may play in the process of interfacing with educational systems. Find out more on our website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.