Behind The Breakthroughs

In this episode we follow a mother’s journey with autism while living in the United States and then moving to South Africa. She talks about her son’s diagnosis, her diagnosis with cancer, and her Visa not getting renewed as fuel to provide a better life for her son. Meet Caz Collins, a mother, therapist, businesswoman, and advocate. When doctors told her she would never travel again because her son had autism, Caz traveled the next day. While living in the US Caz realized Autism does not discriminate and she wanted her son to have the same opportunities in South Africa as he did in the US. Her tenacity for life has allowed her to open and run a successful behavioral therapy business in South Africa. She also started the Blue and You Autism Run which is the first Autism Awareness Run in South Africa. Over the years Caz has lived a selflessly and has not only provided a better life for her son, but other children who have been diagnosed with autism as well. IN THIS EPISODE: This we chat with Caz Collins. She i

In this episode we take a look at a mother’s journey with her son diagnosed with autism. From his initial diagnosis to where he is now, and all the bumps and triumphs that have made him into the confident and connected person he is today. Their journey is inspirational one and we hope that you will connect with aspects of it to help you on your journey.   Meet Michelle Lewis, a mother of a child with autism. She opens up and talks about how scary and lonely the process can be. She went from wanting to coddle her son to setting no limits and pushing him out of his comfort zone. It has been challenging at times because his stubbornness and strong will often impede his learning. However, this is now her favorite quality about her son and is what makes him so successful. His self-discovery, interpretation of situations, and perception of the world inspires Michelle and has taught her the true meaning of motherhood. IN THIS EPISODE: -- The guest for this episode is Michelle Lewis a mother who has a son who is diag

In this episode Dr. Nunez shares her experience of working with her new clients who are identical twins. She talks about how each twin reacts differently to the same scenario. Although these twins share the same diagnosis and look exactly alike, they could not be more different from one another. This episode serves as a reminder to parents, teachers, and other services providers not to put children with autism in a box. There is not one size fits all approach. When you have met one person with autism you have met one person with autism. IN THIS EPISODE: -- This summer Dr. Nunez has had the opportunity to work with some new clients. -- In this episode she shares her experiences in working with these new clients. -- She shares these stories to remind parents, teachers, and providers that when you meet one person with autism you meet one person with autism. -- The clients she talks about in this episode are twins and are on the spectrum and they are so different from one another. -- This summer they went on vaca

This is the third vignette that Dr. Nunez shares. In this vignette Dr. Nunez talks about going back to school and the importance of acceptance and inclusion in the classroom among peers and teachers. In this episode Dr. Nunez shares many examples of past client’s and talks about the evolution of social skills from Pre-K through High School and how it impacts the acceptance and inclusion of children on the spectrum. The idea is to create inclusive school environments. Creating inclusive environments is a two way street and while we are teaching our kids who may struggle socially how to socially interact it is as equally important to teach their peers how to socially engage with them as well. IN THIS EPISODE: -- This is Dr. Nunez’s third vignette series and in this episode she talks about going back to school and highlighting acceptance and inclusion among peers and teachers. -- The idea is to create inclusive school environments. -- Creating inclusive environments is a two way street. -- While we are teaching

In this episode we meet a mother who took her own personal “chaotic” experience with autism and created an inviting and friendly space for children and their families. She took her “what if” idea and opened one of the biggest autism community stores in the country. This store is designed to be accepting and inclusive of all abilities. Meet Shannon Sullivan, the owner of the Autism Community Store. Her grass roots store has grown over the past seven years and continues to evolve and change to meet the needs of its community. It is a place where families feel safe, “normal, ” and where people get it. Everybody deserves that! IN THIS EPISODE: Meet Shannon Sullivan, owner of the Autism Community Store in Denver, CO. Shannon is an amazing woman, mom, and entrepreneur. The Autism Community Store started because Shannon has a daughter on the autism spectrum and she wanted to create a store where parents could get all the things they needed to buy for their kids. There is always a balance between money and time when

In this episode we take a look at a father’s journey with his son diagnosed with autism.  From his initial diagnosis to where he is now, we discuss all the highs and lows that happened along the way.  Their journey is inspirational one and we hope that you will connect with aspects of it to help you on your journey.   Meet Terry Ruth, husband of Tina Ruth (episode 2) and father of a child with autism.  Terry talks about his journey from a father’s perspective.  From the initial diagnosis Terry talks about how not to push your child into a role YOU want.  Instead your child needs to find their own path and parents should be there to support and encourage them. He lives by the philosophy of you have lived your life, now its time to foster theirs. His son would not be where he is today without the love, support, and involvement of his father. IN THIS EPISODE: - Meet Terry Ruth.  His wife is Tina Ruth who was our guest in Episode 2. - We are excited to talk to Terry Ruth because we love to hear from dads. Usually

In this episode Dr. Nunez begins by reading an inspiring letter written by a principal of one of her clients. This letter is positive and encouraging and will bring a tear to any parents eye who has a child on the spectrum. However, you will soon find out that the journey to get to this letter wasn’t so positive. Dr. Nunez and Maylene talk about the journey of this client and how he was able to change the minds of people who doubted him. When we hear the word autism we often create ideas in our mids of what autism looks like. In this episode we address this and how it impacted one of Dr. Nunez client’s. Through a year of coaching the client, parents, teachers, and school administrators everyone learned to NEVER judge a book by its cover. IN THIS EPISODE: - Dr. Nunez begins the episode by reading a tear jerking letter written by one of her client’s principals. - In this letter the principal expresses how proud she is of this client and how he had such an amazing school year. - However, Dr. Nunez quickly explai

This is the second vignette that Dr. Nunez shares. In this vignette Dr. Nunez talks about the importance of setting the goals high for your child. However, these goals will not happen overnight. She explains that parents need to break big goals down into smaller steps in order for their child to feel positive and successful about reaching these goals.   In this episode Dr. Nunez introduces everyone to Jon and his family. She talks about how their first trip to the park was a complete disaster. After six months of hard work and dedication by the entire family, Jon goes to the same park they had the disastrous experience with. You will have to listen to see what happens next… IN THIS EPISODE:  This episode is an Annette Vignette where Dr. Nunez and Maylene highlight and talk about a situation of what goes on “Behind the Breakthroughs.” They share these vignettes in hopes of inspiring other therapists and women. This vignette focuses on the transition from school to summer and Dr. Nunez talks about working on s

In this episode we have the pleasure of talking with a former special education teacher turned brewery owner that provides jobs to adults with disabilities. She talks about her journey of following her passion and all the sacrifices she has made in order give others hope. Through the love of beer she has found a way to educate the community by creating an accepting, loving, and inclusive environment.   Meet Tiffany Fixter the owner of Brewabilty Lab and Pizzabilty (opening in Summer of 2018). She has taken her love of working with adults with disabilities and turned it into two businesses that provide many job opportunities for these adults. Tiffany has done an amazing job of creating simple menus and innovative ways for people to order based on the strengths of her employees. Brewability Lab offers ways for the public to enter into a world where “dis” is replaced with abilities and which the bartenders teach the community how interact with them without judgment. This episode is inspiring, fun, and innovative

In this episode we listen to another mother’s journey with her son diagnosed with autism.  From his initial diagnosis to trying multiple therapies we discuss the highs and lows of her journey. Through all the challenging times, her love, compassion, and motivation for wanting her son to succeed has never changed.  Meet Jo Daley, a mother of a child with autism. Her positive outlook on life and her persistence to try new things are the driving force behind her motto, “No Labels, No Limits, No Boxes.”  The word Autism is associated with many different stereotypes, in which Jo wants to encourage other parents to see outside of that label, set the limits high and get out of their box.  IN THIS EPISODE: - Meet Jo Daley, her son Sean is diagnosed with autism. - Each parent that we have on the podcast will be different because when you meet one child with autism you meet one child.  This is the same when meeting a parent or family with autism you meet one parent or family with autism.  - What we love most about Jo i

In honor of Mother’s Day Dr. Annette Nunez and Maylene Visaya dedicate this episode to all the Mom’s out in the world.  We discuss the importance of self-care, positive mantras, and being responsible for writing your own life story.  Each day is the beginning of a new page in the chapter of your book and that is the beauty of life without a manual. The transition from school to summertime can be a stressful time of year.  It is important to recognize your stress and anxiety because children will pick up on it and react to it.  One way to decrease your stress is to find a positive quote or mantra and say it multiple times a day.  When say positive words you will begin talking positively to your unconscious.  Before you know it you will see a shift in your mind, body, and soul.  This will decrease your stress and allow you to be present as a mother. IN THIS EPISODE: - In this episode Dr. Annette Nunez and Maylene Visaya give a “shout out” to all the mama’s out in the world in honor of Mother’s Day. - We talk ab

Once a month Dr. Annette Nunez will do a segment entitled Annette’s Vignettes.  During these episodes Dr. Nunez will share her experiences as therapist as well as her personal life situations.  The realness of these vignettes are meant to be inspirational, tear jerking, and/or funny.  They also tell a story of what really goes on Behind the Breakthroughs. In this episode Dr. Nunez will talk about a vignette that involves freeways, jumping out of moving vehicles, cops, a parent threatening to call the cops, and almost missing a flight to Vegas.  You will have to listen to the podcast for all the details.  IN THIS EPISODE: - Each month we will be doing a segment called Annette’s Vignettes. - These vignettes are situations that have happened with our clients during therapeutic sessions, or situations that have happened in our personal lives. - During this segment we talk about what we go through as therapists and what we go through personally. - This episode takes a deeper look into what happens “Behind the Brea

Meet Stephanie Schiff the Executive Director of Connect Us a Denver-based nonprofit, whose mission is to develop skills in young children necessary to becoming socially competent, self-confident, and resilient individuals through physical, creative, and collaborative play in a guided learning environment.  Stephanie talks about the importance of play and socialization especially for children on the autism spectrum.  She also addresses the social challenges that children with autism face on the playground and gives helpful ways to encourage engagement and connection. In this episode we will discuss acceptance and inclusion and how it all starts on the playground.  Children socialize through play, not in a therapeutic office.  Stephanie shares how her program, Connect Us, teaches social skills in organic environments such as the playground and teaches children at a young age to be self-confident, inclusive, and accepting of ALL players on the playground. IN THIS EPISODE: - In this episode Stephanie Schiff, who

In this episode we take a look at a mother’s journey with her son diagnosed with autism.  From his initial diagnosis to where he is now, we discuss all the highs and lows that happened along the way.  Their journey is inspirational one and we hope that you will connect with aspects of it to help you on your journey.    Meet Tina Ruth, a mother of a child with autism.  She never allowed professionals to determine the fate of her son. Her hands on approach as a mother and advocate for son allowed him to grow and become the sweet, connected, funny, and loving person he was always meant to be. IN THIS EPISODE: Introductions: Meet Tina Ruth one of the most inspirational women we know. She has a son who is diagnosed with autism. Tina is one of the most generous, kind, and most humble person we know and love. Tina wants to share her inspirational journey of what she has gone through with her son Jacob, in hopes that you can connect or have something resonate with you that it will help you on your journey. Tina desc

Looking Behind the Breakthroughs: Meet Dr. Annette Nunez and Maylene April Visaya, LPC who are licensed psychotherapists based out of Denver, Colorado.  Combined they have over 30 years of experience in working with children with autism.  Come and join them as they will share with you their inspirational stories “Behind the Breakthroughs” that have lead to each of their client’s journey to success.  Looking Behind the Breakthroughs is an introductory podcast meant to inspire and empower moms, professionals, and women in hopes of creating a community where autism has no limits.  Are you a mother who has a child with autism? Are you a professional working with children with autism?  Do you often doubt your parenting or your work as a professional? We are here to tell you that doubt is normal and this is your journey… your story… Behind YOUR Breakthrough.  In this episode we will go over that autism has no limits, just like life has no limits.  We will encourage you identify what success means to you and for you