Helping Families Go Beyond

Beyond the Gym: Making Fitness Inclusive for Everyone with Autism Fitness’ Eric Chessen

Discover how Autism Fitness is transforming adaptive fitness training with expert Eric Chessen. In this episode, we explore the importance of scalable exercise modifications, self-regulation strategies, and creating sensory-friendly environments for neurodivergent athletes. Eric shares insights on overcoming coaching challenges, building consistency in home-based fitness, and fostering inclusivity in gyms. Plus, hear an inspiring success story that highlights the power of structured, adaptable workouts. Whether you're a coach, educator, parent, or self-advocate, this conversation is packed with actionable tips for making fitness accessible to all.
Eric Chessen is the Founder of Autism Fitness. With backgrounds in exercise and behavior sciences, Eric has spent over two decades developing effective, meaningful fitness programs for the autism and neurodivergent population. He is the creator of the PAC Profile Method and Autism Fitness Certification with over 500 Certified Pros worldwide. He is a TEDx presenter and consults with organizations and schools around the world seeking to prioritize and optimize their programs. Eric resides in Charlotte, NC with his wife, two rescue pitts, and egregiously problematic cat. He is an avid lifter and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu grappler. 
Reach Eric at:
Instagram: @TheAutism Fitness
YouTube: The Autism Fitness
Website: AutismFitness.com
Timestamps:
(00:00) School Updates 
(01:15) Introducing Eric Chessen, Founder of Autism Fitness
(02:50) What does it mean to be Autism Fitness Certified?
(04:10) Balancing Accessibility and Curriculum
(05:40) Misconceptions about Autism and fitness
(09:10) How have you seen fitness benefit people?
(13:00) How do you adapt an exercise routine for different individuals?
(17:10) What modifications can be made to adapt to individuals?
(23:00) What can parents do at home?
(26:20) Favorite success stories
(29:20) Advice to someone wanting to start their fitness journey
(31:45) How to reach Eric

Sweet Futures: Expanding Opportunities for Individuals with Autism

In this episode, we sit down with Valerie Herskowitz, founder of The Chocolate Spectrum—a unique business and training program providing meaningful work opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum. Valerie shares her journey as a therapist and mother, the inspiration behind the program, and how it’s transforming lives through chocolate-making.Listen as we explore topics like:
The importance of honoring a child’s authenticity and individuality.
Building inclusive workspaces and creating post-high school opportunities.
Valerie’s vision for expanding The Chocolate Spectrum to better serve the community.
Discover how The Chocolate Spectrum is making a difference—one chocolate at a time. Plus, learn how your support helps fund this impactful initiative.
Visit The Chocolate Spectrum WebsiteTimestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Valarie Herskowitz, Founder of The Chocolate Spectrum
(03:00) Misconceptions about hiring neurodivergent individuals
(05:30) Adapting the workspace
(08:40) Educating the customers
(11:45) Impact on the employees
(15:50) How being a parent influenced The Chocolate Spectrum
(20:50) Advice for families to prepare their children for life skill and work skills
(27:25) Advice for employers to hire more neurodivergent individuals
(31:40) Advice for caregivers
(36:15) The future of The Chocolate Spectrum

Protecting Vulnerable Individuals: Recognizing Red Flags and Empowering Caregivers

In this insightful episode, we explore how caregivers, educators, and guardians can recognize signs of exploitation and create safe environments for vulnerable individuals. From sudden behavioral changes to online red flags, we discuss the subtle indicators that something may be amiss.
Our guest shares expert advice on fostering open communication, teaching the difference between safe and unsafe interactions, and addressing the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals. We also examine the importance of early education about boundaries, healthy relationships, and online safety to prevent exploitation before it begins.
Whether you're a parent, teacher, or advocate, this episode provides actionable steps to help you identify potential risks and empower those in your care.
Resources Mentioned
Timestamps:
(00:00) School updates
(02:40) Introducing Madison Zivitski, Selah Freedom
(04:40) Statistics about human trafficking and exploitation
(12:20) Red flags
(18:10) Signs caregivers could miss 
(26:00) Safe versus un-safe secrets
(31:30) Tools and resources
(42:20) Final thoughts
Join us every month for a new episode of Helping Families Go Beyond. Visit beyondthespectrum.org for more information.

Navigating the Holiday Season with your Neurodivergent Child

In this episode, Dawn Wisniewski, a board-certified behavior analyst, shares practical strategies for helping children with sensory sensitivities thrive during the holidays. From navigating bright lights and loud music to managing disruptions in routine, Don provides insights on:
Preparing children for new sensory experiences with proactive planning.
Handling travel challenges and creating a “magic bag” for comfort.
Supporting children during gift-giving and social interactions.
Empowering parents and caregivers with self-care tips to reduce stress.
Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or educator, this episode is packed with tips to make the holiday season more joyful and less overwhelming for everyone.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(02:45) introducing Dawn Wisniewski
(04:00) New sensory experiences
(08:15) Navigating the disruption to routine
(12:12) Preparing for travel
(17:10) Preparing for gift giving and receiving
(20:20) Stress management for caregivers
(23:40) Preparing for new foods
Join us every month for a new episode of Helping Families Go Beyond. Visit beyondthespectrum.org for more information.

Where Everyone Belongs: Inside Morgan’s Vision of Inclusion

This week, we’re joined by Sharon Newhardt, Director of Inclusion and Culture at Morgan’s, the groundbreaking organization behind an ultra-inclusive amusement park, water park, sports center, camps, and clinical facility in San Antonio, Texas. Morgan’s is dedicated to creating spaces that cater to individuals with disabilities and neurodivergent communities. Sharon takes us through Morgan’s inspiring journey, from the park’s inception to heartwarming stories like guests experiencing the joy of swinging for the first time. We also dive into the thoughtful design and considerations that go into building a truly inclusive environment. Morgan’s is at the forefront of innovation in accessibility, and the profound impact they’ve had on their guests is nothing short of extraordinary.
Timestamps:
00:00 Quick updates
01:00 Introducing Sharon Newhardt, Director of Inclusion and Culture at Morgan’s
04:45 Morgan’s story and the creation of the world’s first ultra inclusive amusement park
09:00 Morgan’s Wonderland expansion from amusement parks to water parks, camps, sports center, and clinical facilities
17:15 Significance of Morgan’s logo, a butterfly
18:45 Key considerations and training when designing the park
24:10 Examples of terms to use
27:50 Challenges Morgan’s faces
32:35 Impactful stories, swinging for the first time
37:20 Proud of the inclusion training
39:10 Advice for businesses to be more inclusive
41:10 How we can support Morgan’s
Join us every month for a new episode of Helping Families Go Beyond. Visit beyondthespectrum.org for more information.

It is about more than Sailing with Spectrum Sailing's Scott Herman

This week, we speak with Executive Director of Spectrum Sailing, Scott Herman. Scott is a lifelong sailor who wanted to sign his neurodivergent son, Daniel, up for sailing camp. None of the camps in his area would take Daniel, so Scott created his own program. Now, Spectrum Sailing travels the country to provide a weekend camp for children who otherwise would not have the ability to learn to sail. In the camp, students do more than just learn to sail, they learn teamwork and social skills as they work together as a team to sail their boats.
Scott shares his favorite success stories, how he has taken his parenting experience and applied it to Spectrum Sailing, and advice for parents.
spectrumsailing.org
Timestamps:
00:00 Announcements! School is back, H.I.V.E is a CDC+ vendor, and a $300k grant from Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation!
02:20 Introducing Scott Herman and Spectrum Sailing
06:10 What does a day in the camp look like?
09:10 How does the location change the programming?
11:20 Scott’s parenthood journey and applying his experience to Spectrum Sailing
16:50 Scott’s favorite success stories?
22:10 Future plans for Spectrum Sailing
26:45 How can people register or volunteer?
28:15 Advice for families on their Autism journey
Join us every month for a new episode of Helping Families Go Beyond. Visit beyondthespectrum.org for more information.

How to Prepare Your Neurodivergent Child for the New School Year

In this episode, we talk with Sarah Bass, Beyond the Spectrum’s Advanced Learning Center Program Director, about what families can do to prepare their children for the new school.
These include strategies for warming your student up for school and preparing them for all the new inputs they will be experiencing. Sarah also provides examples of sensory items students can bring to help their first week anxiety. Sarah also provides advice for teachers, experienced and inexperienced.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Sarah Bass and announcements
(01:50) What should families be thinking about before starting a new school year?
(03:50) How can families prepare for new sensory inputs?
(05:30) What can families do schedule-wise to prepare their students?
(06:30) Preparing your students for social interactions
(07:25) How can parents prepare their students for a new school?
(08:55) What should teachers know?
(10:05) What is pairing?
(11:10) What can make a lesson plan meaningful?
(12:45) Advice for brand new teachers
(14:30) How can parents and teachers work together to help a child reach their goals?
(17:00) Teaching success stories
(19:40) Upcoming for new school year
Join us every month for a new episode of Helping Families Go Beyond. Visit beyondthespectrum.org for more information.

Engaging and Educational Summer Activities with Beyond the Spectrum’s Laura Ryan-Leverett

This week, we speak with Beyond the Spectrum’s Program Director, Laura Ryan-Leverett. Laura walks us through how she creates summer activities for students, variables to consider when planning an activity, and ideas for engaging and educational activities.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Summer Updates
(01:00) Introducing Laura Ryan-Leverett
(03:45) Creating meaningful summer activities
(06:25) Summer activity ideas for children on the spectrum
(12:00) Non-arts and crafts activities
(13:20) Sensory activities
(14:25) Helping with sensory challenges
(16:00) Outdoor activities and structure
(19:00) Interoception considerations
(20:30) Social activities and benefits
(22:40) Common challenges during summer
(24:50) Tips for returning to school
(26:00) Skills to develop over the summer
Join us every month for a new episode of Helping Families Go Beyond. Visit beyondthespectrum.org for more information.

Camp for children, respite for parents with Elena Cassella of Foundation for Dreams

This week, we speak with Elena Cassella, Executive Director of Foundation for Dreams. Foundation for Dreams, through their signature program Dream Oaks Camp, provides year-round weekend and summer residential camp sessions for all children with varying ability levels and chronic and/or terminal medical conditions.
Dream Oaks Camp is a place where children can go to be "normal" and parents can get a respite from their daily lives. Their unique programs focus on each child’s abilities and are specifically designed to strengthen their social skills, behavioral skills, and comprehensive profound skillset in a safe, barrier-free environment. As a child attends their program, parents collaborate with staff to identify two targeted goals for the child to progress towards while at camp. Dream Oaks Camp makes an astonishing impact on both their campers and parents, with everyone wanting to go back for another weekend!
Timestamps:
(00:00) Episode introduction and updates
(01:00) Introducing Elena Cassella and Foundation for Dreams
(04:25) Dream Oaks Camp Program
(08:00) What has to be considered for total inclusion?
(12:10) Favorite success stories for students and families
(18:50) Progress reports for the family
(20:50) How can families get started with Dream Oaks Camp?
(25:00) What can we look forward to in the future?
(28:10) How can the community help support the Foundation for Dream’s mission?
(30:57) A letter from a camper’s parent
Join us every month for a new episode of Helping Families Go Beyond. Visit beyondthespectrum.org for more information.

The ABC’s of ABA Therapy with BCBA Dawn Wisniewski

This week, we speak with Beyond the Spectrum’s BCBA, Dawn Wisniewski. Dawn walks us through the basics of ABA therapy, strategies that are and are not used, and difficulties in providing therapy. Later in the episode, Dawn busts ABA therapy myths, discusses what families should know when selecting an ABA provider, and shares how ABA techniques are applied in real-world settings.
Dawn also co-hosts a monthly meeting called the Community Insight Series with past podcast guest, Dr. Valerie Roth. In April’s meeting, they cover guardianship and what parents should know as their children grow up. Keep an eye out for May’s Community Insight Series!
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Dawn Wisniewski, BCBA
(01:50) What is ABA therapy?
(05:50) Self advocacy
(07:20) Techniques/strategies used in the field
(10:15) How does data collection help with treatment planning?
(13:30) Difficulties providing therapy
(15:15) How do you work with other professionals to help your learners?
(18:15) Misconceptions/myths about ABA therapy
(22:20) What should families know when picking an ABA provider?
(23:20) What steps should families take to get ABA therapy started?
(26:50) Success stories
(29:30) BCBA requirements
(30:42) Examples of ABA techniques being applied in real world settings
(32:15) Community Insight Series - Next meeting is about Guardianship
Join us every month for a new episode of Helping Families Go Beyond. Visit beyondthespectrum.org for more information.