In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by Tola Andu, an autism advocate and content creator who shares her journey raising her 19-year-old son Kevin on social media under the handle @RaisingKevin_. Her platform sheds light on autism and offers a joyful perspective on raising a neurodivergent child. Tola discusses her passion for changing the narrative surrounding autism and advocating for acceptance and understanding, especially within the Nigerian community. Dr. Correa is then joined by Dr. Dan Geschwind, a professor and academic and research leader at the UCLA, and one of the world’s leading experts on autism who guided development of the Autism Genetic Resources Exchange alongside Cure Autism Now, currently run by Autism Speaks. Dr. Geschwind explains risk factors, diagnostic processes, and what research is being done in the autism community.

Additional Resources

Raising Kevin

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

What Does Neurodivergent Mean?

A Theater Group That Features Neurodiversity on the Stage

Other Brain & Life Podcast Episodes

From Adolescence to Adulthood: Exploring Autism with Abbey and Christine Romeo

‘Bake Off’ Star Lizzie Acker on Showstopping Cakes through Neurodivergent Eyes

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

· Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206

· Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org

Social Media: Tola Andu @RaisingKevin_; Dr. Dan Geschwind @uclacart

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Katy Peters is joined by Shea Hammond, athlete and founder of CP Soccer. Shea shares about his personal experience growing up with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and how staying active and working with a physical therapist has helped him continue to reach his goals. He also discusses CP Soccer’s mission, to build a nationwide soccer league for kids who are affected by cerebral palsy, stroke or traumatic brain injury, and what’s next for the organization. Dr. Peters is then joined by Dr. Mauricio Delgado, professor of neurology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, former president of the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine and co-founder member of the Mexican Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. Dr. Delgado explains how CP is diagnosed and treated, and what the future for those affected and their caregivers looks like.

Additional Resources

CP Soccer

Biking Gives Freedom to a Teen with Cerebral Palsy

How Parents Advocate for Their Children with Rare Diseases

Other Brain & Life Podcast Episodes

RJ Mitte on Living Confidently with Cerebral Palsy

Gavin McHugh is Building an Acting Career and a Community with Cerebral Palsy

Josh Blue Uses Humor to Ease the Stigma Around Cerebral Palsy

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

· Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206

· Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org

Social Media: Shea Hammond @shea_hammond; Dr. Mauricio Delgado @utswmedcenter

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

In this episode, Brain & Life Podcast co-hosts Dr. Daniel Correa and Dr. Katy Peters answers your questions. They explain stiff person syndrome, prosopagnosia (also known as face blindness,) lissencephaly, and how to talk about functional neurologic disorder symptoms to your loved ones and other medical providers.

Additional Resources

Celine Dion’s Diagnosis Raises Awareness of Stiff Person Syndrome

What Is a Functional Neurologic Disorder?

What is Prosopagnosia?

How Caregivers Deal with Anticipatory Grief

FND Courage

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

· Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206

· Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org

Social Media:

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD