In our Season 2 finale, fueled by coffee, donuts, and a big dose of gratitude, we take a look back at the amazing journey of this season. We start with a heartfelt thank you to our listeners and a reminder of how you can support our work by donating to the Autism Society Greater Hudson Region.

One of our biggest highlights? A viral Instagram reel, now at over 1 million views, sharing Islam’s beautiful message that autistic children are a “badge of honor.” We reflect on the global impact of this message and the joy of bringing positive attention to autism. This is why our show is called Speaking of the Spectrum—because putting a positive spin on the autism conversation can inspire families and individuals alike.

We revisit some of our favorite moments this season, from guest Angelo Santabarbara’s tip on the free NY State Disability Identification Card for easier travel, to launching the "ADAM Project" (Autism Dads and Moms), a playful nod to Ryan Reynolds’ movie, in hopes of catching his attention! We also address an important topic for the autism community: high rates of depression, and share tips for combatting it—from getting outdoors in summer to finding fulfilling winter activities.

Our “Hero of the Day” is Dr. Jason Eichenholz, a personal hero of Joe’s and a member of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame. Inspired by his non-verbal autistic son, Jonathan, Dr. Eichenholz developed transport technology and started his charity organization, Jonathan’s Landing.

As we wrap up, we recap the incredible contributions our guests have made, the essential services we discussed, and encourage our listeners to keep Speaking of the Spectrum. Join us to celebrate the highs, tackle the challenges, and continue the conversation into the future!

Episode Chapters
00:00 Running on Fumes
02:27 Looking Back, and Ahead!
04:31 Autistic Kids are a Badge of Honor - Our Viral Reel
06:54 Impact of Keeping Speaking of the Spectrum
08:12 Favorite Moments
10:38 The ADAM Project - Free NYS ID Card
13:48 Fact of the Day - Mitigating Depression Rates on the Spectrum
15:36 Countering Depression with Exercise in All Seasons
18:34 Hero of the Day - Jonathan's Landing
21:03 Journey to Greater Causes

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