Autism Learning Lab Podcast

A podcast that explores the latest news, research, and support for autistic individuals and their families.

Autism Learning Lab Podcast is a arts podcast hosted by Chris Blankenship, LCSW, with 34 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Chris Blankenship, LCSW hosts Autism Learning Lab Podcast, a arts show with 34 episodes published.

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  Episode #34

  Episode 34: When Girls Go Undiagnosed: Autism, Pain, and the Cost of Being Misunderstood

  Aug 19, 202617 min

  Chris Blankenship invites therapist Regan Adair to discuss the unique challenges autistic adolescent girls who are often diagnosed later in life face. They explore the impact of chronic pain, sensory differences, shame, and years of being misunderstood. Regan shares how listening deeply, believing clients' lived experiences, and collaborating across disciplines can dramatically improve quality of life. This conversation offers insight and encouragement for parents, clinicians, and autistic girls seeking support. Links: Autism Learning Lab: https://www.autismlearninglab.com/ Email: chris@autismlearninglab.com Regan Adair Practice: Blue Ridge Wilderness Quotes: [8:29 - 8:37] Regan "I want to seek understanding from my clients. I want to always be listening to them. She is the expert on her experience." [15:33-15:38] Regan “listen and challenge yourself to believe what your child is saying” [15:55-16:02] Regan "If you haven't found a provider who believes you and listens to you, please keep looking. They're out there. We are out there."

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  Episode #33

  Episode 33: Redefining Expectations in Autism

  Jul 22, 202620 min

  Chris chats with Kellyn Smythe, Director of Admissions at Pacific Quest and a father navigating autism in his own family. Kellyn shares his personal journey of his son’s early feeding struggles and eventual autism diagnosis. This conversation offers an honest look at the realities many families face. However, this episode offers hope with Kellyn reflecting on how perspective shifts over time explaining how what once felt devastating can become a source of joy. Links: Autism Learning Lab: https://www.autismlearninglab.com/ Email: chris@autismlearninglab.com Pacific Quest: https://pacificquest.org/ Quotes: [7:50-8:00] Kellyn “All that suffering and all that distress and worry and sleepless nights and all those things that made a big old hole that we get to fill up with everything he does now it's just so rewarding.” [10:45-10:55] Chris “I like the fact that you're other people are putting up boundaries, and you're saying ‘no I'm gonna take that away and let's at least try.’ If you're not going to do that for your kid, who's going to?” [15:21-15:24] Kellyn “Our healthy relationships involve attuned expectations.”

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  Episode #32

  Episode 32: Understanding Sensory Processing and the Power of Neuroplasticity

  Jul 6, 202619 min

  In this episode of the Autism Learning Lab Podcast, host Chris Blankenship sits down with occupational therapist and Mountain Valley Treatment Center Executive Director Zachary Schafer to discuss sensory processing challenges in adolescents. Together, they explore the remarkable power of neuroplasticity and explain why it's never too late to support meaningful change. Zachary challenges the common belief that sensory development is fixed after early childhood, offering hope, practical insights, and encouragement to families and individuals navigating sensory sensitivities. Links: Autism Learning Lab: https://www.autismlearninglab.com/ Email: chris@autismlearninglab.com Fear Less Podcast: https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/resources/podcast/ Mountain Valley Treatment Center: https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/ Quotes: [1:30-1:38] Zachary “Did you know that we could actually maybe change the way that they process sensory information and that this might not be a fixed challenge?” [6:20-6:22] Zachary “Before you can do any of this, you have to educate.” [11:03 - 11:07] Zachary “Your sensory processing capacity is something that's a lifelong experience.”

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  Episode #31

  Episode 31: How A Diagnosis Should Guide Treatment, Not Define a Person

  Jun 24, 202617 min

  In this episode of the Autism Learning Lab Podcast, Chris Blankenship discusses the complexities of autism diagnosis and treatment with Neil Wallace the director of Spark. They discuss the challenges of ever emerging autism labels and how those labels can impact care, identity, and outcomes. Neil also shares insights on rigidity, PDA, and why diagnosis should guide treatment, not define a person. This episode is great for parents and caregivers, highlighting the powerful role they play in helping children regulate, grow, and navigate the world. Links: Autism Learning Lab: https://www.autismlearninglab.com/ Email: chris@autismlearninglab.com Spark: https://www.spark.heritagertc.org/ Quotes: [00:57-1:03] Chris: “We're all slaves to this. big purple book called the DSM.” [6:05-6:07] Neil: “ a diagnosis is to help guide treatment.” [8:47-8:56] Neil: “And [labels] almost become a permission structure for allowing rigidity, allowing noncompliance, allowing this behavior that maybe otherwise we would challenge. [15:46-15:51] Neil: “you've got to be able to regulate the body first and then everything else we get so much easier”

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  Episode #30

  Episode 30: Breaking the Isolation - Relationships and Autism

  Jun 10, 202619 min

  Chris Blankenship sits down with podcaster and relationship advocate Gina Kavali for an encouraging conversation about the life-changing power of human connection in the neurodivergent community. Through her program Table Talks, Gina has helped countless adults on the autism spectrum build confidence, develop social skills, and even form meaningful romantic relationships. Together, Chris and Gina discuss the growing challenges of loneliness, depression, and suicide within the autism community, while highlighting the hope, healing, and purpose that can come through authentic relationships and social engagement. This inspiring episode explores why connection matters — and how creating spaces for belonging can truly change lives. Links: Autism Learning Lab: https://www.autismlearninglab.com/ Email: chris@autismlearninglab.com Life With The Spectrum: https://lifewiththespectrum.com/ Life With The Spectrum Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifewiththespectrum Spectrum Autism Support: https://spectrumautism.org/ Table Talk: https://spectrumautism.org/table-talk/ Table Talk Junior: https://spectrumautism.org/events/table-talk-jr/ Quotes: [3:19-3:23] Chris: “One of the biggest predictors of having a fulfilling life is having friends and having relationships...” [12:57- 13:02] Gina: “...The world is really better for having autistic people in it.” [14:49-14:57] Gina: “I had my hand in that, to bring people together to understand that it's okay to create these socials and these opportunities...”

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