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Meet Dr. Theresa Haskins: The Mom Who Rewrote the Rulebook on Autism
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Dr. Theresa Haskins shares her journey from a mother seeking answers for her autistic son to becoming an educator and researcher dedicated to creating more inclusive systems for neurodivergent individuals.
Her experiences navigating medical dismissals, educational barriers, and workplace challenges illuminate how society needs to fundamentally shift its approach to neurodiversity.
• Mother of a "thrice exceptional" son (autistic, ADHD, and gifted) who could count to 100 at age two but wasn't speaking conversationally
• Left special education program after realizing conventional teaching approaches didn't align with her son's needs
• Pursued educational psychology and doctorate degrees to understand how to change systems, not just help individuals adapt
• Advocates for autonomous learning and choice-making rather than taking away agency from neurodivergent individuals
• Challenges organizations to focus on meeting people's needs without requiring them to "prove" their disability
• Questions arbitrary job requirements that create barriers for neurodivergent talent
• Emphasizes that different developmental paths aren't lesser ones – just different
• Works with universities, government agencies, and organizations to implement neurodiversity-affirming practices
• Promotes universal design principles that benefit everyone, not just those with disabilities
• Believes we need to value diverse skills and stop measuring everyone against neurotypical milestones
You and your family matter. You exist, you deserve to thrive, you deserve education, you deserve gainful employment, you deserve respect, and that's what we work towards.
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intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild
Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)
Chapters
1. Introduction to Teresa Haskins (00:00:00)
2. Early Signs and Medical Responses (00:05:16)
3. Educational Challenges and Homeschooling Decision (00:09:25)
4. Researching Autonomy and Career Pathways (00:15:39)
5. Creating Bridges: Beyond Autism Labels (00:18:55)
6. Universal Design and Workplace Accommodations (00:22:41)
7. Challenging Job Requirements and Systems (00:29:24)
8. Celebrating Different Development Paths (00:36:46)
9. Closing Thoughts on Human Value (00:47:19)
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