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PODCAST

Unmasking Social

Sharon Baum, MA, CCC-SLP

Welcome to Unmasking Social – the podcast where autistic teens and young adults, families, and professionals come together to explore real, authentic ways of building friendships, community, and identity.Hosted by a speech-language pathologist with nearly 15 years" experience with autism and ADHD and social communication, this show goes beyond basic advice. Each episode features candid conversations with self-advocates, educators, mental health professionals, and teens themselves – all unmasking the

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All Episodes

61:16

Unmasking Political Advocacy : Charlie Keeble on...

Unmasking Social ·

2025/12/02

I sit down with autistic political activist Charlie Keeble to explore what it means to speak out in a world that often misunderstands neurodivergent voices. Charlie shares his journey from being marginalized and bullied to becoming an outspoken advocate on issues that matter - not just to him, but to the broader autistic community. We dive into the complexities of navigating politics as a neurodivergent individual, how Charlie channels his passions into purpose, and why embracing your identit...

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48:15

Beyond the Scores: Strengths and Stories with...

Unmasking Social ·

2025/11/25

In this episode, Marianne Diab – neuropsychologist in Dubai supporting children and adolescents who may experience differences in skills development, learning, making friends, and adapting to the demands of daily life. Mariann's expertise lies in understanding and addressing the unique needs of young minds, from early childhood right through to late adolescence – and I explore what it truly means to look beyond numbers on a page. A neuropsychological evaluation isn’t just about test score – i...

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38:24

"A Father’s Voice, A Psychologist’s Mission with Dr....

Unmasking Social ·

2025/11/18

What happens when the family you envisioned doesn’t unfold the way you dreamed? Dr. Robert Naseef knows this journey deeply. As both a clinical psychologist and a father of an autistic son, he has walked the path from grief and uncertainty to acceptance, joy, and advocacy. In this episode of Unmasking Social, Dr. Naseef shares his personal journey as a father learning to embrace his son Tariq’s needs and strengths. He reflects on how fathers experience and express grief differently, an...

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88:00

Beyond Parenting: Advocacy as a Lifelong Mission with...

Unmasking Social ·

2025/11/11

We all know that FAPE (a Free Appropriate Public Education) is mandated; however, many families hit a wall when they haven’t memorized every procedure or navigated the maze of red tape. That’s where voices like Jenn Choi and Anne Cunningham make all the difference. Jenn shares her story of raising two autistic children, leaving behind a successful career, and transforming her path into parent advocacy. Anne reflects on her pivot from education into advocacy, bringing her deep knowledge to emp...

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61:41

Beyond Sensory Struggles: How Savannah Archer Helps...

Unmasking Social ·

2025/11/04

From an early age, Savannah Archer knew something felt different. She experienced sensory overload – especially around food textures – and quickly learned the importance of advocating for what she couldn’t tolerate. By finding the balance between following the rules and creating adaptations for herself, Savannah built a foundation of self-advocacy that has guided her ever since. Today, she connects with people across the world through Sav’s Life Skills, empowering others to self-regulate by: ...

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60:27

Hearing Beyond the Noise - Dr. Rae Stout on APD,...

Unmasking Social ·

2025/10/28

Dr. Rae Stout — an audiologist with AuDHD and the mother of two autistic children — shares why Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is so often overlooked and why early detection is crucial. She explores how APD, when combined with AuDHD, can create an “avalanche” effect that impacts access to social connections. Dr. Rae takes us on a poignant journey through her own years of being misunderstood — from her early attempts to join the ASL community to eventually finding her tribe. She dives dee...

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63:44

Beyond the Label - Livia on Autism, Eating, and Advocacy

Unmasking Social ·

2025/10/21

Livia Sarah from Liv Label Free joins me for a powerful conversation about the intersection of eating disorders and autism. We explore the books on recovery she felt called to publish for those “peeking at the finish line but not there yet,” and how her later autism diagnosis became the missing puzzle piece that explained why classic eating disorder recovery approaches didn’t work for her. Livia shares how advocacy - through her Instagram platform and community - gave her and so many of her f...

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46:31

Social Sparks: Fueling Friendship and Confidence in...

Unmasking Social ·

2025/10/14

Sharon sits down with speech-language pathologist and creator Lauren Greenwood to explore practical, neuro-affirming ways to build social-communication confidence in kids and teens. Lauren shares the origin story of her SOCIALSPARK Conversation Picture Cards, why these portable and context-specific visual scaffolds reduce cognitive load while maximizing social attention, and how “small talk” and small moments can turn into greater connections with others. They discuss the importance of social...

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57:54

Paws and Possibility: How Animals Help Neurodivergent...

Unmasking Social ·

2025/10/07

In this heartfelt episode of Unmasking Social, Dr. Aubrey Fine joins us to explore the powerful, therapeutic role of animals in the lives of neurodivergent individuals. From his own transformation- from a child terrified of animals to a research pioneer in animal-assisted interventions - Dr. Fine offers insight into how the four-legged and two-legged connection can foster social connection in our ND's. Together, we unpack the science behind the human-animal bond, its impact on anxiety, socia...

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64:49

Through Their Eyes: Beyond the Categories for the 2E...

Unmasking Social ·

2025/09/30

In this episode, Nancy Tarshis and I delve into the importance of seeing children as whole individuals—not just through the lens of labels.” Together, we explore the complex interplay of strengths and challenges faced by 2e and autistic children, and why it’s essential to go beyond diagnostic categories to truly understand and support them. Nancy's journey from social skills to social thinking was transformative and led her to become not only an educator but a trainer on how to authentically ...

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22:27

Unfiltered: An Autistic Mind in a Polarized Time

Unmasking Social ·

2025/09/23

In this episode, Sharon Baum discusses the complexities of political conversations, especially in the context of teaching teens and tweens, particularly those with autism. She emphasizes the importance of navigating political discourse without falling into black and white thinking, advocating for the embrace of shades of gray. The conversation highlights the need for authentic discussions, the value of teachable moments, and the preparation of students for future advocacy roles. Baum encoura...

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46:27

Rolling Through Disability Advocacy: Laszlo Jajczay...

Unmasking Social ·

2025/09/16

In this episode of Unmasking Social, host Sharon Baum speaks with journalist and disability advocate Laszlo Jajczay about his experiences with social communication, the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, and the importance of advocacy in the disability community. Laszlo shares insights from his podcast, Friends with Wheels, and discusses the transition from high school to college for neurodivergent students, the current state of disability rights, and the impact of mental health ...

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53:40

Twice Exceptional and Twice Empowered: A Conversation...

Unmasking Social ·

2025/09/09

Mara McLoughlin’s journey as a twice-exceptional child shaped her passion for social communication. Personal experiences—supporting a parent with a traumatic brain injury and a partner with aphasia—deepened her commitment to helping others navigate communication challenges. In this episode, Mara shares how her path took her from Oregon to the Navajo Nation, working in schools where she witnessed the intersection of autism and mental health. Trained in the UCLA PEERS® program, she now blends ...

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51:43

The Power of Passion in Autism Advocacy with Dr...

Unmasking Social ·

2025/09/02

In our latest episode, Dr. Stephen Shore shares his inspiring journey of turning personal interests into powerful advocacy. From his early fascination with watches to becoming a global voice for autism, Dr. Shore exemplifies how nurturing passions can lead to profound personal and societal impact. His emphasis on embracing your unique interests as a pathway to growth, and challenges are always an opportunity for growth. This growth allows anyone who is autistic to find their joy. You can find...

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50:33

How Friendship Found Me: Spencer Ng’s Journey into...

Unmasking Social ·

2025/08/26

Spencer Ng was misunderstood in his earlier years. His parents knew that something was wrong, but also knew his strengths. What started out as a push from the school system for a highly restrictive environment led to Spencer getting social supports in a supportive program, which led him to thrive in high school. From the development of friendships and developing a tribe, Spencer started finding meaning in school beyond academics. It is the connections with others that allow him to face each d...

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72:31

Finding Community and Building Hope: Transitioning...

Unmasking Social ·

2025/08/19

In this powerful and insightful episode, Dr. Lorre Wolf and Dr. Jane Thierfeld Brown open up about their personal and professional journeys raising and supporting neurodivergent children - and how these experiences led them to each other, and ultimately, to a broader community of advocacy and change. Together, they reflect on a critical disconnect: how foundational supports for executive functioning and social development are often emphasized in early childhood education, yet fade away durin...

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71:58

Executive Functioning in a Chaotic, Stressful World...

Unmasking Social ·

2025/08/12

In this episode, renowned speech-language pathologist Sarah Ward explores how executive functioning impacts our lives, especially in today’s fast-paced and often overwhelming world. She shares actionable strategies for supporting executive function skills in both digital and non-digital environments, helping individuals (and parents) break tasks down, envision steps, and adapt plans based on shifting contexts. With a focus on AudHD and neurodiverse learners, Sarah emphasizes that there is no ...

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30:07

From Masking to Meaning: The Birth of Unmasking Social

Unmasking Social ·

2025/08/05

In this inaugural episode of 'Unmasking Social', Sharon Baum explores the complexities of social interactions for neurodivergent teens and tweens. She discusses the concept of masking, the challenges of forming friendships, the importance of flexibility in social settings, and the power of self-advocacy. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, Sharon aims to empower her listeners to embrace their unique strengths and navigate their social worlds with confidence. TAKEAWAYS: The t...

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59:43

The Evolution of Social Thinking: A Conversation with...

Unmasking Social ·

2025/08/05

In this episode, we explore how Social Thinking can be taught in a way that honors neurodiversity and respects each individual's identity. Instead of using a prescriptive, behavior-focused model, we talk about fostering social curiosity—getting to know each autistic person for who they are, not who we think they should be. We discuss how perspective taking isn’t just about social interactions—it’s about understanding how we navigate the world, work together, and build relationships. Friendshi...

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47:31

Engineering Empathy: Nathan Chung on Neurodivergence...

Unmasking Social ·

2025/08/05

Nathan grew up in a community that didn’t lean into mental health and learning differences. After spending many years of masking, he did find employment in tech, which he loved. The workplace was not neuro-affirming and this led to the road to recovery while being diagnosed. He speaks to how the interview process still discriminates against neurodiverse individuals by not changing the way they interview, ultimately losing out on some of the greatest minds. His new-found identity and obstacles...

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