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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

54:04

35: Screens, Dopamine, and the ADHD Brain with...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/03/13

In this candid episode of Unmasking Social , Michael McLeoud, wan SLP who has devoted his professional time to a broader mission of supporting families and children with ADHD/AuDHD by always keeping it honest. The hard truths are explored in this episode where Michael tells us how dopamines hits executive functioning, debilitating this system that is dysregulated when someone has ADHD. In 2016, Michael created the Internal Skills Executive Function Strengthening Model, and GrowNOW ADH...

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47:08

34. Opening Up About My OCD (With My Friend Sharon) -...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/03/08

This episode originally aired on Liv Label Free hosted by Livia Sara. In this vulnerable episode, Liv opens up about how her OCD has resurfaced since moving back home. Liv and Sharon also discuss how traditional treatments for OCD and eating disorders fail neurodivergent people when the approach isn’t person-centered. To connect with Liv: Contact Liv Label Free and Autism and anorexia books – Liv Label Free Follow Unmasking Social at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unmask...

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40:49

33: Unmasked and Included at Kiara: Perth’s Approach...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/03/01

In this episode of Unmasking Social, Sharon sits down with Maureen Nguyen- a lifelong math teacher whose path has led her into meaningful work supporting neurodivergent college students in Perth, Australia. Maureen works at Kiara College, a specialized college uniquely embedded within a neurotypical university, where inclusion isn’t an add-on- it’s the heartbeat of the campus. What truly sets Kiara College apart is its strengths-based model, consistent flexibility, and responsiveness to stude...

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55:15

32: The Power of a Guide: Mentorship and...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/02/25

On this week’s episode of Unmasking Social, Tara Trievel — special educator, autism specialist, and parent coach — joins us for a powerful conversation about how to best support parents of autistic teens and tweens while balancing the evolving needs of their children. Tara explores how parental expectations, environmental modifications, and collaboration across home, school, and community can create a more connected support system for autistic high school and college students. She empha...

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51:25

31: Hold On Tight: Parenting and Advocating Through...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/02/11

Jan Stewart is a passionate advocate for the autism and OCD communities whose voice is rooted in lived experience, compassion, and unwavering perseverance. In this heartfelt episode, Jan shares her deeply personal journey as a parent raising children with neurodivergent needs, including autism, OCD, ADHD, and multiple disabilities. Drawing from years of advocacy, collaboration with educators, and navigating complex systems, Jan offers powerful insights into the importance of partnership, comm...

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48:30

30: Social Campfires: Real-World Social Learning in...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/02/02

In this episode, we talk with Renee Attaway Storer, a speech-language pathologist and long-time collaborator with Social Thinking, whose passion for social learning began during her years at The Parish School in Houston. Renee went on to open up the doors to a social learning program there and now trains professionals across North America, but her dream extended beyond the classroom. She envisioned a place where neurodivergent children and teens could practice social communication in authenti...

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51:37

29: Celebrating Autistic Pride with a Global advocate...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/01/27

In this week’s conversation, Sharon sits down with Rebecca Tarrant in a poignant episode of celebration. Rebecca is a Global Ambassador for Autistic Youth International (formerly Autistic Pride) who has made a great impact on Autism and acceptance and pride in her hometown in NC as well as on an international level. Rebecca speaks from a uniquely powerful perspective as an autistic individual, an advocate, and a mother to her autistic son, Jackson, who is minimally verbal with high support n...

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59:42

28: Autism Without Borders: Stephen Shore’s Global...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/01/21

In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation of Unmasking Social, Dr. Stephen Shore, an international autism advocate, professor, and author, explores autism through a global lens. Drawing on his experiences traveling to more than 58 countries, Dr. Shore shares how cultural beliefs, values, and systems shape the way autism is understood, supported, and experienced around the world. Together, they discuss the universality of sensory challenges, the critical role of parents as advocates, and ...

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63:24

27: Surviving Trauma, Supporting Others with the PTSD...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/01/13

In 2018, Rachel was working as an SLP at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, when a traumatic event occurred at her workplace that drew international attention. I had been hoping to bring Rachel onto the podcast for quite some time, as trauma-informed care has always felt foundational to me in any type of therapy- especially speech and language. In this episode, Rachel shares how her lived experience shaped her work as “the PTSD SLP” and deepened her commitment to trau...

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58:39

26: Changing the Narrative: Autism Advocacy in...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/01/08

In this episode of Unmasking Social, Sharon Baum sits down with Sunnia Khan, a psychologist and advocate working in Pakistan and internationally, to explore the realities facing neurodivergent children, teens, and families. Sunnia shares how stigma and shame often force neurodivergent individuals to remain at home and out of sight in her country, leaving them extremely vulnerable and without access to essential inclusive supports. These cultural barriers prevent families from seeking help and...

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17:52

25: Alignment: Choosing What Chooses Me (A New Year...

Unmasking Social ·

2026/01/01

In this solo New Year’s episode of Unmasking Social, host Sharon Baum, MA CCC-SLP, reflects on the journey from unmasking to alignment. After a year of deep conversations about neurodivergence, identity, community, and belonging all through the lens of social, Sharon pauses to look inward and reflect. She shares why her word for the new year is alignment, and what it means to live, work, and connect in ways that feel congruent rather than performative. This episode is an invitation to slow do...

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49:58

24: Sensory Awareness as the Foundation for...

Unmasking Social ·

2025/12/30

In this episode, I’m joined by Jessie Ginsburg, widely known as The Sensory SLP. Together, we dig deep into the needs of neurodivergent children, tweens, and teens by reframing sensory regulation as the foundation for social connection. We explore what it means to be under stimulated and overstimulated, why regulation must come before communication, and how essential it is for adults to regulate ourselves before attempting to regulate others. Jessie emphasizes the critical importance of truly...

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59:24

23: Fishing for Social Behaviors: Reframing The...

Unmasking Social ·

2025/12/24

Sharon Baum sits down with fellow speech-language pathologist and behavior analyst Steph West, founder of Starfish Social Club. Steph brings a rare and powerful lens to her work—one that thoughtfully bridges the neurotypical and neurodivergent worlds through choice. Rather than teaching conformity, she supports clients with social-pragmatic challenges with defining their own social goals - while understanding how neurotypical peers may be interpreting a situation. Her work centers autonomy, s...

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52:47

22: Finding Your Path: Transitions and Supports with...

Unmasking Social ·

2025/12/19

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Cole Denisen, whose journey is a true testament to grit and perseverance. As the first in his generation to attend college, Cole navigated the teen and tween years with minimal preparation or programming, often feeling that something was off socially but without a clear understanding of why, as he received a later autism diagnosis that helped make sense of his experiences. Through determination and resilience, he turned perceived failures into milestones of ...

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59:47

21: The Heart of Connection: Understanding...

Unmasking Social ·

2025/12/09

In this episode of Unmasking Social, host Sharon Baum sits down with Dr. Jeffrey Guenzel, CEO of the Interdisciplinary Council on Development and Learning (ICDL), to explore the power of the DIR/Floortime approach in supporting autistic and neurodivergent individuals. The conversation looks deeply into yhe foundations of human development, emphasizing that it all begins with relationships and meaningful emotional connections. Jeffrey discusses the crucial distinction between development and ...

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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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36 results

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