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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

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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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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28 results

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