Todd meets with his brother’s special education teacher from elementary school, Lianne, to gain perspective on the art of working with students, families, and schools in educating children with autism for s1. E5. N5. of the Otherness Podcast called Autism education openness and going in blind at times.

Todd reflects on the creative balancing act of being a special education teacher with Lianne, who was an essential educator and leader in the schooling of his brother, Jay.

As Todd was developing the Otherness Podcast, he wanted connections with people who he remembered well from his journey with his brother, Jay. When he was unpacking after his move to Phoenix, AZ from Providence, RI, he opened an old photo album given to him by his mother. In it was an old newspaper clipping featuring Jay’s special education teacher, Lianne. Todd’s mother had submitted the idea of the article to a local newspaper to highlight the tremendous efforts put forth by Lianne and her team which was celebrated well in the article. Todd then went online and found Lianne’s contact info and they talked about not only Jay, but the experience of being a special educator in an early and growing time for understanding special needs students.

“These are the parents. They know their child the best.”

They discuss the importance of family support, implementation of novel and creative ideas, balancing the needs of the students with capacity of a school, and learning from students. Lianne also shares how she created a voice for advocacy in herself and the families with which she works. Topics include feeling left out at field day, licking lips when stressed, trials by fire, being part of an educational “dream team”, and how a classroom can feel united and like family when there is openness at school. She also shared some great stories about Jay, including how every year her Christmas tree is topped with the star Jay made 35 years ago.

The Otherness Podcast is exploring and engaging autism through experienced stories with Dr. Todd Peter Levine and is available on most places and sites where you like to listen to podcasts.


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Opening Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Intro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing/Nick Burling (ASCAP)
Administered by Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Closing Theme Song Music Credits
“Otherness Podcast Outro Theme Song and Music” by Nicholas Burling
Copyright 2021 Late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
Administered by late Leopard Publishing (ASCAP)
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Autism education openness and going in blind at times.