In this powerful conversation, Jennifer Dantzler sits down with Brennan, a 32-year-old adult on the autism spectrum and a registered behavior technician. Brennan shares his journey from early diagnosis and intervention to living independently, working in the ABA field, and mentoring others.

With honesty and humor, Brennan reflects on the challenges he faced in school, the supports that helped him succeed, and why early intervention and lifelong learning matter. He also opens up about misconceptions around autism and ABA, the importance of independence, and what he wishes the world truly understood about people on the spectrum.

Whether you’re a parent, professional, or simply someone who wants to better understand autism, Brennan’s insights will leave you inspired and encouraged to keep building inclusive communities.

In this powerful episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, host Jennifer Dantzler sits down with three remarkable women—Kate Swenson (Finding Cooper’s Voice), Carrie Cariello (What Color Is Monday?), and Adrienne Wood (Tales of an Educated Debutante)—the authors of the New York Times Best Seller, Autism Out Loud.

Together, these moms share raw, unfiltered stories from their journeys parenting children with autism—stories of resilience, joy, heartbreak, and growth. From pushing their kids gently toward independence, to navigating crisis moments, tackling anxiety and medication stigma, and balancing the needs of siblings, their voices shed light on the realities often left unspoken.

In this powerful two-part conversation, we’re joined by Dr. Amy Wood, a respected local and statewide speaker who advocates for families and children with autism. Drawing from both her professional expertise and personal journey, Dr. Wood shares about her son, James, who is on the profound end of the autism spectrum. With honesty and heart, she reflects on 22 years of navigating life, school, and services—offering candid stories of building the right supports, advocating in the classroom and community, and finding joy and purpose along the way. Across these two episodes, her insights bring hope, practical strategies, and a reminder that with the right tools, every individual can thrive.