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.

In the conclusion of our conversation with Dr. Amy Wood offers wisdom on vocational opportunities, inclusion in the community, and the crucial role of parent involvement in treatment. She also reflects on safety, independence, and planning for adulthood long before it arrives. Her “dotted line” approach to goal-setting and her passion for meaningful inclusion will leave you inspired, empowered, and equipped with ideas to better support individuals across the spectrum.

In this inspiring episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, we sit down with Brianna Tenbrink, Leadership Training Program Manager at the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities. As the eldest sibling to two sisters on the autism spectrum, Brianna shares how her personal experiences laid the foundation for a professional life devoted to advocacy, equity, and systems change.

From navigating family dynamics to leading statewide leadership programs like Texas Partners in Policymaking, Brianna reflects on the intersection of identity, passion, and purpose—and how her lived experience drives everything she does.

This is more than a story about policy—it’s a heartfelt look at what happens when advocacy is rooted in love, strategy, and lived experience.

Texas Medicaid Waiver List: https://inspirend.org/community-resources/

In this episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, host Jennifer Dantzler sits down with Matthew Hannah — a thoughtful self-advocate, public speaker, and virtual reality game master — to talk about life on the autism spectrum from a perspective not often heard.

Diagnosed with autism in the early 2000s, Matthew shares how early interventions and strong family support helped shape his journey — but he also opens up about the challenges of being "high-functioning" in a world that still struggles with understanding what that really means.

This is not just a story about autism — it’s a story about identity, navigating the workplace, redefining success, and learning when and how to show up authentically.

In this powerful conversation, Jennifer Dantzler, BCBA, LBA, M.S. Ed., sits down with Jenna Muscat — board-certified behavior analyst, sibling to a young man with autism, and daughter of Elgene Muscat, our guest from Episode 2: A Mother’s Reflection on Her Child’s Growth.

Jenna shares what it was like growing up as the sister of Brennan, how her family navigated the challenges of autism, and what ultimately led her to pursue a career in the field — not just because of her personal experience, but because she recognized that her brother was one of the lucky ones. He had access to services, support, and opportunities that many others do not.

Jenna speaks candidly about the underrepresented population of individuals with profound autism — and how her passion lies in being a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. She and Jennifer discuss the realities of the sibling experience, the limitations of current systems, and the importance of planning for the future with compassion and clarity.

Whether you’re a parent, provider, or sibling, this episode will speak to your heart — and your hope for a more inclusive future.

In this powerful episode of Shining Through: Inspiring Voices of Autism, we sit down with Armando Bernal—a board-certified behavior analyst, father, and founder of the only autistic-owned ABA company in Houston.

Diagnosed with autism at age three and told he would likely never speak, Armando’s story is one of unwavering determination, family support, and challenging expectations. He opens up about the obstacles he faced growing up, the social struggles he still navigates, and the purpose behind launching Autism International Consulting to reshape what compassionate, effective ABA can look like.

Armando also shares personal reflections on becoming a new parent, navigating marriage, and using his lived experience to lead a team of neurodiverse professionals making a real impact.

This is more than a story of success — it’s a conversation about advocacy, authenticity, and the power of never giving up.

Listen now and be inspired.