Adulting with Autism

• College and Autism: What Readiness Really Looks Like

  Hey guys hey! Welcome back to Adulting with Autism—your go-to space for navigating life with neurodivergence, one real conversation at a time. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the world of college readiness for autistic students. Whether you’re a young adult on the spectrum or a parent helping your teen prepare for higher education, you’re going to love this one. Our guest is Mindy Thornton, Director of Campus-Based Services at Marshall University, where she leads one of the most comprehensive autism support programs in the country. From academics to independent living to emotional and social development—her team’s approach is holistic, inclusive, and neurodivergent-affirming. 💡 What We Cover in This Episode: ✅ What “college-ready” really means for autistic students 📝 How to apply to Marshall’s College Program for Students with Autism 🧠 Supporting executive functioning and mental wellness in higher ed 🗺️ Tuition benefits for out-of-state students in Lexington, KY and Columbus, OH 🛠️ Marshall’s 5 Pillars of Student Support: academic, emotional, social, independent living & career readiness 🏫 The CREATE Program – a 3-week summer “test run” for incoming students 📚 Mentioned Resources + Affiliates: 🎓 Learn more about Marshall University’s College Program: https://www.marshall.edu/collegeprogram 🧠 Download our free College Readiness Checklist for Neurodivergent Students  ☕ Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/adultingwithautism 💬 Some links may be affiliate links. When you click and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps fund content that supports families like yours. 💛 🎁 Giveaway Alert! Join our Discord community—1,000th member wins a $100 Visa gift card + exclusive Adulting with Autism merch 🎧 Listen & subscribe on Podbean | Spotify | Apple | YouTube 💬 COMMENT: What does college readiness mean in your home? 👍 LIKE this episode if you learned something new 🔔 FOLLOW the show so you don’t miss upcoming conversations on independence, mental health, and building neurodivergent-friendly futures Until next time—keep growing, keep asking questions, and keep adulting. 💛

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• Breaking the Cycle: Shanenn Bryant on Healing Subconscious Patterns

  Hey guys hey! Ever feel like life’s on repeat—same drama, different day? Whether it’s in your relationships, your work, or that inner critic who never shuts up... there might be a reason: your subconscious is running the show. In this episode of Adulting with Autism, I’m joined by Shanenn Bryant—Pattern Transformation Expert, creator of Top Self, and host of the globally ranked Top Self podcast. We dive deep into: 🧠 How emotional patterns from childhood shape adult relationships & careers 🛑 Why just repeating affirmations isn’t enough to change your behavior 💔 Why you might keep attracting partners who reinforce feelings of unworthiness 🔄 How to finally break free from emotional chaos—and rewrite your internal script 💼 The surprising ways attachment styles show up in leadership & burnout Whether you’re navigating anxious attachment, people-pleasing, or just wondering why you keep doing the same things, this episode is packed with science-backed insight, tools, and truth bombs you’ll want to revisit again and again. 🔗 Connect with Shanenn Bryant: 🌐 Website: https://www.topself.com 🧠 Take the free attachment quiz: https://www.topself.com/quiz 📸 Instagram: @TopSelfCoach 🎧 Podcast: Top Self (available on all major platforms) 📩 Contact: [email protected] ☕ Enjoying the show? Support my work and buy me a coffee at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/adultingautism Your support keeps this podcast running and helps me bring you more raw, honest, and empowering neurodivergent voices. 💛 📘 Some links may be affiliate links. That means if you choose to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this podcast going, and I’m so grateful for your support. 🎁 Don’t forget—we’re still running our Discord giveaway for OT & Autism Awareness Month! The 1,000th member gets a $100 Visa gift card + exclusive podcast merch. 👉 Join the community: linktr.ee/adultingwithautism 💬 Loved this episode? Leave a review, share it with someone repeating an old pattern, and make sure you’re following so you never miss what’s next. #ShanennBryant #AdultingWithAutism #EmotionalPatterns #AttachmentStyleQuiz #HealingSubconscious #AnxiousAttachment #TopSelfPodcast #BreakTheCycle #MentalHealthAwareness #PodcastForGrowth #SponsorReadyContent #NeurodivergentHealing #EmotionalClarity #PersonalPower #PodMatch

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• Autistic & Leading: How Aaron Helton Transformed People-Pleasing into Empowered Leadership

  Hey friends! Today’s episode brings in Aaron Helton — an autistic executive coach who’s rewriting what leadership can look like for neurodivergent adults. Raised by a Tiger Mom and homeschooled with a grading scale where a “B” meant failure, Aaron knows what it means to live under pressure. From years of masking and people-pleasing to running from burnout, Aaron shares how he finally stepped into leadership with boundaries, humor, and radical self-awareness. We talk about: Why autistic adults often become overthinkers and overachievers What happens when you stop saying “yes” to stay safe And how leadership can look a whole lot more human, honest, and neurodivergent-friendly If you’ve ever thought, “Is it okay to want more and not break myself to get it?” — this one is for you. ☕ Want to support the show and keep this content flowing? Tap my Linktree to grab merch, join our Discord, or Buy Me a Coffee — everything’s in one spot: 👉 https://linktr.ee/adultingwithautism 🎧 Connect with Aaron: 🔗 https://integratedleader.com

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• College With Confidence: How Mercyhurst’s AIM Program Empowers Autistic Students to Thrive

  🎓 College doesn’t have to be overwhelming for autistic students — and Mercyhurst University proves it. In this episode, I’m joined by Ryan Palm, Director of the AIM Program at Mercyhurst, to explore how their college creates real support systems for neurodivergent students. From autism-specific housing and taco night social clubs, to personalized academic mentoring and life skills training — Mercyhurst’s AIM Program is helping students not only survive, but thrive. 💡 Whether you're an autistic young adult, a parent planning for transition, or an educator looking for inspiration — this episode breaks down what college can look like when students are truly seen, supported, and empowered. 📍 Contact Ryan Palm Mercyhurst AIM Program Website: https://www.mercyhurst.edu/aim Email: [email protected] 💬 Mentioned in this episode: 📘 Good Mood Revolution by Matt O’Neill – adultingwi056-20  👉 adultingwi056-20  🛡️ FTC Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. 🎁 Don’t forget: join our Discord community for giveaways, bonus content, and a safe space to connect with others who just get it. 🔗 Linktree, merch, and more → https://linktr.ee/adultingwithautism

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• From Prison to Purpose: Matt Melvin on Autism, Faith & Second Chances

  Hey guys hey! Welcome back to Adulting with Autism, where we keep it real about life, growth, and healing through a neurodivergent lens. Today’s guest is Matt Melvin, author of Bullied Behind Bars: A Gay Christian Trump Supporter Goes to Prison. His story? Unapologetically raw, wildly unique—and absolutely necessary. We talk about: 🚨 How autism, impulsivity, and lack of support led to devastating legal consequences 🧠 The deep connection between unrecognized neurodivergence and risk-taking behavior ⚖️ Why the justice system is failing autistic adults ✝️ How a near-death experience on I-495 and a moment of spiritual clarity helped him find purpose 📚 His mission to share his story and inspire change from the inside out This conversation is short, but it hits hard. It’s about being misunderstood. Misjudged. And still choosing to show up and build something meaningful from the wreckage. 📘 Grab Matt’s Book – Bullied Behind Bars 👉 bulliedbehindbars.com 📩 Email Matt directly: [email protected] Note: Some links may be affiliate links. If you purchase through them, a small portion helps support this show—at no additional cost to you. 🎁 Still time to join our Discord giveaway! The 1,000th member gets a $100 Visa gift card + exclusive Adulting with Autism merch. 👉 https://linktr.ee/adultingwithautism 💬 If Matt’s story resonated, leave a review, follow the show, and share it with someone who needs to know they’re not alone—even if they’ve hit rock bottom. #MattMelvin #BulliedBehindBars #NeurodivergentVoices #AutismAndJustice #AdultingWithAutism #PrisonReform #FaithAndNeurodivergence #TraumaRecovery #ImpulseControl #AutismAcceptance #AutisticAdultsMatter #SponsorFriendlyPodcast #SecondChances #PodcastVisibility #PodMatch

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