Podcast

Inclusion Matters welcomes Dr. Jenn Hall-Lande, licensed psychologist and researcher from the University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration and Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain back to the program to share updated autism prevalence numbers in Minnesota.  She helps us understand the trends in the research and gives useful insights on ways early educators can support early intervention efforts and partner with families.

🌟Additional Resources:

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
  🔗 CDC - Learn the Signs. Act Early
  🔗 Data and Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder
  🔗 2025 Community Report on Autism
• MN Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network
  🔗 https://addm.umn.edu/
• U of M Institute on Community Integration:
  🔗 https://ici.umn.edu/
• Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain:
  🔗 https://midb.umn.edu/

This podcast episode allows us to hear a unique perspective from a parent as she looks back over her family’s journey through a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Each path is unique in this process and we are able to hear the ups and downs from her individual perspective and learn what is working for her child, based on his needs.

Our guests from the MN Department of Human Services Autism Resource Portal, Nicole Berning, and Kim Hicks join us again to showcase the amazing resources located in the portal.  They discuss ways it can be helpful to early childhood professionals and to parents.

This podcast was recorded in 2021. For the most up-to-date information on autism, please visit the CDC website at:

• https://www.cdc.gov/autism/index.html

Listen as our guests, Nicole Berning, Autism Clinical Lead, and Kim Hicks, Autism Policy Lead for the MN Department of Human Services share an overview of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and some of the early signs to watch for as you care for young children. 

This podcast was recorded in 2021. For the most up-to-date information on autism, please visit the CDC website at:

• https://www.cdc.gov/autism/index.html

In this podcast, we will continue the last conversation by looking at 4-5 year olds. It is easy at times to see a child’s behavior outside of the context of their age and stage. When we look again at what we are hoping to teach children in a larger sense, we can begin to appreciate some of those challenging behaviors as their way at reaching important milestones!

In our continued discussion with Pat Pulice, M.A., L.P., Vice President of Integrated Health Care at Fraser in Minneapolis, MN, we will look at different settings a child might be in who has an autism diagnosis and how to build a beneficial environment for children we serve. What kinds of supports are present in the therapeutic setting which help a child as they develop skills and when does an inclusive setting with typical developing peers offer other benefits to the child? Early educators can examine their environment for structure, routines, stimulation, and visual supports. Again, each child is an individual and their needs will vary but we will discuss some general strategies for inclusion.