Autism Advocacy in Action!
As of April 2025, 1 in 31 children have been diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. The need to share information about Autism resources has never been greater!
Below you will find recent interviews with community advocates such as BOB COUNTRY 106.1 FM and others who have been kind enough to provide platforms to bring the conversations & information sharing to our community members.
You will also see a list of resources for local programs in Minnesota.
Please reach out to me if you have any questions about the resources I've shared.
Resources
*The CALM Compass Program by Mitch Leppicello
https://asdparentingjourney.com/calm-compass/
*Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through the CALM COMPASS link.
Minnesota Waiver Reimagine
Disability Voice Advocates (DiVA)
https://www.eldervoicefamilyadvocates.org/diva
Minnesota Autism Resource Portal
Minnesota Department of Human Services Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS)
Consumer-directed community supports / Minnesota Department of Human Services (mn.gov)
Hennepin County Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS)
Consumer-directed community supports | Hennepin County
Sherburne County Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS)
Disability Services | Sherburne County, MN
Wright County Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS)
Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) | Wright County, MN - Official Website
Autism Society of Minnesota
Pacer
PACER Center - Champions for Children with Disabilities
MN Disability Hub
Disability Hub MN - Transition to adulthood: Programs and services
Minnesota Independence College and Community (MICC)
Bethel University BUILD Program
Prepping for the MN State Fair on the Spectrum
With Host Neil Freeman
Autism & Spirituality: 6/9/2026
With Shari Wormwood & Host Neil Freeman
Autism & Water Safety: 5/7/2026
With Tammy Ebert, Amanda Zerwas & Host Neil Freeman
Siblings & The Spectrum: 4/14/2026
With Host Jim Erickson
Masking & Sensory Overload: 3/12/2026
With Guest Melissa Wilhoite & Host Neil Freeman
Updated Immunization Recommendations: 1/22/2026
With Co-Host Ali Gray & Host Neil Freeman
Waiver Reimagine Update:
12/19/2025
With Lisa Vala & Host Neil Freeman
Volunteering with Autism: 11/21/2025
With Co-Host Terri Traen & Host Neil Freeman
Autism & Criminal Justice: 10/30/2025
With Host Neil Freeman
Autism & Musical Talent: 9/12/2025
With Joe Bigalke, Mark Woerpel & Host Neil Freeman
Socializing on the Spectrum: 7/29/2025
With Host Neil Freeman
911 Community Safety Campaign: 6/25/2025
With Host Neil Freeman
Care for the Caregiver: 5/30/2025
With Melody Vachal & Host Neil Freeman
Two Year Anniversary of Autism Awareness & Acceptance on BOB FM 106.1: 4/18/2025
With Host Neil Freeman
Neuroscience & Waiver Reimagine Update: 3/13/2025
With Host Neil Freeman
Update on Waiver Reimagine: 1/20/2025
With Host Neil Freeman
"Ask Nurse Kelly": 12/18/2024
With Host Neil Freeman
Levels of Autism: 11/18/2024
With Rohnda Monroy & Host Neil Freeman
Law Enforcement as part of the Team: 10/18/24
With Co-Host Ali Gray & Host Neil Freeman
The Individualized Education Plan or IEP: 9/9/2024
With Host Neil Freeman
The Joy Mobile: 8/8/2024
With Mark Ostrom & Host Neil Freeman
Moving/Relocating with Autism: 6/14/2024
With Tony Farah & Host Neil Freeman
The CALM Compass: 5/17/2024
With Mitch Leppicello & Host Neil Freeman
Inherent Dream Podcast: 4/8/2024
With Host Trevor J. Brown
Autism Allies: 4/1/2024
With Roger Strege & Host Neil Freeman
Albany, MN KASM AM 1150: 3/22/2024 Part 1
With Host Kirby Hemmesch
Albany, MN KASM AM 1150: 3/22/2024 Part 2
With Host Kirby Hemmesch
Albany, MN KASM AM 1150: 3/22/2024 Part 3
With Host Kirby Hemmesch
Bethel University BUILD Program: 3/7/2024
With Dawn Allen, Julie Carlon, Co-host Terri Traen & Host Neil Freeman
Minnesota Independence College & Community: 1/25/2024
With Amy Gudmestad & Host Neil Freeman
Seasonal Affective Disorder & Autism Holiday Tips: 12/18/2023
With Host Neil Freeman
Autism & Diabetes: 11/20/2023
With Host Neil Freeman
Mind Shift Autism Employment Opportunities: 10/28/2023
With Joy Kieffer & Host Neil Freeman
Suicide & Awareness/ Prevention with Autism: 9/28/2023
With Katie Shatusky & Host Neil Freeman
Waiver Reimagine: 8/18/2023
With Host Neil Freeman
Waiver Reimagine Conversation: 8/12/2023
With Host Sheletta Brundidge
Autism & Safety Awareness: 6/29/2023
With Host Neil Freeman
Autism Acceptance Month
Part 2: 4/28/2023
With Lana Lambrecht, Kelsey Joson & Host Neil Freeman
Autism Acceptance Month
Part 1: 4/3/2023
With Lana Lambrecht, Kelsey Joson & Host Neil Freeman
Radio and Podcast Interviews
MN Waiver Reimagine
MN Waivers are used by over 80,000 Minnesotans with disabilities. Included are the following four Waivers; Developmental Disability (DD), Community Access for Inclusion (CADI), Community Alternative Care (CAC), & Brain Injury (BI). These four will condense to two waivers: Individual Support Waiver (community living) & Residential Support Waiver (corporate care living). As proposed, budgets will be based upon the location a person lives. Stakeholder involvement included the MN Waiver Reimagine Advisory Committee (WRAC) from 2022-2025, which Kelly was a member. WRAC disbanded in July 2025, and the Waiver Reimagine Advisory Task Force is in its place. Kelly & others have been advocating to have budgets based upon an individual's needs, not the location in which they live. The advocating has included involving our Legislators, as well as proposing Legislation. To learn more, please visit the DIVA link. linked here.
Waiver Reimagine Community Conversation with Senator Hoffman, Senator Lucero &
Representative Novotny on August 18th, 2023
