Sara Bradford is an Autistic woman and advocate and is the CEO of SJ Childs LLC, an autism consulting business to support families. She is a member of the Autism Council of Utah and also the owner of FB Autism Advocates Support Group. She is a mother of 2, and her husband and kids are also on the autism spectrum. She is a Global Autism Speaker, as well as a Podcast Host-The SJ Childs Show Podcast. She continues to strengthen her community through local university and hospital Autism partnerships, police training, corporate autism training programs, and more. Sara is a children's book author, pen name SJ Childs. Subjects such as autism, dyslexia, physical differences, Anxiety, and more. Helping children understand themselves and support their peers with neurodiverse needs. Encouraging love and inclusion in every situation.
Recent Content
Send us a textWhat if you could find peace and purpose after facing life's toughest challenges? Join us in this episode as we uncover the inspiring journey of Gage, a passionate advocate for auti…
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Send us a textWhat if you could find peace and purpose after facing life's toughest challenges? Join us in this episode as we uncover the inspiring journey of Gage, a passionate advocate for autism awareness who transformed his early struggles into a powerful voice for change. Diagnosed with autism at age five, Gage didn't speak until then and found solace in building snack-box towers. His story is a testament to resilience and personal Growth, taking us from a young boy in Pennsylvania to a determined advocate in Florida.Gage opens up about confronting Trauma and Depression, particu…
Send us a textDaniel Durany's journey from job losses to discovering his place on the autism spectrum offers a raw and inspiring narrative. His experiences growing up in a socially reserved famil…
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Send us a textDaniel Durany's journey from job losses to discovering his place on the autism spectrum offers a raw and inspiring narrative. His experiences growing up in a socially reserved family, juxtaposed with his outgoing nature, shed light on the complexities of forming friendships and finding one's identity. As we catch up with Daniel, he shares his insights from navigating the world as a sports referee and the joys and challenges of fatherhood, all while advocating for greater understanding and acceptance within the autism community.The path for an autistic entrepreneur can b…
Send us a textWhat happens when a childhood dream takes an unexpected detour through the world of speechwriting only to emerge as a vibrant career in adolescent fiction? That's what our guest rev…
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Send us a textWhat happens when a childhood dream takes an unexpected detour through the world of speechwriting only to emerge as a vibrant career in adolescent fiction? That's what our guest reveals as she recounts her unique journey towards becoming an author, inspired by personal experiences and a flair for capturing diverse voices. Discover how her life as a mom, wife, and writer intertwines, offering a refreshing take on managing a bustling household while nurturing a passion for storytelling. Her books, "Hurricamp" and "Miscommunicamp," embody this lively blend of humor and heart, c…
Send us a textAaron DeVries, a devoted advocate for disability inclusion, brings his heartfelt journey to our conversation, inspired by his daughter's battles with epilepsy and cerebral palsy. As…
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Send us a textAaron DeVries, a devoted advocate for disability inclusion, brings his heartfelt journey to our conversation, inspired by his daughter's battles with epilepsy and cerebral palsy. As a father navigating a predominantly female advocacy space, Aaron shares the importance of belonging over merely fitting in, urging more fathers to lend their voices to the cause. We explore how personal experiences, including his upbringing, have shaped Aaron's advocacy approach, encouraging others to question societal norms and embrace emotional sensitivity.Facing the daunting transition fr…
Send us a textJoin us for an enlightening conversation with Healey Ikerd, a seasoned licensed counselor from Arkansas who brings 17 years of expertise in Mental Health to our discussion. Healey passio…
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Send us a textJoin us for an enlightening conversation with Healey Ikerd, a seasoned licensed counselor from Arkansas who brings 17 years of expertise in mental health to our discussion. Healey passionately shares her journey from working with children to focusing on adults in her private practice, and the significance of modeling good mental health practices. Her insights are not just professional but deeply personal, as she draws from her experiences. Discover how believing in one's potential can transform lives, and why teaching children coping skills is more crucial now than ever.Our …
Subscriber-only episodeSend us a textWhat happens when you challenge societal norms and prove the naysayers wrong? Join us as Christian takes us through his inspiring journey from overcoming the stigm…
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Subscriber-only episodeSend us a textWhat happens when you challenge societal norms and prove the naysayers wrong? Join us as Christian takes us through his inspiring journey from overcoming the stigma of autism to becoming a beacon of hope and inclusion. Diagnosed in 2001, when understanding was limited, Christian defied discouraging predictions of his future by breaking stereotypes. From obtaining his driver’s license to becoming a passionate public speaker, he embodies resilience and determination. Discover how celebrating small wins, embracing unique learning styles, and leveraging socia…
Send us a textWhat happens when an occupational therapist and a devoted mother come together to tackle the pressing issues surrounding autistic adult transition support? Join us in a heartfelt exchang…
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Send us a textWhat happens when an occupational therapist and a devoted mother come together to tackle the pressing issues surrounding autistic adult transition support? Join us in a heartfelt exchange with April as we uncover the real challenges faced by autistic individuals and their families as they step into adulthood. With April's personal journey as both a professional and a parent, we navigate the complexities of post-secondary Education and the glaring gaps in autism-specific services, particularly in states like Kentucky. Our conversation sheds light on the vital need for a unifi…
Subscriber-only episodeSend us a textNavigating the emotional waves of an autism diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but it also opens doors to empowerment and understanding. Join us as we share the emot…
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Subscriber-only episodeSend us a textNavigating the emotional waves of an autism diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but it also opens doors to empowerment and understanding. Join us as we share the emotional journey of embracing this new reality, featuring Bridget Hamstead, the visionary behind Vishnu Tree. Bridget offers valuable insights on transforming initial fears into a sense of freedom, where families can tap into resources, educate others, and find strength in supportive communities. We honor lives lost to suicide within the neurodiversity community, highlighting the urgent need for comp…
Send us a textJoin us as we welcome the remarkable Tamika Lechee Morales, founder of the Autism Hero Project. Born from her personal journey with her son's autism and ADHD diagnosis, Tamika'…
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Send us a textJoin us as we welcome the remarkable Tamika Lechee Morales, founder of the Autism Hero Project. Born from her personal journey with her son's autism and ADHD diagnosis, Tamika's nonprofit has been a beacon of hope since 2015. Originally focusing on providing essential medical insurance in Illinois, the Autism Hero Project has grown to include educational scholarships, inclusive events, and first responder training. Tamika opens up about the raw and emotional process of accepting her son's diagnosis and shares how building a supportive community has been crucial.We&…
Subscriber-only episodeSend us a textWhat makes Stephen Wright's surreal humor so uniquely captivating? Join us as our friend Andrew, known for his sharp wit and keen intellect, takes us on a jou…
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Subscriber-only episodeSend us a textWhat makes Stephen Wright's surreal humor so uniquely captivating? Join us as our friend Andrew, known for his sharp wit and keen intellect, takes us on a journey through Wright's world of deadpan delivery and bizarre punchlines. Discover how Wright’s offbeat humor resonates profoundly with the autistic experience, turning what many see as different into a source of beauty and laughter. Andrew draws fascinating parallels between Wright's jokes and the way those on the autism spectrum interpret rules and definitions, offering insights that w…
Subscriber-only episodeSend us a textWhat does it mean to truly support someone with undiagnosed autism? Our latest episode promises a journey through the eyes of a humanities professor from Metro Det…
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Subscriber-only episodeSend us a textWhat does it mean to truly support someone with undiagnosed autism? Our latest episode promises a journey through the eyes of a humanities professor from Metro Detroit, who has navigated the complex terrains of life and academia without the Clarity of a diagnosis until the age of 41. Discover how survival skills from a challenging childhood turned into indispensable tools for creating an innovative humanities department and fostering community support. Through their storytelling, you'll hear how an Appalachian upbringing shaped their empathetic approac…
Send us a textWhat happens when a New Jersey native with dreams of joining the Army turns those dreams into a 22-year journey of service? Join us as we chat with Rich LaMonica, a retired Army veteran …
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Send us a textWhat happens when a New Jersey native with dreams of joining the Army turns those dreams into a 22-year journey of service? Join us as we chat with Rich LaMonica, a retired Army veteran who opens up about the values instilled in him by his hardworking parents and the challenges he faced, including a last-minute scramble to prepare for college. We reflect on his four combat deployments and how the patience and communication skills he honed over the years contrast with today's culture of instant gratification. It's a heartfelt discussion that touches on the host's ow…
Send us a textMiss Zorina, a resilient veteran and dedicated caregiver, joins us to share her Wisdom on intentional parenting and child development. We delve into the unique challenges faced by parent…
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Send us a textMiss Zorina, a resilient veteran and dedicated caregiver, joins us to share her wisdom on intentional parenting and child development. We delve into the unique challenges faced by parents in the wake of COVID-19 and the strategies that can help overcome them. Zorina recounts her personal journey of raising her son and granddaughters, highlighting the transformative power of consistent affirmations and accountability. We reflect on our own parenting experiences, emphasizing the importance of creating a safe space for open communication and nurturing children into respectful, respo…
Send us a Text Message.Ever wondered how sensory strategies can transform speech Therapy? In this episode, Jessie Ginsberg, a seasoned speech-language pathologist and mother of four, shares her innova…
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Send us a Text Message.Ever wondered how sensory strategies can transform speech therapy? In this episode, Jessie Ginsberg, a seasoned speech-language pathologist and mother of four, shares her innovative approach to integrating sensory techniques into speech therapy. With years of experience running a clinic in Los Angeles and creating online programs, Jessie provides invaluable insights into understanding the sensory system and its critical role in effective communication. She also discusses her new book, which aims to make essential educational resources accessible to families everywhere, r…
Send us a Text Message.Ever wondered how to turn everyday conflicts into opportunities for growth and understanding? Join us as we sit down with Kat Newport, a seasoned conflict management expert and …
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Send us a Text Message.Ever wondered how to turn everyday conflicts into opportunities for growth and understanding? Join us as we sit down with Kat Newport, a seasoned conflict management expert and mother of four, to unpack her transformative journey from the corporate world to raising three neurodiverse children. Kat's personal story is a testament to the power of evolving conflict resolution skills, and in this episode, she contrasts her early parenting struggles with her 28-year-old daughter to her more refined techniques with her nine-year-old. We'll also explore how she naviga…
Send us a Text Message.https://www.eventbrite.com/e/3rd-annual-1-in-36-mix-ii-virtual-autism-summit-tickets-928621290277Ever wondered how to navigate the world of autism therapies, Employment, dating,…
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Send us a Text Message.https://www.eventbrite.com/e/3rd-annual-1-in-36-mix-ii-virtual-autism-summit-tickets-928621290277Ever wondered how to navigate the world of autism therapies, employment, dating, and advocacy? Join us from August 15-18, 2024, for the 1 in 36 Mix 2 Virtual Autism Summit, where we bring together a stellar lineup of speakers and panelists who are at the forefront of autism research and community support. Hosted by Sara Bradford, aka SJChilds, and co-hosted by experts like Robert Schmus and Jamiel Owens, this event is designed to offer you a wealth of knowledge and firsthand …
Send us a Text Message.Are you aware of the hidden dangers that could be lurking in your teenager's life post-pandemic? Tune in to this eye-opening episode of the SJ Child Show, where we welcome …
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Send us a Text Message.Are you aware of the hidden dangers that could be lurking in your teenager's life post-pandemic? Tune in to this eye-opening episode of the SJ Child Show, where we welcome back our esteemed guest, Richard, a seasoned expert in education and mental health with a wealth of experience from the Menninger Clinic. We'll uncover the alarming rise of fentanyl and explore how parents can stay vigilant and informed about the substances their children might encounter today. Richard's insights will help demystify the decrease in substance abuse during the pandemic and…
Send us a Text Message.Imagine growing up knowing that one leg is significantly shorter than the other, with no quadriceps or hamstring on your right side. Our guest shares the profound impact this ph…
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Send us a Text Message.Imagine growing up knowing that one leg is significantly shorter than the other, with no quadriceps or hamstring on your right side. Our guest shares the profound impact this physical difference had on their life, shaped by their grandmother's unwavering love and wisdom. They recount a crucial moment in childhood when a proposed surgery promised a semblance of normalcy but ultimately led to a lifelong brace. Through the heart-wrenching experiences of bullying and societal judgment, they found inner strength and resilience that became their guiding light. I also open…