Tony Mantor: Why Not Me ?

In this episode of 'Why Not Me, Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide,' host Tony Mantor from Nashville, Tennessee, interviews Dan Franklin, a passionate autism advocate with 31 years of lived experience.

Dan shares his insights on autistic wiring, trauma responses, masking, scripting, burnout, and sensory processing.

He discusses the challenges faced by autistic individuals navigating a world built for neurotypicals and emphasizes the need for mandatory autism education across society.

Dan also touches on the importance of approaching autistic individuals with understanding and compassion, and how proper autism training can facilitate a more inclusive world.

Meet Dan Franklin: Autism Advocate

Dan's Advocacy Journey

Challenges and Misunderstandings

Learning and Overcoming

Advocacy and Education Efforts

Addressing Misconceptions

Final Thoughts and Contact Information

INTRO/OUTRO: T.Wild

Mantor Music BMI

The content on Why Not Me: Embracing Autism amd Mental Health Worldwide, including discussions on mental health, autism, and related topics, is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only.
The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect those of the podcast, its hosts, or affiliates.
Why Not Me is not a medical or mental health professional and does not endorse or verify the accuracy, efficacy, safety of any treatments, programs, or advice discussed.
Listeners should consult qualified healthcare professionals, such as licensed therapists, psychologists, or physicians, before making decisions about mental health or autism- related care.
Reliance on this podcast's contents is at the listener's own risk.
Why Not Me is not liable for any outcomes, financial or otherwise, resulting from actions taken based on the information provided.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Belqui Ortiz Millili on Parenting a Nonverbal Autistic Teen, Advocacy, and Building Support

Host Tony Mantor welcomes Belqui Ortiz Millili to Why Not Me: Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide.

She shares that she is the mother of a nearly 17-year-old nonverbal autistic son with high support needs, born extremely premature at six months gestation, and describes early concerns when milestones lagged compared to her older child.

She recounts pushing for answers despite being told delays were due to prematurity or gender, and discusses common public misunderstandings about autism, including lack of awareness of the spectrum and confusion over changing diagnostic labels and levels.

She explains how her son’s diagnosis led her into advocacy, including earning a life coaching certification to support newly diagnosed families, initially offering help for free after seeing the financial burden of therapies not fully covered by insurance.

She talks about burnout, the impact autism-related stress can have on marriage, and how she and her husband navigate different parenting approaches while prioritizing their son’s happiness.

The conversation covers isolation experienced by families of nonverbal autistic children, shifting support networks as children age, and her current challenges planning for adulthood, conservatorship, and lifelong caregiving responsibilities.

She emphasizes the need for broader education and inclusion starting in early school years, more opportunities and job pathways for autistic people, and practical guidance for parents on accessing state and insurance services—citing Arizona’s DDD supports, long-term care, therapy coverage, and respite/habilitation hours.

Belqui closes by encouraging parents to build a village, protect their relationships, and reclaim parts of their own lives beyond autism while continuing to support their child.

Welcome to ‘Why Not Me’ — Autism & Mental Health Stories That Connect Us

Meet Host Tony Mantor + Today’s Guest: Blquuii Ortiz Millili

Belqui’s Autism Journey Begins: Her Nonverbal Son & High Support Needs

Early Signs, Premature Birth, and Fighting to Be Heard by Doctors

What People Get Wrong About Autism: The Spectrum, Stereotypes, and ‘Levels’

From Parenting to Advocacy: Becoming an Autism Support Coach

Burnout Is Real: Resilience, Support Systems, and Surviving the Hard Days

Marriage Under Pressure: Different Parenting Styles & Keeping the Family Together

Identity and Strength: How Autism Changed How She Sees Herself

Nonverbal Autism Realities: Communication, Safety, and Feeling ‘Trapped’ at Home

The Hardest Season: Teen Years, Adulthood Planning, and Conservatorship

Support, Community, and Friendships: What Helps (and What Falls Away) Over Time

The Next 5–10 Years: Awareness in Schools and Real Opportunities for Autistic Adults

Newly Diagnosed? First Steps, State Services, and How to Avoid Overwhelm

Taking Care of Yourself Too: Building a Village and Reclaiming Your Life

Final Thanks + How to Share the Show and Get Involved

INTRO/OUTRO: T. Wild

Mantor Music BMI

The content on Why Not Me: Embracing Autism amd Mental Health Worldwide, including discussions on mental health, autism, and related topics, is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only.
The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect those of the podcast, its hosts, or affiliates.
Why Not Me is not a medical or mental health professional and does not endorse or verify the accuracy, efficacy, safety of any treatments, programs, or advice discussed.
Listeners should consult qualified healthcare professionals, such as licensed therapists, psychologists, or physicians, before making decisions about mental health or autism- related care.
Reliance on this podcast's contents is at the listener's own risk.
Why Not Me is not liable for any outcomes, financial or otherwise, resulting from actions taken based on the information provided.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Faria Ash on Building the Autism Foundation, Training, Advocacy, and Safer Care in the UK

Host Tony Mantor welcomes back autism advocate Faria Ash, who returns to share her progress since discussing her book on toilet training for autistic and SEND children and adults, based on her nonverbal daughter Aia’s real-life story.

Faria explains that the book’s success led her to form the Autism Foundation in the UK (officially launched October 2023), expanding from workshops into autism training for communities, professionals, schools, and care homes, with a focus on communication, social interaction, repetitive behaviors, sensory impairments, and reducing challenging behaviors to improve quality of life. She describes launching an advocacy service to help parents navigate UK processes such as EHCP reports and school documentation so children receive appropriate support.

The conversation addresses misconceptions about autism—especially the idea that “autism is a superpower”—and outlines autism “levels” (1–3) through the core assessment areas of communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors.

Faria also discusses the overlap between autism and anxiety, emphasizing routines and structure as key supports, and shares challenges including resistance from authorities and difficulties fundraising to create a safe care facility amid reports of abuse in care settings.

For Autism Awareness Month, she emphasizes that true inclusion requires asking autistic people and families what practical accommodations would help them participate in schools, workplaces, and communities, and she shares how to find her online via autismfoundation.co.uk and her social media profiles.

Welcome to 'Why Not Me' — Autism & Mental Health Worldwide

Meet Your Host Tony Mantor + Why Following Helps

Introducing Guest Faria Ash & Her Growing Autism Foundation (UK)

What’s Changed Since Last Time: Book Launch, Foundation, and Care Facility Vision

How the Autism Foundation Started: Aia’s Story & Toilet Training Breakthrough

Training the Community: Sensory Needs, Communication, and Challenging Behavior

Foundation Growth: Care Homes, Professional Training, and Parent Advocacy (EHCPs)

Fixing Misconceptions: Social Media, ‘Autism as a Superpower,’ and Nonverbal Reality

Where to Start When Learning Autism: The 3 Core Areas (Communication, Social, Repetitive)

Explaining Autism Levels 1–3 (and What They Look Like Day-to-Day)

Autism & Anxiety Overlap: Why Routine Helps and How to Support It

Hard Lessons Building a Foundation: Authorities, Funding, and Safe Care for Vulnerable Adults

The Parents’ Resilience: Stories That Keep the Mission Going

Beyond Awareness Month: What Real Inclusion Looks Like in Communities

One Misconception to End: ‘Autism Is a Superpower’

How to Connect with Faria + What’s Next for the Foundation

Final Thanks & How to Share Your Story with the Show

INTRO/OUTRO: T.Wild

Mantor Music BMI

The content on Why Not Me: Embracing Autism amd Mental Health Worldwide, including discussions on mental health, autism, and related topics, is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only.
The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect those of the podcast, its hosts, or affiliates.
Why Not Me is not a medical or mental health professional and does not endorse or verify the accuracy, efficacy, safety of any treatments, programs, or advice discussed.
Listeners should consult qualified healthcare professionals, such as licensed therapists, psychologists, or physicians, before making decisions about mental health or autism- related care.
Reliance on this podcast's contents is at the listener's own risk.
Why Not Me is not liable for any outcomes, financial or otherwise, resulting from actions taken based on the information provided.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lois Brady on Autism Digest, Real Stories, and Raising Expectations in Autism Support

Host Tony Mantor welcomes Lois Brady, publisher of Autism Digest and a speech-language pathologist, to discuss how the magazine blends expert guidance with lived experience using multimedia features like QR-linked videos.

Brady shares how writing Apps for Autism and contributing to Autism, Asperger’s Digest led to her acquiring the publication nearly two years ago. As the mother of an autistic son, she describes early signs, being brushed off by providers, choosing not to label him in school, and the long-term effort that helped him become independent and employed, though social challenges remain.

Brady emphasizes early identification, practical parent strategies, and avoiding the Rosenthal Effect of low expectations, including teaching non-speaking individuals to type.

She describes a breakthrough with a non-speaking child using text-to-speech, addresses public misconceptions, contrasts meltdowns with tantrums, discusses Asperger’s being folded into autism, highlights Temple Grandin’s practical advice, and explores how AI can support early intervention and diagnostic cues.

00:00 Show Intro and Mission

01:21 Meet Lois Brady

02:18 How Autism Digest Began

04:28 Early Career and Inspiration

05:14 A Mom’s Diagnosis Journey

07:39 Early Signs and Adulthood Today

09:16 How Autism Understanding Evolved

10:33 Raising Expectations and Communication

12:16 Typing Breakthrough Story

14:24 Lessons from Autistic Voices

16:06 Media Myths and Public Understanding

17:43 Aspergers vs Autism

18:17 AI for Early Support

21:10 From Cure to Support

22:51 Temple Grandin Wisdom

24:25 Meltdowns vs Tantrums

25:41 Stories and Rising Rates

28:52 Success and High Expectations

29:57 Transitions and Exposure

31:06 Ask Learn Connect

INTRO/OUTRO Music: T. Wild

Mantor Music BMI

The content on Why Not Me: Embracing Autism amd Mental Health Worldwide, including discussions on mental health, autism, and related topics, is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only.
The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect those of the podcast, its hosts, or affiliates.
Why Not Me is not a medical or mental health professional and does not endorse or verify the accuracy, efficacy, safety of any treatments, programs, or advice discussed.
Listeners should consult qualified healthcare professionals, such as licensed therapists, psychologists, or physicians, before making decisions about mental health or autism- related care.
Reliance on this podcast's contents is at the listener's own risk.
Why Not Me is not liable for any outcomes, financial or otherwise, resulting from actions taken based on the information provided.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

n this episode of Why Not Me, host Tony Mantor, broadcasting from Nashville, Tennessee, delves into the mental health challenges faced by first responders and veterans.

Featuring Dr. Jean Cillo, a clinical and forensic psychologist, and retired Lieutenant Tom Antonette from the NYPD, the discussion explores the PTP (Post Tour Processing) program, a pioneering mental health support initiative designed by law enforcement for law enforcement, now expanded to all first responders.

The episode emphasizes the importance of providing a safe space for first responders to process trauma, the critical role of peer support, and the continuous efforts to ensure mental well-being in highly stressful jobs. Both guests shed light on the nuanced experiences of police officers, EMTs, and other first responders, underscoring the necessity for accessible mental health resources and the shift in cultural attitudes towards seeking help.

First Responders and Mental Health

Introducing Dr. Jean Cillo and Lt. Tom Antonette

Understanding Trauma in First Responders

Coping Mechanisms and Dark Humor

The Role of Post-Tour Processing

Tom Antonetti's Background and Insights

Challenges and Support for Retired Officers

Final Thoughts and Resources

Closing Remarks and Call to Action

INTRO/OUTRO: T. Wild

Mantor Music BMI

The content on Why Not Me: Embracing Autism amd Mental Health Worldwide, including discussions on mental health, autism, and related topics, is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only.
The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect those of the podcast, its hosts, or affiliates.
Why Not Me is not a medical or mental health professional and does not endorse or verify the accuracy, efficacy, safety of any treatments, programs, or advice discussed.
Listeners should consult qualified healthcare professionals, such as licensed therapists, psychologists, or physicians, before making decisions about mental health or autism- related care.
Reliance on this podcast's contents is at the listener's own risk.
Why Not Me is not liable for any outcomes, financial or otherwise, resulting from actions taken based on the information provided.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.