Not Your Mama's Autism (NYMA)

Not Your Mama's Autism (NYMA)

NYMA is the story of one family's experiences with autism through a multi-generational lens. Hosted by a woman who is both the older sibling to a non-verbal man living with autism and now the mother of two children on the autism spectrum, NYMA takes on topics like autism awareness now compared to thirty years ago, past and current treatments, allies, special education pre-Covid-19 and during Covid-19, disability rights broken down by zip code, marriage therapy along the autism journey, intersectionality of race and disability, corporate inclusion efforts and much more.

Episodes

August 26, 2025 • 38 mins
SUMMARY

In this episode of Not Your Mama's Autism Podcast, hosts Lola and Tosan Olley discuss the various transitions their family is experiencing, including changes in their children's education, their own career roles, and the impact of policy changes on caregiving. They reflect on the importance of community support, self-care, and the lessons learned from navigating these transitions. Th...
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In this episode, we discuss Sensory Overload, a film about how three communities navigate oral care and the world in general with sensory sensitivities in mind. It's also a film about neurodivergence, sensory differences, and how the world can be better designed to accommodate people. It's a Vox Media produced film in partnership with Haleon and Sensodyne as part of Sensodyne's S...
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    Summary

    In this episode of Not Your Mama's Autism, host Lola Dada-Olley speaks with licensed social worker and BCBA Larissa Heise about the complexities of challenging behavior in neurodivergent individuals. They discuss the definition of challenging behavior, trends observed in recent years, the importance of identifying triggers, and the role of sensory needs. Larissa emphasizes the need for ind...
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    Dr. Theresa Haskins, a professor, researcher, consultant, corporate executive, mom, wife, and advocate, joins the podcast. She shares her journey as an advocate for her children and a self-advocate. Dr. Haskins discusses the diagnosis process for her children and the challenges they faced. She also talks about her experience studying educational psychology and getting her PhD in education....
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    Breanna Kelly, a licensed social worker and BCBA, shares her journey into the field of autism and her passion for supporting individuals with co-occurring conditions. She emphasizes the importance of understanding and acknowledging the experiences and needs of individuals with disabilities, as well as the significance of cultural competence in providing effective care. Breanna discusses the cha...
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    Summary
    In this episode of Not Your Mama's Autism podcast, Lola Dada-Olley and her husband, Tosan Olley, discuss the complexities of navigating reproductive healthcare for their daughter, who is on the autism spectrum. They share their journey from recognizing the onset of puberty to preparing for their daughter's first period, emphasizing the importance of communication, family support, and collabora...
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    In this episode of Not Your Mama's Autism Podcast, host Lola Dada-Olley speaks with Annette Addo-Yobo, the first immigrant-born Miss Texas, about her journey from Ghana to the U.S., her advocacy for autism awareness, and the importance of representation. Annette shares her personal experiences as a sibling caregiver, the cultural stigma surrounding autism, and her aspirations to influence policy and support families navi...
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    In this episode of Not Your Mama's Autism podcast, host Lola Dada-Olley engages her son Fela in a heartfelt discussion about the transition from middle school to high school. They explore the various high school options available, the importance of extracurricular activities like band, and the challenges that come with academic rigor. Fela shares his personal experiences and offers advice to other students facing similar...
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    In this episode of Not Your Mama's Autism podcast, Lola Dada-Olley interviews Danielle Meadows, an executive director at JPMorgan Chase, about the importance of disability employment and the initiatives taken by the Business Solution Team (BEST) to promote neuro-inclusion. They discuss the evolution of the BEST program, common misconceptions about disability inclusion, the challenges faced in the employment landscape, and the ...

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    September 23, 2024 • 34 mins

    In this episode, Lola Dada-Olley and her husband Tosan discuss their journey with their daughter Alero, who is on the autism spectrum. They share their decision-making process regarding Alero's education, including the challenges of navigating special education services, the impact of the pandemic, and the importance of adaptability in parenting. They reflect on their choice to temporarily withdraw Alero from school for therapy...

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    In this episode, Dr. Kim Floyd, a professor of special education and an innovator, discusses her evolution in the education space and her role in standing up a center focused on assistive technology with people with disabilities. She shares her journey into special education, the development of a multidisciplinary approach, and the importance of trauma-informed practices in education.

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    Growing up alongside a sibling with autism can transform your life's blueprint in the most unexpected ways. in this episode, we're joined by the remarkable Nadia Hamilton, who shares the touching saga of her brother, Troy, and how his journey on the autism spectrum has awakened a legacy of empowerment and innovation. Nadia's candid recount of the joys and hurdles they faced together unfolds into the creation of a tra...

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    Every January, my husband Tosan and I brace ourselves for the impact of the 'January reset' on our family's finances. As parents of a child with complex medical needs, we're no strangers to the avalanche of medical bills that come with insurance deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums starting anew. Our latest episode offers an intimate conversation where we peel back the curtain on the financial challenges that ...

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    December 20, 2023 • 26 mins

    Our 2023 year in review episode is here. We discuss the ups and downs that is/was 2023, including a life changing family trip to Barcelona, an ice storm that prevented travel to our daughter's therapy, a short term caregiver crisis, the myth of work-life balance and so much more.

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    In this episode, I speak with Addis Gonte, Non-Profit CEO and Disability Inclusion Advocate. We talk about how a car accident changed his life, resulting in traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. We also speak on how his life changing accident led him on a new path to founding a non-profit, called Able Mindset, and many lessons learned along the way.

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    In this episode, my husband, Tosan, and I have a conversation about the transition we've made and are making into the start of adolescence. Our kids, a boy and a girl, are now both pre-teens and our daughter has an intellectual disability. We talk about the special considerations we have to think through and make as we raise neurodivergent children who are undergoing a new life phase. One day at a time.

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    In this episode, we speak with Janelle Johnson, a licensed marriage and family therapist, Founder of Bridges Family Life Center, PLLC , Mom, Wife and Self-Advocate. We talk about her own autism self-diagnosis, how she became a therapist, her own philosophy on "masking", her decision to eventually self-ID, raising an autistic child and her views on so much more.

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    In this episode, we speak with Dr. Tade Akere, a mother, wife, businesswoman turned psychologist and advocate. She is the mother of an adult autistic son and a neurodivergent and mental health advocate serving patients through her Illinois based practice. She is also the host of the webseries Dr. Tade Talks and the author of the book, No! Not My Son!: An African Mother's Journey Through Life with Autism.

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    In this episode, I speak with Tim Markle, the Southern Regional Center Director at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Waisman Center. We speak about delivery of health care to diverse populations, his own experience as a dad to an autistic son and how understanding the power of forgiveness has allowed him to become a better person, father, husband and advocate.

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    In Season 6, Episode 2 of the Not Your Mama's Autism Podcast, I speak with attorney, self-advocate and former law school classmate, LaNasha Houze. In this episode, LaNasha speaks to how she ended up obtaining her later in life ADHD diagnosis, the subsequent realizations she made when it comes to her neurodivergence and provides some advice to those who wish to know more about this journey.

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