Episode 0001–Autism Talk Radio–Introduction to Navigating the World of Autism with Chantal Sicile-Kira

 

 Standard Podcast [40:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Our first episode of Autism Talk Radio features an exclusive interview with a pioneer in spreading the word about autism, Chantal Sicile-Kira.
You’ll find out about:
>>>>>The Most Important Things a Child with Autism NEEDS You To Know
>>>>>The Countless Rewards in Raising a Child with Autism
>>>>>The Ultimate References for Biomedical Intervention
>>>>>Where to start A-Z on the Navigating the World of Autism.

Chantal Sicile-Kira, is an international speaker, author and advocate who has been involved with autism spectrum disorders for over 20 years as both a parent and a professional on both sides of the Atlantic. A bilingual French -American, Chantal raised her autistic son in France, the UK and California. Her experience in the three different countries was the subject of a 22 page article in the French professional journal on education and research for special education, La Nouvelle Revue de l’Adaptation et de la Scolarisation, June 2006, published by INS HEA.

A former researcher on BBC documentaries and a line producer on a TV Series in Paris, Chantal currently hosts radio shows in English and in French on Autism One Radio (an internet based radio station available worldwide at www.autismone.org/radio). Chantal also writes for various publications, including an “Ask Chantal” column for The Autism File (www.autismfile.com) and blogs occasionally on the Huffington Post. In addition, Chantal is the Marketing Director (Us and Canada) for The Autism File. Chantal’s family has been highlighted in the Newsweek cover story “Growing up with Autism’ and featured in the MTV documentary ‘True Life’ series, in “I Have Autism’ which was the recipient of a 2008 Voice Award.

Chantal’s third book Autism Life Skills: From Communication and Safety to Self Esteem and More: 10 Essential Abilities Every Child Deserves and Needs to Learn (foreword by Temple Grandin, PhD) will be published by Penguin (US) in October 2008, and Random House (UK) in May 2009.

Chantal’s first book, Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Complete Guide to Understanding Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and other ASD’s was the recipient of the 2005 Autism Society of America’s Outstanding Literary Work of the Year Award, and was nominated for the 2005 PEN / Martha Albrand Award for First Nonfiction. The UK edition was the winner of the 2003 San Diego Book Award for ‘Best in Health.’ Her second book, Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum, Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum: A Parent’s Guide to the Cognitive, Social, Physical, and Transition Needs of Teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorders was awarded the 2006 San Diego Book Award for “Best in Health/Fitness.”

 

Born into a large French family, Chantal was brought up bilingual and bicultural in Ohio, New York and California. Family past times included cooking frog legs for breakfast over an open fire during summers spent camping in Louisville, Kentucky. Chantal received her BA in Social Ecology from the University of California at Irvine (UCI). Her first practical experience with autism was at Fairview State Hospital, teaching self-help and community living skills to severely developmentally disabled and autistic adolescents in preparation for their de-institutionalization. Then, as a case manager for Orange County Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled, Chantal provided information and resources to families.

Little did Chantal know that years later, these work experiences would prove invaluable when her son (now a teenager) was born and eventually diagnosed with autism in Paris, France, where the only treatment on offer was psychoanalysis. Chantal’s struggle to find appropriate treatment for her son led them to move to England, where they became one of the first families in the UK to run a Lovaas-type (based on applied behavior analysis) home program. Having been a service provider in California, and then a parent raising her child and dealing with the ’systems’ in France, United Kingdom and the United States, gives Chantal a unique and well-rounded perspective few people in this field have.

Chantal is active in many non-profits, and served on the Taskforce on Transitional Services & Supports reporting to the California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism.