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Autistic Creatives
Interviews | Au(r)tistic Podcast
About Our Guest
Talisha Norton
Talisha Norton is the proud mother of two children on the autism spectrum who lives in Southwest Arkansas. She is a graduate of Henderson State University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Education, before teaching for 15 years at 4 different schools: Fair Park Elementary in Little Rock, Arkansas, Ponderosa Elementary at Fayetteville, North Carolina, Phyllis Ruth Miller Montessori Magnet School in Miami, Florida, and Somerset Academy in Miramir, Florida. A pre-K -3rd grade teacher, and a Math Interventionist for student struggling with arithmetic she was attuned to learner variability, always finding ways to accommodate all of her students. She continue to advocate strongly to ensure her kids and others like the receive access to an equitable education.
Journeys of Grace
Podcast 3 - Journeys of Grace
00:00 / 14:47
About this episode
Autism moms often experience extreme stress, exhaustion, and constant vigilance, especially since many autistic children struggle with recognizing danger and may also have ADHD. Black autistic children are frequently misunderstood and mislabeled due to racial bias, making advocacy and documentation essential for parents. Parents are encouraged to learn about autism, build strong communication with schools, and push for appropriate support plans like IEPs and 504s. Art can serve as a calming and expressive outlet for autistic children, with some preferring abstract forms and others gravitating toward cartoon-style illustrations that often include storytelling elements.
About Our Guest
Warda Dani Mustafa Quintana
Warda is a Palestinian-Colombian individual passionate about combining advocacy, the arts, and community. Having immigrated to the United States at a young age, their passion for language justice became a key motivator of their studies at Georgia State University. It continued in their current career and advocacy work at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, where they focus on creating and expanding the accessible and inclusive content the museum offers for the communities that come to visit. Warda also focuses on helping organize spaces of political education about Palestine as well as combining their love for the arts to support the efforts of fundraising for their community in Palestine with events and organizations such as Atlanta Radical Art, Palestinian Youth Movement, and Palestine Lives On. community for BIPOC artists in the Atlanta area.
Stories of Resilience
Podcast 2 - Stories Of Resilience
00:00 / 27:12
About this episode
A 2015 study in Frontiers in Psychology found that autistic children showed advanced creative thinking in drawing tasks. Notable figures include Stephen Wiltshire, a British artist known for his photographic memory and intricate cityscapes, Temple Grandin, who is most known for animal science, but discussed the visual and artistic strengths of autistic individuals, and also Thristan Mendoza, a Filipino marimba prodigy with autism. Unfortunately, misconceptions about autism sometimes lead to undervaluing their artistic contributions. Please listen to my interview with Warda as they offer insights and experiences connected to this intersection.
About Our Guest
Abigail Hailu
Abigail Hailu is a college freshman who is the elder sibling of a younger brother with autism. From sitting in on her brother's Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapies to occupational therapy (OT), she became inspired very early to support kids with autism, beyond her brother. Born and raised in the Los Angeles, with parents from Ethopia, she was also attuned to cultural stigmas associated with neurodivergence. Unfortunately in many Black communities and particularly African immigrant families there is incredible stigma around seeking support for autism.
Voices Of Advocacy
Podcast1 - BlackAutismNetwork
00:00 / 11:38
About this episode
In America, according to the CDC, ADDM reports have consistently noted that more white children are identified with ASD than Black or Hispanic children. A difference in identifying Black and Hispanic children with ASD relative to white children means these children may not be getting the services they need to reach their full potential. The Black Autism Network seeks to build community and provide resources to advocates who value the intersection of African culture and autism.
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