Physical Wellness for Autistic Children and Adults: A Discussion with Belden Long and Kara Wilkinson

EPISODE 110
Physical Wellness for Autistic Children and Adults:
A Discussion with Belden Long and Kara Wilkinson

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Show Notes

A recognized significant challenge for autistic and neurodivergent families and individuals and families is maintaining a lifestyle that supports physical health and well-being. Belden Long and Kara Wilkinson, as professionals and with expertise in addressing physical health, report on findings of their research as well as their personal experience in supporting autistic individuals and families. From their work, they provide practical suggestions.

Featuring

Belden Long

BELDEN LONG

Belden Long completed her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Duke University Medical School. She is an accomplished athlete and has extensive experience supporting physical wellness for neurodivergent students. She is passionately pursuing projects that support physical health and wellness through yoga, mindfulness, and exercise.

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Kara Wilkinson

KARA WILKINSON

Kara works at Community Autism Resources, a regional Autism Support Center in Southeastern Massachusetts, where she works in Family Support, and as a Life Skills Instructor at the Gottschall Access Program. Kara is driven and passionate about having a growth mindset, meeting people where they are in life, and leading with empathy and understanding.  A medical crisis led Kara to have a new drive to make the most out of life and help herself, and her family, lead healthier and more active lives.

…and Continue the Discussion

Do you have a book or podcast club? If so, you may use this discussion guide to facilitate a conversation about this episode.

1) Why is physical health and well-being an important focus in Belden’s and Kara’s lives, both personally and in the work they do?  In particular, how did Kara’s personal life events require a priority on pursuing life-style changes for her and her family? Do their stories resonate with influences/events in your life or your family’s life, and if yes, how so?

2) What struck you about their project, Exploring the importance of physical wellness activities with autistic people?  What do you feel are the major implications of the relevance and findings of this project? Are they consistent with your experiences in pursuing physical health for you or a family member?

3) Physical wellness is closely related to mental health and is an important part of having a good quality of life. Based on Belden and Kara’s personal experiences and results of the study, what are some of the challenges that neurodivergent individuals face, and that their families encounter, that may lead to mental health difficulties?

4) Belden and Kara discuss activities other than more formal community-based activities to support physical health. What are some examples they provide? Does this discussion resonate with what you do, or provide ideas and motivation to support physical health for you and/or family members?

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Music

Matt Savage, courtesy of Savage Records

Matt Savage is an autistic jazz musician, composer, and bandleader. Matt has collaborated with jazz greats like Chick Corea, the Ellington All Stars, Chaka Khan, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Jason Moran, Arturo O’Farrill, John Pizzarelli, Joshua Redman, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jon Faddis, Jerry Bergonzi. Donny McCaslin, and more. He has recorded more than a dozen records and graciously contributes the music for Uniquely Human.

Production and Sound Design

ELEVATEDSTUDIO

Uniquely Human: The Podcast is produced, engineered, and edited by Elevated Studio in Denver, Colorado. Owned and operated by co-host Dave Finch, Elevated Studio produces digital media assets and content strategies for the electronics, entertainment, and lifestyle industries.