Autism in the Adult podcast | Listen online for free

83 episodes

Travel That Fits: Planning Vacations Around Neurologic Capacity (EP 82)
2026/07/04 | 18 mins.
Dr. Theresa Regan explores how families can plan vacations that match each person’s nervous system and energy, focusing on managing transitions, sensory demands, and recovery. She shares practical examples—like choosing trains over airports, assigning roles, and packing regulation tools—and emphasizes choosing manageable challenges that build confidence.

The episode offers concrete questions to guide planning (e.g., what parts of the trip demand the most energy, what routines can be preserved, and how much recovery is needed) and reframes successful travel as creating conditions for participation and belonging rather than copying others’ vacations.

Understanding Autism Book Series

Autism in the Adult website
Travel that Fits: Rethinking Vacations for Neurodiverse Families (EP 81)
2026/06/22 | 16 mins.
Dr. Theresa Regan explores how vacations can serve restoration rather than appearances for neurodiverse households. She urges families to prioritize what fits each person this year—considering sensory needs, energy, and life changes—rather than following traditions or social expectations.

Practical ideas include flexible plans, staycations, and making space for different ways of recharging so everyone can return home feeling restored and connected.

Understanding Autism Book Series

Autism in the Adult website
Conversation as Exchange: Three Ways We Connect (EP 80)
2026/06/04 | 23 mins.
Dr. Theresa Regan explores how conversations move beyond exchanging information to creating connection. Using childhood play as a model, she outlines three core building blocks—making space for the other person, offering something personal, and allowing mutual influence—that help conversations feel satisfying and shared.

She explains how these principles apply in adult interactions, links them to theory of mind, and offers three reflective questions to improve everyday conversations and relationships.

Understanding Autism Book Series

Autism in the Adult website
The Social Power of Stories: Why Conversation Is More Than Facts (EP 79)
2026/05/21 | 32 mins.
In this episode, Dr. Theresa Regan explores how conversation often serves social and relational purposes beyond sharing facts. She explains the difference between semantic (factual) and episodic (experiential) memory, why personal stories invite connection, and how storytelling can look different across neurotypes.

Listeners will learn how to recognize conversational invitations, practice sharing sensory and emotional details, and receive stories with warmth to deepen relationships.

Understanding Autism Book Series

Autism in the Adult website
The 'Why' of Conversation: Decoding Invitations to Connect (EP 78)
2026/05/07 | 21 mins.
Neuropsychologist Dr. Theresa Regan explains how everyday questions can be invitations into different conversational roles and why that ambiguity can be confusing.

She offers simple strategies: ask to clarify the invitation, give a brief factual or blended response, or decline the invitation. Learning to identify the "why" of conversation helps people make clearer choices and maintain connection in ways that work for them within in neurodiverse relationships.

Understanding Autism Book Series

Autism in the Adult website

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About Autism in the Adult

Theresa Regan, Ph.D., is a rare combination of adult neuropsychologist (specialist in brain-behavior relationships), parent of an amazing child on the autism spectrum, and certified autism specialist with the IBCCES. She is deeply grateful to bring validation, hope, and purpose to individuals and their families living on the autism spectrum. With this mission at its core, she founded and directs the OSF HealthCare Adult Diagnostic Autism Clinic in central Illinois. Her books include Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults and Understanding Autistic Behaviors. For more information and to join her new online autism community for free visit www.adultandgeriatricautism.com. Join her for podcast topics related to autism in the adult. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of her employer. All listeners are encouraged to research multiple opinions about the topics discussed before making their own decisions.

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