Moving Autism Forward by Team TACA

Michelle Del Rosario holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Fullerton, and is the parent of three adult children, including her youngest son, William, who has autism, is non-speaking, and a multi-modal communicator. Michelle is passionate about parent education and supporting multi-modal communication while presuming competence. By sharing her family’s journey, she has become a trusted parent mentor and advocate within the disability community, demonstrating that non-speaking does not mean non-thinking. She serves as the Adult Program Coordinator with The Autism Community in Action (TACA), helping families take action, find hope, and build brighter futures for their loved ones.Show notes:TACA’s Create A Plan worksheet - https://secure.everyaction.com/torz4tgYdEK_8wh6AzkXKg2TACA’s Article on Mitochondrial Dysfunction: https://tacanow.org/family-resources/autism-and-mitochondrial-function/ TACA’s article on Seizures - https://tacanow.org/family-resources/seizures/ TACA’s article on Independent Assessments – https://tacanow.org/family-resources/independent-assessments/ TACA’S article on Speech Issues in Autism: Introduction - https://tacanow.org/family-resources/speech-issues-in-autism-introduction/ TACA’s article on Medical Causes of Speech Issues in Autism -https://tacanow.org/family-resources/medical-causes-of-speech-issues-in-autism/ TACA’s article on Therapeutic and Communication Options for Speech Issues in Autism– https://tacanow.org/family-resources/therapeutic-and-communication-options-for-speech-issues-in-autism/ TACA’s article on Obtaining Funding for an AAC Device - https://tacanow.org/family-resources/obtaining-funding-for-an-aac-device/Virtual Events: https://tacanow.org/what-we-do/virtual-events/

All about seizures testing and treatments:https://tacanow.org/family-resources/seizures/If you want to see how the EEG process works, watch the social story here:https://www.eegtogo.com/how-its-doneOur YouTube hosts 400 full length presentations from the world’s top epileptologists andepilepsy neurosurgeons.https://www.youtube.com/@epilepsyawarenessdayeaddl5525/featuredEvent information for the next Epilepsy day at Disneyland and Disneyworld:Epilepsyawarenessday.org

Wait lists for obtaining an autism diagnosis is a growing crisis. This interview with Dr. Sharief Taramanfrom Cognoa talks about this issue and identifies solutions to address this issue in our community.Podcast Links and Resources:1) Cognoa Wait list report:https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/new-report-state-autism-care-reveals-barriers-diagnosis2) Investing in early intervention – the investment return is 4x-9x.https://www.ffyf.org/resources/2022/01/examining-the-significant-return-on-investment-from-high-quality-early-learning-care/3) Only 39% of pediatricians refer for an autism assessment: https://consumer.healthday.com/b-5-13-parents-input-key-when-screening-toddlers-for-autism-2652948408.html4) Intellectual disabilities effects less than 10% of the ASD pop (as opposed to 1% of the generalpopulation):  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6710438/5) Children with autism on average has 4.9 other diagnosis: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3521-1

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Walter Zahorodny, Principal Investigator of the CDC Autism Prevalence Reports and Associate Professor of Research at Rutgers University, to break down the data behind the headlines.Dr. Zahorodny has been at the forefront of autism surveillance and epidemiological research in the United States. As a leading investigator in the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, he has played a critical role in tracking autism prevalence trends for decades.Show notes & Links:https://tacanow.org/about-autism/https://tacanow.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ADDM-MMWR-04-17-2025.pdfhttps://njms-web.njms.rutgers.edu/profile/myProfile.php?mbmid=zahorodn

Dr. Rossignol, MD FAAFP is a board-certified family physician. He received his Doctorate of Medicine at the Medical College of Virginia and completed his residency in family medicine at the University of Virginia. Coming from an academic background, Dr. Rossignol searched the medical literature looking for a solution after both of his children were diagnosed with autism. He has made it his mission to research and publish in autism. Since 2006, he has over 70 papers, abstracts, editorials, and book chapters (including those in press) concerning autism and related conditions. He is the father of two kids on the autism spectrum.For more information about Dr. Dan Rossignol: https://rossignolmedicalcenter.com/ Show notes and references:Medical issues in Autism: https://tacanow.org/family-resources/underlying-medical-issues-in-autism/Finding a doctor: https://tacanow.org/family-resources/finding-a-doctor/Maximizing your time with your child’s doctor: https://tacanow.org/family-resources/maximizing-time-with-your-childs-doctor/ Introduction to Medical treatments and Autism: https://tacanow.org/family-resources/medical-interventions-for-autism-introduction/High impact medical treatments for autism https://tacanow.org/family-resources/high-impact-medical-interventions-for-autism/Leucovorin for autism https://tacanow.org/family-resources/leucovorin-for-autism/Seizures and autism https://tacanow.org/family-resources/seizures/

FDA Approval is being fast tracked for leucovorin:On September 22, 2025 the FDA is fast tracking approval of leucovorin for autism, to learn more: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-action-make-treatment-available-autism-symptoms Get the Support You Need with TACATACA is here to provide families with valuable resources and a supportive community. If you’re looking for guidance, here are two great ways to get started:1. Learn About Key Biomedical Factors in AutismUnderstanding underlying medical issues can be life-changing for children with autism. Start by exploring these two critical topics:Cerebral Folate Deficiency in Autism https://tacanow.org/family-resources/cerebral-folate-deficiency/ – Learn how this treatable condition affects brain function and development.Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Autism https://tacanow.org/family-resources/autism-and-mitochondrial-function/ – Discover how energy production issues in cells may impact autism symptoms and behavior.2. Join TACA’s Hope & Help CommunityGet real-time support from TACA Staff and other parents who understand your journey. TACA’s Hope & Help is a private online group where you can ask questions, share experiences, and find encouragement.To learn more: https://tacanow.org/what-we-do/private-group/🔗 Join the group: https://tacanow.org/what-we-do/private-group/Additional ResourcesDr. Richard Frye – Rossignol Medical Center: Expert in autism-related functional medicine interventions. Learn More: https://rossignolmedicalcenter.com/doctors/dr-richard-frye/CBS News (February 18, 2025): Parents share how an off-label treatment helped their child speak. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT4E2dPTbkcFRAT Test for Cerebral Folate Deficiency: A key diagnostic tool. Explore the test: https://www.fratnow.com/TACA is here to empower you with knowledge, resources, and a strong support network. Start your journey today!

Welcome to Moving Autism Forward — a podcast dedicated to empowering families, sharing hope, and helping each child reach their full potential.I’m Lisa Ackerman, and for over 25 years, I’ve walked this autism journey with my son — he has traversed the spectrum from high needs to a person with a bright future, and the incredible progress that came from perseverance and community.Here, we focus on what works. Each episode shares positive strategies, real-life resources, and the voices of families, clinicians, and advocates who are moving autism forward — together.Join me as we explore ways to help your family find a clear, hopeful, and effective path on your own journey. WHO Is the podcast for? Parents and caregivers. We are sharing strategies for parents and community members.For newly diagnosed families here is where you start: https://tacanow.org/family-resources/...For families new to TACA, here is how to get connected https://tacanow.org/family-resources/...

Welcome friends to Season Two of the Moving Autism Forward Podcast! We are thrilled to be able to bring you exciting episodes all month long and give you important resources and information to help your family, your friends, and your child. This week we are honored to have Dr. Nancy O’Hara as our guest. Dr. O’Hara is a nationally known and sought after pediatrician out of Connecticut. We loved being able to hear from her about the importance of starting small when addressing your child’s needs, what it looks like for a practitioner and patient/family to work as a team, and we think you are going to really appreciate her stories as she tells us all about some of the most impactful patients through the years.