“Creating a Neuro Affirming Environment” with Chris Wenger “Speech Dude”

Intro:

Today on the podcast we have an amazing guest who is revolutionizing how we support neurodivergent students.

Speech therapist Chris Wenger, also known as "Speech Dude!" is internationally acclaimed for his work with autistic students. He's transforming therapy practices and creating spaces to support families with his neurodiversity-affirming approach.

Through his assessment tools, viral social media content, clinical work, and new book; He's on a mission to ensure that belonging—not just fitting in—becomes the standard for how we support neurodivergent learners.

Let's listen in to today’s conversation.

TAP👇the link to Register for Moms Day Out conference retreat

https://hopeonthehardroad.regfox.com/moms-day-out-conference-may-2026

Bio:

Chris Wenger is a neurodivergent high school speech-language pathologist of over 20 years, international speaker, and creator of the Dynamic Assessment of Social Emotional Learning, a strengths-based assessment for autistic students. He is also the founder of NeuroAffirm, a first-of-its-kind worldwide interactive directory connecting providers and families. Globally known as Speech Dude, he has amassed nearly one million social media followers, sharing inspiring and educational content, always with a humorous twist.

Contacts:

www.speechdude.com

Tik Tok/Instagram - @speechdude

For a family raising a child with special needs, life can be difficult. There are many storms to weather and struggles to address, and we often feel isolated and alone due to the nature of our circumstances. Families have a need to connect and find resources, a need to be encouraged, and a need for hope as we walk down what can be a very hard road at times. Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast was created for this purpose. Our vision is to grow a thriving community, where families with children of all ages with special needs can feel connected, be encouraged, and find hope for the road ahead.

Connect with Us:

If you enjoy this podcast please share us with others and be sure to follow us so won’t miss an episode. We’d love to hear from you so please leave us a comment or rating and connect with us on social media or on our website.

Email us: info@hopeonthehardroad.org

Website: https://hopeonthehardroad.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2621447987943459

Free Youtube Resource Library: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSAfvTkSy87X-fEqtVR2qvo7w9UQBuxz

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hope on the Hard Road, Inc. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, medical, or legal advice.

Family Series:

“Creativity in Marriage & Parenting: Replay” with Angela and Mike O’Brien

Welcome back, you are going to love the replay of this episode! We have Angela O’Brien of the Especially Organized Podcast joined by her husband Mike. Ladies, Angela will also be one of our speakers at this year’s Moms Day Out! So grab your 1 day or full weekend tickets today! This is going to be another fun and heartfelt episode in our marriage and family series that you won’t want to miss! Angela and Mike have been married for 27 years and live in Texas and have 2 adult children, with a daughter diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Having just celebrated World Down Syndrome Day on Mar 21st, we talked about advocacy, marriage and parenting, and a so much more. Eric and I really enjoyed connecting with these 2 and found that we had a crazy amount of similarities in this stage of life. Listen in to our conversation with Mike and Angela O’Brien.

TAP👇the link to Register for Moms Day Out conference retreat

https://hopeonthehardroad.regfox.com/moms-day-out-conference-may-2026

Bio:

Angela and Michael O’Brien met in the early 90’s while working as sales representatives for a paper company in St. Louis. As good friends and colleagues, they started dating when they both went off to graduate school. Married since 1997, they have a son living and working in Madison, WI and a 21-year-old daughter who has a diagnosis of Down Syndrome. Their journey as a family has been deeply enriched by the disability community. Angela has been an advocate since their daughter’s birth and is now a professional organizer and podcast host for moms of kids with special needs. Mike is co-founder of Roosevelt Capital Management, having met his business partner on the sidelines of a Special Olympics basketball game watching their girls. They live in Dallas, TX with their daughter and beloved dog, Coco.

Contacts:

Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @yourspacereclaimed ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Your Space Reclaimed ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Your Space Reclaimed Professional Organizing

For a family raising a child with special needs, life can be difficult. There are many storms to weather and struggles to address, and we often feel isolated and alone due to the nature of our circumstances. Families have a need to connect and find resources, a need to be encouraged, and a need for hope as we walk down what can be a very hard road at times. Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast was created for this purpose. Our vision is to grow a thriving community, where families with children of all ages with special needs can feel connected, be encouraged, and find hope for the road ahead. Connect with Us: If you enjoy this podcast please share us with others and be sure to follow us so won’t miss an episode. We’d love to hear from you so please leave us a comment or rating and connect with us on social media or on our website.

Email us: info@hopeonthehardroad.org

Website: https://hopeonthehardroad.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2621447987943459

Free Youtube Resource Library: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSAfvTkSy87X-fEqtVR2qvo7w9UQBuxz

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hope on the Hard Road, Inc. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, medical, or legal advice.

Family Series:

“The Significant Life of a Dad” with Marcus Jones

Welcome back to the Podcast. I am so excited to have Marcus Jones on the Podcast.

Marcus is Executive Director of HIS EYES, part of the family of foundations at In-N-Out Burger Corporation. Marcus works to provide hope, immediate support and sustainable solutions to those experiencing homelessness.

Marcus is a long-time advocate for adults with intellectual disabilities and father of four, including his oldest daughter with Down Syndrome. He has written multiple books, including “The Five-Minute Marriage Mentor,” and “Holding Hands with Grace,” which is all about his journey of fatherhood with a child with intellectual disabilities.

Let’s Listen in to my conversation with Marcus.

TAP👇the link to Register for Moms Day Out conference retreat

https://hopeonthehardroad.regfox.com/moms-day-out-conference-may-2026

Bio:

Marcus is a pastor, leader, creator and communicator with over 30 years of ministry experience. He is a long-time advocate for adults with intellectual disabilities and father of four, including her oldest daughter with Down Syndrome. He has written multiple books, including “The Five-Minute Marriage Mentor,” and “Holding Hands with Grace,” all about his journey of fatherhood with a child with intellectual disabilities. He founded “The Significant Life Foundation,” in 2024 to advance the cause of independent housing, employment and community for the intellectually disabled community. He serves on multiple non-profit boards and is the Executive Director of the HIS EYES Foundation to combat homelessness. Married over 25 years to his wife, Jen, Marcus enjoys traveling, Golfing and undiscovered cafes and cuisine.

facebook.com/jonestribe

https://jenandmarcusjones.com/marcus/

TAP👇the link to Register for Moms Day Out conference retreat

https://hopeonthehardroad.regfox.com/moms-day-out-conference-may-2026

For a family raising a child with special needs, life can be difficult. There are many storms to weather and struggles to address, and we often feel isolated and alone due to the nature of our circumstances. Families have a need to connect and find resources, a need to be encouraged, and a need for hope as we walk down what can be a very hard road at times. Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast was created for this purpose. Our vision is to grow a thriving community, where families with children of all ages with special needs can feel connected, be encouraged, and find hope for the road ahead.

Connect with Us:

If you enjoy this podcast please share us with others and be sure to follow us so won’t miss an episode. We’d love to hear from you so please leave us a comment or rating and connect with us on social media or on our website.

Email us: info@hopeonthehardroad.org

Website: https://hopeonthehardroad.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2621447987943459

Free Youtube Resource Library: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSAfvTkSy87X-fEqtVR2qvo7w9UQBuxz

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hope on the Hard Road, Inc. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, medical, or legal advice.