Voices Beyond the Spectrum

About Voices Beyond the Spectrum

Voices Beyond the Spectrum: Resource Hub Edition is a podcast dedicated to educating, empowering, and connecting families navigating disability, neurodiversity, and caregiving. Hosted by Karla Chinen, each episode brings together parents, caregivers, neurodivergent individuals, siblings, advocates, and professionals for meaningful conversations that blend lived experience with practical resources. Through personal stories, honest discussions, and expert insights, we explore the realities of raising and supporting individuals with disabilities while highlighting tools, services, programs, and strategies that can make a meaningful difference in everyday life. The Resource Hub Edition expands beyond storytelling by creating a space where specialists, educators, therapists, service providers, attorneys, researchers, and community leaders can share valuable information directly with families. Our goal is to bridge the gap between lived experience and professional expertise, helping listeners better understand the resources available to them and how to access meaningful support. Whether you're a parent seeking guidance, a caregiver looking for community, a neurodivergent individual sharing your voice, a sibling navigating your unique role, or a professional passionate about making a difference, there is a place for you here. Because when we learn together, connect together, and lead with empathy, we build stronger communities for everyone. Come as you are. Your voice matters here.

Publisher

Karla Chinen

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Apr 2025

Latest episode

19 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

35 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Sept 2026

   Inland Regional Center Series: Building Connections Through Community Engagement

   Welcome to a special Inland Regional Center series of Voices Beyond the Spectrum: Resource Hub Edition. In this episode, host Karla Chinen welcomes Monica Munguía, Program Manager of Inland Regional Center’s Community Engagement Team. Since 2013, Monica has served clients and families within the Regional Center and Special Education systems while promoting community empowerment, collaboration, equity, and transparency. Monica discusses the importance of creating meaningful dialogue among clients, families, Inland Regional Center representatives, legislators, and community partners. She shares how strong relationships can amplify the community’s voice, encourage collaboration, and help strengthen the services and resources available to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Listeners will also learn more about the Community Engagement Team, inclusive events, multilingual resources, community partnerships, and ways families can stay informed and connected. At the heart of Monica’s work is a powerful belief: we find purpose through service. To learn more about Inland Regional Center, explore available services and resources, or view upcoming events, please visit the links below: Inland Regional Center Website: https://www.inlandrc.org/ Community Calendar: https://www.inlandrc.org/calendar/ Follow Inland Regional Center on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/inlandregionalcenter InlandRegional Community Engagement Email: community@inlandrc.org Listen to Voices Beyond the Spectrum on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, and YouTube. This episode is brought to you by Empathy for Autism California, Inc.

2. 

   28 Aug 2026

   Part 1 of 3: IEPs & ESY: Beyond the Acronyms with Donald Christ CAS Evaluations

   Welcome to Part 1 of our special three part series of Voices Beyond the Spectrum: Resource Hub Edition. In this episode, host Karla Chinen sits down with Donald Ghrist, LEP, Licensed Educational Psychologist, to take a deeper look at Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Extended School Year (ESY) services. For many families, receiving an IEP can feel overwhelming. Present levels, goals, services, accommodations, placement, progress monitoring, and all of the terminology can be a lot to understand. In this conversation, we break it down into practical, everyday language. We discuss the different sections of an IEP, how assessments and identified needs connect to goals and services, the importance of parent participation, accommodations and supports, progress monitoring, placement, and what families should pay attention to when reviewing their child's educational program. We also discuss Extended School Year (ESY), what it is, how it differs from traditional summer school, and what families should understand when ESY is being considered for their child. The goal of this conversation is to help families move beyond simply receiving an IEP and instead better understand what is inside of it, why each section matters, and how they can participate more confidently in educational decision making. And this is only Part 1. In Part 2, we dive into Assessments, Reports, and Understanding Data, including scores, percentiles, strengths, areas of need, and what evaluation results actually mean. In Part 3, we discuss Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs), including what they are, when families may request one, selecting an evaluator, and what families should understand about the process. 🎙️ Voices Beyond the Spectrum: Resource Hub Edition is brought to you by Empathy for Autism California, Inc. Listen on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Listen. Learn. Ask questions. Use your voice. For more information of Donald Ghrist or CAS Evaluations: Website: https://casevals.com https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580467331579&sfnsn=mo&mibextid=RUbZ

3. 

   25 Aug 2026

   Who Will Take Care of My Child? Special Needs Trusts and Proxy Parenting Explained: Proxy Parent Foundation

   In this Resource Hub Edition of Voices Beyond the Spectrum, host Karla Chinen speaks with Carol Larkin, Director of Client Relations, and Carmen Bowen, Executive Director of Proxy Parent Foundation. Together, they discuss special needs trusts, personal support services, public benefits, and practical steps families can take to prepare for their loved one’s future. The conversation also addresses eligibility, common misconceptions, how to begin planning, crisis-support examples, and how thoughtful preparation can provide families with greater stability and peace of mind. Learn more about Proxy Parent Foundation at www.proxyparentfoundation.org. Voices Beyond the Spectrum is brought to you by Empathy for Autism California, Inc. Listen, follow, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Podbean.

Who has been a guest on Voices Beyond the Spectrum

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Alicia Prieto
• Leonel Zuno
• Leonel "Leo" Zuno
• Brooke Wagner
• Beth Avenia

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 17 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

20

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Voices Beyond the Spectrum

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Voices Beyond the Spectrum