In this episode, we welcome Heidi Kershaw, the CEO of Multiple, a nonprofit organization focused on funding and incubating transformative tech solutions for people with autism. Rather than focusing on cure research or direct service to families, Multiple operates as a technology incubator, supporting scalable for-profit solutions. The conversation explores Heidi's personal journey as a mother of a neurodivergent child and how that led her to her work at Multiple. The episode highlights the importance of connectivity and acceptance for individuals with autism and how technology can play a role in enhancing their lives. Tune in to learn more about Multiple's innovative approach to addressing the challenges faced by the autism community.

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“If we did a better job at trying to trust one another, that we have good intentions, I think the world would look a lot different."

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Topics covered:

[00:04:18] Relationship with autism mourned.

[00:08:25] Parenting a child with autism.

[00:12:23] Autism education and understanding.

[00:18:10] Nonprofits and mission-driven work.

[00:20:10] Creating a product for autism.

[00:27:09] Bringing tech products to market.

[00:32:55] Wearable for understanding communication.

[00:36:05] Safety concerns for those with autism.

[00:39:08] Receptive language development.

[00:44:05] Job programs and economic growth.

[00:47:32] Corporations supporting neurodivergent individuals.

[00:55:14] Long waitlists for autism services.

[00:59:13] Wearing a suit for acceptance.

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Links mentioned:

https://www.multiplehub.org/

https://www.valencevibrations.com/

https://www.socialciphergame.com/

https://cogniable.tech/

https://altruous.org

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Guest links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidikershaw/