Avraham Zeren is a professional photographer specializing in art and portrait photography.

Avraham served in the IDF as a major sergeant in a religious unit, where part of his responsibility was identifying the bodies of fallen soldiers and helping ensure they were treated with dignity and brought to an honorable burial.

The experiences he endured during his military service left him with severe symptoms of PTSD, though for a long time he did not understand what was happening to him or why. His condition eventually became so overwhelming that, on February 24, he attempted to take his own life with his personal firearm.

Miraculously, Avraham survived.

What followed was a full year of physical and emotional recovery. That journey ultimately led him to begin sharing his story with others, hoping to show that a person can live through terrible experiences, carry their scars, and still build a meaningful life.

I am the "Neuro-Outlander". By day, I work as a Business Process Analyst; by night, I document my journey through the Instagram page Neuro Dad’s Diary. I’m no medical expert. As the only neurodivergent person in a household of five (four counting our dog Lola!), I navigate the complexities of leading a neurotypical family while fundamentally rewriting my own "operating system."

The only neurodivergent person in a house of five (if you include the dog...!), navigating the complexities of leading a neurotypical family while fundamentally rewriting my own "operating system." One year after the loss of my Mum to Stage 4 cancer, I received an ADHD diagnosis, an event that reframed my past and reshaped my future. This dual journey of navigating terminal illness, sensory grief, and late-life self-discovery has moved me away from the "standard dad" toward a parenting style defined by radical authenticity and honesty.

Dr. Bernard Gross, DDS, FAAPD, FICD, FACD

Dr. Bernard Gross has been caring for the children of Santa Monica since 1992, bringing a warm, modern approach to pediatric dentistry that puts both kids and parents at ease. Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Dr. Gross finished high school in West LA before completing his undergraduate studies at UCLA, earning a BS in Biology, and going on to receive his DDS from the Medical College of Virginia. He completed a two-year hospital-based pediatric dentistry residency at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and USC School of Dentistry, graduating as Chief Resident.

Dr. Gross is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, and the prestigious Pierre Fauchard Academy.

Dr. Laura Hernandez Santiago is a board-certified pediatrician who completed her medical training in Los Angeles, where she was born and raised. She is passionate about preventive health, lifestyle medicine, and helping children reach their fullest potential through individualized, family-centered care.

Drawing on her experience working with children of all ages and backgrounds, Dr. Hernandez frequently supports families navigating developmental concerns, including autism and other neurodevelopmental differences. She believes that no two children are the same and works closely with parents to understand each child's unique strengths, challenges, and needs. Dr. Hernandez is committed to addressing health disparities and increasing access to care, recognizing the important role that healthcare, education, public policy, and community support play in a child's development and well-being.

Dr Kleinman is a pediatric dentist in Los Angeles, CA. His practice focuses on infants, children, adolescents, and minors with special needs.

Milena is a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist specializing in autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Based in the Los Angeles area, she works with children and adults, focusing on the assessment and treatment of co-occurring psychiatric conditions through integrated, individualized care.

With a background in behavioral therapy and training in Pivotal Response Therapy, Milena brings both a medical and behavioral lens to her work. She believes that understanding the root of behavior is essential to accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, and is continually inspired by the resilience of the individuals and families she serves.

Naomi Lewis Afriat, LCSW, is a Licensed Social Worker who has spent 15 years working with teens, young adults, couples and families.
Naomi relocated to Los Angeles in 2020 after living in New York for 15 years. Before leaving New York, Naomi worked with teens, parents, and families in overcoming challenges. She also ran a crisis hotline for parents and provided support in clinical settings.

Naomi obtained her Masters in Social Work from Touro College in 2009. She also has a certificate in Crisis Counseling, is trained in EMDR and is a CSAT (Certified Sex Addiction Therapist). In her role as a CSAT and APSATS trained therapist, Naomi is passionate about supporting addicts, their spouses and their families struggling with sex addiction, betrayal, intimacy disorders and related issues. The majority of her work in this area is focused on supporting Betrayed Partners of addicts, and helping couples reconnect after betrayal.

Dr. Patty Kerrigan is an educational psychologist working in the children's cancer clinic at UCLA, providing psycho-social support and educational intervention to children going through treatment.

Through this work, Patty created a 501c3 non-profi t charity in 2008; ThinkAgain! Foundation, which provides funding for rehabilitation therapies for children who have been affected by cancer, brain tumors and hematologic disorders. These therapies are often denied or insufficiently covered by medical insurance. They fill this gap in funding so there are no out of pocket costs for the families. Therapies children may need following cancer and brain tumors may include cognitive rehabilitation, educational therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech and language therapy. Some families only need help with co-pays or special equipment like a gait trainer, while others may need full funding for therapies.

Dawley is a project management professional, author, and neurodiversity advocate based in Portland, Oregon. Drawing from her experiences navigating complex systems as an autistic professional, she developed the Guerrilla Mode™ framework to help people make intentional, values-driven decisions while protecting their well-being. Through her writing, speaking, and community leadership, Ella is passionate about equipping neurodivergent individuals—and anyone navigating today’s increasingly complex world—with practical tools to advocate for themselves, build meaningful careers, and create positive change.

Jessica Kligman is a San Fernando Valley native. She received a Bachelor of Arts in music from California State University, Northridge, and a certificate in music therapy from the Music Therapy Equivalency Distance Program at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, IN. Nearly half of Jessica’s teaching experience was with neurodiverse students and students with multiple disabilities, and out of this grew the desire to become a music therapist. She holds a teaching certificate in General Music K-12 in both California and New Jersey States, and taught music in the classroom in both states for a cumulative 20 years. Concurrently, Jessica was a registered teacher and center director of Music Together®, an evidence-based music and movement program for newborns through age four and their grown-ups. Jessica sings and plays piano, guitar, ukulele, world drums, recorder, and lap dulcimer. She also performs in non-profit community theater. 

Ilana Zackon (she/her) is a Canadian actor, writer, director, and creator. She has over 40 voice acting credits in commercials, animation and video games including Disciples: Liberation and Mordheim: City of the Damned. Ilana has performed on stages across North America, for companies including The Braid, Theatre Conspiracy and Radix Theatre. In 2014, Ilana founded the social issue theatre company Project X Performance, to raise awareness on the experiences of those living with mental health issues. Her short film, Grain, won the Toon Boom Award for Best 2D Animation at the Fantasia International Film Festival.

Ilana is also the former host of the Canadian Jewish News’ podcasts Culturally Jewish and Bonjour Chai. Ilana has written numerous articles for the Canadian Jewish News, including under her arts and life column The Jewish Nomad, and has also been published in Kveller. She is a vocalist and founding member of the Yiddish swing band, Di Svingers.

Marissa Cytryn is an Art Therapist and Certified DIR®/Floortime™ Provider who serves as a Clinical Coordinator at a DIR®/Floortime™ clinic, supporting children with autism and a wide variety of developmental differences. She integrates therapeutic art-making and play with developmental science to nurture emotional regulation, connection, and growth. Marissa is passionate about empowering families and helping children thrive through strong, attuned relationships with caregivers.

Mary Ann Hughes MBA, proud mother of children on the autism spectrum and founder of Special Family Transitions, supports parents navigating the complexities of divorce involving a child with a disability. As a Certified Special Needs Divorce Coach. Co-Parenting Specialist, Mediator, and Pre-Mediation Divorce Coach, Mary Ann can work with either one parent, or both coparents together, throughout the US and beyond.   Mary Ann shares practical guidance and encouragement to help parents confidently advocate for their children’s unique needs while easing the time, stress, and expense often associated with divorce and transitions.  She shares helpful information on many online platforms, including a TEDx Talk titled 'An Autism Mom's Advocacy Journey’. 

Mary Moran Heller was a human rights lawyer before the birth of her first child, Ryan. When Ryan was diagnosed with autism at age three, she left her career to dedicate herself to helping him. Raised with his two younger sisters on a farm in Sebastopol, CA, Ryan spent his school years in life-skills classes and was considered profoundly cognitively impaired.

After Ryan aged out of school, Mary read Underestimated: An Autism Miracle by J.B. Handley, about a nonspeaking autistic young man who learned to communicate through spelling. Mary tried the method with Ryan, and his intelligence and inner life emerged. Today, Ryan is a poet, lyricist, math major, and advocate for other nonspeaking people. He has friendships and a girlfriend who also communicates through spelling. Ryan believes experts must listen to autistic people who have found their voices and takes seriously his role advocating for those still unable to communicate. As Ryan says, he loves his life.

I am the Pastor of God's Pueblo, an open bilingual (Eng, Span) and affirming congregational church of about 25 people in Boyle Heights. Our majority Latino, Hispanic, and Indigenous congregation is primarily non-neurotypical, navigating mental health challenges, or physically differently abled. True inclusion is our DNA; during worship, pacing, fidgets, noise-canceling headphones, dimmed lights, and drawing during sermons are entirely normalized. Outside the pulpit, I am a caregiver and family friend to twin adult brothers on the autism spectrum who are selectively mute. I also use puppetry during a section of our Sunday service called "Loving Matters,” where characters Doña Queja and Ms. Religiosa help our community process current news and real-world frustrations with radical empathy.

With over 20 years in education and a decade of experience as the Associate Director of Admissions at two independent schools in Los Angeles, Priya Nambiar understands the private school admissions landscape from an insider’s perspective. As an Educational Consultant and founder of Nambiar Advising, she focuses on pre-school through 12th grade and helps her clients through every aspect of the application process, from managing timelines and strengthening applications to understanding the cultures of the various schools. Priya attended Crystal Springs Upland School, a private school in the Bay Area, and earned a B.A. in Education from Brown University and a Masters of Education from Harvard University.

Rabbi Robbie is a dynamic leader at the intersection of faith, personal growth, and social innovation. While he serves as a spiritual leader at Beth Jacob Congregation in Beverly Hills, his passion for connection and meaningful living extends far beyond the pulpit. As the CEO of GVNG, a pioneering platform that empowers individuals and brands to launch impactful philanthropic initiatives, and the founder of SAGE Philanthropy Advisors, Rabbi Robbie helps celebrities, athletes, and corporations align their values with transformative social good. Whether in the synagogue, the boardroom, or around the Shabbat table, his mission remains the same: to help people discover the good within themselves and use it to change the world.

Sanjay Nambiar is the Founder of Sanjay Nambiar Coaching. He leverages decades of executive and professional experience, as well as deep experience in the arts and creative industry, to bring unique perspectives to individuals and organizations who want to change for the better. Prior to becoming a sought-after wellness and life coach, Sanjay founded and ran Tengo Communications, a copywriting and branding firm, for over 10 years. He also was an investment banker with Hambrecht & Quist (now part of JPMorgan Chase) and co-founded Nambiar Advising, an educational consulting firm. In addition, Sanjay wrote five award-winning children’s books. Sanjay graduated with honors with degrees in Neurobiology and Economics from U.C. Berkeley, earned an MBA from UCLA, and holds a coaching certification from the Integrated Wellness Academy.

Taylor Cole, Founder and Chairman of the Board for Burble Creativity Inc. in Murrieta, CA, joins The Jackson Robol Show to share his mission of inspiring innovation and creativity through community-driven programs.

Taylor Cole is the founder of Burble Creativity, an experiential storytelling platform designed to support neurodivergent minds.

With over 20 years of experience in tech and innovation and as a current CTO for NAVSEA, Taylor’s work bridges engineering, creativity, and neuroscience. After being diagnosed as an adult with Audio Processing Disorder, he reframed his neurodivergence as a strength and created Minimally Defined Immersion (MDI), a storytelling approach that allows individuals to engage, regulate, and imagine in ways traditional systems often do not allow.

What began as a personal solution has become a powerful tool for children and families to experience stories and themselves differently.

Uma Nambiar is from Los Angeles, California. She attended the Archer School for Girls and is currently enrolled in Tulane University. Her struggle with epilepsy has shaped her into who she is today, and she hopes that openly talking about her past with Sunflower Syndrome can help others feel heard and seen.