🎙 Safe Talk Podcast: Autism, Suicide Prevention & The Power of Checking In with Karol Santistevan, MS, OTR/L, ASDCS🎙

In this insightful episode of Safe Talk, host Jenny Hunter speaks with Karol Santistevan, founder of Ropes and Roses Therapy Services, to explore a critical but often overlooked topic—the heightened suicide risk among autistic individuals.

Jenny and Karol discuss why autism is rarely included in mainstream suicide statistics and how cognitive inflexibility, social isolation, and mental health challenges can increase risk. Karol shares insights from her exclusive interview with Dr. Temple Grandin, offering a deeper understanding of sensory processing, neurodiversity, and how mental health professionals can be more inclusive.

💡 Key Takeaways:

✔️ Autistic individuals are at a significantly higher risk of suicide than the general population.

✔️ Cognitive inflexibility can make it difficult for someone to see alternatives to their struggles.

✔️ Bullying, masking, and societal stigma contribute to higher distress levels.

✔️ The power of curiosity over judgment—learning to ask why someone experiences the world differently instead of making assumptions.

✔️ The importance of checking in—with others and with yourself—before things reach a crisis point.

✔️ How animal-assisted therapy and nature-based approaches provide meaningful support.

Karol also previews her upcoming presentation at the Wyoming Counseling Association’s Spring Webinar (April 5, 2025), featuring her recorded conversation with Temple Grandin.

🔗 Tune in to learn how we can replace judgment with curiosity, check in before it’s too late, and create a world that truly values neurodiversity.

Karol Santistevan, MS, OTR/L, ASDCS

Karol is an occupational therapist specializing in mental health utilizing equine and animal-assisted therapy. She is the founder of Ropes and Roses Therapy Services in Casper, WY, where she integrates nature-based therapy approaches to support individuals with autism, PTSD, and other neurodevelopmental challenges. In addition to her clinical work, Karol teaches at Casper College and continuously researches best practices in the field of occupational therapy. She is a Clinical specialist for Autism Spectrum Disorder. (ASDCS) and an accredited ICDL - Home of DIRFloortime® Practitioner.

“Safe Talk” is hosted by Jenny Hunter, founder of the global suicide prevention movement J.R.’s Hunt For Life. Voiceover courtesy of Billy Floyd, media broadcaster and positive influencer.

Featuring music by “Sounds of Soul”, courtesy of Fearless Motivation, this episode is produced by Angel Mountain Media.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and support our life-saving mission. “Safe Talk” is available on Apple Music, iTunes, Audible, Spotify, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and more.