Danielle M. Ryer, Autistic MSW & Entertainer

About

Microphone and mixer used for radio broadcasting (Stock photo)

Dr. Comedian’s first radio show, The Best Medicine first premiered on 91.5 WDBK (Camden County College Radio) in September 2018.

The Best Medicine (TBM) is now a podcast on YouTube. At TBM, we are radically authentic. We will never censor your experience, we only ask you to be as open with us as you are comfortable being. We look for comedians, mental health workers, advocates, and anyone else who has a story to share or a discussion to be had. TBM welcomes and embraces all walks of life and identities.

Behind Dr. Comedian

Danielle performing stand-up in Ventnor, NJ
Stand-up in Ventnor, NJ

Danielle began performing as “Dr. Comedian” attending open mics and performing stand-up comedy in Spring 2014, after a teacher said she “looked kind of sad.” Through work in The Best Medicine, she aims to both reach and teach others that the world stinks sometimes – but you don’t, and with the right kind of help, you can overcome what life throws at you.

History

Young Danielle Ryer
Young Danielle

Dr. Comedian, previously known as Danielle Ryer (as she’s yet to change her name to “Dr. Comedian” legally) grew up in South Jersey. She began her time on earth approximately 30-something years ago, but what brought her here she can’t quite remember. It might have involved copious amounts of alcohol, or someone forgetting to take a right turn at Jupiter.

Education

Danielle graduated from Rowan University in 2016 with two Baccalaureate degrees: one in Philosophy & World Religions, and the other in Psychology. Shortly after her 2017 graduation, she began attending Rutgers Master of Social Work program at Rutgers University, and completed her degree requirements in 2021, recieving her Master of Social Work degree in 2022. She completed her advanced practicum placement at Crisis Text Line, where she had previously volunteered several years prior; during her foundational level graduate experience, provided psychoeducation services in Guangzhou, and supportive social services to the elderly and outpatient services to neurodivergent individuals and their families. She completed her degree requirements for the Master’s program at Rutgers University’s School of Social Work in December 2021 and finally received her MSW in May 2022, after more than 11 straight years of continuous college education. Mistakes were made along the way, but those mistakes refined her and guided her towards the education she needed to improve.

Talen at Rutgers University, New Brunswick: Just prior to graduation.
My reflections after graduating from Rutgers University School of Social Work

Activism

Danielle provides a safe space for anyone to ask questions about culturally competent approaches to supporting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and helping families coexist. She enthusiastically provides education through radio, television, stage, movie, and broadcast and media services.

Current Projects

Danielle is currently providing nonclinical community support and speaking services for the neurodivergent community. She has an active substitute teacher certification, and enjoys performing stand-up comedy. She is also writing a book about what it has been like to become an autistic social worker.

Her coaching and psychoeducation work involves a significant amount of research-backed methods to help the people she serves, as well as in supporting those who serve others. Danielle’s recommended readings.

Outside of a professional sphere, she loves yarn, acting, video games, science, philosophy, psychology, medicine/nutrition/health, biology, reading, writing, animals, reading, martial arts, blogging, anime, and you. (Marry me.)

(By the way, if a future partner sees this, I’m probably just kidding.)

Fun Times

I love fun. I love traveling. I love being silly.

Daneille posing in front of a Quick Stop GROCERIES store in Leonardo, NJ
Quick Stop in Leonardo, NJ.
(Kevin Smith is a huge inspiration!)
Danielle 'inspecting' eggs
Don’t forget to check the eggs!

May be an image of standing, outdoors and monument
The Forbidden City, in Guangzhou, China
May be an image of 1 person and standing
Open mic (2022)


Let’s Connect [Social Media].

Disability Advocacy & Coaching FB Page (& About My Services)
DJ & Stand-Up Comic Dr. Comedian (FB)
YouTube
: Watch My Content
Support My Work: Help Me Help Others & Create More Content

Note: I am an autistic MSW and comedian with the initials “D.R.” I am not a doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist, etc. I do not provide therapy, clinical, or medical services. I deliberately chose not to separate my comedy website from my professional page because my work as a woman who remains in humorous spirits, regardless of how I am feeling, is part of who I am. In reflection of this, my comedy site will not be separated from my community services work.

Nothing on this page or website should otherwise be construed as medical advice or otherwise assumed to constitute a professional, medical, or otherwise therapeutic relationship.