Range of neurodevelopmental disorders
POPULARITY
Categories
Welcome to another edition of This Week in Autistic Culture, our Sunday magazine podcast that brings together the stories, conversations and ideas shaping Autistic culture each week.This week, Angela and Simon turn their attention to Channel 4 documentary The Great ADHD Myth and the backlash it has received from the ADHD community. They discuss its claims around diagnosis and medication, the decision to centre the experiences of a ten-year-old boy, and what happens when mainstream media tells stories about neurodivergent people without meaningfully including the communities at the centre of them.Simon also reflects on his own experience of ADHD medication, from finding the right dose to the difference it has made to his life, as Angela and Simon explore the wider narratives around overdiagnosis, masking and the idea that people must be visibly struggling for their neurodivergence to be considered legitimate.As always, we'll also take you through everything coming up across the Autistic Culture Podcast Network this week, including the launch of The Still Growing Up Film Club, a new Mindful Mondays, Autistic Menopause and plenty more from across the network.Plus, we head to the Community Notice Board for books, events and opportunities from across the wider Autistic community.
Dr Judith Mohring is an award winning Cambridge-educated psychiatrist and psychotherapist specialising in ADHD, autism and mental health. In this episode, she explores why understanding yourself doesn't always lead to healing, how overthinking can become a form of emotional avoidance, and what it really takes to reconnect with yourself after years of masking. Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 02:13 “I don't know who I really am” 03:54 Why understanding yourself doesn't always lead to healing 08:09 Why you can understand your brain and still feel trapped 10:15 When analysing yourself stops you feeling 12:06 Analysing emotions vs processing them 16:34 Why ADHD can make therapy harder 19:26 Why ADHD brains analyse themselves so deeply 23:07 When hyperfocus turns inward 24:32 How masking disconnects you from yourself 28:21 Tiimo advert 29:49 Why years of therapy can leave you feeling the same 31:17 When therapy becomes another intellectual exercise 35:41 Where does healing actually begin? 36:33 Interoception: learning to feel what's happening inside 38:59 How a therapist helps you feel safe 40:25 How ADHD and autistic people begin to heal 46:01 How to stop analysing and start feeling 47:18 How do you know if you're healing? 49:09 The Washing Machine of Woes 49:52 Finding yourself after decades of masking 51:02 Do you find your true self — or create it? 53:00 Is overthinking a form of emotional avoidance? 54:05 A letter to my younger self Visit Judith's website
Creating a Family: Talk about Infertility, Adoption & Foster Care
Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks!Question: I recently received an autism diagnosis in my mid-30s. I have relatively low support needs and am working with my therapist to identify the best ways to manage my energy. I think I could still be a good foster parent, but will it be an issue for an agency?Resources:Adult Autism Diagnosis Tool Kit – from Autism SpeaksAutistic Self Advocacy NetworkSo You Want to Be a Foster ParentSupport the showPlease leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by www.CreatingaFamily.org. We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them.Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content:Weekly podcastsWeekly articles/blog postsResource pages on all aspects of family building
*Buy a EZ "DEFECTOR" hoodieNote: "Act 2" will be a separate published audio podcast.*Check out EZ's morning radio show "The InZane Asylum Q100 Michigan with Eric Zane" Click here*Get a FREE 7 day trial to Patreon to "try it out."*Watch the show live, daily at 8AM EST on Twitch! Please click here to follow the page.Email the show on the Shoreliners Striping inbox: eric@ericzaneshow.comTopics*Steevigh's Patreon show and tell.*Electric Forest porta-potty baby update.*Grill scraper recall!*Autistic kid at ballgame annoys everyone.*Gladys Knight is still "performing" and people are concerned.*Dude is killing it with his Luke Combs roasting.*Twitch streamer's Mom beats his ass on livestream.*Dude scams various women out of millions impersonating a member of the San Francisco 49ers.*Bitch ass robot fails at weightlifting.*Asshole of the day brought to you by Uncle John's Gravel Road RaceSponsors:West Michigan Whitecaps, Uncle John's Gravel Road Race, Main Street Exchange Pawn Shop in Madison, Tennessee,Kuiper Tree Care, Frank Fuss / My Policy Shop Insurance, Kings Room Barbershop, Shoreliners, Ervines Auto Repair Grand Rapids Hybrid & EV,Interested in advertising? Email eric@ericzaneshow.com and let me design a marketing plan for you.Contact: Shoreliners Striping inbox eric@ericzaneshow.comDiscord LinkEZSP TikTokSubscribe to my YouTube channelHire me on Cameo!Tshirts available herePlease subscribe, rate & write a review on Apple Podcastspatreon.com/ericzaneInstagram: ericzaneshowTwitterAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
*Buy a EZ "DEFECTOR" hoodieNote: "Act 1" was a separate published audio podcast.*Check out EZ's morning radio show "The InZane Asylum Q100 Michigan with Eric Zane" Click here*Get a FREE 7 day trial to Patreon to "try it out."*Watch the show live, daily at 8AM EST on Twitch! Please click here to follow the page.Email the show on the Shoreliners Striping inbox: eric@ericzaneshow.comTopics*Steevigh's Patreon show and tell.*Electric Forest porta-potty baby update.*Grill scraper recall!*Autistic kid at ballgame annoys everyone.*Gladys Knight is still "performing" and people are concerned.*Dude is killing it with his Luke Combs roasting.*Twitch streamer's Mom beats his ass on livestream.*Dude scams various women out of millions impersonating a member of the San Francisco 49ers.*Bitch ass robot fails at weightlifting.*Asshole of the day brought to you by Uncle John's Gravel Road RaceSponsors:West Michigan Whitecaps, Uncle John's Gravel Road Race, Main Street Exchange Pawn Shop in Madison, Tennessee,Kuiper Tree Care, Frank Fuss / My Policy Shop Insurance, Kings Room Barbershop, Shoreliners, Ervines Auto Repair Grand Rapids Hybrid & EV,Interested in advertising? Email eric@ericzaneshow.com and let me design a marketing plan for you.Contact: Shoreliners Striping inbox eric@ericzaneshow.comDiscord LinkEZSP TikTokSubscribe to my YouTube channelHire me on Cameo!Tshirts available herePlease subscribe, rate & write a review on Apple Podcastspatreon.com/ericzaneInstagram: ericzaneshowTwitterAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
In this episode of The Autistic Culture Podcast, hosts Dr. Angela Kingdon and Matt Lowry, LPP, dig into the rich world of Autistic food culture—exploring safe foods, same foods, and the deep comfort Autistic people find in ritualized eating.
In this week's Reddit Stories episode, Jordan and Simon unpack another selection of dilemmas involving autism, ADHD, relationships and the realities of being neurodivergent.They begin with a parent who invites an entire class to her son's birthday party — except for one autistic child. Jordan and Simon discuss exclusion, ableism, reasonable accommodations and the lasting impact of being the child who is always left out.Next, they explore another neurodivergent dilemma and the assumptions people make about behaviour, asking where personal responsibility ends and understanding someone's disability begins.The conversation then turns to the complicated ways neurodivergent traits can be interpreted by the people around us, including executive dysfunction, forgetfulness and behaviours that can easily be mistaken for laziness or a lack of care.Finally, a woman takes to Reddit to describe her husband as stupid, prompting a discussion about ADHD, dyslexia, executive dysfunction, relationships, resentment and what happens when the person you love doesn't understand the way your brain works.*The stories discussed in this episode are public Reddit posts. Titles may be shortened for readability, and all opinions expressed are those of the original posters.• AITA for inviting my sons entire class except for one child because of his autism?• AITA for disagreeing with my daughter's ADHD diagnosis?• My speech disability has ruined my life and I think I will never amount to anything.• My husband is so dumb and I think I need to leave him because of itOur Sponsors:
Wow, this is a sensitive topic. And remember that every person with autism has a different experience. But Claire O'Neill is a teacher and she's telling her story of school. Claire can see the roof of her old primary school from her classroom window. She remembers walking up to the school door with that gnawing, upset feeling in her stomach and the itchy, scratchy uniform that made her so uncomfortable. She says the room was either too hot or too cold. It was almost always too loud, and she says it was smelly. Claire got in trouble a lot. Now, that she's studied autism, she understands better why. Claire has spent more than twenty years teaching autistic students and is a PhD researcher at University College Cork (Ireland) studying what school is actually like for autistic teachers. Claire shares her story from an educational perspective. A full-circle moment of a PhD expert teacher reflecting upon the girl she used to be and advocating to help us all understand how to help children like her. My Mom was one of the most compassionate, intuitive teachers I've ever known. She always said when I had a student who learned differently and I would accommodate for the whole class, everyone in the classroom learned better. Claire says the same thing. She also talks about the importance of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). She also encourages us to listen to our learners. Believe them when they tell you how they experience your room. And to act upon what they tell us. Claire is an expert, but I'm not. While I've taught some precious students with autism and most of them thrived in my classroom (one early in my career, I wish I could go back and use strategies I know now.) I share this story with sensitivity and the knowledge that I don't know what I don't know but I know it is important to listen. And isn't that what Claire tells us in the show? I hope this show makes us all more empathetic on this Wonderful Classroom Wednesday because not every child actually thinks our classroom is wonderful and we need to listen and learn to make it better. Show notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e977
How does DIRFloortime® meet autistic needs in a neurodiversity-affirming way?In this third episode of the Rethinking Autism Therapy mini-series, Daria Brown is joined by autistic self-advocate, researcher, and ICDL Board President Dr. Emile Gouws to explore how the DIR® model aligns with autistic lived experience and why relationships, respect, and understanding are essential for meaningful development.Drawing on his own experiences growing up as a nonspeaking autistic child, Emile shares the challenges of being viewed through a medical-model lens, the trauma of compliance-based interventions, and the profound impact of finally being seen, understood, and supported through a relationship-based approach. Together, Daria and Emile discuss how DIRFloortime® differs from approaches focused on normalization by emphasizing individual differences, emotional development, authentic communication, and connection.The conversation highlights how autistic development may look different from neurotypical development, why practitioners must be mindful of ableist assumptions, and how play, co-regulation, and meaningful relationships create the conditions for growth. They also explore the role of neurodiversity, self-advocacy, sensory differences, and the Double Empathy Problem in shaping a more affirming understanding of autism.Learn more:
What happens when the cognitive strengths you've relied upon your entire life suddenly stop working?In this episode, Sam Galloway (she/her) explores the neurological impact of menopause on the autistic brain. Through personal examples of memory loss, executive dysfunction, shutdowns, meltdowns, speech difficulties and skill regression, she examines how hormonal changes can amplify existing neurodivergent traits and create challenges that extend far beyond typical descriptions of brain fog.Sam discusses autistic burnout, involuntary unmasking, sensory overwhelm, loss of independence, and the fear that accompanies sudden changes in cognition and identity. She also shares some of the strategies, accommodations and treatments that have helped her navigate this difficult period.For many listeners, this episode may provide language for experiences that have previously felt impossible to explain.Content Warning: This episode includes frank discussion of mental health crisis and suicidal thoughts, alongside experiences of autistic burnout, medical care, and menopause. Please take care while listening and skip any sections that may be difficult for you.Resources mentioned or relevant:
In this episode, I sit down with award-winning psychiatrist Dr Asif Bachlani to explore what it really feels like to live with both ADHD and autism. We uncover 5 hidden signs of masking AuDHD, the contradictions that can make life feel exhausting, the loneliness of feeling different, and the emotional impact of receiving a diagnosis later in life. Dr Asif also shares the assessment he'll never forget, and the true cost of spending years hiding who you really are. Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 01:56 Why Dr Asif Bachlani Dedicated His Life to ADHD & Autism 04:22 The Patient Who Changed Everything for Dr Asif 07:02 What Neurodivergent People Can Teach Us About Being Human 08:39 The Sentence Dr Asif Hears After Almost Every Diagnosis 12:58 The Hidden Grief of a Late ADHD or Autism Diagnosis 16:47 The Contradictions of Living With AuDHD 21:04 What People With AuDHD Fear Being Judged For 24:52 Is Masking a Choice — or Does It Happen Automatically? 27:05 The AuDHD Assessment Dr Asif Will Never Forget 36:43 Why AuDHD Can Feel So Incredibly Lonely 41:21 Tiimo advert 43:05 Sign #1 You're Masking AuDHD 45:40 Sign #2 You're Masking AuDHD 48:19 Sign #3 You're Masking AuDHD 50:25 Sign #4 You're Masking AuDHD 53:29 The True Cost of Never Unmasking 01:02:11 Sign #5 You're Masking AuDHD 01:02:54 Washing Machine of Woes: Your Questions Answered 01:05:24 A Letter to My Younger Self Get 30% off an annual Tiimo subscription
Welcome to another edition of This Week in Autistic Culture, our Sunday magazine podcast that brings together the stories, conversations and ideas shaping Autistic culture each week.Content note: This episode contains discussion of suicide, suicidal ideation and public harassment.This week, Angela and Simon reflect on the death of Professor Jason Arday and the pressures that can come with being a highly visible Autistic person. They discuss public scrutiny, the way successful Autistic people can be placed on impossible pedestals, and what happens when institutions fail to protect people during periods of intense vulnerability.They also turn to Robbie Williams following his recent comments about being Autistic, asking why autism is so often used to explain someone's struggles or differences, but rarely recognised as part of the creativity, innovation and perspective behind their success.Later, Angela takes us inside the 2026 Neurodiversity Index Report, including the striking gap between the number of employers who believe their workplaces are neuroinclusive and the neurodivergent employees who actually feel supported.As always, we'll also take you through everything happening across the Autistic Culture Podcast Network this week, with new episodes exploring writing, drinking and masking, Autistic menopause, autism therapy, PDA, Reddit and more.Plus, we head to the Community Notice Board for books, events and opportunities from across the wider Autistic community.
Christian/Christine Weston Chandler is a human feedback loop. Autistic and obsessed with documenting his own life and obsessions - video games, anime, the search for a boyfriend-free girl, etc - he has uploaded countless hours of rambling autobiography onto the internet. This, in turn, has attracted a group of people dedicated to assembling and examining the output of Chris Chan. Now for the feedback loop: Chris noticed that he was getting attention, and certain followers weren't happy to be passive observers. The experience of being observed by a diffuse cloud of anonymous and pseudonymous people - some trolls, some benevolent, some neutral - led to a behavioural doom spiral ending (for now) in Chris' imprisonment and release for having sex with his demented mother (which was, naturally, documented).Neither Capitalisimo nor I are CWC scholars. Rather than offer the thousandth account of this poor man's life, we elected to read his most consequential artistic work, the Sonichu comic book series, and analyse it as a standalone piece of literature. The result? Confusion, disorientation. I had a splitting headache after a few hours of reading.Chris Chan's deep lore (cognitohazard): https://sonichu.com/cwcki/Main_PageVERY IMPORTANT INFORMATIONContact: jack.bcfh@gmail.comJack has an upcoming novel called 'Audience Capture', out October 2026 through Bonfire Books! Preorder now! https://bonfirebooks.org/product/audience-capture-by-jack-cuthbertson-pre-order/Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/bookclubfromhellOur Patreon: www.patreon.com/TheBookClubfromHellJack's Substack: jackbc.substack.comJoin our Discord (the best place to interact with us): discord.gg/ZMtDJ9HscrWatch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0n7r1ZTpsUw5exoYxb4aKA/featuredX: @bookclubhell666Jack on X: @supersquat1Capitalisimo on X: @thecapitalisimoArt by moog
Listen to all my reddit storytime episodes in the background in this easy playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_wX8l9EBnOM303JyilY8TTSrLz2e2kRGThis is the Redditor podcast! Here you will find all of Redditor's best Reddit stories from his YouTube channel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of The Autistic Culture Podcast, hosts Dr. Angela Kingdon and Matt Lowry, LPP dive into the fascinating world of musician, producer, historian, and DJ Questlove (Amir Khalib Thompson)—who briefly revealed his childhood autism diagnosis in his 2013 memoir.
Could One Page Change Your Child's School Year? A Free Tool to Help the Adults in Their World Truly Understand Them If you're the parent of an autistic or ADHD child, you know how exhausting it can be to explain your child to every new teacher, therapist, physician, coach, tutor, or camp counselor. You hope they'll understand your child's strengths, communication style, sensory needs, executive functioning challenges, and what helps them thrive—but those conversations don't always happen the way you'd hoped. In this episode of The Autism ADHD Podcast, I'm introducing a brand-new FREE resource designed to make those conversations easier. The Get to Know My Child Snapshot is a one-page, fillable tool that helps the adults in your child's world understand who they are before assumptions, misunderstandings, or unnecessary struggles begin. Whether your child is autistic, ADHD, or both, this practical resource can help create stronger relationships, reduce anxiety, and support better outcomes at school, in therapy, at medical appointments, during extracurricular activities, and beyond. As a psychologist who has spent nearly three decades supporting neurodivergent children, teens, and their families, I've seen firsthand how understanding changes everything. When adults understand why a child communicates differently, struggles with executive functioning, experiences sensory overload, or responds in unexpected ways, they're far more likely to respond with compassion, support, and effective accommodations instead of frustration or correction. In this episode, you'll learn: Why autistic and ADHD children often begin the school day already feeling anxious or overwhelmed. How misunderstandings can increase anxiety, self-esteem challenges, and school avoidance. Why communication differences are often mistaken for defiance, disrespect, or lack of motivation. How sensory differences and executive functioning challenges affect learning, participation, and emotional regulation. Why understanding a child's strengths is just as important as understanding their challenges. How therapists can use the Get to Know My Child Snapshot to support self-awareness, self-advocacy, and collaboration with families. How one simple tool can help teachers, therapists, physicians, coaches, tutors, camp counselors, and other caregivers better support autistic and ADHD children. What's Included in the FREE Get to Know My Child Snapshot? Your download includes: Three one-page fillable PDF formats. Completed examples to make completing the Snapshot simple. Sections for strengths and interests. Communication preferences. Executive functioning. Sensory needs. Emotional regulation. Social interaction. Helpful supports and accommodations. Behavior as communication. It takes about five minutes to complete and can be updated as your child grows and their needs change. This Episode Is Perfect For: Parents of autistic and ADHD children and teens. Mental health therapists, psychologists, counselors, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists. Teachers, school counselors, and other educators. Pediatricians and medical professionals. Coaches, tutors, camp counselors, caregivers, and anyone who supports neurodivergent children. Download Your FREE Get to Know My Child Snapshot Parents Click Here If you're getting ready for a new school year, beginning therapy, meeting a new physician, starting a new activity, or simply want the important adults in your child's life to better understand them, download your FREE Get to Know My Child Snapshot today. Therapists, are you ready for real, neurodiversity-affirming continuing education trainings? If you thought, "YESS!" CLICK HERE. About The Autism ADHD Podcast The Autism ADHD Podcast provides neurodiversity-affirming information for parents, therapists, educators, and other professionals supporting autistic and ADHD children and teens. Each episode combines practical strategies, current research, and lived experience to help adults better understand neurodivergent children while supporting their mental health, emotional well-being, relationships, and long-term success. If This Episode Helped You... Please follow The Autism ADHD Podcast, leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and share this episode with another parent, therapist, educator, physician, or coach. Every review and share helps more families discover neurodiversity-affirming support and resources. And if you know someone who's preparing for a new school year, starting therapy, or meeting new providers, please send them this episode—and don't forget to download your FREE Get to Know My Child Snapshot.
Today I'm talking with James Guttman, author of Hi World, I'm Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation. James is the father of a nonspeaking autistic son and a neurotypical daughter, and through his writing and podcast he shares an honest, deeply personal perspective on fatherhood, autism, and the journey toward acceptance. One of the reasons I wanted to have James on the show is because we so rarely hear fathers' voices in conversations about raising neurodivergent kids. Like all of us, James's understanding has evolved over time, and I appreciated the opportunity to talk with him about that evolution, what he's learned from his children, and why acceptance has become such a central part of his story. In our conversation, we talk about fatherhood, acceptance, community, and the unexpected ways our neurodivergent kids can change us for the better. About James Guttman James Guttman is the author of Hi World, I'm Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation. As a father to a nonverbal son and a neurotypical daughter, he shares a message rooted in autism appreciation and the belief that our kids' differences hold their own beauty. His writing reached national attention when his HuffPost Personal essay drew more than 750,000 readers in a single day and became one of the most-clicked stories on Apple News. Through his long-running blog, Hi Blog! I'm Dad, James tells honest, heartfelt stories about parenting, connection, and the shared humanity between his children. James is also the author of the Amazon-bestselling Expectant Father's Activity Book, and his work has been featured by Love What Matters, The Mighty, the Organization for Autism Research, Yahoo Lifestyle, and more. A survivor of a quintuple bypass at 35 and host of the Hi Pod! I'm Dad podcast, James brings humor, vulnerability, and perspective to conversations about parenting, mental health, and raising kids in a world that doesn't always understand them. Things you'll learn from this episode How James's journey raising neurodivergent children reshaped his understanding of parenting, autism, and himself How surviving a heart attack transformed James's perspective on fatherhood, presence, and what truly matters Why fathers need more inclusive spaces, community, and support as they navigate parenting neurodivergent kids How authenticity, vulnerability, and redefining masculinity can strengthen relationships with children and challenge outdated assumptions How James's evolving relationship with his children, and his son's example, helped him become a more authentic version of himself Resources mentioned James Guttman's blog, Hi Blog, I'm Dad Hi World, I'm Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation by James Guttman James Guttman on Facebook James on TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The opening episode of Autistic Menopause introduces the concept of autistic menopause. It explores why so many neurodivergent people may struggle to recognise the transition until they are already in crisis.In this episode, Sam Galloway (she/her) shares the profoundly personal story of how perimenopause slowly dismantled the coping strategies she had relied upon her entire life.From unexplained anxiety, insomnia, rage and cognitive changes to late diagnoses of autism and ADHD, Sam traces the path that eventually led her to understand what was really happening. She reflects on hormonal sensitivity throughout her life, the challenges of parenting while neurodivergent, and how recognising her autism ultimately helped her make sense of an experience that nearly broke her.Content Warning: This episode includes frank discussion of mental health crisis and suicidal thoughts, alongside experiences of autistic burnout, medical care, and menopause. Please take care while listening and skip any sections that may be difficult for you.Resources mentioned or relevant:
When does investing in your growth stop serving you — and start draining your finances?In this coaching conversation, Linzy sits down with Money Skills for Therapists graduate Katie Grant to explore how the constant drive to become a "better" therapist has turned professional development into a financial leak in their business.Together, they uncover the deeper story behind Katie's need to accumulate education and chase achievement, and they find a grounded path forward — one that supports Katie's continued learning and financial wellbeing.If you're a high achiever, perfectionist, or therapist who always feels like you should know more, this episode is for you.Timestamps:04:25 - How Profit First Made the Debt Visible09:45 - Professional Development as a Financial Leak13:15 - The Childhood Roots of Needing to Be the Best17:47 - When Achieving Becomes the Downfall24:41 - The 12-Year-Old with the Checkbook26:58 - Bringing an Adult Money Part into Purchase Decisions28:01 - Turning Caregiving Energy Toward Herself30:51 - A Separate Profit First Account for Professional Development38:26 - Running the Numbers Before Making a Drastic MoveRelated episode: Episode 155FF - Making Better Decisions About Professional DevelopmentWant to feel more calm and confident about your money? Join one of Linzy's online workshops for private practice owners to shift your money mindset, transform your relationship with money, and gain practical tools and strategies to manage your business finances with greater clarity and ease. Explore upcoming workshops and sign up to save your spot or register to receive the replay.You can also join the private WhatsApp community to connect with other therapists, health practitioners, and listeners of Money Skills for Therapists: The Podcast. Submit your request to join the community today.If you want dedicated coaching and support with your solo practice finances, join the Money Skills for Therapists waitlist to hear when enrollment opens.Meet Katie Grant:Katie Grant, MS, LCPC, LMHC, LPC, is a queer and neurodivergent trauma therapist with 20 years of experience and postgraduate training, with concentrations in EMDR Therapy, complex trauma, and dissociation. Katie is an EMDRIA Approved EMDR Therapist and Approved Consultant. She is passionate about providing affirming therapy to LGBTQIAP+ and neurodivergent clients, including those who are Autistic or ADH.Katie was diagnosed with ADHD at age 37, when she was also thrilled to find that she no longer qualified for a PTSD diagnosis. Early in their career, Katie realized that she would not function optimally in agency settings that normalized overscheduling and underserving. She opened a solo private practice in 2013 and currently operates out of Davenport, Iowa.Katie is licensed as a counselor in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. They believe the very best therapists are those who also attend therapy and continually work on improving their own awareness and wellbeing.Connect with Katie:Counseling websiteFacebookInstagramJust Another Fucking Growth OpportunityJAFGO InstagramAbout Linzy Bonham:Linzy Bonham is a therapist turned money coach who helps private practice owners and health professionals feel calm, confident, and in control of their finances through her podcast, free workshops, and comprehensive programs: Money Skills for Therapists and Money Skills for Group Practice Owners. You can learn more about Linzy here.Connect with Linzy:LinkedInInstagramFacebook
I still remember what it felt like to walk into a therapy session and have no idea how to move forward.Early in my career, I was working with autistic learners with complex communication and behavioral needs, and I quickly realized graduate school had not prepared me for everything I was seeing. I wanted to help, but I didn't always have practical strategies I could use when a learner struggled to attend, engage, or communicate. That experience sent me searching for better answers and ultimately shaped the way I practice today.More than 20 years later, I want clinicians to have something I desperately needed back then: support, practical education, and a community that helps you feel confident about what to do next.That's why I created the ABA Speech Connection. It brings speech therapists, BCBAs, and RBTs together to learn evidence-based strategies, earn CEUs, collaborate, and immediately apply what they're learning with autistic students. From AAC and functional communication to clinical roundtables and live learning, everything is designed to make professional development practical and useful.You don't have to spend hours searching for your next CEU or wonder whether you're doing enough. You can have a place to learn, ask questions, and keep growing alongside professionals who care about helping every student communicate with the world.#autism #speechtherapyWhat's Inside:Why my early clinical experiences shaped the ABA Speech ConnectionHow ongoing education can build confidence and strengthen clinical practicePractical learning around AAC, communication, and evidence-based interventionHow the Connection supports individuals and professional teamsMentioned In This Episode:Say It With Me by Rose GriffinAAC Mastery for SLPs and BCBAsEarn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech ConnectionABA Speech: Home
Dr Martin Brunet has 25 years experience as a NHS GP. He has a special interest in Autism and ADHD and is the author of the best selling book entitled ‘Make Your Worry Make Sense'. In this episode, Dr Martin Brunet explores the hidden reality of autistic masking, why it starts, what it feels like, and the long-term impact it can have on identity, relationships and wellbeing. We discuss the subtle signs of masking, why so many autistic people go undiagnosed, and what it can look like to safely rediscover who you are beneath the mask. Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 01:08 What Masking Actually Feels Like 06:32 How Early Does Masking Start? 07:48 What Teaches a Child to Start Masking? 09:26 Can One Cruel Comment Change You for Decades? 11:22 What Are Autistic People Protecting Themselves From? 14:03 Is Masking a Choice — or Completely Automatic? 16:29 The Autistic Mirror 19:54 When Masking Becomes a Survival Mechanism 21:43 The Subtle Signs Someone Is Masking 24:38 Inside the Mind of an Autistic Person Who's Masking 26:19 The Aeroplane Analogy That Explains Masking 28:57 What Years of Masking Does to a Person 31:08 Tiimo 32:38 The Biggest Cost of Masking: Losing Who You Are 34:39 Why Masking Can Make Autistic People So Lonely 36:18 Why So Many Autistic Women Are Missed 38:58 Can You Look Successful While Falling Apart Privately? 41:21 Code-Switching: What It Is and Why Autistic People Do It 43:39 Why an Autism Diagnosis Can Be So Emotional 46:24 How Do You Find Yourself After Years of Masking? 49:05 Why Unmasking Isn't Right for Everyone 52:42 How to Start Unmasking Safely 54:30 The “Washing Machine of Woes” 59:16 What I'd Tell My Younger Autistic Self Visit Dr Brunet's website
Welcome to another edition of This Week in Autistic Culture, our Sunday magazine podcast that brings together the stories, conversations and ideas shaping Autistic culture each week.This week, Angela and Simon unpack the ongoing conversation around autism and overdiagnosis following recent comments from Uta Frith, asking why outdated ideas about autism can remain so powerful even when they conflict with the lived experiences of Autistic people.That leads to a much bigger conversation about who gets to define autism, why greater recognition can be treated as a threat, and the role representation can play in changing how Autistic people are understood.We also introduce Autistic Menopause, a brand-new ACPN podcast from Sam Galloway, before looking ahead to another packed week across the network, with conversations about musical theatre, fibromyalgia, situational mutism, resilience, safe foods, creativity and much more.Plus, we head to the Community Notice Board for books, events and opportunities from across the wider Autistic community.
In this episode of The Autistic Culture Podcast, hosts Matt Lowry, LPP and Dr. Angela Kingdon explore Eminem's potential place in Autistic culture—sparked by a viral meme suggesting the rapper is Autistic.
In this week's Reddit Stories episode, Jordan and Simon discuss four neurodivergent dilemmas shared by the online community.They begin with a man who accuses his sister-in-law of lying after discovering the "Jeep" she promised him isn't technically a Jeep, sparking a conversation about autistic pedantry, the need to be correct, and why being technically right doesn't always mean you're in the right.They then unpack a story about an autistic man struggling with dating after his sister tells him that his behaviour towards women can come across as demeaning and sexist. Jordan and Simon discuss autism, honesty, accountability, parenting, and why neurodivergence shouldn't be used as an excuse to treat other people badly.Next, a husband wants his wife's autistic friend to stop visiting their home so often. They explore friendship, accommodations, autistic social differences, judgement, and why his wife's willingness to understand and support her friend might actually be the most heart warming part of the story.Finally, a brother hides a month's worth of ADHD medication as a prank—only to lose it. From medication stigma and family dynamics to revenge, responsibility and Reddit's more suspicious theories about where the missing pills went, Jordan and Simon ask: who's actually the arsehole?*The stories discussed in this episode are public Reddit posts. Titles may be shortened for readability, and all opinions expressed are those of the original posters.• AITA for Calling My Sister-in-Law a Liar?• AITA for Telling My Autistic Brother the Truth?• AITA for Asking My Wife to Stop Bringing Her Autistic Friend Over?• AITA for Not Giving My Brother a Ride to Work?Our Sponsors:
Good mother with anger? Best friend’s baby name. Extra shrimp? 30+ bar. TV anchor mom sleeps. Kaiser misdiagnosis. OnlyFans model “guilty.” Dine-and-dash. SUV shot up.
Rethinking Autism Therapy is a four-part mini-series for parents, caregivers, professionals, and Autistic individuals who want to learn about DIRFloortime®, a strength-based, developmental, relationship-driven approach to growth and connection.Hosted by Daria Brown, each episode features a different co-host to explore what DIRFloortime® is, what it's like to experience it, why it meets Autistic needs, and how to decide whether it's the right approach for you. Together, they share practical insights and tools for building meaningful connection and supporting social-emotional development in ways that honour each autistic individual.Through conversations with practitioners, parents, and autistic voices, the series offers an accessible introduction to the DIRFloortime® framework while exploring the role of relationships, play, and connection in supporting autistic development.RSS Feed player - https://shows.acast.com/autistic-culture/episodes/rethinking-autism-therapy-what-is-dirfloortime-with-l-mike-fApple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rethinking-autism-therapy-what-is-dirfloortime-with/id1653171456?i=1000781361699Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5sYDu11EOoKksFxEzdb8iC?si=d95d8e617b49471bProduced for the Autistic Culture Podcast Network.Daria Brown: affectautism.comInstagram: @affectautismX: @affectautismFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/affectautismDaria is the author of "We Chose Play: Raising an Autistic Child to Thrive and Feel Understood"
In this week's Reddit Stories episode, Jordan and Simon discuss four neurodivergent dilemmas shared by the online community.They begin with a man who accuses his sister-in-law of lying after discovering the "Jeep" she promised him isn't technically a Jeep, sparking a conversation about autistic pedantry, the need to be correct, and why being technically right doesn't always mean you're in the right.They then unpack a story about an autistic man struggling with dating after his sister tells him that his behaviour towards women can come across as demeaning and sexist. Jordan and Simon discuss autism, honesty, accountability, parenting, and why neurodivergence shouldn't be used as an excuse to treat other people badly.Next, a husband wants his wife's autistic friend to stop visiting their home so often. They explore friendship, accommodations, autistic social differences, judgement, and why his wife's willingness to understand and support her friend might actually be the most heart warming part of the story.Finally, a brother hides a month's worth of ADHD medication as a prank—only to lose it. From medication stigma and family dynamics to revenge, responsibility and Reddit's more suspicious theories about where the missing pills went, Jordan and Simon ask: who's actually the arsehole?*The stories discussed in this episode are public Reddit posts. Titles may be shortened for readability, and all opinions expressed are those of the original posters.• AITA for Calling My Sister-in-Law a Liar?• AITA for Telling My Autistic Brother the Truth?• AITA for Asking My Wife to Stop Bringing Her Autistic Friend Over?• AITA for Not Giving My Brother a Ride to Work?Our Sponsors:
What happens to eating disorder recovery when the culture around you starts celebrating weight loss again? In this deeply personal solo episode, Dr. Marianne continues sharing her eating disorder recovery story and talks about something that has surprised her: the return of body insecurities during the Age of Ozempic. After recovering from a decades-long history of anorexia, binge eating disorder, orthorexia, and bulimia, she rarely spends much time thinking about her body size. But the rise of Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications like Zepbound and Wegovy has changed the cultural conversation around weight, thinness, and fat bodies. During the height of the body diversity movement, living in a larger body felt different. Plus-size clothing became more visible. Larger bodies appeared in advertising. Conversations about weight stigma, fatphobia, body neutrality, and fat liberation entered the mainstream. Now, many of those gains seem to be disappearing as celebrities become smaller, plus-size departments vanish from stores, and thinness once again becomes something we're expected to pursue. When Eating Disorder Recovery Meets the Age of Ozempic Dr. Marianne shares what it's like to encounter old eating disorder and body image thoughts after years of recovery. Sometimes those thoughts arrive unexpectedly: Look at that celebrity. They did it. Why can't I? Having that thought doesn't mean eating disorder recovery has failed. Recovery doesn't necessarily erase decades of conditioning around weight and body size. Instead, it can help us recognize internalized weight bias when it resurfaces and decide whether we want to listen to it. Dr. Marianne also discusses an important distinction: wanting a smaller body isn't necessarily the same thing as wanting relief from anti-fat bias. Sometimes the thought, Life would be easier if I were thinner, reflects a painful reality about how fat people are treated rather than a genuine desire to change one's body. The World Is Getting Smaller for Fat People Anti-fat bias doesn't exist only in our thoughts. It shows up in the physical world. Plus-size clothing departments have disappeared from many stores, forcing people in larger bodies to shop online. Airplane seats continue to create accessibility barriers for larger passengers. Cars, restaurant booths, waiting-room chairs, theaters, and other public spaces frequently fail to accommodate body diversity. The message can become impossible to ignore: if the world won't make more space for you, you're expected to make yourself smaller. Dr. Marianne explores the mental health toll of repeatedly navigating environments that weren't designed for your body. Constantly wondering whether a seat will fit, whether a store carries your size, or whether a healthcare provider will blame your symptoms on weight creates an enormous cognitive and emotional burden. Defending the Right to Be Fat Dr. Marianne shares a recent dream in which she found herself defending her fatness to another person. When she woke up, she realized how closely the dream reflected the experience of living in a larger body today. Fat people often have to defend their right to exist without pursuing intentional weight loss. They may have to advocate for appropriate healthcare, accessible seating, clothing, travel accommodations, and the basic right to occupy space without apology. That emotional labor takes energy. For neurodivergent people, the burden can become even greater. Autistic people and ADHDers may already expend significant energy navigating sensory needs, executive functioning, uncertainty, masking, and environments that weren't designed for neurodivergent nervous systems. When neurodivergence intersects with anti-fat bias and other forms of marginalization, the cumulative mental health toll can become significant. Internalized Weight Bias Doesn't Mean You've Failed at Recovery Eating disorder recovery happens in the real world, not in a protected bubble. You can appreciate your body and still feel hurt by weight stigma. You can reject diet culture and feel grief when plus-size clothing disappears. You can practice fat acceptance and still have moments when you wonder whether life would be easier in a smaller body. Those experiences don't erase recovery. Sometimes what looks like body dissatisfaction is actually grief, anger, exhaustion, or a desire to move through the world without constantly having to advocate for your right to belong. Dr. Marianne shares the question that helps her separate internalized weight bias from her own values: Do I actually want a different body, or do I want a different world? Related Episodes How a Part of Me Wanted to Take a Weight-Loss Drug on Apple & Spotify. My Eating Disorder Recovery Story on Apple & Spotify. Finding Liberation-Focused Eating Disorder Support If the Age of Ozempic has stirred up old body image struggles, eating disorder thoughts, or internalized weight bias, you don't have to navigate those experiences alone. Finding an eating disorder therapist or provider who understands weight stigma can make a profound difference. Liberation-focused, trauma-informed, neurodivergent-affirming eating disorder treatment can create space to examine these experiences without making weight loss the goal. If you'd like to work with Dr. Marianne, she provides eating disorder therapy in California for adolescents and adults navigating anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID, body image concerns, and neurodivergence. If you live elsewhere, Dr. Marianne also offers consultations and coaching for individuals, families, and professionals. Learn more about working with Dr. Marianne at drmariannemiller.com.
There is a lot of noise in the PDA space right now, and some of it is making parents doubt themselves and feel more confused rather than less. So I am re-airing this episode from May 2025 because I think it will help you feel more confident in the path you are on.In this episode I share a story from a feeding support group that crystallized for me why PDA is a distinct experience, not one that can be folded into autism, ADHD, or anxiety strategies without losing something critical. I walk through two examples of content I have seen in the PDA space that would have sent me spiraling five years ago, and I close with a Buddhist concept called the near neighbor enemy that gave me the strength to say something I know is controversial.Key Takeaways The Support Group Story and What It Clarified | 00:01:39 Shortly after moving to Michigan, my husband and I organized a babysitter and drove to a support group for families of Autistic children with feeding challenges. All the other children played in another room with their special interests. One non-speaking child sat calmly with a car magazine. Others played with trains and Legos while their parents talked. I wept on the way home, because I knew with certainty there was no version of that scenario that was possible for my son. He could not have gotten in the car. If he had come, he would have needed undivided attention the entire time and any lapse would have produced a meltdown or destruction of the other children's things. The behavioral feeding therapy that had worked beautifully for these families would have produced panic attacks for mine. PDA Becoming Trendy and What That Is Costing Families | 00:10:56 As PDA awareness has grown, I have noticed content that lumps PDA strategies in with ADHD or Autism approaches and presents them as interchangeable. Two examples I have seen recently: correcting behavior an hour after a meltdown once a child is regulated, and movement breaks every few minutes to help complete homework. Both of these may work beautifully for ADHD children. But for a PDA child who is still well past their threshold of tolerance, going back an hour later to discuss the behavior will most likely push them straight back into activation. A parent trying either of these strategies with a PDA child and seeing them fail is likely to conclude they are doing it wrong, when the issue is not implementation but neurotype fit. PDA Is Not an Anxiety-Driven Need for Control | 00:16:36 When PDA gets folded into the anxiety frame, it leads to recommendations about building frustration tolerance and increasing exposure. That is often exactly the right approach for anxious children. I have panic disorder myself and have worked hard on my own exposure and frustration tolerance. But PDA is not anxiety. It is a survival drive for autonomy rooted in the way the nervous system perceives safety and threat, and it can disable access to basic needs in a way that anxiety alone typically does not. Treating them as equivalent leads families toward strategies that do not fit and away from the ones that do. The Near Neighbor Enemy: Why Sameness Undermines Compassion | 00:18:14 A concept from Buddhist practice helped me find the courage to say something I knew was controversial. A near neighbor enemy is something that resembles a value but undermines it. The near neighbor of love is control. The near neighbor of fierce compassion is sameness, the idea that calling different things the same is itself a form of compassion. When we call PDA the same as Autism, ADHD, or anxiety in the name of inclusion, we erase the specific logic, the lived experience, and the sense of belonging that PDA families need and deserve. Difference is not division. It is precision. Why This Distinction Has Brought Peace to Thousands of Families | 00:19:31 The premise of my work is that PDA is a distinct neurotype with its own nervous system logic and its own approach to accommodation. That premise, not a technique or a strategy, is what has shifted things for my family and for the thousands of families I have worked with. When a parent finally has the right logic for their child's brain, they stop blaming themselves for strategies that were never going to work. They stop doubting their observations. And they start making decisions that actually fit the situation they are in.Relevant Resources Understanding PDA — Free class where I teach the nervous system disability framework and the unique logic of the PDA nervous system that distinguishes it from autism, ADHD, and anxiety.Burnout — Free class with context for the burnout period I describe, and why strategies designed for other neurotypes can deepen rather than relieve burnout in PDA children.Paradigm Shift Program — My signature program where the distinct logic of the PDA nervous system is practiced as an embodied skill across twelve weeks, with live coaching and a community of families who share the same experience.
What happens when autism, ADHD, and menopause collide?In this trailer, discover Autistic Menopause a podcast exploring the realities of neurodivergent menopause through lived experience, emerging research, and honest conversation. Hosted by Sam Galloway, the series examines the cognitive changes, sensory overwhelm, burnout, and shifting support needs that can accompany this often-overlooked stage of life, while reminding listeners that they are not alone.Produced for the Autistic Culture Podcast Network.
Why can alcohol feel so useful for autistic and neurodivergent people?Chelsey Flood speaks with Associate Professor Dr Felicity Sedgewick about friendship, belonging, and the social challenges that can make alcohol feel helpful, necessary, or even protective. Together they explore loneliness, connection, and the pressures that shape social experiences for many neurodivergent people.In this episode:Friendship and belongingSocial challenges and connectionAlcohol as a social toolLoneliness and isolationNeurodivergent experiences of communityContent Note: This episode includes discussion of mental health and loneliness.
"Don't buy him letters." That's what a professional told Cari Ebert when her son Aaron was two. He was "obsessed," they said, and needed to be moved toward more appropriate play. Cari ignored them. Those letters were how Aaron showed joy, and how she connected with him. Nearly two decades later, that same deep interest in letters, numbers, and dates is what landed him a job he loves. That moment is the heart of today's episode, because it's exactly what happens when we treat autism as a journey instead of a tragedy. This is Cari's keynote from this year's Preschool Autism Summit. She brings two lenses to it: 30+ years as a pediatric SLP, and 21 years as mom to her autistic son. Together they make a case that so much of what we were taught to fear, grieve, and "fix" was never the problem. The problem was the language, the linear milestones, and the compliance-first thinking we inherited. Cari walks us through Aaron's whole story, from spelling words before he could speak, to teaching himself to tie his shoes at 20, to reading bedtime stories to his baby nephew. Along the way she gives us a clearer, kinder way to talk to families and a real shift in how we show up for autistic children. We'll talk about: why the child is exactly the same the day after a diagnosis, and it's the adults who need to shift the power of first messages, and how "red flags" teach families to fear a diagnosis deficit-based language versus affirming, neutral, strengths-based language what autism is not, and what it actually is the spiky, non-linear developmental profile reframing the spectrum into a support-needs profile honoring autistic joy as the doorway to connection and learning Because we don't get to decide where an autistic child's journey ends. Our job is to keep believing there's more ahead. In This Episode, You'll Learn Why autism is a journey, not a tragedy, and what changes when we lead with curiosity instead of fear How deficit-driven language sends the message that something is "wrong" with the child, and how to choose affirming or neutral language instead Why autism is not a delay, a disease, or something a child outgrows What a spiky developmental profile is, and why milestone charts don't fit autistic development How to give families space to grieve their expectations, not the child in front of them What presuming potential looks like in real life, including how video modeling helped Aaron learn a skill on his own timeline Why deep interests, from Metallica to NASCAR, are the way in, not something to redirect Key Takeaways The diagnosis doesn't change the child; it changes how the adults see and support them Regulation creates the conditions for learning, and connection comes before communication All behavior has meaning; it's a clue, not a problem to extinguish Progress isn't linear, and growth continues across the whole lifespan Communication is a right, not something a child has to earn Autistic children are different, not less We stretch strengths instead of fixing deficits Families are the experts on their child, and the most important members of the team Try This Take one traditional IEP goal and ask AI to rewrite it in neurodiversity-affirming language, without percentage-of-accuracy measures Swap deficit words for neutral ones this week: "deep interests" instead of "obsessions," "prefers consistency" instead of "rigid" Learn one child's deep interest, and use it as your starting point instead of redirecting it Reframe a behavior you'd usually try to stop, and ask what it's communicating about the nervous system Notice a child's glimmers, the small things that bring them micro-moments of joy, and make room for them Start with connection before you ask for a single communication skill Related Resources & Links Cari Ebert's website - The Learning to Learn program, the Silly Sounds cards, and The SLP Talk Show podcast Preschool Autism Summit 2026 - Grab the summit replay bundle, a free guide, and get on the waitlist for 2027 Autism Little Learners Membership When we treat autism as a journey instead of a tragedy, we stop asking a child to prove they're worthy of our belief and start offering it from the very beginning. Cari's son didn't become worthy the day he got a job or gave a keynote. He was always worthy. Once you see every autistic child that way, it changes everything about how you teach.
Host Rashidah introduces a raw episode of Autism for BadassMoms on grief, autism parenting, divorce, and coping, featuring guest Emily Fell, a 45-year-old Wisconsin mom to 15-year-old Grace, diagnosed with autism at 2.5. Emily recounts the 2008 pregnancy and birth of her first daughter,Katie, who had hydranencephaly, was delivered by C-section with Emily suffering severe blood loss and transfusions and lived two days. Emily describes Grace's traumatic birth in 2010, vaccine-related reactions, developmental regression,extensive early interventions including ABA, and later conflicts in her marriage—especially over vaccines—leading to her husband moving out in 2016 and divorce finalized in 2018, plus financial stress and foreclosure. Emily shares past self-medicating with alcohol, recent sobriety, homeschooling Grace using spelling to communicate, and plans for a center/community for non-speakers with respite and ABA partners targeted for April 2026 and provides her TikTok contact. In this episode, we discuss:00:00 Podcast Intro00:43Grief and Autism02:46 Meet Emily Fell04:52 Pregnancy and Shocking Ultrasound08:50 Katie's Birth and Medical Crisis13:20 Saying Goodbye to Katie16:04 Pregnant Again After Loss17:44 Grace's Birth Complications23:19 Regression and Autism Diagnosis26:15 Marriage Strain and Vaccines29:11 Husband Moves Out and Fallout32:58 Black Cloud and Getting Sober34:21 Quitting Alcohol Clarity35:24 Divorce Boundaries Strength36:44 Grace Therapy Reflections39:49 First Word Mom Moment42:04 School Battles Presume Competence46:55 Homeschool Spelling Breakthroughs49:24 Spiritual Walk Revelation52:14 Building Non-Speaker Community56:15 How to Reach Emily58:09 Advice for New Moms01:03:22 Final Encouragement Outro01:03:56 Guest Application Call Connect with Emily: TikTok: emilygrace.do.homeschool(Emily & Grace Do Homeschool)Instagram: www.instagram.com/amazing_grace_homeschoolThreads: https://www.threads.com/@amazing_grace_homeschool?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091213029569&mibextid=LQQJ4d LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-fell-presume-competence/ If this episode resonated with you: -Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast-Leave a review to help other autism moms find thiscommunity-Share this episode with a parent who may feel unseen ormisunderstood Follow Us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcastFacebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast
Welcome to another edition of This Week in Autistic Culture, our Sunday magazine that brings together the stories, conversations, and ideas shaping Autistic culture each week.This week begins with a conversation that many autistic people will recognise. As summer temperatures continue to climb, Simon and Angela reflect on the hidden social cost of sensory overwhelm, the impossible balance between accommodating yourself and meeting other people's expectations, and why something as simple as leaving a family barbecue can carry so much guilt. They also explore new research on how Autistic people process faces, leading to a fascinating discussion about everything from face blindness to super-recognisers.Across the Autistic Culture Podcast Network, another packed week follows those themes of understanding and acceptance. We celebrate Autistic special interests through the latest episode of Info Dump, explore the emotional reality of closing night in theatre, launch an important new series examining alternatives to ABA, and hear conversations about alcohol and masking, inclusive education, reading, regulation, American football, and much more.Whether you're discovering a new favourite podcast, catching up with the Autistic community, or simply spending your Sunday immersed in Autistic Culture, we're delighted you've joined us.This Week's TopicsThe Social Tax of AutismNew Research Reveals Autistic Brains Process Faces DifferentlyBooks & researchAutistically Me: How to understand and celebrate our unique minds by Bradley RichesEventsAutistic Mental Health Conference - NeuroHub Community Ltd - Friday, August 14th to Sunday 16th - From £50Across three inspiring days, the NeuroHub Mental Health Conference explores the theme “Ecosystemic Causes of Mental Health Issues”—examining how environments, systems, and societal structures shape neurodivergent wellbeing.Creator updatesAutistic Lives, Unmasked is an interview series that looks at what it means to live as an autistic person once the “dust” of diagnosis settles. This month is Devon Price Hosted by Motherness author, Julie M Green, each monthly installment features an in-depth conversation with a prominent autistic voice, including Devon Price, Eliza Fricker, Eric Garcia, Megan Anna Neff, Lyric Rivera (NeuroDivergent Rebel), and others. Subscribe to The Autistic Mom Substack.
In this episode of The Autistic Culture Podcast, hosts Dr. Angela Kingdon and Matt Lowry, LPP explore why Pokémon resonates so deeply with the Autistic community.
Please join us for “Neuroaffirming Advocacy: Dr. Destiny Huff Joins Us to Discuss Her New Book on Navigating Special Education.”Dr. Destiny Huff, LPC, is an Autistic and ADHD therapist, special education advocate, author, and parent of two neurodivergent learners. She supports families and professionals in developing neuroaffirming, strengths-based practices that center access, autonomy, regulation, and meaningful participation. Through consulting, training, and advocacy, Dr. Huff works to challenge ableism and create more inclusive educational and mental health systems.Support the show
A unique art exhibition celebrating the creativity, perspectives and strengths of autistic teenagers is returning for its second year. Picture Voice Art Exhibition 2026 will showcase artwork created by autistic young people from across Clare, Galway, Limerick and Tipperary, including students from three Clare schools. The project aims to give young people a platform to express themselves through art and have their voices heard. It grew out of Jarlath Healy's Master's in Special Educational Needs in Mary Immaculate College. Jarlath, who is Autism Advisor for County Limerick with the NCSE and a primary school teacher since 2007, joined Alan Morrissey to tell us more. Photo (c) Clare FM
What if the things you've criticised yourself for your entire life... weren't flaws at all? What if struggling to make simple decisions, feeling overwhelmed by change, or caring so deeply about fairness weren't personality quirks, but signs your brain has been working differently all along? Today I'm joined by Dr Amber Sadiq, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Director at Eleos Clinic. She has assessed hundreds of autistic adults and has helped countless people finally understand why they've always felt different. Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 01:54 Why Every Decision Feels So Overwhelming 06:24 Why Autistic People Need Predictability 09:04 Why Injustice Feels Physically Painful 19:19 When You Can't Start... But Can't Stop Either 23:17 The Secret to Switching Between Tasks 25:43 The Autism Trait Everyone Calls Laziness 27:33 The Shutdown Nobody Sees 32:57 Tiimo Advert 34:17 The Hidden Reason Some People Can Mask for Decades 36:08 Why So Many People Don't Realise They're Autistic 41:14 How Masking Slowly Erases Your Identity 43:13 The Most Emotional Part of an Autism Assessment 45:15 The Moment People Realise They've Been Masking Their Entire Life 50:56 The One Sentence That Makes Psychiatrists Think "Autism" 54:15 The Autism Assessment Reactions I'll Never Forget 57:22 Washing Machine of Woes (Audience Questions) 01:03:02 A Letter to My Younger Self Download Dr. Sadiq's free guide, Could This Be Me?, which explains why so many autistic adults were missed for decades, and what clarity could look like for you
Listen to all my reddit storytime episodes in the background in this easy playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_wX8l9EBnOM303JyilY8TTSrLz2e2kRGThis is the Redditor podcast! Here you will find all of Redditor's best Reddit stories from his YouTube channel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Angela returns to the studio to join Simon for another edition of This Week in Autistic Culture, the Sunday magazine show from the Autistic Culture Podcast Network.This week, we discuss the importance of water safety as new research highlights the increased risk of drowning among autistic children during the summer months. We also explore an inspiring new free sign language app created by a former Disney animator, designed to make learning ASL more accessible through interactive animation.Looking ahead across the network, we celebrate the launch of Info Dump, a brand-new podcast dedicated to the joy of autistic special interests, beginning with an episode all about Doctor Who. We also preview new episodes of Mindful Mondays, Theatrically Authentic, Creative Becoming, Regulation Station, Neuro Complex Creative, Two Mics, No Masking, The Neurodivergent Experience, Autism Help, Under the Lights, and an Autistic Culture Podcast Rewind exploring why Pokémon has become such an enduring autistic special interest.Plus, we share community news, including autism-friendly race days, a new communication app from Stimpunks, and a forthcoming book on navigating change and uncertainty as a neurodivergent adult.Whether you're catching up on the latest stories, discovering a new favourite podcast, or connecting with the wider autistic community, we're glad you're here.
In this episode of The Autistic Culture Podcast, hosts Dr. Angela Kingdon and Matt Lowry, LPP investigate Sherlock Holmes as an Autistic-coded cultural icon.
My cats Mac & Cheese (see episode pic) have been having a hard time. I've learned a lot observing their reactive nervous systems because it's so easy to feel compassion for them.This episode uses that extended metaphor to also talk about when AuDHD nervous systems feel reactive, including with meltdowns that can include anger or violence. Depending on how much reactivity is affecting your life, it may require professional help. No matter what, you deserve compassion
Send us Fan MailFreya Maberley's family are all neurodivergent. Her siblings/parents and grand parents were all undiagnosed. She was diagnosed ADHD at 53, and she is Autistic too, and proud! Her brother is undiagnosed AuDHD and her home growing up was dictated by anger and violence. She was always considered the 'normal" child in the family, but her high sensitivity meant that she became the responsible one, taking on the people pleaser role of the family dynamic.Freya's son is diagnosed AuDHD, dyslexic, dysgraphic. Her daughter undiagnosed AuDHD. Raising them was a constant battle of advocacy, being gaslit by the system, her own struggle to accept the diagnosis.Freya has created a technique called The White Room. A visualization that helps a person reclaim what was lost in interactions with others. It's a kind of soul retrieval, without needing to be spiritual. It's a very grounded exercise, that once a person knows how to do it, they can do the visualization by themselves. Freya is working as a Therapist (Psychology, Social Work, Counseling and Animal Assisted Psychotherapy) in Victoria, Australia.Insta: @freyas_farm_ballaratFacebook: Freya's Farm: Animal Assisted TherapyTiktok: @freyas_farmSupport the show
AUTISTIC Viewpoints is a podcast hosted by Turrell Burgess and Daria Brown. On Episode 13, Turrell and Daria welcome extraordinary autistic guitarist Zayne Harshaw, leader of the band, Blue Spectrum, to discuss his autism journey, teaching himself guitar, discovering his musical gifts, and how music transformed his life from feeling like an outsider to finding confidence, community, and purpose. Along the way, they explore favorite guitarists, perfect pitch, improvisation, and the power of following one's passion.Learn more at https://affectautism.com/autistic-viewpoints/Timestamps:0:05 Introduction0:32 Welcoming special guest Zayne Harshaw1:01 Meeting Zayne at the ICDL DIR® Conference2:30 Zayne's musical background and accomplishments4:17 Turrell's admiration for Zayne's guitar playing4:42 Growing up autistic and discovering differences6:06 From trumpet to teaching himself guitar7:03 Guitar Hero and learning to play by ear8:38 Feeling like an outcast in school9:15 Using his guitar as a comfort object9:41 The high school talent show that changed everything10:53 Forming Blue Spectrum and writing "Outcast Blues"13:13 Why the band is called Blue Spectrum14:13 Favorite bands and Nirvana discussion14:58 Guitar heroes and musical influences16:42 Promo for Turrell's podcast "Under the Lights" on the Autistic Culture Podcast Network17:28 Learning guitar19:02 Realizing music could become a career21:28 Discovering perfect pitch24:35 Favorite songs and artists to play25:40 Canadian fun fact25:48 What Zayne loves and still finds challenging about being autistic26:56 DIRFloortime® connection: music, improvisation, and development28:42 ICDL music and Floortime courses announcement30:18 Feeding off the audience's energy during live performances31:08 Learning by watching great guitarists perform32:17 Blues musicians, concerts, and dream collaborations33:37 Performing for large audiences 35:18 The latest "hot ticket" Canadian Quebecois duo Angine de Poitrine 36:43 Finding belonging through music and community38:22 Turrell reflects on autistic gifts and inspiring others39:17 Where to hear Blue Spectrum and closing remarksResources:Blue Spectrum Band website https://bluespectrumband.com/Blue Spectrum Band Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BlueSpectrumband/Blue Spectrum Band Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bluespectrumband/Yngwie Malmsteen https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yngwie_MalmsteenUnder the Lights on the Autistic Culture Podcast Network hosted by Turrell Burgess https://shows.acast.com/under-the-lights-podcastBohemian Rhapsody by Queen https://youtu.be/fJ9rUzIMcZQ?si=LjJ8qhEfFEbHCmWuWayne's World movie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne%27s_World_(film)Course for practitioners: DIR 433 - Using Music in Floortime: Promoting Development through Music https://www.icdl.com/courses/433 The Rebecca Center for Music Therapy https://www.therebeccacenter.org/Course for parents: DIR 110 - Using Music in Floortime: Promoting Development through Music https://www.icdl.com/courses/dir-110-using-music-in-floortime-for-parentsICDL's Courses: https://www.icdl.com/coursesThe Meters - Cissy Strut https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXI5Nuz6OHgZayne's favorites: Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Bonamassa, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd Zayne has met Eric Gales, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram The movie Sinners https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinners_(2025_film)Quebecois Canadian band Angine de Poitrine https://anginedepoitrine.com/Primus (band) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primus_(band)* Angine de Poitrine photo credit: https://www.cbc.ca/music/angine-de-poitrine-quebec-band-kexp-9.7120120* Thank you to Hungarian recording artist Post Analog Disorder for the intro/outro music permission: https://postanalogdisorder.bandcamp.com/album/still-i-rise
Join us tonight for a special livestream reflecting on G-Fest 2026 in Rosemont, Illinois. Was it as great as the epic that was last year's con? Did Nathan survive the nine hours of programming he (foolishly) took on? Did Damon choke on his first panel? Will Omni Viewer explain why Snazzy was missing? All this and more in this fun discussion! Watch the original livestream here: https://youtube.com/live/Egv1e-dv1Ac. Check out Nathan's spinoff podcasts, The Henshin Men and The Power Trip, and Henshin Power V3! We'd like to give a shout-out to our free MIFV MAX patrons on Patreon: Cordell Stevens, John Pannozzi, Jacob Heron, Cool Cat Videos, Bransbow, Sean Sullivan, Frankie Wolf, Russel Hale, FRIEN Jadge, Bob Hard, ArtsieSteph, Robert O'Brien, DD Chief, Kaye, Nobody, The Indiscrite One, Clayton Warden, Enigma, Dave Blanken, Patrick Greenlaw, Mikki, Josh Baughan, Shane Cochran, and Francis Chopin. You, too, can join MIFV MAX on Patreon to get this and other perks starting at only $3 a month! (https://www.patreon.com/monsterislandfilmvault) Buy official MIFV merch on TeePublic! (https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-monster-island-gift-shop). NEW MERCH NOW AVAILABLE! This episode is approved by the Monster Island Board of Directors. Podcast Social Media: MIFV Linktree: https://linktr.ee/monsterislandfilmvault Nate's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/nathan_marchand MIFV is a member of PodNation (https://podnation.tv/) MIFV is one of Feedspot's top 10 tokusatsu podcasts! (https://blog.feedspot.com/tokusatsu_podcasts/) MIFV is one of Feedspot's top 20 monster podcasts! (https://podcasts.feedspot.com/monster_podcasts/) www.MonsterIslandFilmVault.com #JimmyFromNASALives, #MonsterIslandFilmVault, #Podcast, #kaiju, #MIFV, #Godzilla, #gfestxxxi, #gfest © 2026 Moonlighting Ninjas Media
Welcome to another edition of This Week in Autistic Culture, our Sunday magazine that brings together the stories, conversations, and ideas shaping Autistic culture each week.As Angela is away this week, James Hepworth, host of Collecting Fish and Hyperfocus FC, joins Simon as a guest co-host.We begin with a look back at Collecting Fish, reflecting on the first season and sharing an update on how James' marine tank is developing. Then we turn to the FIFA World Cup Final, where Spain lifted the trophy while Argentina's tournament ended in controversy, before looking back at the competition as a whole and what made this year's tournament so memorable.As always, we'll also take you through everything coming up this week across the Autistic Culture Podcast Network, with new episodes exploring Hamilton, masking and burnout, therapy, genetics, humour, ARFID, basketball, and much more. Let's dive in.
In this episode of The Autistic Culture Podcast, hosts Dr. Angela Kingdon and Matt Lowry, LPP reframe Hans Christian Andersen—not as the “awkward, difficult” writer he's often portrayed to be, but as a figure whose life and work reflect Autistic culture.
Often, autistic girls are called shy, introverted, perfectionistic, confused, anything BUT autistic. There is a pervasive impression, even in the medical community, that autism occurs in boys vastly more often than girls. The result is, autistic girls are missing out on services and tools that are available to them. Holly Blanc Moses is a therapist, and the host of the Autism ADHD Podcast, and she joins Emily Kircher-Morris in this encore presentation to talk about missing autism in girls. You can register now for our upcoming continuing education course for mental health professionals, Clinical Implications of Late-Identified Neurodivergence: Strategies for Identity Integration and Therapeutic Support. The course will be presented by Dr. Amy Marschall, author of the book Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy, and will be available both as a live event on Friday, August 7 from 2:00 - 3:30 PM Eastern, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific, and afterwards in video form. Both versions are worth 1.5 hours of APA and NBCC-approved CE credits. Register here. Holly Blanc Moses is a Licensed Psychological Associate, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and an ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider with over 23 years of experience in ADHD, Autism, and anxiety. Over the last 23 years, she has provided mental health therapy in the areas of emotional regulation, anxiety, social interaction, depression, parent-child relationship, and school success. She is the host of The Autism ADHD Podcast and Autism ADHD TV. Holly is also the mother of two neurodivergent children. BACKGROUND READING The Autism ADHD Podcast, Autism ADHD TV, Facebook parent group, Facebook professionals group, Holly's private practice, Holly's education and course website The Neurodiversity Podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and you're invited to join our Facebook Group. For more information go to www.NeurodiversityPodcast.com If you'd like members of your organization, school district, or company to know more about the subjects discussed on our podcast, Emily Kircher-Morris provides keynote addresses, workshops, and training sessions worldwide, in-person or virtually. You can choose from a list of established presentations, or work with Emily to develop a custom talk to fit your unique situation. To learn more, visit our website.
Might explain some stuff.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Author and autism advocate Carrie Cariello joins Morgan to share the deeply personal story behind her book Marriage: I Love You (for Now). What happened after their son was diagnosed with autism, how the diagnosis affected every member of their family, and why protecting their marriage became just as important as advocating for their child. Carrie opens up about grief, parenting differences, marriage counseling, raising a child with special needs into adulthood, and the lessons she and her husband have learned after 27 years together. This is the kind of advice parents or anyone wanting to have kids needs to hear!