21andsensory Podcast

On today's episode I have a very special guest...my brother! We chat about his FASD and Autism diagnoses and a bit about his life and growing up. We also chat about his special interests and hobbies. This episode was recorded in mid 2021.

If you haven't heard of FASD it stands for Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. It is a term used to describe the permanent impacts on the brain and body of individuals prenatally exposed to alcohol during pregnancy resulting in a spectrum of physical, emotional, behavioural and neurological characteristics. I spoke on the podcast about my experiences growing up with my brother and how he made my parents realise my sensory processing difficulties. 

I mention in this podcast that I was a guest on another podcast called Spotlight on FASD (@spotlightonfasd). We chatted about my brother who is adopted and has diagnoses of FASD and is Autistic. I also spoke about my Sensory Processing Disorder and Autism.

Listen to it here: https://youtu.be/TcQNRbq7FdM

More info on FASD: https://nationalfasd.org.uk/about-fasd

My 21andsensory links:

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Hi everyone! Welcome to another 21andsensory Podcast. On today's episode I have Chris and James from the London Autism Group Charity!

A quick intro to Chris and James:

Dr Chris Papadopoulos is a Principal Lecturer in Public Health at University of Bedfordshire and director of health research in the School of Society, Community and Health. He teaches on a range of post-graduate health courses in particular the MSc in Public Health. He founded the London Autism Group in 2014 and London Autism Group Charity in 2017 and he is the Charity lead. Chris has 3 children, 2 of whom are Autistic.

James Gordon is an Autistic adult and a London Autism Group charity trustee as well as a dad and carer to his own Autistic son. He is also the mastermind behind the London Autism Services Map which I'll get him to chat about in the episode!

London Autism Group Charity links:

• London Autism Group Charity website: londonautismgroupcharity.org
• Facebook page: facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity
• London Autism Private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272747662886046/
• London Autism Services map (mentioned in the podcast): https://www.londonautismgroupcharity.org/london-map-of-services 
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/lagcharity
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagcharity
• And if you can, please consider donating to the London Autism Group Charity (simply go to facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity and click on the blue donate button - thank you from Chris and James!)

My 21andsensory links:

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On today's episode I have another another fellow Emily on! Today's special guest is Emily Katy who you might know from her Twitter @ItsEmilyKaty. Emily is a 20-year-old autistic student, mental health activist and autism advocate. She is also a Blogger, Trustee for Autistic Girl’s Network, Member of her trust’s CAMHS Young People’s Council, Public Governor for her NHS Trust and a National Autistic Society advisor. She is also a #NotAloneTalk Host on Twitter - all of which I'll be asking her more about. Emily has given talks in many different health settings and written many articles on her own experiences. 

We chat about: 

• Emily's diagnoses including her autism diagnosis and being late diagnosed 
• Chat about mental health and autism Her journey writing on her blog and Twitter - what made her join the site and how she has managed with her pages growth. 
• We also chat about her hosting the #NotAloneTalk chat on Twitter. 
• Emily's amazing work as a speaker, Trustee for Autistic Girl’s Network, Member of her trust’s CAMHS Young People’s Council, Public Governor for her NHS Trust and National Autistic Society advisor...and how she juggles these commitments with her own life/studies. 
• Emily's hobbies and special interests! 
• How she has managed during the pandemic - mental health during lockdown, etc. 

Emily's Links: 

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ItsEmilyKaty 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsemilykaty/ 
• Website: https://www.authenticallyemily.uk 
• Buy Emily a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/itsemilykaty

My 21andsensory links:

⁠Illustration Portfolio⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Podcast⁠ | ⁠YouTube⁠ | ⁠Blog⁠ | ⁠TikTok⁠ | ⁠X⁠ | ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠ | ⁠Patreon

EPSIODE 50! WOOP!

To celebrate episode 50 of my podcast it's just me chatting today...

Links to everything I spoke about:

Sensory Street (Oxford University Project):

• https://sensorystreet.uk
• https://www.instagram.com/sensory_street/
• https://twitter.com/sensory_street

The Autism Friendly Cookbook:

• Lydia's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journo_lydia/
• Lydia's Twitter: https://twitter.com/Journo_Lydia

My BBC Bitesize work:

• I was commissioned to create two illustrations and two TikTok videos for the BBC in June 2021. One on summer holidays here and one on sensory struggles in schools here

Megan Rhiannon (Illustrator):

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petite_gloom
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/petite_gloom/posts
• Shop: https://www.megan-rhiannon.com/shop
• AOI: https://theaoi.com

Holly Smale and Sara Gibbs talk:

• https://www.stories.standard.co.uk/programme-desc/writing-from-the-spectrum-how-a-late-autism-diagnosis-shaped-my-work

Borrowmydoggy.co.uk

Books I've read:

• 'Geek Girl' by Holly Smale
• 'Odd Girl Out' by Laura James
• 'The Electricity of Every Living Thing' by Katherine may
• 'Camouflage the hidden lives of autistic women' by Sarah Bargiela
• 'Stim An Autistic Anthology' by Lizzie Huxley Jones
• 'A Kind of Spark' by Elle McNicoll
• 'A Different Sort of Normal' by Abigail Balfe
• 'Drama Queen: One Autistic Woman and a Life of Unhelpful Labels' by Sara Gibbs
• 'Approaching Autistic Adulthood, A Road less Travelled' by Grace Liu

London Autism Group:

• Website: https://www.londonautismgroupcharity.org
• Podcast (On Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Podbean): https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-autism-podcast/id1440829884

My Christmas Gift Guide:

• Instagram

My 21andsensory links:

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On today's episode I have special guest Sarah O’Brien. Sarah is an autistic writer and engagement professional currently working within the charity sector. She is known for her witty remarks and commitment to giving those who face disadvantage a voice.

Sarah lives and works in London and in her free time she can be found reading, crafting and planning future projects. She is currently writing a post-diagnostic book for Jessica Kingsley publishers which is super exciting and something I am definitely going to ask her more about!

This episode is marked as explicit due to a couple of occasions where we said swear words!

We chat about:

• Sarah's Autism diagnosis (the process she went through, waiting times, etc). We talk about late diagnosis, other diagnoses Sarah has and more about Autism and co-morbid conditions.
• Sarah's studies - she has studied a BSc in Psychology, Masters in Clinical Psychology and is currently doing a PhD! We talk more in-depth about why she chose this subject area and how it's a special interest for her.
• Her journey writing on her blog, for media and on Twitter and how she started up her presence online.
• The autism community online
• Sarah's post-diagnostic book she is currently writing for Jessica Kingsley Publishers. We through the process of pitching the idea to where she is now? (It's due out Spring 2023).
• Her hobbies and special interests, favourite fidget toys and stims.

Sarah's Links:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sarahmarieob
• Website: https://www.sarahmobrien.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmarieobrien

My 21andsensory links:

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On today's episode I have special guest Pete Wharmby. Pete is an Autistic writer, speaker, parent, teacher, tutor and advocate who has immersed himself in working to improve autistic awareness, acceptance and making the world a more suitable place for the neurodivergent community. Pete is most active on Twitter where he has over 45,000 followers, which is how I reached out to him. His first book on autistic special interests is out next spring so we will definitely be having a chat about that!

We chat about: 

• A bit of background on Pete and his life right now
• His Autism diagnosis - the process he went through, waiting times, whether he disclosed his autism diagnosis at work, etc
• What it was like being a secondary school teacher and how /when he became a speaker and transitioned to doing talks and conferences
• How the world doesn't feel set-up for autistic people. We chat about this is regards to education settings and workplaces and how Pete thinks these places could be better set up and more inclusive
• Pete's journey writing on his autism and teaching blog and his presence on Twitter - and how he has managed with it's amazing growth!
• Pete's special interests and more about the book he is writing on his own special interests
• His lego collection!

Pete's Links:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/commaficionado
• Website and Order Pete's book 'What I Want to Talk About': https://petewharmby.com
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/PeterWharmby
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autismpetew
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-wharmby-58a2131b2

My 21andsensory links:

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A trailer for my podcast!

My 21andsensory links:

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I am super excited for today's episode as I have special guest Abigail Balfe. Abigail is a Brighton-based writer, illustrator and Emmy Award winning creative producer. Abigail is an author and has just had her first book published. It's called 'A Different Sort of Normal' and it documents how Abigail didn't realise she was autistic until she was an adult. The book includes funny stories including her love of cats, fear of toilets, and an amusing story featuring her dad and a tub of ice cream. There are also more serious ones: a very difficult experience at a swimming pool, and her experience of navigating the overwhelming stimuli of a crowded train.

Along the way, there is also crucial information about autism, including commonly held misconceptions. She also includes tips to help readers navigate key milestones – attending ‘big school’, puberty, and making friends – especially if you do differ from the ‘norm’ around you.

I reached out to her to ask if she might like to come on my podcast to chat a little more about her book!

We chat about:

• Abigail's Autism diagnosis and the process / journey behind it
• Diagnosis of Autism in women and late diagnosis
• Abigail's experience of Masking as an Autistic person
• Abigail's career as a Creative Producer, Author and Illustrator!
• Abigail's studies at Cambridge School of Art (MA Children's Book Illustration course) and we chat about how her book came about as a result of her final MA uni project.
• How Abigail went about creating her book and how she juggled being both the Author and Illustrator as well as a chat about doing book PR
• Abigails special interests and hobbies and her favourite sensory / fidget items!
• Where you can buy her fab book from!

Abigails's links:

• Buy Abigail's Book here
• Abigail's Twitter: https://twitter.com/abigailbalfe
• Abigail's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abigailbalfe/
• Abigail's Website: https://www.abigailbalfe.com
• Abigail on CBBC's Book Club: https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/watch/cbbc-book-club-2021-july and here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/watch/cbbc-book-club-2021-august

My 21andsensory links:

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On today's episode I have special guest Ella Willis. Ella is a 21 year old Newcastle-based Autism advocate who creates amazing and really informative educational videos on her TikTok (@ellaellaw) where they have almost 120,000 followers! Ella is also a fab illustrator and shares work via Instagram @_ellawillis and via an Illustration IG @illustratetothepoint.

We chat about:

• Ella's diagnoses and compare diagnosis waiting times, support within education, etc.
• Studying at university and disclosing an Autism diagnosis. We chat about having access to support and about how Ella found university life.
• Ella's TikTok page - when was it started and coming up with amazing engaging content!
• The fab fundraising work Ella did (you can donate here)
• Ella's hobbies and special interests

Ella's Links:

• Ella's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/EllaWillis
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ellawillis/
• Illustration Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illustratetothepoint/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellaellaw
• Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/EllaEllaaW
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtoCvp-C8zI3aZy78G2I-RA
• Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/illustratetothepoint

My 21andsensory links:

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Hi everyone! Welcome to today’s episode, I have special guest Ella Tabb, who you might all know as PurpleElla. Ella is an Autistic adult with ADHD who is a Public Speaker, Content Creator and YouTuber. She makes fantastic videos sharing thoughts, ideas and tips on life as a proud neurodivergent adult. Ella lives with her husband, three children, a cat called Katsu and Coco who is an adorable autism service dog!

We chat about:

• Ella's diagnoses of Autism, ADHD and chronic illness (hEDS), the process behind receiving them and waiting times and late diagnosis.
• Ella's two children and their autism diagnoses - we chat about going through the diagnostic process herself and with her children.
• Ella's YouTube channel - when she first started on the platform and how she has been managing with it's amazing growth!
• How Ella manages her online presence and content creation and tips on avoiding burnout and protecting your own mental health.
• What Ella loves about being a content creator and pubic speaker
• How Ella copes with daily life - the main challenges she faces and how she has found managing through the pandemic
• Ella's lovely dog Coco! Ella explains what an autism assistance dog does day to day and how Coco helps her and Dogs for Autism: https://dogsforautism.org.uk
• Ella's Purple People Community membership and Born Anxious merchandise!

Ella's Links:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/purpleella
• The Purple People (YouTube Club): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzske-KMAJYQn84rz6oD_yA/join
• TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZS747ovM/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/purpleella
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/purpleellaandcoco
• Merch: https://www.bornanxious.co.uk/born-anxious-collection?category=Purple+Ella

My 21andsensory links:

⁠Illustration Portfolio⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Podcast⁠ | ⁠YouTube⁠ | ⁠Blog⁠ | ⁠TikTok⁠ | ⁠X⁠ | ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠ | ⁠Patreon