Struggle Care

98: Autism (actually) Speaks with Kaelynn Partlow

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Happy Autism Awareness Month! Yes–I know that was in April, but I have ADHD and am easily distracted. I’ve procrastinated for more than a year on doing some really great episodes about autism because I want to do justice to this topic. I’m starting with an amazing TikTokker, Kaelynn Partlow. I’ve followed her for quite a while, but you might know Kaelynn from Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum. Kaelynn shares about autism from her personal experience and her professional work with autistic kids. She was diagnosed at age 10 with autism, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and ADHD. Her background provides a unique perspective on advocacy that is worth our attention. Join us!


Show Highlights:


  • Specific criteria (from the DSM) for autism—and Kaelynn’s experience with each one
  • Persistent deficits in social communication and interaction
  • Restrictive or repeated behavior
  • Kaelynn’s experience in making and maintaining friendships while growing up and now
  • Masking: What it is and what it feels like
  • The nuances of eye contact: not enough or too much?
  • All autistic behaviors ARE human behaviors.
  • Stimming from an autistic perspective and a non-autistic perspective
  • Kaelynn’s special interests, routines, and self-imposed “rules”
  • Kaelynn’s experience with sensory issues: noises, fabrics, etc. 
  • Kaelynn’s perspective on physical touch (Most autistic people don’t like physical touch.)
  • Kaelynn’s diagnosis at age 10 (after the assumption that she was genius-level intelligent.)
  • Autism is NOT an invisible disability!
  • Kaelynn’s reflection on her childhood and helpful therapies and treatments
  • Kaelynn’s thoughts on common ADA controversies
  • Kaelynn’s advice to those who might fear being “labeled” if they pursue testing for themselves or their child
  • What Kaelynn sees as the biggest misunderstanding about autism today
    • Resources and Links:

    Connect with Kaelynn Partlow: TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook

    **Look for Kaelynn’s book, Life on the Bridge, to be released this summer!

    Connect with KC: Website, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook

    Get KC’s book, How to Keep House While Drowning

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    Struggle CareBy KC Davis
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