Autism Help

In this episode of Autism Help, Heather McKay explores the relationship between autistic identity, language and mental health, and how the words used to describe autistic people can influence the way they are understood and treated.

Heather discusses the debate around identity-first and person-first language, the introduction of terms such as profound autism, and the importance of autistic people having a voice in conversations about their own lives. She also examines the role of advocacy, the impact of discrimination and dehumanising language, and the political decisions affecting autistic communities, including changes to disability support in Australia.

Content Note:

This episode includes discussion of depression, suicidal thoughts, discrimination, abuse, eugenics and the historical persecution of disabled people. Please listen with care if these subjects may be difficult or triggering for you.

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for general information only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Please consult an appropriately qualified professional about your individual circumstances.

🎧 Autism Help is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcastnetwork.com

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Autism Help, Heather McKay explores the importance of hobbies and special interests for autistic people, and what happens when we lose interest in the things that bring us joy.

Heather discusses the differences between autistic and ADHD hobbies, including the emotional impact of losing a deeply meaningful interest, the financial cost of abandoned hobbies, and the relationship between hobbies, depression and burnout. She also considers how masking, everyday demands and a lack of support can affect our ability to enjoy our interests, and why finding ways to reconnect with the things we love can be important for our wellbeing.

Content Note:

This episode includes discussion of depression, suicidal thoughts, grief and autistic burnout. Please listen with care if these subjects may be difficult or triggering for you.

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for general information only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Please consult an appropriately qualified professional about your individual circumstances.

🎧 Autism Help is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcastnetwork.com

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Autism Help, Heather McKay explores avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, commonly known as ARFID, and how it can affect autistic people.

Heather discusses the different treatments currently offered for ARFID and explains why some approaches may be ineffective or even make eating more difficult for autistic people, including contributing to the loss of safe foods. She also introduces some of the changes that may help make support more appropriate and accessible.

Content Note

This episode includes detailed discussion of food, restrictive eating, eating disorders, and experiences of ARFID. Please listen with care if these subjects may be difficult or triggering for you.

Disclaimer

This podcast is for general information only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Please consult an appropriately qualified professional about your individual circumstances.

🎧 Autism help is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcastnetwork.com

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Autism Help, Heather McKay explores the often-overlooked connection between autism and incontinence, and the challenges many autistic people face in accessing understanding and appropriate support.

Heather discusses the discrimination experienced by autistic people with co-occurring incontinence, why these difficulties can occur, and what individuals, families, and carers can do to better support those affected. This episode shines a light on a topic that is rarely talked about but has a significant impact on quality of life.

Content Note

This episode includes discussion of incontinence, toileting, and discrimination experienced by autistic people.

Disclaimer

Autism Help is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. The views expressed are based on the host's knowledge and lived experience. If you have questions about your health, treatment, or legal circumstances, please seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional.

🎧 Autism help is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcastnetwork.com

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Autism Help, Heather McKay explores why some autistic children with co-occurring disabilities face additional barriers to learning to read, and why traditional teaching approaches may not always meet their needs.

Heather discusses the disabilities that commonly occur alongside autism, how they can affect literacy development, and practical ways to overcome some of the challenges they create. This episode offers insight for parents, carers, and educators looking to better support autistic children on their reading journey.

Disclaimer

Autism Help is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. The views expressed are based on the host's knowledge and lived experience. If you have questions about your health, treatment, or legal circumstances, please seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional.

🎧 Autism help is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcastnetwork.com

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Autism Help, Heather McKay is joined by PhD researcher Helen Johnston to explore the relationship between autism and fibromyalgia, a condition that affects many autistic people but remains under-recognised.

Together, they discuss what fibromyalgia is, how it develops, the challenges of diagnosis, and the latest research into the condition. The conversation offers valuable insight into an area of health that deserves greater awareness within the autistic community.

Helen Johnston welcomes enquiries about her research and can be contacted at [email protected].

Disclaimer

Autism Help is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. The views expressed are based on the host's knowledge and lived experience. If you have questions about your health, treatment, or legal circumstances, please seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional.

🎧 Autism help is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcastnetwork.com

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Understanding autism means understanding everything that comes with it.

Welcome to Autism Help, a podcast exploring the co-occurring conditions, daily challenges, and practical realities that shape the lives of autistic people and those who support them. Part of the Autistic Culture Podcast Network.

Hosted by Heather McKay (she/they)—a late-diagnosed autistic mother of two, educator, company director, and author of Autism: The Big Book Set of Help—the series provides honest, neuroaffirming conversations about topics that are often overlooked, misunderstood, or poorly explained by mainstream services.

Drawing on lived experience, years of facilitating support groups, and extensive research, Heather explores subjects including ARFID, executive dysfunction, sleep disorders, fibromyalgia, incontinence, literacy, and supporting multiply-disabled children. Each episode aims to provide practical knowledge, reduce isolation, and help listeners better understand autistic life beyond the diagnostic criteria.

Whether you're autistic yourself, a parent, educator, support worker, or healthcare professional, Autism Help offers accessible, evidence-informed conversations grounded in both expertise and lived experience.

🎧 Autism help is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcastnetwork.com

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.