In this episode of Autistic Advocacy, Matt and Angela unpack internalized ableism—how it shows up, where it comes from, and how to actively dismantle it as autistic individuals.

🎧 What You’ll Learn

• Masking, burnout & skill regression – How the drive to "prove you're capable" often causes harm rather than growth.
• The social model of disability – Why saying “I’m not disabled” may reflect deep-rooted ableist messaging.
• Constant sensory load – How bottom-up processing and sensory overwhelm intersect with ableist assumptions.
• Burnout vs. laziness – How autistic distress cues are misinterpreted, and the grief of losing skills after major burnout.
• Fear of coming out – The hidden costs of staying in the “neurocloset” and the need for autistic pride.
• Community debates – Functioning labels, HSP rebranding, and the importance of AAC for non-speaking autistics.

Related Episodes:

Bad Autism Diagnosis

Reframing DSM Diagnosis

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🎙️ Executive Producers: Amy Burns, Anamaria B Call, Andrew Banner, Anna Goodson, Ashley Apelzin, Audrea Volker, Ben Coulson, Brian Churcek, Cappy Hamper, Carley Biblin, Charlene Deva, Chloe Cross, Clay Duhigg, Clayton Oliver, Danny Dunn, Daria Brown, David Garrido, Emily Burgess, Eric Crane, Erik Stenerud, Fiona Baker, Grace Norman, Helen Shaddock, Jaimie Collins, Jason Killian, Jen Unruh, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Tretter, Kathie Watson-Gray, Kenneth Knowles, Kira Cotter, Kristine Lang, Kyle Raney, Llew P Williams, Laura Alvarado, Laura De Vito, Laura Provonsha, Lily George, Nelly Darmi, Nigel Rogers, Rachel Miller, Tim Scott, Tyler Kunz, Victoria Steed, Yanina Wood.

🎧 Producers: AJ Knight, Bobby Simon, Da Kovac, Eleanor Collins, Emily Griffiths, Hannah Hughes, Jennifer Kemp, Jonas Fløde, Kate F, Katie N Benitez, Kendra Murphy, Lisa Dennys, Logan Wall, Louise Lomas, Melissa Nance, Nicola Owen, Rebecka Johansson, Sam Morris, Sarah Hannah Morris.

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