Autistic Licence

In this episode we meet Catherine, one of our listeners from the USA. Catherine shares with us about her deep dive into autistic identity.

We discuss some of our experiences throughout our life spans relating to others in education and group settings. We notice ways in which we adapted that don't feel so necessary any longer.

Catherine also comes up with the phrase "social dyspraxia" which we agree is a wonderful descriptor and summary of much of our exploration.

The conversation ends with some beautiful autistic "show and tell" between Leo and Catherine.

We hope you enjoy and welcome your feedback. 💛🧡

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In this episode we speak with Daniel, one of our listeners who responded to our invitation to join us for a guest conversation.

We speak about Daniel's ongoing process of coming to know himself as autistic. We then branch into discussing therapy with AuDHD people, including an exploration of the role artificial intelligence (AI) might play in this.

Daniel introduces us to his concept of "Grand Cycles" and does a fantastic job of describing aphantasia from the inside out.

We absolutely loved meeting Daniel.

Daniel is happy to be contacted at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielzp/

We hope you enjoy and welcome your feedback. 💛🧡

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In this episode we reflect on the new calendar year and whether this has significance for us.

We then open up a long discussion about the process of "middle age". Leo shares some of his identity shifts and pillars which have become clearer and more robust over the past decade.

Siana reflects on the significance of readiness and of having a template of sorts which has enabled her to enter and navigate this stage of life in a different way.

We speak about themes of hope, expectation, change and growth, and weave in some therapeutic insights along the way.

We hope you enjoy this episode and, as always, your comments and reflections are welcome at [email protected] 🧡💛

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Cadbury has discontinued Festive Friends biscuits 😭 We speak about the effects of product changes for autistic people and  return to the topic of sensitivities and allergies.

Leo reflects on the complex interplay he's noticing between ADHD meds, eating / appetite, medical history / considerations and sensory sensitivities.

We move on to talking about aspects of this time of year which we enjoy. We recognise the diversity of our listeners' cultural contexts and we are also mindful of how challenging Christmas can be for many. We wish you all moments of peace and connection in ways that are meaningful for you. 

Thank you so much for all your support in 2024 and we'll speak to you on the other side 💛🧡

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From here things get a bit deep as we go onto speaking about Leo's childhood anxieties about death and psychological safety. 

It's a quick ending this time due to busy schedules but perhaps we will circle around to this again in future. As always, your comments and reflections are welcome at [email protected] 🧡💛

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Some broad themes in this episode are family lineage, reading and the accessibility of group settings for neurodivergent people.

Leo's great uncle has died at the grand age of 102. Siana has taken another week's deep dive into her ancestry.  Leo has been looking into two Buddhist Sanghas and Siana is training in Circle facilitation.  

Thank you as ever for listening and for all your support. We'd love to hear your comments and reflections at [email protected] 🧡 💛

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Siana has recently become interested in tracing her ancestry.

We reflect on aspects of this from an autistic perspective, such as pattern seeking as a way into a deeper search for belonging and connection.

We consider spirituality in a broader sense, touching on personality development and synchronicity. 

We open up many more questions than we answer (actually we don't conclude very much at all) but that's probably very apt given the subject matter 😉

Oh, and Leo has been to the dental hygienist, increased ADHD meds and purchased a very beautiful escape key for his computer keyboard 🧡 And we just celebrated our one year pod-iversary.

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LINKS

Leo's Mount Fuji escape key

A discussion on HSP vs autism

Synchronicity: A Carl Jung Perspective

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In this episode we begin with Halloween as a springboard into superstition and then, somehow, onto Leo's ADHD meds update.

Then we move into an exploration around RSD (rejection sensitive dysphoria) and ADA (autistic demand avoidance). 

We focus on these two strands within our own relationship dynamic. Leo hopes this might be of use and resonate with people out there, which in turn activates an RSD moment for Siana.

Despite the themes discussed in this episode we really really do want to hear your thoughts, reflections and ideas!!

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LINKS

It's Not A Bloody Trend by Kat Brown (book)

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria/RSD (article)

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This episode traverses the theme of building autistic community.

We recognise the dearth of opportunities for autistic people to connect in real time. We share our ideas around how we might like to play a small part in facilitating aspects of this, for example by having guests on the podcast and running groups. We discuss various elements of this from practical, professional and ethical points of view. 

We recognise that perhaps the paucity of "out" autistic therapists combined with the lack of existing resources possibly means that in the beginning there will inevitably be "boundary" issues to confront and navigate. More neuroqueering of the norms, we wonder?

As ever, we would love love love to hear your thoughts, ideas and feedback 💛🧡

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This episode was recorded on the day when we had planned a pilot "Odd One In" group meeting.

We cancelled the group with 24 hours notice because only two people had signed up at that point.

We reflect on our relationships to change, flexibility, choice and managing our own ways of being alongside considering others with a variety of needs.

Siana rants about the logistics of the booking system for her Zumba class ... and somehow Leo manages to segway from this into his history of superstition and OCD.

We compare and contrast these experiences with the common autistic activities of sorting and ordering. We then explore the value of certain rituals and ways of doing things from an aesthetic, practical or symbolic point of view.

As ever, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments - [email protected]

💛🧡

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LINKS

Autisticality

A Guide To Autistic Experience (book)

Leo's pleasingly sliced lemon

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