Autistic Licence

This episode is a spontaneous Saturday chit chat. 

There's a fair amount of "here and now" energy and interaction, interspersed with memories and reflections.

Siana talks about her experience of ADHD when it fires in multiple directions at once - something which for her does not exclude hyperfocus "flow" states.

Leo reflects on a range of experiences he is now reframing in light of autism, such as the after effects of exhilarating events and "talking to myself".

We touch on concepts such as echolalia and synaptic pruning, applying these to our own experiences and challenging some common misconceptions. We conclude that as AuDHDers, while we absolutely face challenges around over stimulation, we also have tremendous capacity for sensory joy and pleasure.

Synaptic Pruning

Mint Aero bar

BNL shoutout

Echolalia

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This episode is in many ways a reflection on elements of the last one.

We speak about early narratives and experiences, and the lifelong meaning and impact of these. We apply this to therapeutic contexts and approaches, specifically Transactional Analysis and Internal Family Systems, and we relate this to therapy with autistic people.

We also explore the concept of so called "rigid" thinking and the possible significance of this for us as autistic people growing up in a world where the template for living which is offered to us does not fit or deliver.

Special guest contribution from Phoebe - Siana's cat - in this episode 😻

LINKS

Relational Transactional Analysis

The Drama Triangle

Life Positions

Drivers & Injunctions

“Know all the theories, master all the techniques, but as you touch a human soul be just another human soul.”

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In this episode we discuss how we, as autistic people, are seen and experienced by others. We then traverse some thorny territory relating to how we see ourselves and influence each other.

These are sensitive ideas and topics, interspersed with distractions, brain glitches and spiralling reasoning which somehow loops together in the end.

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Neuroqueer Heresies

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In this episode we begin to circumambulate the intersectionality of autism and queerness.

We begin with Siana's home interior decorating project and finish up discussing Leo's gender identity development. In between we wax lyrical around some relationship models, notably Siana's current QPR (queer platonic relationship).

Comical interlude provided by Leo's beautifully curated ritual around a previous relationship.

Topic to be continued - we listen to your feedback and suggestions 🧡💛 Keep them coming!

LINKS

Queer Platonic Relationships

Intersectionality

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This episode is another “in person” recording.  We reflect on our experiences of travelling with and without accommodations.

We specifically speak about the profound benefits for us of wearing a Sunflower lanyard when travelling in busy and often overwhelming airports.

We also talk about the significance of our sense of smell, in particular Leo’s awareness of this in new places.

NOISE WARNING: towards the end of our chat we talk about the possibility of adding a noise warning to this episode. This is because of some loud noise from people working outside during the recording. The warning wasn't necessary in the end as we were able to filter it out in the edit. Clever us!

LINKS

What is the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower? (hdsunflower.com)

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We recorded this episode while we were together in Siana’s house last weekend.  We explore co-regulation and bring in various ideas and theories from autistic, therapeutic and scientific communities to flavour our discussion.

We end up specifically inviting the non autistic community to join and get to know us and, most importantly, the autistic people around them.

LINKS

Trauma and the nervous system: a polyvagal perspective (youtube.com)

Resources | Rhythm of Regulation

What is the double empathy problem? (smallstepps.com)

The ‘double empathy problem’: Ten years on - Damian Milton, Emine Gurbuz, Beatriz López, 2022 (sagepub.com)

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In this episode we explore the finite nature of personal energy and capacity. We refer to our own experiences and to wider "spoon theory".

The pace of this conversation is slow and relaxed; it's basically two autistic people hanging out together. If that's your vibe, we'd love you to join us 🧡💛

On that note, our Facebook community is growing fast and you would be very welcome there too - see the links below...

LINKS

Spoon theory

Siana's talk

The Traitors

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Leo enquires about Jungian Sandplay, a therapeutic modality Siana offers in her therapy practice. We explore Siana's demand avoidance about the prospect of speaking about this and then eventually get there in a perfectly autistic way.

This is a lovely illustration of "Takiwatanga" which we happened to post about on our Facebook feed this week. Takiwatanga is the Maori word for autism which translates as "in their own time and space".

LINKS

What is demand avoidance? – PDA Society

The PDA Summit 2023 (thepdaspace.com)

Autistic Demand Avoidance – an example – Riko's blog: PDA and more. (wordpress.com)

Petition · National Autistic Society to remove harmfully biased PDA information from their website · Change.org

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In this episode we explore the centrality of the core value of justice for many autistic people.

We discuss the impacts on us when things aren't "right" or fair, the tenacity needed to address these and the toll this takes on us.

We then tentatively begin to explore some particular ways in which our social experiences correlate with theory around masking, fawning and appeasement.

LINKS

Trauma 101 with Linda Thai - Learning about trauma can be empowering and transformative.

Appeasement: replacing Stockholm syndrome as a definition of a survival strategy

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In today's episode we're gearing up for the new year in our therapy practices.

We reflect on therapeutic relationships and processes, wondering about and exploring those facets which might just be unique to autistic or AuDHD lives. 

And we talk about our hopes and dreams for the podcast in 2024 inviting you to connect with us as we build the Autistic Licence community together.

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