An episode that's processing all the right ideas!

In Episode 104 of The Autistic Culture Podcast, Matt and Angela unpack internalized ableism—how it shows up, where it comes from, and how to actively dismantle it as autistic individuals.Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode:

* We explore how masking, burnout, and skill regression are tied to internalized ableism and why trying to "prove you're capable" often leads to harm rather than growth.

* The episode breaks down how the social model of disability clashes with real-world struggles—and why saying “I’m not disabled” may reflect deep-rooted ableist messaging.

* Topics include bottom-up processing, the constant sensory load autistic people carry, and the judgment we face when burnout is mistaken for laziness.

* Matt and Angela discuss the grief that comes from lost opportunities due to unrecognized needs, the fear of "coming out" as autistic, and the ethical concerns of autism registries.

* We dive into the autism community infighting over functioning labels, HSP rebranding, and the vital role of AAC in supporting non-speaking autistics.

* This episode is also a call to embrace autistic pride, accommodate your needs unapologetically, and break generational cycles of ableism for the sake of future autistic kids.

“Due to the social model of disability, we autistic people are disabled. And if you say, ‘but I am autistic and I am not disabled’, then that actually is the internalized ableism.” - Matt Lowry LPP

“When you think, ‘everyone else can do this, why can’t I?’ - it’s the same as a person in a wheelchair saying, ‘everyone else can use the stairs. Why can’t my legs work?” - Matt Lowry LPP

“It requires a certain amount of therapy & personal exploration to identify, ‘what are my actual limits?’ Like, where am I disabled? What are my things, versus where should I maybe not be giving up so quickly on certain things?” - Dr Angela Kingdon

“Every machine has limits. A bulldozer can push more than a Camaro. And if you try to make a bulldozer act like a Camaro or vice versa, it’s going to damage either machine.” - Matt Lowry LPP

“For me, the booby prize of having a major burnout episode is that I can’t - I literally can’t do it anymore. And I’m like, ‘where did it go? I used to be able to do that. Where did it go?” - Dr Angela Kingdon

“Neurotypicals look at [burnout] and say, ‘wow, how lazy of him not to be at work for a month. There must be something wrong with him. He must be crazy.’ And then there’s all sorts of discrimination based on that.” - Matt Lowry LPP

“We can’t come out of the neurocloset and be ourselves if we can’t be publicly proud of who we are. We’re going to judge ourselves based on this artificial standard. Because if they’re going to judge us, we say, ‘Then in that case, there’s a reason that they’re judging me.’ Because again, we’re very reason-oriented people. We have the data, we have the logic. And it’s incredibly hurtful to carry around this guilty secret that we can’t say to people.” - Matt Lowry LPP

Did you enjoy this episode? We dive deep into internalized ableism, the challenges of burnout, and how masking can lead to exhaustion. We also touch on the importance of autistic pride and how to accommodate yourself for a healthier, happier life. In the comments, let us know what resonated with you, and use #AutisticCultureCatch to share your thoughts on social media and connect with other listeners!

Related Episodes:

Bad Autism Diagnosis

Reframing DSM Diagnosis

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