Dearest Gentle Reader, rarely is society faced with such a vexing debate over a member of “The Ton”. Could it be that Miss Francesca Bridgerton is autistic? This author will humbly endeavor to set the record straight, not through gossip and speculation, but through science and fact. It is our greatest wish that in your journey to understand Miss Francesca, you discover yourself, for this, dear reader, would make the fruits of our labor worthwhile, indeed.

Sources:

• Tony Attwood
• Francesca Autistic Compilation
• Francesca Compilation
• Autistic adult brains name recognition
• Different emotional facial expressions
• Double empathy problem
• Eye contact triggers amygdala
• GABA and Glutamate
• The theory of monotropism
• Most common special interests
• What causes special interests?
• Autistic women more vulnerable
• Thalamus explains sensory issues
• Autistic people have weaker autobiographical memory
• Fear of being perceived
• Debunking the Empathy/Systemizing Quotient in autism
• Autistic adults enjoy being in the same space without direct interaction
• Study on autistic special interests
• CAT-Q Autism Assessment

You know that “new crush” feeling where your heart is pounding and you've got butterflies in your stomach? It can feel exhilarating! But imagine if you got stuck in a loop where you experience it every single day for years. Suddenly, it becomes a little less fun. This is the plight of people suffering from limerence, where you become addicted to your own fantasies of being in a relationship with someone who is unavailable in real life. 

So how do you know if it's love or limerence? In today's episode, we'll break down all the ways you can tell the difference. Curious what causes limerence? We dive into the neuroscience behind it in our previous episode “Why do ADHDers get addicted?”

Sources:

• What causes limerence?
• Dr. Kirk Honda's limerence deep-dive
• Dr. Tom Bellamy's limerence introduction
• Dr. Tom Bellamy’s YouTube channel about limerence 
• Limerence meta analysis
• Dr. Kirk Honda's borderline personality disorder deep-dive
• Dr. Kirk Honda's Baby Reindeer deep-dive
• OCD vs ADHD and Autism

We all know people with ADHD are more prone to addictions like gambling, alcoholism, and substance abuse. But what if you could be addicted to your own fantasies? And how do addictions form in the first place? In this two part episode, we’re examining limerence, a condition where you become addicted to compulsive, consuming fantasies about a romantic relationship with someone who does not express interest in you.

In order to truly grasp limerence, you need to understand the neuroscience behind addiction, which is the topic of this episode. We take an in-depth look at the brain changes that occur when you become addicted to something, and we explore why ADHD brains are exceptionally vulnerable. This episode will help you understand ADHD struggles on a whole new level! Give us a listen, and be sure to come back for the second part of this special, where we tackle the precise symptoms of limerence and the conditions it's commonly mistaken for. 

Sources:

• Dr. Kirk Honda's deep dive on limerence
• Addiction neuroscience research with Professor Kent Berridge
• Understanding addiction and how it's treated
• Statistics about ADHD and addiction 
• The overlapping neurobiology of addiction in ADHD
• Research on ADHD and low hedonic tone
• Research on ADHD and attachment styles 
• General information about attachment style
• ADHD and divorce rates

Diagnosis rates are rising, and people everywhere are being prescribed medications with major side effects. But what if it's actually a misdiagnosis? We're talking, of course, about dementia.

Although dementia can look similar to ADHD and autism in older populations, treatment options are wildly different, and very few clinics perform ample screening to distinguish between these conditions. In this episode, we'll break down the similarities and differences. We'll also talk about the pitfalls of aging gracefully with ADHD and autism, so you and your loved ones can navigate the complexities armed with knowledge.

Sources

• Survey about menopause with ADHD
• Stories about aging with autism 
• Meta-analysis about aging well with autism
• Video about aging with ADHD by Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D. 
• Clinics rarely screen for ADHD in older populations
• Study on ADHD and dementia risk
• Common conditions that look like dementia
• Up to 13% of diagnosed dementia cases are actually liver failure
• ADHDers have poor autobiographical memory
• ADHD memories don't have context about time or location 
• Dementia side effects reported by pharmacists and caretakers
• Severe side effects to dementia anti-psychotic drugs
• Severe side effects from anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody medications for dementia 
• Only 31% of ADHDers would be eligible for a randomized controlled trial about ADHD meds

Have you ever been completely obsessed with a video game and you can't pull yourself away? Video games have a nuanced and important role in the lives of AuDHDers. In this episode, we'll dig into the good, the bad, and the ugly side of video games. In the right context, they serve as a powerful, therapeutic tool for self regulating and even improving challenges associated with ADHD and autism. Unfortunately, they can also be addictive and drain your time, money, and willpower.

Sources:

• Basic stats about video games
• Using Dungeons and Dragons as a therapeutic technique for autism
• Meta analysis on using games for ADHD treatment
• CogCubed ADHD assessment game
• Research on EndeavorRX to treat ADHD
• EndeavorRX gameplay demo
• Using Tetris to prevent PTSD after traumatic experiences
• ADHD and video game addiction
• Autism and video game addiction 
• Autistic people are less likely to purchase loot boxes
• Loot boxes increase gambling addiction risk in adolescents by 3.7x to 6.0x
• 32% of children regret their online purchases and 41% don't understand what they purchased 
• Adolescents who purchase loot boxes are at 1.87x higher risk of severe psychological distress
• Blind boxes increase suicide risk in children
• Australia automatically classifies games with loot boxes as Mature

What do computers, music, and nature have in common? They are some of the top special interests for autistic people! In today's episode, we look at the research behind special interests to separate the truth from the stereotypes. We also look at some of the possible reasons why so many autistic people have special interests. Join us for this very special episode where we get to talk about our favorite things!

Chapters

00:00 Welcome & why special interests matter

02:54 Myth-busting: hyperfocus vs. special interests

03:24 The research problem (ask adults, not just caregivers)

05:16 Strengths, coping, and pride

07:04 When treatment targets the wrong thing

08:48 Special interest study

11:20 “Current” interests vs. lifelong ones

11:46 Disney special interests

18:16 Burnout and the 80% finish line

20:21 INCUP attention model (ADHD)

22:32 Work friction & making novelty

23:10 Top special interests by gender

27:08 What makes an interest “special”

32:56 When intensity hurts well-being

34:21 Monotropism 101

40:36 Hyperfocus & mental health

44:06 Systemizing vs. empathy—why that binary fails

50:01 Temple Grandin’s thinking styles

54:32 Special interest stigma

59:15 Our special interests

1:01:52 Conclusion

References: Grove et al., 2018; SAGE 2024 hyperfocus study; Autism Understood (Monotropism); Temple Grandin on thinking styles.

Special Interests Study (Grove et al., 2018)

👉 https://research.vu.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/72579810/Grove_et_al_2018_Autism_Research.pdf

Monotropism Overview (Autism Understood)

👉 https://autismunderstood.co.uk/autistic-differences/monotropism/

Hyperfocus Study (SAGE Journals, 2024)

👉 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/27546330241237883

Systemizing Quotient – Revised (Embrace Autism)

👉 https://embrace-autism.com/systemizing-quotient-revised/

Thinking Styles in Autistic People – Temple Grandin Framework (Embrace Autism)

👉 https://embrace-autism.com/thinking-styles-in-autistic-people

Keywords: autism, ADHD, AuDHD, special interests, hyperfocus, monotropism, Temple Grandin, systemizing quotient, Simon Baron-Cohen, Disney Imagineering, Pixar, pattern thinking, executive function, INCUP, attention regulation

This conversation delves into the complex relationship between autism and religion, exploring how neurodivergent individuals experience spirituality and religious practices. The discussion highlights various cultural perspectives on autism, the role of empathy in spiritual relationships, and the unique understandings of religious concepts among autistic individuals. It also addresses the impact of new age beliefs and astrology on the perception of autism, emphasizing the need for better research and understanding in the field.

Chapters

00:00 Finding Faith and Overcoming Challenges

00:48 Exploring Autism and Religion

02:14 The Intersection of Autism and Spirituality

07:56 Understanding Religious Experiences in Autistic Individuals

11:52 The Role of Empathy in Spiritual Relationships

14:32 Cultural Perspectives on Autism and Religion

18:57 Unique Understandings of Religious Concepts

21:46 The Capacity for Religion in Autistic Individuals

22:34 Diverse Religious Interpretations of Autism

29:49 New Age Beliefs and Autism

45:18 The Role of Sensitivity in Spiritual Experiences

52:07 Astrology, ADHD, and Autism Connections

ADHD obviously impacts a lot of aspects of your life, but did you know it can impact your religious status, too? It turns out, there are fascinating studies that explore the interplay between ADHD and religion (or lack thereof), so for this episode, we're giving you the lowdown on their findings. For our autistic listeners, don't worry! We have a follow up episode coming soon exploring autism and religion, too!

References:

• Study looking at Judaism and ADHD

• Additude article on ADHD and religion

• Church of England rejects gluten free wafers

• Study looking at Evangelical Christian attitudes towards ADHD

• Information on Religious OCD

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Faith and Neurodivergence

03:58 The Intersection of Religion and ADHD

06:26 Community, Belonging, and ADHD

08:57 The Role of Religion in Mental Health

11:59 Challenges of Neurodivergence in Religious Spaces

15:13 Understanding ADHD and Religious Experiences

17:54 The Impact of Community on Loneliness

20:51 Navigating Religious Expectations and ADHD

23:43 Finding Acceptance in Faith Communities

26:34 Personal Journeys and Religious Beliefs

34:26 Navigating Church with ADHD and Hypermobility

37:27 Judgment in Religious Communities

39:00 Neurodivergence and LGBTQIA+ Intersectionality

39:11 Dietary Restrictions and Religious Practices

41:32 Rigid Religious Accommodations

43:55 Finding Comfort in Religious Rituals

47:56 The Struggles of Neurodivergent Individuals in Church

48:35 Hyperfixation on Religion as a Special Interest

53:40 Religion as a Tool for Emotional Regulation

01:00:25 Understanding Religious Scrupulosity OCD

01:03:25 The Cycle of Shame in Religious Contexts

01:07:52 Previewing Autism Studies and Religion

Can you diagnose autism by looking at pictures of eyes?

That's the theory behind the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), which was recently featured in Season 2 of 'The Rehearsal'. But this autism assessment has a wild history, and its origins are convoluted enough to make Nathan Fielder blush.

Today, we're breaking down the story of how the RMET was developed and whether the results are clinically relevant. We also explore the broader implications of Theory of Mind assessments that researchers love to give to autistic people.

This episode has random magazine clippings, animated triangle families, bad doodles, and more. Tune in to see how all these pieces of the puzzle fit together!

References:

• Free online RMET assessment
• Theory of Mind Overview
• Basic Emotions Test
• Animated Triangles Test
• Diverse Desire and Beliefs Test (Yoni Test)
• False Beliefs Test (Sally Anne Test)
• Criticisms of the Theory of Mind tests
• Even more criticisms of the Theory of Mind Tests
• History and criticisms of the RMET

00:00 Introduction

00:09 The RMET and Autism Representation

02:53 Origins and Validity of the RMET

04:07 Theory of Mind and Autism

05:10 Administering Theory of Mind Tests

13:01 Cultural and Subjective Influences on Theory of Mind

14:41 Testing Theory of Mind with Animated Triangles

23:03 Diverse Desires and Hidden Feelings

28:59 False Beliefs and Hidden Feelings Tests

34:03 Critique of Autism Research

34:53 Validity of Autism Tests

37:22 Language Dexterity as a Theory of Mind predictor

39:16 Issues with Autism Testing

42:16 The RMET: Origins and Issues

48:50 Criticism of Simon Baron-Cohen's Work

01:04:19 Alternative Approaches to Autism Testing

01:06:50 Personal Experiences and Reflections

01:09:00 Discussing the Clinical Evaluation Process

01:09:11 Reflecting on the Exhausting Nature of Tests

01:09:27 Upcoming Episode on Eating Disorders and Neurodivergence

01:09:27 Personal Reflections on Test Performance

01:10:25 Questioning the Validity of the Test

01:10:40 Conclusion and Future Plans

If you're anything like us, you watched ‘The Rehearsal’ on HBO and immediately became OBSESSED! This show has resonated deeply with the autistic community, and we want to talk about it. In this episode, we are taking a look at showrunner Nathan Fielder's portrayal of himself, both within the show and in interviews, as an illustrative example for how higher masking autism can present in people. In the show, Nathan has created a case of Schrödinger's autism diagnosis where it's unclear whether he is actually autistic. This ambiguity creates the space to have a nuanced conversation about how autism and masking can feel for so many of us. Whether you're a Rehearsal superfan or you've never seen the show, join us for an illuminating conversation!

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Nathan Fielder 

02:20 Understanding Non-Stereotypical Autism 

03:49 The Rehearsal and Its Impact 

04:26 Ethnomethodology and Nathan's Comedy 

05:47 Speculating on Nathan's Autism 

09:55 Stereotypical vs. Non-Stereotypical Autism 

10:16 Relatable Moments from Nathan's Interviews 

11:56 Repetition, Routines, and Compensation 

18:59 Challenges of Masking and Social Interactions 

32:33 Special Interests and Hyperfixations 

38:59 Disney Lore and Childhood Obsessions 

41:13 Autistic Traits and Masking 

42:22 Social Observations and High Masking 

52:00 Empathy and Emotional Challenges 

59:05 Existential Thinking and Cognitive Styles 

01:03:54 Concluding Thoughts on Autism Representation