An episode that’s spooky and spectacular!

Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode:

* Today's episode is all about the Monster High franchise! It’s a perfect topic since, as autistic people, we often relate to monsters—feeling different and set apart, just like they do.

* Our special guest for this episode is Tiffany Hammond from the Fidgets and Fries Instagram account! An autistic mother and advocate, her activism is deeply rooted in intersectionality and challenging mainstream perceptions of autism.

* We dive into all things advocacy, from the complexities of the “autism mom” narrative to the unique challenges of navigating the advocacy space as a Black autistic person.

* We discuss the realities of autistic individuals encountering law enforcement and the often terrifying challenges that come with these interactions. From misunderstandings and sensory overload to the potential for dangerous outcomes, we explore why these situations can be so distressing and what needs to change to make them safer.

* Tiffany also shares her experience teaching her Black autistic children about race, highlighting the unique challenges and nuances that come with discussing identity, privilege, and discrimination with neurodivergent kids.

* Additionally, Tiffany then shares her experience consulting with Mattel on Twyla Boogeyman, the first canonically autistic Monster High character. She discusses the process of ensuring authentic representation, the importance of neurodivergent voices in media, and what this milestone means for autistic fans.

* From body language to stim objects, every detail was carefully considered to ensure an authentic and meaningful portrayal of autism in Twyla’s character.

* Finally, we explore the many forms of autism representation in media and the importance of diverse portrayals. While no single character can represent every autistic person, authentic representation can still make a powerful impact—helping even one autistic individual feel seen and understood.

“We [autistic folks] tend to have an affinity for monsters because we are often misunderstood. We are often persecuted, villainized, & made out to be the bad guy because we are different. So, we often want to extend courtesy to monsters, because we say, ‘that beast surely is misunderstood. Perhaps there’s good things there.’” - Matt"

“That’s a big problem with the world in general, because a lot of the world, especially neurotypical people, operate with sound bytes and hashtags and making things as simplistic as possible. But when you have the complex intersectionality of racism and colonialism and ableism and all this stuff contributing to make a real, massive threat, a danger to your existence, it’s so much bigger than that.” - Matt

“She [Twyla Boogeyman] represents one kind of representation of what autism can be. This is just an invitation for the audience to learn more, for you to see that there is disabled representation, even in animated, made-up shows.” - Tiffany Hammond

Did you enjoy this episode? We explored the impact of autism representation in media, from Monster High's canonically autistic character to the power of seeing ourselves reflected in pop culture. Tune in as we dive into how these portrayals shape our identities, creativity, and connections with others. Share your thoughts in the comments and use #AutisticCultureCatch to connect with us and share your experiences!

Show Notes:

Tiffany Hammond (she/her) is the voice behind the Fidgets and Fries platform. She is an Autistic mother, advocate, and storyteller who uses her personal experiences with Autism and parenting two Autistic boys to guide others on their journey. Tiffany has a Masters in Developmental Psychology and spends her time teaching, coaching, and mentoring others in Disability Justice issues. Her activism is rooted in challenging the current perception of Autism as a lifelong burden, cultivating a community that explores the concept of Intersectionality and inspiring thought leaders through storytelling, education, and critical discourse. Tiffany was born and raised in Texas and grew up on deep dish pie and stories from her grandmother. She is a dreamer by day and a cereal killer at night. You can usually find Tiffany writing in the light of the moon or thinking about what to write in the light of the day. When she isn’t writing, she is building epic pillow forts with her two sons or going on long road trips with her family.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monster_High

https://www.instagram.com/fidgets.and.fries/

https://bsky.app/profile/fidgetsandfries.bsky.social

SPELLRBOARD APP:Listener Julie Kazaks wanted to share that my oldest son released an app in the AppStore- a digital letterboard made for people who aren’t able to reliably use their voice.

He created this app originally for his brother who has autism and is non speaking.

I am helping him spread the word to help give a voice - everyone deserves to be heard.

If you'd like to learn more and watch a demo- please check out the website.

https://www.spellrboard.com

Show notes:

https://www.amazon.com/Day-No-Words-Tiffany-Hammond/dp/1736949799Related Episodes:

Beauty and the Beast is AutisticXMen are Autistic

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