Perspectives on Neurodiversity

My name is Christopher Scott Wyatt and since 2007 I have been blogging as The Autistic Me. I launched this podcast during the 2017-18 school year.

I assume you're listening to this trailer because you're interested in autism. I certainly cannot imagine another reason you stumbled into a podcast named The Autistic Me.

Since I'm not known for my bright and cheery self-promotional nature, I'll stick to what I do best: blunt honesty. Maybe you'll still subscribe to the podcast.

This podcast has rarely managed a weekly or biweekly schedule. This podcast and the blog are things I try to do around my other responsibilities. I do my best to release episodes twice a month or more, but I often fail to hit that goal.

What could be more important than dreaming of podcast or YouTube stardom? Don't I want to monetize my social media presence? Doesn't everyone with a podcast want to become a social media influencer?

I am parent, working from home and doing my best to homeschool two young Neurodiverse daughters in the midst of a pandemic. Before that, my wife Susan and I were the girls' foster parents.

Sure, I'd love for this podcast to generate some income, but I have never had the time or energy to beg for interviews and promote myself on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or whatever is poplar at the moment.

That's actually why you should listen to The Autistic Me.

This podcast is about real life. I'm an exhausted parent, an imperfect husband, a freelance writer, a former educator, and an authentic diagnosed autistic struggling to hold things together day after day.

I'm not one of the super parent influencers who can juggle work, parenting, and high-production value YouTube videos.

There are funnier blogs and podcasts. Much, much funnier. Yes, there are entertaining podcasts hosted by funny autistics. I hope to have some of those funny people on this podcast to ask how they manage to be so charmingly witty.

There are more informative podcasts about autism research and current publications. I assume if you want autism news you can set a Google, Apple, or Bing news alert for the keyword "autism." I don't want to be an aggregator of news headlines.

The Autistic Me is about life as an autistic individual. But, it's not just my autistic perspective. I wouldn't want to listen to 30 or so episodes a year of my whining about daily life. That would be pretty boring. I chat with Neurodiverse guests, including my daughters. Authors, scholars, and other parents have appeared on the podcast, as well.

Subscribe and give The Autistic Me a chance. I'll be here, Christopher Scott Wyatt, speaking as The Autistic Me.

It might even be entertaining once in a while.

Thank you.

The Autistic Me:

• Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
• Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme

Please let this end! Yes, it's yet another year of pandemic podcasting if we don't start enforcing mask mandates, social distancing, and vaccination. The Autistic Me loves the isolation, but I'm tired of the anxiety. Let's take responsibility for ourselves and our communities to end the COVID-19 experience.

I fear that COVID-19 outbreaks will divide this school year. There won't be anything normal about this school year.

Many schools started early, trying to make up for lost class time. It shouldn't surprise anyone that many of those schools now have dozens of COVID-19 cases, including both students and staff.

After schools return nationwide, more clusters will be detected. By three or four weeks into the school year, we should have a clear picture of the trends among younger students, too. Remember, children under 12 are unvaccinated.

I understand the risks are low. However, COVID risks are preventable. These aren't beyond human control.

• Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
• Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme

Laura Reber is a school psychologist and founder of Progress Parade. At Progress Parade, they know what makes you different makes you strong. They provide 1:1 online tutoring with hand-picked specialists for students who have been diagnosed with ADHD, learning disabilities, executive functioning challenges, autism and more. Laura works with a team of school psychologists and specialized teachers to create personalized approaches for homework support, academic intervention, homeschooling, unschooling, and more.

Laura graduated valedictorian with a Bachelor's in Psychology from Truman State University and continued to earn her Specialist in School Psychology (SSP) from Illinois State University. She has been working as a school psychologist for over a decade. With her teams of tutors, she has successfully supported over 1000 students in turning learning challenges into life-changing achievements.

https://www.progressparade.com

The Autistic Me:

• Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
• Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme

Gary Martinez is a fitness trainer and father of Monica, a 15-year-old autistic young woman. He describes his choice to leave a "Big Box" fitness center for independent fitness training as becoming "an athlete for life" focused on Monica. Gary integrates sensory activities into Monica's daily routine, balancing her mind and body to help her succeed. His experiences with exercise and overall fitness have led Gary to help others prevent or reduce autistic meltdowns with natural strategies.

Gary: https://www.instagram.com/gary_martinez_jr/?hl=en

• Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
• Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme

Throughout the experience of pandemic parenting, I held onto the hope for productivity. However, my focus quickly shifted from my creative works to educating my daughters and their needs have remained my primary concern. As the pandemic seems to be waning, Susan and I now wonder if we might finally have some time for our interests.

• Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
• Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme

Our daughters and I have had a fair number of neuropsych assessments. The girls both have a list of official diagnostic labels. The three of us have ADHD in common. On her ninth birthday, we began yet another neuro-psychological assessment for Leigh, our eldest daughter. There's always another assessment, it seems.

• Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
• Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme

John Ordover is a man of many talents. A creative consultant, a writer, an editor, and a stand-up comic. He's even appeared as an extra in some of my favorite television shows. John also advocates for the autistic community as the father of an autistic young adult and the partner of an autistic wife. I first met John virtually while he was finishing his book Lie There and Lose Weight: How I Lost 100 Pounds by Doing Next to Nothing. I came to know John as a proud parent who celebrates his son's accomplishments instead of mourning his son's autism. As an autistic parent, I appreciate the positive attitude John brings to our community.

John also happens to be the co-creator of the book series Star Trek: New Frontier. My wife and I enjoy Star Trek, so I hope to slip in a bit of Trek talk during this episode.

SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2021, AT 7:45 PM CDT – 9:30 PM CDT FULLY IMMUNIZED LIVE ORDOVER! Broadway Comedy Club

https://www.facebook.com/events/449818696436771/?ti=ls

Lie There and Lose Weight: How I Lost 100 Pounds By Doing Next to Nothing https://amzn.to/3sNGPuG

It's my thirteenth annual rant about Autism Awareness Day and Month. If you're an autistic, let us promote Autistic Pride Month together. Join me. Do you want to be an ally? Tell people that April is Autistic Pride Month and a month for learning about autistics and their history.

It's April 2 as I record this episode and I'm already tired of the ads I'm seeing on television, hearing on the radio, and reading online. I can't wait for April to end so I don't feel so frustrated and angry.

• Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
• Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme

The Autistic Therapist, Kate McNulty, discusses her book Love and Asperger's. We also discuss gender identity, sexuality, and the challenges faced by autistics in relationships with neurotypical partners.

About Love and Asperger's

Kate McNulty is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and certified relationship therapist through the Gottman Institute of Seattle, Washington. She is a certified sex therapist and member of the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). You can learn more about McNulty on her website, AutisticTherapist.com.

McNulty is the author of Love and Asperger's: Practical Strategies to Help Couples Understand Each Other and Strengthen their Connection. Love and Asperger's is published under the Rockridge Press imprint of Callisto Media.

Lover and Asperger's on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Pi19Gy

Kate McNulty:

• https://autistictherapist.com
• https://twitter.com/AutisticLCSW

The Autistic Me:

• Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
• Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme

Productive. I want to be productive. More precisely, I want to know I am contributing to our family by producing work that earns an income.

I'm one of the 85% of autistic adults with a college degree and no full-time employment. That's our reality. Don't tell me we are accepted. Don't tell me everything is better with an education. The degree merely proves I'm capable, not that I have the social skills necessary to navigate most workplaces. Change is needed. It's too late for me, but not the next generation.

• Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/
• Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme