In this episode of The Autistic Culture Podcast, hosts Dr. Angela Kingdon and Matt Lowry, LPP take on the self-help mega-hit Atomic Habits by James Clear—exploring why its behaviourist strategies fail for autistic people, and what actually works when it comes to productivity in Autistic Culture.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• Why autistic brains resist synaptic pruning, making unconscious habits nearly impossible.
• The flaw of habit stacking and why many autistic people must consciously think through even “automatic” tasks.
• A critique of neurotypical society’s productivity obsession, from Puritan work ethic to toxic hustle culture.
• How internalizing ableism around “not doing enough” impacts autistic mental health and self-worth.
• Why autistic monotropism and Flow states are healthier, more sustainable alternatives to rigid schedules.
• Tips for neuro-affirming productivity: naps, breaks, visual aids, reminders, avoiding energy deficit, and requesting accommodations.
• A call to honor autistic rhythms of rest and hyperfocus, instead of forcing neurotypical systems that lead to burnout.

Resources:

This American Life on Smoking

If Books Could Kill: Atomic Habits

Why Doesn’t Standard Talking Therapy Work for Autistic People?

Recruiting Giants - Alex St. John

Related episodes:

Labels & Autism

Industrial Light & Magic

Apple is Autistic

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