This week, Kieran and Chloe dive into the last week, which has mostly been spent playing Moonstone Island. They analyse the latest neurodivergent news and articles, point out some spotty journalism, and offer advice to a concerned parent. The episode ends by promoting upcoming events for the neurodivergent community across the UK.

You can also follow the show on Instagram @theautisticexperience for references to all the articles and events mentioned, as well as show reminders and other bits of content!

Chapters:

(00:00) Theme Song

(01:00) Intro & Home Life

(03:15) Unpicking Chloe's Stress

(07:01) Moonstone Island

(08:14) Neurodivergent News

(09:14) Story One: York's pilot program making it harder to get ADHD diagnosis

(14:10) Story Two: The Double Empathy Problem

(18:23) Story Three: Northern Echo article is not great at understanding neurodivergence

(24:42) Story Four: The Ten best Chrome extensions for people with ADHD

(26:46) Question of the Week

(31:09) This Week's Events

(36:19) Wrap-Up and Ending

Did you know that October is ADHD awareness month? Neither did we!

But as it happens, it's quite an ADHD-heavy episode, with some looking back on the last 25 years of ADHD research. Have things changed much since the new millennium?

Meanwhile, Chloe and Kieran have taken a trip to Ikea, participated in a pub quiz, and have quite the insightful conversation on the live-action The Little Mermaid, trying to answer this week's big question:

Is Ariel an Autistic Mermaid?

Go follow the show on Instagram @theautisticexperience for references, extra content, and show reminders!

In the first official episode of The Autistic Experience, Chloe and Kieran discuss autism assessment waiting times, Dungeons & Dragons, and a new hope in the dwindling ADHD medication market.

Also, Chloe lets the world know just how much she hates Airpods.

If you like what you've heard, go follow us on Instagram @theautisticexperience to find references for all the stories we've discussed today, plus a load more we didn't have time for!

Also, we'd really appreciate it if you left a rating and review on whatever podcast platform you're listening on!

Look, change is scary. Little changes, big changes... medium changes? It can really mess with our brains, especially if it's last-minute or extreme. So why do our brains struggle to cope with change, and how can that lead to even worse things happening?

Not the best segue, but we've also got a little announcement at the end that may be of relevance to the future of the show-- so is it coincidence we're looking at change today? Not really.

If you're not up to much right now, you can go follow us on Instagram @socialsurvivalpodcast - it's mostly just show reminders but we may get to grips with social media one day.

Apologies, we've not been able to record a new episode this week, but that leaves more time for adequate hydration! If you want, you can take this time to listen to any of our back-catalogue and go follow us on Instagram @socialsurvivalpodcast.

Exciting things coming up soon, though, so keep an ear out for that-- until next week, then!

Look, we've all made some pretty careless mistakes in our time, but you've got to hear this one. Chloe's managed to do something completely ridiculous, and Kieran insists on telling the story.

This also spawns a discussion about comorbidity between Autism and ADHD, and the pair run through some ADHD diagnostic traits to see what's what.

New episodes every Sunday at 12pm UK time, and you can go follow us on Instagram @socialsurvivalpodcast - also, if you've got a moment, go leave a rating and review on whatever podcast platform you're listening on!

Kieran thought of a phrase quite a long time ago: Old habits die hard. Bad habits die hard with a vengeance. He completely forgot to mention it during the only episode it'll actually be relevant, but it makes for some fun wordplay so here we are.

Habits and routine are integral to everyday life, but autistic and ADHD brains treat them very differently, ranging from complete reliance to complete ignorance. And let's not go into the experience for combined autism/ADHD folk here; plenty of that in the episode.

So what are the main differences, how do they present, and can anything actually be done to help? Listen to find out!

As usual, leave us a review on your podcast listening platform, and go follow us on Instagram @socialsurvivalpodcast - it's much appreciated!

We made some cheese this week! Which, naturally, means we have to make an episode about food. But specifically, safe food.

But what is safe food? What makes it safe? And why can certain other foods not be trusted? Kieran and Chloe dive in to figure it all out!

If you have food-based sensory issues, you probably know all about this, but it may well help you articulate the problems you do have with untrustworthy food.

If you fancy leaving us a nice rating and review on your podcast player, it would be much appreciated! Also, go follow us on Instagram @socialsurvivalpodcast to make us feel better!

Sensory overload is one of those things that affect each of us differently, so Chloe and Kieran thought it would be a fun idea to individually rank how much each of their 5 senses are affected and compare notes.

How would you rank your sensory issues (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch)?

Are your rankings different from ours? Let us know on Instagram @socialsurvivalpodcast or email us at [email protected]!