In the latest episode of the Middletown Podcast, we chat to Dr Amy Pearson about her research on autistic people’s experiences of relationships. She and her team at Durham University created a guide to help autistic people recognise healthy and unhealthy relationship traits.  

Find out more about the Autistic Guide to Healthy Relationships here: https://www.durham.ac.uk/news-events/latest-news/2024/04/autistic-guide-to-healthy-relationships/

In the latest Middletown Podcast, we chat about sexual wellbeing for autistic people. Dr Jeroen Dewinter shares his research on community perspectives to better understand and support sexual wellbeing.  

In this episode we mention the support service BelongTo  

In the latest Middletown Podcast, we chat to Dr Brett Heasman about his research into Autistic Flow. He explains how it can be a helpful model for understanding autistic experience and how beneficial flow states can be for wellbeing.  

Find out more about the work that Brett and his team are doing at the Heasman Flow Lab.  

In latest Middletown Podcast, we chat to autistic advocate Niamh Biddulph. Niamh has been an advocate for many issues faced by the community, including inclusive employment.  We talk about how she’s navigated anxiety to achieve so much.  

On the latest Middletown Podcast chat to autistic parent and advocate, Amanda McGuinness. We talk about Christmas and how Amanda and her family navigate pressure, excitement and expectations around the holiday season. We try very hard not to spoil any of the magic of Christmas in our chat, but you might want to listen to this one away from the ears of little believers. 

More about Amanda: 

Amanda McGuinness is an Autistic advocate, Autism and Visual Supports Specialist, and Founder of Little Puddins. She is also the Director of Autism Advocacy and Professional Practice at Flourish Autism Consultancy & Training, an Autistic-led organisation providing neuro-affirmative training, consultancy, and professional development across Ireland. Through Flourish, founded by Bernie Smith,  Amanda and the team deliver evidence-informed, lived-experience focused learning for families, educators, and professionals, alongside a growing range of free community resources designed to promote understanding, inclusion, and authentic support for Autistic individuals and their families.   

On the Middletown Podcast we chat to playwright, accessibility consultant and community activist, Jody O’Neill. She discusses Neuroconvergence, a new initiative that is building community and celebrating autistic creativity.   

You can find out more about Neuroconvergence here: https://www.neuroconvergence.ie/ 

In the latest Middletown Podcast, we chat to autistic teacher, lecturer and author Dr Kara Dymond. Kara is passionate about creating truly inclusive classrooms and she shares her experience and her philosophy around teaching. We also discuss Kara’s new book “Creating a Neurodiversity-Affirming Classroom”. 

You can find out more about Kara’s work here 

In the latest Middletown Podcast, we chat to researcher, Dr Sinead McNally about recent DCU research focused on the experiences that young, Irish autistic people have of bullying. We talk about how the team supported young people to feel comfortable enough to share their experiences and what we can learn from them. 

You can find out more about the bullying study here. 

Find out more about the Autism-Friendly Schools Project. 

In the latest Middletown Podcast, we chat to Occupational Therapist, Sorcha Rice. Sorcha brings her expertise and lived experience to discuss PDA (Persistent Drive for Autonomy). We discuss what PDA feels like and what supports might be useful at school and at home.  

You can find out more about Sorcha and her work here

In the latest Middletown Podcast, we chat to play therapist Gráinne Warren about building authentic connections rather than “training” social skills. Gráinne brings years of practice, research and lived experience to her work, and she has created a resource focused on supporting young people to create connections that make them comfortable. 

You can find Gráinne’s resources here: https://grainnewarren.com/