The Neurodive Podcast

I am joined in this episode by Linara Tyler, Autistic and PDA Self-Advocate, Relationship Consultant & Mentor. Linara is someone I have bene fortunate enough to run some webinars with and her area of focus is in Attachment styles and how understanding them can play a helpful part in improving your relationships.

In this episode, Linara shared some of her own life experiences with me, as well as some really insightful thoughts on her experience as a mother. Then we delved into her area of particular interest, Attachment Styles. She helped me understand them and we even at one point used the contestants on Love Island to help bring it to a level I could manage! I never miss an episode. [We recorded back in the summer].

It's always fun talking to Linara and I learnt a huge amount this episode thanks to her openness.

I am joined by Author, Advocate, parent of 3 Autistic children and Autistic adult Jodie Isitt. Jodie is also the creator of the Nurture programme, an online programme for parents of Neurodivergent children and young people.

In this episode, Jodie talks to me about her own diagnosis and reflects on how it impacted her childhood and in school. She shares some real insight into her own experiences of social situations, greetings and eye contact. We also discussed some of the challenges in the current school system regarding neurodiverise and inclusive environments.....I had a bit of a rant about having to pay the school to take my son on holiday.....[which hasn't even happened yet and I'm annoyed already]. We also discussed how her Neurodivergence has been helpful in the work she has gone onto do and how she manages her life and those around to ensure she stays able to continue creating the fantastic projects she has created.

Having worked with Jodie a number of times and found her approach to supporting parents both inspiring and reaffirming with the work we do at Neurodive, it was great to chat to her more about her own life experiences. You can find her by heading to facebook and the @thenurtureprogramme, or check out her publications at www.autismwithlove.co.uk.

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The BIS-pod is no more! Long live the Neurodive pod!

Another great episode where I [Sam Harris in case you didn't know that bit] get to speak to the awesome Tigger Pritchard. Ignore the first few minutes as this was recorded a few months back in my transition from BISnet the Neurodive and Running Deer, so had to hold it back until I knew I would be able to re-brand the podcast.

In this episode, we discuss how different cultures approach and understand Autism and Autistic experience. What we can gain from looking at these differences as well as the changes in our own cultural approaches over the years. Tigger as usual shares he awesome insight and personal experiences and I add my two pence in there as well.

We had a few [well.....2] requests to hear more about my professional journey. I don't need much excuse to talk about myself and at the same time, Craig Bowden of CEDA and his brother Chris, a CEDA service user, wanted to interview me for their show on Access all Ariel's radio station.

Feel free to skip this one.....I am a little concerned I have over shared.....let's hope my Mum doesn't listen to it. Or my wife. Or my boss......

Anyway, we chatted about how BISnet started, my various roles at CEDA and even my not so successful educational pathway. There might be the odd useful tip or idea in there somewhere amongst my waffle for any parents or professionals supporting Neuro-divergent children and young people with traits or diagnosis of Autism, ADHD/ADD; hopefully some positive messages for those inspiringly Neuro-diverse people themselves and plenty of me trying to be funny.

In this episode Sam is joined by the awesome Tigger Pritchard, creator of The Autism Coffee shop and Tigger Training. He is someone with a wealth of experience supporting Autistic people and in particular Autistic people with a PDA profile.

During Lockdown, Tigger came to a realisation about his own Neuro-diversity. Something he talks really wonderfully, openly and honestly about in this episode. There is also discussion around some of the challenges of the medical model of Autism and the need for a rethink that involves Autistic people.

A long episode due to all the fantastic insights, tips and ideas from Tigger and the usual ramblings of Sam as well.

The group pick up the conversation around socialising and NT expectations as opposed to 'the right way to socialise,' the value of silence and being comfortable with awkwardness.

They then discuss value of the Autistic experience over Autism research and how this should shape all support and services for Autistic people, as well as the mistake people make in not asking Autistic people for their perspective first. We explore the double empathy problem and the myth of Autistic 'lack of empathy,' and look more at a difference in empathy. Sam even asks if someone such as himself, who gives training in Autism but isn't Autistic, should basically 'f**k off out the way and get a milk-round' and leave Autism training to Autistic people.... fortunately, the answer was pretty positive.

More discussion on empathy leads on to more examples of the differences within the spectrum, how and why Chloe, Mollie and Harry approach eye contact, communicating in analogies and the challenge of looking and listening at the same time. Finally, Sam gets diagnosed as a green and yellow circle......and then a little bit on stimming [tools or toys....or blu-tac].

To find out more about Aucademy head to

https://www.facebook.com/Aucademy

To find out more about BISnet head to

https://www.cedaonline.org.uk/bis-net

Or find us on facebook at

https://www.facebook.com/Bisnetpage

To book a ticket to the webinar featuring Sam, Harry, Chloe and Mollie on the 4th December, 'F**k the box - the importance of Neurodiversity in our society.' Click here

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/127702578851

In part 1 of this 2 part episode, host Sam is joined by Harry Thompson, Mollie Sherwin and Chloe Farahar. Three Autistic adults with a huge depth of knowledge and experience, making this an absolute must listen for anyone supporting or working with Autistic people.

In part 1, they discuss terminology and Harry and Chloe educate Sam in the most current and acceptable terminology in the Autistic community. Then the group discuss special interests and Mollie gives some incredible insight into the unseen benefits of computer gaming, as well as some of the varied and unique games that exist and how they can be helpful.

They also discuss and put right some 'Autism Myths' as well as discussing friendships and socialising from an Autistic perspective in comparison to a Neurotypical expectation.

Check out the aucademy facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/Aucademy

To book tickets to the webinar all 4 will be hosting in December click below

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/127702578851

In this episode, host Sam Harris talks with Harry on the ever shifting roles an Autistic person with a PDA profile might give themselves, the automatic nature of a demand avoidance response and how backing off can sometimes be enough to allow the demand avoidance to reduce, priming virtues rather then demanding help-fullness for the sake of it.

The need for a more in-depth understanding of some general ideas around PDA such as 'doesn't respond well to praise' and perhaps different terminology for certain approaches such as 'disguising demands.' Harry discusses Neuro-typicals that 'get-it' and those that don't.

Freddie Mercury and splat pig make and appearance and it does get a little sweary at times so apologies for that.

In this episode of the podcast, host Sam Harris is joined once again by PDA Extraordinaire Harry Thompson, author of 'The PDA Paradox.' They discuss current ideas, opinions and diagnostic influences on terminology surrounding PDA. Harry also helps Sam understand the difference between demand avoidance in general and for an Autistic person with a PDA profile, as well as several other fascinating and useful insights along the way.

Plus.... Harry jedi mind tricks Sam into dropping the C Bomb.....sort of....

To book tickets for BISnet's webinar featuring Harry on the 26th June 2020, 8pm GMT, click the link below

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/108440255724

For a full list of BISnet upcoming webinars head to

https://www.cedaonline.org.uk/bis-net/training-and-workshops

For live Q&A's and regular updates regarding webinars and family services follow us on facebook

https://www.facebook.com/Bisnetpage

and twitter.

@cedabisnet.

In this episode, host Sam Harris is joined again by Special educational needs specialist Fintan O Regan, author of Can’t learn, won’t learn, don’t care and creator of the SF3R model.

They discuss the current state of support for young people with additional needs in the current education system as well some ideas and advice for parents and professionals working to support these young people.