The Understanding Autism Podcast

In this episode we explore the sensitive topic of suicide. How does autism impact suicidal thoughts? What social and cultural factors might contribute to thoughts of suicide? Nicole shares her own struggles with this topic and shares resources and strategies that helped her overcome thoughts of suicide.

Neurodiverse people often know they are different and that they may stand out from neurotypical people. But how does society treat those that are different? This episode explores the sensitive issue around shame, stigma and the resulting trauma that can occur. We also review examples of shame informed therapy.

Perfectionism, or the tendency to demand flawless behavior or performance, is a challenge many with autism struggle with. In this episode, we examine the root causes of perfectionism, how perfectionism impacts those with autism, and some generally recommended solutions for addressing perfectionism.

Depression can be a real concern for many of us especially around the holidays, but how do people on the spectrum experience depression? In this episode we explore the causes, experiences, and treatments for autistic people and depression.

Anxiety is a common occurrence for all of us, but how does a person on the spectrum experience anxiety? In this episode, we will explore the link between autism and anxiety and focus on autistic experiences with anxiety.

Many people on the spectrum struggle with food. What might look like picky eating habits to the neurotypical person, is actually an autistic person’s complex relationship with food. In this episode, we explore what causes ‘picky eating’, what diets that people with autism adopt, food and social gatherings, and resources for those who struggle with food.

While many of us struggle with phobias that impact our lives, emetophobia, or fear of vomiting, can be extremely debilitating. In this episode, Nicole shares her personal experience with this phobia and the strategies she used to overcome it.

Many people can suffer from phobias but how exactly are autistic people impacted by phobias and what are some methods to cope with them? In this podcast we explore causes of phobias and some strategies on how to manage and overcome them.

Managing transitions can be extremely frustrating for neurotypical people as well as those on the autism spectrum. In this episode we explore why change creates stress, how this may manifest into resistance to change, and some solutions around managing the stress around transitions.

People with autism often experience bullying at school or stigmatization at work. That is one reason why many people on the spectrum "mask" their autistic behaviors from neurotypical people. In this episode we explore the reasons behind masking, the physical and mental health consequences of masking, and the benefits of unmasking.