Autism Central Podcast

In this episode Catherine Asta is joined by AuDHD psychotherapist, author and researcher Alexis Quinn to explore what pregnancy, birth and early parenthood can look like for autistic people. Drawing on both her lived experience and the research behind her book Autistic and Expecting , Alexis reflects on how understanding her own neurodivergence transformed her experience of becoming a parent and w...

In this episode Catherine Asta is joined by award-winning autism advocate, author and founder of "Stories About Autism", James Hunt, for a heartfelt conversation about raising autistic children as they move from childhood into adulthood. Drawing on nearly two decades of lived experience parenting his two non-speaking autistic sons, James reflects on how his understanding of autism, commu...

In this episode of the Autism Central Podcast, Catherine Asta is joined by family law solicitor and neuroinclusion advocate Hannah Saxe to explore the complex realities of relationship breakdown, divorce and co-parenting through an autistic and neurodivergent lens. Drawing on both her professional expertise and lived experience as a late-diagnosed AuDHD woman and parent of two neurodivergent child...

In this first episode of S5, Catherine Asta is joined by award winning advocate Tumi Sotire, a British-born Nigerian with dyspraxia and founder of The Black Dyspraxic, a platform dedicated to championing intersectionality within neurodiversity. Together they unpack common misconceptions about dyspraxia, why it is often misunderstood as ‘just clumsiness’ and how it can affect everything from moveme...

In this final episode of Season Four of the Autism Central Podcast, Catherine Asta is joined by Emma Kluibenschadl, a passionate advocate, experienced professional and National Group Learning Facilitator Associate with Anna Freud who shares how Autism Central is creating a revolutionary space where families find community, understanding and practical support to help them thrive.  Emma shares a beh...

In this episode, Catherine Asta is joined by Dr Alison Lennox, a Consultant Neurodevelopmental Psychiatrist to demystify the adult autism assessment process and explore what a good assessment should really offer. Together they unpack common misconceptions about diagnosis along with the fear and uncertainty many people carry into the process. As one of only a few UK psychiatrists working exclusivel...

In this episode, Catherine Asta is joined by Dr Helen Lawal to explore the realities of work, identity and wellbeing as a neurodivergent woman navigating a demanding career. Together they reflect on Helen’s journey through medicine, from her early inspiration to become a doctor to the barriers she faced before understanding her ADHD and autism, and how that self-knowledge transformed the way she w...

In this episode, Catherine Asta is joined by Sophie Cartledge to explore the powerful intersection of perimenopause and late-discovered autism and ADHD. Together they discuss why many autistic and ADHD women describe perimenopause as the point where ‘the wheels fell off’ and how hormonal shifts can amplify sensory sensitivities, emotional regulation challenges and burnout. Late-discovered autistic...

In this episode, Mike and Phil, both mental health nurses and late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD, join Catherine Asta to explore their experiences of fatherhood. They speak about feeling unseen in schools and workplaces, confronting internalised rejection and navigating the expectations placed on fathers about how they ‘should’ show up. Through their own personal reflections, they share the journey...

In this episode, Catherine Asta is joined by Heidi and Theo, a single mother and her only son from Wakefield in West Yorkshire, for a powerful and hopeful conversation about autistic burnout, rebuilding confidence, and the power of self-advocacy. When Theo was 15, he crashed out of school in what was later understood as significant autistic burnout. What followed were five years of navigating comp...

Listener note: We want to let listeners know that this episode includes discussion of trauma, suicidal ideation, and mental health crisis. Please listen in a way that feels supportive for you. In this episode, Catherine Asta is joined by Brian Haines for a deeply reflective conversation about the often-unseen mental health crises faced by late-diagnosed autistic adults, accumulated trauma, and the...

Listener note: We want to let listeners know that this episode includes discussion of grief and the loss of a child. Please listen in a way that feels supportive for you. In this episode, Catherine Asta is joined by Sue Lansbury for a deeply moving and compassionate conversation about late autism discovery, grief, creativity, and aging as an autistic woman in a world that often overlooks older wom...

TRIGGER WARNING: This podcast episode mentions suicidal ideation. In this episode, Catherine is joined by Jo Feaster for an honest and deeply reflective conversation about lived experience, identity, and what it can mean to finally make sense of yourself later in life as an autistic and bipolar woman, along with the small, real life supports and accommodations that help power self-acceptance, buil...

Welcome to Season 4 of the Autism Central Podcast, hosted by psychotherapist, podcaster, and author Catherine Asta.  To open the season, we’re doing something special. In this episode, Catherine is joined by both of her daughters - Caty and Kristina - for a gentle, insightful mother-daughter conversation that sets the tone for the journey ahead. You’ll first hear from Caty, who not only joins on m...

Holly chats to autistic researcher Dr. Wenn Lawson aboutgetting older and what this means for autistic people. Find out more about our programme for parents and carers ofautistic people at autismcentral.org.uk Some of our podcast episodes contain specialist terms youmay be unfamiliar with. We’ve put together a glossary toexplain some of the terms mentioned. The Autism Central Podcast is produced b...

Holly talks to autistic mothers Lynette Morgan and Sophia Abdel about their experiences in pregnancy and motherhood. Links for this episode: Maternity Autism Research Group Find out more about our programme for parents and carers of autistic people at autismcentral.org.uk Some of our podcast episodes contain specialist terms you may be unfamiliar with. We’ve put together a glossary to explain some...

Holly meets Jamie + Lion to talk about their experiences around moving away from home, setting up an autism-friendly space and how to get support with independent living. Find out more about our programme for parents and carers of autistic people at autismcentral.org.uk Some of our podcast episodes contain specialist terms you may be unfamiliar with. We’ve put together a glossary to explain some o...

Holly talks to Senior Lecturer in Autism Dr Luke Beardon and autistic student Leona Laverty about starting university and how to get support. Find out more about our programme for parents and carers of autistic people at autismcentral.org.uk Some of our podcast episodes contain specialist terms you may be unfamiliar with. We’ve put together a glossary to explain some of the terms mentioned. The Au...

Holly chats to two autistic people, Andrew Carpenter and Mandy Taylor, about their experiences around starting work, with tips and advice for other autistic people. Links for this episode: ·       Access to work ·       Finding work – links to resources on the Autism Central website ·       Transition to adulthood – free resources that can be accessed by registering on the Autism Central website F...

Holly meets autistic coach Sarah-Jane Critchley and autistic mum and veterinary surgeon Jacq Watkins to talk about the changes young people face when finishing school and how we can best support them. Find out more about our programme for parents and carers of autistic people at autismcentral.org.uk Some of our podcast episodes contain specialist terms you may be unfamiliar with. We’ve put togethe...

Holly talks to Dr Naomi Fisher and Eliza Fricker about puberty and what parents and carers can do to support autistic young people during this period. Links for this episode: You can watch the following free webinar series by Dr Naomi Fisher and Eliza Fricker on the Autism Central website: ·       Wellbeing for parents/carers ·       Navigating education and working well with school ·       Low de...

Holly talks to Hannah Molloy, Jacob Lennon and Sophia Vasi about their experiences of transitions at school.   Links for this episode: Autistic Young Experts share their views on bullying (requires registration on the Autism Central website to view) Autistic and OK programme  Find out more about our programme for parents and carers ofautistic people at autismcentral.org.uk   Some of our podcast ep...

Holly chats to Amanda Hind about the experience of starting school for autistic people. Amanda is an autism researcher, qualified SENCO and autistic mum to autistic children. Find out more about our programme for parents and carers of autistic people at autismcentral.org.uk   Some of our podcast episodes contain specialist terms you may be unfamiliar with. We’ve put together a glossary to explain...

Holly Sprake Hill talks to psychologist Dr Alice Nicholls and Michelle Myers, Head of Central Services at Great Minds Together, about bigger and smaller transitions and how these affect autistic people. Links for this episode: Great Minds Together - Autism Central North West England delivery partner Free resources by Dr Alice Nicholls Manual of Me programme Find out more about our programme for pa...

In episode 10, speech and language therapist Alison Futerman and parent Seema Islam join host Holly Sprake-Hill to discuss how parents can support autistic young people around friendships. Find out more about our programme for parents and carers of autistic people at https://www.autismcentral.org.uk/ Some of our podcast episodes contain specialist terms you may be unfamiliar with. We’ve put togeth...