Autism Stories

"The steady day job with the constant salary that was predictable, in my comfort zone, that was covering of the basic needs, the safety, that kind of thing. But I'm getting to the point now at the age of 47 where I need to shoot for the self actualization bit of the top of the pyramid. And really do something that will be memorable to me, and where I will really feel like I made a big dif...

"Being an autistic bookkeeper, I love working with neurodivergent folks. I find it easier to navigate communication, and I provide a safe place where we can work together to gain clarity on finances", says Nathanael Low. Nathanael joins this episode to discuss being a bookkeeper and creating diverse business plans. To learn more about Nathanael and his services visit https://www.nlbookke...

"Our understanding of masking up until talking about this has been really, really limited, because it hasn't looked at the trauma aspect, it hasn't looked at the identity aspect. It's really been this superficial notion of, "Oh look, here's a social situation. I'm gonna pop a mask on, be a different person, and then at the end of it, I'll take it off again."...

"We're so busy talking, we're not taking the time to listen to one another. Instead of me just saying here's what I believe, because that's only one out of how many millions autistic people out there, I took the stance of let me use something that I use in the classroom and in the change management work that I do: ask questions. I follow this simple mantra: "First, seek t...

"The polyvagal theory teaches that safety is the treatment. From that foundation, we're looking to create micro moments of finding what does that safety mean again. It might be the sound of the breeze, or it might be being tucked in your bed with a particular blanket, or it might be a certain bird call. What is the thing that can help light up that little bit of safety, and we start to cr...

"For the autistic people that I've known, a lot of people, including myself, get good jobs, but you have trouble keeping those jobs. And lots of times, you feel like you're banging your head against a wall. I specifically needed a reason to keep trying. It was needing to provide a life for her that made me say no, keep trying", says Terrill North. Terrill joins this episode to di...

"After I made that realization, I can make mistakes, I can go to a meeting and stutter a little bit, I can have difficulties with different sensory issues and actually get accommodations for that instead of restrict myself to make everyone else comfortable all of the time", says Jason Brady. Jason and Cameron Allen join this episode to discuss to  being kinder to yourself and their film...

"I must emphasize how soul-crushing it is to have people treat you like you are a lesser human. Please do your part in making the world a more accepting and respectful place. Proactively unlearn ableism. You make a difference when you believe I matter", says Sabrina Guerra. Sabrina joins this episode to discuss unlearning ableism and how self-acceptance is a glorious rebellion. To learn...

"If I can't figure out how to cut something correctly like the recipe says, I give up and I'm done for like 48 hours and I don't eat, and that's not healthy. I think the path of least resistance is opening that can of peas, eating that safe food, doing the things that make your neurological problems happy for the moment so you can move", says Bianca Elizabeth. Bianca join...

Now when I work with a lot of semi-speaking, autistic young people, I demonstrate that I am very open about my diagnosis and I share the fact that I'm semi-speaking. It has worked absolute wonders with the young people because they're like, Oh, somebody else is like me. I can do this," says Hat Talks. Hat joins this episode to discuss  being a speech and language therapist, creating a...

"With the adult autistic community in India and internationally, I realized that there was a huge gap of understanding of autism between parents and actually autistic people. I wanted to bridge this gap because I felt that this is where we need to start", says Preeti Dixit. Preeti joins this episode to discuss the autistic experience in India and how her son helped her to understand her...

"The Ninja Turtles are something else entirely. The Ninja Turtles refuse to mask. They wear masks, but what are they gonna do? It's a little domino mask over a turtle face- they look like turtles. They're basically a group of autistic friends who refuse to mask for other people. They're just gonna go out and they're gonna go be the freaks that they are inside, deep down, and t...

"When we talk about stereotypes, stereotypes don't always have to be all bad. For example, when you hear something like all Asians are smart, all Asians are math whizzes. All Indians are doctors and engineers. It's not a bad thing to be those things, but to paint it with that broad stroke brush creates undue pressure, obviously. I think that's what created pressure for me growing...

"There are autistic people who have identified wanting to hold down a typical job as their goal, and we want to honor that. There can be great benefits that come from working including community with your colleagues, feeling important, doing something for society. But if we stop there, we never get to question why we work the way that we do? That's the critical disability theory lens&quot...

"I think we need to give the space and time and support to people that they need as they are learning to point at letters. A lot goes into a single successful point for a person with motor or movement difficulties", says Matt Hayes. Matt joins this episode to discuss  facilitated communication, a documentary about his life, and island life. If you could subscribe on your favorite listeni...

"I'm an autistic, Asian-American, Jewish adoptee. This is something that makes me unique, it makes me feel special that I'm part of a few different, select communities. But it can also be really overwhelming and exhausting, because I feel, especially in this day and age, I'm constantly fighting for my right to coexist peacefully as a human being. I feel like when one identity isn&...

"I would like to see a complete rewriting of the narrative around autism. Because girls are still getting told their lives are going to be over. That they're not going to be able to have babies or work with children, which there's no evidence for any of that nonsense at all! About half the women in SWAN had families or are raising families. I've got two adult daughters I'm inc...

"I see the value in hearing from people of every single generation. I think every single generation is worth hearing. Everyone has different wisdom to bring to the table and different experiences. I wanted a book that kind of tackled the idea of ageism that we are all wise beyond our years and young at heart, and seeing what it would look like to come together and experience wisdom together&q...

"Additional feedback I gave them based on my experiences in the program led to a resource bank for autistic people in and leaving the program to help them integrate into independent living and often a higher income bracket with more benefits and financial flexibility. Going from fast food to making $8.50 an hour to corporate benefits and salaries was an enormous shock and immense learning cur...

"I love cooking and I love baking, it's another creative outlet. Perhaps to the anger of one or two cooks that are now offended, I've never met a recipe I haven't changed in one way or another, out of necessity sometimes", says Heidi Assman. Heidi joins this episode  to discuss baking, other creative outlets, and how to be autistic and live a fabulous life in your fifties. To...

"First, I don't believe there are good or bad poems. I think I am just connected to the big mind. Short poems are quite easier to write with my poor motor skills. I also kind of like the wit possible through brevity", says Sid Ghosh. Sid joins this episode to discuss his poetry, why RPM has been so helpful to him, and being the only AAC present at United Nations World Down Syndrome D...

"Each time we went somewhere, we made sure we had our letter boards, or AAC and began to have real conversations with the community that freely set the communication expectation. One typer can seem unique, but three together is a force that ignites change", says the Mod Squad. The Mod Squad of Otta Lana, Bella Santoyo, and William Del Rosario join this episode to discuss the power of thr...

"Autistic teachers and autistic mentors for autistic kids is so important. It's really important and I don't think we have enough of it. So, if someone's interested in teaching, I do recommend it because you can make a big difference in the lives of these students and these families", says Katie Vidler. Katie oins this episode to discuss her tutoring business, best practices...

"Everyone at school always tries to guess what I am thinking, and they are usually wrong. So, they never really know me, only the stories they tell themselves about me. Of course, there are well-intentioned people, but to not feel known by the people who are responsible for my future stinks", says Sofi Ghassaei. Sofi joins this episode to discuss how teachers can better support nonspeaki...

"I would love to help and encourage anybody who is autistic to get into fitness and sports and anything like this. I'd give them the confidence to know that they can compete and the benefits that they can get from it. It's a passion of mine", says Mandy Williams. Mandy joins this episode to discuss competing in the Hyrox competition and mentorship to  autistics that want to get i...