Autistic Licence

This episode is a spontaneous Saturday chit chat.  There's a fair amount of "here and now" energy and interaction, interspersed with memories and reflections. Siana talks about her experience of ADHD when it fires in multiple directions at once - something which for her does not exclude hyperfocus "flow" states. Leo reflects on a range of experiences he is now reframing in light of autism, such as...

This episode is in many ways a reflection on elements of the last one. We speak about early narratives and experiences, and the lifelong meaning and impact of these. We apply this to therapeutic contexts and approaches, specifically Transactional Analysis and Internal Family Systems, and we relate this to therapy with autistic people. We also explore the concept of so called "rigid" thinking and t...

In this episode we discuss how we, as autistic people, are seen and experienced by others. We then traverse some thorny territory relating to how we see ourselves and influence each other. These are sensitive ideas and topics, interspersed with distractions, brain glitches and spiralling reasoning which somehow loops together in the end.   LINKS Neuroqueer Heresies Facebook Podcast home Our websit...

In this episode we begin to circumambulate the intersectionality of autism and queerness. We begin with Siana's home interior decorating project and finish up discussing Leo's gender identity development. In between we wax lyrical around some relationship models, notably Siana's current QPR (queer platonic relationship). Comical interlude provided by Leo's beautifully curated ritual around a previ...

This episode is another “in person” recording.  We reflect on our experiences of travelling with and without accommodations. We specifically speak about the profound benefits for us of wearing a Sunflower lanyard when travelling in busy and often overwhelming airports. We also talk about the significance of our sense of smell, in particular Leo’s awareness of this in new places. NOISE WARNING: tow...

We recorded this episode while we were together in Siana’s house last weekend.  We explore co-regulation and bring in various ideas and theories from autistic, therapeutic and scientific communities to flavour our discussion. We end up specifically inviting the non autistic community to join and get to know us and, most importantly, the autistic people around them. LINKS Trauma and the nervous sys...

In this episode we explore the finite nature of personal energy and capacity. We refer to our own experiences and to wider "spoon theory". The pace of this conversation is slow and relaxed; it's basically two autistic people hanging out together. If that's your vibe, we'd love you to join us 🧡💛 On that note, our Facebook community is growing fast and you would be very welcome there too - see the...

Leo enquires about Jungian Sandplay, a therapeutic modality Siana offers in her therapy practice. We explore Siana's demand avoidance about the prospect of speaking about this and then eventually get there in a perfectly autistic way. This is a lovely illustration of "Takiwatanga" which we happened to post about on our Facebook feed this week. Takiwatanga is the Maori word for autism which transla...

In this episode we explore the centrality of the core value of justice for many autistic people. We discuss the impacts on us when things aren't "right" or fair, the tenacity needed to address these and the toll this takes on us. We then tentatively begin to explore some particular ways in which our social experiences correlate with theory around masking, fawning and appeasement. LINKS Trauma 101...

In today's episode we're gearing up for the new year in our therapy practices. We reflect on therapeutic relationships and processes, wondering about and exploring those facets which might just be unique to autistic or AuDHD lives.  And we talk about our hopes and dreams for the podcast in 2024 inviting you to connect with us as we build the Autistic Licence community together.   Contact us autist...

You are very welcome to join us here for Christmas Part 2. Recorded on Boxing Day 2023, we reflect on our "festive" experiences this year. We then springboard off a seemingly inconsequential moment we shared recently, into a deeply satisfying autistic dive. We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences, neurospicy and otherwise. Contact us autisticlicence@gmail.com Our website autisticlicence.co...

Join us as we explore and reflect on our experiences of Christmases past and the lead up to this year's "festivities". We sensitively unpack some specific challenges the season poses for us and our neurokin. We share some of our learning from over the years and recognise this is still a work in progress. In true autistic style this episode jumps around a fair bit and diverts left, right and centre...

Here we talk about loss and retrieval - of a car, a voice and even of the land! We reflect on the line between being perceived as "annoying" verses being curious, further expanding the pitfalls and the benefits of being #actuallyautistic in social and therapeutic contexts. Join us for a mix of complexity and so-called "info dumping" within a warm, kind and therapeutic space. LINKS Linda Thai www.l...

In this episode we share some autistic joy 🤗 Expect the usual winding tangents, several 'aha!' moments and a healthy smattering of play and frivolity.   Contact us autisticlicence@gmail.com Our website https://autisticlicence.com Our socials https://linktr.ee/autisticlicence  

In this episode we talk about how we look after ourselves when we are away from home. We explore some ways we manage the stress of "too much". We unpack our need for order and planning alongside the complex concept of autistic consistency. Light relief in the form of coffee, postcards and La la loopsies. Our website https://autisticlicence.com Our socials https://linktr.ee/autisticlicence Contact...

In this first episode, we talk about why we're starting our podcast. Leo remembers the comfort of the spoken word on radio in trying to escape the fear of night-time silence as an undiagnosed autistic kid. Whilst Siana thinks about her own childhood discomfort with speaking out, and why sometimes staying quiet can be a survival response for a child living an autistic experience. As these conversat...

Siana goes to a Deacon Blue concert and talks about stimulation and over-stimulation. We compare notes on what that feels like and what we do to recover. This sparks on ongoing conversation about how autistic people spend and recoup energy and why this may be different to the experiences of others, and why processes around managing tasks and time can be such dominant features of our lives. We talk...

In this episode we share our experiences of exposure and vulnerability. As therapists we open ourselves up to our clients, as friends and family members we manage how we relate to those close to us, and now as podcasters we reveal unmasked versions of ourselves to YOU - unseen and unknown people - for the first time. We talk about how we're feeling and thinking about this and in turn, how importan...