Neurotypicals Don't Juggle Chainsaws

This week, we’re talking memory—and how it can affect relationships, expectations, appointments, and everything in between when you’re neurodivergent. Kate and Nic explore forgetfulness that’s not personal, missed calendar dates, and why reminders aren’t about assuming incompetence, they’re about care. We get into prompting culture, inconsistent systems, and how many of us are walking around with...

In the final part of our conversation with the brilliant Kieran Rose, we continue exploring the deep stuff—trauma, safety, diagnosis, and the stories that shape how autistic people are seen, treated, and understood.  We talk about the real impact of unsupported neurodivergence across a lifetime, what’s missing in many professional approaches, and why pushing for understanding isn’t just about “awa...

Pain can be hard to describe, hard to measure—and even harder to manage when you’re neurodivergent.  This week, Kate and Nic dive into the realities of pain, fatigue, and how it shows up (or doesn’t) for autistic people.  From hot water bottles for your soul to boiling showers, we’re sharing the warmth, the honesty, and a few laugh-out-loud moments along the way.

In the second part of our special with Dr. Amy Pearson, we’re focusing on the practical challenges and societal expectations faced by autistic individuals, particularly autistic women and mothers.  Dr. Pearson elaborates on the concept of 'masking' and its profound effects on personal and professional life, emphasising the intense pressures and unrealistic standards imposed on autistic mothers.  T...

This week on Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws, Kate and Nic take on one of the most persistent—and frankly exhausting—narratives in the world of autism representation: the “superpower” myth. Is it flattering? Is it helpful? Or is it actually just another way of misunderstanding autistic experiences? From shiny capes and hyperlexia to real-life differences in how we think, learn, and process th...

In this special episode, Nic King is thrilled to welcome Dr. Amy Pearson, an assistant professor at Durham University, who shares her insights into autistic identity, masking, and victimisation among autistic individuals. Dr. Pearson, a late-diagnosed autistic woman, dives deep into her research and discusses her co-authored book on autistic masking.   This discussion not only highlights the compl...

LIVE Part 2: The Future Awaits…  We’re back with the second half of our first-ever live show at Gosforth Civic Theatre!   This time, we’re looking ahead – to the future of neurodivergent life, support, and understanding.   What needs to change? What gives us hope? And what do we absolutely not want to see happening?  Expect deep thoughts and big laughs, plus, some real-time audience reactions and...

This week on Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws, Kate Fox and Nic King wade into a slightly controversial topic—one that’s been on the list for a while but needed just the right moment. That moment is now.  Yes, you can be autistic and be an a******.  Just like any other group, we have our fair share of people who display manipulative, toxic, or outright abusive behaviours. And it’s time we talk...

In this episode of Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws, Kate Fox and Nic King finally tackle a topic they’ve been meaning to dive into for ages—autistic-coded characters. And what better way to do it than through Patience, Channel 4’s new show featuring an explicitly autistic protagonist played by autistic actor Ella Maisy Purvis?    Kate and Nic break down what Patience gets right, where it stum...

LIVE from Gosforth Civic Theatre! For the first time ever, we took Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws to the stage – and now, you get to hear it too!  This special episode is all about schools – the good, the bad, and the ‘why is this still happening?!’ From rigid rules to neurodivergent survival tactics, we dive into what works, what doesn’t, and how things could be better. Expect the usual mix...

In this episode of Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws, Kate Fox and Nic King talk about the world of Artificial Intelligence—how it thinks, how it learns, and why Kate feels a surprising kinship with it.    As monotropic flow takes over, Kate loses all track of time, leading to the inevitable conclusion: this might need a Part 2.    Tune in and let your pattern-spotting brain process this one! ...

How do you feel about silence?   In this episode of Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws, Kate Fox and Nic King dive into the topic of silence, co-regulation, and the very different ways neurodivergent people experience them.    They explore the role of silence in relationships, whether quiet togetherness can be a form of co-regulation, and why some neurodivergent people find peace in silence whil...

Join us for Part 2 of the captivating two-part special of Neurotypicals Don't Juggle Chainsaws, where hosts Nic King and Kate Fox continue their enlightening conversation with Jac and Amy from Autism Level UP!    This episode dives deeper into the concepts of atypical burnout and the unique sensory challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals.     Our guests share personal insights and profe...

Love is in the air—or is it? In this special Valentine's episode of Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws, Kate Fox and Nic King dive into the highs, lows, and neurodivergent realities of Valentine’s Day.  From love languages and communication styles to the social expectations surrounding romance, they unpack what works (and what doesn’t) for neurodivergent relationships.  They also challenge t...

Join us for Part 1 of an engaging two-part special of Neurotypicals Don't Juggle Chainsaws, where hosts Nic King and Kate Fox welcome Jac and Amy from Autism Level UP!    This episode delves into the nuanced world of sensory experiences and empathy within the neurodivergent community.     Our guests discuss the importance of sensory joy and how different stimuli can be soothing for some and ov...

In this episode of Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws , Kate Fox and Nic King discuss the complexities of behaviour as communication.  Building on insights from previous episodes, they unpack how neurodivergent behaviours are often misinterpreted through neurotypical lenses and how ingrained behaviourist views can lead to oversimplified assumptions.  With a mix of personal anecdotes and sharp ob...

Welcome back to the second half of our special guest episode of Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws !   We continue our deep dive into monotropism with our incredible guests, Tanya Adkin and David Gray-Hammond .  In this part, Tanya and David share powerful personal stories and insights about how lived experiences have shaped their understanding of autistic suffering, trauma, and recovery.  From...

Welcome back to Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws ! Kate Fox and Nic King dive into a thought-provoking topic for this episode on how we rank aspects of our identity and where neurodivergence lands on the list.  Ultimately, this episode underscores the fluidity and context-dependency of identity, while encouraging you to embrace your lists—whatever they may be—and explore what feels most authen...

Welcome to this special two-part episode of Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws ! Today, Kate Fox and Nic King are joined by two incredible guests: Tanya Adkin of ND Social Care and David Gray-Hammond of Emergent Divergent.   Together, they dive into the fascinating world of monotropism , exploring concepts like the monotropic split and meerkatting , and how these ideas connect to the lived exper...

Welcome to the first Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws episode of 2025! 🎉 Kate Fox and Nic King and Kate Fox kick off the year by tackling the big, sparkly elephant in the room— New Year’s resolutions . Is the "New Year, New You" mantra really compatible with neurodivergent experiences?  This episode questions whether resolutions need to be about grand reinventions or whether they can simply b...

In this insightful episode of Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws , Kate Fox and Nic King delve into the concept of glimmers —those small, joyous moments that bring warmth, peace, and a restorative boost to your energy. As the counterpart to triggers, glimmers are key indicators of activities and experiences that replenish your spoons, offering a way to navigate the demands of life.  This episode...

In this festive episode of Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws , Kate Fox and Nic King explore the joys, pressures, and sensory overloads of the Christmas season. They discuss how traditions, like making Christmas puddings or decorating with familiar scents, can evoke vivid memories—both comforting and challenging—and how to navigate the associated emotions. Nick shares her journey of letting go...

Join us for the first part of an insightful two-part special of Neurotypicals Don't Juggle Chainsaws, where hosts Kate Fox and Nic King engage with special guests Fergus Murray and Sonny Hallett.     This episode dives into the complex world of monotropism, a theory significantly shaped by Fergus's mother, Dinah Murray.   Fergus and Sonny, both pivotal in the neurodivergent advocacy and research s...

In Episode 22 of Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws , Kate Fox and Nic King dive into “spoon theory” and how it applies to neurodivergent and chronically ill individuals. They break down the concept as “energy accounting,” explaining how each activity—no matter how small—requires energy or “spoons” and why managing these resources is vital.    Don’t forget to leave us a review and get in touch v...

Join Kate and Nic in this insightful episode as they unpack the complexities of using sunflower lanyards to signal hidden disabilities.   The hosts share candid stories about how wearing the lanyards affects their interactions in crowded and stressful environments. They discuss the challenges of relying on these symbols for support, including the potential for both positive assistance and negative...