The AutSide Podcast

“Today’s episode analyses DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company that has achieved remarkable results with significantly fewer resources than its Western counterparts, challenging the Global North’s neoliberal model of innovation driven by competition and capital. The author of the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, argues that DeepSeek’s success, based on collaboration and resourcefulness, exposes the...

“Today’s episode examines the underdiagnosis of autistic girls and gender-diverse individuals, arguing that this is not merely a result of flawed diagnostic tools but a consequence of systemic biases rooted in patriarchy, ableism, and cisnormativity. The author of the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, critiques existing research, highlighting how early studies focused primarily on boys and rein...

“Today’s episode argues that Penny Schwinn’s nomination for Deputy Secretary of Education represents a dangerous advancement of neoliberal policies that prioritise corporate profit over public education. The author of the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, details Schwinn’s career, highlighting instances of no-bid contracts and conflicts of interest that allegedly enriched private companies at t...

“Today’s episode describes finding solace and rebellion in nature amidst political turmoil and social injustice. Dr. Jaime Hoerricks contrasts the cruelty and divisiveness of the current political climate with the cooperative harmony observed in nature. Their daily walk becomes an act of defiance, connecting with the natural world as a refuge from societal chaos. This connection provides a sense o...

“Today’s episode advocates for true partnership in education, moving beyond mere co-creation in classrooms. It argues that systemic inequities, such as underfunding and discriminatory practices, hinder genuine collaboration and inclusion. The author of the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, a teacher at a Title I school, shares personal experiences highlighting these challenges, particularly con...

“Today’s episode advocates for decolonising the classroom user experience (UX) by shifting from mandated curricula to co-creation. The author of the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, argues that the current top-down approach mirrors colonial practices, alienating students who don't see the relevance of the material to their lives. Co-creation, involving students and families in curriculum plann...

“Today’s episode analyses the challenges autistic individuals face in the US workforce, particularly concerning low wages and systemic barriers to employment. The source article argues that the current capitalist system, characterised by corporate greed and lobbying, exacerbates these issues, with large corporations benefiting from low wages and exploiting loopholes in labor laws. The author of th...

“Today’s episode critiques the current implementation of “full inclusion” in education, arguing that flawed research, insufficient funding, and systemic cultural biases contribute to its ineffectiveness. The author of the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, highlights the lack of resources, inadequate teacher training, and the devaluation of special education teachers as major obstacles. They pro...

“Today’s episode critiques mainstream financial literacy programs, arguing that they are tools of capitalist indoctrination designed to perpetuate inequality rather than alleviate poverty. The source article proposes alternative models rooted in Leninist, Maoist, and Pan-Africanist Marxist perspectives, emphasizing collective action, economic self-reliance, and the dismantling of exploitative syst...

“Today’s episode explores a personal essay reflecting on the author’s experience as a trans, autistic person navigating online spaces and the impact of algorithms and societal biases on their identity. The author, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, critiques a meme that simplifies the trans experience as a linear journey, contrasting it with their own understanding of trans identity as both origin and destinati...

“ Today’s episode examines the stark contrast between the U.S. and Mexican automotive markets, highlighting the limited choices and high prices of vehicles in the U.S. This disparity is attributed to protectionist policies favoring domestic manufacturers and prioritising corporate profits over consumer welfare. The author of the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, contrasts this with the availabi...

“Today’s episode uses a fictional allegory of a lexicographer studying the "fae" to critique the "decoding" of autism through artificial intelligence. The author of the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, draws parallels between the lexicographer's imposition of order on a misunderstood culture and current research that aims to categorize and "solve" autistic behaviors. This approach, Dr. Hoerric...

“Today’s episode critiques the capitalist commodification of neurodivergence, specifically targeting the exploitative coaching industry that profits from the vulnerabilities of autistic and ADHD individuals. It argues that this industry perpetuates ableist narratives and reinforces systemic inequalities by offering expensive, often ineffective "solutions" instead of addressing societal barriers. T...

“Today’s bonus episode critiques the United States' presidential inauguration as a coronation of an emperor rather than a democratic event. The author of the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, argues that the pomp and circumstance mask the reality of imperial power, sustained by executive orders that serve as royal decrees, silencing dissent and reinforcing a whitewashed history. Dr. Hoerricks e...

“Today’s episode analyses the forced sale / banning of TikTok, framing it as a modern-day enclosure mirroring historical land grabs. The author of the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, argues that the move serves corporate and governmental interests in consolidating control over cyberspace and suppressing dissenting voices, particularly those of marginalised communities who found refuge on the...

“Today’s episode argues that seemingly neutral news articles about education, particularly concerning teacher shortages, are actually corporate messaging disguised as journalism. These articles, published in outlets like eSchool News and Chalkbeat, intentionally obscure simple solutions (like raising teacher salaries) to promote privatisation of education. The author of the source article, Dr. Jai...

“ Today’s episode examines the harmful framing of neurodiversity and gender diversity as societal problems, arguing that this narrative stems from societal expectations rooted in a Calvinist-influenced worldview emphasising conformity and control. The author of the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, critiques the disproportionate attention given to these relatively small populations, highlightin...

“Today’s episode advocates for the use of slide rules in modern mathematics education, particularly for students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs). The author of the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, details the history of the slide rule, highlighting its role in scientific and engineering advancements. They then explain the mechanics of the slide rule, emphasising its hands-on, tactil...

“Today’s episode critically analyses a study on the effectiveness of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for autistic children in institutional care in Wuhan, China. The author of the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, highlights the limitations of the study, specifically its narrow focus on institutionalised boys and short-term, compliance-based outcomes. Dr. Hoerricks criticises the tenden...

“Today’s episode analyses Henry Hasse’s 1936 science fiction story, “He Who Shrank,” arguing that its themes and structure resonate strongly with AuDHD (autistic individuals with ADHD) characteristics. The author of the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, explores the story’s recursive narrative, boundless imagination, and existential depth as reflections of neurodivergent thought processes. They...

“Today’s episode discusses the detrimental effects of the financialisation of higher education on autistic students. The author of the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, argues that the narrative of college as a guaranteed path to success is a harmful myth that exploits autistic students' trust and vulnerabilities. This system, driven by revenue bonds and profit maximisation, leaves autistic gra...

“Today’s episode critiques a new study proposing an IQ-based framework for classifying autism. Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, an autistic individual, argues this approach is harmful, reducing the complexity of autistic experiences to a single metric and prioritising the interests of researchers and funders over the needs of the autistic community. The framework is criticised for its historical ties to eugen...

“Today’s episode is a personal essay reflecting on Dr. Jaime Hoerricks’ experience reading Hermann Hesse’s Das Glasperlenspiel (The Glass Bead Game) in its original German. The author, an autistic trans woman and Gestalt Language Processor (GLP), connects the book’s themes of structured introspection, layered discovery, and cyclical time to their own life journey. Dr. Hoerricks explores the challe...

“Today’s episode uses Marx and Engels' concept of the “reserve army of labor” to analyse the oversupply of STEM graduates in the U.S. Dr. Jaime Hoerricks argues that this surplus is not a market inefficiency but a deliberate capitalist strategy to suppress wages and maintain worker compliance. They critique the alignment of education with corporate interests, highlighting how the STEM pipeline fun...

“Today’s episode discusses the overemphasis on STEM careers in education, arguing that this approach is detrimental to many students, particularly neurodivergent ones. Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, a special education specialist, advocates for a more well-rounded education emphasising adaptability and critical thinking, suggesting that a liberal arts foundation better prepares students for an unpredictable...