The AutSide Podcast

“ Today’s episode discusses a recent article from Dr. Jaime Hoerricks and their personal experience with hormone replacement therapy (HRT); and how their long-standing ketogenic diet may have accelerated the effects of their HRT. They posit that their diet, rich in healthy fats and very low in carbohydrates, may have optimised their body's ability to transport and utilise estrogen, leading to rapi...

“ In today’s episode, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks argues that the American political system, particularly at the state level, has become increasingly corrupt and undemocratic. They use Ohio’s recent passage of SB104, a ‘trans bathroom ban’ attached to a larger bill, as an example of this trend. This tactic of slipping controversial measures into broader legislation is a calculated way for lawmakers to avo...

“ Today’s episode argues that traditional notions of rigor in education often exclude students with diverse learning styles, particularly autistic students, Long-Term English Learners, and Gestalt Language Processors. Dr. Jaime Hoerricks challenges the idea that high-stakes testing and fast-paced lessons are effective in fostering deep learning and instead advocates for a new vision of rigor that...

“ Today’s episode focuses on a policy document called “Project 2025,” a far-right roadmap for education that proposes significant changes to public education in the United States. Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, a special education teacher, critically analyses the document’s proposals, highlighting their potential negative impact on students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The author argues that “Project 202...

“ Today’s episode dives into an EdSource article promoting certain “evidence-based practices” for autism education is a disguised advertisement for corporate interests, specifically in the form of “neo-colonial” and “neo-liberal” agendas. Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, a special education teacher, criticises the article’s promotion of practices that benefit private companies over proven, effective, and publ...

“ In today’s episode, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks argues that the incoming administration's embrace of science denial poses a significant threat to society. It explores specific instances of denial, such as the rejection of climate change, gender diversity, and the evolutionary importance of neurodiversity, arguing that these beliefs will lead to harmful policies and a decrease in scientific literacy. Dr....

“ Today’s episode explores a personal essay by Dr. Jaime Hoerricks in which they discuss their experience as an autistic transgender woman. Dr. Hoerricks explains how their transition has been a process of unmasking their true self, stripping away layers of societal expectations and embracing their identity as a gestalt processor. They argue that authenticity is a powerful act of resistance that c...

“ Today’s episode criticises a recent University of Montreal study on brain synchrony in autistic and neurotypical social interactions. Dr. Jaime Hoerricks argues that the study's methodology and conclusions perpetuate harmful stereotypes about autism, viewing autistic people as “deviations” from the “typical” or “normal” “neurotypical experience.” Dr. Hoerricks contends that this approach perpetu...

“ Today’s episode analyses California's new law requiring Individualised Education Program (IEP) templates in ten languages. Whilst Dr. Jaime Hoerricks acknowledges the law as a positive step towards inclusivity, they argue that the law’s primary focus on standardised templates fails to address the critical need for translating the individualised content within each IEP, such as a student's specif...

“ Today’s episode explores the concept of Gestalt Language Processing (GLP), a cognitive style prevalent in autistic individuals, and its potential connection to nocturnal panic attacks. Here, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks argues that GLP, where individuals process information as complete units rather than smaller components, can lead to difficulties in unfamiliar situations and, specifically, during sleep...

“ In today’s episode, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks explores the experience of autistic burnout, inertia, meltdowns, and shutdowns (BIMS) . Dr. Hoerricks argues that these phenomena are not personal failings but responses to the pressures of a world designed for neurotypical individuals. Drawing upon the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) , Dr. Hoerricks explains how societal structures create power imba...

“ In this episode, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, critiques the current research landscape surrounding autism, specifically criticising studies focused on the gut microbiome and its potential link to autistic traits. Dr. Hoerricks argues that these studies perpetuate harmful narratives about autism, portraying it as a deviation that needs to be “cured” rather than embraced. They further decry the substantia...

“ Today’s episode explores the persistent shortage of special education teachers in the United States, arguing that low pay and inadequate financial support are key contributing factors. Dr. Jaime Hoerricks criticises narratives that focus on teacher burnout and administrative burdens without addressing the underlying economic challenges. They advocate for systemic change, including increasing sal...

“ Today’s episode examines the history and current state of autism research, specifically focusing on the biases and limitations within the field, particularly regarding gender diversity. The source article critiques the dominant “female protective effect” hypothesis and highlights the influence of the “cures” movement on research priorities. It emphasises the need for a neurodiversity-affirming f...

“ In today’s ‘bonus episode,’ Dr. Jaime Hoerricks argues that autism research has historically focused on “treating” autistic individuals, aiming to modify their behaviors and make them more like neurotypical individuals. Dr. Hoerricks contends that this approach ignores the real-world needs of autistic people, who face challenges in areas such as employment, housing, and sensory sensitivities. In...

“In today’s episode, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks argues that the prevalence of “paper mills” in academic publishing poses a serious threat to the integrity of autism research, particularly in the case of the MDPI journal Journal of Personalized Medicine . These “paper mills” prioritise rapid publication and high acceptance rates, often at the expense of thorough peer review, leading to the publication of...

“ Today’s episode deals with yesterday’s article that satirizes the fear-mongering and discriminatory practices aimed at trans and autistic individuals in the current election cycle in the US. The article paints a dystopian picture where the government and an organization called Autism $peaks collaborate to create a society obsessed with conformity and “safety,” effectively demonising transgender...

“ Today’s podcast argues that Stephen Krashen’s “influential” model of language acquisition, which emphasises incremental, analytical learning, overlooks a significant group of learners known as Gestalt Language Processors (GLPs) . GLPs acquire language holistically, through meaningful chunks, and often struggle in traditional educational settings that fail to acknowledge their unique processing s...

“ This is a personal essay by Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, describing their experience with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and its surprising effects on their cognitive abilities and creative expression. Dr. Hoerricks details how HRT has dramatically enhanced their writing, leading to a more spontaneous and fluent style, as well as expanded their creative range to include poetry and flash fiction. They...

“ A recent article from Dr. Jaime Hoerricks explores the upcoming LAUSD cell phone ban and its potential consequences for students, particularly neurodivergent ones. The article discusses how phones are deeply integrated into student life, serving as both distractions and essential tools for focus, sensory regulation, and communication, especially for neurodivergent students. The ban, whilst inten...

“ In today’s episode, I argue that the United States’ political and economic systems are designed to benefit a wealthy elite at the expense of ordinary Americans. I criticise the two-party system as serving corporate interests rather than the needs of the people, and highlight the impact of restrictive ballot access laws and corporate lobbying on suppressing alternatives to capitalism. I also poin...

“ Today’s episode argues that educational corporations, like those producing software and curriculum, are not held accountable for their products’ efficacy, unlike teachers and students who are held responsible for the success of these products. It proposes a “pay-on-performance” model where corporations only receive payment when their products demonstrably improve student outcomes, incentivising...

“ Today’s episode argues that the modern push for AI and automation is a continuation of eugenicist ideologies, focusing on efficiency and productivity at the expense of those who cannot keep pace. It criticises the tech industry’s pursuit of “progress” and emphasises the dangers of unchecked technological advancement, particularly for marginalised groups such as autistic individuals and people wi...

“ Today’s podcast exposes how the Autism CARES Act has inadvertently created a system where private equity firms profit from “autism services,” specifically ABA therapy. The episode uses a Monopoly board game analogy to highlight how these firms are monopolising the autism care market, prioritising profit over the individual needs of children. In the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks criticises...

“ Today’s episode argues that standardised testing, specifically the SBAC, is not an objective measure of student knowledge and ability. Instead, it perpetuates segregation and inequality by favoring students who fit into the standards of the neuro-majority whilst neglecting students with disabilities and those from marginalised communities. Dr. Hoerricks uses Critical Theory and the Power Threat...