The AutSide Podcast

“ This episode explores a personal essay by Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, a trans woman and autistic person, who uses their experience to critique the commodification of identities, particularly within the context of social media and the pressures to conform to societal expectations. Hoerricks argues that true revolution begins within oneself, not on social media, and that the struggle for authenticity and...

The article “ Neoliberal Propaganda at Play: How Private Firms and Biased Reporting Undermine Disabled Students’ Access to College Readiness ” critiques a report from The 74 Million that argues public schools are failing disabled students by not offering enough college readiness programs. I argue that the report unfairly blames public schools and ignores the role of private testing companies, whic...

This episode argues that inclusive education must move beyond simply accommodating neurodivergent students. Here, I criticise the current focus on having neurodivergent students adapt to the norms of the neuro-majority, arguing this reinforces ableist assumptions. Instead, I assert that inclusion should be a two-way street where neuro-majority students learn about and respect neurodivergent commun...

Today’s podcast criticises two research papers, Chiang & Lin (2007) and Nguyen, Balsamo, & Garnett (2024), for neglecting to address the reading comprehension needs of autistic students who process language holistically, known as Gestalt Language Processors (GLPs). I argue that these papers, despite claiming to be comprehensive, fail to acknowledge the existence and research on GLPs, which constit...

A new student joined my class this week. Guess what, he’s a GLP who has been unsupported in his language learning journey. Me being me, I created a plan to help him … and it’s cringy to hear how NotebookLM butchers my name and pronouns … Here’s the source material: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/beyond-the-label-empowering-glps Let me know what you think. The AutSide is a reader-supported...

In today’s episode, I wanted to see how NotebookLM handled a very controversial subject: the intersection of autism and gender identity - and the transphobia / homophobia that exists in online spaces frequented by autistic people. Here’s the source material: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/autistic-hate-trans-professionals Let me know what you think. The AutSide is a reader-supported publi...

Today’s episode compares Nevada’s use of an artificial intelligence system to predict student success to the dystopian film Minority Report , where a pre-crime system uses algorithms to identify and arrest individuals before they commit crimes. Both systems rely on opaque algorithms to make decisions about people’s lives, without taking into account the nuances of individual circumstances. I argue...

What is the real role of AI in education? To educate? Or, to corner the market and support quarter over quarter growth in shareholder profits of edTech companies. Here’s the source materials: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/ai-to-personalise-education-more Let me know what you think. The AutSide is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Thi...

An exploration in Gaelic folklore, trans identity, and navigating a world not meant for us. Here’s the source material: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/the-well-at-the-end-of-my-world-a Let me know what you think. The AutSide is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscri...

In today’s episode, I wanted to see if NotebookLM would follow my lead and go after one of the big ‘autism research’ institutions in the US. I’m wondering how much skew there is to the algorithm. Here’s the source material: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/breaking-news-autism-runs-in-families Let me know what you think. The AutSide is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, con...

Today’s probe of NotebookLM wants to see how it handles my takedown of a recent study of autistic communication. Here’s the source material: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/the-misguided-framing-of-autism-a Let me know what you think. The AutSide is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss th...

Today’s episode is an interesting look at how NotebookLM handles a super sarcastic article and a critique on the AutismCARES Act. Here, I really wanted to see what the LLM would do in filling in the gaps. It’s interesting. Here’s the source article: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/autism-cares-oh-it-cares-all-right Let me know what you think. Did NotebookLM get it right? The AutSide is a r...

Today’s episode looks at a study that attempts to link autism to the pandemic. When will these people learn? Here’s the link to the source: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/the-risk-of-being-born-how-autistics Let me know what you think. The AutSide is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss...

Why traditional language therapy fails gestalt processors, and what to do about it. Here’s the link to the source material and extensive reference list: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/why-traditional-language-therapy Let me know what you think. The AutSide is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to...

In today’s episode, we look at the consequences of the upcoming cell phone ban in California. Here’s the source material: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/unplugged-and-unequal-the-hidden Let me know what you think. The AutSide is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscr...

Today’s episode looks again at the neoliberal attack on public schools in the US. Here’s the source materials for this episode: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/profiting-from-neglect-how-low-expectations Let me know what you think. The AutSide is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this...

Today’s episode dives into why gaslighting is so harmful to autistics. Here’s the source for the episode: Let me know what you think. The AutSide is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit autside.substa...

Today’s deep dive looks at autistic burnout. Here’s the source article for the episode: Let me know what you think. The AutSide is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit autside.substack.com/subscribe

A deep dive into sky high autistic unemployment and who benefits from the current system. Here’s the source article: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/the-myth-of-success-autistic-adults Let me know what you think. The AutSide is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscrib...

A deep dive on corporate feudalism, how we got here, and the path forward. Here’s the source article: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/serfs-of-the-21st-century-how-corporate Let me know what you think. The AutSide is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get...

A look at a ‘ground breaking’ study about women and ADHD. Here’s the link to the source materials: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit autside.substack.com/subscribe

In today’s episode, we’ll take a look at homework within the context of students with IEPs. Is it an equitable practice to shift the learning to a household that isn’t prepared? Here’s the source materials: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/the-philosophy-of-homework-in-special Let me know what you think. The AutSide is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a...

The current presidential campaign in the US is heating up. The candidates are preaching to their base. Given the state of things here, they simply don’t care if they’re recorded, they’re completely out in the open with their divisive and dangerous rhetoric. Here’s the source article: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/the-rise-of-christian-nationalism Let me know what you think. The AutSide i...

This episode’s focus in standardised testing in college courses, and the experience of gestalt processors taking such tests. You can find the source article here: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/the-stages-of-grief-a-glps-journey Let me know what you think. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit autside.substack...

Today’s episode is a snarky look at a new study on autistic prosody. I hope that you enjoy it. Here’s the source article . Let me know what you think. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit autside.substack.com/subscribe