Autism Stories

"Universal design starts from a completely different premise. There’s no default patient. There’s no default human. So you design the whole system—the whole life cycle of how a patient interacts—flexing for the widest range of people from the start", says Dr. Mel Houser. Mel returns her latest book, Failure of Imagination: How the Healthcare System Fails Neurodivergent People. To learn m...

"I really wanted it to be an authentic perspective—my authentic perspective. Autism shows up in a lot of different ways. I’m discovering people-pleasing is something I’m trying to unpack and understand, and really encourage a precedent that it’s okay to like people that aren’t like you and like different things", says Kaz Windness. Kaz returns to Autism Stories to discuss her latest book...

"I do understand why it’s so hard for many autistic lawyers to open up about their neurodivergence, because if you are open about your neurodivergence, you are more likely to be rejected when you are job-seeking", says Hans Bruintjes. Hans joins this episode to discuss being an attorney and researcher. To learn more about Hans visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/hans-bruintjes-llb-29293916...

"Something is not working, and I would argue that what is not working is the framework. Neurodiversity justice asks a different set of questions. Instead of asking how neurodivergent people can navigate systems that were not built for them, it asks who built those systems, what choices produced those outcomes, and what would it actually take to change them at a structural level?", says B...

"You can be college capable on paper, but not college ready. You can have that 4.5, 5.5 weighted GPA, but if you’re not college ready with the social-emotional piece of it, and you don’t know how to navigate getting accommodations or asking a teacher for help because Mom and Dad have always done that for you, it’s a lot", says Gerene Keesler. Gerene joins this episode to discuss supporting high sc...

"Our coaching flows around obstacles rather than through them, just like water. Instead of pushing straight at a barrier, we reframe that obstacle itself, leaning into interdependence rather than independence. It’s the path of least resistance, not the path of most force", says Doug Blecher. Join Doug on this solo episode as he shares some his most recent writing. To read all of Doug&#39...

"“Oncology nurses need to think about how they communicate before what they communicate. No matter how much incredible knowledge that oncology nurse has, unless and until they know how that patient communicates, they’re useless. They can’t just walk in, impart knowledge, hand over a pamphlet, ask a one-to-ten scale, and walk out", says Paula Holmes-Rodman. Paula and Bruce join me to disc...

"I felt really strongly about this title because I wanted that idea of perfectionism. Neurodivergent folks, we are often so hard on ourselves. A phrase my husband and I have that’s been really mind-blowing for us is, ‘If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing poorly.’ We can get so daunted by excellence that we don’t do anything", says Meg Eden Kuyatt. Meg returns to Autism Stories to discus...

"Being AuDHD, I think the autistic part of me is more organized and likes an element of organization, whereas the other part lets it evolve as I go along. I like to have some shape and idea before beginning a book, even if it doesn’t stay that way", says Kate Rigby. Kate joins this episode to discuss the intersection of autism and fibromylagia and being an author for 40 years. To learn m...

"Autistic minds and a PhD go together like bread and butter. As far as doing the research, thinking about the concepts, and all of that, many of us have strengths that are perfectly aligned. But it’s the environments of the PhD that can be challenging to navigate", says Tempest McDonald. Tempest joins this episode to discuss  new five part podcast that chronicles her life story up to thi...

"Sixty-two percent said that after they disclosed [their autism], colleagues privately expressed support but publicly failed to intervene or advocate… When it mattered in public, where everyone could see that you were being humiliated, that’s where the support was withdrawn. It is crushing", says V Liwai Garcia. V joins us to discuss her research study  in which  she interviewed 45 Autis...

"We don’t have to hate ourselves just because we’re having a hard time functioning in the system. The system wasn’t made for us. Of course we’re not thriving in it… At the very least, it invites dignity, because we can understand ourselves to be just a valid version of human", says Zoe Darazsdi. Zoe joins us to discuss her work as a mental health counselor  empowering neurodivergent peop...

" I think the reason I’m drawn to governance or being on boards is because they’re often within a structured environment… it’s about making sure that the voices of autistic people who are often overlooked have their voices or perspectives heard", says Cyndi Gerlach. Cyndi joins this episode to discuss her experience regarding being a board of director and how public school can be improve...

"A conventional virtual assistant will go off and do the things you delegate. But when you’re neurodivergent, there is so much nuance. There is so much other stuff going on which is impacting you", says James Cleves. James joins this episode to discuss his work as a virtual assistant for neurodivergent entrepreneurs. If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would rea...

"When I first saw  Love on the Spectrum , I said, I want to do that show someday… years later, I did the show, and I’m so happy about it", says Dylan Aguilar. Dylan and Dr. Laurie Stephens  joins us to discuss Love on The Spectrum and how The Help Group is supporting 25,000 neurodivergent people and their families each year. To learn more about Dylan visit https://www.instagram.com/king_...

"She’s already feeling that pressure of, I need to be as performant as my male colleagues. But to add on to that, she’s struggling with ADHD symptoms, autism symptoms, sensory overload… that forces neurodivergent women in tech to be extremely high-functioning to the point of exhaustion", says Amirtha Sureshbabu. Amirtha joins this episode of Autism Stories to discuss being software engin...

"It amazes me, the resilience [autistic people] have, that we’ve built over these decades of awful experiences… we’re incredibly tough in so many ways. We keep on going", says Alex Morgan. Alex joins us  to discuss her new book, being a journalist, and learning about her autism at 60 years old. To learn more about Alex and her new book Mothertongue visit https://theautisticwoman.co.uk/books-on-aut...

"Getting to make this show [about The Beatles] is the greatest joy and privilege of my life. A lot of people misunderstand non-speakers with autism, or may not know we exist. Some people may think if we don’t speak, we’re not smart. But we have thoughts and feelings and passions like anyone else", says Aiden Levy. Aiden joins this episode to discuss co-hosting a Sirius XM radio show and...

"You can be into kink, you can be into the idea of sex, you can even enjoy certain actions related to it and still be on the asexuality spectrum. And that [fact] widened my view", says Sabrina and Kade. Sabrina and Kade join us to discuss their podcast, Aces Up Your Sleeve , and the intersection of asexuality and autism. To learn more about Sabrina and Kade and their podcast visit www.patreon.com/...

"My] books don’t have that clinical language. I’m not a therapist, I’m not a professional. I just have the experience of actually living autism every single day with my kids… this is from one parent to another, from one autistic mother to maybe another autistic mother", says Dalisse Sequeiros. Dalisse joins this episode to discuss being the author of a book series designed for autistic r...

"It’s hard enough for most autistic people to connect in the first place. There’s such a hunger to meet other people like ourselves… What I’ve learned is that it’s a lonely journey. People are figuring it out themselves, and they desperately want community", says Jonathan Domsky. Jonathan joins this episode to discuss his experiences as an autistic entrepreneur. To learn more about Jonat...

"They enable autistic and other adaptive athletes to run a Boston Marathon with slightly different requirements. [I thought] I’d love to be a part of it. And then a year later, I ran with them", says Shea Belsky. Shea returns to Autism Stories to discuss running in the Boston Marathon. To learn more about Shea visit https://www.sheabelsky.com/ . If you could subscribe on your favorite li...

"Kids can look at [Hans Christian Andersen's] story and say, oh wow, here’s this famous author, and he went through this. Oh, there’s hope… not only make it through, but do something that I really love doing", says Sandra Nickel. Sandra joins this epsiode to discuss her new book about  Hans Chrisitan Andersen and how he was likely autistic. To learn more about Sandra and her books vi...

"No one can truly wrap their head around the horror of living in silence. Finding spelling was the first step to healing", says Talia Zimmerman. Tailia joins this episode to discuss how life changes for non-speakers when spelling comes into their lives. If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for customized coaching b...

"I want to build things that last… I want to make sustainable systems. And I want it to be beyond me, that it doesn’t rely on me", says Mandy Pinckley. Mandy joins us to discuss launching neurodivergent peer support groups and advocating to make sustainable systems that support our communities. To learn more about Mandy visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandy-pinckley-a67658250/ Thank yo...