In this episode of The Autistic Culture 101, Dr. Angela Kingdon explores Pillar 1 of Autistic Culture: Bottom-Up Processing.
We begin our deep dive into the 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture with the cognitive foundation that shapes how many autistic people interpret, analyse, and interact with the world—from sensory input to social understanding.
This remastered episode reintroduces the core principles of bottom-up thinking through the lens of one of fiction’s most iconic detail-driven characters: Sherlock Holmes.
🎧 What You’ll Learn
- Why autistic cognition favours detail-first processing over top-down assumptions
- How bottom-up processing supports pattern recognition, innovation, and autonomy
- The role of sensory integration and special interests in cognitive and emotional navigation
- How society pathologizes bottom-up thinkers as insubordinate, difficult, or even “broken”
- How internalized ableism can lead autistic people to distrust their own cognitive strengths
- Why reclaiming and celebrating bottom-up processing can improve mental health and self-trust
Related Episodes:
Chess is Autistic
Broadway is Autistic
Washington DC is Autistic
🌟 Connect With Us
📱 Follow us on Instagram
🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop
🌐 Learn more at www.autisticculturepodcast.com
💜 With Gratitude
🎙️ Executive Producers: Amy Burns, Anamaria B Call, Andrew Banner, Anna Goodson, Ashley Apelzin, Audrea Volker, Ben Coulson, Brian Churcek, Cappy Hamper, Carley Biblin, Charlene Deva, Chloe Cross, Clay Duhigg, Clayton Oliver, Danny Dunn, Daria Brown, David Garrido, Emily Burgess, Eric Crane, Erik Stenerud, Fiona Baker, Grace Norman, Helen Shaddock, Jaimie Collins, Jason Killian, Jen Unruh, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Tretter, Kathie Watson-Gray, Kenneth Knowles, Kira Cotter, Kristine Lang, Kyle Raney, Llew P Williams, Laura Alvarado, Laura De Vito, Laura Provonsha, Lily George, Nelly Darmi, Nigel Rogers, Rachel Miller, Tim Scott, Tyler Kunz, Victoria Steed, Yanina Wood.
🎧 Producers: AJ Knight, Bobby Simon, Da Kovac, Katie N Benitez, Kate F, Kendra Murphy, Louise Lomas, Nicola Owen.
🌈 Celebrate autistic voices at AutisticCulturePlus.com
 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.