In this episode of The Autistic Culture Podcast, hosts Dr. Angela Kingdon and Matt Lowry, LPP take on the self-help mega-hit Atomic Habits by James Clear—exploring why its behaviourist strategies fail for autistic people, and what actually works when it comes to productivity in Autistic Culture.
🎧 What You’ll Learn:
- Why autistic brains resist synaptic pruning, making unconscious habits nearly impossible.
- The flaw of habit stacking and why many autistic people must consciously think through even “automatic” tasks.
- A critique of neurotypical society’s productivity obsession, from Puritan work ethic to toxic hustle culture.
- How internalizing ableism around “not doing enough” impacts autistic mental health and self-worth.
- Why autistic monotropism and Flow states are healthier, more sustainable alternatives to rigid schedules.
- Tips for neuro-affirming productivity: naps, breaks, visual aids, reminders, avoiding energy deficit, and requesting accommodations.
- A call to honor autistic rhythms of rest and hyperfocus, instead of forcing neurotypical systems that lead to burnout.
Resources:
This American Life on Smoking
If Books Could Kill: Atomic Habits
Why Doesn’t Standard Talking Therapy Work for Autistic People?
Recruiting Giants - Alex St. John
Related episodes:
Labels & Autism
Industrial Light & Magic
Apple is Autistic
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🌐 Learn more at www.autisticculturepodcast.com
🎙️ 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, Eleanor Collins, Emily Griffiths, Hannah Hughes, Jennifer Kemp, Jonas Fløde, Kate F, Katie N Benitez, Kendra Murphy, Lisa Dennys, Logan Wall, Louise Lomas, Melissa Nance, Nicola Owen, Rebecka Johansson, Sam Morris, Sarah Hannah Morris.
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