Author Jaime A. Heidel discusses her new book 'What Did I Do Wrong?' focusing on preventing misunderstandings with autistic loved ones. Topics include communication challenges, facial recognition issues, offering solutions vs. seeking support, coordination struggles, and understanding autistic behaviors.
Heidel's book 'What Did I Do Wrong' serves as a concise guide for neurotypicals to understand autistic behavior and improve interactions.
Discussion on the challenges of direct communication for autistics highlights the importance of clearer interactions and mutual understanding.
Deep dives
The Creation of an Accessible and Informative Guide
Jamie A. Heidel discusses her book 'What Did I Do Wrong,' designed as a concise resource to aid neurotypicals in understanding autistic behavior. Each chapter in the book presents common misunderstandings in just two pages, outlining traits, their interpretations, and how to interact beneficially with autistic individuals.
Discovering Autism and Seeking Diagnosis
Heidel details her unique discovery of being autistic through online research and self-reflection. Despite facing skepticism and dismissal from family and friends upon sharing her suspicions, she eventually received an official diagnosis in 2015, leading to a journey of self-awareness and advocacy.
Challenges of Direct Communication and Social Hierarchy
The podcast delves into the complexities of direct communication for autistics, highlighting difficulties in social hierarchies and recognizing emotional subtleties. Autistic traits like flat affect and avoidance of social cues contribute to misunderstandings, emphasizing the need for clearer interactions and understanding from both autistic and neurotypical perspectives.
Navigating Dyspraxia and Social Interactions
Heidel opens up about common struggles like dyspraxia affecting coordination and recognizing familiar faces or objects, leading to humorous yet relatable anecdotes of mishaps like difficulty opening jars or navigating social settings. Discussions around communication, learning new skills, and recognizing societal norms underscore the diverse challenges faced by individuals on the autistic spectrum.
Hear author Jaime A. Heidel, The Articulate Autistic, talk about her new book What Did I Do Wrong? An Accessible Guide to Preventing Traumatic Misunderstandings Between You and Your Autistic Loved One. This is a must hear/read!