S1E6: Embracing Neurodiversity with Dr. Luke Beardon

In this episode of Becoming You – The Podcast, John Fleming welcomes Dr. Luke Beardon, senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University. 

Luke has worked for over three decades in the autism field. He is an advocate of autistic individuals’ rights and seeks to redress inequalities often faced by the autistic community. He has published several books on autism and has won several autism - related awards.

Together, they explore what it really means to support neurodivergent people - not by trying to fix them, but by changing the systems, expectations, and environments that get in their way.

Luke shares how his own journey began as a child when he first realised that adults - even those closest to us - don’t always know what’s right for you. Since then, his work has centred around challenging the assumption that neurodivergent people need to change or be “fixed” - and instead focusing on creating environments where people can be exactly who they are.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

• The childhood moment that sparked Luke’s questioning of normative behaviour
• What masking means and why people do it
• What “autistic courtesy” means and how we can use it to create more inclusive spaces
• How environments - not individuals - are often the biggest barrier to inclusion
• The importance of lived experience and participatory research, especially in autism studies

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Share Your Story:

John would love to hear from you! If this episode resonated with you, send an email to john@becomingyou.ie

Visit the website at www.becomingyou.ie

Would you like to explore the idea of uncovering, embracing and being your true self?

Download your free self led workbook: https://www.becomingyou.ie/#workbook

Connect with our guest Dr. Luke Beardon: https://www.shu.ac.uk/about-us/our-people/staff-profiles/luke-beardon#firstSection

Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast represents the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host, guests, and contributors. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial.

If you are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or require professional support, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified professional or relevant support services.