The Other Autism

Dr. Brett Ranon Nachman, an autistic higher education researcher from the University of Pittsburgh, discusses success for autistic college students. They delve into the effects of internalized ableism and the complexities of masking, highlighting its mental strain. Brett emphasizes the need for inclusive environments, especially for marginalized autistic individuals in higher education. The conversation inspires hope, showcasing the importance of autistic-led scholarship and the significance of creating supportive academic spaces.

millie joins me to talk about autistic culture, creativity, surviving in a neurotypical world, and finding true community. We get into late-diagnosed autism and ADHD, harm reduction, AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), and why autistic spaces can feel like a breath of fresh air. millie also shares how surviving — and thriving — as a disabled, trans, autistic person reshaped their ideas about belonging, burnout, and joy. What if the world isn't made for us — but we could build something better? A rich, raw, and hopeful conversation you won't want to miss.Watch this episode on YouTube.Check out millie's website. Theme music: "Everything Feels New" by Evgeny Bardyuzha. All episodes written and produced by Kristen Hovet.Send in your questions or thoughts via audio or video recording for a chance to be featured on the show! Email your audio or video clips to otherautism@gmail.com through WeTransfer. Buy me a coffee!Buy The Other Autism merch. Use code FREESHIP for free shipping on orders over $75 USD! The views, opinions, and experiences shared by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. The content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical or professional advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions related to your health, fitness, or wellness.

Odosa Obasuyi, founder of Autinerary and a computer science student at the University of Toronto, shares insights for autistic students navigating higher education. He discusses the unique challenges these students face, such as graduation disparities and the importance of tailored support. Odosa emphasizes the value of personal interests in choosing majors and the complexities of networking. He also highlights Autinerary's role in fostering community engagement and redefining perceptions of autism through awareness campaigns.

Dr. Michael Lenz, a physician and author specializing in chronic pain and neurodiversity, dives deep into the connection between fibromyalgia and autism. He unpacks various types of pain and their relevance to conditions like ADHD and sensory processing differences. The conversation highlights the emotional toll of being dismissed in healthcare and advocates for compassionate, interdisciplinary care. Lenz shares compelling patient stories and stresses the need for better medical understanding and education around neurodivergent experiences with chronic pain.

Welcome to this guided meditation, created with autistic and neurodivergent brains in mind.Meditation is often depicted a certain way — sitting still, cross-legged, eyes closed. But here, we do things differently. Here, you are invited to make meditation your own. Maybe that means sitting in a way that feels natural to you. Maybe that means allowing gentle movement, like rocking or fidgeting. Maybe it means simply listening and letting the words wash over you while you garden or play with an animal friend.This meditation is a space for acceptance. A space for softening. A space for replenishing what you need in this moment, whatever that may be.Together, we'll breathe deeply, reconnect with our bodies, and visualize the flowing river of a new year — steady, constant, full of possibility. You are exactly as you need to be. You are whole, just as you are.Take a deep breath, settle in however feels right, and let's begin!This meditation is brought to you by The Other Autism podcast's patrons. Thank you, dear patrons, for your ongoing support, and for workshopping this episode with me, trialing it before publication, and offering suggestions and feedback for further meditation episodes.  Theme music: "Everything Feels New" by Evgeny Bardyuzha. All episodes written and produced by Kristen Hovet.Send in your questions or thoughts via audio or video recording for a chance to be featured on the show! Email your audio or video clips to otherautism@gmail.com through WeTransfer. Buy me a coffee!Buy The Other Autism merch. Use code FREESHIP for free shipping on orders over $75 USD! The views, opinions, and experiences shared by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. The content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical or professional advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions related to your health, fitness, or wellness.

Dive into the complex world of rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) and its effects on those with ADHD and autism. Discover how intense emotional responses can shape relationships and self-esteem. Learn about therapeutic methods like EMDR and DBT that may mitigate these feelings. The discussion includes insights on various triggers and the nuances between sensitivity and dysphoria. Whether you experience RSD or wish to support someone who does, this conversation sheds light on a critical aspect of emotional health.

If you're autistic and you're diagnosed with cancer, will your care be impacted by your unconscious wish to be the perfect patient? Or will it be impacted by an abusive spouse or partner, the kind so many of us on the spectrum find ourselves with? We explore these questions and much more.In this episode, we honour the life and legacy of Lindsey Carla Holmes, a late-diagnosed autistic woman, who passed away from metastatic ovarian cancer earlier this year. Joining me is Dr. Paula Holmes-Rodman — Lindsey's sister, caregiver, and collaborator — to discuss aspects of Lindsey's life and the sisters' co-development of the Self-Advocacy Guide for Cancer Patients on the Autism Spectrum. We explore Lindsey's journey of self-discovery, her resilience and sunshiny disposition, advance care planning, and some of the issues that may leave many autistic folks vulnerable to abusive relationships. Dr. Holmes-Rodman shares stories from The Lindsey Interview Project, the cat- and snack-filled Sunday afternoon chats that sparked the development of the Self-Advocacy Guide for Cancer Patients on the Autism Spectrum — a Guide uniquely positioned to help autistic cancer patients everywhere. This episode celebrates Lindsey's hopes for the autistic community, the continued importance of self-advocacy, and the ways listeners can help support Lindsey's vision for a better future.Watch this episode on YouTube.Find the Self-Advocacy Guide for Cancer Patients on the Autism Spectrum on Autism Canada.Watch The Lindsey Interview Project.  Theme music: "Everything Feels New" by Evgeny Bardyuzha. All episodes written and produced by Kristen Hovet.Send in your questions or thoughts via audio or video recording for a chance to be featured on the show! Email your audio or video clips to otherautism@gmail.com through WeTransfer. Buy me a coffee!Buy The Other Autism merch. Use code FREESHIP for free shipping on orders over $75 USD! The views, opinions, and experiences shared by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. The content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical or professional advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions related to your health, fitness, or wellness.

In this chat, Dennis Bourne, a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD personal trainer from New York, shares his inspiring journey as a Hispanic neurodivergent individual. He discusses the cultural stigmas he faced growing up and how his diagnoses reshaped his self-identity. Dennis emphasizes the benefits of martial arts for neurodivergent people and offers tailored fitness and nutrition strategies. He champions intuitive exercise over rigid routines, and intriguingly connects life lessons from gaming to strategies for personal growth.

Join Sarah, a passionate musician and former teacher, as she uncovers her late autism diagnosis, shedding light on feelings of isolation and sensory challenges. Her compelling stories weave through family turmoil and grief, revealing the complexities of navigating identity and mental health. The conversation also touches on co-occurring conditions that complicate diagnoses, along with the transformative power of EMDR therapy. Discover her journey towards self-acceptance and the joy of creative expression amidst life's struggles.

This discussion turns traditional views of empathy upside down, challenging the stereotype that autistic people lack it. The double empathy problem is introduced, revealing how miscommunication arises between neurotypicals and autistic individuals. The conversation dives into the complexities of empathy in autism research and the historical misperceptions that have shaped societal views. By highlighting how autistic individuals may demonstrate unique forms of empathy, the podcast invites listeners to rethink their understanding of emotional connections.