The Other Autism

Are you ready to navigate the intricate maze of adult autism diagnosis? I dedicate this episode to offering tips and advice to help you determine whether autism assessment is right for you, suggestions on how to find a psychologist who conducts adult autism assessments, and brief strategies on securing financial support if you can't afford the exorbitant assessment fees.This episode is designed to be a supportive companion on your quest for answers.If you'd like to know more about topics discussed in this episode, check out:Dr. David Worling's websiteEpisode outro music: "Overshare" by dreem 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.

Courtney Benner, a neurodivergent occupational therapist from Utah, delves into the transformative power of occupational therapy for autistic adults. She shares her personal journey with diagnoses and how they shaped her approach to therapy. Fascinating insights include statistics on autistic sleep patterns and the application of the Zones of Regulation for emotional awareness. Courtney also addresses challenges in autism assessment and emphasizes the importance of self-regulation and executive functioning in improving quality of life. Her unique perspective fosters empathy and understanding within the neurodivergent community.

Melissa Elaine, a music industry professional recently diagnosed with autism, shares her transformative journey post-diagnosis. She discusses how previous therapists misread her challenges as trauma, prompting her to navigate her identity in a new light. The conversation delves into her experiences with going nonverbal and the impact of her diagnosis on her relationships and career. Melissa also highlights the significance of therapeutic support and community understanding for those on the autism spectrum.

Let's delve into an under-discussed topic — the intersection of autism and non-monogamy. I talk about the differences between polyamory and open relationships, and challenge the stereotype that autistic individuals are incapable of or uninterested in sexual relationships. Drawing from research and personal experiences, I discuss why autistic individuals are more inclined towards non-monogamous relationships.If you'd like to know more about topics discussed in this episode, check out:"Neurodiversity and Relationship Variation: Why Some With Autism or ADHD Are Drawn to Consensual Nonmonogamy and/or BDSM" by Elisabeth A. Sheff"Polyamory vs. an Open Relationship: What's the Difference?" by Emma Singer"An Exploration of Why Autistic Adults Are Practicing Consensual Non-Monogamy" by Janet Walsh and Mark Stokes"I'm Autistic and Polyamorous. Here's Why It Works for Me" by Leanne YauThe Letters of Abelard and Heloise translated by Betty RadiceEpisode outro music: "Go to Hell" by Mindme  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 the final episode of season two of The Other Autism podcast, I explore the concept of masking. We've talked about it a lot this season, but now I'd like to do a deeper dive.Topics discussed also include:The definition of maskingWhy autistic people maskWhat it means to unmaskWhen masking can be a good thingIf you'd like to know more about topics discussed in this episode, check out: "Camouflage and Masking Behavior in Adult Autism" by Javad Alaghband-rad et al."Looking Good but Feeling Bad: 'Camouflaging' Behaviors and Mental Health in Women With Autistic Traits" by Jonathan Beck et al."Conceptualising Autistic Masking, Camouflaging, and Neurotypical Privilege: Towards a Minority Group Model of Neurodiversity" by Elizabeth RadulskiEpisode intro and outro music: "Calliope's Cry" by Kristen Hovet 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.

Cat is an Australia-based, late-identified autistic individual who suddenly lost the ability to mask following the death of her baby.Kristen and Cat discuss being autistic while undergoing fertility treatments, trauma in midlife, out-of-order loss and bereavement, polyvagal theory, the ways life crises often precede late identification of autism, and more.Correction: Cat said "microwave" when she meant to say "oven", in reference to her grandmother. If you'd like to know more about topics discussed in this episode, check out: Strong Female Character by Fern Brady"Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)" —Cleveland ClinicThe Book of Woe: The DSM and the Unmaking of Psychiatry by Gary Greenberg"In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)" —Mayo Clinic"The Polyvagal Theory: New Insights Into Adaptive Reactions of the Autonomic Nervous System" by Stephen W. PorgesEpisode intro and outro music: "Adamant" by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen, Anna Dager, and Hanna Ekström  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.

Jennifer Dodd, a Portland-based therapist and late-diagnosed autistic individual, shares her insights on navigating life as both autistic and ADHD. She discusses how these identities can clash yet also complement each other. Jennifer critiques traditional CBT for neurodivergent individuals, advocating for therapies like EMDR and somatic therapy. They touch on the concept of 'mindful masking' in social settings and emphasize the need for compassionate support for neurodivergent children. Her passion for promoting neurodiversity shines through in this enlightening conversation.

Kim Gallo is the author of the new book, The Pivot: For Parents and Educators – Looking at Autism and ADHD Through a Different Lens. She is a speech language pathologist in south Florida and has experience as a former applied behaviour analysis (ABA) practitioner.Kristen and Kim discuss Kim's changing views on ABA (thanks in large part to TikTok!), the changing landscape of what it means to be autistic in today's world, stigma experienced by autistic individuals, masking and its impact on identity and sense of self, Kim's perspectives on having a neurodivergent young adult daughter, and more.Check out Kim's website: Kim Gallo SLP: Sensory Smart & Neurodiversity FriendlyBuy The Pivot: For Parents and Educators — Looking at Autism and ADHD Through a Different Lens by Kim GalloIf you'd like to know more about topics discussed in this episode, check out: "Individual Differences, ADHD, Adult Pathological Demand Avoidance, and Delinquency" by Vincent Egan et al. "After Your Child's Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Quick Start Guide for Ages 6-12" —Government of British Columbia [showing prominence of ABA in British Columbia, Canada]"Pathological Demand Avoidance: What and Who Are Being Pathologised and in Whose Interests?" by Allison MooreWhy Johnny Doesn't Flap: NT Is OK! by Clay Morton and Gail Morton"Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)" —National Autistic SocietyEpisode intro and outro music: "I See You" by Hampus Naeselius 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.

The number one question I receive from listeners is some version of, "I was just diagnosed as autistic. Now what?" What are some common experiences that people have after autism diagnosis in adulthood? Late autism diagnosis is often defined as diagnosis received after one's 18th birthday. Topics discussed also include:Positive and negative thoughts and emotions following late autism diagnosisMy experiences following my own autism diagnosis in my 30sRecent research documenting women's experiences of increased self-compassion following autism diagnosis in adulthoodMy suggestions for the time following your autism diagnosisIf you'd like to know more about topics discussed in this episode, check out: "Autism Diagnosis in the United Kingdom: Perspectives of Autistic Adults, Parents and Professionals" by Laura Crane et al."Exploring the Experience of Seeking an Autism Diagnosis as an Adult" by Matthew de Broize et al."'Anything But the Phone!': Communication Mode Preferences in the Autism Community" by Philippa Howard and Felicity Sedgewick"Autistic women’s experiences of self-compassion after receiving their diagnosis in adulthood" by Rosemarie Wilson et al.Episode intro and outro music: "Time's Passing" by BLUE STEEL, Cushy, and Damma Beatz  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.

Heath Wilder is the Director of Customer Experience at the Sydney Theatre Company and identifies as 'autigender'. In this engaging discussion, they explore the fluidity of gender identity within the autism spectrum. Heath shares personal experiences about the emotional complexities of empathy and the challenges of societal expectations. The conversation also dives into topics like sensory overload, the significance of authenticity, and the nuances of meltdowns and shutdowns, shedding light on navigating the autistic experience with humor and insight.