Today’s Autistic Moment: A Podcast for Autistic Adults by An Autistic Adult

Go to todaysautisticmoment.com for the transcripts. Planning Neuro-Affirming Holiday Social Events is crucial for a positive experience for Neurodivergents. In a recent conversation, Mitchell Schaps from MNeurodivergent sat down with me to share some insights on creating inclusive events for Neurodivergents. Considering sensory needs by providing spaces for self-regulation including recharging empty social batteries are just some of the things Mitchell suggested. Listen to this episode to hear more of Mitchell's ideas.

Go to todaysautisticmoment.com to find the transcripts and other information mentioned on the show. What do Neuro-Affirming therapy options look like for Autistics? What do Neuro-Affirming therapies do that are different from other therapies that are currently used? Neuro-Affirming therapies help Autistics to discover their strengths and identities that give them confidence in themselves as they are. Sarah Dwan is a Disability Advocate and an Autistic who lives in Waterford, Ireland. Sarah Dwan joins Philip to talk about what Neuro-Affirming means, and why therapies that affirm Neurodivergents are so important.

Go to todaysautisticmoment.com for the transcripts. Each Autistic individual has their unique blend of what triggers or soothes them. Subjects that trigger the fight or flight response. Sensory needs such as loud music is your partner's soother, but it is your trigger. Watching the same TV show over and over again is your soother, but it is your partner's trigger. You are Autistic and ADHD, your soothers and triggers will overlap. Ashlyn Baker is a mental health professional and owner of the podcast I Married Your Therapist. Listen to Ashlyn and I talk about how to work with overlapping triggers and soothers.

Go to todaysautisticmoment.com for the transcripts. Dr. Nick Walker is the author of the book Neuroqueer Heresies: Notes on the Neurodiversity Paradigm, Autistic Empowerment, and Postnormal Possibilities. Dr. Walker coined the word Neuroqueer and applied the queer theory to the discussions about Neurodivergents. According to Dr. Walker, Neuroqueer is a verb that urges us to make the decision that Autistics and other Neurodivergents will accept ourselves for who we are and not try to fit ourselves into what society has constructed as a "normal brain" s. a "different brain." Dr. Walker will bring her perspective to the conversations about Neurodiversity, sexual orientation and gender identity that will challenge us to rethink how we understand and act.

Go to todaysautisticmoment.com for the transcript. One aspect of being Autistic that has many pieces to it is food. Autistics can have sensory issues with food textures and digesting certain foods. There is also another sensory matter for Autistics that is interoception. Interoception is how the body communicates messages to the brain such as "I am hungry" "I am thirsty." "I am full, stop eating." "I haven't eaten in a while, please feed me." These can be why many Autistics have eating disorders that includes being fat. Kelly Lenza is an Autistic and an amazing self-advocate for Autistics who live in larger bodies.

Go to todaysautisticmoment.com for the transcript. Autistic Adults face more conflict than just about any group of people. Our challenges with verbal and nonverbal communication, finding our social support networks, and the stigmas imposed by our disabilities can burn us out.  If the conflicts we have with others doesn’t weigh us down, our interior conflict with ourselves most certainly will. Autistics need strategies for conflict resolution.  Join my guest Dr. Devon Price and I to help us understand where our conflicts come from, and how we can work towards resolving them.

Go to todaysautisticmoment.com for the transcripts. According to a study by Cassidy et al in 2018, 66% of newly diagnosed Autistic Adults experienced suicidal ideation. That is 17% higher than the general population.  There are many reasons why Autistic Adults experience suicidal ideation.  Lisa understands first-hand what being in a state of crisis is for Autistics. Lisa is an Autistic Adults and a life coach for Autistics who find themselves in crisis situations.  It is so important for Autistic Adults and their caregivers to listen this episode.  You just might save someone’s life.

Go to todaysautisticmoment.com for the transcript. This is a special show for Autistics going through the transition into adulthood.  You have gone through your years in school and being looked after by your parents and caregivers.  There are some major changes that occur as you become an adult.  Many programs that are in place to assist Autistics transition to adulthood are not adequate to meet their needs.  Robert Schmus joins me for segments 2 and 3. Robert is a mental health professional who works with adolescents who are Autistic.  Robert will join me to talk about his work to help Autistics transition to adulthood. Emily Goldberg from The Autism Mentorship Program joins me to talk about how a mentorship program for Autistic Adults to mentor Autistic Teens can help with the transition to adulthood.

Go to todaysautisticmoment.com for the transcript. If you or someone you know has just been self-identified or diagnosed by a professional, this episode is especially for you.  If you have been identified as Autistic for a long time and wondered about some things that happened right after, this show is for you too. Getting an Autism diagnosis changes your life.  If you are late identified because you are over 30, 40, 50 or 60 years old, it changes your entire life history.  You may feel angry, sad, relieved, happy, grieve, or do all of these at once or over time.  Your perception of yourself will change. Other’s perception of you will change. How do you take care of yourself during this time of incredible change?  Listen to Becca, Carole, Scott, and myself as we share our stories and advice to help you at this most crucial time in your life.

Go to todaysautisticmoment.com for the transcript. One experience most Autistics have had is emotional avalanches.  You feel really happy one minute, then the next, something happens and your emotions avalanche and take all your happiness with them.  Michelle will join me to talk about some great self-care tips for Autistics in those emotional avalanche moments.