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

Go to todaysautisticmoment.com for the transcript. Join us for an insightful discussion with Jen White-Johnson, An ADHD Black, Boricua Mother of an Autistic child and Art Activist for Disability Culture & Justice.  We'll explore the intersectionality of Neurodiversity and racial justice, addressing the presence of racism within the movement.  Learn how to actively promote inclusivity and equality in advocating for Neurodiversity while acknowledging and addressing the biases in diagnostic criteria.  This conversation strives to empower individuals to work together for a more just and inclusive advocacy movement.

Go to todaysautisticmoment.com for the transcript. Exploring the importance of emergency preparedness for Autistic Adults, Eric Ringgenberg, Director of Education Programs at The Autism Society of Minnesota, will join Philip to delve into creating personalized plans.  The discussion will encompass identifying and planning for emergencies, providing insights into how emergencies can impact the diverse communities within the Autistic culture. The conversation aims to empower Autistic Adults with strategies to understand, prepare for, and navigate emergencies effectively.  

Go to todaysautisticmoment.com for the transcripts. Click on the specific episode follow the description to the written transcript and the transcript you can read from the website. Daren Howard, the Deputy Director at The Autism Society of Minnesota, will join Philip to discuss the employment landscape for Autistic Adults. The conversation will cover effective strategies for job seekers, the push to eliminate subminimum wages, and securing accommodations from employers. The dialogue will extend to promising practices in recruiting and selecting Neurodiverse talent, as well as the rights and responsibilities of Neurodiverse individuals in the workplace. 

Concluding Season 3 on a high note Philip will be joined by Angela (AJ) Locashio to explore the impactful contributions of Autistic Professionals supporting their communities. From authors to life coaches and mental health professionals, we’ll celebrate the diverse roles these individuals play. The conversation aims to encourage support for the work of Autistic Professionals fostering a sense of community and collaboration within the Autistic community.

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.