Autistic Culture | Where autism meets identity!

An episode that uncovers the hidden neurodivergent depths of beloved book characters.In Episode 144 of The Autistic Culture Podcast, Dr Angela Kingdon and author/editor Jo Case explore the deep emotional resonance of autistic-coded characters in fiction, the power of autistic storytelling, and what it means to see “someone like me” in booksAll this, and we announce our amazing winners from our seventh writing contest!Here are our top two entries.OUR WINNER 🥇‘The Armadillo and the Cactus’By Genya VasilovTHE RUNNER UP 🥈‘The Runt and the Kitten’By Fiona BakerCongrats to our winners! You can see their stories here.Here’s what we cover in today’s episode:* Jo Case shares her journey as a neurodivergent writer and editor, and discusses her autism late-diagnosis story and her memoir ‘Boomer and Me’ on autistic motherhood.* Jo and Angela name and unpack book characters they now read as autistic — from Jo March to Anne of Green Gables to Harriet the Spy.* Hear the winning fable from last week’s prompt.* Jo shares actionable tips for autistic writers who want to go from journaling to publishing.Jo Case (she/her) is a writer and editor who lives in Adelaide. Someone Like Me: An anthology of non-fiction by Autistic writers by Jo Case - An expansive anthology of creative non-fiction, memoir, graphic storytelling, and more from a stellar line-up of Autistic, gender-diverse, and women writers. She is the deputy books and ideas editor at The Conversation. Her memoir of autistic motherhood, ‘Boomer and Me’, was published by Hardie Grant in 2013.Neurodivergent Narratives Presents: ‘Someone Like Me’ ContestA contest where we write about the deep emotional resonance of autistic-coded characters in fiction.PROMPT: Write about a childhood book character you now read as Autistic.This can be a character from a children's book or an adult book, but it should have a pull on you as identity-forming or pivotal to your growth.⚠️Your essay may not be any longer than 500 words.This isn’t therapy.This is voice reclamation.Submit entry.Let Your Voice Be Heard.💌 Good luck, writers. We’re saving you a seat.THE ESSENTIALS:🖊️ Open to: Everyone🗓️ Deadline: Wednesday, July 2nd at 12 PM ET / 5 PM UK💷 Prize: £10 each week📘 Publication: Winning entries go on our Substack and in the annual Neurodivergent Narratives anthologyTHE RULES:No PlagiarismNo Hate SpeechNo Explicit or Graphic ContentSubmit as many times as you wishYou do not need to be present or subscribe to participateEntries after the deadline will not be consideredAll decisions are finalFull Contest Rules are here.Use the hashtag #someonelikeme on social media to share this contest.Submit Your Entry Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSes-dR34WBtfe7VYGx7wZRvqNhV8ykEGr4L9CHzNSjN5HVfFQ/viewformRelated Episodes:Neurodivergent Narratives (Episode 84)Introducing the Weekly Writing Contest (Episode 130) - Writing Prompt #26I'm So Confused (Episode 132) - Writing Prompt #27Recovering from Burnout (Episode 134) - Writing Prompt #28Local Color with Tim Clare (Episode 136) - Writing Prompt #29Writing Memoir with Alethea Shapiro (Episode 138) - Writing Prompt #30Neurodivergent Creative Cycles with Sol Smith (Episode 140) - Writing Prompt #31The Art of Unmasking (Episode 142) - Writing Prompt #32Follow us on InstagramFind us on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyLearn more about Angela at AngelaKingdon.com Our Autism-affirming merch shop This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com/subscribe

An episode that didn’t just think outside the box—it questioned why there’s a box in the first place!In Episode 143 of The Autistic Culture Podcast, Dr Angela Kingdon continues our journey through the 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture as we move onto Pillar 6 — Game Changing Innovation. Autistic innovation isn’t about trends or flash. It’s about paradigm shifts. It’s about seeing what no one else is looking for, hyperfocusing on what matters, and rebuilding the world, system by system.Dr Angela looks deep into the game-changing transformations developed by Autistic game changers, such as Sir Isaac Newton, who invented Calculus, Sir Richard Branson’s out-of-the-box business models, and Angela’s father’s innovations in creating build-your-own Hot Rod kit cars.Here’s what defines this core Autistic trait:* Autistic people challenge assumptions, not to be difficult, but because we can see the assumptions in the first place.* Neurodivergent people innovate through sensory truth, emotional intensity, and process precision.* Autistic people don’t disrupt the status quo to seek attention. We disrupt because the system doesn’t make sense, and we can’t unsee that.* Game changers in autistic culture often challenge capitalist efficiency with a call for meaning, integrity, and alignment.* Many autistic innovators aren't seen as leaders until the world catches up to their vision.* Historical and modern change agents in autistic culture often operate without blueprints, forging their own.Key Concepts:* Game-changing is not about chasing disruption for its own sake. It’s about building entirely new paradigms based on noticing what others overlook.* Autistic game changers are pattern-breakers and system rewriters — not trend-followers.* Our deep focus and drive for autonomy let us find wholly new approaches to enduring problems.* Emotional intensity and sensory insights fuel world-building innovation.* It's often misunderstood or resisted because the new paradigm doesn't fit existing frameworks.💭 Here’s what to listen for through the lens of being a Game Changer and how to lean into them instead of masking: * 🧠 Lean In: Solve the problem no one else is trying to solve.🎭 Mask: Wait for permission to innovate.* 🧠 Lean In: Say the thing others avoid.🎭 Mask: Stay quiet to keep things smooth.* 🧠 Lean In: Build your own tools when none exist.🎭 Mask: Settle for tools that don’t work for your brain.* 🧠 Lean In: Follow sensory intuition.🎭 Mask: Override your gut to fit neurotypical norms.* 🧠 Lean In: Let emotional intensity guide your purpose.🎭 Mask: Detach to appear professional.* 🧠 Lean In: Hire people better than you.🎭 Mask: Try to do it all yourself.* 🧠 Lean In: Prioritize purpose over polish.🎭 Mask: Get stuck perfecting instead of launching.* 🧠 Lean In: Lead through clarity, not control.🎭 Mask: Micro-manage to feel safe.* 🧠 Lean In: Share your innovations, even if they feel “weird.”🎭 Mask: Water down your ideas for palatability.* 🧠 Lean In: Build systems around your vision.🎭 Mask: Work inside broken ones to avoid attention.So, whether you’re autistic, exploring the possibility, or just someone who loves and respects autistic people, you are welcome here.We’re saving you a seat!This episode is a part of our Start Here Series, which is designed for new listeners of the show who are wondering, “where should I start?” to have a solid foundation for their experience here. It’s also for loyal listeners to begin to more fully embody the pillars of Autistic culture with more clarity and pride. Join the convo with #AutisticCulture!Resources:Angela’s talk at TEDx Tamworth that references Sir Isaac Newton as a Game changerMake ‘Em Beg To Work For You: 7 Steps to Find, Hire, Manage, Reward, and Release All-Star Players to Help Make Your Dream a Reality: Book on Amazon https://amzn.eu/d/fDJXaaTBig Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert - https://amzn.eu/d/iQCn8RdLessons in Chemistry TV show: In the 1950s, Elizabeth Zott's (Brie Larson) dream of being a scientist is challenged by a society that says women belong in the domestic sphere; she accepts a job on a TV cooking show and sets out to teach a nation of housewives way more than recipes.Bohemian Rhapsody Movie: With his impeccable vocal abilities, Freddie Mercury (Oscar Winner Rami Malek) and his rock band, Queen, achieve superstardom. However, amidst his skyrocketing success, he grapples with his ego, sexuality, and a fatal illness.Related Episodes:🎬 Episode 4 – Industrial Light & MagicGame Changer: George Lucas imagined a sci-fi story that required technology no one had invented yet, so he invented the technology. ILM didn’t just upgrade filmmaking—it transformed the entire system of visual effects. That’s autistic world-building in action: noticing what’s missing, refusing to accept limits, and constructing tools for an imagined reality others can’t see yet.🍏 Episode 7 – AppleGame Changer: Steve Jobs didn’t just make computers—he transformed them into sensory objects. He prioritized intuitive design, haptics, visual simplicity, and user flow, rooted in exteroception and autistic sensory logic. Apple didn’t follow tech trends; it redefined how we interact with machines. This is autistic innovation: form follows feeling.📸 Episode 37 – Eadweard MuybridgeGame Changer: Muybridge turned a hyper-specific visual question—do all a horse’s legs leave the ground at once?—into the birth of motion pictures. His obsessive pattern-tracking and refusal to let the invisible remain unseen reshaped visual storytelling. That’s autistic attention to detail reframing what’s possible in photography, science, and cinema.🎤 Episode 54 – Hannah GadsbyGame Changer: Hannah Gadsby didn’t just perform a comedy special—she dismantled the genre. By naming trauma, breaking structure, and confronting the audience directly, Nanette challenged what comedy is for. That’s autistic communication: truth-first, form-second. Game-changing by turning the mirror back on the audience.👩‍🔬 Episode 56 - Lessons in Chemistry is AutisticGame Changer: Lessons in Chemistry reframed a 1960s kitchen as a chemistry lab—and a battleground for gender equality. Elizabeth Zott’s scientific precision and refusal to dumb herself down turned a TV cooking show into a feminist manifesto. That’s autistic-level clarity and focus, redefining women’s roles in science, media, and domestic life.🎶 Episode 73 – Freddie MercuryGame Changer: “Bohemian Rhapsody” broke every rule of commercial radio—and still became iconic. Freddie Mercury fused opera, rock, theatricality, and queerness into a new musical grammar. This was autistic genre-melding, sensory richness, and emotional intensity, reshaping pop culture forever.🍽️ Episode 81 – Anthony BourdainGame Changer: Bourdain changed food television from recipe-sharing to relationship-sharing. He centered voices on the margins, told uncomfortable truths, and used food as a lens for global justice. That’s autistic moral clarity—deep empathy meeting pattern recognition—and it flipped an entire genre on its head.🧺 Episode 99 – Martha StewartGame Changer: Martha didn’t just elevate homemaking—she turned it into an empire. With autistic-level detail, systems-thinking, and sensory perfectionism, she reframed “women’s work” as art and strategy. That’s autistic innovation: redefining the value of precision, process, and aesthetic ritual.Follow us on InstagramFind us on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyLearn more about Angela at AngelaKingdon.com Our Autism-affirming merch shop This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com/subscribe

An episode that mastered the art of unmasking on the page!In Episode 142 of The Autistic Culture Podcast, Dr Angela Kingdon discusses the art of unmasking and how writing can help process late-diagnosis identity shock. Plus, she reveals this week’s creative prompt themed around the oral tradition of writing and sharing Fables! What lessons, values, or morals would you pass down as an Autistic person?All this, and we announce our amazing winners from our sixth writing contest!Here are our top two entries.OUR WINNER 🥇Lindsee Garlock-Thornton:-Sparkly Brain-The greatest treasureGolden playground of the mindNo bland thoughts in here-Knowledge Thirst Trap-I learn something newPupils dilate, purview swellsLet’s do that again!-Sensational Senses-I must touch the thingSmooth, fluffy, bumpy, or slickHungry fingertips-Visual Disturbance Rumination-The anomalyHighly visible to meRinse and repeat and repeat-Call Me Sal- (Sally, witch, Practical Magic)Pattern recognizedWe can see around cornersMagic to your eyes-Welp, Found My People-Autistic cultureTalking it out fills me upEverything makes sense!THE RUNNER UP 🥈Allyson Hogan:Comfort episodeWatch ‘til you know it by heartRecite every wordSpin reemergingHello again, my old friendI sink into youPlay the song againMedicine to scratch awayThe itch in my brainCongrats to our winners! You can see their stories here.Here’s what we cover in today’s episode:* An update on what to expect from the Autistic Culture podcast over the summer hiatus and what to look forward to in Season 4.* Dr Angela provides an update on her upcoming book ‘Am I Actually Autistic?: Dr. Angela Kingdon's Memoir and Self-Identification Guide to Processing the Identity Shock of a Late Autism Discovery & Living Unmasked’.* Discover the mission behind the Autistic Culture Institute and get early details on Neurodivergent Voices Live, a UK-based celebration of autistic authors, artists, podcasters, and performers coming in June 2026.* Explore how writing can help process late-diagnosis identity shock and unmasking in a world that wasn’t built for neurodivergent minds.* Masking refers to the conscious or unconscious suppression of natural autistic traits to conform to neurotypical expectations. While masking can aid short-term social acceptance, long-term masking may lead to exhaustion, anxiety, identity confusion, and burnout.* Unmasking allows space for joy: in sensory play, deep interests, honest expression, and bodily autonomy. It invites curiosity, creativity, and playfulness, not just survival.* Fables belong essentially to the oral tradition; they survive by being remembered and then retold in one's own words. When they are written down, particularly in the dominant language of instruction, they lose something of their essence. A strategy for reclaiming them is therefore to exploit the gap between the written and the spoken language. Neurodivergent Narratives Presents: ‘Moral of the Story’ ContestWhat’s the moral you want to pass on to our younger neurokin? Start there!PROMPT: If you were to write a fable in the style of Aesop’s fables about friendship, what would the moral be?⚠️Your fable may not be any longer than 500 words.This isn’t therapy.This is voice reclamation.Submit entry.Let Your Voice Be Heard.💌 Good luck, writers. We’re saving you a seat.THE ESSENTIALS:🖊️ Open to: Everyone🗓️ Deadline: Wednesday, June 25th at 12 PM ET / 5 PM UK💷 Prize: £10 each week📘 Publication: Winning entries go on our Substack and in the annual Neurodivergent Narratives anthologyTHE RULES:No PlagiarismNo Hate SpeechNo Explicit or Graphic ContentSubmit as many times as you wishYou do not need to be present or subscribe to participateEntries after the deadline will not be consideredAll decisions are finalFull Contest Rules are here.Use the hashtag #moralofthestory on social media to share this contest.Submit Your Entry Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSes-dR34WBtfe7VYGx7wZRvqNhV8ykEGr4L9CHzNSjN5HVfFQ/viewformResources:Matt telling the Wind and the Sun parable is at 10:43 on the Neurodiversity PodcastBBC article on Aesop’s fables: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/articles/z73s6v4Aesops fables: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesop%27s_FablesThe Miller, his Son, and their Donkey: https://www.shortkidstories.com/story/miller-son-donkey/Detailed list of morals: https://www.litscape.com/indexes/Aesop/Morals.html#google_vignetteLindsee Garlock-Thornton Haiuk Instagram: haikuwouldntyouSubstack link to ‘Am I Actually Autistic?: Dr. Angela Kingdon's Memoir and Self-Identification Guide to Processing the Identity Shock of a Late Autism Discovery & Living Unmasked’ - https://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/t/bookBuy a physical copy of the book here: https://books.by/autisticcultureRelated Episodes:Neurodivergent Narratives (Episode 84)Introducing the Weekly Writing Contest (Episode 130) - Writing Prompt #26I'm So Confused (Episode 132) - Writing Prompt #27Recovering from Burnout (Episode 134) - Writing Prompt #28Local Color with Tim Clare (Episode 136) - Writing Prompt #29Writing Memoir with Alethea Shapiro (Episode 138) - Writing Prompt #30Neurodivergent Creative Cycles with Sol Smith (Episode 140) - Writing Prompt #31Follow us on InstagramFind us on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyLearn more about Angela at AngelaKingdon.com Our Autism-affirming merch shop This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com/subscribe

An episode where our detail-oriented, data-loving, information-hungry selves come to life!In Episode 141 of The Autistic Culture Podcast, Dr Angela Kingdon continues our journey through the 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture with Jodi Britcha-Coyne, as we move onto Pillar 5 — Pattern Matching. Jodi Brichta-Coyne is a Certified Life Coach, Author, Strategic Interventionist, Certified Relationship Coach, and an NLP (neurolinguistic programmer) for working moms and women with small businesses. As a mother of 2, Jodi started coaching to help other women deal with the stress and sometimes overwhelming combination of balancing a business life while maintaining a household. Before and while raising her family, Jodi has spent over 15 years as a corporate executive and small business owner.Pattern Matching is the cultural heart of autistic analysis, organization, and perception. While neurotypical culture often values quick generalizations and intuitive leaps, autistic minds notice what’s actually there. We observe first. We track anomalies. And we build understanding by recognizing patterns, not assumptions.Here’s what defines this core Autistic trait:* 🔁Pattern Matching: Recognizing recurring structures in data, behavior, language, or systems—and using them to predict, analyze, or innovate.* 🧠Monotropic Information Processing: Our brains tend to focus deeply on one thread at a time, often developing complex internal frameworks that connect disparate ideas.* 📚Data Hunger: A term coined within neurodivergent communities to describe the innate drive to seek information, accumulate facts, and understand systems at depth.Key Concepts:* Autistic pattern recognition is not cold or robotic—it’s emotionally charged, deeply human, and often creative.* It’s how we make sense of chaos, find comfort in repetition, and experience joy through discovery.* Our ability to match patterns spans micro and macro levels—from noticing a tiny shift in tone during a conversation to identifying social or ecological trends across decades.* It can be as playful as memorizing Pokémon stats or as groundbreaking as transforming human sexuality research like Kinsey did.Alfred Kinsey's most famous quote, and one that sums up his approach to sex research, is: "We are the recorders and reporters of facts, not the judges of the behaviors we describe."* Pattern matching often begins in childhood—lining up toys, collecting rocks, memorizing subway systems—and matures into adult forms like categorizing fan wikis, correcting Wikipedia, writing diagnostic criteria, or developing complex board game strategies.💭 Here’s what to listen for through the lens of Pattern Matching: Let’s look at 10 real-world examples of how pattern matching shows up—and how you can lean into it as an autistic cultural strength!Here are some examples:* Follow the data trails.✅ Lean in: You notice a glitch in a spreadsheet or inconsistency in a story, so you trace it back to the source—even if it takes a while.🎭 Mask: You brush it off because no one else seems concerned, but it gnaws at you all day.* Organize information in your own way.✅ Lean in: You color-code, cross-reference, or categorize your notes based on what helps you find meaning.🎭 Mask: You use a planner or note system that’s “normal” but totally unusable to your brain.* Let repetition be grounding, not “weird.”✅ Lean in: You listen to the same song or rewatch the same show to find patterns you missed the first time.🎭 Mask: You force yourself to rotate through new content to avoid being seen as obsessive, even though it’s less satisfying.* Let pattern logic guide social insight.✅ Lean in: You analyze someone’s tone, timing, and phrasing to understand their emotional pattern—even if it’s nonverbal.🎭 Mask: You pretend to read social vibes intuitively, even when it doesn’t actually make sense.Patterns are magical enough. The woo isn’t that woo-y* Build knowledge maps.✅ Lean in: You sketch diagrams, flowcharts, or database trees that connect ideas across time and topic.🎭 Mask: You try to follow neurotypical linear thinking styles and get overwhelmed or lost.* Say it when you see it.✅ Lean in: You point out connections between topics that others haven’t noticed—because that’s your brain’s gift.🎭 Mask: You keep quiet to avoid being labeled “off-topic,” “intense,” or “too analytical.”* Treat systems like puzzles.✅ Lean in: You fix processes at work or home by finding the bottlenecks others miss and proposing better sequences.🎭 Mask: You let inefficient systems persist because offering a solution would “make waves.”* Let trivia be your joy.✅ Lean in: You bring obscure but delightful facts into conversation, because joy in knowledge is culture.🎭 Mask: You hide your knowledge to avoid being called “a know-it-all.”* Create order from chaos.✅ Lean in: You clean, archive, or label in ways that make your environment work for you.🎭 Mask: You leave your space chaotic or default to others’ systems, even when they make your brain scream.* Own your pattern mind.✅ Lean in: You proudly say, “I notice things other people don’t.”🎭 Mask: You apologize for “overthinking” or “fixating” instead of naming it as insight.If you’ve ever been told you’re “too much” because you notice what others don’t—this is your moment. You’re not too much. You’re too perceptive. Notice what you notice. It’s your cultural superpower.So, whether you’re autistic, exploring the possibility, or just someone who loves and respects autistic people, you are welcome here.We’re saving you a seat!This episode is a part of our Start Here Series, which is designed for new listeners of the show who are wondering, “where should I start?” to have a solid foundation for their experience here. It’s also for loyal listeners to begin to more fully embody the pillars of Autistic culture with more clarity and pride. Join the convo with #AutisticCulture!Jodi’s Book – "Are You Still There God? It’s Me, Jodi." – A humorous and honest memoir about midlife and perimenopause from a mom’s perspectivehttps://a.co/d/5cJ6cGyFrontiers in Psychiatry Article – "The Predictive Coding Account of Psychosis and Autism" – A scientific paper exploring overlapping cognitive mechanisms in autism and psychosishttps://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.621659/fullRounded Globe – "The Prehistory of Autism" – A historical exploration of autism-like traits before the modern diagnosishttps://roundedglobe.com/html/391da86c-665f-49be-bfa0-9942b52ebc08/en/The%20Prehistory%20of%20Autism/IntechOpen Chapter – "Understanding Autism: From Basic Neuroscience to Treatment" – An academic chapter providing a broad overview of autism research and interventionshttps://www.intechopen.com/chapters/43239Monotropism Slides (Woods) – "An Updated Interest Model of Autism" – Presentation slides outlining a monotropism-based framework for understanding autistic cognitionhttps://shura.shu.ac.uk/24526/1/Woods_an_updated_interest%28Slides%29.pdfMonotropism.org – Wellbeing Page – "Monotropism and Wellbeing" – Practical insights on supporting mental health through the lens of autistic attention and focushttps://monotropism.org/wellbeing/Related Episodes:Sex/Alfred Kinsey - Kinsey’s meticulous classification of human sexual behavior displays pattern matching through its drive to catalog and understand human variation systematically (Ep 35).Magic The Gathering - The complex, rule-based systems and strategic deck-building in Magic appeal to pattern-seeking minds that thrive on structure and interrelated mechanics (Bonus Ep).Wikipedia - Wikipedia's hyperlink structure and vast, categorized information network reflect the Autistic tendency to follow patterns across domains and connect niche knowledge areas (Ep 61).DC / Benjamin Banneker - Banneker’s use of mathematical and astronomical patterns to predict eclipses resonates with the autistic capacity to identify and apply abstract systems in the real world (Ep 5).Ghostbusters - The film’s blend of paranormal science and gadgetry offers a pattern-based logic to the supernatural (Ep 2). Only Murders - The mystery genre hinges on uncovering hidden connections and subtle clues, engaging the autistic talent for tracking patterns others might miss (Ep 43).Board Games - Many board games reward players for recognizing strategic patterns, rulesets, and probabilities—skills where autistic thinkers often excel (Ep 95) Follow us on InstagramFind us on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyLearn more about Angela at AngelaKingdon.com Our Autism-affirming merch shop This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com/subscribe

An episode that busts the myth of 'perfect' creative processes!In Episode 140 of The Autistic Culture Podcast, Dr Angela Kingdon speaks with Sol Smith, author of The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery. If you’ve spent time on TikTok, YouTube, or inside the NeuroSpicy community, you’ve probably felt the impact of Sol’s voice—direct, affirming, and deeply validating. He joins the show to help us rethink our relationship with writing routines, explore the realities of autistic creative rhythms, and bust the myth of 'perfect' creative processes.Plus, we announce our amazing winners from our fifth writing contest!Here are our top two entries.OUR WINNER 🥇'Kidnapped’ - Based on a true storyBy Laura PearsonTHE RUNNER UP 🥈'And Then I Realized…’By Genya VasilovCongrats to our winners! You can see their stories here.Here’s what we cover in today’s episode:* We read our winners from the fifth writing prompt for Neurodivergent Narratives and announce our 1st and 2nd prize winners. * Sol shares his path to writing The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery, and offers his insight on the challenges of the publishing process, and the role of writing in processing his lived experience.* How does Sol overcome those moments when writing doesn’t come easily, you're in a rut, or stuck in autistic inertia?* Why connecting creative cycles with SPINs and internal logic can help build up creative drive for writers.* vSol shares his advice for neurodivergent writers who feel like they’re constantly behind or not doing it 'right'.* Sol and Angela discuss the battle for perfectionism, self-acceptance, the therapeutic nature of creative expression as neurodivergent individuals, and how haiku can express profound emotion in just a few words.Sol Smith is the author of The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery and the manager of the Neurospicy Community, which is the largest support network for autistics and ADHDers in the world. A certified autism specialist who is autistic, dyslexic, and living with ADHD. He spent more than two decades as a college professor before shifting his professional focus to coaching other autistic and ADHD people to gain autonomy in their lives. Sol’s speaking skills have earned him a following of hundreds of thousands on TikTok and led to educational seminars about neurodiversity with corporations around the world. He lives in Southern California with his wife and four children, and you can find him online at www.ProfessorSol.comHere are his social media links:TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@bettersolInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprofessorsolFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/solsmithYouTube: https://youtube.com/@professor_solLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sol-smith-mfa-eds-ms-cas-7955364Neurodivergent Narratives Presents: ‘Your Autistic Birthright’ ContestI’d write an intro,but counting syllables isharder than it looks.PROMPT: Write a haiku inspired by your Autistic Birthright. Interpret the theme in any way that resonates with you—literally or metaphorically!⚠️Your poetry may not be any longer than 500 words.A haiku is a traditional Japanese poetic form made up of three lines with a specific syllable pattern:* Line 1: 5 syllables* Line 2: 7 syllables* Line 3: 5 syllablesHaiku Basics:* Total of 17 syllables* Traditionally inspired by nature or personal insight* Often includes a seasonal reference or a moment of emotional clarity* In modern usage, especially in neurodivergent communities, haiku can explore identity, sensory experience, stimming, or personal truth, freeing the form from rigid tradition.How to Write One:* Choose a theme or moment — something that feels honest or vivid.* Write what you notice or feel — don’t worry about rules at first.* Count syllables for each line: 5, 7, 5.* Trim or reshape the lines until they fit the form.Here’s an example process:Theme: Nail biting as a form of self-regulation and sensory input that isn’t a choice, even when painful or judged.Initial idea: I bite my nails. It hurts, I hate it—but fifty years of shame didn’t fix me. This is what regulation looks like.Angela’s haiku:I still bite my nails.My body calls, I answer.Shame won’t heal this skin.This isn’t therapy.This is voice reclamation.Submit entry.Let Your Voice Be Heard.💌 Good luck, writers. We’re saving you a seat.THE ESSENTIALS:🖊️ Open to: Everyone🗓️ Deadline: Wednesday, June 18th at 12 PM ET / 5 PM UK💷 Prize: £10 each week📘 Publication: Winning entries go on our Substack and in the annual Neurodivergent Narratives anthologyTHE RULES:No PlagiarismNo Hate SpeechNo Explicit or Graphic ContentSubmit as many times as you wishYou do not need to be present or subscribe to participateEntries after the deadline will not be consideredAll decisions are finalFull Contest Rules are here.Use the hashtag #haikuyou on social media to share this contest.Submit Your Entry Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYIwK-nQLv1cUvPbZgylH6G3X83Z11Vb5ZFL1_B06k-Fzzgg/viewformRelated Episodes:Neurodivergent Narratives (Episode 84)Introducing the Weekly Writing Contest (Episode 130) - Writing Prompt #26I'm So Confused (Episode 132) - Writing Prompt #27Recovering from Burnout (Episode 134) - Writing Prompt #28Local Color with Tim Clare (Episode 136) - Writing Prompt #29Writing Memoir with Alethea Shapiro (Episode 138) - Writing Prompt #30Follow us on InstagramFind us on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyLearn more about Angela at AngelaKingdon.com Our Autism-affirming merch shop This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com/subscribe

An episode that took a fantasy and made it reality.In Episode 139 of The Autistic Culture Podcast, Dr Angela Kingdon continues our journey through the 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture with Dr. Scott Frasard, as we move onto Pillar 4 — World building. Dr. Scott Frasard is an autistic autism advocate who is a published author and an outspoken critic of operant conditioning approaches to change natural autistic behaviors to meet neuro-normative social expectations.Dr Scott Frasard decided he wasn’t going to critique the status quo, he was going to build something new. His essay, ‘The World We Built: A Future Where Autistic People Are Respected, Not Repaired,’ set in 2075, imagines a world where autism is no longer pathologized. Where the DSM is behind museum glass, and identity is co-created, not diagnosed.You can read it in full here.Here’s what defines this core Autistic trait:* 🧠Mental Mapping: Autistic brains naturally organize information in systems — we often build entire models inside our minds to understand or improve what’s around us. Creating a coherent internal or external system — could be fictional, functional, emotional, social, or sensory.* 💡Systems thinking: Using logic, narrative, and design to rethink how things could work.Key Concepts:* Autistic world-building is immersive, structured, and strategic.* It often starts in childhood: building imaginary cities, organizing toys into categories, designing languages, or character arcs.* It evolves in adulthood: spreadsheets, RPGs, sensory hacks, alt-education models, and organizing social movements.* World building is a coping mechanism and a creative force — it helps us understand systems and reimagine them.* It is not limited to fiction, but that’s how we know it best or can spot it fastest. Some examples are Star Wars, Pokémon, Taylor Swift’s Eras, Dungeons & Dragons, My Chemical Romance, Ren Faires, LARP, fan wikis, and cosplay universes.💭 Here’s what to listen for through the lens of world-building: What does it look like to lean into world-building as an autistic cultural strength? And what does it look like when that gets punished or pathologized?Here are some examples:* Build your systems:Pathologized: They call you inflexible. You’re told to be more spontaneous. You mask your systems, and your stability crumbles.Lean in: You have rituals, frameworks, time-blocking, color-coding, filters, and scripts. You run your day like a game level.* Build a universe around your SPIN:Pathologized: It’s called obsessive. You’re told it’s “just a phase.” You try to hide your joy.Lean in: You go deep. You make maps, charts, and timelines. You know what your characters eat for breakfast.* Use world-building to solve problems:Pathologized: You’re told your ideas are too complex, too idealistic, too much.Lean in: You imagine better service models, ethical policy shifts, and future educational frameworks.* Build tools for neurodivergent life:Pathologized: You’re seen as needy or over-prepared instead of brilliant.Lean in: You design visual supports, flowcharts, decision trees, or sensory kits.* Co-create with others:Pathologized: Your leadership gets ignored. Your vision gets sidelined. You get told to “just follow the plan.”Lean in: You bring friends into the world you’re building. You make collaborative campaigns, zines, and alt-syllabi.Autistic world-building is not a bonus feature. It’s the core engine of our culture. The world we want doesn’t just appear. We build it. And we’ve already started.So, whether you’re autistic, exploring the possibility, or just someone who loves and respects autistic people, you are welcome here.We’re saving you a seat!This episode is a part of our Start Here Series, which is designed for new listeners of the show who are wondering, “where should I start?” to have a solid foundation for their experience here. It’s also for loyal listeners to begin to more fully embody the pillars of Autistic culture with more clarity and pride. Join the convo with #AutisticCulture!Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottfrasard/Scott’s book: https://amzn.eu/d/1OmioMcRelated Episodes:* George Lucas - The creation of Star Wars was a masterclass in galactic-scale myth-making. (Ep 56)* Pokémon - Offers an intricate, collectible universe built on categorization, pattern recognition, and the joy of completion. (Ep 16)* Dungeons & Dragons - Let’s players collaboratively build worlds with clear rules and infinite flexibility. (Ep 39)* Taylor Swift - She constructs interconnected emotional worlds through albums, Easter eggs, and lyrical references. (Ep 64)* My Chemical Romance - MCR’s concept albums (The Black Parade, Danger Days) build rich dystopian worlds, where emotional extremes are mapped onto visual and sonic design. (Ep 121)* Lemony Snicket - The Snicketverse builds a deeply ordered but unjust world, where rules are arbitrary yet must be followed. (Ep 6)* Tim Burton - His gothic and surreal aesthetics construct spaces for misfits and loners, drawing from archetypes and childlike wonder. (Ep 41)* Ren Fests - Immersive environments that allow for costumed identity, ritualized interaction, and communal storytelling. (Ep 77)* Mythic Quest - The show reveals how structured thinking and obsessive creativity shape virtual and emotional landscapes. (Ep 60)* Disney - Disney’s vast narrative empire constructs consistent, idealized worlds that merge spectacle with moral simplicity. (Ep 26)Follow us on InstagramFind us on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyLearn more about Angela at AngelaKingdon.com Our Autism-affirming merch shop This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.autisticculturepodcast.com/subscribe

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