Autistic Culture | Where Autism Meets Identity!

The hosts dive into the importance of labels like 'Autistic' versus stigmatizing terms like 'autism spectrum disorder.' They challenge the harmful stereotypes of 'high' and 'low functioning' classifications, emphasizing variability among Autistic individuals. The podcast critiques the legacy of ABA therapy and its negative impact, likening it to conversion therapy. Advocacy for neurodiversity and community support is highlighted, encouraging a deeper acknowledgment of autism as a valuable cultural identity that deserves acceptance.

The hosts dive into the portrayal of autism in 'Parks and Recreation', celebrating relatable Autistic traits in characters like Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson. They highlight how these characters embody passion, dedication, and social awkwardness. The discussion covers the importance of nuanced representation, breaking stereotypes while showcasing the richness and complexities of Autistic culture. With humorous anecdotes and personal experiences, they also tackle sensory sensitivities and the everyday challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, fostering understanding and connection.

Guest Sherlock Holmes, an outsider often associated with Autistic culture, discusses feeling like an alien. Topics include alone time, stimming with pipes, getting paid for special interests, social exhaustion, and Autistic qualities like generosity. The hosts also analyze Sherlock's strengths, his family's potential hereditary autism, and moral inflexibilities. They delve into stimming, meditation, monotrophism, justice sensitivity, and the concept of autistic joy.

Autistic podcast hosts discuss Star Trek's portrayal of Autistic characters and how Autistic writers shape the stories. The special bond between animals and Autistic individuals is explored, along with the challenges of societal understanding. The representation of autism in various TV shows, including Star Trek, is discussed. The importance of sensory regulation and the significance of Star Trek for Autistic individuals are explored. Being a super fan and the deep connection it brings is also discussed.

Hans Christian Andersen, famous author, was misunderstood due to his eccentricities and social challenges. His stories like The Ugly Duckling and The Little Mermaid reflect feeling different and masking oneself to fit in, making them relatable to Autistic individuals. Other topics discussed include sensory sensitivity, special interests, direct communication, existential loneliness, and Andersen's troubled friendship with Charles Dickens.

In this episode of The Autistic Culture Podcast:Charles Schulz created an Autistic world with his treasured Peanuts characters. Schulz had Autistic traits like monotropic focus, delight in routine, and social differences. The Peanuts characters reflect his personality.“When we are engaged in our special interests…We're in this transcendent state of meditation and we need that to heal. Our bodies heal, our minds heal. It helps make us who we are and how to survive this chaotic world that does not like us.” —MattThe Peanuts characters are hyperlexic (common among Autistics), and use complex vocabulary. Charlie Brown represents the rejection sensitivity and social exclusion Autistics often face. He models resilience despite constant setbacks. Linus is a deep thinker and philosopher, yet keeps his comfort item (blanket) on hand and orally stims with a thumb in his mouth. Lucy’s perfectionism and sarcasm and Schroeder’s obsession with Beethoven further represent Autistic individuals.Schulz introduced Franklin to the cast to promote racial equality, doubling down when he faced racist backlash. Autistics have justice sensitivity and tend to strongly value fairness.The podcast hosts emphasize creating community for Autistics and embracing passions, as Schulz did, which, they argue, is essential for Autistic mental health. Schulz died as his final Peanuts strip ran.Special interests deeply define Autistic identity. The co-hosts share their monotropic interests and relate to bonding with fictional characters.“I think special interests can save our lives, but also create amazing things in the world…but not if they're a reward.” —AngelaPeanuts highlights social differences, idiosyncratic speech, and monotropic thinking which are common among Autistic people and shape Autistic Culture. Spend some time with us on a virtual culture trip, as we dance through the Autistic highs and lows of life with the Peanuts crew.Which Peanuts character do you relate to most? Tell us in the comments!What other beloved children’s character is Autistic? Listen to Episode 22: Trains are Autistic to learn about the latest (autistic) character to join Thomas the Tank Engine!Watch Who are you Charlie Brown? on Apple+Ready for a paradigm shift that empowers Autistics? Help spread the news!Find us on:* Follow our Instagram account!* Review us on Apple podcasts and Spotify* Follow us on Instagram* Learn more about Angela at AngelaKingdon.com * TACP’s Autism-affirming TeePublic 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The podcast explores the connection between Apple's culture and autism through the lens of Steve Jobs. It discusses how Jobs' autistic tendencies may have influenced Apple's success and examines his iconic outfit as a representation of autistic culture. The hosts also discuss the challenges faced by autistic individuals due to misunderstandings and misconceptions. The importance of attention to detail and organization is emphasized, and the incorporation of Buddhist concepts in Apple's design is explored. The impact of touch screens and the joy of meeting new people who love to learn and exchange research are also discussed.

In this episode of The Autistic Culture Podcast:What do the Baudelaire children featured in Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (Violet, Klaus, and Sunny) have in common? They capture the essence of Autistic Culture! The Baudelaire children have delightful Autistic traits including hyperfocusing on their special interests like research and invention. This monotropic focus helps them overcome challenges.The podcast hosts discuss the importance of libraries as safe refuges for learning and knowledge-seeking as a major theme. This desire for information acquisition and sharing is a major Autistic activity for children and adults. The safeguarding against unfortunate events is another key feature of Autistic culture.“We are by default intense people. When we are stimulated with our libraries, we are good. We are able to dive into these worlds. But otherwise, we are constantly calculating and trying to overcome the unknown.” –MattMaking deep connections with fictional worlds and fictional characters is an Autistic tendency resulting from a hyper-connected brain—characters can feel real. The hosts share how their hyper-empathy can cause Autistics to avoid upsetting stories.Count Olaf uses masking to disguise himself. The hosts discuss masking: it can be protective but it also leads to Autistic burnout, shame, and other harmful outcomes for Autistics. Communication differences lead to the "double empathy problem." Allistics tend to assume their communication and social styles are superior and want Autistic people to mask and pretend to be more like them instead of respecting a mutual difference.“And so and then, you know, a lot of the people I work with are like, you can overcome it. And that's like, really interesting to me too. I don't want to overcome it…But I'd like you to understand it.” —AngelaSonny as a nonspeaking character shows how speech ≠ intelligence. Speech differences don't indicate lack of awareness.Finding community is crucial for Autistics who can feel alone in an allistic-centric world. Identifying culture provides belonging.Lemony Snicket's Autistic characters highlights Autistic perspectives and values like monotropic focus, knowledge-seeking, and direct communication. On this virtual culture trip, the hosts emphasize the importance of embracing authentic identity.Do you love to read and invent things? Tell us about it in the comments!Look for another Autistic book series? Episode 11: Sherlock is AutisticWhat’s another Autistic series loved by children? Episode 20: Sesame Street is AutisticHaven’t read it yet? We love this gorgeous Lemony Snicket Box Set from AmazonWatch the Neil Patrick Harris Lemony Snicket series on NetflixReady for a paradigm shift that empowers Autistics? Help spread the news!Find us on:* Follow our Instagram account!* Review us on Apple podcasts and Spotify* Follow us on Instagram* Learn more about Angela at AngelaKingdon.com * TACP’s Autism-affirming TeePublic 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Autistic celebrities Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Banneker discuss their role in designing Washington, D.C. They highlight Autistic traits such as pattern recognition, intense focus, and social advocacy. The podcast hosts explore the concept of Autistic giftedness and the empathy Autistics have for each other. They debunk misconceptions about autistic empathy and discuss the difficulties of masking and fitting in.

Renowned filmmaker George Lucas discusses the ideal Autistic workspace exemplified by Industrial Light & Magic. The company valued skills over formal credentials, allowing employees to indulge in their special interests. Autistic individuals benefit from flexible schedules and environments that tap into their hyperfocus states. Autistic culture prioritizes making cool things and viewing money as a tool, not for status. The podcast explores challenges faced in traditional workplaces and the importance of recognizing strengths and accommodating Autistic culture.