Autistic Culture | Where Autism Meets Identity!

Discover the intricacies of bottom-up processing, where detail-first thinking shapes understanding. Dive into how monotropism and hyperfocus drive autistic creativity and decision-making. Explore the representation of autism in characters like Sherlock Holmes, highlighting their strengths and struggles. Engage in lively discussions about the joy of stimming and gemstone collecting, while celebrating the unique euphoria felt by autistic individuals. This exploration unveils the rich tapestry of autistic culture, fostering deeper connections and understanding.

Part of our 12-Week Writing Series for autistic creatives and late-diagnosed adults.In this episode of Writing Unmasked, Dr. Angela Kingdon explores the disorienting experience of social confusion in autistic life—and how writing through that confusion can become a radical act of clarity, healing, and voice reclamation.As part of our Neurodivergent Narratives writing series, this episode dives into how stimming, grief, and misunderstood interactions often translate into literary gold. For autistic writers, confusion isn’t just a state—it’s a signal that something needs to be named, explored, or rewritten.We also announce the winners of our Week 1 writing prompt contest—the launch of our 12-week series!🎧 What You’ll LearnHow social confusion impacts autistic people—and why it’s not a deficitThe meaning of “The Double Empathy Problem” and why autistic communication breaks down across neurotypesWhy writing through confusion helps reframe internalized shame as cultural mismatchHow stimming, sensory overload, and narrative tangents are key tools for identity integrationThe emotional fallout of late-diagnosis grief and the healing power of storytellingHow fiction becomes a form of sensory sorting, emotional stimming, and social decoding🏆 Week 1 Winners🥇 First Place:“The Snowglobe”by Jessica Weiss“Shaken, settled. Shaken, shutdown. Shattered…Spilled.”🥈 Runner-Up:by Daisy“Sensitive, oddball, mystic, or undiagnosed autistic?”Congratulations to our featured writers, and thank you to everyone who submitted! Want to see their full entries? Read them here.📝 Neurodivergent Narratives Presents: ‘I’m So Confused’ ContestPrompt: Write a fictional short story in any genre that includes the line: “I’m so confused.”🖊️ Open to: Everyone🗓️ Deadline: Wednesday, May 21 at 12 PM ET / 5 PM UK💷 Prize: £10 per winner📘 Publication: Winners featured on Substack and in the Neurodivergent Narratives anthology✅ Rules at a Glance:Include the line: “I’m so confused.”Keep it under 500 wordsNo plagiarism or hate speechNo explicit or graphic contentMultiple entries welcomeNo subscription or attendance requiredFinal decisions are final🔗 Submit your entry here →📢 Use #SoConfused on social media to share the contest🧠 Resources & ReferencesJessica Weiss on SubstackThe Double Empathy Problem – Damian Milton57 Literary Journals That Pay Their AuthorsRelated Episodes:Neurodivergent Narratives (Episode 84)Introducing the Weekly Writing Contest (Episode 130) - Writing Prompt #26Autism Is a Culture, Not a Disorder – Read the articleUnmasking Diary #20: Not a Duck – Read the article🌟 Connect With Us📱 Follow us on Instagram🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop🌐 Learn more at www.autisticculturepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Autistic Culture 101, Dr. Angela Kingdon kicks off a brand-new chapter by reintroducing the 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture—the foundation for how we understand and celebrate the richness of autistic identity. This remastered episode revisits the original conversation that first defined the 10 pillars back in January 2024, now with updated insights and refined language to match how this framework has evolved.Whether you’re just discovering the show or have been with us since the beginning, this is your starting point for the cultural model that grounds everything we do.🎧 What You’ll LearnWhy autistic traits aren’t symptoms—they’re cultural signpostsHow the 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture offer a strengths-based model for identityWhat’s changed since the original episode first airedWhy we’re remastering one pillar each week for the next 10 episodesHow to use the pillars to better understand yourself, your community, and autistic historyHow each pillar maps to the domains of arts, lifestyle, and justice💡 The 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture (Updated for 2024)Bottom-Up Processing (formerly “Logic & Strategy”) - Detail-first cognition. Pattern before conclusion. Think: Sherlock Holmes, chess masters, system builders.Rhythmic Communicating (formerly “Linguistics & Accents”) - Scripting, echolalia, tangents, infodumping. Communication as rhythm, poetry, and flow.Norm Challenging (formerly “Deep Thinking & Insight”) - Authenticity over politeness. Insight over illusion. Questioning over compliance.World Building - Narrative universes built from imagination and logic. Think: Pokémon, Dungeons & Dragons, Star Wars.Pattern Matching (formerly “Data Gathering & Analysis”) - SPINs, trivia, research, and structured inquiry. We find meaning in what others miss.Game Changing (formerly “Innovative Ideas”) - System redesigners. Trendsetters. Rethinkers. From Eadweard Muybridge to Questlove.Boldly Creating (formerly “Artistic Expression”) - Art as regulation. Performance as communication. Stim as aesthetic.Predictably Comforting (formerly “Consistency & Reliability”) - Rituals, repetition, routines. These aren’t constraints—they’re comfort, safety, and power.Justice Seeking (formerly “Justice & Honesty”) - Fairness as instinct. Truth as obligation. Emotional intensity as ethical compass.Passionate Superfanning (formerly “Fictional Friends”) - Lore, fandoms, and parasocial joy. Star Trek. Doctor Who. My Little Pony. Fandom is family.🧭 The Framework Going ForwardThese 10 Pillars will guide the next phase of The Autistic Culture Podcast—each episode will highlight one of them, offering deep dives into their cultural meaning, emotional resonance, and pop culture representation.The pillars span across three domains:🎭 Arts & Entertainment🪴 Lifestyle & Leisure🏛️ Society, Values & KnowledgeAnd at the centre of them all: Autistic joy, identity, and truth.So whether you’re autistic, exploring the possibility, or someone who loves and respects autistic people—you are welcome here. You are part of Autistica.Related Episodes:Autistic Culture for Teens and TweensMy Chemical Romance is AutisticTaylor Swift is Autistic🌟 Connect With Us📱 Follow us on Instagram🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop🌐 Learn more at www.autisticculturepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the transformative power of writing as a means of self-expression and identity! Discover the new Neurodivergent Narratives initiative, inviting participants to embrace their uniqueness through weekly prompts. Hear inspiring stories about early creativity and the importance of breaking familial silence around identity. Get excited about a six-word memoir contest aimed at empowering neurodivergent voices. Whether you're an aspiring writer or just curious, there's a place for your truth!

Jude Mills, an autistic theologian and host of Fkd Up By Faith, shares insights on cults within autistic culture. They discuss why many autistic individuals are drawn into cults and the traits that make them vulnerable. Mills also explores the emotional toll of losing faith and the complex journey of recovery. They highlight the manipulative tactics like love bombing used by cults, and how these experiences can deeply affect one's sense of identity. Expect a heartfelt discussion on spirituality, belonging, and the healing process.

Chrissy Gardiner, an autistic mom of two late-diagnosed AuDHD young adults, embraces radical unschooling, transforming how her family learns. She discusses the differences between unschooling and traditional homeschooling, addressing common concerns like socialization. Chrissy shares her experiences navigating parenting as a neurodivergent individual and challenges societal misconceptions about alternative education. The conversation highlights the importance of autonomy and personalized learning for neurodivergent children, promoting an inclusive perspective on education.

A significant change is afoot as one co-host bids farewell, prompting a heartfelt reflection on their shared journey. The conversation addresses exciting new directions, including upcoming topics on homeschooling and autistic culture. A fresh writing contest is introduced, alongside plans for rebranding and evolving the podcast's vision. The emotional complexity of change is navigated with gratitude for past collaborations while emphasizing community support and inviting listener feedback for future content.

Mady Snyder, a neuroaffirming therapist based in Pasadena, specializes in grief and neurodiversity. In this heartfelt discussion, she highlights how grief goes beyond the loss of a person, encompassing routines, relationships, and expectations. Mady shares insights on the unique ways autistic individuals experience and express grief, emphasizing the significance of special interests in the healing process. The conversation also touches on the impact of societal norms, personal rituals, and the need for understanding diverse expressions of grief, including the challenges of internalized ableism.

In this high-impact episode of Autistica, Dr. Angela Kingdon laces up for an unexpected look at roller derby as autistic regulation, empowerment, and emotional expression—with guest Carina Taylor, a neurodivergent therapist and seasoned skater.Together, they explore how roller derby offers structure, identity play, emotional safety, and intense connection—a combination that speaks deeply to many neurodivergent people. From rules and rituals to alter egos and emotional intensity, this episode breaks down the hidden brilliance behind this often-misunderstood sport.🎧 What You’ll LearnHow roller derby uses structure and strategy to create safety and connectionWhy emotional intensity isn’t just welcome—it’s part of the sport’s powerThe surprising therapeutic benefits of alter egos, scripting, and character creationWhy autistic people often thrive in sports with clear rules and rolesHow masking in roller derby can be empowering, not disempoweringThe links between physical movement and emotional regulation in neurodivergent bodiesWhat it means to embrace your intensity—in bounds, with skates on.🎤 Featured Guest: Carina Taylor (she/her)Carina is a primary therapist at Foundations in Asheville, NC, where she works with young adults on identity development, trauma healing, and emotional regulation—including EMDR therapy. Her practice centres on values exploration, resilience expansion, and normalization of neurodivergent experiences. Off the clock? She’s a fierce roller derby competitor with a love for bold expression and community.🌟 Special ThanksThis episode is made possible by our friends at Shrub Oak International, a strength-based school offering personalized education for autistic students on a beautiful 127-acre campus. Learn more at shruboak.org.Resources:Smokey Mountain Roller Derby - https://www.facebook.com/SmokyMountainRollerGirls/ Foundations Asheville - https://foundationsasheville.comRelated Episodes:Belly Dancing is Autistic🌟 Connect With Us📱 Follow us on Instagram🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop🌐 Learn more at www.autisticculturepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful and sombre episode of Autistic Advocacy, Angela is joined by Black autistic advocates Faith Clarke and Darren Calhoun to confront the tragic police killing of 17-year-old autistic Puerto Rican teen Victor Perez—and the systemic failures that made it possible. Centering voices from the Black neurodivergent community, this conversation demands a reimagining of autistic justice beyond white-centred narratives.🎧 What You’ll LearnVictor’s story — On April 5th, Victor Perez was shot by police in his own front yard. A non-speaking, autistic, disabled Puerto Rican teenager, Victor’s life was cut short, leaving his family to grieve in a system that failed him at every level.Intersectional perspectives — Darren Calhoun, a justice advocate, worship leader, and photographer based in Chicago, shares his work bridging communities across race, gender, and neurodivergence. Faith Clarke, business owner, author, and mother to a non-speaking autistic son, reflects on her lived experience and the urgent need for systemic change.The impact of advocacy — How Tiffany Hammond’s (@fidgets.and.fries) public response to Victor’s death sparked deeper reflection on the role of autistic spaces in BIPOC justice.Connecting the patterns — Victor’s killing is not isolated. We remember Stephon Watts, Elijah McClain, Ryan Gainer—and the growing list of Black and Brown neurodivergent lives lost to police violence.What needs to change — From community safety to dismantling ableist and racist systems, we explore what justice for all autistic people truly requires.Related Episodes:Monster High Is Autistic (Episode 117)🌟 Connect With Us📱 Follow us on Instagram🎧 Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify🛍️Our Autism-affirming merch shop🌐 Learn more at www.autisticculturepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.