Autistic Culture | Where Autism Meets Identity!

In this episode of Autistica, Matt and Angela explore the deeply autistic-coded world of Lena Dunham—from her EDS diagnosis to her ground breaking (and often misunderstood) work on Girls.🎧 What You’ll LearnAutism, EDS, and POTS connections – Why Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and POTS often co-occur with autism, and how Lena Dunham’s chronic illness journey mirrors autistic burnout.Neurodivergent storytelling – How Girls functions as an autistic TV show, created by a mind that doesn’t follow neurotypical norms, and why that resonates so strongly.On-screen autistic traits – How Lena’s character exhibits markers like rejection-sensitive dysphoria, clothing sensitivities, difficulty with transitions, and social cue misfires.The memoir effect – How Dunham’s Not That Kind of Girl was misunderstood by neurotypical audiences, and what it reveals about the risks autistic creatives face when being raw and unfiltered.Autistic-coded characters in creative spaces – The canonical autism of Girls character Shoshanna, and why neurodivergent-created worlds often feature clusters of autistic-coded characters.The burnout arc – How Lena’s autistic traits were pathologized, her career sidelined, and how loss of creative control can trigger health crises for neurodivergent people.Neurodivergent connections in music – Lena’s marriage to Jack Antonoff, his song writing for Fun. and Bleachers, and the crossover with Taylor Swift—also widely considered neurodivergent-coded.Resources:🧠 Autism, Neurodivergence & Mental HealthWhy Taylor Swift Seems to Be AutisticJack Antonoff Discusses OCD Rituals and Loss – PeopleLena Dunham on OCD, Anxiety, and Mental Health – Wikipedia🩺 Chronic Illness & EDSLena Dunham Reveals Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Diagnosis – CNN📚 Writing, Creativity & Public PerceptionLena Dunham’s Passion for Writing in Girls – Project MUSELena Dunham’s Communication Style & Public Criticism – MediumLena Dunham on Routine, Structure & Creativity – The New Yorker🎙️ Related Episodes:Taylor Swift is AutisticMeat Body Maintenance🌟 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 Advocacy, Matt and Angela tackle one of the most overlooked yet critical topics in autistic life: sleep difficulties. From sensory sensitivities to delayed sleep phases, they explore why rest is often elusive for autistic people—and what can be done to reclaim it.🎧 What You’ll LearnThe scope of the issue – Why sleep disorders in autistic people are both under-researched and extremely common, including sleep apnea, insomnia, hypersomnia, and delayed sleep phase onset.Sensory and physical factors – How sensory sensitivities, interoception differences, and muscle tone variations can disrupt sleep quality and contribute to long-term autistic burnout.Daily life mismatch – Why falling asleep, staying asleep, and waking up are uniquely challenging in a neurotypical-scheduled world with early start times.Transition trouble – How the autistic difficulty with transitions impacts both bedtime and morning routines.Sleep as survival – Understanding that sleep isn’t optional—poor rest directly impacts physical health, immune function, and emotional resilience.Practical strategies – Ways to support autistic sleep needs:Embrace a low-demand lifestyleHonour your natural sleep-wake cycleReduce night-time sensory overwhelmCreate autism-friendly routines that invite rest rather than force sleepRelated Episodes:Autism Affirming Social SkillsAging and Executive FunctionMoving Is An Autistic Hell🌟 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 Autistica, Matt and Angela explore why Sonic the Hedgehog is an autism icon—from stimmy visuals and structured gameplay to monotropic flow states and even a surprising connection to Michael Jackson.🎧 What You’ll LearnThe Michael Jackson connection – How MJ’s uncredited work on the Sonic 3 soundtrack reflects his neurodivergent traits, obsessive creativity, and passion for video games.Masking in public personas – Parallels between MJ, Taylor Swift, Walt Disney, and how long-term public image curation can function as autistic masking.Autism-Sonic synergy – Bright colours, predictable level structures, justice-driven themes, and deep lore that feed autistic special interests.Flow state gameplay – Why Sonic’s fast-paced yet structured world is ideal for hyper-connected autistic brains.Fandom and representation – Jim Carrey’s portrayal of Robotnik, the role of uncredited industry work, and how ABA narratives have attempted to co-opt autistic fandoms.Resources & Links🕹️ The History of Sonic – Mascot Wars – Read on the Delcampe Blog🎨 The Concept Creation of Sonic – Read on The Boar🔄 Sonic & Knuckles: Turning a Problem Into Success – . Read on VentureBeat🧩 What Is It with Autistic People and Sonic the Hedgehog? – Read on Medium by Eccentric Emmie🎶 Michael Jackson’s Involvement in Sonic 3 – Michael Jackson Songs in Sonic 3 – YouTubeRelated Episodes:Pokémon is AutisticAnimation 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.

The discussion dives deep into the harmful effects of recent policies on neurodivergent communities. Historical injustices faced by autistic individuals during the Nazi era are revisited, emphasizing the genetic nature of neurodivergence. The hosts tackle internalized ableism and scrutinize practices like ABA therapy. Elon Musk's disconnect from the autistic culture is also critiqued. They call for solidarity against current anti-trans and discriminatory policies, highlighting the importance of recognizing neurodiversity as an essential part of human experience.

In this captivating conversation, Dr. Sonya Freeman Loftis, a Shakespeare expert and M. Mitchell chair at Morehouse College, reveals how the Bard's characters reflect neurodivergent traits. She discusses the Globe Theatre's adaptations for disabilities and the power of Shakespeare therapy in diverse settings. Hamlet's introspection and Coriolanus's strong justice sense are highlighted as emblematic of autistic experiences. The discussion also touches on ableism in the plays and the relevance of Shakespeare's complex language to autistic comprehension, offering a fresh lens on his timeless works.

In this follow-up to our previous discussion on autistic medical needs, Matt and Angela dive deeper into the complex world of healthcare for autistic people. From misunderstood comorbidities to the exhausting reality of medical self-advocacy in a neurotypical system, this conversation shines a light on the urgent need for neurodiversity-affirming care.🎧 What You’ll LearnCommon comorbidities — Exploring POTS, MCAS, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, PMDD, PCOS, PTSD, and how life in a non-autistic world directly impacts our physical health.Medical gaslighting — Why autistic patients are often dismissed, especially when they come prepared with research, and how this erodes trust in providers.Processing differences — How bottom-up thinking and the need to understand why clash with top-down medical systems built on compliance, not collaboration.Masking in medical settings — The ways autistic patients are misread as cold, overly emotional, or aggressive when advocating for themselves.Intersectional barriers — How systemic racism and ableism amplify harm for multiply marginalized autistic people in healthcare.Moving toward solutions — The role of autistic community support, provider education, and affirming care in creating equitable healthcare experiences.Related Episodes:Autistic Medical NeedsAutism Affirming Social Skills🌟 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 Autistica, Matt and Angela explore how Anne Shirley—of Anne of Green Gables fame—embodies a deeply relatable autistic-coded experience. From echolalia and infodumping to emotional intensity and sensory sensitivities, Anne’s world mirrors the challenges, joys, and resilience of neurodivergent life.🎧 What You’ll LearnAutistic-coded traits in Anne Shirley — How feeling like an outsider, struggling to mask, and being told she’s “too much” reflect autistic realities.Historical context — The impact of the Industrial Revolution’s factory-model school system on conformity, internalized ableism, and educational trauma.Neurodivergent connection — Examining Anne’s friendships, particularly with Gilbert, as examples of deep, mutual understanding.Cultural parallels — Why Japan’s love for Anne aligns with autistic cultural values, and how Lucy Maud Montgomery may have infused her own neurodivergence into the character.Community discussion on Anne’s creativity, emotional intensity, and unique social interactions as possible indicators of autism. 🔗 Read on RedditVideo essay exploring autistic traits in key characters. 🔗 Watch on YouTubeAutistic-Coded TV and Film Characters – Features Anne Shirley-Cuthbert among other neurodivergent-coded characters. 🔗 Read on The Wyrd SistersCharacters That Ping Our NeuroScopes – Looks at fictional characters, including Anne, who resonate with neurodivergent experiences. 🔗Read the Medium pieceLucy Maud Montgomery and Anne of Green Gables: An Early Description of ADHD – Explores overlaps between ADHD and autism traits. 🔗 Read the study on PubMedReflecting on Anne with an E through an autistic lens. 🔗 Read on FacebookRelated Episodes:Dimensions of Autistic CultureOnly Murders is AutisticCommunity 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 episode of Autistic Advocacy, Matt and Angela welcome special guest Meghan Ashley, LPC-S—an autistic licensed professional counsellor, speaker, and author of Blueprint to Behaviour—for a conversation about neurodivergent parenting, autistic self-understanding, and creating advocacy that starts at home.🎧 What You’ll LearnWhy autism advocacy begins at home – Creating affirming environments, building accommodations plans, and dismantling internalized ableism in both kids and parents.Meghan Ashley’s mission – Why she’s determined that this generation of autistic children will be the last to grow up misunderstood, and her call to move beyond ABA.Inside Blueprint to Behaviour – Practical tools for reading nonverbal cues, supporting sensory needs, and meeting autistic children where they are.Parenting as an autistic person – Navigating late diagnosis, reparenting your younger self, and building layered support for your neurodivergent family.Cultural competence & Black autistic identity – The need for culturally responsive care and the unique dangers of ABA in Black communities.Living your best autistic life – Carrying sensory tools, sunglasses, and communication supports; understanding burnout, masking, and skill regression; and embracing your full autistic self unapologetically.Featured Guest:Meghan Ashley is a proudly autistic therapist, TED speaker, and lifelong learner licensed in Texas. She empowers clients to embrace their authenticity and specializes in supporting autistic adults, parents, and families with compassion and clarity.Resources:Meghan’s TED Talk – Inspiring insights on neurodivergence and parenting. 🔗 Watch hereBook – Blueprint to Behaviour – A compassionate, practical guide to understanding autistic children’s communication and behaviour. 🔗 Available on AmazonAutism Toolkits & Resources – Practical materials for adapting environments to autistic needs. 🔗 Visit adaptingtoautism.comRelated Episodes:Bad Autism DiagnosisChild-to-Parent Diagnostic PipelineReframing DSM Autism CriteriaSunglasses are 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 episode of Autistica, Matt and Angela are joined by stand-up comedian and podcast host Abigoliah Schamaun to explore why expat life might just be peak autistic behavior. From cultural clashes to the comedy stage, Abigoliah’s journey offers insight, laughs, and plenty of neurodivergent real talk.🎧 What You’ll Learn1️⃣ Expat Life as a Neurodivergent AdventureWhy Angela calls being an expat “autism with extra passport stamps.”Navigating national identity, cultural differences, and reinvention.The joys and challenges of moving between the US and UK.2️⃣ Comedy, Creativity & BurnoutAbigoliah’s rise from Ohio to NYC to the UK comedy scene.The overlap between neurodivergence and stand-up comedy.How burnout affects creative output and content creation.3️⃣ Cross-Cultural NeurodivergenceDifferences in how autism and ADHD are perceived in the US vs. the UK.Healthcare, safety, and societal norms across the pond.How cultural context changes the way neurodivergence is experienced.4️⃣ Post-Diagnosis Clarity & Self-GraceThe relief and self-compassion that comes with an ADHD diagnosis.Strategies for navigating burnout without guilt.Why slowing down can be the key to long-term sustainability.About Abigoliah SchamaunAbigoliah Schamaun is a New York comedian, actor, and writer whose charisma and sharp comedic skill have taken her from Ohio to NYC to the UK stage. A finalist in the Funny Women Awards, she’s one of the top female headliners on the UK comedy scene. On TikTok, her stand-up and comedy cooking clips have amassed over 10 million views.She co-hosts the Neurodivergent Moments Podcast with Joe Wells and is open about her life with ADHD, sharing honest and hilarious perspectives on neurodivergence.Resources:🎧 Listen to Neurodivergent Moments PodcastAvailable on all podcast apps or directly at: shows.acast.com/neurodivergent-moments💖 Support their Show on PatreonGet bonus content and support Abigoliah’s work: patreon.com/neurodivergentmomentspod📺 Watch Abigoliah on Pointless Celebrities, Series 16, Episode 17 – Aired March 23, 2024 on BBC📱 Follow Abigoliah Everywhere @abigoliah on all social media platformsRelated Episodes:Comedy 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.

The podcast dives into the challenges of internalized ableism faced by autistic individuals. It highlights the societal pressures that make some question their identities and capabilities. The struggle between pushing limits through masking and the threat of burnout is explored, emphasizing self-acceptance. Personal stories reveal the exhaustion from navigating a neurotypical world and the importance of recognizing individual needs. The conversation also touches on the significance of community support and inner child healing, promoting understanding and self-forgiveness.