Autistic Licence

This episode traverses the theme of building autistic community. We recognise the dearth of opportunities for autistic people to connect in real time. We share our ideas around how we might like to play a small part in facilitating aspects of this, for example by having guests on the podcast and running groups. We discuss various elements of this from practical, professional and ethical points of view.  We recognise that perhaps the paucity of "out" autistic therapists combined with the lack of existing resources possibly means that in the beginning there will inevitably be "boundary" issues to confront and navigate. More neuroqueering of the norms, we wonder? As ever, we would love love love to hear your thoughts, ideas and feedback 💛🧡 ----more---- LINKS Our YouTube channel Our Facebook Our website Podcast home Our other socials Contact us at: autisticlicence@gmail.com

This episode was recorded on the day when we had planned a pilot "Odd One In" group meeting. We cancelled the group with 24 hours notice because only two people had signed up at that point. We reflect on our relationships to change, flexibility, choice and managing our own ways of being alongside considering others with a variety of needs. Siana rants about the logistics of the booking system for her Zumba class ... and somehow Leo manages to segway from this into his history of superstition and OCD. We compare and contrast these experiences with the common autistic activities of sorting and ordering. We then explore the value of certain rituals and ways of doing things from an aesthetic, practical or symbolic point of view. As ever, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments - autisticlicence@gmail.com 💛🧡 ----more----   LINKS Autisticality A Guide To Autistic Experience (book) Leo's pleasingly sliced lemon Our YouTube channel Our Facebook Our website Podcast home Our other socials Contact us at: autisticlicence@gmail.com

In this episode we discuss the concept of Autistic Demand Avoidance.  Siana differentiates ADA from PDA and speaks from her own experience of how it shows up across a range of areas in her life. We also check in on Leo's ADHD clinical diagnosis journey. We notice how classic traits of hyperactivity and inattention feature in our lives.  We then discuss some aspects of privilege and class related to lifestyle and "choice".  We also introduce a few considerations which seem pertinent to therapeutic relationships.  We do, of course, distract and delight in words and meanings along the way ... which quite possibly says as much about what we are talking about as what we actually say  💛🧡 ----more----   LINKS Our YouTube channel Our Facebook Our website Podcast home Our other socials Contact us at: autisticlicence@gmail.com

This episode is a fairly run-of-the-mill chit chat from a random Thursday in the middle of September. Themes include doing things for the first time, seasonal rhythms, breathing, special interests and the significance of "perspective". We showcase Leo's new drone and Siana would like to apologise for "droning" on a bit about her cough. Bonus SPIN-ny energy at the end 🧡💛 ----more---- LINKS Disability Empowerment Now podcast (DEN) One of Leo's drone videos Our YouTube channel Our Facebook Our website Podcast home Our other socials Contact us at: autisticlicence@gmail.com

Leo is currently on the NHS pathway towards trying out ADHD medication.  We discuss his experience of the assessment process so far. We then explore Siana's experience as a parent navigating the system. We speak about common obstacles and concerns within the process. We also reflect on whether medication might have changed outcomes for each of us in education and / or the workplace.  We attempt to navigate elements of privilege sensitively and acknowledge that this is an initial conversation which was hope will spark further discussion and reflection.  We would love to hear your thoughts! 🧡💛 ----more---- LINKS Group booking Our YouTube channel Our Facebook Our website Podcast home Our other socials Contact us at: autisticlicence@gmail.com

This episode is an excerpt from a follow up conversation we had regarding the gap between season 1 and 2. We reflect on a health situation Leo had to navigate over the summer. We discuss aspects of communication within the health care system and also between us. We also notice our tendency as autistic people to deal with what is in front of us and then to appear to “forget” about it until there is an unconscious reminder.   The good news is that Leo is fine and recovered. Thank-you for listening and for all your support. 🧡💛 ----more---- LINKS Group booking Our YouTube channel Our Facebook Our website Podcast home Our other socials Contact us at: autisticlicence@gmail.com

This episode contains our reflections around beginning a new podcast season.   We discuss the gap in recording and wonder about some aspects of this. We explore the concepts of autistic burnout and energy cycles. We also speak about inherent neurodivergence as opposed to the signs of neurodivergent distress or trauma. It will be no surprise that we digress lots. We conclude that we will continue to record for another “season”. 🧡💛 ----more---- LINKS Group booking Our YouTube channel Our Facebook Our website Podcast home Our other socials Contact us at: autisticlicence@gmail.com

Welcome to Season 2 💛 🧡 This episode was recorded just after Leo returned from Autscape. We explore his experience and broaden this out to discuss the hallmarks of wider autistic culture.   We then reflect on some of the perils and pitfalls inherent in making the transition "back" and between autistic land and neurotypical society. 💛🧡 ----more----LINKS Autscape Our YouTube channel Our Facebook Our website Podcast home Our other socials Contact us at: autisticlicence@gmail.com

This episode opens with a discussion of the "Hamilton" theatre production. Leo delights in the complexity of the rapid lyrical genius, enjoying being caught up in the current and looking forward to revisiting it again and again. Siana's experience, in contrast, is one of overwhelm and withdrawal. This is an example of polarities often seen within the autistic community and the significance of context when looking at our capacities and challenges. Siana reflects further on wearing Loop™ earplugs to manage overstimulation - at the theatre, on the tube and recently when out in a social context. We compare this with other ways in which we and others use all sorts of "accommodations" to manage our external and internal relationships and interactions. We then switch to speaking about communication within a therapeutic context, including aspects such as body language, eye contact and silence. Thank you for listening to us. If you have any comments or feedback, positive or negative, we are open and would love to hear from you. 💛🧡 ----more----LINKS Loop earplugs Radiolab - Stravinsky's Rite of Spring Our YouTube channel Our Facebook Our website Podcast home Our other socials Contact us at: autisticlicence@gmail.com

In this episode we discuss Leo's recent experience of attending a training course.   We track many details of this, from the planning to sensory challenges and considerations, to social interactions and disclosure. We notice distinctive aspects of this which we experience differently as autistic people, many of which might not be predictable or discernible to our non autistic peers and training facilitators.  Again for this episode we have cut most of the tangential chunks in order to maintain focus for the finished edit, however we may combine all the tangents for a future release! Thank you for all your support and, as ever, please get in touch with us at autisticlicence@gmail.com if you have any comments or reflections you would like to share. LINKS Deb Dana & Polyvagal Theory Our YouTube channel Our Facebook Our website Podcast home Our other socials Contact us at: autisticlicence@gmail.com