Autistic Licence

Trigger warning This episode deals with the topics of loneliness and suicide. Please take care of yourself and think about the timing and where your support is if you decide to listen. We reflect on our experiences and relationships in the past, which led to loneliness, disconnection and feelings of life not being worth living. We also reflect on the distinctions between company, co-regulation and presence. We recognise that these topics are heavy and in need of careful and responsible handling. At the same time, they're extremely common among the autistic community and we feel it's important to shine light on them.   LINKS Our Facebook Our website Podcast home Our other socials Contact us at: autisticlicence@gmail.com

In this episode we talk about sensitivities to physical and sensory stimuli. We focus on challenges around noise, food and physical (dis)comfort. We speak about the significance of autonomy. We also discuss interpersonal misunderstandings related to us not doing "what's good" for us.  We note the important distinction here between things being seen as preferences rather than (in)tolerances. Seasonal references provided intermittently as we experience in real time the 26 minute time difference between sunset in London and Carrickfergus. And basically reflect on how we might control time were we in charge. Sure, how else would two Autistic people make meaning out of Easter?! LINKS Our Facebook Our website Podcast home Our other socials Contact us at: autisticlicence@gmail.com

This episode is a spontaneous Saturday chit chat.  There's a fair amount of "here and now" energy and interaction, interspersed with memories and reflections. Siana talks about her experience of ADHD when it fires in multiple directions at once - something which for her does not exclude hyperfocus "flow" states. Leo reflects on a range of experiences he is now reframing in light of autism, such as the after effects of exhilarating events and "talking to myself". We touch on concepts such as echolalia and synaptic pruning, applying these to our own experiences and challenging some common misconceptions. We conclude that as AuDHDers, while we absolutely face challenges around over stimulation, we also have tremendous capacity for sensory joy and pleasure. LINKS Synaptic Pruning Mint Aero bar BNL shoutout Echolalia Our Facebook Our website Podcast home Our other socials Contact us at: autisticlicence@gmail.com

This episode is in many ways a reflection on elements of the last one. We speak about early narratives and experiences, and the lifelong meaning and impact of these. We apply this to therapeutic contexts and approaches, specifically Transactional Analysis and Internal Family Systems, and we relate this to therapy with autistic people. We also explore the concept of so called "rigid" thinking and the possible significance of this for us as autistic people growing up in a world where the template for living which is offered to us does not fit or deliver. Special guest contribution from Phoebe - Siana's cat - in this episode 😻   LINKS Relational Transactional Analysis The Drama Triangle Life Positions Drivers & Injunctions “Know all the theories, master all the techniques, but as you touch a human soul be just another human soul.” Carl Jung Our Facebook Our website Podcast home Our other socials Contact us at: autisticlicence@gmail.com

In this episode we discuss how we, as autistic people, are seen and experienced by others. We then traverse some thorny territory relating to how we see ourselves and influence each other. These are sensitive ideas and topics, interspersed with distractions, brain glitches and spiralling reasoning which somehow loops together in the end.   LINKS Neuroqueer Heresies Facebook Podcast home Our website Our other socials Contact us at: autisticlicence@gmail.com

In this episode we begin to circumambulate the intersectionality of autism and queerness. We begin with Siana's home interior decorating project and finish up discussing Leo's gender identity development. In between we wax lyrical around some relationship models, notably Siana's current QPR (queer platonic relationship). Comical interlude provided by Leo's beautifully curated ritual around a previous relationship. Topic to be continued - we listen to your feedback and suggestions 🧡💛 Keep them coming! Trigger warning : brief reference to suicide in relation to trauma towards the end of this episode LINKS Queer Platonic Relationships Intersectionality Facebook Podcast home Our website Our other socials Contact us at: autisticlicence@gmail.com

This episode is another “in person” recording.  We reflect on our experiences of travelling with and without accommodations. We specifically speak about the profound benefits for us of wearing a Sunflower lanyard when travelling in busy and often overwhelming airports. We also talk about the significance of our sense of smell, in particular Leo’s awareness of this in new places. NOISE WARNING: towards the end of our chat we talk about the possibility of adding a noise warning to this episode. This is because of some loud noise from people working outside during the recording. The warning wasn't necessary in the end as we were able to filter it out in the edit. Clever us! LINKS What is the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower? (hdsunflower.com) Facebook Podcast home Our website Our other socials Contact us at: autisticlicence@gmail.com

We recorded this episode while we were together in Siana’s house last weekend.  We explore co-regulation and bring in various ideas and theories from autistic, therapeutic and scientific communities to flavour our discussion. We end up specifically inviting the non autistic community to join and get to know us and, most importantly, the autistic people around them. LINKS Trauma and the nervous system: a polyvagal perspective (youtube.com) Resources | Rhythm of Regulation What is the double empathy problem? (smallstepps.com) The ‘double empathy problem’: Ten years on - Damian Milton, Emine Gurbuz, Beatriz López, 2022 (sagepub.com) Facebook Podcast home Our website Our other socials Contact us at: autisticlicence@gmail.com

In this episode we explore the finite nature of personal energy and capacity. We refer to our own experiences and to wider "spoon theory". The pace of this conversation is slow and relaxed; it's basically two autistic people hanging out together. If that's your vibe, we'd love you to join us 🧡💛 On that note, our Facebook community is growing fast and you would be very welcome there too - see the links below... LINKS Facebook Spoon theory Siana's talk The Traitors Podcast home Our website Our other socials Contact us at: autisticlicence@gmail.com

Therapists with autism discuss demand avoidance, the distinction between PDA and autistic demand avoidance, the accreditation process for Jungian Sandplay, the therapeutic value of play and sand tray therapy, and the curiosity of listening to listener experiences.