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The Other Autism explores late-diagnosed autism and the latest in autism research, and works to dispel myths and stereotypes about autism and autistic people. Episodes cover leading topics in the neurodiversity space and feature interviews with late-diagnosed autistic folks and autistic professionals. Theme music: "Everything Feels New" by Evgeny Bardyuzha. All episodes are written and edited by Kristen Hovet. Contact: otherautism@gmail.com
47 Episodes
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1Autistic burnout is very different from the work-related burnout that non-autistics experience. In this episode, I cover the official definition of autistic burnout, how autistic burnout differs from non-autistic burnout, the latest research on this topic, how burnout relates to shutdown and social hangover, and more. I also discuss my own experiences with burnout and some strategies for avoiding it. Watch this episode on YouTube. If you'd like to know more about topics discussed in this e...
Dr. Kim Sage is a licensed clinical psychologist in southern California. Dr. Sage joins me to discuss her discovery that she may be autistic, the problem of autism underdiagnosis, and the close connection between autism and personality disorders (especially narcissistic personality disorder) within families. Dr. Sage also talks about her early autistic traits, friendship challenges, autistic traits' impacts on romantic relationships, and more. Watch this episode on YouTube. Check out Dr. ...
Feeling like a fraud or a fake autistic is so common in those who are diagnosed as autistic in adulthood. In this episode, I talk about impostor syndrome and how it relates to autistic impostor syndrome. I also talk about the impact of impostor syndrome and some strategies for coping with it. Be sure to stick around right to the end. Toby is super chatty. And so is Google... It gets weird. Watch this episode on YouTube. If you'd like to know more about topics discussed in this episode, ch...
Are you ready to navigate the intricate maze of adult autism diagnosis? I dedicate this episode to offering tips and advice to help you determine whether autism assessment is right for you, suggestions on how to find a psychologist who conducts adult autism assessments, and brief strategies on securing financial support if you can't afford the exorbitant assessment fees. This episode is designed to be a supportive companion on your quest for answers. If you'd like to know more about topic...
Courtney Benner, a neurodivergent occupational therapist based in Utah, shares how occupational therapy can help autistic adults. She also talks about her neurodivergent identities and the ways these help her relate to her clients. Courtney shares the lead-up to her diagnoses and how much of an impact they had on her life. Additionally, she shares some very interesting statistics about autistic sleep patterns, explains the zones of regulation and how these can be used or adapted for adults w...
Melissa Elaine, a music industry professional in California, shares the lead-up to getting an autism diagnosis just this past January and what life has been like ever since. Melissa shares how past therapists chalked up her challenges to trauma and C-PTSD, dismissing her and her family's well-informed suspicions that she may be autistic. She also shares her experiences of going nonverbal, her main autistic attributes as a child, and what aspects of life have changed since her late-autism ass...
Let's delve into an under-discussed topic — the intersection of autism and non-monogamy. I talk about the differences between polyamory and open relationships, and challenge the stereotype that autistic individuals are incapable of or uninterested in sexual relationships. Drawing from research and personal experiences, I discuss why autistic individuals are more inclined towards non-monogamous relationships. If you'd like to know more about topics discussed in this episode, check out: "Neur...
In the final episode of season two of The Other Autism podcast, I explore the concept of masking. We've talked about it a lot this season, but now I'd like to do a deeper dive. Topics discussed also include: The definition of maskingWhy autistic people maskWhat it means to unmaskWhen masking can be a good thingIf you'd like to know more about topics discussed in this episode, check out: "Camouflage and Masking Behavior in Adult Autism" by Javad Alaghband-rad et al. "Looking Good but Feeli...
Cat is an Australia-based, late-identified autistic individual who suddenly lost the ability to mask following the death of her baby. Kristen and Cat discuss being autistic while undergoing fertility treatments, trauma in midlife, out-of-order loss and bereavement, polyvagal theory, the ways life crises often precede late identification of autism, and more. Correction: Cat said "microwave" when she meant to say "oven", in reference to her grandmother. If you'd like to know more about topi...
Jennifer Dodd is a Portland-based therapist and owner of the Embodied Life Therapy Center. Jennifer is a late-diagnosed autistic individual who has also been diagnosed with the inattentive type of ADHD. Kristen and Jennifer discuss the ways that ADHD and autism compete with and complement each other, neurodivergent loathing of CBT (sorry, not sorry, CBT!), best types of therapy for autistic folks, the autistic penchant for bottom-up thinking, the times when "mindful masking" just makes sens...
Kim Gallo is the author of the new book, The Pivot: For Parents and Educators – Looking at Autism and ADHD Through a Different Lens. She is a speech language pathologist in south Florida and has experience as a former applied behaviour analysis (ABA) practitioner. Kristen and Kim discuss Kim's changing views on ABA (thanks in large part to TikTok!), the changing landscape of what it means to be autistic in today's world, stigma experienced by autistic individuals, masking and its impact on i...
The number one question I receive from listeners is some version of, "I was just diagnosed as autistic. Now what?" What are some common experiences that people have after autism diagnosis in adulthood? Late autism diagnosis is often defined as diagnosis received after one's 18th birthday. Topics discussed also include: Positive and negative thoughts and emotions following late autism diagnosisMy experiences following my own autism diagnosis in my 30sRecent research documenting women's ...
Heath Wilder is the Director of Customer Experience at the Sydney Theatre Company in Sydney, Australia, and they were one of the first listeners of The Other Autism podcast — maybe even the first! Listen as Kristen and Heath aggressively abstain from small talk and dive right in to gender, autigender (aka gendervague), the female autism phenotype or presentation, the double empathy problem, alexithymia, masking, meltdowns, shutdowns, and more. Check out Heath's website: Heath Wilder — a j...
You've probably heard about the rising rates of both autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults. Is there any truth to all the talk about an overlap between the two? You can probably tell by the title that, yes, there is! Topics discussed also include: The three presentations or subtypes of ADHDDifferences between ADHD in kids versus ADHD in adultsSome of the main differences and similarities between "ADHDers" and autistic folksWhy some experts think that ADHD...
Recent research indicates that many autistic people might have co-occurring substance use disorder. Let's talk about what this entails and reasons for autistic folks turning to substances in the first place. Topics discussed also include: Substance use disorder according to the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)How those with ADHD + autism may be at an even greater risk for developing substance use disorder (SUD)The problem with current SUD treatment optionsOth...
Hear Nicola Rowan-Brooks's story about being diagnosed by Sarah Hendrickx at the age of 55. Nicola shares the impact of her autism diagnosis and what life was like growing up undiagnosed in the UK. Nicola runs an online business restoring teddy bears. Her website is called Ambrosia Bears. If you'd like to know more about topics discussed in this episode, check out: "Girls and Women and Autism: What's the Difference?" [YouTube video] by Sarah Hendrickx Episode intro and outro music: "Rela...
Ciara Harte is a neurodivergent counsellor based in Victoria, British Columbia. In this episode, Kristen and Ciara chat about Ciara's critical discourse analysis of ABA. Ciara has firsthand experience working with applied behaviour analysis principles and practices, and was heavily involved in ABA for a few years. Topics discussed also include: A brief history of ABAThe interactional and discursive view of violence and resistance + response-based practiceThe problem of informed consent...
Hear Leslie's story about stumbling upon autism later in life, and the series of aha moments that ensued. Leslie previously worked in animation on feature films such as FernGully: The Last Rainforest, The Lion King, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Pocahontas, and Space Jam. She is now a freelance graphic designer crafting bespoke graphics and brand development for rogues, disruptors, and obsessives in California. Topics discussed also include: Reasons why some people don't pursue formal autis...
Have you ever heard that autistic people often have adverse or unexpected reactions (or total lack of response) to prescription and over-the-counter medications? Well, it could be genetics, pharmacogenetics, that is! Topics discussed also include: Ultra-rapid and very slow drug metabolizersHow medication sensitivity is not hypochondriaMast cell activation syndrome and medication fillersAutistic folks' reactions to psychotropic drugsIf you'd like to know more about topics discussed in this ep...
What's the difference between the medical and social models of autism? And what gave rise to the social model of autism? Topics discussed also include: "Mad pride's" influence on the neurodiversity movementHow autism may have a similar fate as homosexualityThe neurodiversity movement's stance towards applied behaviour analysis (ABA)The new academic field of Critical Autism StudiesIf you'd like to know more about topics discussed in this episode, check out: "Neurodiversity: An Insider's Per...
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Thanks, Kristen. Have not read 20,000 leagues in years. Very enjoyable. Recently identified as autistic at 57. So much makes sense now. Don't know how I missed it. Your podcast is helping me understand many things that used to bewilder me. I appreciate it you <3
I was hoping for more detail on how one is diagnosed with MCAS, what the criteria is, what some people's experiences are who live with the condition... does it have to be severe, or is there such a thing as "mild" MCAS? I don't want to be labeled a "diagnosis chaser/collector" but I also want to know when I need to self-advocate and push back against medical gaslighting when necessary. Even just recognizing when a provider is gaslighting a patient can be a challenge. *Note: people who are not autistic are termed allistic. Allistic people may be neurotypical, but not necessarily so. Allistics can instead be otherwise neurodivergent, just not autistic.