The Autism Podcast

In Season 2, episode 7, Chris, James and Lola Alvarez-Romano (a mental health expert and NHS psychotherapist) talk about the threat to mental health for the entire autism community during the Coronavirus / Covid-19 pandemic.  Clearly, the Coronavirus pandemic represents a public mental health emergency for all of us but in particular for the autism community who are particularly vulnerable. This is mainly due to the situation threatening routines, structures, access to usual external support and services, and access to support from family and the wider community. Therefore, to support the community, the London Autism Group Charity have begun doing is a series of livestreams with interviews of autistic people and advocates around the topic of mental health and wellbeing. These are happening weekly at our public Facebook page (facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity) with full details about what and when livestreams are taking place listed there (as well as our Twitter: @lagcharity) This podcast episode is the audio from one of these livestreams, in which we talk about how the autism community can support their mental health, self-care and boost resilience. We also took some questions from the audience. We think it was a really useful discussion and therefore decided it was worth uploading as its own standalone podcast episode, so that more people could access it and potentially benefit from the advice and suggestions provided. The video recording is also available from our youtube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9HnzChJg_9jMaV8NmJuXig) which you can find by going to youtube and searching for London Autism Group Charity. We'll be uploading our other livestreams there also. Please note that the London Autism Group Charity is also looking for volunteers to support us in our work during this difficult period. You don't have to be London or even UK-based, so if you do have time and wish to support us, and are interested in mental health in particular, please get in touch with us via our website (londonautismgroupcharity.org).

In Season 2, episode 6 of The Autism Podcast, Chris and James speak with Callum Brazzo, a well-known autistic performance poet based in Lincolnshire, UK.  We talk about Callum's upbringing and the experiences that led him into poetry and performance, including his struggles with poor mental health and finally get diagnosed in his early 20s. He explains his journey towards coming full circle and becoming a leader in his community through supporting other autistic adults via his Autistic Led support group, his Autistic Lincs newspaper column and more. We also talk about language, social media discourse, his Tedx talks and he also performs two of his poems live for us, Nameless and The Energy Bulb.   Episode Timeline: 0 - 9.05: His schooling and upbringing experiences, experiencing poor mental health, expressing himself through his first songs and poems, publishing his first book, coming through circle through supporting others 9.06 - 16.27: Autistic Led support group, forming a community that he didn't have access to when he was younger, social progress and making impact on the next generation, filling the vacuum of autistic support in Lincolnshire 16.28 - 21.01: His experience of being diagnosed, the overwhelming emotional impact it had upon him, his Tedx talk, performing locally 21.02 - 25.59: Setting up the Autistic Led support group, getting funding, main conversational themes and activities 26.00 - 35.13: The impact that role models have had upon his life, the qualities and values that these role models had which worked for Callum, 35.14 - 39.35: Callum's fascination with words, the way his constructs his poetry 39.36 - 40.47: Performance of Nameless 40.48 - 53.43: learning about language and describing autism identity, autism in the news, looking at socio-cultural context behind people's actions, re-directing people's interests to tap into and realise potential, people are worth fussing about, inspirational porn, the need for a healthy social media discourse 53.44 - 58.26: The Autistic Lincs newspaper column Callum writes for, using the column as another method for giving people a voice, poetry writing as an outlet, Callum's book "Movement: Performance Poetry Written Down", what the The Energy Bulb poem is about 58.27 - 1.00.05: Performance of 'The Energy Bulb' ------- Links Callum's website: http://www.callumbrazzo.com/ His twitter: https://twitter.com/CallumBrazzo Autistic Led support group: http://www.tonic-health.co.uk/AutisticLed.asp (and https://www.facebook.com/groups/287694928530440/) Autistic Lincs column in Spalding Today newspaper: https://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news/autistic-lincs-the-challenges-we-face-9098067/ Callum's Tedx talk, 'Why we should make mountains out of molehills': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq9vcfOMKHM&t= Callum's Tedx talk, '10 YEARS OF TED TALKS – AUTISTICS IN CONVERSATION': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJJ4j50ufFI  

In Season 2, Episode 3 of The Autism Podcast, Chris speaks with Venessa Bobb about the difficulties that various ethnic minority autistic people and their families face including stigma and when accessing support. Venessa is a well-known UK-based autistic campaigner and advocate of autistic people in particular those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities. She is the founder of A2ndvoice, a small voluntary group run by parents and carers of autistic children and adults, and Branch Officer of the National Autistic Society (NAS) Lambeth Autism Group (see also https://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/amazing-volunteers/venessa.aspx). She is a member of the Advisory Group All Party Parliamentary Group on Autism (APPGA), an advisor on the National Autistic Society's Diverse Perspectives report, the author of Network Autism's Supporting BAME autistic people and their families article, and supports the organisations Cassandra Centre and GroomSafe.   You can contact Venessa through her Twitter handle (https://twitter.com/BobbVenessa) and LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/venessabobb/. Timeline: 0 - 2.02: Introduction 2.03 - 9.01: Venessa's experiences of her autistic son when he was young including people's stigmatising and negative reactions across the community, the diagnostic process 9.02 - 15.19: Accessing support after her son's diagnosis and the lack of cultural representation; judgements and stigma towards her parenting, the increase of stigma in the community when her son's diagnosis was revealed, the importance of others accepting the diagnosis, stigma from professionals including judgements from the GP and social services that the underlying issue was parenting skills, the importance of being transparent and communicating with professionals. 15.20 - 21.08: The limitations of the Autism Act 2009 (until the update in 2019) in particular for autistic children, the statutory services not implementing the Act appropriately, lack of representation, the need for the community to come together to support each-other and to hear stories from the BAME autistic community, the need for BAME autistic representation 21.09 - 24.17: The Black community reacting to incidents but not coming together in unity and finding solutions through appropriate representation from the community, the Cassandra Centre, the importance of looking at family dynamics and looking beyond just autism per se to understand the whole picture, the importance of the different communities supporting each-other 24.18 - 27.46: How social services can improve the way they are delivering their support to families, lack of joined up thinking across professionals, the importance of cultural competence, trusting services 27.47 - 30.15: The role of the religious community in supporting autistic people and their families, what led Venessa to set up A2ndVoice and the work the organisation focuses upon, her other roles including the NAS Lambeth Autism Support Group 30.16 - 38.29: How we can reduce autism stigma and discrimination across different communities 38.30 - 40.19: Autistic people in the criminal justice system 40.20 - 51.12 Advice to new carers and parents of recently diagnosed autistic children who are experiencing/vulnerable to stigma

In Season 2, Episode 1 of The Autism Podcast, Chris and James speak with Joseph Michael , an autistic adult, campaigner, advocate involved in a range of autistic-led organisations. He talks about his personal experiences and challenges during school and education, finding a sense of belonging and identity with the autism community, and all of the various work he undertakes with the autistic-led organisations he is involved with. He also opens up about his mental health including what has helped and also challenged his mental health, organising autistic pride events, and more! Timeline: 0 - 3:28 - Introduction 3:29 - 15:55 - Joseph's experiences at school including social rejection and bullying, the importance of exploring one's identity and the role school could have with this, and autism stigma more broadly 15:56 - 24:41 - Autscape, conferences, and the importance of autistic-led boards, how to get involved in Autscape and its board 24:42 - 36:57 - Labour Party Autism / Neurodiversity Manifesto, employment discrimination, the crucial importance of social policy, the need for a cultural change and autism stigma 36:58 - 42:50 Autistic pride events, recommendations on how people can get involved or arrange an autistic pride event 42:51 - 1:00:51 - Westminster autism commission, demonstrations and the Mendip House protest organised by Autistic Inclusive Meets, Assessment and Treatment Units (ATUs), Mental Health Inpatient units and discriminatory and harmful sectioning, the negative portrayal of autism in the media, the Oliver McGowan case, antidepressants and side effects, mental health and its links with traumatic experiences  1:00:52 - 1:06.51 - What has helped and hindered Joseph's mental health, and the impact of Joseph's work. To contact Joseph, please email him at obergine@gmail.com. Links to the organisations referred to in the episode are listed below: Autscape - http://www.autscape.org/ labour party autism/neurodiversity manifesto- https://neurodiversitymanifesto.com/2018/09/18/labour-party-autism-neurodiversity-manifesto-final-draft-version-2018/ Westminster Autism Commission - https://westminsterautismcommission.wordpress.com/ The Autism Empire (who produce the customised autism alert cards) - https://www.autisticempire.com Autistic cooperative - https://www.facebook.com/TheAutisticCooperative/ Stripped of Human Rights - https://bringingustogether.org.uk/stripped-of-human-rights/

Join hosts Simeon Thompson and Dr Sophia Christophi as they welcome Jenny Loughran, the CEO and Editor in Chief of Autistic Revolution magazine. In this powerful and deeply moving episode, Jenny shares her unflinching story of self-identification, the concept of systemic trauma, and her fierce advocacy for a world that truly embraces neurodiversity. Jenny opens up about her personal journey, which began not by questioning her own identity, but by fighting for her two neurodivergent children within a broken system. She reflects on how navigating their diagnoses triggered her own 'neurodivergent awakening,' leading her to reframe a lifetime of masking and mental health struggles. In a raw and honest account, she discusses being told she was 'too eloquent' for a diagnosis and the profound process of reclaiming her identity from the pathology paradigm. The conversation reframes trauma not as a single event, but as the relentless, daily experience of being autistic in a world not designed for you. Through the powerful story of her son Joseph, Jenny illustrates the devastating impact of the education system, the pain of social isolation, and how behaviours labelled as 'disruptive' are often cries of dysregulation and unmet needs. The episode also explores Jenny's work with Autistic Revolution magazine - a platform created to showcase autistic creativity and empower the autistic voice. This leads to a passionate call to dismantle the systems that harm neurodivergent children and to replace them with a neurodivergent-affirming culture. It’s an urgent plea for a society that provides safety, celebrates authentic self-expression, and allows autistic role models to thrive. This is an essential and emotionally resonant listen for parents, advocates, and anyone seeking to understand the true cost of non-acceptance. Jenny’s story is a testament to the strength of the autistic spirit and the urgent need for a more compassionate and informed approach to neurodiversity. Book recommendation from this episode: Neuroqueer Heresies by Nick Walker Jenny Loughran's links: Autistic Revolution Magazine: https://www.autistic-revolution.com/ Jenny's LinkedIn: : https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-loughran-4224b5242/?originalSubdomain=uk Our links: The Autism Podcast instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_autism_podcast/ Simeon Thompson's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Siimthompson Dr Sophia Christophi's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autistically.sophia Please like, follow and subscribe to our social media channels to support us! It makes a big difference to our small but wonderful Charity. Please also leave us a review (hopefully positive ;) ) on Apple Podcasts - this is a huge help for us. And please consider donating to the London Autism Group Charity if you are enjoying this podcast that we produce and able to (simply go to https://donorbox.org/london-autism-group-charity-donations - thank you!) Wider Charity links: London Autism Group Charity website: londonautismgroupcharity.org Facebook page: facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity London Autism Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272747662886046/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lagcharity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagcharity The Autism Podcast is produced by the London Autism Group Charity. Editorial leads - Dr Chris Papadopoulos, Mr James Gordon, Simeon Thompson and Dr Sophia Christophi All Rights Reserved

Join hosts Simeon Thompson and Dr Sophia Christophi as they welcome David Devine, a lead Oliver McGowan trainer at DynamicTraining.org.uk. In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, David shares his journey to a late autism diagnosis and dives deep into the core concepts of autistic culture, communication, and the Double Empathy Problem. David opens up about his personal history, from being diagnosed with dyslexia as a child to the pivotal, and somewhat unusual, moment years later when he received his autism diagnosis. He explores the profound process of rebuilding his identity and self-understanding post-diagnosis, reflecting on the journey from confusion to clarity. The conversation centres on Damian Milton's Double Empathy Problem, reframing communication challenges as a two-way street rather than a one-sided deficit. The hosts and David share powerful personal anecdotes that illustrate the differences between autistic and neurotypical interaction styles. They explore why expressions of empathy can be so easily misunderstood across neurotypes and challenge long-held assumptions about autistic social skills. The episode also delves into the exciting concept of an "autistic culture" -a way of being with its own unique norms and social structures. This leads to an inspiring discussion on the importance of self-understanding, the power of a collective autistic voice, and the need to shift the focus from assimilation to mutual respect. It’s a call for acceptance on our own terms, moving beyond the pressure to conform. This is an essential listen for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of autistic communication and identity. David’s insights offer a compelling case for why the world needs to meet autistic people halfway, enabling a more inclusive and empathetic society for everyone. David's Special Interests: Autism (his main special interest, which he has turned into his career) Chess (which he plays a lot of, but insists he plays badly!) Simeon Thompson's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Siimthompson Dr Sophia Christophi's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autistically.sophia Please like, follow and subscribe to our social media channels to support us! It makes a big difference to our small but wonderful Charity. Please also leave us a review (hopefully positive ;) ) on Apple Podcasts - this is a huge help for us. And please consider donating to the London Autism Group Charity if you are enjoying this podcast that we produce and able to (simply go to https://donorbox.org/london-autism-group-charity-donations - thank you!) Our links: London Autism Group Charity website: londonautismgroupcharity.orgFacebook page: facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharityLondon Autism Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272747662886046/Twitter: https://twitter.com/lagcharityInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagcharity The Autism Podcast is produced by the London Autism Group Charity. Editorial leads - Dr Chris Papadopoulos, Mr James Gordon, Simeon Thompson and Dr Sophia Christophi All Rights Reserved

Join hosts Simeon Thompson and Dr Sophia Christophi as they welcome Kirsty Lavender-Newns, a dedicated volunteer and lead befriender for the London Autism Group Charity, and a trainee therapist. In this deeply personal and insightful episode, Kirsty shares her journey of late diagnosis, the complexities of self-acceptance, and the power of finding your community. Kirsty opens up about the experiences that led her to seek an autism diagnosis in her early twenties, a process that began after facing significant challenges at university. She explores the feelings of self-doubt and the struggle with internalised ableism that many late-diagnosed autistics face, and discusses how connecting with the London Autism Group Charity became a vital part of reshaping her own narrative and finding a sense of belonging. The conversation takes a deep dive into the nuanced topic of masking. Simeon and Sophia contribute their own perspectives, discussing how cultural backgrounds and gender norms can shape the pressure to mask, leading to a fascinating discussion on trying to navigate a world without a clear 'social cue handbook'. The episode also explores why Kirsty decided to train as a therapist. She explains the immense value of autistic-led therapy, the obstacles of training within systems designed for neurotypicals, and the importance of having a therapist who truly understands. Kirsty shares what her training journey has taught her about herself and about creating truly safe, empathetic spaces for others. This episode is a moving and honest exploration of what it means to build a life on your own terms. Kirsty's story is a testament to the power of understanding yourself, the relief of letting go of neurotypical expectations, and the incredible strength found in community. ------------- Kirsty's Book Recommendations: - Papadopoulos, Chris. Voices of Neurodiversity: An Inclusive Encyclopaedia (Routledge, 2025) - Bargiela, Sarah. Camouflage. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2019. - Belcher, Hannah Louise. Taking Off the Mask. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2022. - Ekins, Erin. Queerly Autistic. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2021. - Garcia, Eric. We’re Not Broken. Harvest, 2021. - Hendrickx, Sarah, and Jess Hendrickx. Women and Girls on the Autism Spectrum, Second Edition. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2024. - Jones, Steph. The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2024. - On Being An Autistic Therapist. Pccs Books. - Pang, Camilla. Explaining Humans: Winner of the Royal Society Science Book Prize 2020. Penguin. - Rogers, Carl R. A Way of Being. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1995. - The Routledge International Handbook of Critical Autism Studies (Routledge International Handbooks). Routledge. ----------------- Simeon Thompson's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Siimthompson Dr Sophia Christophi's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autistically.sophia Please like, follow and subscribe to our social media channels to support us! It makes a big difference to our small but wonderful Charity. Please also leave us a review (hopefully positive ;) ) on Apple Podcasts - this is a huge help for us. And please consider donating to the London Autism Group Charity if you are enjoying this podcast that we produce and able to (simply go to https://donorbox.org/london-autism-group-charity-donations - thank you!) Our links: London Autism Group Charity website: londonautismgroupcharity.orgFacebook page: facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharityLondon Autism Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272747662886046/Twitter: https://twitter.com/lagcharityInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagcharity The Autism Podcast is produced by the London Autism Group Charity. Editorial leads - Dr Chris Papadopoulos and Mr James Gordon All Rights Reserved

Join our host Simeon Thompson as he welcomes Barry Davies, Police Community Support Officer, and Sergeant John Nelson, both from the British Transport Police. Barry brings a personal perspective as a parent of an autistic son and draws on his previous experience working for TFL London Underground in ticket offices, while John shares his journey as an autistic police officer and founder of the National Police Autism Association (NPAA). Barry opens up about his transition from TFL ticket offices to becoming a PCSO when the Oyster card system led to ticket office closures, and how his personal experience with autism through his son has shaped his approach to community policing. He shares real examples of supporting autistic people on the transport network, highlighting how understanding and empathy can transform situations that others might misinterpret as aggressive behavior when the person is actually frightened or overwhelmed. John delves into his career change from IT to policing after volunteering with St. John Ambulance sparked his interest in emergency services. He discusses receiving his autism diagnosis several years into his police career, the challenges of fitting into police culture, and his determination to create support for neurodivergent colleagues. He shares the founding and remarkable growth of the NPAA, which now supports nearly 3,000 members across 48 UK forces, and the evolution of autism acceptance within policing from complete ignorance to growing understanding and acceptance. The conversation explores the importance of proper autism training for officers, the value of resources like police guides, meltdown response materials, and the Met Police's stop and search guide for autistic people. Both guests emphasise how taking time to talk with autistic individuals rather than making assumptions can completely change outcomes, and the crucial difference between viewing autism through a medical lens versus understanding it as neurological diversity. -- National Police Autism Association website: National Police Autism Association (NPAA) John Nelson's email: chair@npaa.org.uk X: https://x.com/npaa_uk Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/npaa.org.uk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-police-autism-association-npaa-uk  Simeon Thompson's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Siimthompson Dr Sophia Christophi's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autistically.sophia Please like, follow and subscribe to our social media channels to support us! It makes a big difference to our small but wonderful Charity. Please also leave us a review (hopefully positive ;) ) on Apple Podcasts - this is a huge help for us. And please consider donating to the London Autism Group Charity if you are enjoying this podcast that we produce and able to (simply go to https://donorbox.org/london-autism-group-charity-donations - thank you!) Our links: London Autism Group Charity website: londonautismgroupcharity.org Facebook page: facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity London Autism Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272747662886046/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lagcharity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagcharity The Autism Podcast is produced by the London Autism Group Charity. Editorial leads - Dr Chris Papadopoulos and Mr James Gordon All Rights Reserved

Join our hosts Simeon Thompson and Dr Sophia Christophi as they welcome Brendan Tighe, an autistic college language professor and autism advocate currently living in Mexico after spending most of his life in the US. Brendan shares his personal journey, including receiving an autism diagnosis at age four but only truly understanding its impact much later in life. He delves into the incredible and challenging legal battle his family undertook against the school system to secure his educational rights, highlighting the crucial support from his trailblazing uncle. Brendan opens up about the complexities of masking, feeling different, and navigating a world where autism was often misunderstood or treated like a "dirty word." He discusses his path from those early struggles to becoming an advocate, finding his own way to learn and thrive – including teaching himself languages – and the importance of self-acceptance, independence, and challenging societal underestimations to achieve his potential. Brendan has also shared his journey in more detail in his recently published Medium.com article, "Breaking the Silence: 33 Years of Autism, Advocacy, and Acceptance.' Links to this article are:  https://medium.com/@bdtighe/breaking-the-silence-33-years-of-autism-advocacy-and-acceptance-85134df6ad77 https://substack.com/inbox/post/159523582  -- Brendan's contact info: Brendan's email address: bdtighe@gmail.com Brendan's instagram: Brendan Tighe (@brendigio) • Instagram photos and videos -- Simeon Thompson's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Siimthompson Dr Sophia Christophi's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autistically.sophia   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please like, follow and subscribe to our social media channels to support us! It makes a big difference to our small but wonderful Charity. Please also leave us a review (hopefully positive ;) ) on Apple Podcasts - this is a huge help for us. And please consider donating to the London Autism Group Charity if you are enjoying this podcast that we produce and able to (simply go to https://donorbox.org/london-autism-group-charity-donations - thank you!) Our links: London Autism Group Charity website: londonautismgroupcharity.org Facebook page: facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity London Autism Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272747662886046/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lagcharity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagcharity The Autism Podcast is produced by the London Autism Group Charity. Editorial leads - Dr Chris Papadopoulos and Mr James Gordon All Rights Reserved.  

In this episode of The Autism Podcast, Simeon Thompson and Dr Sophia Christophi interview Aditi Gangrade, an autistic advocate from Mumbai, India. Together, they discuss Aditi's journey into the world of autism, how autism is viewed and (mis)understood in India, what needs to change to improve understanding and reduce stigma, and the important advocacy work she is doing with her company, Much Much Media. Aditi's social media information are as follows:   Aditi: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aditigangrade_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aditigangrade X: https://x.com/AditiGangrade_   Much Much Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muchmuchspectrum YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MuchMuchMedia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/muchmuchspectrum   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please like, follow and subscribe to our social media channels to support us! It makes a big difference to our small but wonderful Charity. Please also leave us a review (hopefully positive ;) ) on Apple Podcasts - this is a huge help for us. And please consider donating to the London Autism Group Charity if you are enjoying this podcast that we produce and able to (simply go to https://donorbox.org/london-autism-group-charity-donations - thank you!) Our links: London Autism Group Charity website: londonautismgroupcharity.org Facebook page: facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity London Autism Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272747662886046/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lagcharity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagcharity The Autism Podcast is produced by the London Autism Group Charity. All Rights Reserved.  

In this episode of The Autism Podcast, the new co-hosts of the show, Simeon Thompson and Sophia Christophi introduce themselves and explain their respective journeys into their autistic identity including the particular ways  each of them responded to their diagnoses. They also discuss their dedicated, interests, issues around masking and much more! If you're interested in hearing more about Simeon's story, please go to this podcast episode which previously featured Simeon as a guest on the show: Interview with Simeon Thompson about self-acceptance as an autistic person, mental health, approaches to social interaction and more | The Autism Podcast -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please like, follow and subscribe to our social media channels to support us! It makes a big difference to our small but wonderful Charity. Please also leave us a review (hopefully positive ;) ) on Apple Podcasts - this is a huge help for us. And please consider donating to the London Autism Group Charity if you are enjoying this podcast that we produce and able to (simply go to https://donorbox.org/london-autism-group-charity-donations - thank you!) Our links: London Autism Group Charity website: londonautismgroupcharity.org Facebook page: facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity London Autism Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272747662886046/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lagcharity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagcharity The Autism Podcast is produced by the London Autism Group Charity. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode of The Autism Podcast, James Gordon and Chris Papadopoulos interview Toni Borneo, a late diagnosed autistic woman who produces the amazing 'Autistic at 40' podcast! Toni shares her personal journey from childhood to adulthood, the stigma she experienced along the way and the impact this had on her mental health. The episode delves into many issues include employment discrimination, ableism and key pillars of strength that Toni benefitted from to get through the challenges she experienced.   Find Toni on Apple podcasts by searching: Autistic at 40 Toni Borneo   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please like, follow and subscribe to our social media channels to support us! It makes a big difference to our small but wonderful Charity. Please also leave us a review (hopefully positive ;) ) on Apple Podcasts - this is a huge help for us. And please consider donating to the London Autism Group Charity if you are enjoying this podcast that we produce and able to (simply go to https://donorbox.org/london-autism-group-charity-donations - thank you!) Our links: London Autism Group Charity website: londonautismgroupcharity.org Facebook page: facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity London Autism Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272747662886046/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lagcharity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagcharity The Autism Podcast is produced by the London Autism Group Charity. It is hosted by Dr Chris Papadopoulos and Mr James Gordon. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode of The Autism Podcast, James Gordon and Chris Papadopoulos interview autistic advocate and author David Gray-Hammond. David shares his personal journey to getting an autism diagnosis as an adult and how finding the autistic community saved his life. He provides insight into his work on autism and addiction, discussing why self-medication and substance use may be more prevalent among autistic people. David emphasises how trauma and lack of support contribute to negative outcomes, advocating that disability rights are fundamentally human rights. Other key topics include societal barriers faced by autistic individuals, the importance of connectedness and empowerment, and David’s efforts to change narratives through his writing, podcasts, and advocacy. Tune in to hear David's inspirational story and perspectives on creating a more accepting world for autistic and neurodivergent people. If you would like to contact David, then feel free to! His email is david@dghneurodivergentconsultancy.co.uk. You can also access his fantastic blog and gain access to his podcast and details of his fantastic books by going to his website which you can access here: David Gray-Hammond - Emergent Divergence   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please like, follow and subscribe to our social media channels to support us! It makes a big difference to our small but wonderful Charity. Please also leave us a review (hopefully positive ;) ) on Apple Podcasts - this is a huge help for us. And please consider donating to the London Autism Group Charity if you are enjoying this podcast that we produce and able to (simply go to https://donorbox.org/london-autism-group-charity-donations - thank you!) Our links: London Autism Group Charity website: londonautismgroupcharity.org Facebook page: facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity London Autism Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272747662886046/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lagcharity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagcharity The Autism Podcast is produced by the London Autism Group Charity. It is hosted by Dr Chris Papadopoulos and Mr James Gordon. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode of The Autism Podcast, James Gordon and Chris Papadopoulos interview London Autism Group Charity volunteer Simeon Thompson, a British Jamaican autistic man living in London who has been working in the IT industry for many years. Simeon was diagnosed as autistic in 2007 when he was 14 years old, however he denied his diagnosis until 2015 which led to many internal conflicts that impacted upon his uncertainty on how he could fit into society. Today Simeon, who has many interests especially music (rock, rap, R&B, video game music, jazz and more), is passionate about sharing his experiences of learning to self-accept his autistic identity which has been crucial for his mental health. In this episode, Simeon talks about his difficult journey of isolation through school life, how his friends advised him to access counselling which helped him get to a place of self-acceptance and embracing his autistic identity and diagnosis. Simeon also shares some fantastic advice from his own experiences on how to leverage your special interests to practice and sharpen your social interaction skills which in turn can yield more rewards. If you would like to contact Simeon for any advice, then feel free to! His email is simeonthompson214@hotmail.co.uk. He also has a podcast called 'The Inner Link' (Inner Link Podcast (@innerlinkpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos) where he and his friends discuss interesting topics such as society, spirituality, politics, etc.  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please like, follow and subscribe to our social media channels to support us! It makes a big difference to our small but wonderful Charity. Please also leave us a review (hopefully positive ;) ) on Apple Podcasts - this is a huge help for us. And please consider donating to the London Autism Group Charity if you are enjoying this podcast that we produce and able to (simply go to https://donorbox.org/london-autism-group-charity-donations - thank you!) Our links: London Autism Group Charity website: londonautismgroupcharity.org Facebook page: facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity London Autism Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272747662886046/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lagcharity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagcharity The Autism Podcast is produced by the London Autism Group Charity. It is hosted by Dr Chris Papadopoulos and Mr James Gordon. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode of The Autism Podcast, James Gordon and Chris Papadopoulos interview Tess Eagle Swan, an autistic expert in assistance/service animals and also the proud owner of the world famous rescue dog, Kratu, the star of the 'Incredible Kratu' book. Tess opens about her 'autism journey' including her childhood experiences, her connection with animals (particularly Kratu), her struggles with relationships, mental health and substances, and provides her advice on how to think about service animals and what to do if you are in need of one. Tess is very happy for anyone to contact her if you have any questions after listening to this. You can contact her through her LinkedIn page which is https://www.linkedin.com/in/tess-e-22b94a1a2/. Tess recommends the following organisations and people if you are interested in exploring whether a service animal is right for you and your family: - Dogs For Autism | UK's first charity exclusively providing Autism Assistance dogs -Dogs for Good - Who we are - Assistance Dogs - Charity - UK - UK Owner Trained Assistance Dogs Campaign for Change | Facebook - Animal Behaviourist & Canine Specialist | About | Kirsten Dillon - ASSISTANCE DOG SUPPORT GROUP | Facebook -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please like, follow and subscribe to our social media channels to support us! It makes a big difference to our small but wonderful Charity. Please also leave us a review (hopefully positive ;) ) on Apple Podcasts - this is a huge help for us. And please consider donating to the London Autism Group Charity if you are enjoying this podcast that we produce and able to (simply go to https://donorbox.org/london-autism-group-charity-donations - thank you!) Our links: London Autism Group Charity website: londonautismgroupcharity.org Facebook page: facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity London Autism Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272747662886046/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lagcharity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagcharity The Autism Podcast is produced by the London Autism Group Charity. It is hosted by Dr Chris Papadopoulos and Mr James Gordon. All Rights Reserved.

In Season 2, episode 20 of The Autism Podcast, James Gordon and Chris Papadopoulos interview Jenny Teuten about her experiences as a sibling and carer to her autistic brother with learning difficulties. Jenny opens up about the challenges she's faced over the years including how social stigma and misconceptions have impacted her and her family's life, how her childhood made her a more resilient and empathic person, the type of relationship she has with her brother now and her hopes for the future. She also outlines her main advice for other siblings in similar circumstances including the importance of challenging opinions that don't sit right with you and accessing support such as she has found with the London Autism Group Charity's monthly siblings support group.  Jenny is very happy for anyone to contact her if you have any questions after listening to this. Her email address is hello@teutenhealing.com. ---- Please like, follow and subscribe to our social media channels to support us! It makes a big difference to our small but wonderful Charity. Please also leave us a review (hopefully positive ;) ) on Apple Podcasts - this is a huge help for us. And please consider donating to the London Autism Group Charity if you are enjoying this podcast that we produce and able to (simply go to facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity and click on the blue donate button - thank you!) Our links: London Autism Group Charity website: londonautismgroupcharity.org Facebook page: facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity London Autism Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272747662886046/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lagcharity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagcharity The Autism Podcast is produced by the London Autism Group Charity. It is hosted by Dr Chris Papadopoulos and Mr James Gordon. All Rights Reserved.

In Season 2, episode 19 of The Autism Podcast, James Gordon and Chris Papadopoulos interview Emily from @21andsensory! Emily is an autistic adult who several years ago developed the @21andsensory blog (https://21andsensory.wordpress.com/) with the aim of educating and supporting people (and adults in particular) with sensory processing difficulties. Today, she runs a fantastic and very influential set of social media accounts (https://www.instagram.com/21andsensory/ , https://twitter.com/21andsensory, https://www.youtube.com/c/21andsensory) which focus on sensory related issues. She also produces her own podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/76SifuR4fKLPldkaOcH693) which we are also excited to be featured within during at upcoming episode! During the podcast, we discuss her journey towards diagnosis, and explore the many challenges and successes that she experienced along the way. This includes the challenges of schooling including the lack of support and understanding she received, the lasting toll this has had on her mental health, the misunderstanding as well as positive support from different professionals she has encountered, and the need for appropriate autistic-led mental health services. We also discuss her views on sensory processing issues including its stigma and misunderstanding, the need for normalisation and the challenges but importance of building sensory spaces (the latter of which is the focus of a research project called 'Sensory Street' that Emily is involved with: https://twitter.com/sensory_street).   Our links: London Autism Group Charity website: londonautismgroupcharity.org Facebook page: facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity London Autism Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272747662886046/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lagcharity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagcharity Please like, follow and subscribe to our social media channels to support us! It makes a big difference to our charity. Please also leave us a review (hopefully positive ;) ) on Apple Podcasts - this is a huge help for us. And please consider donating to the London Autism Group Charity if you are enjoying this podcast that we produce and able to (simply go to facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity and click on the blue donate button - thank you!) The Autism Podcast is produced by the London Autism Group Charity. It is hosted by Dr Chris Papadopoulos and Mr James Gordon. All Rights Reserved.

In Season 2, episode 18 of The Autism Podcast, James Gordon and Chris Papadopoulos interview Ginny Grant, an autistic advocate who is writer, editor and communications manager at Reframing Autism, an Australian based organisation run by and for Autistic people and their families and allies, who celebrate and nurture autistic identity. We discuss Ginny's journey towards her late autism diagnosis, the mission of Reframing Autism, her challenges and experiences with mental health including post-natal depression, OCD and eating disorders (and how the latter two inter-connected), and her views about why autistic people might be more vulnerable to eating disorders.    Links Ginny's Twitter: https://twitter.com/virginialgrant  Reframing Autism Twitter: https://twitter.com/ReframingAutism Ginny's article title "Atypical anorexia: Facing an eating disorder, Autistically" - https://www.reframingautism.org.au/atypical-anorexia-facing-an-eating-disorder-autistically/ London Autism Group Charity website: londonautismgroupcharity.org Facebook page: facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity London Autism Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272747662886046/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lagcharity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagcharity Please like, follow and subscribe to our social media channels to support us! It makes a big difference to our charity. Please also leave us a review (hopefully positive ;) ) on Apple Podcasts - this is a huge help for us. And please consider donating to the London Autism Group Charity if you are enjoying this podcast that we produce and able to (simply go to facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity and click on the blue donate button - thank you!) The Autism Podcast is produced by the London Autism Group Charity. It is hosted by Dr Chris Papadopoulos and Mr James Gordon. All Rights Reserved.

In Season 2, episode 17 of The Autism Podcast, James Gordon and Chris Papadopoulos interview Alan Morrison, an autistic man with rich insight and experience of the challenges and problems of the schooling and educational system for neurodivergent people. Alan talks about his childhood, the difficulties of school before he found teachers that inspired him, like the sociologist Michael Haralambos, who were rare and invaluable voices in the promotion of individuality, difference and diversity. Alan also talks about the story of his younger autistic brother and his educational transformation, how current curriculum and approaches still stifle individuality, and ideas and philosophies that could better promote diversity in today's schooling environments. We also talk about the unconscious moral mind, internal autistic honesty and the challenges of being assertive when integrity is being questioned.  Please note that Alan also sent us a powerful story about an autistic boy he worked with during his teacher training. You can find a recording of this story, which is just a few minutes long and well worth also listening to, here: The Maze Story   Links Alan's email address (he'd love to hear from you!): aj3morrison@yahoo.co.uk Alan's Twitter: https://twitter.com/aj3morrison   London Autism Group Charity website: londonautismgroupcharity.org Facebook page: facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity London Autism Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272747662886046/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lagcharity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagcharity Please like, follow and subscribe to our social media channels to support us! It makes a big difference to our charity. Please also leave us a review (hopefully positive ;) ) on Apple Podcasts - this is a huge help for us. And please consider donating to the London Autism Group Charity if you are enjoying this podcast that we produce and able to (simply go to facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity and click on the blue donate button - thank you!) The Autism Podcast is produced by the London Autism Group Charity. It is hosted by Dr Chris Papadopoulos and Mr James Gordon. All Rights Reserved.

In Season 2, Episode 16 of The Autism Podcast, James Gordon and Tigger Pritchard (our special guest podcast interviewer!) interview Kirsty Pellow, who is herself neurodivergent, a carer to two boys with different needs, a SEND support worker and advocate. We hear from Kirsty Pellow, and follow the steps of her own personal experiences learning about autism. She tells us about her journey as a carer, and how she learnt to trust her own instincts as a parent over the dismissal and denial of others. Searching for knowledge to help her son, this led to her pushing to get her son a referral for autism diagnosis, based upon the fascinating differences that he displayed and his various care needs. Kirsty also describes her battles with the Local Authority to have her son’s educational needs met, her hard won successes, and the resulting high cost to her mental health. Kirsty explains her decision to Home Educate her son for a time, in order to address his co-occurring needs, and the way this better prepared him for school education in the long run. Also discussed is the sense of duty she felt to support other parents in winning SEND provision for their autistic children, and taking on an official role as a support worker. Finally Kirsty reflects upon learning about her own neurodivergence, the value of self-love and self-care.   Links Kirsty's twitter: https://twitter.com/kirstypellow87 London Autism Group Charity website: londonautismgroupcharity.org Facebook page: facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity London Autism Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272747662886046/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lagcharity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagcharity Please like, follow and subscribe to our social media channels to support us! It makes a big difference to our charity. Please also leave us a review (hopefully positive ;) ) on Apple Podcasts - this is a huge help for us. And please consider donating to the London Autism Group Charity if you are enjoying this podcast that we produce and able to (simply go to facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity and click on the blue donate button - thank you!) The Autism Podcast is produced by the London Autism Group Charity. It is hosted by Dr Chris Papadopoulos and Mr James Gordon. All Rights Reserved.