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 return from a brief hiatus to welcome Ryan Parker, a wildlife conservationist, animal behaviourist, safari guide, and the founder of the foundation, Save the Animals, Save the World. In this episode, Ryan shares his lifelong, innate connection to the natural world. Describing his early years mimicking animal movements and sounds, he explains how he intuitively "reads" ecosystems and feels a profound, almost electric connection to wildlife. The conversation explores how humans, despite our modern societal structures, remain a part of the natural order with deeply ingrained - though often ignored - survival instincts. Much of the discussion focuses on the harsh realities of animal rescue and the exotic pet trade. Ryan unpacks the frustrating "Disneyfication" of wildlife, where people expect animals to act like cartoon characters and often treat exotic pets as status symbols rather than living beings. He shares incredible stories from his career, ranging from a close encounter with a 15-foot Nile crocodile and a curious sand tiger shark named Betty, to rescuing a baby herring gull from a shop roof. The hosts and Ryan also dive into his wonderful work bringing rescued exotic animals - like snakes, tarantulas, and his Dalmatian, Bellatrix - to the London Autism Group Charity’s community cafes. Ryan reveals why neurodivergent individuals often form much stronger, more genuine connections with animals compared to neurotypical crowds. They discuss how the absence of complex human social rules and the pure, non-judgmental nature of animals create a safe space for autistic individuals to drop their guard. Finally, the trio emphasises the vital importance of "grounding" and stepping away from technology to be truly present in the imperfect beauty of the natural world. This episode offers a profoundly unique perspective on our place within the ecosystem. Ryan’s passion, raw honesty, and unyielding respect for all life - from leopards to snails - provide a powerful reminder to disconnect from our screens and reconnect with our roots. Whether you are an animal lover, seeking ways to feel more present, or looking for a space free of human judgment, this conversation is an essential listen. Recommended Resources & Mentions: Save the Animals, Save the World: Ryan Parker's wildlife conservation and rescue foundation. Voices of Neurodiversity: An Inclusive Encyclopedia by Chris Papadopoulos: A great read for autistic individuals and parents wanting to understand neurodivergent terminology. London Autism Group Charity Community Cafes: The drop-in hubs mentioned in the episode where neurodivergent people can be themselves, and where Ryan frequently brings his rescued animals. Find out more at: londonautismgroupcharity.org 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 Guided Neurons: Simeon's personal YouTube channel dedicated to self-understanding and autistic insights: https://www.youtube.com/@GuidedNeurons 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/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/london-autism-group-charity 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