In this week's conversation, Donna Brendel (USA) introduces and interviews her friend from across the globe,  @orionkelly  Orion Kelly (Australia), a content creator, podcaster, author, and advocate for autism. They have a blast discussing their friendship, their experiences with autism, and the importance of sharing their stories. They also talk about their respective books and the challenges of writing and publishing. The conversation touches on themes of identity, resilience, and the power of connection. Have a laugh along with them, it's good for you!

Coming up next week in Part 2...
In this part of the conversation, Orion and Donna will discuss the importance of having lived experience voices in parenting and the workforce. They emphasize the need for autistic individuals to be involved in helping parents raise their autistic children and in providing insights to professionals in various fields. They also highlight the significance of understanding and accommodating autistic individuals in settings such as criminal justice, mental health, healthcare, and employment. Orion shares his perspective on how autistic people can offer unique insights and contribute to better outcomes. They also touch on the topic of social interactions and how autistic individuals may have different default greetings and reactions to new people.

Coming up in two weeks in Part 3...
In this part of the conversation, Donna and Orion will discuss how autism affects individuals physically, including the impact on self-care and the tendency to forget basic needs. They also explore the challenges of explaining special interests versus hobbies and the importance of understanding and acceptance from family and friends. The conversation highlights the need for increased awareness and understanding of autism's physical manifestations and the importance of advocating for better nutrition and overall well-being.

Coming up sometime in the future...
Donna and Orion have barely scratched the surface of Orion's book. They have so much more to talk about, so watch for their next AFChLAG later this year... Autistic Friends Chatting & Laughing Around the Globe, that is...

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Friendship
01:39 Discovering Autism and Parenting
03:26 The Power of Sharing Personal Stories
07:31 Navigating the Challenges of Writing and Publishing
12:08 Building Resilience and Finding Connection