Category: Autistic Experience

Exploring the Intersection of Autism and Non-monogamy

July 8, 2023

Admin Update, Autism Sex and Sexual Health, Autistic Experience

Season 3, episode 1 is here: Exploring the Intersection of Autism and Non-Monogamy

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.

For transcripts, go to The Other Autism on Buzzsprout, click on an episode and then click on “Transcript” to the right of “Show Notes”.

If you’d like to know more about this topic, check out:

“Neurodiversity and Relationship Variation: Why Some With Autism or ADHD Are Drawn to Consensual Nonmonogamy and/or BDSM” by Elisabeth A. Sheff

“Polyamory vs. an Open Relationship: What’s the Difference?” by Emma Singer

“An Exploration of Why Autistic Adults Are Practicing Consensual Non-Monogamy” by Janet Walsh and Mark Stokes

“I’m Autistic and Polyamorous. Here’s Why It Works for Me” by Leanne Yau

The Letters of Abelard and Heloise translated by Betty Radice

Transcript

Kristen: 1:06

Hello and welcome to season three!
(more…)
Bereavement and Losing the Ability to Mask With Cat

May 12, 2023

After Autism Diagnosis, Autistic Experience, Female Autism Phenotype, Interview With An Autistic Person
Season 2, episode 13 is here: Bereavement and Losing the Ability to Mask with Cat

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.

If you’d like to know more about this topic, check out:

Strong Female Character by Fern Brady

“Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)” —Cleveland Clinic

The Book of Woe: The DSM and the Unmaking of Psychiatry by Gary Greenberg

“In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)” —Mayo Clinic

“The Polyvagal Theory: New Insights Into Adaptive Reactions of the Autonomic Nervous System” by Stephen W. Porges

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Jennifer Dodd, an ‘AuDHDer’ and Therapist

May 12, 2023

Autism and Co-Occurring Conditions, Autistic Experience, Interview With An Autistic Person, Late-Diagnosed Autism
Season 2, episode 12 is here: Jennifer Dodd, an ‘AuDHDer’ and Therapist

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 sense, and more.

Check out Jennifer’s website: Embodied Life Therapy Center

And her Instagram accounts:
- Jennifer Dodd
- Embodied Life Therapy Center
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I Was Diagnosed Autistic… Now What?

April 10, 2023

After Autism Diagnosis, Autism Diagnosis, Autistic Experience, Late-Diagnosed Autism
Season two, episode 10 is here: I Was Diagnosed Autistic… Now What?

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 diagnosis
- My experiences following my own autism diagnosis in my 30s
- Recent research documenting women’s experiences of increased self-compassion following autism diagnosis in adulthood
- My suggestions for the time following your autism diagnosis
If you’d like to know more about this topic, check out:

“Autism Diagnosis in the United Kingdom: Perspectives of Autistic Adults, Parents and Professionals” by Laura Crane et al.

“Exploring the Experience of Seeking an Autism Diagnosis as an Adult” by Matthew de Broize et al.

“‘Anything But the Phone!’: Communication Mode Preferences in the Autism Community” by Philippa Howard and Felicity Sedgewick

“Autistic Women’s Experiences of Self-Compassion After Receiving Their Diagnosis in Adulthood” by Rosemarie Wilson et al.

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Heath Wilder, ‘Autigender’, and Autistic Empathy

March 26, 2023

Adult Autism, Autistic Experience, Interview With An Autistic Person, Late-Diagnosed Autism
Pictured: Heath Wilder in San Francisco, blissfully hanging off the side of a cable car, 2022.

Season two, episode nine is here: Heath Wilder, ‘Autigender’, and Autistic Empathy

Heath Wilder is the Director of Customer Experience at the Sydney Theatre Company in Sydney, Australia (Gadigal lands), 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 journey in the performing arts

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Nicola Rowan-Brooks and Late Autism Diagnosis at 55

February 22, 2023

Adult Autism, Autistic Experience, Interview With An Autistic Person, Late-Diagnosed Autism
Pictured: Nicola Rowan-Brooks at 21 when she graduated from Durham University in 1989.

Season two, episode six is here: Nicola Rowan-Brooks and Late Autism Diagnosis at 55

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 this topic, check out:

“Girls and Women and Autism: What’s the Difference?” [YouTube video] by Sarah Hendrickx

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Category: Autistic Experience

Exploring the Intersection of Autism and Non-monogamy

Transcript

Bereavement and Losing the Ability to Mask With Cat

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Jennifer Dodd, an ‘AuDHDer’ and Therapist

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I Was Diagnosed Autistic… Now What?

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Heath Wilder, ‘Autigender’, and Autistic Empathy

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Nicola Rowan-Brooks and Late Autism Diagnosis at 55

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