Is the study ethical or an attempt at eugenics? Do autistic people feel empathy? How is autism different to psychopathy? Professor Simon Baron-Cohen releases the Spectrum 10k on the Thoughty Auti Podcast - The largest study EVER in the UK! Funded by the Welcome Trust, the study aims to add to the international effort to identify autism-related genes. Severe mental health, suicidality, bullying and social isolation are all too common in autistic people. This research may help isolate the genetic and life-experience factors from each other - allowing scientists to push policy-makers for better support systems and inclusion for autistic people. Learn more at - www.autismresearchcentre.com In this episode of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas Henley talks to Professor Simon Baron-Cohen - Director of the Cambridge Autism Research Centre and Professor of Developmental Psychopathology. The recent book 'The Pattern Seekers: A New Theory of Human Invention' is one of many published works Baron-Cohen has written on autism. In 1995, he formulated The Theory Of Mind theory of autism, and in 1997 he published the Prenatal Sex Steroid Theory of autism. Simon and Thomas start off their chat with a dive into the reasons behind the Spectrum 10k, addressing the common fears around genetic research. They also touch on Simon's background and reasons for studying autism, before addressing the two general types of autism research - Causes & Applied research. Empathy is a hot topic for anyone interested in autism. Simon explains the difference between Cognitive Empathy and Affective Empathy, highlighting the common misconceptions around it. Thomas draws on his teaching experience and his own life to give his personal take on empathy in autistic people. The Professor describes his concepts of empathising and systemising from his view as an autism-researcher, noting that autistic people tend to fall into 2 main brain-types: Type S or Type Extreme S. Furthermore, the two point to natural selection as a possible source of autism genes... due to the notable strengths in innovation. The E-S Theory has received heavy criticism due to pointing out the average sex differences in the brain types, described as Neurogendering or discriminatory in nature by some feminist groups. Thomas notes the importance of separating the social from the science, and Simon explains his stance on this criticism. If you have an exciting or interesting story and want to appear on the next podcast, please contact me at: aspergersgrowth@gmail.com Simon's Links:- Twitter - https://twitter.com/sbaroncohen TEDX Empathy Talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXcU8x_xK18 The Pattern Seekers Talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68mGRb-Mzjc ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Support via Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/aspergersgrowth Social Media ♥ ☼ Facebook - Aspergers Growth ☼ Twitter/Instagram - @aspergersgrowth ♫ Track: [Chill Music] Ikson - Reverie [No Copyright Music]

Thoughty Auti - The Autism & Mental Health Podcast

The Spectrum 10k - Autism, Empathy & The Theory Of Mind w/ Professor Simon Baron-Cohen

What journey did Steve go on when writing Neurotribes? How was autism first developed? What is the Geek Syndrome? In this episode of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas Henley is joined by Steve Silberman to talk about the history and future of autism - Steve is a multi-award winning writer, former writer for Wired and Ally Of The Year award winner for his contributions to the autistic community! They start of the podcast talking about two authors Steve had involvement with during the development stages of their books - Alex Riley in A Cure For Darkness & Dara McAnulty in Diary Of A Young Naturalist - and the background to these standout writers. With the daunting reality of COVID-19, Steve highlights the sly endorsements of eugenics during the pandemic, further exploring the affect COVID has had on the autistic people. In a welcome discussion, the two talk about the recent topic of self diagnosis and Steve’s recent award... the Samuel Johnson Prize. Steve started his research into autism following a tech giant cruise across the Alaskan Panhandle where he met the renowned Larry Wall, the inventor of the innovative programming language PERL. In an investigative piece ‘The Geek Syndrome’ Steve ignored the ramblings of scared parents around the ‘epidemic of autism’ in Silicon Valley, pressing on to look at the strengths demonstrated by autistic tech entrepreneurs. Steve became obsessed with autism and its complex history, pouring his heart, soul and money into the formation of Neurotribes. Highlighting the misconceptions around the conceptualisation of Aspergers Syndrome and the little known past of Asperger’s Jewish colleagues, the two delve into the developments that may lie in the future. Thank you so much if you’ve listened through all the episodes; it’s been an amazing season and I’m definitely looking forward to bring you an even better season... very soon! If you have an exciting or interesting story and want to appear on the next season, please contact me at: aspergersgrowth@gmail.com Steve's Links:- Twitter -  https://twitter.com/stevesilberman?s=21 Buy Neurotribes - https://www.amazon.co.uk/NeuroTribes-Legacy-Autism-Smarter-Differently/dp/1760113638 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Website - https://www.thomashenley.co.uk ♫ THOUGHTY AUTI PODCAST Get it on Spotify free here - https://open.spotify.com/show/6vjXgCB7Q3FwtQ2YqPjnEV FOLLOW ME On Social Media ♥ - ☼ Facebook - Aspergers Growth ☼ Twitter - @aspergersgrowth ☼ Instagram - @aspergersgrowth Support via Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/aspergersgrowth

Neurotribes - The History & Future Of Autism w/ Steve Silberman

Are Autistic people more at risk for Drug Addiction? What is Crystal Methamphetamine withdrawal like? Which factors can help addicts live a life of sobriety?   (18+ Trigger Warning - Talk about drugs and physical abuse) In this episode of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas Henley talks to Francesca from @Neurodivergent FranchFries - an autistic creator on YouTube and Instagram, as well as the owner of the clothing brand SickForTrees. Francesca kicks us off the podcast by telling us about her Youtube channel and the difficulties she faced during COVID-19. Snowboarding is something that has transformed her life, giving her a more healthy outlet for stress; she shares her many exciting stories on getting into the sport!  Despite its location and situation near the USA, Mexico remains an area with little scientific development and low autism awareness. Diagnosed with ADHD and Aspergers Syndrome (Autism/ASD-1), she was seen as a problem child by her father; her difficulties with social communication left her depressed and a big target for bullies. When her parents left for the USA, she was left for weeks in Mexico where she sought housing at a local drug dealers home - once in the USA she faced workplace discrimination and a lower quality of life due to the poor support/education systems in place.  With her unstable family relations, Francesca flicked a switch and started experimenting with drugs. Tobacco, alcohol, Marijuana, Cocaine, and her drug of choice... Crystal Methamphetamine. Francesca highlights that her addiction was likely a consequence of poor relations with her father and her difficulties with socialising - drug use opened up a gateway to feel valued in a group, an experience shared by the other 'social rejects' in the drug circle. Withdrawals hit hard, self-esteem drastically diminished, and she knew that something needed to be done. Recovery came slow, but these factors helped her get out of that dark place: Changing her mindset on social interaction, ditching toxic friend groups, finding a new a hobby, setting-up her own business, and most importantly... feeling loved and valued by her close peers. I know this is a little different to my usual podcast, and I'm taking a risk talking about such a controversial topic. This video took many hours to edit and perfect, so any support is massively appreciated! If you have an exciting or interesting story and want to appear on the next podcast, please contact me at: aspergersgrowth@gmail.com   Francesca's Links:- https://linktr.ee/Aspiefranchfries    ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬   Website - https://www.thomashenley.co.uk   ♫ THOUGHTY AUTI PODCAST Get it on Spotify free here - https://open.spotify.com/show/6vjXgCB7Q3FwtQ2YqPjnEV   FOLLOW ME On Social Media ♥ -  ☼ Facebook - Aspergers Growth  ☼ Twitter - @aspergersgrowth ☼ Instagram - @aspergersgrowth Support via Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/aspergersgrowth

Battling Crystal Methamphetamine Addiction & Homelessness - One Autistic Woman's Journey w/ Neurodivergent FranchFries

How do you improve your relationship with autism? What does self acceptance feel like? What is autism acceptance like across cultures? In this episode of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas Henley talks to Dr. Mordehai Benhamou - a researcher and lecturer at the Israeli Autism Research Center. The Jerusalem based pioneer in autism advocacy, Mordi is somewhat of a celebrity in his country for his appearances on Israeli TV. With his #1 bestselling book ‘Autism, Falafel And Rock & Roll’ topping the charts in Israeli, he continues to have an impact the lives of neurotypicals and autistic people alike. Mordi shares his experiences in France, Israel and Algeria, noting that autistic people in Israel are perceived as the “closest human beings to God”. The Israeli army have also been recruiting autistic people in the Intelligence Services due to their special skills. In France, Neurodiverse individuals are held as disabled or more ironically... a Charlatan. Being a man of science, Dr. Benhamou explains the positive and negative consequences of integrating science into every area of his life; Sociology and Psychology being areas that both improved his understanding of the world, but also contributed to masking. He didn’t give himself space to explore his autistic self. Mordi’s journey of self-acceptance started at a cross road. On one hand he could keep blaming others for his unhappiness, and on the other he could take responsibility for his own development. Through his Psychologist Efrat, his eyes were opened by her willingness to accept her flaws. She taught him how to do the same. Perhaps the hardest challenge to overcome is yourself. Building that sense of confidence from the inside-out is a difficult feat, but especially when you mask and hide your true nature from the world. To be someone else is to become a pale copy of them. “You can learn and imitate, but one day like Oedipus you must kill your father” Mordi recognises that personal development is often based on the examples of others, but you may only be free when you develop your own brand. Honesty with the world and yourself is the core message behind this episode, so sit back and enjoy a conversation between these two inspirational men! If you have an exciting or interesting story and want to appear on the next podcast, please contact me at: aspergersgrowth@gmail.com Mordi's Links:- Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Autism-Falafel-Rock-Roll-atypical-ebook/dp/B089ZZMMGM YouTube - https://youtube.com/c/TheAutisticGuitarist ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Website - https://www.thomashenley.co.uk ♫ THOUGHTY AUTI PODCAST Get it on Spotify free here - https://open.spotify.com/show/6vjXgCB7Q3FwtQ2YqPjnEV FOLLOW ME On Social Media ♥ - ☼ Facebook - Aspergers Growth ☼ Twitter - @aspergersgrowth ☼ Instagram - @aspergersgrowth

Israeli Celebrity Talks Autism - Embracing Autism Acceptance For Happiness w/ Dr Mordehai Benhamou

Is social media healthy for autistic people? What is life like for autistic creators? What platforms are the most positive or toxic? How can you manage your social media use? In this episode of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas Henley talks to Andy from the Indie Andy YouTube channel - a great example of a channel for the community, from the community. Andy uses his own experiences to create informative videos about autism, and to work with organisations that raise public awareness. Kicking off the chat, Andy tells us about the 1st episode of ‘The Unmasked Podcast’ where he talked to Connor Ward about the creator:viewer divide. He shares his high school experience of being bullied and struggling to find a suitable school. In a more positive spin, they both highlight the importance of lived experience in driving their advocacy work. Although the creator experience is a positive story, it presented an array of challenges and hurdles for the two to overcome. Getting that work:balance is hard when media work isn’t your only responsibility! Since its inception, certain platforms been criticised by the press for being an envy-mongering, narcissistically-driven, and attention-sapping machine of malice. Concepts like FOMO become common place in a world that is based on perfectly polished snapshots and rosy coloured life biographies. The animosity and reactivity found in other sites can provide an easy avenue for people to enact their darkest intentions. Social media opens many doors for autistic people, but it can also be a force of negativity and hate. In this digital age, It’s hard to neglect the impact social media has had on the lives of many individuals. At the epitome of social media’s positive reach, platforms allow lonely and isolated people to connect with those out of their local vicinity. Communities create informative, wholesome and collaborative pieces of work to improve autism awareness and add to the ever growing body of experiential knowledge. These resources offer a new path to self-discovery, and on a more individual note, a method of distraction to cope with the stressors of everyday life. Whether it’s expanding your exposure to a variety of opinions, tactical unfollowing, turning off notifications or taking a more personal approach to messaging... there is surely something for YOU in this podcast! If you have an exciting or interesting story and want to appear on the next podcast, please contact me at: aspergersgrowth@gmail.com Andy' Links:- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/indieandyuk/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/IndieAndy Podcast - https://anchor.fm/theunmaskedpodcast ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Support via Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/aspergersgrowth Social Media ♥ ☼ Facebook - Aspergers Growth ☼ Twitter/Instagram - @aspergersgrowth ♫ Track: [Chill Music] Ikson - Reverie [No Copyright Music]

Perils And Pleasures Of Social Media - Escaping To The Digital World With Indie Andy

This episode dives into many different popular topics of diversity:- Extroversion/Introversion, co-morbidities, special interests/innate abilities, sensory profiles, and empathy! In this episode of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas Henley talks to Jesslyn from the Holistic Autistic YouTube channel - she has a community-focussed website which aids in the education of Neurodiversity, and provides a platform for self-diagnosed and late-diagnosed autistic people to connect together. With the creation of her NEW book 'I Think I'm Autistic' Jess strives to improve the accessibility of autism-related info to teenagers and adults. In a bid to understand the mainstream confusion around CBD, Thomas and Stacey get things started by talking about the many CBD products available in the UK market. With products ranging (but not limited to)CBD pillowcases, CBD vape pens, CBD energy drinks, CBD capsules, CBD skin cream and CBD oil drops...  The introversion:extroversion concept is riddled with misconception, and at this time it's difficult to put autistic people into either category. Self-regulation and sensory aspects make most inclined to the introverted existence, but many flourish in social situations in the right mental state. With little research it's hard to pinpoint the environmental and biological significance in the development of cooccurring conditions. Why do these conditions get diagnosed before autism? The better question is... is there anything that isn't co-morbid with autism? Special interests, although patronising in classification, differ more greatly in between each individual than most could theorise. In general, innate abilities differ vastly from person to person, and there is massive variety between the God-given skills of people on the spectrum. Autistic people even have a few remarkably interesting social skills of their own. Sensory profiles and differences, although well documented, prove to boggle even the most experienced Aspie-Nauts. Hypo, hyper, seeking and avoiding. It sounds simple, but there are many nuisances we fail to pinpoint! Have you ever taken a sociopath test? Theory Of Mind and popular belief has caused many to question whether autistic people feel empathy! Can autistic people be empathetic, and what significance do Cross-Cognitive Differences hold? If you have an exciting or interesting story and want to appear on the next podcast, please contact me at: aspergersgrowth@gmail.com Jess' Links:- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/holisticautistic/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/HolisticAutistic Website - https://holisticautistic.weebly.com/#/ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Support via Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/aspergersgrowth Social Media ♥ ☼ Facebook - Aspergers Growth ☼ Twitter/Instagram - @aspergersgrowth ♫ Track: [Chill Music] Ikson - Reverie [No Copyright Music]

Diversity In Autism - The Many Facets Of Neurodiversity w/Holistic Autistic

What are the benefits of CBD for autistic people? Can CBD replace alcohol at social events? How do you know if a CBD product is safe and trustworthy? What are the side effects of CBD? Can CBD interact with medication? In this episode of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas Henley talks to Stacey  - The founder of the start-up CBD company Planthaya and previous social worker at FUSION - a service that helps incorporate autistic adolescents into mainstream provisions In a bid to understand the mainstream confusion around CBD, Thomas and Stacey get things started by talking about the many CBD products available in the UK market. With products ranging from (but not limited to): CBD pillowcases, CBD vape pens, CBD energy drinks, CBD capsules, CBD skin cream and CBD oil drops... understanding what products will benefit you can be exceptionally tricky for newcomers! Kicking off the CBD discussion, they discuss the difference between CBD (Cannabidiol) and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). Stacey highlights that whilst THC produces the 'high' feeling associated with marijuana, CBD creates an absence of feeling - for example, THC can produce euphoria and relaxation, but CBD can reduce feelings of stress/anxiety.  Although they don't dismiss the medical benefits of THC, it has been implicated in exacerbating tendencies towards paranoia and schizophrenia, as well as creating dependency among susceptible individuals. CBD on the other hand, has numerous studies that demonstrates its safety in treating many anxiety, sleep, pain and inflammatory disorders - although not without downsides. The endocannabinoid system is a very real part of human biology; with CBD1 receptors in the central nervous system (brain/spinal cord) and CBD2 receptors in the periphery (skin, immune system and organs), it's hard not to see promise in the medical use of cannabinoids. CBD is a food supplement, but don't dismiss its strong effects on the body. Getting down into the meat of the podcast, the benefits and drawbacks of CBD for autistic people was a hot topic of conversation. Thomas hails CBD as an effective replacement to benzodiazepines and alcohol for his anxiety, and Stacey dives into the many ways CBD can help social anxiety, sleep quality and GI tract disorders - things common too many autistic people. How do read a Certificate of Analysis, what's the difference between isolate, broad-spectrum and full-spectrum, what dose of CBD is right for you, and can CBD be used to manage mental health disorders? In March 2021 the UK will give CBD the 'Novel Food License' to help with its regulation, so although the UK is decades behind many US states in terms of policies, there is a lot of promise in the future of CBD! If you have an exciting or interesting story and want to appear on the next podcast, please contact me at: aspergersgrowth@gmail.com Staceys Links:- Website - https://planthaya.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/planthaya/ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Support via Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/aspergersgrowth Social Media ♥ ☼ Facebook - Aspergers Growth ☼ Twitter/Instagram - @aspergersgrowth ♫ Track: [Chill Music] Ikson - Reverie [No Copyright Music]

CBD And Autism In Adults - Snake Oil or Salvation? w/Planthaya

This episode dives into many different popular topics of diversity:- Extroversion/Introversion, co-morbidities, special interests/innate abilities, sensory profiles, and empathy! In this episode of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas Henley talks to Jesslyn from the Holistic Autistic YouTube channel - she has a community-focussed website which aids in the education of Neurodiversity, and provides a platform for self-diagnosed and late-diagnosed autistic people to connect together. With the creation of her NEW book 'I Think I'm Autistic' Jess strives to improve the accessibility of autism-related info to teenagers and adults. In a fitting start to the podcast, Thomas and Jess discuss the painful process of 'finding your personality', touching on Professor Tony Attwood's concept of Constructive Adaptation in a bid to explain/understand the many phases of their own lives. The introversion:extroversion concept is riddled with misconception, and at this time it's difficult to put autistic people into either category. Self-regulation and sensory aspects make most inclined to the introverted existence, but many flourish in social situations in the right mental state. With little research it's hard to pinpoint the environmental and biological significance in the development of cooccurring conditions. Why do these conditions get diagnosed before autism? The better question is... is there anything that isn't co-morbid with autism? Special interests, although patronising in classification, differ more greatly in between each individual than most could theorise. In general, innate abilities differ vastly from person to person, and there is massive variety between the God-given skills of people on the spectrum. Autistic people even have a few remarkably interesting social skills of their own. Sensory profiles and differences, although well documented, prove to boggle even the most experienced Aspie-Nauts. Hypo, hyper, seeking and avoiding. It sounds simple, but there are many nuisances we fail to pinpoint! Have you ever taken a sociopath test? Theory Of Mind and popular belief has caused many to question whether autistic people feel empathy! Can autistic people be empathetic, and what significance do Cross-Cognitive Differences hold? If you have an exciting or interesting story and want to appear on the next podcast, please contact me at: aspergersgrowth@gmail.com Jess' Links:- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/holisticautistic/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/HolisticAutistic Website - https://holisticautistic.weebly.com/#/ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Support via Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/aspergersgrowth Social Media ♥ ☼ Facebook - Aspergers Growth ☼ Twitter/Instagram - @aspergersgrowth ♫ Track: [Chill Music] Ikson - Reverie [No Copyright Music]

Does autistic masking translate to acting? Can an autistic person survive in the acting world? What is the 'autistic' stereotype in the film industry? In this episode of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas Henley talks to Reggie Herold - A Manhattan based autistic actor who has performed in many theatre productions and short-films, he's an avid Tiktoker, an aspiring story writer, and the co-winner of 'Outstanding Ensemble' category at the New York Innovative Awards. They kick off this riveting conversation with a dive into the world of autistic Tiktok creators, touching briefly on the challenging and strange experience of masking in highly social environments.  Being diagnosed at an extremely young age, Reggie tells us about his upbringing with his single father, as one of two adopted sons. Introduced to the world of education in a 'school for the gifted', Reggie talks about his transition from that school to a more wholesome environment, the physical abuse he received from a teacher, and how it all inspired him to write 'This Is Purple' - a screen play about those experiences. Both Thomas and Reggie dive deep into their psyches, pulling on the previous life experiences that attracted them to life in the public eye. Reggie found comfort in the immediate feedback of theatre productions, where as Thomas found great meaning in the possibility of sharing his experiences. Pondering over the difficulties of being autistic in a people-heavy profession, Reggie explains what life on set is really like, the social skills he developed, and the coping strategies he's picked up on his journey.  Here are the HOT questions:- - Is it easier to play an autistic character or a neurotypical one? - What stereotypes stop Reggie from playing autistic roles? The answer? You'll have to find out in this absolutely spectacular podcast! If you have an exciting or interesting story and want to appear on the next podcast, please contact me at: aspergersgrowth@gmail.com Reggie's Links:- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/reggieherold/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@reggieherold?lang=en Website - https://www.reggieherold.com/ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Support via Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/aspergersgrowth Social Media ♥ ☼ Facebook - Aspergers Growth ☼ Twitter/Instagram - @aspergersgrowth ♫ Listen On Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6vjXgCB7Q3FwtQ2YqPjnEV Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/thoughty-auti-the-autism-mental-health-podcast/id1470689079 Music - ♫ Track: [Chill Music] Ikson - Reverie [No Copyright Music]

The Autistic Actor - Masking For A Living w/Reggie Herold

Is there a link between OCD and Autism? Did the government support autistic people enough? What challenges does OCD present? Can special interests help combat OCD anxiety? Is autistic OCD more logical?  In this episode of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas Henley talks to Autism's Individual (Youtube) - An advocating YouTuber and website blogger with a strong experience and knowledge of Autism and mental health. They start by discussing Anna's interests, the community work she's involved in, and how the recent COVID-19 pandemic affected her management of OCD. After a dive into Anna's late-diagnosis of ASD-1... they touch briefly on the difficulties of being an autistic female in todays society, and the difference between poor social ability and poor language proficiency - commonly misunderstood traits of autism. We take a stroll through Anna's memories, looking into the real effect OCD can have on someones life. Hiding your struggles from others as a protective mechanism, how having autism and OCD may be different from the norm, the 'Healing Mechanism' found in autistic interests, and how Anna has used those interests to overcome her phobias - all compelling topics with deep analysis from both parties. They soon get into coping strategies for OCD; further highlighting the problems those with OCD and/or autism have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even in normal circumstances, autistic adults often need to actively seek out support, which poses a problem to those with social difficulties.  Anna wants few things for vulnerable individuals during the COVID-19:-  1. More accessible online support/mentoring services. 2. Specialist therapy services for autistic people. 3. More active support for carers and services for housebound individuals. 4. Easier access to services for those with social difficulties It's difficult not to appreciate Anna's experience and knowledge, so sit back and enjoy this intellectual dissection on autism, OCD, COVID-19, and all the grey areas between them. If you have an exciting or interesting story and want to appear on the next podcast, please contact me at: aspergersgrowth@gmail.com Anna's Links:- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/welcome12ization/featured Website - https://autismisindividual.wordpress.com/ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Support via Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/aspergersgrowth Social Media ♥ ☼ Facebook - Aspergers Growth ☼ Twitter/Instagram - @aspergersgrowth ♫ Listen On Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6vjXgCB7Q3FwtQ2YqPjnEV Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/thoughty-auti-the-autism-mental-health-podcast/id1470689079 Music - ♫ Track: [Chill Music] Ikson - Reverie [No Copyright Music]

Germaphobia During COVID-19 - Autistic Woman's Struggle With OCD w/Autism's Individual

Are autistic people the most bullied group on the planet? Can you even separate autism from trauma? What is isolation and bullying like at all stages of an autistic persons life? How can an autistic person succeed and stay healthy in our society?  In this World Anti-Bullying Week special episode of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas Henley talks to Charlotte from @TheSpectrumGirl - Famous & Professional Graphic Designer and Instagram autism advocate. Join the #AutiePower movement on Instagram, post your power pose pic with your experiences of dealing with bullying & isolation! They start by discussing the relatively low autism awareness in Norway and Charlottes plans on tackling that, but soon get into their experiences of bullying and isolation in their early school years. Charlotte was bullied into a concussion during her first couple of weeks in mainstream education, being taken advantage of due to her innocence and lack of social skills. Thomas reflects on how other children would take advantage of his trusting nature, leading to him to get punished for shouting profanity on a number of occasions. Both remark that this time in their life was surround by more confusion than anything. Getting into their later school experiences, they both empathise with term 'drifting' in different ways. Thomas tells us about the constant bullying and isolation that eventually lead to him developing severe mental health conditions which still exist today. Charlotte agreed that school was extremely difficult, being hid from by others, back stabbed constantly and exposed to many forms of emotional/social abuse. Lastly, they cover their experiences with bullying and isolation in adulthood. Charlotte tells us about a horrific meltdown that happened in response to social misunderstandings with her University peers... she was subjected to harmful rumours of insanity and spat on by those in her home country. Although she succeeded due to her effort and quirky way of graphic designing, she plummeted down in a well of suicidal thoughts. Perhaps the hardest part of the working world is that it isn't always a hierarchy of competence, a lot rides on your social relationships with other people and being honest isn't always effective. If you have an exciting or interesting story and want to appear on the next podcast, please contact me at: aspergersgrowth@gmail.com  Charlotte's Links:-  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thespectrumgirl/  ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬  Support via Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/aspergersgrowth  Social Media ♥ -  ☼ Facebook - Aspergers Growth  ☼ Twitter/Instagram - @aspergersgrowth  ♫ Listen On -  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6vjXgCB7Q3FwtQ2YqPjnEV  Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/thoughty-auti-the-autism-mental-health-podcast/id1470689079  Music - ♫ Track: [Chill Music] Ikson - Reverie [No Copyright Music]

Autism, Isolation & Bullying - Inseparable At All Stages Of Life (World Anti-Bullying Week) w/TheSpectrumGirl

Why has Eileen received so much harassment from the #actuallyautistic community? What is it like be an autistic mother? Are functioning labels harmful for autistic people? In this episode of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas Henley talks to Eileen Lamb from the @TheAutismCafe - Author of ‘All Across The Spectrum’, professional photographer, Autistic mother, and online autism advocate. They start by discussing Eileen’s book, going deep into the message behind it and her creative decision to include her photography. She explains how she got her son Charlie diagnosed, the difficulties along the way, and how she ended up getting diagnosed herself! Functioning labels and well... labels of all sorts have always been a controversial and difficult topic to discuss; Eileen makes us aware that the general consensus of ‘acceptable’ pronouns/terms is not agreed with by all members of the autistic community. Thomas highlights that with the new ASD levelling system in place, it’s difficult to distinguish between the differences in independence without referring to functioning ability or by performing verbal gymnastics. Eileen goes into her experiences with being bullied and harassed by the autistic community on her social media pages... especially Instagram. They both try to tease out the reason for the intense hatred within the community, suggesting reasons for this verbal abuse. Eileen remarks on her disappointment with the community, telling us about the isolating experience of being bullied mercilessly by her own people after a lifetime of being bullied by neurotypical individuals. Lastly, they cover possible avenues for getting over the autism parent and autistic adult divide, looking for practical and productive ways of getting autistic voices heard. Thomas believes that this circle of hatred does more to inflame the situation... with the cooperation of both parties it’s possible that the issues that exist for autistic people could be seen more, and more good could be done for society. Should we not be focussing on the main issues at hand, rather than the superficial terms and fighting for social justice? Let’s talk. If you have an exciting or interesting story and want to appear on the next podcast, please contact me at: aspergersgrowth@gmail.com Eileen's Links:- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theautismcafe/ Website - https://theautismcafe.com/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/theautismcafe Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theautismcafe ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Support via Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/aspergersgrowth Social Media ♥ - ☼ Facebook - Aspergers Growth ☼ Twitter/Instagram - @aspergersgrowth ♫ Listen On - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6vjXgCB7Q3FwtQ2YqPjnEV Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/thoughty-auti-the-autism-mental-health-podcast/id1470689079 Music - ♫ Track: [Chill Music] Ikson - Reverie [No Copyright Music]

Bullied By Actually Autistic Community - The Divide Between Parents and Autistic Adults w/The Autism Cafe

What is Speech and Language Pathology? How does teaching shift your opinion of common teaching methods? Can the autistic experience be used for this role? Are autism-related professions accommodating of autistic people? In this episode of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas Henley talks to @AllisonNV - An Autism advocate with a strong background in Speech & Language Pathology They start by discussing Ally's recent diagnosis, and going into her recent battle with chronic health conditions Soon they get into the nitty gritty of topic at hand... how teaching and using commonly hated teaching methods affects how you view autism advocacy. They both share their thoughts and experiences in the teaching world, looking objectively at the harmful ways of teaching and very best mindset for nurturing autistic children. One of the biggest topics to highlight is the benefit of the holistic 'Pick And Choose' approach to autistic children, using the techniques and strategies from all approaches that best fit each individual. Both Thomas and Ally agree that some aspects of most teaching methods can benefit certain children, but nothing beats asking the question 'Why?' and putting the child's enjoyment/emotional wellbeing at top priority. Lastly, Ally tells us about the poor attitudes of some of her neurotypical co-workers... she experienced some appalling behaviour where she felt heavily discriminated against due to her autistic traits. They both remark on the many superiority complexes at hand in the world of autism, where the views and experiences of autistic people are pushed aside for the more rigid approaches to autistic individuals. Shouldn't a workplace that chiefly works with autistic children be more accommodating and understanding of autistic adults? If you have an exciting or interesting story and want to appear on the next podcast, please contact me at: aspergersgrowth@gmail.com Ally's Links:- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/allisonnv/ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Channel Merchandise - https://teespring.com/stores/aspergers-growth Support via Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/aspergersgrowth Social Media ♥ - ☼ Facebook - Aspergers Growth ☼ Twitter/Instagram - @aspergersgrowth ♫ Listen On - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6vjXgCB7Q3FwtQ2YqPjnEV Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/thoughty-auti-the-autism-mental-health-podcast/id1470689079 Music - ♫ Track: [Chill Music] Ikson - Reverie [No Copyright Music] Advert Track: Empty Parking Lot - Colours Of Illusion [Epidemic Sound]

Speech & Language Pathology - Where Autism Advocacy Meets Teaching w/AlisonNV

What are the stages of processing a diagnosis? What are common mistakes parents make with autistic children? How can a parent be their child's advocate? Is there a 'one size fits all' approach to teaching autistic children? In this episode of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas Henley talks to Michelle Rogers - A parent advocate with an online support service for NEW autistic parents They start by discussing how Michelles own child was diagnosed, highlighting the common pitfalls of being an 'autism parent'. Thomas draws on his prior knowledge of the big diet scams and money draining quick-fix's that often draw in new parents.... wanting to CURE their child!  Both highlight the importance of avoiding the 'cure' mentality, spending time with your child, learning about them, learning about autism, and developing your own tailored strategy to parenting. Michelle believes it's a case of having the right mindset, being very aware/in-tune with your child's emotions and needs, but also doing your own research. One of the biggest barriers to autism parents and autistic people getting along... is the choice of teaching method. Many autistic adults remark on the brutality of one particular therapy, and trauma they received from that therapeutic pathway. With Thomas's time as a special needs teaching assistant and having a highly successful SEN teacher as a mother, he believes the BEST choice is to pick and choose what works for each child... putting your child's emotional health first. So is it the case that treatments have developed a more sensitive approach, or does it depend on the practitioner? How do you access Early Intervention services... and should you? How can you avoid the pitfalls and become the best autism parent you can be? Let's talk. If you have an exciting or interesting story and want to appear on the next podcast, please contact me at: aspergersgrowth@gmail.com Michelle's Links:- https://instabio.cc/michellebrogers ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Channel Merchandise - https://teespring.com/stores/aspergers-growth Support via Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/aspergersgrowth Social Media ♥ - ☼ Facebook - Aspergers Growth ☼ Twitter/Instagram - @aspergersgrowth ♫ Listen On - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6vjXgCB7Q3FwtQ2YqPjnEV Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/thoughty-auti-the-autism-mental-health-podcast/id1470689079 Music - ♫ Track: [Chill Music] Ikson - Reverie [No Copyright Music] Advert Track: Empty Parking Lot - Colours Of Illusion [Epidemic Sound]

Your Child Is Autistic, What Now? - How To Become A Parent Advocate w/Michelle Rogers

Should you get an autism diagnosis as soon as possible? What are the benefits and disadvantages of SEN schools Vs Mainstream? How do you ensure your child develops socially and confident?  In this episode of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas talks to Luis Oddy - A documentary creator and Radio Host! They start by discussing the creation of Luis's documentary 'Luis Oddy - Autism Meets Autism' and how his diagnosis has influenced the many areas of his life. Luis believes the sheltering your child due to a diagnosis is harmful for their longer term development, but also highlights the benefits of getting that support in at a young age.  Thomas uses his own experiences in a mainstream school to empathise that some children may benefit from a placement in an SEN school, but also brings our attention to the social and life experience he gained from that route of education. Moving forward; they both brainstorm on finding the balance between support and exposure to the big wide world Does a diagnosis ACTUALLY benefit your child in the long run, in terms of workplace 'reasonable adjustments' and educational support? How do we distinguish between sheltering and supporting your autistic child? If you have an exciting or interesting story and want to appear on the next podcast, please contact me at: aspergersgrowth@gmail.com Luis's Links:- ► Documentary - Luis Oddy - Autism Meets Autism ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Channel Merchandise - https://teespring.com/stores/aspergers-growth Support via Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/aspergersgrowth Social Media ♥ - ☼ Facebook - Aspergers Growth ☼ Twitter/Instagram - @aspergersgrowth ♫ Listen On - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6vjXgCB7Q3FwtQ2YqPjnEV Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/thoughty-auti-the-autism-mental-health-podcast/id1470689079 Music - ♫ Track: [Chill Music] Ikson - Reverie [No Copyright Music] Advert Track: Empty Parking Lot - Colours Of Illusion [Epidemic Sound]

Should I Get My Child Diagnosed With Autism? - Autistic Adults Discuss Early Vs Late Diagnosis w/ Luis Oddy

My name is Thomas Henley, a YouTuber, Commonwealth Gold Athlete & Aspiring Writer! Over my relatively short time on this earth I've been battling through the multitude of challenges mental health and autism presents. In this podcast I will be interviewing a variety of people with a strong experience/knowledge of autism and mental health... Whether you enjoy the thought of having your very own corner on the internet to relate to, or you are looking for advice for dealing with life's problems... This podcast is for YOU!

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Thoughty Auti - The Autism & Mental Health Podcast

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