Go to todaysautisticmoment.com for the transcripts.
Join the celebration of five years and 100 episodes of the podcast that has brought Autistic Adults to talk with Philip about the experience of being Autistic in an intersectional world. The 100th show is a festival featuring clips from 16 past episodes, new music, and guest interviews with Daren Howard, Dr. Devon Price. Matthew Lawrence. Sara Swan. A.J. Locashio and Jessica Jahns. There are two parts to this episode between an intermission of some upbeat music. You are invited to join the party.
Dyslexic Accessible Transcript: Today's Autistic Moment's 100th Show.
Spanish Accessible Transcript: Los 100 del momento autista de hoyth Espectáculo
German Accessible Transcript: Der heutige autistische Moment ist 100Th Zeigen
French Accessible Transcript: Les 100 moments autistiques d'aujourd'huième Montrer
Chinese Simplified Accessible Transcript: 今天的自闭症时刻 100th 展示
Transcript
Today’s Autistic Moment’s 100th Show
January 12th, 2025
Episode Preview
Welcome everyone to the 100th show of Today’s Autistic Moment: A Podcast for Autistic Adults by An Autistic Adult. My name is Philip King-Lowe. I am the owner, producer, and host, and I am an Autistic Adult. Thank you so much for listening.
Five years ago, the pilot was published. It was a new beginning in my own life and what I hoped would be the beginning of some real social changes for the Autistic Adult community. During the last five years, Autistic Adults and professionals who support Autistic Adults, and the Neurodiversity Paradigm have joined me for amazing conversations. We have been addressing the stigma that Autistic Adults do not deserve. We have been discovering the tools we already have to do the work of self-advocacy. We have spoken about employment. Aging. Autistic women. Self-care. LGBTQIA+ people who are Autistic. We have talked about racism and gender bias impact the work for diversity, equity and inclusion for people with disabilities. We have spoken about substance abuse and recovery. My guests and I have talked about caring for our sensory processing needs. We have been continually saying that Autistic Adults are individuals with amazing potential, full of strength, resilient and the medical pathology that is ableism with microaggression to make billions of dollars in revenue for organizations to further marginalize us.
This show is not just about celebrating all the work that Today’s Autistic Moment is doing. This is a festival of the work that all people who care about Autistics, and so many Autistic Adults who are actively advocating and building up the Autistic Adult Community providing resources and supports to address our needs today, to lead us into a brighter future. So, this 100th show is your party too.
On this 100th show, I will be joined by 5 guests and sponsors to reflect on what Today’s Autistic Moment means for them. My guests are Daren Howard. Dr. Devon Price. Matthew Lawrence. Sara Swan, AJ. Locashio and Jessica Jahns.
In addition to the interviews, you will hear clips taken from 14 shows so you can see a small part of the journey that Today’s Autistic Moment is on to represent the intersectionality that makes up the Autistic Adult Community. So, this show is broken into two parts. At the end of part one there will be an intermission where you can relax with some great music for about eight minutes. Part two will start after the music has been played. Of course, you are free to take a break from listening and come back and listen to part 2 later.
There is a new theme song for Today’s Autistic Moment that you will hear at the beginning of each show. The song is entitled Today is Your Day.
♫ Today’s Autistic Moment’s New Theme Song, Today is Your Day ♫
That’s right, Today is your day on Today’s Autistic Moment. Where Autistic Adults get to be yourselves in a space that is safe and made especially for you. Come on in and have a seat or go for a walk. In this safe space you fidget and stim all you like.
This first segment of Today’s Autistic Moment is sponsored by The Autism Society of Minnesota, known as AuSM throughout Minnesota’s Autism Community. As Minnesota’s First Autism Resource for more than 50 years, AuSM serves the whole state, the whole spectrum for the whole life. Visit AuSM at ausm.org.
Before we start reminiscing about what Today’s Autistic Moment has been doing, I want to give some basic information about the podcast, how you can connect with it and find our many resources.
Please visit todaysautisticmoment.com where you can listen to the podcast, get transcripts, program updates, read the guest bios pages, and the Adult Autism Resources Links Page. Please visit the Future Shows Page to read the titles, guests, and descriptions of all the shows coming up. The transcripts are sponsored by Minnesota Independence College & Community. There is a link provided to get access to a document form of the transcript without the purple-colored background so that you can print it without using up the ink on your printer. The written document has a font that is accessible for dyslexics. There are additional transcripts available in Spanish, German, French, and Chinese Simplified. The transcripts have hyperlinks that are mentioned by the guests.
Please follow Today’s Autistic Moment on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Blue Sky. Join Today’s Autistic Moment Community Group page on Facebook for conversations and updates. Please subscribe to the YouTube channel @todaysautisticmoment to watch Autistic Voices Roundtable Discussions.
On January 11th, 2021, I told all of you why I started Today’s Autistic Moment. Here is what I said.
The diagnosis and treatment for Autistic Adults is a very new field.
Up until about 15 years ago, there was, and sadly still is a common notion that Autistic children grow up to be neurotypical adults. In other words, once we are 18 years old or 21 years old, take your pick. We are no longer Autistic.
Well, here is a news flash for those who still believe that nonsense. It is simply not true at all. The number of adults who are being diagnosed with Autism after the age of 18 and up are on the rise. The information and resources for Autistic Adults needs to continue to expand. This is one of my goals for Today's Autistic Moment.
And now I want to say a word to parents with Autistic children. You need to listen to my podcast. And the reason being that is that the issues that Autistic Adults are dealing with today are going to be here next year, when your child turns 18, when your child is 31 or 44, or 52 and so forth. Listening in on this podcast is a good way to get some idea about what the future could hold for your Autistic child and things that you can possibly do to prepare them for what is coming. So please listen in on my show.
In April 2023 David Gray-Hammond spoke about the problem of talking about Autism as a disorder on the episode The New Normal.
David Gray-Hammond
So, the word disorder itself is like all language, its meaning is socially constructed. And what we have constructed it to mean is, something is not working properly. Something is not doing what it's supposed to do. And when we apply that to Neurodivergent people, and I don't just mean Autistic and ADHD people, I mean, all Neurodivergent people, what we are saying is, there is something wrong with you. There is something that needs fixing, you need to catch up with us. And this is wrong. It's the fundamental basis of the entire oppression of Neurodivergent people. The idea that we are broken or in need of fixing or curing, the idea that we have less rhetoricity that we our words mean less or less trustworthy, because we have a disorder is one of the biggest barriers that exists. Because what we need is a world that will listen to our experiences, and help us to have our boundaries honored, and our needs met. But when you tell us we've got a disorder, you can also then tell us, well, those needs shouldn't be what you need. Those boundaries shouldn't be what you want. Because you're saying there's something wrong fundamentally with the way my brain works. And as my brain defines all of my communication by saying my brain is disordered, you are invalidating every aspect of my communication.
In January of 2022, Dr. Scott Frasard during the episode The Medical and Social Models of Autism said this.
You know, if we think about the medical model pathologizing, how we experience the world and how we interact with others, I think at its foundation is a flawed thinking for us. Specifically, if we think about the medical model treats, those things that we do differently as abnormalities, or deficits, and it's within us, versus us, just how we interact with others. And that we can be fixed or those things that are distasteful or annoying to others can be cured or prevented. The medical model also shows or assumes that these impairments require some form of professional or caregiver to help us versus others that don't have or that are not Autistic. Apologize for the person first language there. People who are not Autistic. They often don't think of us as equal as results. And kind of finally, when we think about the medical model looking at us as we are the ones that need to adjust because we're in the minority versus everyone else. Yeah, I think that's probably one of the things that bothers me most about the medical model. Because for, for the majority, the neuro majority, to make an adjustment that works for us also worked for other people, I'll give you a prime example. Going out to eat at a restaurant. Invariably, the music is really loud in the restaurant. And then every now and again, you have people, staff come out and sing Happy Birthday to somebody at the next table. And it's very loud. Just bringing the noise level down a little bit, helps not only us and our anxieties, but it'll help everybody else. So, you know, and that's maybe a more simplistic adjustment, but that's one of those things that, you know, what's good for us is actually good for everybody.
During the past four years of hosting Today’s Autistic Moment, my guests and I have talked about being Autistic as being part of a culture with a language that is as unique as each Autistic person is.
After this first commercial break, we are going to talk about how The Autism Society of Minnesota is doing the important work of helping us to get acquainted with the Autistic Culture, some clips from some shows, and we will talk with Daren Howard the Deputy Director at AuSM about this 100th show.
♫ Segment Ending Music ♫
Commercial Break I
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Thank you for listening to Today’s Autistic Moment
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♫Segment Beginning Music♫
Segment 2
♫Hello Autism Community. This is Ellie Wilson, Executive Director at the Autism Society of Minnesota. The Autism Society of Minnesota is pleased to support this new podcast, Today's Autistic Moment. Everyone in the Autism community deserves access to resources. Deciphering information can be a challenge, and we are glad to be a part of this podcast designed to share voices of Autistic Adults and provide access to great information. Congratulations to Philip on the launch of Today's Autistic Moment. The Autism Society of Minnesota proudly supports the Minnesota Autism Community. To learn more about our programs and services for Autism advocacy, education, support, collaboration and community building, please visit ausm.org. ♫
You just heard the ad from the pilot episode delivered by Ellie Wilson.
Here are some clips of a show where Ellie Wilson and I talked about Autistic Adults and Autism Acceptance.
Because at first brush, you would think Autism Awareness is a good thing. You know, there have been many times throughout history where Autism was not well recognized or understood, or perhaps the only sort of version of Autism was one that people only understood as being very stereotypical or very narrow. And, of course, what we are learning more and better all the time is that the Autistic Community is in fact, incredibly diverse. And I think that that's sort of the first, the first thing that we really want to think about is that we have a huge responsibility and huge opportunity to think about all the wonderful complexity that comes with this community. And given that complexity, I think the first step should always be talking to diverse Autistic people. And I will tell you over and over and over again, we have heard from Autistic Adults that Autism Awareness can actually be a pretty triggering concept.
It's in this space that I think we are all developing, you know, our sense of profound appreciation for the fact that just because I might be part of the majority, you know, just because I might be neurotypical, or I might be white or I might be, you know, from living in a position of relative privilege, that that does not mean that my story is the "normal story." You know, we have a therapist at the Autism Society who says, “normal as a setting on a washing machine, it does not actually refer to a single person." I love that. I love it too. And I think there's something in just like incredibly and profoundly true about the fact that the concept of normal is really just not helpful. And, and we have something we have, there's something really exciting about being able to look at any group of people, and especially those that are Neurodiverse, or Autistic and saying, my way of thinking or my way of processing is not inherently better than yours. In fact, we have incredible things we can learn from each other. And it is aberration across ways of thinking that I actually think is like, the secret to life.
The next clip comes from an Episode with Zephyr James, entitled Autistics Collaborating with Autistics.
In the last two years, we have started incorporating a committee that includes staff and volunteers and board members, all of whom are Autistic. And they put together almost the entire Summit. The events team helps out with the logistics and some of the practical stuff. But all of the big decisions come from that committee. And I think that it's really benching how this event goes in a really positive way. And I think that that Autistic leadership is something that other people can really take from the model that we have. One thing that I have learned as I have been trying to lead that committee is that when you do have Autistic leadership, you need to be really intentional about the supports and accommodations that you provide for them, so that they can be successful in creating the space that they want to. So, if you are asking Autistics to collaborate together to put together an event or a project, make sure that you're very clear about what you're expecting of them and what you're asking of them. Make sure that you have really clear deadlines and that you offer reminders and supports, make sure that you have really clear places that you're going to communicate together. So, we have a Slack that we use to communicate. And we also use a Google Drive with our project plan and all of our information and all of our materials so that all of us know exactly where we can go to get what we need. I also think that it's super important to be respectful of the Autistic communication style as you are asking Autistic leaders to step up. It's very different for me to work with my neurotypical colleagues than it is for me to work with other Autistics. And sometimes it can be a little bit uncomfortable for me, when my Autistic committee is really just straightforward with me about like, this isn't working, we need a different way to do this or this isn't good enough. We need to do better. And so, there's an element of getting over yourself when it comes to Autistic collaboration where the more you keep in mind the goal, the goal of making something that is really good for our community, the better it goes.
The clip you are about to hear is taken from Autistic Fathers Celebrate Father’s Day Too in 2023 with guest, Daren Howard.
Daren Howard
On the one hand, my Autism is a great asset and being a father to an Autistic kid, because I understand them. And I have exhibited similar behaviors that they do now, I have as an adult worked through a lot of those challenges and created either the coping skills or the life skills to manage that stuff. It's also a challenge where we are different, and our skill profiles are different, of course, but I think one of the things that I would emphasize around fatherhood, either as an Autistic man, or fatherhood to an Autistic child, is the is the problematic perception of masculinity in our society. When I was growing up, what informed my picture of manhood and masculinity, included things that I think we can all agree are pretty toxic now. And at even at its best, you know, the sort of like, well, I'm going to provide for my family sorts of values that are perfectly reasonable, became really challenging for me as an Autistic person, because every career setback that I had, which I realize now often related to disability was devastating, and really affected my self-worth. Now I’ve gone through years of therapy and worked on a lot of that. But it has been a challenge. It's also it informed my own gender expression, and how honest I was with myself, you know, the images that we have of fathers and of men, especially when I was developing as a teenager, and what I was, in particular exposed to, were toxic such that, that a nuanced sexuality couldn't be addressed that that you know, a man's man as a man, he likes boobs and butts, I don't know, I don't want to get you an exclusive rating in the in the podcast store. But my sexuality is not that simple. And that's the case for a lot of people. And I couldn't reconcile that until I became an adult. But what's been powerful, in terms of compensating for that is that despite all of my struggles in in that space, and figuring out what masculinity and fatherhood meant, for me, the Autistic community has been incredible. And the Autistic community, as many folks will know, overlaps a lot with a lot of other communities, the broader disability community with the LGBTQ community. And, and in general, I would say that as I've learned and grown in my own expression of manhood and fatherhood, it's informed my parenting and unlike me as a kid, my child is able to do things like question gender, and, and have a safe and free conversation about their body, for example, in a way that's age appropriate. Yeah. And that is in large part because in this Neurodiversity affirming movement, I've surrounded myself with people over the years that have challenged my preconceptions that I was initially raised with, and that informed my fatherhood.
Please welcome Daren Howard from The Autism Society of Minnesota.
Philip King-Lowe
Daren Howard, welcome to my 100th show as representing the wonderful Autism Society of Minnesota, my greatest and my best Autistic friends in the entire world, and so I'm so grateful that you are representing them, have come to spend us a little time today.
Daren Howard
Thank you for having me. Congratulations on your 100th show.
Philip King-Lowe
Thank you. Thank you. Wow. It has been quite a journey since January 2021, when Ellie made the recording for AuSM. You know, congratulations on the launch. And I've had Ellie on here. I have had Eric on here. I have had Zephyr on here. And of course, you. And AuSM has played such an important role, both in my life, and of course, Today's Autistic Moment by your generous sponsorships and the input I get from people behind the scenes. So, I just want to express my gratitude to AuSM as much as I possibly can. And you've only been with AuSM a couple years now, and I wonder if you would share with us that anything from the discussions that might happen behind the scenes at AuSM about the podcast and where it's going and how, you know there's been talk about that, what kind of talk is there, and also give some of your own insights, if you like.
Daren Howard
Well, Philip, it is our team's pleasure to support this podcast. There are a billion podcasts in the world, and a lot of it is noise, but I really enjoy the content from this podcast. I think Today's Autistic Moment is thoughtful and that you have your ear to the ground on the issues that are most relevant to the Autism community in the United States. Representing Minnesota, our organization is an organization that I'm proud to work with. You know our organization has served the State of Minnesota for more than 50 years, and we've come a long way. I think that there was a time and place for what our organization was like when it started. You know, it was started by mostly parents looking for services for their kids, and inevitably, those kids grow up, and we start to really get better at acknowledging the Autistic Adult population. And you and I are members of that Autistic Adult population, and I'm grateful for the history of advocacy with you know, with its ups and downs, and I think you and I are both really privileged to be able to represent our community in any way that we can. And so, when I think about Today's Autistic Moment, I think back to a lot of the guests you've had that have really shaped my thinking around the issues affecting Autistic people. The notable ones for me are folks like Devon Price and Eric Garcia. But really there are a bunch of them, and those two stand out to me because their books came out at a time when I was paying special attention to certain issues, and when those issues were affecting me personally, and their books helped me a ton. And then shortly after each of those published, you had you had them on as guests. In fact, I think you've had them both on more than once, and like all of your guests, they were able to expand upon what they had already been writing and saying in other venues, and you were able to ask really thoughtful questions that have further informed our community. And so, I'm grateful for this podcast and for your contributions, because you are not only contributing your own thinking that is really meaningful, but you are bringing in some of the some of the most thoughtful people in the space and having some really meaningful conversations.
Philip King-Lowe
Yeah, yeah, and very much needed, because we know that Autistic Adults are not necessarily well represented in a lot of things like media, and you know, especially since a lot of our Intersectional communities are experiencing so much aggressive oppression lately through the rhetoric that's being used and social media and other venues right now. And so, I have worked very hard, especially over this past season, of bringing forward those Intersectional communities so that people may hear them and hear both the strengths of Autistics in those communities, but also the challenges that they have, and they we often recognize that their challenges are still our challenges, regardless of where we come from. You know, you know, we talked a lot this past year and years before about the strengths and successes of Autistics, the achievements that we've done, and realizing that we have a long way to go. But it has to begin somewhere. My good friend Dr. Scott Frasard recently wrote his book called A Reflective Question to Ponder, and in that book is a list of over 1200 questions to begin dialog about the various things that Autistics deal with, as well as a lot of our opposition talks about a lot of things that many people are not having those discussions. And what Scott is doing, and what so many of my guests are doing. We are in the business of starting conversations that will hopefully bring a better future to our Autistic communities. You know, AuSM has been one of my greatest sponsors, really. You know, my history with AuSM has been tremendous. In fact, recently, there was a post by Robyn DeCourcy who kind of got me started working with AuSM in a day when I really needed her too. And she just wrote, I'm not surprised by this, because she's talking to me that my focus, and the people I have are so amazing, amazing. And I had to introduce Robyn to some people that I'm working with from my network, because, you know, Robyn, and this is one of those things that I see AuSM doing, and one of those things I'm trying to replicate on Today's Autistic Moment. We are trying to take that chance on Autistic people that a lot of people just won't do. You know, won't give us that chance, but we know, and we see both at AuSM and on the podcast, when we give Autistic individuals, that chance to talk, that chance to share, that chance to talk about ways we've done our self-care, ways we've succeeded at work, and various things we really do come forward, and we really are very successful, even with all of our setbacks.
Daren Howard
You know, Philip, one of the most important things in any social justice or social progress work is to center the experience of those most impacted by the issue. So, for example, if we were working to address cancer, we would focus most on cancer patients, even though other people in that system also have needs. You know, from physicians and researchers and you know people who have our family members of cancer patients or have lost loved ones, they all have needs. They're all important. They're all stakeholders in the fight against disease. And similarly, with AuSM, with Autism issues, we are obviously not fighting against a disease. This is a way of being that is not that is not a disease, but it is. It can be a disability. And as we address disability, there are all kinds of stakeholders, parents, caregivers, teachers, medical professionals. They all matter. They're all part of the Autism community, but, but like any social issue, the most important thing to remember is to center the lives and lived experience and needs of those most impacted by the issue, which is Autistic people, and that includes kids. It includes people who may not be able to articulate their needs and expectations as easily as some others. And what you have been doing with this podcast for the last 100 episodes is centering the voices of Autistic people. You're talking about the things that affect Autistic people. You are including Autistic voices in the podcast. You're making great strides in including all kinds of Autistic voices, not just those that are best positioned to articulately talk about an issue, and you're doing so in a way that doesn't exclude the other stakeholders in the Autism community who also matter. They're just not the center of the issue and that is something that I really appreciate. In all of the noise of social media and podcasts and communication you are you're having thoughtful, meaningful conversations that include everyone and center the needs of those most impacted by this issue. And because of that, it really is my distinct pleasure to be able to contribute to supporting the podcast.
Philip King-Lowe
Yeah, yeah. Thank you very much for that and thank you so much for all that Autism Society of Minnesota is doing to support me and the podcast and lots of the things that that AuSM does for the Autistic community and that sort of thing so well. Well, Daren, thanks for stopping by today. I know you're all very busy with planning the future of 2025, so thank you again for stopping by and thank all those people that got AuSM for me, because without them, I couldn't be doing the work that I'm doing. So, thanks so much.
Daren Howard.
Thanks for having me.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Philip King-Lowe
The next two clips are from What Successfully Autistic and Queer Really Means with Dr. Devon Price in June 2023
Dr. Devon Price.
Yeah, I think the one of the first things it's really important for people to be aware of is that there is a lot of pressure put on us to justify our existence as disabled people, or as queer people, through achievement. There's a lot of tentative acceptance of a certain category of Autistic people. And that's usually those of us who can mask somewhat as neurotypical, and usually those of us who can be high achieving in one area or another, that is profitable to somebody else, you know, we're seen as the, as the good ones as the respectable ones, the ones that have value. And I think sometimes it's very enticing. If you're an Autistic person, yourself, or even if you're just a concerned parent or caregiver, to lean into the strengths that an Autistic person has, and to lean into the kind of societal rewards you do get if you do happen to be good at something or are able to mask. But I just think it's really important for people to know that that's a really tentative grasp on acceptance, it's very conditional acceptance. And so even for those of us who can, at least for a little while, live up to that ideal, it's really exhausting. And if we reach the point where we can't be, you know, well spoken, or, you know, professionally competent and high achieving anymore, you know, our lives still matter, and so do all of the lives of Autistic people who can't ever live up to that stuff. So yeah, so that's something that's been very heavy on my mind the last few years just as an Autistic person in the public eye. And because I've just seen more and more tech companies embracing Autistic workers, I've seen more companies in general embracing queer workers. And it can feel like such a positive thing to see. But if its only conditional acceptance based on what we can deliver to someone else, it’s not enough for either of our communities.
Dr. Devon Price
I think it looks like finding your people, you know, you can’t really be liberated as a queer person without being able to live out that queerness in whatever way that means to you, you know, being in community with other people having the kinds of sex that you want to have having the kinds of relationships you want to have, forming your own notion of what a healthy relationship model is, or series of relationships is, and kind of getting to really define your own life on your own terms. And I think it’s the same thing for Autistic people too, I think being successful is knowing who you are, and knowing that there’s nothing wrong with who you are and seeing yourself reflected in other people. And having spaces where you can go where you can unmask. Where you can stim openly and info dump about the things that you’re passionate about and having the freedom to kind of direct as much energy and time in your life as possible to the spaces that don’t make you feel broken, where you can actually live out who you really are versus who you’ve been expected to be.
This next clip is from the episode Addressing Fat Phobia with Kelly Lenza
Kelly Lenza
So, some of the main things that I was thinking about, that could affect Autistic Adults that are living in larger bodies is that there's three main things. I think that masking in situations with doctors and other care providers, the combo of masking and trying to have really difficult conversations about health, especially when you're not being listened to, like, that's really hard. It's hard for everyone, but it's going to have an additional component of being difficult for Autistic Adults. Another issue that I was thinking is interoception, and spatial awareness. You know, interoception, you know, being able to feel your sensations in your body. A lot of times lot people in larger bodies are described as clumsy or they're, you know, like you were saying, like, treated as if we don't know our own bodies. And like, you know, there is a very real, not that we don't know our bodies, but that we have those some of us struggle with those limitations of interoception and spatial awareness. So that's going to impact sensory profiles with clothing and moving through spaces and a larger body. That's going to affect disordered eating issues, potentially, or just eating in general. And it's going to be like, because of those issues with interoception and spatial awareness, it's going to be making it harder for some Autistics to engage with disordered eating and recovery. And I bring up disordered eating specifically because like, so many of us living in larger bodies have some kind of disordered eating behaviors that we've developed as a result of diet culture and anti-fat stigma. And then the third thing, which I kind of already touched on, but sensory difficulties with clothing. It's something that I really run into a lot. At a larger size there's a much smaller pool of available clothing, and other self-care products. And so like, even stuff like, like accessories, but like, I'm thinking of like necklaces, and you know, like fashion accessories, but there are also issues with like, medical aids that may not be built for people in larger bodies. So, um, yeah, like there's, there's these major things that I can think of that impact me as an Autistic person in a larger body. But obviously, like, I think one of the biggest ones is just accessing care.
This clip is from Suicide Prevention for Autistic Adults with Lisa Morgan.
Philip King-Lowe
I'm so glad you're here, because when we were talking a couple of weeks ago, we had this, I had a survey that I did. And I had asked a question, “Has your life gotten better or worse?” And a reminder to my audience, all of my respondents were anonymous. So, there's no name to mention here. But the question was, “Has your life gotten better or worse?” and this one, one respondent wrote, "My life is so much worse, I have lost my job. Although it's taken 10 years of persistent bullying, and micromanaging to get me this far. My friends set me boundaries. I can't maintain, then I get the blame for being too needy, oversensitive, etc., I am alone. And I have no reason to continue to exist." We know that this is not the first Autistic person, and probably will not be the last Autistic person who feels that way. Right! What? How should we respond to something like that? I mean, what would you say to someone who says that?
Lisa Morgan
I would first of all, definitely validate their feelings, and validate their experiences and what they've gone through for those past 10 years and what they're going through now with their friends misunderstanding. And, you know, judging and things, I would definitely validate what he's going through. And then, you know, try to do some regulation, some self-care. And then, when he's ready to, there's a resource out there now, called Reasons for Living. It's for Autistic Adults to use themselves if they don't have anybody to help them to build it and develop it. But there's resource Reasons for Living that will help somebody build that list. And I would really try to work on your finding other reasons for him to live and have that list. It really helped me a lot. Someone helped me to develop a list I was I didn't even buy into it at the time. But I did use it. And it helped me a lot helped me get through some trying times. So, I would try to do that with him. And but I mean, first of all, definitely validating his feelings. So many Autistic people are invalidated, which is, I really want to do some research on this. But I really do think that that is a big part of the thwarted belonging, the and I believe it is, in itself a risk factor.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Devon Price.
Philip King-Lowe
Dr Devon Price, it is my pleasure to welcome you to my 100th show, which is the beginning of season five. Today's Autistic Moment has been on the air now four going on five years, and I'm at show 100 and we've covered a lot of ground, and you have been very much a part of that the last two years. So welcome, and I would love for you to talk about what Today's Autistic Moment has meant for you or means for you even now.
Devon Price
Hi, yeah. Well, first of all, thanks for having me back, Philip, and congrats on the 100th episode. I think it's just been really meaningful to be part of Autistic spaces that are incredibly diverse in the not just lived experiences and the identities of the people who are showing up, but just in the kinds of conversations that we're having and what we're looking about at and what we're looking at, because there's so many sides to the Autistic experience that don't get talked about as much as, you know, certain elements or sub topics that are more obvious to people. So, I've maybe even enjoyed being involved in the podcast even more as a listener than as a contributor. For example, the episode talking about death and suicide ideation and how Autistics cope with that, that that was just really moving to listen to, and my friend Kelly was on to talk about fatness and neurodiversity. And that was incredibly awesome to be privy to and to sit down on. There's just so much depth that is allowed for when we have these kind of conversations together.
Philip King-Lowe
Yeah, absolutely, I do want all of our intersectional communities well represented, and that's something that I've been working hard to do over this past year. And I think that I'm I think Today's Autistic Moment is doing that, especially in a time when there's not enough talking about a lot of how the Autistic family, if you will, is more than just Autistic and Neurodiversity. There's so many other facets of who we are.
Devon Price
Yeah, absolutely, all of our struggles are interlinked, and so we can't just see it as how is ableism affecting me or my family. To really understand the nature of your own exclusion, suffering, the needs you have that aren't getting met, the ways that you're misunderstood. You have to really look at the way our society is constructed, and all of the people that are excluded by that. And I think there's a lot of aspects of each of our experiences as Autistic people that we might not have even articulated before that we're finding something difficult because it's so much of just the background of our lives, we can't even imagine that it could be some other way. So, hearing it named by another person sometimes really clarifies it and gives us space to feel what we're feeling about it. Sometimes it's easier for me, for example, to understand some of the contours of this culture, and the way that a neurotypical culture hurts me from listening to say some of my like black Autistic siblings talking about white supremacy culture and how it makes them communicating more difficult. Being a white person living in a white culture, there's aspects of just my own oppression for being Neurodivergent that I can't see because white culture is the default or what have you, I mean, it's true for any other number of aspects of being oppressed and marginalized. We can understand what we're going through from comparing notes and listening to one another and really getting in deep in how all of those things tangle together.
Philip King-Lowe
Before I conclude our time together, I do want to ask you with regarding to the current culture we're in when we are seeing so much resistance for Autistic trans people. I wrote a blog last month about how we're just not talking about the DEI programs that are on the chopping block that are going to affect multiple communities. And particularly Autistic and Neurodivergent communities because of how inter linked we are. This upcoming season, I am focusing on multidimensional Autistic leadership. That multidimensional includes how being Autistic is neuro. It's physical. It's mental, it's, you know, it's all of these things intertwined and social. Let's remember that. But you know, it's going to be important that we don't just lay down and take the defeats that are probably coming with the hard work that we've really done to make people more aware of diversity among all of us, and so it's going to be important that we find ways of being proactive, to re-engage those conversation. Re-engage and become leaders in these difficult times. So, would you be able to just reflect a little bit on what's happening around us number one and number two? Do you have anything to add about where you see Autistics in all of our intersectional communities leading at this point in time?
Devon Price
Yeah, I think there's a couple of different ways in which Neurodivergent people can offer a lot of really strong leadership during times of social upheaval, of oppression. I think the most obvious one is how excellent. Well, it's obvious to other Autistics how excellent we really are at social organization. We've created spaces like this one, like this podcast, so many conventions, so much of the infrastructure of the internet has been built by us. So many just fandoms and social groups that are devoted to kind of nerdy or special interests have been driven and built by Autistics. Even though we have a stereotype in the wider culture of not having social skills, we are very socially skillful people in a lot of different ways. And there's a lot that we can offer to one another simply by building spaces that allow for us to come together, and that can be overt political organizing, and many of us do that in some way, but it can also just be getting together a group chat for all of the people living in your building, so that you actually know your neighbors and can share resources or organize a rent strike someday, if you need to against your landlord. Or just kind of give somebody the cup of sugar down the hall who needs the cup of sugar. It can be things like creating, in my case, and a few friends’ cases, a Discord server where people go, and they chat with one another. They're talking with other trans people from all across the globe, comparing and contrasting experiences from one country to another, one culture to another, reading books together, feeling less alone during a time where things are incredibly perilous and it's very difficult to find other people and find safe spaces. It can be things like just offering one another a distraction to help keep our mental health running while doing all of this kind of hard work. So, there's that, I think there's also the kind of nonhierarchical, kind of mutual aid, kind of leadership that a lot of marginalized groups, including Autistics, can really offer to one another to help build networks of care and networks of resistance that are not as dependent upon the State. Because unfortunately, we can't trust the State to take care of us. So I'm very fortunate living in Chicago that it's easy to get plugged in to a lot of mutual aid groups, but I participate in a lot of groups where we bring food on the weekends for any of our neighbors in the community to just access the food stuff that they need and run a free store where people can get, you know, brand new, clean underwear, used coats for the winter children's toys and things like that. And crucially, it's a system where any of us who works there, there's not a hierarchy between volunteer and recipient. Some of the people who are working during the Saturday morning food shift, they're taking eggs and bread and milk home because they're broke and starving too. You know, we are all helping one another and leaning on one another, and I think that's something that disabled people are really excellent at doing. You know, we don't have a lot of power in the conventional sense of this world, but together, we can really lean on one another and fill a lot of gaps. And I think the final thing that I would bring up is that Autistic people can be wonderful leaders in our non-obedience, in our defiance. Many of us have pathological demand avoidance. Many of us have very limited spoons, and we can be sometimes the first people to say, no, I'm not going to follow this unjust rule. I'm not going to comply with this unjust law in advance, as so many States are doing, just complying with really restrictive laws that are passing all across the country. I'm going to refuse to follow those rules. I'm going to say no. I'm going to not allow myself to be used as a tool of oppression. And that doesn't always look like what people imagine leadership to be, but I think that is the real leadership is comporting yourself in your life every day in a way that shows care for the people around you and respect for yourself and your values, and that frees other people to do the same thing and follow suit.
Philip King-Lowe
Agreed. Yeah, definitely. Well, Devon Price, thank you for stopping by on my 100th show, and we will definitely see each other again. And I always look forward to having you come on and talk, because we on unearth, if you will, so many different topics about, you know, very, very diverse and, and, and you know, as they say, intersectional conversations that are so very helpful. So, thanks for stopping by today.
Devon Price
Yeah, thank you so much. I’m always happy to be here.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
At this point we are going to conclude part 1 of the 100th show. There will be an 8-minute intermission with some excellent music by Beza that has been licensed to Today’s Autistic Moment by premiumbeat.com.
I want to introduce the first song you are about to hear. I know a lot of us Autistics have the gifted ability to be literal thinkers. I also know that certain words that you are about to hear regarding brighter sunshine can trigger those moments when lights and the sun have aggravated your sensory processing. In Brighter sunshine brings about a new opportunity for new life to come forth. Think of what the artist is singing about as petrichor where there is a pleasant aroma that accompanies the rain, that brings a refreshing change in our lives.
And now, enjoy the next three songs by Beza. Brighter and Brighter. Shine Down. And finally, Just Walk with Me. Part Two will start right after the songs are finished.
100th Show Part 2
Please join me in welcoming Matthew Lawrence, the Actually Autistic Coach.
Philip King-Lowe
Matthew, thank you for being here for the 100th show. I'm so grateful to have you here. Let's talk about Today's Autistic Moment, about how much you enjoy it. I also want to talk about, you know, you're a great sponsor of Today's Autistic Moment, and you and I work together in many capacities, including our social media presence and, you know, I've had your announcement in my Today's Autistic Community Bulletin Board on todaysautisticmoment.com because I really want to be sure that we draw people, people's attention to it. So, you know, tell me what, what Today's Autistic Moment means for you, and talk about, you know, why are you a sponsor? And why would you encourage other Autistic individuals who are part of businesses and that sort of thing to also support it?
Matthew Lawrence
Thanks so much for having me here on the 100th episode of Today's Autistic Moment, Philip. And the answer to both of those questions is really the same. I think the work that you're doing here, this podcast is the most cutting edge, most relevant, most important podcast about Autism and Autistic people, that's out there. I mean, you're having on the best guests. So, when I say the best, I mean the people, the thinkers in our community, of our culture, who are putting out the ideas, who are reconceptualizing what Autism is, explaining to people what Autism is not what Autism looks like, not how Autism is diagnosed, but what Autism is to Autistic people through the lens of the Neurodiversity Paradigm. And you know, if somebody is put out an amazing article or written a great book about Autism, they've been on this show, and this is the show where people want to come so that's important. So that's why I listen. That's what it means to me, and that's why I'm a sponsor, because I think that the work that you're doing and the people that you're putting out there, and ideas you're putting out there are really are not just meaningful, but I dare say, politically important in today's day and age, for the disability movement, for the Autistic Pride Movement, for the Neurodiversity Movement, right? The voices that are coming onto this podcast are the ones who are affecting real change on the ground of how people look at themselves and driving us towards Autistic liberation.
Philip King-Lowe
Yeah, absolutely. You know, I have a wonderful network of Autistic individuals, authors, podcasters, you know, activists and so on so forth. And yet, you are definitely a part of all that through the work that you do. And you know, I appreciate that your input here about what I'm doing. You know, when Today's Autistic Moment was launched on the 11th of January 2021. I had no idea where this was going to lead. I said that often. And look where, where it is. You know, it has meant so much to me to be able to bring these Autistic voices on. You know, in the very beginning, I brought on a lot of advocates for Autistic who weren't necessarily Autistic. A lot of the people I brought on were people from the Autism Society Minnesota, Samuel J. Levine and also Sue Swenson, which is somebody we know something about. And while they weren't Autistic, they had a lot to offer the Autistic community. And then when I started having more Autistic individuals actually on that changed everything. And the thing is, is that you know, for those of you, those of you who have expressed interest in speaking on the podcast, I do give first place preference to actual Autistics, because this podcast is for and about them. Us. And the thing is, is that ours are often the voices that are spoken over or silenced, and this podcast will not do that. I refuse to do that. This is where I want us to talk openly, candidly and be very forthcoming. You know, I'm sure you and I, Matthew, know a lot of situations where we've tried to speak up and someone has said, oh, no, we don't have time to listen to that on, you know, no, that's not important. Well, on this podcast, it is important. That's why I'm here. And you know, we know that a lot of Autistics live in areas where you don't have resources like we might like you to have. And I know that from the emails I've gotten, the interactions I've gotten on social media, that this podcast opens them up to the Autistic cultures that exist. And I am ever so glad that that's what's happened. Because, you know, I had one in the very beginning who said I didn't even know there was an Autistic Adult community out there until I started listening to Today's Autistic Moment. I didn't know who was out there. Well, now they do, you know. And between the podcast and the spin off Autistic Voices Roundtable Discussions, I've been able to bring a lot of that together, and it's going to continue to do that, even as we begin to move into the new and uncertain times we're entering into. So, Matthew is an important part of that, as well as are all my guests and sponsors. So, thank you so much, Matthew and we will continue to work together, and I always look forward to it.
Matthew Lawrence
Thank you, Philip, thank you for doing this work, and thank you for having me here.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
The Autistic Adult community is intersectional. We intersect with people of other races, genders, gender identities and sexual orientations. As I have interviewed so many wonderful Autistic individuals over the past five years, one thing that stands out for me is that there are Autistic Adults who are making tremendous contributions to change the conversations about Autism.
The first clip is from the first show in April 2022 for Autism Acceptance Month with my special guest Eric Garcia about his book We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation. The question that Eric answered was why did he write the book?
Certainly, certainly, um, I think one of the things that I wanted to convey first and foremost is the idea that I think that we focus too much on trying to cure Autistic people, and try to focus too, and we focus too much on treating Autistic people and not enough on trying to help Autistic people live more fulfilling lives. I think what I want Autistic people to know is that they are not failed versions of normal. They are not flawed. They are not broken, as the book says they're not a, you know, a deficient version of neurotypical. Rather, they are human beings with whole selves and their way that their brains function and the way that they are as human beings is good and whole. And that doesn't mean that they don't come with certain impairments, doesn't mean they don't cover challenges, doesn't mean that they don't have certain differences. It doesn't mean that, you know, it isn't a disability, it is a disability. It's classified under the Americans with Disabilities Act as a disability. But that doesn't mean but that means that Autistic people are entitled to a good at whole life and a world that adapts around them, rather than forcing them to change.
Philip King-Lowe
Yeah, I agree with that so much. I mean, one example of what you're talking about is a quote that I use from your book. It's a quote that said, "No one should presume what Autistic people can do. What should be presumed is that Autistic people belong in whichever profession they choose. That being said, Autistic people's value and worth should not be tied to whether they are employable. It doesn't matter if an Autistic person holds a high paying job or receives government assistance. Autistic people should be viewed with the same dignity that all people deserve." That really moved me.
I'm the kind of bearer to that for the for those who haven't read the book and who wanted the full context of it and without giving away too much, is essentially what I was arguing was that I think that for a lot of our you know, we're not moving if for a long time, people thought that Autistic people couldn't hold jobs. We are now moving toward an understanding that Autistic people can work. And you're seeing a lot of companies begin Autism hiring initiatives. You're seeing it with Microsoft, you're seeing it with Square I profile, the company Square, the book, I think now it's called blocks, though, but tech companies. You see this with SAP, you see this with a lot of financial institutions and consulting companies like Ey and UPS and Goldman Sachs. But oftentimes, this this classification ignores a lot of Autistic people who work in other sectors. So, for example, I don't work in that sector. I work as a journalist. A lot of people don't think when they hear that I'm a journalist, and I'm Autistic. They're like, how could that be possible? You know, it's a very social profession. And this is a profession where you have to interact with people and you have to respect social norms and respect, customs and you have to constantly interact with people, there's a very rich. But, my response is that there are Autistic people in every profession. I've met Autistic lawyers; I've met Autistic people in the United States military or veterans. That is not something that is considered a lot of the time. And I think what my goal was in arguing that was that Autistic people can do whatever they want. They should be given the tools, the resources necessary to do whatever they want, as long as they have as long as they have the skills to do so and as long as they want to do so. But at the same time, I think that we are almost trying not to get in trouble. Because I often do. People's values shouldn't be tied to their output economically. I think that what you're seeing now is that it's almost kind of the inverse of a lot of the discussions we had about Autism in the past, which was that their lives are finished, they're looking, you know, they should be sent to institutions, there's nothing really that can be assumed for them to now it's almost like we're having the almost the opposite conversation. Which is that Autistic people are great, because they're awesome for your bottom line, they are 140%, as productive as their neurotypical counterparts. They will make your company more efficient. They are more loyal to the company. And that's not really a good barometer either. It almost reminds me of kind of the model minority concept for Asian Americans, that, oh, they all get straight A's, and they go to medical school, and they all have tiger moms or whatever. People's value is should not be tied to how much they're worth. That's, that's, that's true for disability. And that's true for non-disabled people. You know, everybody has apparent worth.
These next clips come from an episode in February 2023, with Precious Lesley as we talked about Black Autistic Adults: Stop the Whitewashing. I had asked Precious about how the Neurodiversity movement is whitewashing.
Precious Lesley
So, in the Neurodiversity movement, and more specifically Autistic advocacy, we have this mantra, you know, nothing about us without us. That's a very common theme, even in the greater disability rights movement. And yet far too often, the conversation lacks the voices of black Autistics. And it really just lacks in nuance in general. And so, when you're looking at the current diagnostic criteria for Autism, in order to be diagnosed, according to what's outlined in the DSM-V, an individual is measured on and I’m using, quote their words but impairments and social interaction and communication, and their quotes again, restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior. Also, in psychology and sociology, there's definitely an overwhelming consensus that one's culture has a massive impact on social norms, communication styles, behaviors, beliefs, etc. And, yet, you know, the criteria for being diagnosed with Autism is based on how white male Autistic children tend to present. I'm a firm believer that intersectionality is of the utmost importance when we're discussing human rights in any form. But you can't even start to have a conversation about Autism by its nature without acknowledging the intersectionality piece.
Philip King-Lowe
Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. What does that intersectionality mean for you? How does that what does that look like for you?
Precious Lesley
Yeah, so for me personally, you know, I am a black Autistic woman. Each of those aspects are integral parts of my identity, they shape the way that I interact with others and society, they shaped the experiences that I have in those interactions and ultimately shaped the way that I perceive the world in my worldview. And I guess it goes both ways, you know, as a black Autistic or woman, I have experience, you know, sexism, ableism, and racism. And those experiences tend to have a compounding effect on one another. You know, ableism, oftentimes interconnects with or exacerbates racism. And I think that's something that the current conversation, you know, and the Neurodiversity movement is really failing to give enough emphasis on. And it's something that definitely needs to be highlighted a lot more for we're going to see the positive progress that we're all working towards.
In March of 2023, I had two shows for Women’s History Month. This next clip is from the episode, My Strengths as An Autistic Woman with
Michelle Markman.
Philip King-Lowe
I like to throw this question in every now and then, you know, what would you say? Right? What might you say to an Autistic woman who is feeling defeated right about now? We know that there are those moments when we feel so defeated, you know, because of how someone who has addressed us and you know, I try, I want to, I want to focus on women, again, because of the stereotypes and the stigmas that often come out. You know, let's say that there is one of my listeners, who's an Autistic woman who's feeling defeated. What might be some of your advice to her?
Michelle Markman
I would just say that you're not alone. You are enough. And you are here. And you exist because you're meant to be. And it's so important for us as Autistic women to breathe through these emotional avalanches that can happen to us and that do happen to us. And that's something that's not really talked about very much is the mood swings that come with just Autism itself, and the, you know, emotional roller coaster that it is to be a marginalized person. And doubly marginalized if you're a woman because that's a minority also. But there is light at the end of the tunnel, there is a way to get back in touch with your meaning, who you are, what your purpose is, why you're here on the planet. And it doesn't even have to be something big. It can be something really small. But we're all here for a reason. And you belong here.
This clip is from the other episode in March of the same year with Carole Jean Whittington. In the episode Our Successes as Autistic Women.
Jean Whittington
Well, I think first we have to just start with the conversation across the board, and how do we define success? Because success looks different for each person, how we interpret and define success is very individual thing. We can have a like a collective bar, or a goal that says, Oh, this is what success looks like, based on societal or social norms. But truthfully, when I went inside myself and said, what does success mean to me? Because, you know, comparison is the thief of joy. It truly is. And it's so easy to get caught in the comparison trap of, oh, this is what society says success should look like and be. And if I haven't achieved that, then I failed. I'm not really, I'm not good enough. And that's so often the conversation that I hear when women come to me in late identified life, and it's, I'm failing, I'm not meeting my goals, I'm not successful. You know, I haven't accomplished the things that my peers have accomplished. And a lot of that is just, you know, hey, for a second number one. Did you know your neuro type was different? Are you comparing yourself to everyone else? And have you ever stopped to ask yourself? What does it mean for me to be successful?
Please welcome the director and founder of Looking Forward Life Coaching, Sara Swan
Philip King-Lowe
Sara Swan, welcome to Today's Autistic Moment's 100th show. You and I have been friends ever since we started the podcast, before we started the podcast, and since we have worked together, and I am so grateful we have and welcome aboard.
Sara Swan
Oh, thank you, Philip, so much. I am so thrilled. 100 episodes, wow, I just love it.
Philip King-Lowe
Yeah, well, I love it too. And you know, Today's Autistic Moment and Looking Forward Life Coaching, we have just partnered together in multiple ways. Even as I'm going to say, I have had the privilege of having Looking Forward Life Coaching assist me over this past couple years, and the organization is tremendous. And you know, you know, I don't know what to say, other than thank you. Yeah, so I know you really love Today's Autistic Moments. So why don't we talk about, what do you love about it? What do you love about the podcast?
Sara Swan
Oh wow. Okay, first of all, I love your voice. I've always loved your voice like your voice was made for podcasting. It really, really was. And so, I'll It's very soothing, and I'm so love listening to all the episodes. But I think what is probably the most incredible shift is the fact that you are bringing awareness and support to the Autistic Adult. Yes, my guess is there, there are ones that are not adults that are listening, which is great, which is wonderful, but we just don't have enough support. We don't have enough knowledge for the Autistic Adult. And that is, is groundbreaking and incredible that you're bringing that forward.
Philip King-Lowe
Well, thank you so much. Yeah, yeah. You know when I when I was first thinking about starting this way back in September 2020, and I had some people say, oh, you have a good radio voice. I said, Okay, that's news to me so and we're here 100 shows later. So that must be true.
Sara Swan
Oh yes, definitely, definitely.
Philip King-Lowe
Yeah. Well, you know, the support that that we receive from Looking Forward Life Coaching. I mean, it has played a major role in the wonderful Autistic Adults who have been guests on this show, who have come forward with their talents, abilities, their sorrows, their challenges, their disappointments, but also this incredible swell of advocacy that's flowing through the Autistic communities. And especially this past year 2024 where we've been able to reach out and talk to and about our intersectional communities that we're really finding out just how wide the advocacy is and it's a wonderful thing to see, and I'm so grateful that Today's Autistic Moment, we've been able to bring forward the message that Autistics are not weak. We are not without personal resources. We are not without some kind of community that we can support each other, and it's bringing all this to light. And you know, we have reached people, Autistic people, in places where they didn't even know where their community was, and they have, they are finding it. And so, you know, Looking Forward Life Coaching has played such an important role in this, as have all of my sponsors, AuSM and MICC and the Autism Mentorship Program and many others who have really given their time and energy to keeping this on the air. So, I mean, it's just been an, it's an amazing journey, and I'm so I'm so grateful that that that Looking Forward Life Coaching, all of you folks have been part of this, I wouldn't be able to do it without you, you know?
Sara Swan
Oh well, you know, what's amazing is it rippled. It was so much a ripple effect. I remember you reaching out to me when you gosh, it was just a thought, a scene, okay, maybe this is a possibility. And I thought to myself, is, is there in this form of, you know, media, that this form of interaction, is there any really strong possibilities of support, education, and, more importantly, a community like you said, for the Autistic Adult and Philip, you created that.
Philip King-Lowe
We didn't really create it as much as we found it.
Sara Swan
I love that. I love that you found it.
Philip King-Lowe
We've always been out there. We just haven't found each other. And Today's Autistic Moment, and lots of the podcasts that we've connected with, we're all doing it. We just needed help to find each other. Exactly. Those things I wanted us to do. Exactly. I mean when I think of AJ Locashio and Umbrella US, an organization that they founded to bring Autistic led initiatives forward. And Scott Frasard, who has become my straight Autistic twin brother and author, just an enormous advocate through his compassion and his and his heartfelt feeling that we are so much more than what we're, you know, said to be, because of pathological diagnoses. And so many others, Precious Lesley and Oluwatobi Odugunwa from the Autistic People of Color Fund. And there's just all these folks that are doing the work to say we are not we are not incapable of coming together and supporting one another and all these different groups that are within the Autistic community and finding that has been an absolute pleasure. I cannot say enough about what I've seen. I mean actually, AJ location and Jessica, they were here in November for the Autistic Community Summit, and AJ saw what the Autism Society of Minnesota and lots of the organizations here in Minnesota are doing, she said, and they are sorry. AJ said, "this needs to be replicated throughout the country." Yes. Okay, but we were able to do that because Today's Autistic Moment and AJ found each other. And now we're seeing all the connections that can be made if only Autistic Adults come together. We plan something, we make something work, and then we reach out to the rest of the country. And one of my visions for Today's Autistic Moment when I started it is because of how much I love the folks at AuSM and the great work that they're doing. I wanted to bring that educational experience, that awareness, that acceptance. I wanted to start bringing that to the wider community, and that's one of the things we are doing. We're reaching out. I mean, we're in Australia, we are in England, we are in France, we're in Germany, we're in various parts of the world that we probably wouldn't have gone to if we had started what we're doing.
Sara Swan
Yes, okay, so I'm gonna, I'm gonna toss out an idea here, my friend, you know how the saying is, "If you have met one person with Autism, you've met one person with Autism," which is wonderful. But I think what Today's Autistic Moment, did was it took the beauty of each individual Autistic Adult, and bound that together, to create an absolute beautiful thing of unity of community and the ability to know you're not alone.
Philip King-Lowe
Exactly.
Sara Swan
You have other people out there that might also feel alone, but now are connected, and that's absolutely beautiful.
Philip King-Lowe
Yeah, so please talk about why, why Looking Forward Life Coaching is a sponsor, and maybe give some encouragement to others who might be wanting to sponsor, but just don't know, are wondering, If I support the podcast, am I going to make a difference? And of course, we know the answer to that is yes. Please talk about please talk about that. Because, like I said, Looking Forward Life Coaching and all my sponsors, including Lisa Morgan, you know, let's talk about why that's so important and why you support it like you do.
Sara Swan
Well, when you first approached me with it, it was a no brainer. It was it was so simple. It was so simple. When you're like, Hey, would you want to sponsor this podcast, and I Yes, definitely. And the reason why is and Looking Forward Life Coaching our foundation is person centered. And with it being person centered, it is having that opportunity to encourage, mentor and come alongside support, not fix. And that is what drew me to Today's Autistic Moment, because you gave a voice to the ability to say, you know what, we're part of this human race also. We definitely have hopes and dreams and goals and expectations like everyone else. And it just was one of those very simple yes. And when it comes to sponsoring, there are, for sure, different avenues that a nonprofit, an organization, an individual or even a corporation. It can come along and, you know, attach yourself to it, but you gotta go back to is it aligning with what is also important for your organization, your corporation, new individual. And Philip, my organization and your podcast is always aligned beautifully, and that's just what draws me into that, that sponsorship, like every year I'm like, of course, I wouldn't hesitate. And more importantly, why not go to a new avenue to support you know, it's very easy to support your bigger organization, like United Way and all those kind of things. But why not something that's starting up and making such a ripple effect, like a podcast? It just was a new avenue that I never even thought. And I'm so grateful I did.
Philip King-Lowe
Well to be a perfectly honest, it was an avenue I hadn't thought of until somebody at the Department of Rehabilitation Services said Podcast. I'm like, Yeah, maybe. And I remember reaching out to Robyn DeCourcy, and I said, Robyn, do you think that the Autistic Adult community could use a podcast? And her response was, hell yeah. I mean, yeah. I mean, it's, it's been a real pleasure with things like that, and just to realize the impact that would, that would make, and we're still making it. So, yeah, we're here. We're here. We're gonna be here for a fifth season. And we couldn't be here without you and the folks at Looking Forward Life Coaching and all of our other great sponsors, whom I am eternally grateful.
Sara Swan
Yeah, so excited. Yeah. You better stick around for a while. I have to give you a little fun thing so I have time hop. So, it shows me, you know what has happened in the past? And I one came up today, and I thought this was just beautiful three years ago. If you haven't listened to my friend Philip King Lowe's podcast, please do it. It is amazing. Three years ago, I was already promoting it, and I will still continue to promote it.
Philip King-Lowe
You told me something about a year or two ago that I think potential sponsors and supporters need to hear, because I once asked you how Today's Autistic Moment was making a difference for Looking Forward Life Coaching. And please tell our audience, because I believe you said that it made your organization grow.
Sara Swan
Oh yes, oh yeah, definitely. We have gained clients and support because of Today's Autistic Moment. You know, we're also very small, and what we do is also very unique, similar to your podcast, and when you take that element, it reaches out farther to those corners of the world, of our backyard, to say, hey, we're out here, you know, and we're here to support you. And yeah, we have had a couple of clients that have come via us, via you, excuse me, via you. And we are so grateful, because then that was an opportunity for us to pour into somebody else that was seeking that support, that encouragement, that mentorship, and more importantly, someone to say, Yeah, let's hope. Let's dream. What is it going to look like? So, very grateful for that.
Philip King-Lowe
Yeah, I am too. Well, Sara, thank you so much for stopping by for my 100th show. As I say, I can't do it without you, and you are a wonderful, loving supporter. And I'm so happy that we can work together, grow together and really make a difference for this wonderful Autistic community that is finding itself each other and trying to continue on with what we're doing. So, thanks for stopping by today.
Sara Swan
Of course, and I'm looking forward to, you know, the 200th episode, 300 oh, we're growing old, my friend, we're gonna grow old together.
Philip King-Lowe
As someone I once knew someone who said we're not getting any younger.
Sara Swan
True. So true. But keep doing the amazing things that you're doing, my friend, because it's making a difference.
Philip King-Lowe
Yeah. Thank you so much.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Following this commercial break, you will hear the final set of clips from the shows we have had about Self-Care. My guests AJ Locashio and Jessica Jahns will share what the podcast means for them, followed by Today’s Autistic Community Bulletin Board. In conclusion, I am going to ask you to help me with the next 24 shows as we finish up the 100th Show of Today’s Autistic Moment.
Segment Ending Music.
Lisa Morgan Consulting Ad
The Autistic Coach Ad
Looking Forward Life Coaching Ad
Final Segment Beginning Music
The clip you are about to hear is taken from the episode Self-Care During Autism Acceptance Month in 2023 with my guests Becca Lory Hector and Doug Blecher.
Philip King-Lowe
I'm gonna add to we're here talking about self-care. But one of those great barriers is all of this brings a lot of us added depression upon the depression we already live with. It brings on the anxiety. But you know, I mean, while we're trying to talk about Autism Acceptance, let's say there's people throwing out the puzzle pieces. You know, and why don't we? Why don't we for the sake of caregivers who may be hearing us? Let's tell them why the puzzle piece is a problem. Okay. I think it would be wise for them to hear that.
Becca Lory Hector
I mean, I think we can, we should always continue to educate, right? Because for me, it's twofold. Right? There's one piece of it that is that it has, for a very long time been the logo to an Autism organization that I cannot support. But it does look to co-opt our community in ways that are unfair. And it's certainly portrayed our community in ways that are unfair. The other piece of it is sort of that, you know, is it the right object to convey the meaning that is wanting to be conveyed, right? And I get that for me, and I've certainly used this, this example, very early in my diagnosis place, where it did feel like finding out about my Autism was the piece that was missing, for me to understand myself to live my life. And so, I get that. But what it does is it's it flips on itself, and I feel like it becomes more like we're somehow missing a piece. Right Instead of that the Autism helps us to be better. It's that somehow, we're broken, and we're missing a piece is the way that it comes across. And so, I have issues with both standpoints on it. And so really, for our community, in terms of owning our identity, it meant getting rid of that puzzle piece.
Doug Blecher
The interesting thing is like, yeah, they there, there was like a visual attached to us. But then, but then Autism doesn't have any particular look. Right. So, I've always found trying to attach a visual to something that is invisible in so many different ways. You know, even for those that, you know, that have really high support needs, I think, like, there's such an invisible component for so many, so many of those people. So, I just find it interesting that there's a need to attach a visual to our community.
This next set of clips comes from the episode Self-Care After Autistic Diagnosis/Identification with Becca Lory Hector, Carole Jean-Whittington, and Dr. Scott Frasard. I asked each of them to talk about what their lives were like before and after the Autistic identification. Here is what each guest had to say.
Becca Lory Hector
My very first real reaction to it was honestly I told you so. And that feels like a crazy reaction. Right? But I feel like I had spent well, I had I had spent my whole life up until that point. So, for 36 years, I lived on this blind hat going, listen, I'm different. Listen, something's not right. Listen, I don't understand why this doesn't work. Why am I not like everyone else? What, like so many parts, right, like for my entire life. And when I got my diagnosis, not even right before that, when I self-discovered, I want to say even in that moment, I was like, oh, right, there was that relief and validation of my experiences. And when I got that official diagnosis, I was like, Man, I want to stand on a rooftop and just be like, world, I told you so. Right? Like I told you, I told you, I told you I told my teachers I told my parents, right. So much. That was my first emotional response. It was just so frickin validating to my experience. I was had never been validated. Right? It was why my self-esteem was so low. And at that point in my life when diagnosis came in, about when Autism entered my life. I was three years homebound and suicidal, I had plans I had, you know, the whole deal. I was really, really close. And so, I say a lot. Autism saved my life. And they did. I know I would be dead right now if it didn't come into my life at that particular time. And so there was a lot of gratitude. That was a diagnosis do like weirdly and because, man, right, it really did save my life. So, it was a really emotional time. I want to say it was like that first year is very much was an emotional roller coaster for me.
Carole Jean Whittington
So, in so many different ways, and so many similar ways to what Becca just shared. My friend Diane J. Write of Autastic has a group on Facebook called Surprise! You're Autistic! I was truly surprised. Because I was 39 and 10 months old. So, I was almost four decades into living and believing that I was just a failure. That I wasn't living up to my potential. That all of the things that people said, because I was had an exceptionally high IQ and I seem to be so good at so many things, I'm really excelled. But then the things that were really obvious like everybody else did, it was no big deal I struggled with and the things that they struggled with that they didn't struggle with I struggled with. So, when I sat in an identification with a neuropsychologist for my son, who was 10 at the time, and I'd been reading the parent questionnaire, you know, for the several weeks we've been practicing, and he had said, hey, what do you think about those questions? And that's like, cool. I don't really think much of anything about them. They make sense to me. And as I was reading them, you know, and so that was sort of maybe the only thing he'd asked, and we were going through the process of here's the report and all of the information. But as we were getting the results for my son, and they were telling me, you know, yes, he is Autistic. And these are the things that he's going to need additional help with and occupational therapy and things like that. And he looks at me over his little half glass of salt and pepper hair and this little sport coat. And he says, you know, you were a missed. And in my very literal thinking brain, I said, No, I wasn't, I'm right here, nobody missed me. He just kind of smiled and nodded his head. And he says you need to come back and see me. And so, he goes on about the business and goes for about 10 more minutes. And all of a sudden, the penny dropped. And I stopped and I looked at him, I said, wait a minute, are you saying I'm Autistic? And he said, “See the receptionist on the way out. You need to come see me.” And so, in a lot of ways. I it like Becca said she had been telling the world like I told you so. And for me it was I had lived and had agreed to and had taken on the identity that I was just a failed human. So, the possibility of there being something that answered why life had been so hard, did not come into my purview until someone said, hey, you know where you were missed. And that changed my life. But instead of embracing that, and going, let me figure out what this is, as the mom in that situation. My approach was, if I am Autistic too and I know how hard and how much I have struggled. I want to make sure I do everything for my child. So, I poured everything for the next two years into making sure he had everything that I didn't have. And at the end of that two years, I hit the worst burnout of my life and what I call those five lever levels of spicy burnout, I hit that ghost pepper level five, I was so hot, I was not. And my body shut down. And I was in this place that I either didn't want to be anymore, or I was going to figure it out. And with two small children that I absolutely adore. I chose what I needed to figure it out. And having that understanding that there was just something I didn't know there was a piece of information that I had not had to that point. My life for the first time I just turned 49. I am in a place that I never imagined even possible. Even when I thought there was a possibility I still couldn't dream as big as what the reality has been. And that is I have sustainable energy every day. I am happy. I am I feel free. I feel me, I feel unmasked, I feel unveiled, I feel fully grounded in the person I was created to be. And I'm showing up every day, living my best life that I knew, I knew it was mine. I just didn't know how to get it. Because I believed all of the things externally. And that identification did come with that same processing phase that I call, you know, like, what so many of us the relief, the elation and like, oh my God, there's a reason there's an answer. And then the grieving phases that we go through because it, we go through the, what would have been possible, what if what would have happened, what could have been avoided all of the hurt all of the trauma, all of the things at this point? And after we go through that we reach this place of like, well, okay, now I'm learning some stuff. And I recognize that, you know, now I've learned about masking and camouflaging masking to the professional level of camouflaging. How do I start peeling those off, and we do those first couple layers pretty easily. And we get to this place after a few of those where we get down a little bit and that onion. And we're like, well, wait a minute, I have no idea who I am. Because we never had the opportunity to explore that. And that's, that's where the beauty begins in my book.
Dr. Scott Frasard
Wow, how can I contribute anything different? Both of your experiences resonated with me. I also grew up feeling very different from the rest of the world. Things that made sense to others and particularly around communication especially and how the world just seems to talk in generalities or talking around things versus just coming straight out and say this. It just, I felt perpetually confused and didn't know why. And I wasn't very good in school. And I think that played a big role in it. Though I did have a huge interest. I enjoyed making a in high school and really, really put myself into that and enjoyed it immensely. I wasn't formally identified until I was 48. And all that time for all my professional career and the jobs that I had it I felt like I never could reach others’ expectations and a large part of what I did. And the other times just a flat out exceeded everybody's expectations. That in and of itself was very confusing. But it wasn't until my wife, and I were watching this one season TV show called The Employables. And it was a reality show that followed Neurodivergent people through their process of trying to find employment. And every time they spotlighted an Autistic person, I just resonated with them one way I totally get it. The other folks like there are people that work Tourette's or and I can't remember some of the others. Those didn't quite resonate with me, but the Autistics did. And I found myself searching on the internet. And of course, that point I don't know the difference between the voice of the Autistic community and the voice of the larger community and what to believe what method believe and like, maybe I am. So, I, it took a bit of time to find somebody in my area who would evaluate an adult, but I did I found that, and it took a few months to go through everything and get the results and probably like everyone else, it was a roller coaster of emotions. I heard you know like Becca said I told you and the surprise that Carol Jean said, what? I went through all those emotions, and I remember leaving the psychologist’s office having this overwhelming a feeling of happiness, even though I was crying my eyes out. And the formal identification changed my life. Because it gave me answers to an explanation for my world, my worldly experiences. And then there was nothing wrong with me. I'm just in a world that doesn't cater to me. And that was a really empowering, a realization. And since then, I've really a, a gone deep into learning everything I can from every possible perspective I can about Autism, why some people believe things and not others. And I kind of lost my train of thought here, so forgive me for that. But it's one of those things, it's changed my life for the better. Because now I'm able to share experiences and why learning that I'm Autistic is such a critical part of, of who I am, and understanding myself and why I believe that should happen for others as well.
Please join me in welcoming Angela (AJ) Locashio and Jessica Jahns.
Philip King-Lowe
AJ Locashio and Jessica Jahns, welcome to the 100th show of Today's Autistic Moment. You've both been some of my top fans, and you've been guests on my show. AJ has been a guest on the show quite a few times, and does a marvelous job, and also participated in Autistic Voices Roundtable Discussions. And Jessica, you have been a very faithful, regular listener of Today's Autistic Moment, and you also have shared in Autistic Voices Roundtable Discussions. So, I want to thank you both for time for being here. I want to start with AJ. AJ, you've been a guest on Today's Autistic Moment, as I say, and I want you to talk about what you love about the podcast and what it means to you to both be a guest and a listener.
AJ Locashio
I think that the podcast, for me has just been validating as an individual coming from both the Autistic community as well as the queer community. Coming into this space and just feeling really welcome and able to 100% be myself. Having that has been just, it's just rewarding to be able to participate in that. But even more, it's, you know, we don't get treated like that everywhere. So, coming into the space and being treated like a full, whole, complete human being is, I'm struggling to find a word for what that is. It's just, it's validating as a human being. I think that's the best word I can find right now is, is that it's validating. As far as listening, I learned so much from other members of our community, and the questions that you ask and what you add to those conversations and to the information is just profound. I think, that people outside of the Autistic community should be listening as well. There are so many insights that if they're not listening, they're missing. They don't even know how the wealth of knowledge that is in our community.
Philip King-Lowe
Yeah, thank you for that. And I've heard that from numerous guests and others, and that's so, so very helpful. Jessica, what are your thoughts?
Jessica Jahns
Well, I've been thinking about this. I’m trying to remember what even clued me into the podcast. Now I've, I've been an active podcast listener, podcast addict, actually, for many years. And I guess once I received my Autism identification in 2019, I was just kind of trying to live my life a little bit differently and follow my curiosity. And I had a whole new concept, a whole new world of things to be curious about. You know, figuring out what this Autism thing was all about and how it affected my life, and is either somebody recommended your podcast, or I happen to stumble upon it. I don't, I don't even recall, but I, like AJ said, I've just learned so much because the guests that you have are the kind of people that I would always seek out at parties, you know, or seek out in real life. Like, oh, this person has something really interesting to say, um, and because of the way that they're presenting it with such passion and such vigor, it's, it's obvious that this is something that they've dedicated a vast amount of energy to in their life. And I've, I've always been drawn to people like that. So, you know, regardless of what the specific topic is or whether it's something that I'm also interested in, I'm drawn to the people and the way that they present it, and your podcast really highlighted a lot of topics to me that, you know, I was just not familiar with or didn't think were applicable in my life. And so, you know, it's, it's helped me grow in my curiosity about other people. It's really broadened my perspective about just deep dive on topics that I never would have predicted, that have been interesting, but they're presented in a way that it makes it really accessible to me and entertaining to my brain.
Philip King-Lowe
Yeah, and to help refresh your memory, the one episode of Autistic Voices Roundtable Discussions that you participated in was during this past year when I finally gave us "Your Behavior is Not Appropriate." And my goal in that was to, let's bring Autistic people together and talk about how we feel when somebody says that. Because one of the things I seek to do on Today's Autistic Moment and Autistic Voices Roundtable Discussions is to finally bring the Autistic voices that are often drowned out, shut down, spoken over, ignored, and finally, give Autistics your opportunity to say, this is why this troubles me. This is why this hurts my feelings. You know, because we know how many conversations like that you get told your behavior is not appropriate, you hear that, and then you we tend to mask then, and we also tend to just feel, some of us feel defeated by that kind of message, which and we shouldn't be. We should have an opportunity to reply, but we are not often given. And so, one of my goals of this podcast is to give Autistic people your opportunity to finally answer some of that back. And nobody's going to tell you, keep quiet. So that's, that's what that was about.
Jessica Jahns
Yeah, that experience of being featured in the round table discussion was really profound for me as well, because, you know, having listened to your podcast, you the people that you have highlighted, I don't feel like I'm a part of that crowd of you know, resources, so I'm still coming to terms with that, and, you know, having the interest that you've put into whatever it is that I'm doing here, I don't even really know yet how, how I'm contributing to our Autistic culture and our collective, you know, coming out, let's say. That was also very validating. AJ used, used that term, and I'll just crib from her on that too. So
Philip King-Lowe
Yeah, thank you for that. AJ, you've had an opportunity on Today's Autistic Moment to be candid, you know, to really put out there things that, again, many would say, be quiet or don't talk about that public you know, that sort of thing. But the thing is, is that a lot of us Autistics, we are rightfully accused of being info dumpers, but I think a lot of that is because our information is often not even heard, or again, someone who you know, they latch on to their ableism, and they just assume we don't know what we're talking about. And if we do, along comes the ultimate insults you don't sound or seem Autistic, that sort of thing, which is just angering. It's beyond frustrating. Want to talk about some of that?
AJ Locashio
Yeah, you know, two of my favorite things that I love to talk about communication and then sexuality and relationships. Both of these areas are, like you said, areas where I have been told, Oh, you shouldn't talk about that, or because I am so knowledgeable about it, I can't possibly be Autistic, right? The first Doctor Who I saw for diagnosis before they started anything, said that to me, Well, you have the right to be tested, but you communicate so well, you can't be possibly Autistic. And I think that's why I use that word validating, because it is through Today's Autistic Moment, through the round tables, through our personal discussions, through my discussions with other folks in the community, I have found that we communicate very well. We may communicate differently, but we communicate well, and some of us are able to mask and communicate the way people want us to, even though that may not be what comes naturally to us. And that's where our conversation, you know, we had a conversation about anger and kind of managing that, and I remember the first thing I said was, well, this is appropriate, because I'm really angry today. How lovely is that to be able to say I'm angry and to not be told that that's not a good emotion to have. It's a real emotion. It's a valid emotion. And as far as discussing sexuality, that 100% is a special interest for me. So, it's something I've been very interested in for a very long time, and being able to share that knowledge with the community, to let people know that there is somebody there who they can contact to have discussions with is just a really beautiful thing, and I'm honored that I was allowed to do that, and am allowed to do that in the spaces that you create.
Philip King-Lowe
Thank you both for sharing all that, and it is my privilege to interact with you on the air or off the air, and you both are tremendous in the work that you're doing, that Umbrella US is doing, and so many other things that are happening. So, welcome aboard, and it's pleasure, my pleasure, to have you as part of my network of people. So, thank you very much for being here. And AJ and Jessica are going to be here next show where we're going to talk about the topic the focus for 2025 Navigating the Future of Multidimensional Autistic Leadership, and so you can all look forward to that coming up on January 26th so thanks to you both, and we'll see you then.
AJ Locashio
Thank you.
Jessica Jahns
Thank you.
Philip King-Lowe
You're welcome.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
You have just heard some clips from 14 of the 99 shows that were published between January 2021 to December 2024. The time constraint is such that I cannot possibly use more clips. Please know that all of my guests that have been speakers in all 100 shows were phenomenal with their time, talents, and the information they shared.
Let me say that while our efforts have begun some social changes for the better, there are still those out there that are working to erase the existence of Autistic Adults from all our intersectional communities. This means that there are folks out there who would rather keep society in the chains of neuro-normativity and leave the many wonderful contributions that so many Autistic Adults are giving to our society, and while it affects us who are Autistic, the real tragedy is that society is missing out on all of the good that Autistics are doing. This is why the advocacy and information by and for Autistic Adults must continue to grow.
Coming on January 26th, 2025, join AJ Locashio, Jessica Jahns and I for the episode Navigating the Future of Multidimensional Autistic Leadership.
On February 9th, Shalese Heard will be returning for the show Black Autistic Leadership.
Today’s Autistic Community Bulletin Board
All of these events and many others with their links not mentioned are available on
todaysautisticmoment.com/bulletinboard.
The Adult Coffee Club is back for Autistic Adults in Minnesota. They are held on the second Tuesday of every month (weather permitting) at Dogwood Coffee located at 2700 University Ave W. Suite 100 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Zip Code is 55114. The Adult Coffee Clubs will be on January 14th. February 11th. March 11th. April 25th. May 13th. June 10th.
Understanding Autism virtual classes are offered by The Autism Society of Minnesota. The next classes will be on January 13th, 10 – 11am. February 10th, 12-1pm. March 10th, at 6-7pm. Classes are free of charge, but you must register to attend.
Are you a professional who works with Autistic people? Such as a therapist, psychologist, occupational therapist, psychiatrist, social worker, case manager, or health care provider? Join the AuSM Professional Networking Group to work with The Autism Society of Minnesota’s Counseling and Consultation team that offers a resource to help you network with other professionals. Group sessions are held monthly. See AuSM’s Event Calendar for more information.
On January 24th, 2025, beginning at 9am-12pm there will be a virtual workshop at The Autism Society of Minnesota entitled, Maximizing Your Disability Services. Dr. Barbara Luskin, a therapist at The Autism Society of Minnesota and Jillian Nelson will be presenting this workshop.
Go to ausm.org to get more information about these and other social and recreational programs, educational events, counseling services and support groups at The Autism Society of Minnesota.
MNeurodivergent is a social club rooted in a vision of bringing Neurodivergent Minnesotans together to build meaningful connections. Its core principle is to foster an environment where all are treated with dignity and respect regardless of ability or preferences. Go to their new website mneurodivergent.org to find out about their events.
You have been listening to Today’s Autistic Moment’s 100th show. It is my pleasure to offer this podcast for all of you who are Autistic Adults out there. I cannot thank the guests, sponsors, donors and audience enough for giving me the honor of giving you the best podcast I can. As long as I have breath in my body, the means given to me by the sponsors, and all of you in my audience, I will continue to bring you the quality program you are listening to. However, I need some help from all of you. This podcast needs your donations to help me keep everything going. Please go to todaysautisticmoment.com and click on Support Today’s Autistic Moment. You can click on the Ko-fi icon to make a one-time donation. You can also tap the Patreon icon to become a monthly subscriber. Donations to Today’s Autistic Moment are not tax deductible. Yet, every dollar you donate goes to helping me maintain my podcast studio and software working in tip top shape.
If you have questions about Today’s Autistic Moment, please send an email to todaysautisticmoment@gmail.com.
Thank you for listening to Today’s Autistic Moment: A Podcast for Autistic Adults by An Autistic Adult.
May you have an Autistically Amazing day.
♫ ♫ Closing Background Music with credits ♫
All of the guests meet with me on Zoom to record the interviews. The interview transcripts are provided by Otter. The podcast is prepared and edited on WavePad Masters Edition by NCH Software. The podcast is published by Spotify for Podcasters. The Music that you hear is licensed to Today’s Autistic Moment by premiumbeat.com.