Unpacking Neuroqueerness

In this episode I talk about how exhausting April can be for advocates like myself, as neurotypical led organizations such as "Autism Speaks" promote eugenics research and conversion therapies through their "Autism Awareness" campaigns, pretending to care about the wellbeing of autistic folks, while speaking over them and vilifying their disabilty, rather than focusing on making society more accomodating.

In this episode I talk with Ayelet Schrek, a fellow neurodivergent queer educator who is also physically disabled. Ayalet talks about the intersectionality of those identities and their personal experience living in a society that doesn't properly accommodate different ways of thinking and being.

In this episode I welcome back my sister Luana Gund, who is in the final year of her psychology studies at USC. Lu shares her experiences with GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and we have a conversation about how important it is to have awareness about anxiety and how prevalent it is in our society. We also recognize the value and importance of advocating for a world where we can have accessible therapy for all.

In this episode I talk about the concept of "spoons" in terms of energy regulation for autistics and ADHDers and how being low on spoons can lead to increased sensitivity and being more prone to meltdowns.

In this episode I break down each subtype of ADHD and challenge the thought that ADHD represents only executive dysfunction or difficulty paying attention. I explain that there is so much more to ADHD than those more talked about traits.

In this episode I talk about similarities in between autistic people and cats, and how both are often misunderstood, misjudged and mistreated by society

In this episode I talk with late diagnosed autistic life coach Michelle Markman. We talk about early life experiences, getting diagnosed, and our mission to help other neurodistinct understand and accept themselves, as well as advocate for their needs.*Check out Michelle's website at https://michellemarkman.com/ :)

In this episode I break down why I feel like we shouldn't be judging people for advocating in their own ways, or we would be enforcing the very systems that we challenge every day.

In this episode I tackle how damaging it can be to assume someone is well based on a single observation of something they did or achieved, because we're not seeing all the effort and burnout behind that.

In this episode I acknowledge that ND people aren't perfect and can make mistakes as well.

In this episode I talk a little bit about RSD, what it is and why it is so common among autistics and ADHDers.

In this episode I honor Judy Heumann, known as the mother of the disability rights movement.

In this episode I explain why our strong sense of justice and hyperfocus traits lead many of us autistics become passionate advocates and activists after we discover how autistic people (especially multiply marginalized autistics) have been deeply misunderstood and mistreated by society.

In this episode I talk with fellow actor and MTS alum Precious Prado about her experience being diagnosed with ADHD in her early 20s and how it led her to better accept and understand herself, while also advocating for her support needs to be met.

In this episode my friend Faina and I share experiences around substance abuse, and talk about our experiences being misunderstood and mislabeled by society as neurodivergent individuals.

In this episode I break down why "hustle culture", which is basically the expectation of always being busy and working, can be very draining for most people, but can be especially damaging to folks with neurodistinct brains.

In this episode my friend X breaks down a recent problematic article published in the UK from the perspective of an ADHD journalist with a masters in digital culture and society at Kings College London. We also discuss possible new names for ADHD, using the term "attention regulation" rather than disorder. Our cats make brief appearances as well.

In this episode I ask my mom a few questions about what it was like raising an undiagnosed autistic child and advocating for accommodations in the late 1990s and early 2000s. We also talk about what it was like when I finally got diagnosed in 2010 at age 16.

In this episode I explain why many autistics like myself need to know as much detail as possible about an outing in order to feel safe and comfortable.

In this episode I explain the problems surrounding tokenism and why instead of drawing inspiration from disabled folks, allies should instead help us advocate for our needs, call out ableism and dissolve stigmas and stereotypes.

In this episode I explain how neurodistinct people like myself have essentially been conditioned throughout their lives to think outside the box and find strategies that work best for them, rather than trying to fit neuronormative molds and expectations.

In this episode I talk about one of the most relatable things among neurodistinct folks: hyperactivity related sleep troubles. I also give a few examples of certain strategies that may be helpful for some folks experiencing trouble sleeping.*Remember every neurodistinct person is different and has their own preferences and strategies that would best for them.

In this episode I discuss why no one should assume a persons level of support needs without knowing them, as this person may be masking and support needs can often fluctuate many times throughout one single day.

In this episode I explain the difference in between taking medication as a support for certain struggles and pathologizing an entire neurotype, which perpetuates negative stigmas and stereotypes about disabiltiy.

In this episode I talk about the strong connection in between ableism and capitalism, how they work together and why this can be so damaging for many neurodistinct individuals.

In this episode I talk a bit about the correlation in between neurodistinct and having phobias, using a personal story as an example.

In this episode I talk about why it can be hard for non autistics to understand what it really means to experience sensory overload or burnout as an autistic person. I explain what it's like to have sensitivities that trigger reactions that we can't control and end up getting judged and ostracized for. This is all due to systematic social constructs which are rooted in ableism.

In this episode I take a moment to reflect on how much this podcast has grown and the gratitude I feel for making an impact with my work. I also explain why I plan to keep this podcast free of charge and free of ads, in order for it to remain accessible to as many people as possible.

In this episode I talk about why due to hyperfocus, literal thinking and past traumas, many autistics can thrive when there is a crisis or emergency and swift action needs to be taken.

In this episode I talk a little bit about the history of term "queer", then discuss the idea of expanding it to include anyone who deviates from societal norms, independent of sexual orientation or preferences.*This reflects my own viewpoints and I do not speak for all queer and/or neurodistinct individuals.

In this episode I talk about what the term "Aspie Supremacy" means and the importance of acknowledging intersectionality within the autistic community.

In this episode my father and I talk about his experience growing up with undiagnosed ADHD in the 1970s and 1980s, what it was like to get a diagnosis just a couple years ago, after living almost 50 years and having 3 children. We also talk about what it was like raising an undiagnosed autistic child in the 1990s and early 2000s.

In this short bonus episode, I talk about a conversation I overheard in between two ladies that was laced with internalized ableism and made me sad.

In this episode I explain why big gathering can be overwhelming for a lot of autistic folks and why one on one interactions are the best way to connect with people for many of us.

In this episode I talk with fellow neuroqueer nonbinary actor Liz to talk about their experience with dyslexia and how they've been able to use their neurodivergence to their advantage despite being looked down on by society from an early age.

In this episode I explain how society (through mainstream media and movies) conditions disabled folks to vilify their disability instead of advocating for a society that properly supports and accommodates disabled folks.

In this episode I explain why more people getting diagnosed or identifying as neurodivergent is actually due (in large part) to increased awareness about how certain conditions can present in different people, and not a simple "hype trend" as many people seem to believe. I talk about how better understanding yourself through a diagnosis or identification label can lead to more acceptance and a better quality of life for many individuals like myself*I do not speak for every neurodistinct person and everyone has their own opinion on this matter.

In this episode I explain why autistic advocates, parents and researchers tend to clash so much and why people need to acknowledge that a big part of the burden of disability comes from an ableist society, and this burden shouldn't be placed entirely on disabled people and their families. Everybody out there needs to help us advocate for a society that is more accommodating towards disabled people, so our parents don't have to worry so much about what will be of us when they are gone.

In this episode, my friend Faina and I share experiences about our own journeys with life, school and even some unfortunate bullying events we've been through as neurodistinct individuals trying to grow up in a neurotypical world. I also share an experience I had recently involving ableism in the acting industry.

In this episode I talk about the overlap in between Autism and ADHD and why a lot of people have both.

In this episode I ask my cousin Lucy a few questions and we have a nice conversation about her experience with ADHD, how medication has been helpful for her to manage certain struggles such as executive dysfunction and how she has also been able to recognize the positive traits of her ADHD and use her hyperactivity and special interests in fitness and sports to her advantage.

In this episode my friend X talks about her unique experience being diagnosed with ADHD as a cisgender female child, her close relationship with her autistic brother, and her experiences with the intersectionality of being queer and neurodivergent.We also talk about some frustrations we share while trying to communicate with neurotypicals and discuss some of the social constructs that may be responsible for some of these challenges.

In this episode my cousin Susannah talks about growing up with undiagnosed ADHD and later coming to the realization that she was neurodistinct after already being married and having two small children.

In this episode I talk about why many of us Neurodistinct folks, particularly those with RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria) struggle even more than our neurotypical peers when it comes to recovering from arguments.

In this episode I talk about how much better things would be if the medical community listened more to neurodivergent voices when it comes to how we want to be supported and better understood, rather than being treated us as broken or "disordered".

In this episode I talk about how despite it generally being used with good intentions, using the term "differently abled" can make some disabled folks like myself feel unheard or invalidated when it comes to our disabilities.

In this episode I explain why it's important to recognize that systemic privileges can exist even within the disabled community and why not all disabled people should be held to the same standards.

In this episode I talk more in depth about stimming. I explain what it is and why autistic people and folks with ADHD tend to stim more than neurotypicals.

In this episode I talk with Alex from the @theworldisahouseonfire Instagram account. I ask him some ND related questions and we have a nice little chat.

In this episode I talk about one of the most harmful long standing stereotypes out there: the myth around autistic people not having empathy. The reality of the matter is that we experience less cognitive empathy but more emotional empathy than non-autistics. Tune in to learn more.