Thoughty Auti - The Autism & Mental Health Podcast Thomas Henley

What are the stigmas and stereotypes attached to cerebral palsy? What is daily life with dystonia like? What is cerebral palsy and how does it develop?

In this podcast, Thomas Henley talks to Emma Stone, a cerebral palsy advocate (dystonia) and decorated horseriding athlete, currently studying a variety of Work Preparation modules in college and working in a local cafe.

Within this podcast, Emma aims to dispell stigma and stereotypes around cerebral palsy and bring more awareness to them and share the more intimate negative experiences they've gone through in daily life, school, physio, surgery and healthcare. She also highlights the life lessons she's picked up and details her top tips for other individuals with cerebral palsy.

Thomas's Links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Emma's Blog: https://estoneblogersa.blogspot.com/?m=1

Chapters: 

00:00 - 01:24 Introduction

01:24 - 05:09 Surgery and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

05:09 - 08:24 Who Is Emma Stone?

08:24 - 10:55 What Is Cerebral Palsy?

10:55 - 14:19 Developing Cerebral Palsy

14:19 - 21:27 Living With Dystonia

21:27 - 32:36 Escaping Isolation With Cerebral Palsy

32:36 - 37:02 Navigating Healthcare with CP

37:02 - 39:38 Horse riding Achievements

39:38 - 46:45 Tips for Living With Cerebral Palsy

46:45 - 49:08 Identity vs Person first language

49:08 - 56:05 Stigma and Stereotypes

56:05 - 01:02:56 Final Thoughts

Song Of The Day (Listen Here) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to the channel to get notified when I next go live 🙌  

🗣️ My Socials and Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🐰 My Favourite Energy Drink Powder (with L-Theanine) - https://affiliates.sneakenergy.com/s/thomashenleyuk

💻  My Amazon Store Recommendations (Sensory items, gym gear, YouTube set-up) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thomashenleyuk

🎧 Dbud Noise Cancelling Adjustable Ear Buds (20% Off with code: THOUGHTYAUTI) - https://dbud.io/bntvs5  

◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️

WHAT SERVICES DO I OFFER?

🎙️ Podcast, TV and Radio Guest

🗣️ Public Speaking For Events

📸 Neurodiverse Modeling (Contact for details)

📧 CONTACT: https://www.thomashenley.co.uk (hi@thomashenley.co.uk)

◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️

FOLLOW MY SOCIALS ♥:

Instagram - @thomashenleyuk

TikTok - @thomashenleyuk

Facebook - Thomas Henley

Twitter - @thomashenleyuk

Linkedin - Thomas Henley

All my links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyuk

What are the challenges autistic people experience with pets and how can you manage them? How can pets benefit autistic and disabled people? WHY does Mike have 2 therapy peacocks?!

In this podcast, Thomas Henley talks to Mike from  @Autistic_AF  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCVdE2LIYHS-ozeO2yPr3OqA] about his experiences owning and managing a large number of animals or pets, why Autism makes pet ownership difficult, what benefits pets can offer autistic people, and which strategies he uses to maintain his sanity long-term.  

Thomas's Links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

@Autistic_AF  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCVdE2LIYHS-ozeO2yPr3OqA] YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Autistic_AF

Chapters: 

00:00 - 02:47 Introduction 

02:47 - 14:00 Who Is Autistic AF? 

14:00 - 24:43 Mikes Home Zoo! 

24:43 - 44:34 Benefits Of Pets For Autistic People 

44:34 - 55:23 Overcoming Autistic Challenges With Pets 

55:23 - 01:09:49 Community Q&A

01:09:49 - 01:20:31 3 Top Tips For Pet Management

Song Of The Day (Listen Here) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to the channel to get notified when I next go live 🙌  

🗣️ My Socials and Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

🐰 My Favourite Energy Drink Powder (with L-Theanine) - https://affiliates.sneakenergy.com/s/thomashenleyuk   

💻  My Amazon Store Recommendations (Sensory items, gym gear, YouTube set-up) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thomashenleyuk  

🎧 Dbud Noise Cancelling Adjustable Ear Buds (20% Off with code: THOUGHTYAUTI) - https://dbud.io/bntvs5  

◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️

WHAT SERVICES DO I OFFER?

 🎙️ Podcast, TV and Radio Guest

 🗣️ Public Speaking For Events 

📸 Neurodiverse Modeling (Contact for details)

 📧 CONTACT: https://www.thomashenley.co.uk (hi@thomashenley.co.uk) 

 ◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️

 FOLLOW MY SOCIALS ♥: 

Instagram - @thomashenleyuk

 TikTok - @thomashenleyuk

Facebook - Thomas Henley

Twitter - @thomashenleyuk

Linkedin - Thomas Henley 

All my links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyuk

What are the benefits of martial arts for autistic people? How far should we push autistic people out of their comfort zone? How can YOU start martial arts training?

In this podcast, Thomas Henley talks to Sensei Al Loren about his experience in martial arts and his unique approach to coaching autistic children and adults.

Thomas's Links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Al Lorens Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Martial-Arts-Autism-Spectrum-Practical/dp/B0BZ6KG43P

Starting off with Al's history of fighting, the two share fond memories of their respective fighting careers and connect on their love for the original Karate Kid movie series.  Al Loren shares his challenges and success with teaching autistic individuals, highlighting the important mindset to have when coaching children and adults on the spectrum.  They wrap up debating the balance between challenging autistic people and being compassionate towards their difficulties.

Song Of The Day (Listen Here) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  

Interview me, 1:1 Talk With Thomas, public speaking for events & workplace training - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Why are 70% of daily marijuana users Autistic? How can medical marijuana be used by Autistic or ADHD adults to support them? What are the negative impacts of marijuana on neurodivergent or neurotypical individuals?



DISCLAIMER: This information should NOT be viewed or used as medical advice, rather an exploration of data, science and experiences of neurodivergentand neurotypical individuals with Marijuana usage.



Dr. Miyabe Shields ( @miyabephd  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCVM_hgKzfDgElL5IbRHSXtg]) has a PhD in endocannabinoid pharmsci and is co-creator of 'Network of Applied Pharmacognosy' with Dr. Riley Kirk, a non-profit contributing to education and destigmatising of emerging medicinal natural products. Miyabe is also a thriving queer and neurodivergent Instagram personality with over 40K followers, which is often used to promote 'Project Chronic' from 'Dose Like A Scientist', a community-based educational platform for neurodivergents providing a network, teaching them about pharmacology and advocacy.



My Links - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ // Miyabe's Links - https://projectchronic.com/links/ Dbud Noise Cancelling Adjustable Ear Buds (20% OFF with code: THOUGHTYAUTI) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dbud.io/thoughtyautipodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Introducing Season 3 of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas explains the new upload schedule of the podcast before pivoting to the episode topic... Marijuana and Autism. Miyabe gives a brief background to why she chose to pursue Pharamacological research into endocannabinoids before highlighting the differences in the legality and prescription of consumable hemp, recreational, and medical marijuana between the USA and the UK. Two big distinctions were product diversity and black market prevalence in obtaining marijuana. Thomas highlights his introduction to recreational drug users at university, sparking an interest in the physiological and experiential elements of alternative medicine and drug use. He had a very bad association with drug use, personality, work ethic, and intelligence, common to many proclaimed 'tea-total' individuals. Miyabe describes the Stoner Archetype and how it influences public perspectives on marijuana use as opposed to the use of legal highs like alcohol and tobacco. Miyabe explains the Triad Of Suffering, three issues common to neurodivergent individuals, but also something treatable with medical marijuana. Listing off the immediate and long-term potentials of THC and CBD through a medical lens, it's clear this medicine has a lot of therapeutic potential for neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals. A clear advantage to recreational use through the heightening of social rewards and reduced discomfort with eye contact through an oxytocin mediator seemed to explain the positive regard towards marijuana testified by neurodivergents in a social setting. Marijuana is not without potential risks, being linked to triggering schizophrenia, an array of mental illnesses, and neuronal changes in users under the age of 25; although correlation does not always equal causation, it's a clear concern for medical professionals and the public. Touching on the history of hemp and marijuana use, Miyabe details the many reasons why she is fighting for more widespread legalisation of both medicinal and recreational marijuana use. Ignoring its potential benefits, it proves to be a relatively lower toxicity and crime-facilitating option than the socially accepted recreational use of ethanol and nicotine. Whether you agree with legalisation of such a plant, you'll surely take away a lot of new perspectives and information about marijuana use for neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals. Song Of The Day (Listen Here) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840

How did Paul develop speech after 7 years of being non-verbal? What visual and speech disorders occur in Autistic people? What is it like to have a visual disorder?



Paul Isaacs (@staypuft12) is an autistic public speaker who was late diagnosed with autism and OCD at the age of 24 in 2010. Paul was functionally non-verbal till the age of 11, suffering from a brain injury from cerebral hypoxia before birth. Within this podcast, Paul details his life with visual and speech disorders, and how others can better understand the experience.



My Links - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK] // Paul's Blog - https://theisaacs22.wordpress.com/



Dbud Noise Cancelling Adjustable Ear Buds (20% OFF with code: THOUGHTYAUTI) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dbud.io/thoughtyautipodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://dbud.io/thoughtyautipodcast]



Kicking off the episode, Paul explains his history with Autism and OCD. Diagnosed at the late age of 24 he was gifted with a very positive experience, something not common to many.



Paul found a role model in a woman named Donna Williams, who shared many of his experiences in life, recounting her inspiring yet tragic life in great detail.



Starting work at 15 due to his parents increasing concern about Paul's isolation in his room, he had a very ego-centric approach to communication with many processing delays. The two bond over their shared confusion and difficulty identifying bullying, gossiping, and gaslighting within the school system and workplace.



Non-verbal until age 7, Paul describes the numerous visual and speech disorders he was afflicted with due to brain damage inflicted during a placental abruption and consequent cerebral hypoxia. Doctors originally believed he was blind, but eventually identified a few causes of his social, kinaesthetic, and sensory-sampling behaviours.



Paul is hemiplegic, which impacts his visual perception, language, proprioceptive awareness, and some of his motor functionality. His visual agnosia left him unable to register anything he wasn't directly focused on, like extreme tunnel vision... meaning his ability to create word associations to objects in childhood was difficult.



In terms of speech, Paul was 80% meaning deaf. The experience was described as perceiving large amounts of fragmented information, and couldn't interpret language as anything but meaningless phonics. His anomic aphasia made it difficult to find words to say, which resulted in him becoming highly echolalic.



Paul and Thomas describe their shared difficulty with Alexithymia in childhood and how their feelings manifested as physical illness. Paul describes the idea of mergence, something common in infants who are in a state of sensing, rather than interpretation... this mergence was remarked by Thomas as being eerily similar to goals of meditation and the experience of ego-death many chase.



Paul and Thomas do differ in some respects. Thomas describes his default mode network or baseline activity of his brain as being constant and often stressful; Paul doesn't tend to think at all unless baited by OCD

Why do ADHD and Autism get misdiagnosed as Bipolar Disorder? What impact does bipolar medication have on someone? How do Brandon and Thomas process anger differently?



Brandon Christ (@autistically_b) was diagnosed with Autism (ASD-2) and ADHD recently after a long life of being misdiagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. Working in physiotherapy with a passion for baseball and fitness, Brandon seeks to open up about his experiences with late-diagnosed life and how fitness has shaped him as a person.



My Links - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK] // Brandon's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/autistically_b/



Dbud Noise Cancelling Adjustable Ear Buds (20% OFF with code: THOUGHTYAUTI) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dbud.io/thoughtyautipodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://dbud.io/thoughtyautipodcast]



The conversation commences on the topic of neurodiversity, looking at the differences between inherent and acquired neurodiversity, as well as the fine lines between viewing some neurodivergencies as good, neutral, or inherently bad.



On the topic of masking in adolescence, Thomas tended to be quiet and blended in as much as he could... whilst Brandon became hyper-verbal and highly social.



Thomas dives deeper into Brandon's difficult childhood, highlighting the behavioral training he received due to stimming, meltdowns, and attention problems. Brandon reflects on life before the People's First movement and how his early adulthood influenced his life outcome.



Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is best characterised as a sensitivity to expectations, not defiance, and is fairly common in autistic people. The two talk about their experiences with PDA and aggression at school, at work, and within sports. Highlighting the silly online culture around things such as the Alpha Male, Thomas postulates that the idea of the Sigma Male likely comes from the existence of confident autistic men with PDA.



It can be hard being autistic in a neurotypical world; Thomas and Brandon connect on the negative experiences that shaped their prior negative mindset towards neurotypicals... and how they shifted their perspective to forgiveness in later adulthood.



Sport and exercise is a big part of both Brandon and Thomas' life... it's regulating, a great social lubricant, helps develop grit, and can temper you against sensory overload in the long term. Autistic people can struggle with instinctual movements and hypermobility, but have a lot of strengths in sports too!



Brandon directs a question to the host about the struggles he faces most often as an autistic person. Thomas highlights it was once alexithymia and other people which were the biggest factors, with executive functioning and transition difficulties being a close second. Being autistic often comes with unfavorable life experiences and co-occurring conditions, and for Thomas mental illness is the biggest difficulty in life.



Song Of The Day (Listen Here) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5]