Autistic Small Talk

Vanessa Yaremchuk and Vince Freeborn
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Autistic Small Talk is a blend of research-informed discussion and personal stories about autistic culture. We seek to not only inform and destigmatize but to celebrate and to share the joyful aspects of being an autistic person and finding autistic community. Currently airing on: CFUZ in Penticton, British Columbia at 3pm PST the second Sunday of every month CHSR in Fredericton, New Brunswick at 3pm AST every Thursday Met Radio (CJTM) Toronto, Ontario at 3pm EST the first and third Wednesday of every month.

  1. 4d ago

    Interview with Dr. Brett Heasman of the Heasman Flow Lab (part 1)

    This brief two episode interview with Dr. Brett Heasman starts with a conversation about his views on human flourishing, neurodiversity and flow, and public perceptions of autism. Brett Heasman Heasman Flow Lab Brett Heasman’s ResearchGate profile Sensory Street Autistic Flow Heasman, B., Williams, G., Charura, D., Hamilton, L. G., Milton, D., & Murray, F. (2024). Towards autistic flow theory: A non-pathologising conceptual approach. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour, 54(4), 469–497. https://doi.org/10.1111/jtsb.12427 A podcast of the authors discussing the paper Wain, D., G.Williams, D.Charura, et al. 2026. “Transitioning in and out of Autistic Flow: A Qualitative Study Presenting a Non-Pathologising Approach to Autistic Well-Being and Conceptualising Autistic Ways of Being in Clinical and Therapeutic Settings.” Counselling and Psychotherapy Research26, no. 1: e70073. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70073. Understanding Autistic Flow with Dr Brett Heasman – The Middletown Centre for Autism Podcast Complimentary Cognition Taylor H, Fernandes B, Wraight S. The Evolution of Complementary Cognition: Humans Cooperatively Adapt and Evolve through a System of Collective Cognitive Search. Cambridge Archaeological Journal. 2022;32(1):61-77. doi:10.1017/S0959774321000329 Open Minds Open Minds Exhibition LSE Research | Brett Heasman on improving public understanding of autism (Show Notes Continued)

    Interview with Dr. Brett Heasman of the Heasman Flow Lab (part 1)

  2. Aug 4

    Self-Identifying as Autistic & the Profound Problems with Functioning Labels

    Vince and Vanessa review, in a trice, research about who self-identifies as Autistic and why, followed by a state-of-the-art paper on why terms like "profound autism" and functioning labels (i.e.: high-functioning or low-functioning) end up causing harm. Ahuvia IL, Gurbuz E, Cuda J, et al. Identifying as Autistic Without a Formal Diagnosis: Who Self-Identifies as Autistic and Why? Autism in Adulthood. 2026;0(0). doi:10.1177/25739581251409920 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/25739581251409920 Kapp, S.K. Profound Concerns about “Profound Autism”: Dangers of Severity Scales and Functioning Labels for Support Needs. Educ. Sci. 2023, 13, 106. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13020106 https://www.mdpi.com/2081376 Show notes

    Self-Identifying as Autistic & the Profound Problems with Functioning Labels

  3. Jul 11

    Autistic Burnout and Unmasking

    Vince and Vanessa race through a discussion of Autistic Burnout by going through a paper that describes it and its causes. Masking is a big contributor so they also talk about Devon Price's book Unmasking for Life. They open with describing implicit bias. Show notes

    Autistic Burnout and Unmasking

  4. Jun 13

    Mad Studies and Neurodiversity

    Vince and Vanessa talk with some alacrity about how Mad Studies and Neurodiversity can work together, as well as about Mad History and Politics. Show Notes

    Mad Studies and Neurodiversity

  5. May 9

    Hypercuriosity and Critical ADHD Studies

    Vince and Vanessa zip through 2 papers on hypercuriosity as a framework for ADHD. The first lays out the theory, and the second is a survey-based study on curiosity and ADHD traits. They then discuss a paper making a call for the establishment of Critical ADHD Studies as a field. Show Notes Spoon Theory The original spoon theory essay: https://web-wp.archive.org/web/20251002173043/https://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/ Christine Miserandino reading her original piece about spoon theory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn5IBsm49Rk Spoon Theory For Autism And ADHD: The Neurodivergent Spoon Drawer https://neurodivergentinsights.com/the-neurodivergent-spoon-drawer-spoon-theory-for-adhders-and-autists Hypercuriosity Le Cunff, AL. Distractibility and Impulsivity in ADHD as an Evolutionary Mismatch of High Trait Curiosity. Evolutionary Psychological Science 10, 282–297 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40806-024-00400-8 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40806-024-00400-8 The Hypercurious Mind https://aeon.co/essays/how-the-hypercuriosity-of-adhd-may-have-helped-humans-thrive Le Cunff, AL., Russell, C. & Dommett, E.J. Hyperactive–impulsive ADHD traits predict higher curiosity in adults: evidence from a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychol (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-026-04504-7 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/403686915_Hyperactive-impulsive_ADHD_traits_predict_higher_curiosity_in_adults_evidence_from_a_cross-sectional_study Calls For Critical ADHD Studies Jackson-Perry, D., Bertilsdotter Rosqvist, H., & Brown, A. I. (2025). Moving forward: a call for Critical ADHD Studies. Disability & Society, 40(12), 3519–3524. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2025.2458016 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09687599.2025.2458016 Max characters reached. Show notes continued here: https://autisticsmalltalk.com

    Hypercuriosity and Critical ADHD Studies

  6. Apr 18

    Autistic Flow

    Vince and Vanessa discourse expediently upon 2 papers about Autistic Flow. The first describes a proposed theory of Autistic Flow and the second is a qualitative study of Autistic people transitioning in and out of flow. We also talk about anarchist callisthenics. Anarchist Callisthenics Anarchist Callisthenics video https://www.tiktok.com/@jonjon.jpeg/video/7597533190965808398 The Happy Urbanist https://www.thehappyurbanist.city/ Autistic Flow Heasman, B., Williams, G., Charura, D., Hamilton, L. G., Milton, D., & Murray, F. (2024). Towards autistic flow theory: A non-pathologising conceptual approach. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour, 54(4), 469–497. https://doi.org/10.1111/jtsb.12427 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/JDZZFXR6URAUQTXPD34U?target=10.1111/jtsb.12427 A podcast of the authors discussing the paper: https://youtu.be/lGrLMPXJAuk Wain, D., G.Williams, D.Charura, et al. 2026. “Transitioning in and out of Autistic Flow: A Qualitative Study Presenting a Non-Pathologising Approach to Autistic Well-Being and Conceptualising Autistic Ways of Being in Clinical and Therapeutic Settings.” Counselling and Psychotherapy Research26, no. 1: e70073. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70073. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/CXWVCJMS7ST8E6MNAXNK?target=10.1002/capr.70073 Character limit reached. Show notes continued at: https://autisticsmalltalk.com

    Autistic Flow

  7. Apr 18

    Models of Disability and Research Supporting Damian Milton's Double Empathy Problem

    Vince and Vanessa concisely review 9 different models of disability and a chapter in "Conversations on Empathy",authored by Damian Milton, Krysia Emily Waldock, and Nathan Keates, and titled: Autism and the ‘double empathy problem’. Odd Pride (Astrid) https://oddpride.com/ Shanidar 1 https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/06/17/878896381/ancient-bones-offer-clues-to-how-long-ago-humans-cared-for-the-vulnerable Disability Models Lawson, A., & Beckett, A. E. (2021). The social and human rights models of disability: towards a complementarity thesis. The International Journal of Human Rights, 25(2), 348–379. https://doi.org/10.1080/13642987.2020.1783533 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13642987.2020.1783533#d1e177 Berghs M, Atkin K, Graham H, et al. Implications for public health research of models and theories of disability: a scoping study and evidence synthesis. Southampton (UK): NIHR Journals Library; 2016 Jul. (Public Health Research, No. 4.8.) doi: 10.3310/phr04080 Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK378941/ 10 Principles of Disability Justice https://sinsinvalid.org/10-principles-of-disability-justice/ Damian Milton The Participatory Autism Research Collective https://participatoryautismresearch.wordpress.com/2025/12/18/parc-critical-autism-studies-conference-2026-call-for-submissions/ The Double Empathy Problem Milton, Damian & Waldock, Krysia & Keates, Nathan. (2023). Autism and the ‘double empathy problem’. 10.4324/9781003189978-6. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366888965_Autism_and_the_'double_empathy_problem' Milton, Damian. (2012). On the ontological status of autism: The 'double empathy problem'. Disability & Society - DISABIL SOC. 27. 1-5. 10.1080/09687599.2012.710008. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254245139_On_the_ontological_status_of_autism_The_'double_empathy_problem' Character limit reached Show notes continued at: https://autisticsmalltalk.com

    Models of Disability and Research Supporting Damian Milton's Double Empathy Problem

  8. Apr 18

    Nick Walker's Doctoral Dissertation Part 3

    Vince and Vanessa efficiently finish their discussion of Nick Walker’s dissertation (Transformative Somatic Practices and Autistic Potentials: An Autoethnographic Exploration). They talk about ParaTheatrical ReSearch, autistic aptitudes, reconnecting with stimming, and autistic wellbeing. Nick Walker’s doctoral dissertation Walker, Nick (2019) Transformative Somatic Practices and Autistic Potentials: An Autoethnographic Exploration. [Doctoral Dissertaion, California Institute of Integral Studies]. https://neuroqueer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Nick_Walker_Dissertation.pdf Weird Luck (Nick Walker’s comic with co-creators Andrew M. Reichart, and Mike Bennewitz) https://weirdluck.net/ Connected with Jen and Shannon What the Heck is Embodiment Anyway with Nick Walker https://youtu.be/MgXQG9lP-Bc?si=cgTCn2a1dn8RUPnu ParaTheatrical ReSearch Archive https://www.paratheatrical.com/info.html Expressive Movement/Dance Therapies (Transformative somatic practices for reconnecting to stimming) Continuum https://continuummovement.com Authentic Movement https://www.authenticmovementinstitute.com/authenticmovement Songs of the Gorilla Nation Songs of the Gorilla Nation by Dawn Prince-Hughes https://www.indiebookstores.ca/book/9781400050581/

    Nick Walker's Doctoral Dissertation Part 3
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About

Autistic Small Talk is a blend of research-informed discussion and personal stories about autistic culture. We seek to not only inform and destigmatize but to celebrate and to share the joyful aspects of being an autistic person and finding autistic community. Currently airing on: CFUZ in Penticton, British Columbia at 3pm PST the second Sunday of every month CHSR in Fredericton, New Brunswick at 3pm AST every Thursday Met Radio (CJTM) Toronto, Ontario at 3pm EST the first and third Wednesday of every month.

Information

  • Creator
    Vanessa Yaremchuk and Vince Freeborn
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Vanessa Yaremchuk and Vince Freeborn
  • Show Website
    Autistic Small Talk