Creative Mind Audio Douglas Eby

Therapist Julie Bjelland says "the reason we call it hidden is because many of the things that we experience as autistic women are in fact things that are internal, that are not actually seen by other people.
"So I want to share some of those things. One of the things is this high intelligence and diverse interests. It's almost like having a supercomputer brain.
“We can really process enormous amounts of information quickly and we have an interest in a broad range of topics."
This audio is an excerpt from Episode 190-The Hidden World of Autistic Women of the HSP and Neurodivergent Podcast.
From the Episode Summary on the podcast page:
"In this episode of the HSP and Neurodivergent podcast, psychotherapist Julie Bjelland delves deep into the hidden world of autistic women, aiming to illuminate the unique challenges and strengths that have not been well understood until now.
"A significant focus is placed on the reality that many autistic women remain undiagnosed, often due to the subtle and internalized nature of their experiences.
"Julie shares profound insights from her personal journey and professional assessments, emphasizing how these experiences can profoundly impact personal identity and societal interaction.
"The discussion explores the concept of the "supercomputer brain" that many autistic women possess, which allows them to rapidly process enormous amounts of information and maintain an intense focus on subjects of interest.
"This capability, however, is often accompanied by a challenging mismatch between their intellectual ambitions and physical energy levels, a disparity that can lead to significant frustration and burnout."
See the podcast page with Resources Mentioned incluing:
* Autistic Women's Group (Free group inside the private Sensitive Empowerment Community).
* The HSP & Neurodivergent Toolbox Course
* Autistic Resources: Quiz, Research, Assessment, Consultations
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See more neurodivergent posts and podcast episodes.
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Photo: Astrid Nielsen is a criminal records archivist and consultant to a Paris police department in the Frech tv series. (Learn more at the imdb page.)
From my query "is astrid french series a good depiction of autism." on search engine Perplexity :
"Yes, the French crime drama series "Astrid et Raphaëlle" (known as "Astrid: Murder in Paris" in English) is widely praised for its authentic and thoughtful depiction of autism through the character of Astrid Nielsen, played by Sara Mortensen.
Here are some key points about how the show portrays autism:
Astrid is openly identified as being on the autism spectrum from the very beginning. Her autism is treated as an integral part of her character rather than just a quirk or plot device.
Mortensen's performance as Astrid is lauded for capturing the nuances of autism, such as stimming behaviors, difficulty with eye contact, need for routine, and challenges with social interactions.
The show doesn't sensationalize or mock Astrid's autism. Instead, it highlights her exceptional memory, pattern recognition skills, and different way of perceiving the world as assets for solving crimes.
Storylines explore the discrimination and misunderstanding Astrid faces due to neurotypical society not accommodating her needs. For example, she attends an "Autistic Adults Anonymous" support group.
Autistic viewers have praised the show for its realistic and compassionate representation, with one commenter stating "I am autistic and I really appreciate how thoughtfully Astrid is portrayed."
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The first part of this episode is an excerpt from a Neurocuriosity Club Podcast episode:
Megan Griffith asks her guest Jennifer Harvey Sallin "What do we need to know as gifted adults trying to navigate the world? I know there's not one piece of advice that's going to be a one size fits all."
Jennifer Harvey Sallin, Founding Director of InterGifted: "First we have to know we're gifted... And that could sound like so simple... but it is really big because it's not automatic, you're not just going to find it out because that's a normal thing that's taught in the general population.
"And if you don't find it out and you struggle a lot with the things that gifted adults struggle with, and that's not even saying anything about twice exceptionality and multi exceptionality having giftedness plus other neurodivergence."
The 2nd, much shorter, part of this Creative Mind Audio episode includes comments by Julie Skolnick: "The topic of social-emotional needs and communication for 2e adults is a crucial area that often requires special attention and understanding. Explore strategies and insights that can help support well-being effectively."
She points out how valuable it can be to connect with other gifted people. One of her resources for that is The Haystack community for 2e adults.
The image is Kara Hayward in Moonrise Kingdom (2012) - See why I chose it below, plus more comments, articles, videos and other resources including:
Videos:
* Social Emotional Needs and Communication - A Crucial Area for 2e Adults, with Julie Skolnick
* Related video with Skolnick: What does it mean to be a 2e adult?
Related podcasts and posts:
* Thriving as a highly sensitive person, or autistic, or both - especially as a woman
* The complex experience of 2E adults with ADHD with Linda Roggli
* Online communities that support creative, highly sensitive, gifted, neurodivergent people
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"I do think that [my novel's heroine] Stella, deals with a lot of insecurity about herself because she's on the spectrum. And that's also something that I personally live with." Author Helen Hoang
"Growing up in the 1990s...I operated on a different wavelength: I gravitated towards philosophy and books that dissected the meaning of life. I was extremely literal, and had a fascination with math and numbers, as is common in autism." Zhara Astra
"Although there may be some similarities between the sensory processing challenges experienced by highly sensitive individuals and those with autism, there are some key differences..." Jules De Vitto
"I discuss the differences that set autism apart from high sensitivity, particularly in women. I highlight the outdated diagnostic criteria for autism and the misdiagnosis or lack of diagnosis in many women." Julie Bjelland, LMFT
This audio is from her podcast episode Episode 189: Highly Sensitive, Autistic, or both? Understanding the Differences. See page on her site for the HSP and Neurodivergent Podcast.
> See longer quotes, plus links to other resources below.
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"In my late 20s, I realized that I just couldn't work for somebody else anymore. It was becoming increasingly difficult to meet the demands of a workplace of having to go and be in a certain place every day, and having to sort of mask all the time and hide the needs that I had.
“And I know this will be familiar to a lot of the people listening to this today."
This Creative Mind Audio is an excerpt from a much longer Highly Sensitive and Neurodivergent Podcast by Julie Bjelland, LMFT.
From the original Summary:
"Ellie Trier, a contemporary artist and illustrator, shares her journey of starting and growing a business to support her artistic talents. She discusses her experience as a neurodivergent person and how it influences her business.
"Ellie emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and self-care in managing her energy levels and avoiding burnout.
"She also provides tips for managing sensory sensitivities and finding alternative mediums for artistic expression.
"Additionally, Ellie shares her insights on being comfortable in front of a camera and the importance of practice and setting boundaries.”
Continued below with a summary of topics, video of Trier in her studio in Copenhagen, plus links to the full episode, and resources on developing a business.

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"You're not just getting by anymore. The work that you've done on your healing journey has created the possibility of transformation beyond what levels of health you've had in the past.
“And this is your physical health, your mental health, emotional health. You are a better person than you've ever been before." Aimie Apigian
"We now call this post traumatic growth, this possibility of transformation..." James Gordon
Dr. Aimie Apigian, MD, MS, MPH is a Preventive Medicine physician and founder of Trauma Healing Accelerated. James Gordon, MD is founder and CEO of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine.
This Creative Mind Audio is most of a Biology of Trauma Podcast episode: “A Blueprint for Healing: Lessons From A Pioneer in Mind-Body Medicine” by Dr. Apigian, interviewing Dr. Gordon.

From her page for the episode:
"What you’ll learn in this episode:
What are the Three P's of for an effective approach to trauma
The most serious biological consequence of trauma
How realizing trauma is a Universal Experience helps us with our healing
How do we create the possibility of transformation and Post-Traumatic Growth
Why we need to be intentional in our own healing
Dr. Gordon: “People who are dealing with stored trauma are often so shut down. I think long term the consequences of the freeze response and the consequences of being in situations that are overwhelming and inescapable are often enough repeated.
"Or they’re prolonged over a period of time that causes a freeze response which can have the most serious biological consequence. Partly, because it's so disabling, and it removes us from the capacity to feel.
"When it's prolonged over time it shuts us off from life, our own life, and the life all around us.” ~
{Image for this page is from article: Are We Really Stronger in the Broken Places? By Jen - "Kintsugi is an ancient Japanese tradition of repairing broken pottery with a strong, sealing bond that is mixed with gold, silver, or platinum...It exemplifies the way that healing our broken places allows us to emerge from darkness stronger and more beautiful."}
Free guide: The Essential Sequence - How to Release Stored Trauma by Dr. Apigian.
See video and more resources by Dr. Aimie Apigian below:
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"In this episode, I take you on a deeply personal journey through some of the most challenging phases of my life.
Julie Bjelland continues, "I open up about the experience of facing an empty nest, the physical and emotional upheaval brought on by menopause, and the profound insights I gained from understanding how autism impacts me and others who are sensitive.
"These challenges led me through some dark times, prompting a pivotal moment of self-reflection and a strong commitment to prioritizing my health."
She adds, "This wasn't just about my physical well-being but about embarking on a path of self-discovery and acceptance.
"By embracing changes and committing to learning more about my internal world, I discovered the nuances of autism and how it resonates with the experiences of sensitive individuals like myself."
Bjelland says this episode is "more than a story of personal struggle; it's a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of health, and the journey toward understanding myself on a deeper level."
Psychotherapist and author Julie Bjelland, LMFT, specializes in helping Highly Sensitive and Neurodiverse people.
This audio is most of her HSP Podcast episode 187: Empty Nest, Menopause, and Autism.
See her page: Resources Supporting Highly Sensitive People & The Neurodiverse - "Helping you lower sensitivity challenges so you can thrive to your fullest potential" - with free classes, Sensitivity Quiz, posts, HSP Podcast episodes, paid courses, The HSP community, Autism Resources, and more.
Continued below: a video with Mayim Bialik and Julie Bjelland (“Positives and Strengths of Being a Highly Sensitive Person”), some comments by psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman on painful emotions and personal growth, plus a few related Creative Mind Audio episodes on autism and high sensitivity.