The Neurogender Podcast Alexa MacDermot

While researching intersectionality for this podcast, as well as for my own studies, I came across a 2022 article from academics Monique Both and Kristen Gillespie-Lynch, called ‘Come As You Are: examining autistic identity development and the Neurodiversity Movement through an Intersectional lens’. It encapsulates everything I wish to say about this area, and includes many enlightening concepts and ideas that hadn’t occurred to me. For that reason, I will read out extracts from this article that will make up the bulk of this episode. The writing is pretty straightforward, and includes wonderfully simple explanations of some complex concepts, making it available for anyone interested in the intersecting identities with autism, not just to academic researchers. I will include some additional reading suggestions at the end for anyone who might want to explore these ideas more fully in their own time.



Full episode transcripts are available on the podcast website.

No AI was used in the production of this podcast.

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/theneurogenderpodcast/

⁠Podcast website⁠ - www.theneurogenderpodcast.com

Mailing list sign up: https://mailchi.mp/e1e4c4603d1c/sign-up-for-new-episode-email-alerts

Music: Hatamitsunami, "Imma Tell'em" [Epidemic Sound] 

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Show Notes:

Special thanks to the Ballyfermot Library Creative Studio.

 

Samaritans Ireland and UK – 116 123

Papyrus (people under 35) – 0800 068 4141

Autistica suicide help page - https://www.autistica.org.uk/what-is-autism/signs-and-symptoms/suicide-and-autism

BelongTo Ireland: https://www.belongto.org/

LGBT.IE Ireland: https://lgbt.ie/

National Autistic Society (LBGTQ Branch): https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/branches/lgbtq-online-branch

Podcast Mailing List: https://mailchi.mp/e1e4c4603d1c/sign-up-for-new-episode-email-alerts

TENI - Transgender Equality Network Ireland: https://teni.ie/

The Transgender Issue: An Argument for Justice by Shon Faye: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transgender-Issue-Argument-Justice/dp/0241423147

Twainbow (US): https://www.twainbow.org/

Webinar – ‘Neurodivergent & LGBTQIA+: The ‘double-rainbow’ intersection’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jny3KPoxXIc&ab_channel=NeurodiversityWeek

 

References:

Botha, M. and Gillespie-Lynch, K. (2022) 'Come as You Are: Examining Autistic Identity Development and the Neurodiversity Movement through an Intersectional Lens', Human Development, 66(2), pp. 93-112.

 

Additional Reading Suggestions:

Ahmed, S. (2017) Living a feminist life. 1 edn. Durham, [North Carolina];London, [England];: Duke University Press.

Annamma, S. A., Connor, D. and Ferri, B. (2013) 'Dis/ability critical race studies (DisCrit): theorising at the intersections of race and dis/ability', Race, ethnicity and education, 16(1), pp. 1-31.

Iwasa, M. et al. (2022) 'Twenty‐year longitudinal birth cohort study of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder before seven years of age', Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, 63(12), pp. 1563-1573.

Lewis, C. J. and Arday, J. (2023) 'We’ll see things they’ll never see: Sociological reflections on race, neurodiversity and higher education', The Sociological review (Keele), 71(6), pp. 1299-1321.

Lovelace, T. S. et al. (2022) 'Missing from the Narrative: A Seven-Decade Scoping Review of the Inclusion of Black Autistic Women and Girls in Autism Research', Behavior analysis in practice, 15(4), pp. 1093-1105.

Smith, J. et al. (2022) 'They were Saying that I was a 'typical Chinese mum': Chinese Parents' Experiences of Parent-Teacher Partnerships for Their Autistic Children', Journal of autism and developmental disorders, pp. 1-13.

Steinbrenner, J. R. et al. (2022) 'Patterns in reporting and participant inclusion related to race and ethnicity in autism intervention literature: Data from a large-scale systematic review of evidence-based practices', Autism : the international

This is a brief overview of a complex identity issue within autism research. All gender identities are valid. This episode talks about how gender is discussed within autism academic research. Suicide features in this episode, so if you don’t want to hear about that right now, please wait until the next episode comes out, and mind yourself in the best way that suits you. 



Full episode transcripts are available on the podcast website.

No AI was used in the production of this podcast.

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/theneurogenderpodcast/

⁠Podcast website⁠ - www.theneurogenderpodcast.com

Mailing list sign up: https://mailchi.mp/e1e4c4603d1c/sign-up-for-new-episode-email-alerts

Music: Hatamitsunami, "Imma Tell'em" [Epidemic Sound] 

Please rate and share this episode.



Show Notes: ⁠



Special thanks to the Ballyfermot Library Creative Studio.



Samaritans Ireland and UK – 116 123

Papyrus (people under 35) – 0800 068 4141

Autistica suicide help page - https://www.autistica.org.uk/what-is-autism/signs-and-symptoms/suicide-and-autism

BelongTo Ireland: https://www.belongto.org/

LGBT.IE Ireland: https://lgbt.ie/

National Autistic Society (LBGTQ Branch): https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/branches/lgbtq-online-branch

Podcast Mailing List: https://mailchi.mp/e1e4c4603d1c/sign-up-for-new-episode-email-alerts

TENI - Transgender Equality Network Ireland: https://teni.ie/

The Transgender Issue: An Argument for Justice by Shon Faye: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Transgender-Issue-Argument-Justice/dp/0241423147

Twainbow (US): https://www.twainbow.org/

Webinar – ‘Neurodivergent & LGBTQIA+: The ‘double-rainbow’ intersection’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jny3KPoxXIc&ab_channel=NeurodiversityWeek

 

References

 

Dewinter, J. et al. (2024) 'Short report: Recommendations for education, clinical practice, research, and policy on promoting well-being in autistic youth and adults through a positive focus on sexuality and gender diversity', Autism : the international journal of research and practice, 28(3), pp. 770-779.

Fortunato, A. et al. (2022) 'Is It Autism? A Critical Commentary on the Co-Occurrence of Gender Dysphoria and Autism Spectrum Disorder', Journal of homosexuality, 69(7), pp. 1204-1221.

Gagnon, D. et al. (2023) 'ASD and Gender Dysphoria: A Review of Challenges and Facilitators for Health Professionals', Sexuality and disability, 41(3), pp. 691-706.

Hillier, A. et al. (2020) 'LGBTQ + and autism spectrum disorder: Experiences and challenges', International journal of transgender health, 21(1), pp. 98-110.

Kallitsounaki, A. and Williams, D. M. (2023) 'Autism Spectrum Disorder and Gender Dysphoria/Incongruence. A systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis', Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 53(8), pp. 3103-3117.

World Health Organisation. (2006). Defining sexual health: Report of a technical consultation on sexual health 28–31 January 2002, Geneva.

In academic research, gender and sexuality can often be conflated. I have outlined the difference between gender and sexuality, and explored the romantic and sexual academic literature on autistic people. Suicide features in this episode, so if you don’t want to hear about that right now, please wait until the next episode comes out, and mind yourself in the best way that suits you. 



Full episode transcripts are available on the podcast website.

No AI was used in the production of this podcast.

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/theneurogenderpodcast/

⁠Podcast website⁠ - www.theneurogenderpodcast.com

Mailing list sign up: https://mailchi.mp/e1e4c4603d1c/sign-up-for-new-episode-email-alerts

Music: Hatamitsunami, "Imma Tell'em" [Epidemic Sound] 

Please rate and share this episode.



Show Notes: ⁠



Special thanks to the Ballyfermot Library Creative Studio.

 

Samaritans Ireland and UK – 116 123

Papyrus (people under 35) – 0800 068 4141

Autistica suicide help page - https://www.autistica.org.uk/what-is-autism/signs-and-symptoms/suicide-and-autism

 

BelongTo Ireland: https://www.belongto.org/

 

LGBT.IE Ireland: https://lgbt.ie/

 

National Autistic Society (LBGTQ Branch): https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/branches/lgbtq-online-branch

 

Twainbow (US): https://www.twainbow.org/

 

Webinar – ‘Neurodivergent & LGBTQIA+: The ‘double-rainbow’ intersection’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jny3KPoxXIc&ab_channel=NeurodiversityWeek

 

References:

 

Blumenfeld, W. (1992). Homophobia: How we all pay the price. Beacon Press.

Dewinter, J. et al. (2024) 'Short report: Recommendations for education, clinical practice, research, and policy on promoting well-being in autistic youth and adults through a positive focus on sexuality and gender diversity', Autism : the international journal of research and practice, 28(3), pp. 770-779.

Hillier, A. et al. (2020) 'LGBTQ + and autism spectrum disorder: Experiences and challenges', International journal of transgender health, 21(1), pp. 98-110.

Hogan, M. S. and Micucci, J. A. (2020) 'Same-Sex Relationships of Men With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Middle Adulthood: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study', Psychology of sexual orientation and gender diversity, 7(2), pp. 176-185.

Huysamen, M., Kourti, M. and Hatton, C. (2023) 'A critical overview of how English health and social care publications represent autistic adults’ intimate lives', Critical social policy, 43(4), pp. 626-653.

Qualls, L. R. et al. (2022) 'Testing a Model of Sexual Minority Orientation in Individuals with Typical Development, the Broad Autism Phenotype, and Autism Spectrum Disorder', Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 52(4), pp. 1678-1692

World Health Organization. (2006). Defining sexual health: Report of a technical consultation on sexual health 28–31 January 2002, Geneva.

Yew, R. Y. et al. (2021) 'A systematic review of romantic relationship initiation and maintenance factors in autism', Personal relationships, 28(4), pp. 777-802.

In academic research, social relationships between autistic people and neurotypical people is often framed as ‘good’ or ‘bad’, positive or negative, without taking account for autistic measures of a successful relationship. Successful social relationships often happen between two or more autistic people when they feel safe and accepted, and may not have to mask. I will talk about recent research on autism and friendships, family dynamics, and anthropomorphism.



Full episode transcripts are available on the podcast website.

No AI was used in the production of this podcast.

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/theneurogenderpodcast/

⁠Podcast website⁠ - www.theneurogenderpodcast.com

Mailing list sign up: https://mailchi.mp/e1e4c4603d1c/sign-up-for-new-episode-email-alerts

Music: Hatamitsunami, "Imma Tell'em" [Epidemic Sound] 

Please rate and share this episode.



Show Notes: ⁠

Special thanks to the Ballyfermot Library Creative Studio.



AHEAD conference, 20-21 March 2024: https://www.ahead.ie/event/ahead-2024/index

 

Botha, M. and Frost, D. M. (2018) 'Extending the Minority Stress Model to Understand Mental Health Problems Experienced by the Autistic Population', Society and Mental Health, 10(1), pp. 20-34.

 

Chan, D. V., Doran, J. D. and Galobardi, O. D. (2023) 'Beyond Friendship: The Spectrum of Social Participation of Autistic Adults', Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 53(1), pp. 424-437.

 

Field, S. L. et al. (2024) 'A meta-ethnography of autistic people’s experiences of social camouflaging and its relationship with mental health', Autism : the international journal of research and practice, pp. 1-16.

 

Tillett, J. I. S., Shivers, C. M. and Apple, R. (2023) 'Autistic Perspectives of Sibling Relationships: Clinical Implications for the Use of Quantitative Measures in Family Autism Research', Contemporary family therapy.

 

Yew, R. Y. et al. (2021) 'A systematic review of romantic relationship initiation and maintenance factors in autism', Personal relationships, 28(4), pp. 777-802.

Autistic children become autistic adults, yet academic research has yet to uncover many intersectional autistic adult experiences adequately. One aspect of these experiences is sexual debut, pregnancy, and parenthood. This episode includes some research about sexual abuse of autistic children and adults, so please be warned and listen only when you are in a safe mindset to hear it. I will explore academic research on sexual health and education in schools for autistic youths, autistic adults' experiences of pregnancy and postnatal care, and parenthood. Possible supports that could benefit autistic individuals in all these areas will conclude the episode.



Full episode transcripts are available on the podcast website.

No AI was used in the production of this podcast.

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/theneurogenderpodcast/

⁠Podcast website⁠ - www.theneurogenderpodcast.com

Mailing list sign up: https://mailchi.mp/e1e4c4603d1c/sign-up-for-new-episode-email-alerts

Music: Hatamitsunami, "Imma Tell'em" [Epidemic Sound] 

Please rate and share this episode.



Show Notes: ⁠(full list on website)

(Ireland) 24-hour rape crisis helpline: www.drcc.ie/services/helpline / 1800 77 8888

(US) Rape, abuse and incest national network: www.rainn.org

(US) National domestic violence hotline: www.thehotline.org

Google help and support for gender-based violence (international): https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/11180375

 

Autism.org (2024a) Sexual Victimization in Autism: Autism Research Institute. Available at: https://autism.org/sexual victimization-in autism/#:~:text=An%20online%20survey%20found%20that,e %20al.%2C%202022). (Accessed: 21.02.2024).

 

Autism.org (2024b) Meltdown and Calming Techniques in Autism: Autism.org. Available at: https://autism.org/meltdowns-calming-techniques-in-autism/ (Accessed: 25.02.2024).

 

Barnett, J. P. and Maticka-Tyndale, E. (2015) 'Qualitative Exploration of Sexual Experiences Among Adults on the Autism Spectrum: Implications for Sex Education', Perspectives on sexual and reproductive health, 47(4), pp. 171-179.

 

Bumiller, K. (2008) 'Quirky Citizens: Autism, Gender, and Reimagining Disability', Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 33(4), pp. 967-991.

 

Camilleri Zahra, A. (2023) 'Accessibility for parents with disability: is it reality or fantasy?', Disability & society, 38(5), pp. 887-892.

 

Crehan, E. T., Schwartz, A. E. and Schmidt, E. K. (2023) 'Who is Delivering Sexual Health Education Content to Young Adults with Intellectual or Developmental Disability?: A Survey of US Based School-Based Professionals and Parents', Sexuality and disability, 41(2), pp. 189-200.

 

Day, H. (2023) Christine McGuinness: I was sexually abused, like so many autistic women: BBC News UK. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-64953941 (Accessed: 21.02.2024).

 

Fletcher-Randle, J. E. (2022) 'Where are all the Autistic Parents? A Thematic Analysis of Autistic Parenting Discourse within the Narrative of Parenting and Autism in Online Media', Studies in social justice, 16(2), pp. 389-406.

 

Grant, A. et al. (2022) Autistic women’s views and experiences of infant feeding: A systematic review of qualitative evidence. London, England: SAGE Publications.

 

Grant, A. (2022) 'Breaking barriers', RCM midwives, 25, pp. 36-38.

 

Hampton, S. et al. (2022) 'Autistic mothers’ perinatal well-being and parenting styles', Autism : the international journal of research and practice, 26(7), pp. 1805-1820.

 

Hampton, S. et al. (2023) 'Autistic People’s Perinatal Experiences II: A Survey of Childbirth and Postnatal Experiences', Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 53(7), pp. 2749-2763.

 

Holmes, L. G. et al. (2023) 'Sexual and reproductive health services for autistic young people in the United States: A conceptual model of utilization', Perspectives on sexual and reproductive health, 55(1), pp. 49-61.

Autism is a neurodivergence that will always be present in a person’s life, with some autists needing lifelong support and care in ways that are individual to their specific needs. This is especially true of employment and this episode uncovers recent research into this fascinating area, with some solutions that may result in a more inclusive workplace for everyone.

Full episode transcripts are available on the podcast website.
No AI was used to make this podcast.

⁠Instagram⁠ 

Podcast website

www.theneurogenderpodcast.com

Music: Hatamitsunami, "Imma Tell'em" [Epidemic Sound] 

Please rate and share this episode.



Show Notes: ⁠

Special thanks to the Ballyfermot Library Creative Studio

Neuro Diverse Self Advocacy Forum

Bertilsdotter Rosqvist, H., Hultman, L. and Hallqvist, J. (2023) 'Managing Vocational Work, Achieving and Sustaining Work Performance: Support and Self-management amongst Young Autistic Adults in the Context of Vocational Support Interventions in Sweden', The British journal of social work, 53(1), pp. 258-275.

Brighenti, S. et al. (2023) 'Social Skills and Cognitive Training to Support Work-Related Skills and Job Placement in a Group of Autistic Adults: Effectiveness of a Neuropsychological and Social Skills Intervention: A Case Series Study on a Pilot Program', Community mental health journal, 59(8), pp. 1610-1618.

Djela, M. (2021) 'Change of autism narrative is required to improve employment of autistic people', Advances in autism, 7(1), pp. 86-100.

Fong, C. J. et al. (2021) 'Interventions for improving employment outcomes for persons with autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review update', Campbell systematic review, 17(3), pp. e1185-n/a.

Martin, V. et al. (2023) 'Sustainable employment depends on quality relationships between supervisors and their employees on the autism spectrum', Disability and rehabilitation, 45(11), pp. 1784-1795.