The Other Autism

Kristen Hovet

The Other Autism explores late-diagnosed autism and the latest in autism research, and works to dispel myths and stereotypes about autism and autistic people. Episodes cover leading topics in the neurodiversity space and feature interviews with late-diagnosed autistic folks and autistic professionals. Theme music: "Everything Feels New" by Evgeny Bardyuzha. All episodes are written and edited by Kristen Hovet. Contact: otherautism@gmail.com

  1. FEB 12

    Autistic and Non-monogamous? The Research No One's Talking About...Yet

    Janet Walsh-Adams is a neurodivergent PhD candidate at Deakin University, researching a pattern that many autistic people have noticed for years: autistic adults may be more likely to pursue consensual non-monogamy (CNM). We talk about what CNM is (and what it isn't) and how stigma — not the relationship style itself — often creates the biggest risks. Janet shares personal context alongside early findings from her work, including how autism, ADHD, gender diversity, and LGBTQIA+ identity can overlap with relationship structures like CNM, polyamory, kink/BDSM, and relationship anarchy. We also dig into what clinicians still need to learn (and unlearn) about autistic intimacy, and what Janet hopes her research will change — especially when it comes to safety and autonomy. Topics explored include: What consensual non-monogamy actually means (polyamory, monogamish, swinging, and more)Why autistic people are so often miscast as uninterested in intimacy and where myths like these come fromAutism + ADHD overlap, AuDHD, sensation seeking, and moreGender diversity and LGBTQIA+ culture as key factors in relationship stylesWhich group reports higher infidelity — autistics or neurotypicals?Why breakups in non-monogamous relationships aren't "proof they don't work"Watch this episode on YouTube. Follow Janet on LinkedIn. If you'd like to know more about topics discussed in this episode, check out: "Sexuality, Gender, and Autism" by K. Cooke et al. (chapter in The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Disability edited by Gabriel Bennett and Emma Goodall) Theme music: "Everything Feels New" by Evgeny Bardyuzha. All episodes written and produced by Kristen Hovet. Send in your questions or thoughts via audio or video recording for a chance to be featured on the show! Email your audio or video clips to otherautism@gmail.com through WeTransfer. Buy me a coffee! Buy The Other Autism merch. Use code FREESHIP for free shipping on orders over $75 USD! The views, opinions, and experiences shared by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. The content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical or professional advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions related to your health, fitness, or wellness.

    55 min
  2. 10/27/2025

    Autism and Workplace Accommodations: Workplaces for Every Kind of Mind

    I've had so many jobs over the years — from babysitter to office administrator — and I didn't know until much later that my struggles in certain environments were connected to being autistic. In this episode, I talk about what it means to navigate workplaces that aren't built for neurodivergent minds, and how universal design could change everything. This is about moving from just "accommodating" us to truly including us. Watch this episode on YouTube. If you'd like to know more about topics discussed in this episode, check out: "Workplace Accommodations and Neurodiversity" by Susanne Bruyère and Adrienne Colella (chapter in Neurodiversity and Work: Employment, Identity, and Support Networks for Neurominorities edited by Eric Patton and Alecia Santuzzi) "Accommodations vs Universal Design" by CultureAlly "Autistic Adults' Views and Experiences of Requesting and Receiving Workplace Adjustments in the UK" by Jade Davies et al. Universal Design: Creating Inclusive Environments by Edward Steinfeld and Jordana Maisel "How Can the Work Environment Be Redesigned to Enhance the Well-Being of Individuals With Autism?" by Michał Tomczak "Autism and the Right to a Hypersensitivity-Friendly Workspace" by Bouke de Vries "'It's Like a Ramp for a Person in a Wheelchair': Workplace Accessibility for Employees With Autism" by Michal Waisman-Nitzan et al.  Theme music: "Everything Feels New" by Evgeny Bardyuzha. All episodes written and produced by Kristen Hovet. Send in your questions or thoughts via audio or video recording for a chance to be featured on the show! Email your audio or video clips to otherautism@gmail.com through WeTransfer. Buy me a coffee! Buy The Other Autism merch. Use code FREESHIP for free shipping on orders over $75 USD! The views, opinions, and experiences shared by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. The content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical or professional advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions related to your health, fitness, or wellness.

    28 min
  3. 08/04/2025

    Navigating Late AuDHD Diagnosis (Level-2 Autism + ADHD)

    Rebecca is a mental health counsellor in Australia. Diagnosed at 47 — with level-two autism and ADHD combined type — she shares her story of self-recognition, complex emotions around diagnosis, and the challenges of navigating neurodivergence in both personal and professional life. Rebecca reflects on masking, internalized ableism, and how people-pleasing tendencies developed as survival strategies. The conversation also explores her work as a counsellor and how parenting neurodivergent children has shaped her own self-understanding. Topics explored include: The slow unmasking processHow late autism diagnosis reframes childhood memories and identityParenting with empathyAvoiding the pitfalls of compliance cultureThe nuanced relationship between sensitivity, empathy, and strengthDisbelief from healthcare professionals and the impact of diagnostic invalidationWatch this episode on YouTube. Rebecca recommends these resources: Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) Embrace Autism website Is This Autism? — A Guide for Clinicians and Everyone Else by Donna Henderson and Sarah Wayland, with Jamell White The Neurodivergent Woman podcast Theme music: "Everything Feels New" by Evgeny Bardyuzha. All episodes written and produced by Kristen Hovet. Send in your questions or thoughts via audio or video recording for a chance to be featured on the show! Email your audio or video clips to otherautism@gmail.com through WeTransfer. Buy me a coffee! Buy The Other Autism merch. Use code FREESHIP for free shipping on orders over $75 USD! The views, opinions, and experiences shared by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. The content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical or professional advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions related to your health, fitness, or wellness.

    45 min
  4. 06/05/2025

    An Autistic Researcher Studying Autism in Higher Education

    Dr. Brett Ranon Nachman is an autistic higher education researcher and co-lead of the PEACES study. We talk about what success means for autistic post-secondary students, the impact of internalized ableism and masking, and how campuses can better support marginalized autistic students, including LGBTQIA+ and late-identified individuals. Brett shares insights from both personal experience and research, and we reflect on the importance of autistic-led scholarship and inclusive academic spaces. This conversation left me feeling hopeful — and I think it will do the same for you. Watch this episode on YouTube. Dr. Brett Ranon Nachman's Instagram, BlueSky, and email Learn more about topics discussed in this episode: College Autism Network PEACES Project Theme music: "Everything Feels New" by Evgeny Bardyuzha. All episodes written and produced by Kristen Hovet. Send in your questions or thoughts via audio or video recording for a chance to be featured on the show! Email your audio or video clips to otherautism@gmail.com through WeTransfer. Buy me a coffee! Buy The Other Autism merch. Use code FREESHIP for free shipping on orders over $75 USD! The views, opinions, and experiences shared by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. The content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical or professional advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions related to your health, fitness, or wellness.

    42 min
  5. 04/27/2025

    "Where there's autistic people, there's always gender diverse people..."

    millie joins me to talk about autistic culture, creativity, surviving in a neurotypical world, and finding true community. We get into late-diagnosed autism and ADHD, harm reduction, AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), and why autistic spaces can feel like a breath of fresh air. millie also shares how surviving — and thriving — as a disabled, trans, autistic person reshaped their ideas about belonging, burnout, and joy. What if the world isn't made for us — but we could build something better? A rich, raw, and hopeful conversation you won't want to miss. Watch this episode on YouTube. Check out millie's website. Theme music: "Everything Feels New" by Evgeny Bardyuzha. All episodes written and produced by Kristen Hovet. Send in your questions or thoughts via audio or video recording for a chance to be featured on the show! Email your audio or video clips to otherautism@gmail.com through WeTransfer. Buy me a coffee! Buy The Other Autism merch. Use code FREESHIP for free shipping on orders over $75 USD! The views, opinions, and experiences shared by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. The content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical or professional advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions related to your health, fitness, or wellness.

    45 min
  6. 02/17/2025

    Dr. Michael Lenz and the Link Between Fibromyalgia and Autism

    In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Michael Lenz, a physician specializing in pediatrics, internal medicine, lifestyle medicine, and lipidology. Dr. Lenz is the author of Conquering Your Fibromyalgia and host of the podcast by the same name. His passion for lifelong learning and holistic patient care has led him to specialize in chronic pain syndromes — conditions that are often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and dismissed by the medical community. Together, we explore: The different types of pain — nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic — and why understanding these distinctions is crucialHow chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia, POTS, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and migraines often intersect with neurodivergenceWhy so many autistic and ADHD individuals experience chronic pain and how sensory processing differences can complicate diagnosis and treatmentThe emotional and psychological impact of being dismissed by medical professionalsWhy outdated medical education and systemic gaps continue to leave neurodivergent patients struggling for validation and reliefDr. Lenz also shares insights from his clinical experience, including real patient stories that highlight the need for greater awareness, compassion, and interdisciplinary care. If you've ever felt unheard or gaslighted by the medical system — or if you want to understand the complex relationship between neurodivergence and chronic pain — this conversation is for you. Watch this episode on YouTube. Check out Dr. Michael Lenz's website: Conquering Your Fibromyalgia  Theme music: "Everything Feels New" by Evgeny Bardyuzha. All episodes written and produced by Kristen Hovet. Send in your questions or thoughts via audio or video recording for a chance to be featured on the show! Email your audio or video clips to otherautism@gmail.com through WeTransfer. Buy me a coffee! Buy The Other Autism merch. Use code FREESHIP for free shipping on orders over $75 USD! The views, opinions, and experiences shared by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. The content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical or professional advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions related to your health, fitness, or wellness.

    1h 24m
  7. 02/15/2025

    New Year Meditation for Autistics and Other Neurodivergent People

    Welcome to this guided meditation, created with autistic and neurodivergent brains in mind. Meditation is often depicted a certain way — sitting still, cross-legged, eyes closed. But here, we do things differently. Here, you are invited to make meditation your own. Maybe that means sitting in a way that feels natural to you. Maybe that means allowing gentle movement, like rocking or fidgeting. Maybe it means simply listening and letting the words wash over you while you garden or play with an animal friend. This meditation is a space for acceptance. A space for softening. A space for replenishing what you need in this moment, whatever that may be. Together, we'll breathe deeply, reconnect with our bodies, and visualize the flowing river of a new year — steady, constant, full of possibility. You are exactly as you need to be. You are whole, just as you are. Take a deep breath, settle in however feels right, and let's begin! This meditation is brought to you by The Other Autism podcast's patrons. Thank you, dear patrons, for your ongoing support, and for workshopping this episode with me, trialing it before publication, and offering suggestions and feedback for further meditation episodes.  Theme music: "Everything Feels New" by Evgeny Bardyuzha. All episodes written and produced by Kristen Hovet. Send in your questions or thoughts via audio or video recording for a chance to be featured on the show! Email your audio or video clips to otherautism@gmail.com through WeTransfer. Buy me a coffee! Buy The Other Autism merch. Use code FREESHIP for free shipping on orders over $75 USD! The views, opinions, and experiences shared by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. The content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical or professional advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions related to your health, fitness, or wellness.

    12 min
4.9
out of 5
43 Ratings

About

The Other Autism explores late-diagnosed autism and the latest in autism research, and works to dispel myths and stereotypes about autism and autistic people. Episodes cover leading topics in the neurodiversity space and feature interviews with late-diagnosed autistic folks and autistic professionals. Theme music: "Everything Feels New" by Evgeny Bardyuzha. All episodes are written and edited by Kristen Hovet. Contact: otherautism@gmail.com

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