There's No Such Thing As Normal

Lou Dutton
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  • MENTAL HEALTH

My name is Lou. I am completely blind, autistic and I have ADHD and anxiety. On this podcast I will be raising awareness around the topics of blindness, neurodiversity and mental health. I will be sharing my own personal experiences as well as information, myth busting and useful tips and tricks. I hope that my podcast is interesting, inspiring, informative, and that you gain more understanding and acceptance through listening. I feel that everyone would gain something from my podcast no matter who you are. Thanks for listening!

  1. 12/19/2025

    Borrowing Calm, Understanding CoRegulation | Ep. 37

    In this episode, I talk about co-regulation. I explain what it is, how it helps, and why it’s so important, especially for autistic people. I also share why needing other people to help us regulate isn’t a weakness, but a human need. here's an interesting article I read whilst planning this episode https://autisticrealms.com/neurodivergent-co-regulation/

    15 min

  2. 11/28/2025

    How I Use Tech To Manage Neurodivergent Fatigue | Ep. 36

    In this episode, I share the two apps I use every day to help me understand and manage my neurodivergent fatigue. As an autistic and ADHD person, I often struggle with interoception — the sense that tells you what’s going on inside your body — so things like stress, overwhelm and energy changes don’t always show up clearly until it’s too late. I talk about: • What HRV (Heart Rate Variability) actually is • Why it’s so helpful for autistic/ADHD fatigue • How I use the Visible app to track symptoms, energy and stability • How Athlytic helps me monitor stress, recovery and “body battery” • How both apps have prevented burnout and helped me learn my body’s patterns. If fatigue creeps up on you or you struggle to spot early warning signs, these tools might make a massive difference. They’ve honestly changed the way I manage my energy, and I hope some of this helps you too.

    17 min

  3. 11/14/2025

    The Truth About Neurodivergent Fatigue and Burnout, My Experience And What Helps | Ep. 35

    In this episode, I talk all about Neurodivergent fatigue and burnout, which affects so many of us. I explain the differences between fatigue and burnout, share my own experiences and how it affects me, and how co occuring conditions make it even harder. I also talk about why neurodivergent people experience such deep exhaustion, including sensory overwhelm, intense emotions, social energy drain,, constant processing and more. Most importantly, I go into what actually helps. From pacing to creating a sensory-safe environment, this episode is full of strategies and self-compassion. I hope you find it useful and relatable.

    25 min

  4. 10/31/2025

    The Truth About ADHD, Myths Versus Facts | Ep. 34

    In this episode, I bust some of the biggest myths about ADHD — from the idea that it’s just a childhood condition to the myth that everyone’s “a bit ADHD.” I explore what ADHD really means, why “attention deficit” is a misleading term, and how hyperactivity can be just as much internal as external. I also talk about emotional regulation, rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD), and how ADHD medication actually works. If you find this episode useful, please share it to help spread understanding. The more people who know the truth about ADHD, the better.

    18 min

  5. 10/17/2025

    Why Autistic People Find Comfort in Children’s Shows and Activities | Ep. 33

    In this episode, I explore why so many autistic people find comfort and joy in things made for children — from TV shows and books to toys, music, and games. I talk about why predictability feels safe, how routine plays a big role, and why we shouldn’t be made to “grow out of” the things that make us happy. For me, kids’ media isn’t childish — it’s calming, joyful, and full of meaning. Maybe it’s not that autistic people never grow out of kids’ stuff — maybe the world just grows out of joy too soon.

    13 min

  6. 10/03/2025

    When Blindness And ADHD Collide, Victoria's JOURNEY | Ep. 32

    In this episode I am joined by Victoria , who, like me, is completely blind with ADHD. We talk about the unique experience of living with both conditions, from how ADHD often gets overlooked in blind people, to what the assessment and diagnosis process is really like. Victoria shares her experience of ADHD medication which has been very different to my own. She also shares the strategies that help her manage her ADHD, from therapy and reiki to creative outlets. And Victoria also opens up about the challenges of memory, planning, and route learning, and why professionals need more awareness of the ADHD–blindness overlap. through this episode, I hope to razor awareness of the unique experience of being both blind and ADHD, and why there needs to be more support and recognition of the challenges we face. I hope you find it interesting and insightful.

    40 min

  7. 09/18/2025

    Why Meeting New People Is So Hard When Your Autistic | Ep. 31

    In this episode, I talk about why I find meeting new people so difficult — from the fear of the unknown to the worry of not being understood — and I share the strategies that help me cope, like having pre-warning, voice recordings, and reminding myself that the anticipation is often the hardest part. If you struggle with anxiety around meeting new people I hope this episode gives you reassurance and some practical ideas to make it feel a little easier. And if you’re supporting autistic people through this I hope you gain a better understanding of the challenges and find the tips I offer useful.

    15 min

  8. 09/04/2025

    Autism And Intelligence: What People Get Wrong | Ep. 30

    In this episode, I talk about autism, intelligence, and learning or intellectual disabilities. I explain what each of these actually means, the differences between them, and why there’s often so much confusion around the terms. I explore the history and language differences between the UK and internationally, share why autism doesn’t determine intelligence, and reflect on my own experiences of having high support needs without a learning disability.

    21 min
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About

My name is Lou. I am completely blind, autistic and I have ADHD and anxiety. On this podcast I will be raising awareness around the topics of blindness, neurodiversity and mental health. I will be sharing my own personal experiences as well as information, myth busting and useful tips and tricks. I hope that my podcast is interesting, inspiring, informative, and that you gain more understanding and acceptance through listening. I feel that everyone would gain something from my podcast no matter who you are. Thanks for listening!

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