The Neurodivergent Experience Jordan James and Simon Scott

Society's perspective on autism has shifted, but there is still work to be done to combat misinformation and stigma.
In this episode, Jordan James and Simon Scott interview Steve Silberman, the author of NeuroTribes. They discuss the impact of Silberman's book on the neurodivergent community and the importance of embracing neurodiversity. They delve into the history of autism and the misconceptions surrounding Hans Asperger, the legacy of autism, the shift in society's perspective on autism and the importance of finding support within the neurodivergent community. Silberman shares his perspective on the medical model of autism and we explore the impact of the book 'NeuroTribes' in creating advocates for neurodiversity, the concept of the autism spectrum, the need for more frequent and dedicated opportunities for autistic children to engage in their special interests, as these interests can lead to meaningful and successful lives.
Takeaways
The history of autism reveals the mistreatment and discrimination faced by neurodivergent people.The medical model of autism focuses on deficits and dysfunctions, but a more inclusive and positive perspective is needed.Neurodiversity is a natural variation of human neurology and should be embraced and accommodated.The autism spectrum is not linear but encompasses a range of neurodivergent experiences.Special interests are a vital part of the lives of autistic individuals and should be embraced and nurtured.Finding support within the neurodivergent community can be invaluable for both autistic individuals and their families.
00:00 RTN Sponsor
01:12 Introduction
03:14 The Impact of Steve Silberman's Book, NeuroTribes, on the Neurodivergent Community
09:54 The History of Autism and the Progress of Neurodiversity
36:33 Embracing Neurodiversity
37:31 The Autism Spectrum
42:57 Unpacking the History of Autism Diagnosis
44:22 From Deficits to Strengths
49:32 Challenging Ableism and Cure Culture
53:48 The Power of Special Interests
01:08:10 Support and Accommodation
Steve Silberman: Award-winning science writer, author of NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity (Avery 2015).
Website: https://www.stevesilberman.com/
Book: NeuroTribes
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Navigating romantic relationships can be challenging for neurodivergent individuals.
In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott discuss their experiences with romantic relationships. They share stories from their teenage years including the challenges of navigating dating and intimacy, the impact of past traumas and the importance of being true to oneself in a relationship, particularly for neurodivergent individuals. Jordan discusses how meeting his wife, Sylvia, changed everything. They formed a deep connection and understood each other on a level that no one else did and attributes their successful relationship to both of them being neurodivergent. He expresses gratitude for having Sylvia in his life and credits her for helping him better himself. Simon reflects on his past relationships and how they were influenced by his neurodivergent traits and shares his experiences of being taken advantage of and feeling misunderstood in past relationships.
Takeaways

Being true to oneself is important in building a healthy and fulfilling relationship but past traumas can impact how we approach and experience them.Dating and intimacy can be particularly difficult for neurodivergent individuals, who may struggle with social cues and communication.Building a relationship without masks and being open and honest can lead to a stronger connection, being in a relationship with someone who is also neurodivergent can lead to a deep connection and understanding.
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Topic
07:42 Navigating Dating and One Night Stands
26:30 Difficulties with Initiating Intimacy
35:21 Building Relationships while Masking
44:11 Confidence and Attracting Attention
57:36 Finding Connection and Understanding in a Relationship
01:05:32 The Power of Gratitude in a Successful Relationship
01:15:26 Reflecting on Past Relationships for Personal Growth
Whether you're Neurodivergent yourself, a friend, family member, or simply curious about this extraordinary way of experiencing the world, this podcast is your guide to unravelling The Neurodivergent Experience.
Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
Facebook: theneurodivergentexperience
Youtube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience


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Art and creative expression can be a powerful way for neurodivergent individuals to communicate and share their unique experiences.
In this conversation, Jordan James and Simon Scott talk to Bret Malley, a recently diagnosed neurodivergent individual, and father of an autistic son. They discuss Brett's journey of self-discovery, his experiences as a filmmaker and artist, talk about his upcoming documentary film, The Divergent Gift: Unboxing Autism, led by Bret and starring Jordan and the challenges he and his son face in the US education system.
The conversation explores the need for flexibility and multiple ways of learning in education, particularly for neurodivergent individuals, and emphasize the importance of listening to parents and understanding the unique strengths and weaknesses of each child.
The upcoming documentary film 'The Divergent Gift; Unboxing Autism, led by Brett Mallie, aims to amplify the voices of the neurodivergent community and promote acceptance and inclusion.
Takeaways
The education system often fails to accommodate the diverse learning styles and needs of neurodivergent students, leading to feelings of frustration and isolation.There is a need for a shift in the education system to prioritize individuality, autonomy, and support for neurodivergent students. Education should provide flexibility and multiple ways of learning to accommodate the diverse needs and interests of students, particularly neurodivergent individuals.Teachers should listen to parents and take the time to understand each child's unique strengths and weaknesses in order to provide appropriate support.Storytelling, animation, and creativity can be powerful tools for expressing the neurodivergent experience and promoting understanding and acceptance.
00:00 Introduction and Background
14:10 Art as a Form of Communication
35:50 The Need for a Shift in Education
44:34 Flexibility and Autonomy in Education
51:48 The Importance of Listening to Parents
01:08:00 The Power of Documentary Film in Advocacy
Bret Malley: Educator, Speaker, Professional photographer, author of Adobe Master Class; Advanced Compositing in Adobe Photoshop CC, and all around Photoshop magician specializing in surreal, epic, and imaginative image creation.
Website: https://www.bretmalley.com/
Documentary: https://www.thedivergentgift.com/
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Whether you're Neurodivergent yourself, a friend, family member, or simply curious about this extraordinary way of experiencing the world, this podcast is your guide to unravelling The Neurodivergent Experience.
Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
Facebook: theneurodivergentexperience
Youtube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience

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Neurodivergent characters are becoming more prevalent in TV and film, although many are still coded rather than explicitly identified as neurodivergent.
In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott discuss autistic representation in TV and film. They explore characters like Sherlock Holmes and Gregory House, who exhibit neurodivergent traits, and delve into the X-Men and how the characters in the series represent neurodivergent experiences, the importance of neurodivergent artists and creators in shaping these characters and emphasize the relatability of superheroes and the impact of pop culture on the neurodivergent community. The conversation addresses the issue of negative representation and stereotypes in shows like 'The Good Doctor' and emphasizes the need for authentic representation by neurodivergent people and concludes by emphasizing the significance of accurate and diverse representation in media.
Takeaways
The representation of neurodivergent characters often reflects the desire for recognition, validation, and understanding experienced by many neurodivergent individuals.Autism Awareness Month and similar initiatives can be seen as performative and insufficient, as acceptance and celebration of neurodivergent people should be continuous.There are examples of neurodivergent characters in various TV shows, including The Big Bang Theory, The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Rick and Morty. Neurodivergent characters in media, such as Doctor Who and Mr. Bean, provide representation and relatability for neurodivergent individuals.Companions and teams play a crucial role in the stories of neurodivergent characters, highlighting the importance of social connections.Negative representation and stereotypes in shows like 'The Good Doctor' can be harmful and perpetuate misconceptions about neurodivergent individuals.Authentic representation by neurodivergent people is essential for accurate and diverse portrayals of neurodivergence in media.
00:00 Introduction and Autistic Representation
10:37 The X-Men: Neurodivergent Superheroes
36:39 Neurodivergent Characters in Big Bang Theory
45:31 Neurodivergent Representation in IT Crowd: Richard Ayoade
52:26 Neurodivergent People Thrive in Collaboration
01:03:02 The Good Doctor: Perpetuating Stereotypes
01:10:43 Neurodivergent Representation in Brooklyn Nine Nine
Whether you're Neurodivergent yourself, a friend, family member, or simply curious about this extraordinary way of experiencing the world, this podcast is your guide to unravelling The Neurodivergent Experience.
Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
Facebook: theneurodivergentexperience
Youtube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience


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Collaboration and understanding between different species, including humans and animals, can lead to a more harmonious world.
In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott talk to Summer Farrelly, an Autistic inclusion advocate and animal behaviorist. They discuss Summer's journey to becoming a zoologist, their special interest in chickens, and their assisted animal learning program. Summer shares how their understanding of animal behavior has helped them navigate social settings and learn about human behavior. The conversation delves into the topic of advocacy and the impact of positive feedback from the community, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and sharing personal experiences in advocacy.
Takeaways
Understanding animal behavior can provide insights into human behavior. Learning from animals can teach us valuable lessons about cooperation and survival.Studying animal behavior can provide insights into human behavior and vice versa. Favorite animals can vary among individuals, and personal preferences are influenced by various factors.Authenticity and sharing personal experiences are key in advocacy, as they can inspire and help others.Understanding and advocating for neurodivergent individuals is important for creating an inclusive society. Positive feedback from the community can have a profound impact on advocates and reinforce the importance of their work.Building meaningful friendships can be a challenge for neurodivergent individuals, but finding like-minded people can lead to strong connections.Starting as a content creator and advocate can be a way to connect with others and make a positive impact. Social media can have both positive and negative effects on individuals, and it's important to find a balance and prioritize real-life connections.Disability and ability are two sides of the same coin, and it's important to embrace and appreciate both aspects of one's neurodivergent identity.
00:00 Introduction to Summer Farrelly
04:32 Defining Neurodivergence and Autism
06:29 Living the Neurodivergent Experience in Australia
08:25 Summer's Journey to Studying Zoology
10:21 Passion for Animals and Special Interest in Chickens
20:21 Favorite Animals and Evolved Dinosaurs
28:49 Navigating Social Interactions and Friendship
37:51 Assisted Animal Learning Program
42:13 The Power of Authenticity
51:06 Navigating Challenges
56:24 The Impact of Positive Feedback
01:06:55 Embracing Neurodiversity
01:14:37 Self-Acceptance and the Journey of Advocacy
Summer Farrelly, Autistic Inclusion Advocate & Animal Behaviorist:
Website: https://summerfarrelly.com.au/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Chickens2love
Whether you're Neurodivergent yourself, a friend, family member, or simply curious about this extraordinary way of experiencing the world, this podcast is your guide to unravelling The Neurodivergent Experience.
Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
Facebook: theneurodivergentexperience
Youtube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience

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Masking is a survival technique used by neurodivergent individuals to fit in and avoid harassment or bullying. It takes a toll on mental health, leading to anxiety, low self-esteem, and a constant fear of slipping up.
In this episode, Jordan James and Simon Scott discuss the concept of masking and unmasking in neurodivergent people. They explore the reasons why individuals mask their true selves, the fear of not being taken seriously, the pressure to conform to societal norms, along with the deep masking experienced during teenage years. The conversation explores the benefits and challenges of masking disabilities, the dehumanizing perspective towards people with disabilities and why unmasking is a journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
Takeaways:
Society's judgment of neurodivergence and disability as weaknesses contributes to the fear of being authentic and the need to mask.Social media can be a breeding ground for bullying and judgment, as people feel detached and empowered to tear others down.The desire for companionship and acceptance drives individuals to mask their true selves, but it is important to find a balance between fitting in and being authentic.Authentic friendships are built on being real and accepting each other's true selves.Teaching children to mask in certain situations can help them navigate the world, but it's important to also encourage their authentic selves.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:32 Masking and Unmasking
01:30 The Freedom and Comfort of Masking
04:22 The Toll of Masking
05:23 The Challenge of Being Fully Authentic
06:22 The Persona of Masking
07:22 The Loss of Energy and Foundations
08:20 The Deep Rest from Masking
09:19 Putting on Masks to Fit In
10:19 Using Comedy and Stand-up to Mask
11:42 The Unmasking Effect of Conversations
12:40 The Intensity of Unmasking
13:37 The Breakthroughs of Speaking Out Loud
14:26 The Impact of the Podcast
19:15 Knowing and Communicating Limits
20:14 The Need for Companionship
21:35 The Pressure to Fit In
23:56 The Dark Side of Social Media
25:17 The Fear of Disability
28:15 The Fear of Being Ostracized
29:10 The Toll on Mental Health
30:16 The Pressure to Meet Neurotypical Standards
31:43 The Gazelle Among Lions
33:39 The Fear of Ridicule
35:02 The Dehumanizing Experience
37:25 The View of Neurodivergence as a Developmental Disability
39:17 The Gaslighting and Lack of Self-Trust
40:14 The Benefit of Masking
45:04 Hyperfocus on Autism
46:29 Uncomfortable with Asperger's Label
47:56 Hyperfixation on Autism Stereotypes
50:21 Stimming and Comfort Objects
56:41 Masking as a Teenager
01:02:54 Starting the Unmasking Process
01:05:14 Struggling with Self-Identity
01:07:14 The Privilege of Masking
01:18:24 Teaching Masking to Neurodivergent Children
Whether you're Neurodivergent yourself, a friend, family member, or simply curious about this extraordinary way of experiencing the world, this podcast is your guide to unravelling The Neurodivergent Experience.
Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
Facebook: theneurodivergentexperience
Youtube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience

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