On this episode of Talking Twaddle, your host Joanne Hatchard from Better Being Me talks to social worker Jasmine Deakin from Sunny Spectrum Supports.
They talk about employment for autistic people, their own work as social workers and the insight that has brought them. The differences between social work and psychology, unpacking past trauma and the validation of diagnosis are touched on.
The grief a diagnosis can bring leads to a discussion about reframing, and the old stereotypes are discussed. Then how affirming being around other neurodivergent people can be, although there are still differences.
The gap in university education compared to how many autistic people there are, gives rise to a conversation about training in autism. And that it’s not “one and done”, it’s an ongoing process.
Masking and finding community are talked about, and Jasmine expresses that autistic people can thrive rather than just survive. Training is touched on again, imposter syndrome, being a therapist, and what really makes an autism “expert”.
Back to employment, the fact that autistic people have to know what accommodations they need, and are underutilised in the workforce are discussed. The SA Autism Strategy in touched on, and how it looks good on the surface but maybe not so great in reality.
The difference of an affirming neurodivergent household leads into a discussion about the hope for the future and how things are improving. Closing with the dedication to “make the world less shit!”
https://www.instagram.com/sunnyspectrum/
https://www.sunnyspectrum.com.au