Today’s episode is extra special. We’re joined by Quincy Simmons, one of our amazing fans, a fellow autistic advocate, and a current college student who came ready with thoughtful questions about autism, neurodivergence, and real-world misconceptions.

Together, we break down some of the most common myths and stereotypes surrounding autism and explore how they shape the way society views neurodivergent people. We talk about how autism exists on a spectrum and why it is never just one thing — it is a beautiful, nuanced combination of traits, experiences, and intersections that make each individual unique.

Quincy brings us the show The Good Doctor, where we explore scenes featuring Dr. Shaun Murphy and connect them to real experiences in the autistic community.

We discuss:

💬 The struggle of self-advocacy in professional and academic spaces

💔 What happens when people misread our emotions or assume we lack empathy

💡 How sensory overload and meltdowns are often misunderstood

🙌 Why autistic and neurodivergent people deserve inclusion and understanding

🧠 The importance of seeing intelligence, emotion, and ability through a neurodivergent lens

We also share personal reflections on handshakes, social cues, overstimulation, and how our emotions can sometimes be overlooked or misunderstood. This conversation is open, funny, emotional, and full of education for anyone looking to understand autism more deeply.

Quincy’s insight and curiosity shine through in this conversation, reminding us of the power of learning from one another and amplifying neurodivergent voices.

💭 Questions for You

What is one autism myth you wish people would stop believing

Have you ever felt misunderstood because of the way you communicate

What does self-advocacy look like for you in your daily life

And make sure to go follow and support Quincy Simmons’ podcast, The Masks We Wear — now available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify 🎧 Give it a listen and help uplift more neurodivergent creators sharing their truth.

Thanks for checking out Different Spectrums! 🎙️ We're a podcast led by licensed therapists and neurodivergent individuals who explore emotions in movies and shows. Our mission is to normalize mental health challenges and promote understanding.

Join your founders and hosts, Dr. Nazeer Zerka and Spencer Srnec, as we process some key scenes to help you better understand your emotions and maybe even find some validation in them.

To find our new guest: Quincy Simmons

https://www.instagram.com/quincy495/

https://linktr.ee/QTheCreative

Episode Breakdown:

0:00 Attention

0:59 Intro

5:02 Scenes

10:00 Discussion

We’d love to hear your ideas for future episodes and connect with you on social media. You can find all our links here: https://linktr.ee/different_spectrums

⚠️ Reminder: Our podcast isn’t a substitute for therapy. If you need help, please seek professional assistance or call 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or 911 in case of an emergency.

Don’t forget to use our links for discounts with our partner companies:

ONO Roller

https://onoroller.com?sca_ref=5082016.VIt4Svd8Ng

Bubs Naturals

https://www.bubsnaturals.com/?discount=DSP20

Two Nerds Candle

https://twonerdscandle.com/DSP

Cat and Raven Designs

https://catandravendesigns.com/differentspectrumspodcast

Toynk

https://toynk.com/DIFFERENTSPECTRUMSPODCAST

#podcast #therapy #psychology #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalillness #mentalhealthmatters #autismawareness #actuallyautistic #autism #neurodiversity #selfcare #selflove #anxietyawareness #depressionawareness