Join our hosts Simeon Thompson and Dr Sophia Christophi as they welcome Brendan Tighe, an autistic college language professor and autism advocate currently living in Mexico after spending most of his life in the US. Brendan shares his personal journey, including receiving an autism diagnosis at age four but only truly understanding its impact much later in life. He delves into the incredible and challenging legal battle his family undertook against the school system to secure his educational rights, highlighting the crucial support from his trailblazing uncle. Brendan opens up about the complexities of masking, feeling different, and navigating a world where autism was often misunderstood or treated like a "dirty word." He discusses his path from those early struggles to becoming an advocate, finding his own way to learn and thrive – including teaching himself languages – and the importance of self-acceptance, independence, and challenging societal underestimations to achieve his potential. Brendan has also shared his journey in more detail in his recently published Medium.com article, "Breaking the Silence: 33 Years of Autism, Advocacy, and Acceptance.' Links to this article are:  https://medium.com/@bdtighe/breaking-the-silence-33-years-of-autism-advocacy-and-acceptance-85134df6ad77 https://substack.com/inbox/post/159523582  -- Brendan's contact info: Brendan's email address: bdtighe@gmail.com Brendan's instagram: Brendan Tighe (@brendigio) • Instagram photos and videos -- Simeon Thompson's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Siimthompson Dr Sophia Christophi's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autistically.sophia   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please like, follow and subscribe to our social media channels to support us! It makes a big difference to our small but wonderful Charity. Please also leave us a review (hopefully positive ;) ) on Apple Podcasts - this is a huge help for us. And please consider donating to the London Autism Group Charity if you are enjoying this podcast that we produce and able to (simply go to https://donorbox.org/london-autism-group-charity-donations - thank you!) Our links: London Autism Group Charity website: londonautismgroupcharity.orgFacebook page: facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharityLondon Autism Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272747662886046/Twitter: https://twitter.com/lagcharityInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagcharity The Autism Podcast is produced by the London Autism Group Charity. Editorial leads - Dr Chris Papadopoulos and Mr James Gordon All Rights Reserved.