Autistic host Thomas is joined by Ben Schatzel, a human behaviourist and disability labour reformist, to confront the harsh reality of employment for autistic adults — and why it keeps failing us (spoiler, it's not you).
Thomas's Links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK
Ben's Links: https://linktr.ee/benschatzel
Code HENLEY25 : https://neurodivergentinsights.com/neurodivergent-store/
In this episode, we discuss:
• Why autistic adults struggle to get and keep jobs
• How job interviews and recruitment practices filter out neurodivergent talent
• The false hope of surface-level “neurodiversity hiring” programs
• The crushing impact of sensory overwhelm, burnout, and masking at work
• The systemic design flaws in the modern workplace
• What a genuinely inclusive job would look and feel like
• Ben’s mission to reform workplace systems from the ground up
• The emotional toll of repeated failure and being seen as “unemployable”
• Why employment success for autistic people requires deep structural change
👽 Remember that Autism is a spectrum, and your experiences/opinions will likely differ from mine based on your background, traits, location, other diagnoses, personality, life experience, and much more.
❗️IMPORTANT NOTE: I am NOT a professional, and you should consult a registered psychologist and doctor before taking any action
PLEASE share your experiences and thoughts in the COMMENTS!➡️
Host Thomas Henley is joined by psychologist Laura Gwilt to explore the complexities of the manosphere — the digital world influencing millions of young men and autistic adults.
Thomas's Links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK
Laura's Links: https://linktr.ee/lauragwilt
Code HENLEY25 : https://neurodivergentinsights.com/neurodivergent-store/
In this episode, we discuss:
What the manosphere actually is, and how varied it is
The psychological appeal of the manosphere to autistic men and young neurodivergent boys
The role of loneliness, isolation, and emotional neglect in drawing men into these spaces
Society’s failure to emotionally support boys and men, especially autistic ones
The positive side of the manosphere — creators who offer structure, self-worth, and community
The darker side — toxic masculinity, misogyny, and emotional manipulation
Performative masculinity and internalised shame
The psychological concept of “fix me” narratives and why autistic men are vulnerable to them
How anger, trauma, and emotional repression are handled (or ignored) in male spaces
The emotional and developmental impact of being unsupported as a young autistic boy
How authentic belonging is often promised but rarely delivered by these communities
A breakdown of what healthy support looks like — from therapists, peers, and real connection
How autistic communication styles can be misunderstood or exploited in online dynamics
Laura Gwilt’s expert insights into male identity formation, emotion regulation, and cultural shifts needed to prevent harm
Hopeful paths forward — creating nuanced, inclusive communities for men that centre growth, honesty, and care
👽 Remember that Autism is a spectrum, and your experiences/opinions will likely differ from mine based on your background, traits, location, other diagnoses, personality, life experience, and much more.
❗️IMPORTANT NOTE: I am NOT a professional and you should consult a registered psychologist and doctor before taking any action
PLEASE share your experiences and thoughts in the COMMENTS!➡️
Dr. Margaret Price and Thomas Henley discuss divorce, parenthood, and family court through an autism-focused lens; a raw, vital talk on support, stigma, and systemic failure.Thomas's Links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUKPegi’s Book: https://uk.jkp.com/collections/author-margaret-pegi-price-pid-204569Code HENLEY25 : https://neurodivergentinsights.com/neurodivergent-store/We discuss the challenges faced by families with autistic children in the context of family law. Pegi shares her personal journey as a single parent of an autistic child and critiques traditional legal frameworks that inadequately address the unique needs of these families. She advocates for customised legal solutions, crisis planning, and systemic changes to better support special needs families. The episode emphasises the need for specialised legal considerations and a cultural shift to foster understanding and support for children with autism.In this episode, we discuss:• The difference between typical and special needs family law: why the old playbook often falls short.• Court-approved parenting plans and how they often miss the mark for families with an autistic child.• Crisis planning lessons from COVID-19 school closures: what happens when support systems suddenly vanish.• Labelling and stigma: how institutional bias shows up in court and what it means for our kids.• The importance of individualised support, realistic respite care, and financial planning for special needs.• Raising awareness in law, policy, and everyday life: change happens when we all get informed.🎥 WATCH NEXT: https://youtu.be/lEs4sMH5OnM#thoughtyauti #thomashenley #autismpodcast 👽 Remember that Autism is a spectrum, and your experiences/opinions will likely differ from mine based on your background, traits, location, other diagnoses, personality, life experience, and much more. So PLEASE share your experiences and thoughts in the COMMENTS!➡️ Remember to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more content, and hit the notification button 🔔 to be notified of new podcasts ahead of the crowd!👾 JOIN the Discord Community - https://discord.com/invite/XMYbAd9u5D❗️IMPORTANT NOTE: I am NOT, and neither is my guest, a professional,l and you should consult a registered psychologist and doctor before taking any action📙 FREE Glossary For All The Autism Terms You Need - https://youtu.be/Z8FIdO1nzA8 🎧 Audiobook Adventure - https://youtu.be/GmQfmIlgjqc💫 My Autism Journey Documentary - https://youtu.be/j3Xox7vN2NM🚀 RECOMMENDATIONS:🎧 My Favourite Earphones - 1. https://amzn.to/3OfWrUW2. https://dbud.io/thoughtyautipodcast (20% OFF)🛁 Sensory Friendly Self-Care - https://amzn.to/3V2sUSm🎥 My YouTube Equipment - https://amzn.to/3OjsinW💪🏻 My Gym Equipment - https://amzn.to/4eKHHrY🧑🚀 Sensory Input and Fidgets - https://amzn.to/3ZbWRSx📚 Book Recommendations - https://amzn.to/40Ylx2a👓 Sensory Supports and Reduction - https://amzn.to/3CLV5i8PS: Any purchases made through these affiliate links will give me a small commission :)📲 My Socials:All Links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomashenleyuk/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thomashenleyukDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/XMYbAd9u5DOSRS: Rubywizard11Website: https://www.thomashenley.co.ukEmail: hi@thomashenley.co.uk
New age spirituality brought us star seeds and indigo children, but are autistic people truly spiritual beings?
Autistic athiest Thomas Henley talks to Emily Robyn Clark about the links between Autism and spirituality, diving deep into fringe cross-over groups within the Autistic communities online.
Thomas's Links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK
Emilys Links: https://linktr.ee/emilyrobynclark
Autistic Burnout Bundle (25% CODE: Henley25) - https://shorturl.at/rPEi3
#thoughtyauti #thomashenley #autismpodcast
👽 Remember that Autism is a spectrum, and your experiences/opinions will likely differ from mine based on your background, traits, location, other diagnoses, personality, life experience, and much more. So PLEASE share your experiences and thoughts in the COMMENTS!
👾 JOIN the Discord Community - https://discord.com/invite/XMYbAd9u5D
❗️IMPORTANT NOTE: I am NOT, and neither is my guest a professional and you should consult a registered psychologist and doctor before taking any action
📙 FREE Glossary For All The Autism Terms You Need - https://youtu.be/Z8FIdO1nzA8
🎧 Audiobook Adventure - https://youtu.be/GmQfmIlgjqc
💫 My Autism Journey Documentary - https://youtu.be/j3Xox7vN2NM
🚀 RECOMMENDATIONS:
🧑🚀 Sensory Input and Fidgets - https://amzn.to/3ZbWRSx
📚 Book Recommendations - https://amzn.to/40Ylx2a
👓 Sensory Supports and Reduction - https://amzn.to/3CLV5i8
🎧 My Favourite Earphones -
1. https://amzn.to/3OfWrUW
2. https://dbud.io/thoughtyautipodcast (20% OFF)
🛁 Sensory Friendly Self-Care - https://amzn.to/3V2sUSm
🎥 My YouTube Equipment - https://amzn.to/3OjsinW
💪🏻 My Gym Equipment - https://amzn.to/4eKHHrY
PS: Any purchases made through these affiliate links will give me a small commission :)
⭐️ ABOUT ME:
I'm Thomas, a YouTuber, podcaster, streamer and public speaker; I was diagnosed with Autism at age 10 and clinical depression at 14 but despite having support NO professional could help me.
I started learning more about autism in my early 20's through deep dives into psychology, lived experience, philosophy and writing about my life through introspection and experience. This 15-year-long venture led me to develop my social skills, coping mechanisms, and autism philosophy... but also process and learn to live with my mental health conditions.
Transferring from my successful Taekwondo career and Biomedical Sciences Degree into public speaking, SEND teaching and social change (NDTi), I realised that what kept me alive was my desire to stop more autistic children and adults from falling into the same pitfalls I did.
I started with producing content on YouTube, shifting to creating Instagram content and podcasting, and eventually settling back on YouTube after the support with building my business from The Princes Trust.
I hope to challenge opinions and concepts with a productive, non-radicalised and understanding perspective, and bring lesser-known 'autism things' to light... so you can always count on me for a fresh and balanced take on everything autism.
📲 My Socials:
All Links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyuk
Second Channel: @insidetheautiverse (Help me reach 10k!)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomashenleyuk/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thomashenleyuk
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/XMYbAd9u5D
OSRS: Rubywizard11
Website: https://www.thomashenley.co.uk
Email: hi@thomashenley.co.uk
Romance, chemistry, gut feelings and communication; today we dive into the complexities of dating as an autistic adult.
Thomas's Links: linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK
Daniel's Insta: lnk.bio/nohandshakemusic
Thomas produces weekly videos, livestreams and video versions of the podcast episodes you can view for free on YouTube. Join the 100+ members for only £0.99, support Thomas’ work, interact with him and receive all the perks!
🎵 Song Of The Day - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5
🗣️ My Socials and YouTube Channel - https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK
💻 My Amazon Store Recommendations (Sensory items, gym gear, YouTube set-up) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thomashenleyuk
Claire from Woodshed Theory talks about their intimate experience with Autism and OCD, what the crossovers and differences are, and the intricacies of how Obsessive Compulsive Disorder may manifest. Thomas's Links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK Claire's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCQleXj9QNaBUi_XWu4rRfTQ
Thomas produces weekly videos, livestreams and video versions of the podcast episodes you can view for free on YouTube. Join the 100+ members for only £0.99, support Thomas’ work, interact with him and receive all the perks! 🎵 Song Of The Day - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5 🗣️ My Socials and YouTube Channel - https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK 💻 My Amazon Store Recommendations (Sensory items, gym gear, YouTube set-up) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thomashenleyuk
Thomas Henley talks to the inventor of the AI-powered app Neurotranslator, an innovative idea for bridging the communication gaps between neurotypicals, autistics and ADHDers. Does Michael offer a replacement for couples therapy or HR intervention at work... or is it a crutch? Let's see.
Thomas's Links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK
Michael's Links: https://linktr.ee/neurotranslator
Thomas produces weekly videos, livestreams and video versions of the podcast episodes you can view for free on YouTube. Join the 100+ members for only £0.99, support Thomas’ work, interact with him and receive all the perks!🎵 Song Of The Day - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5 🗣️ My Socials and YouTube Channel - https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK 💻 My Amazon Store Recommendations (Sensory items, gym gear, YouTube set-up) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thomashenleyuk
Thomas Henley talks to NeurodiverJENNt about low support needs autism, its unique challenges, and the conflict between the autistic adult and parenting worlds (read more below).
Thomas's Links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK
NeurodiverJENNt: https://www.youtube.com/@NeurodiverJENNt
Thomas produces weekly videos, livestreams and video versions of the podcast episodes you can view for free on YouTube. Join the 100+ members for only £0.99, support Thomas’ work, interact with him and receive all the perks! In this live podcast episode, Thomas Henley and NeurodiverJENNt discuss lower support needs autism. They talk about their experiences with caffeine and how it affects their ADHD. They also discuss looking younger than their age and the challenges it can bring. The conversation touches on topics such as live streaming, the pressure of being on camera, and the trial-and-error process of creating content on YouTube. Thomas introduces the episode and explains why they chose to focus on lower support needs autism. They also mention a previous episode about autism and sleep with Dr. Megan Neff. In this part of the conversation, NeurodiverJENNt and Thomas Henley discuss the challenges of communication and social interaction for autistic individuals, particularly those with lower support needs. They talk about the difficulty of initiating and reciprocating social interaction, the energy and mental effort required to respond to messages, and the feeling of being stuck in the middle and not fitting in anywhere. They also touch on the impact of a late diagnosis and the process of self-discovery. The conversation then shifts to the topic of masking and its effects on well-being, self-perception, and social interactions. In this final part of the conversation, Thomas and NeurodiverJENNt discuss the challenges of unmasking and the perception that unmasking is an act or performance. They also address the controversy between autistic adults and autism parent advocates, emphasizing the need for compassion and understanding between the two groups. They highlight the importance of listening to the experiences of lower support needs autistic adults and dispel the misconception that autism has a specific look or set of traits. They conclude by encouraging patience, kindness, and collaboration in advocating for the needs of all autistic individuals. 🎵 Song Of The Day - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5 🗣️ My Socials and YouTube Channel - https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK 💻 My Amazon Store Recommendations (Sensory items, gym gear, YouTube set-up) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thomashenleyuk
Thomas Henley talks to Dr Megan Neff from Neurodivergent Insights about the sleep issues autistic people face and how to fix them. Dr Neff is a clinical psychologist, researcher and writer with a flair for Instagram, a detailed understanding of the complexities of Neurodiversity and their own lived experience with Autism and ADHD (read more below).
Why do autistic people struggle with sleep? Do autistic people have a different sleep cycle? How can we fix autism sleep issues? Let's answer these burning questions. Thomas's Links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK Megan Neffs Links: https://linkin.bio/neurodivergent_insights/
Thomas produces weekly videos, livestreams and video versions of the podcast episodes you can view for free on YouTube. Join the 100+ members for only £0.99, support Thomas’ work, interact with him and receive all the perks!
🎵 Song Of The Day - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5
🗣️My Socials and YouTube Channel - https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK
💻 My Amazon Recommendations (Sensory items, gym gear, YouTube set-up) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thomashenleyuk
Thomas Henley talks to Emma Stone, a cerebral palsy advocate (dystonia) and decorated horseriding athlete, currently studying a variety of Work Preparation modules in college and working in a local cafe. Emma speaks on how others treat her differently and what mentality she has in the face of adversity (read more below).
What are the stigmas and stereotypes attached to cerebral palsy? What is daily life with dystonia like? What is cerebral palsy and how does it develop? Let's answer these questions.
Thomas's Links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK Emma's Blog: https://estoneblogersa.blogspot.com/?m=1
Thomas produces weekly videos, livestreams and video versions of the podcast episodes you can view for free on YouTube. Join the 100+ members for only £0.99, support Thomas’ work, interact with him and receive all the perks! Within this podcast, Emma aims to dispel the stigma and stereotypes around cerebral palsy, bring more awareness to them and share the more intimate negative experiences they've gone through in daily life, school, physio, surgery and healthcare. She also highlights the life lessons she's picked up and details her top tips for other individuals with cerebral palsy.
🎵 Song Of The Day - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5
🗣️My Socials and YouTube Channel - https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK
💻 My Amazon Recommendations (Sensory items, gym gear, YouTube set-up) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thomashenleyuk
Thomas Henley talks to Mike from Autistic_AF about his experiences owning and managing a large number of animals or pets, why Autism makes pet ownership difficult, what benefits pets can offer autistic people, and which strategies he uses to maintain his sanity long-term (read more below).
What are the challenges autistic people experience with pets and how can you manage them? How can pets benefit autistic and disabled people? WHY does Mike have 2 therapy peacocks? Let's answer these questions. Thomas's Links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK Autistic_AF: https://www.youtube.com/@Autistic_AF Thomas produces weekly videos, livestreams and video versions of the podcast episodes you can view for free on YouTube. Join the 100+ members for only £0.99, support Thomas’ work, interact with him and receive all the perks!
🎵 Song Of The Day - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5
🗣️My Socials and YouTube Channel - https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK
💻 My Amazon Recommendations (Sensory items, gym gear, YouTube set-up) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thomashenleyuk
Thomas Henley talks to Sensei Al Loren about his experience in martial arts and his unique approach to coaching autistic children and adults (read more below).
What are the benefits of martial arts for autistic people? How far should we push autistic people out of their comfort zone? How can YOU start martial arts training? Let's answer these questions. Thomas's Links: https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK
Al's Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Martial-Arts-Autism-Spectrum-Practical/dp/B0BZ6KG43P
Thomas produces weekly videos, livestreams and video versions of the podcast episodes you can view for free on YouTube. Join the 100+ members for only £0.99, support Thomas’ work, interact with him and receive all the perks! Starting with Al's history of fighting, the two share fond memories of their respective fighting careers and connect on their love for the original Karate Kid movie series. Al Loren shares his challenges and success with teaching autistic individuals, highlighting the important mindset to have when coaching children and adults on the spectrum. They wrap up debating the balance between challenging autistic people and being compassionate towards their difficulties.
🎵 Song Of The Day - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5
🗣️My Socials and YouTube Channel - https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK
💻 My Amazon Recommendations (Sensory items, gym gear, YouTube set-up) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thomashenleyuk
Thomas Henley talks to lead cannabis researcher Dr Miyabe Shields about how medical marijuana could transform an Autistic or ADHD person's life for the better or worse (read more below).
Why are 70% of daily marijuana users Autistic? How can medical marijuana be used by Autistic or ADHD adults to support them? What are the negative impacts of marijuana on neurodivergent or neurotypical individuals? Let's answer these questions.
DISCLAIMER: This information should NOT be viewed or used as medical advice, but rather an exploration of data, science and experiences of neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals with marijuana usage.
Thomas' Links - https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK
Miyabe's Links - https://projectchronic.com/links/
Thomas produces weekly videos, livestreams and video versions of the podcast episodes you can view for free on YouTube. Join the 100+ members for only £0.99, support Thomas’ work, interact with him and receive all the perks! Dr Miyabe Shields has a PhD in endocannabinoid pharmsci and is co-creator of 'Network of Applied Pharmacognosy' with Dr. Riley Kirk, a non-profit contributing to education and destigmatising of emerging medicinal natural products. Miyabe is also a thriving queer and neurodivergent Instagram personality with over 40K followers, which is often used to promote 'Project Chronic' from 'Dose Like A Scientist', a community-based educational platform for neurodivergents providing a network, teaching them about pharmacology and advocacy. Introducing Season 3 of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas explains the new upload schedule of the podcast before pivoting to the episode topic... Marijuana and Autism. Miyabe gives a brief background to why she chose to pursue Pharamacological research into endocannabinoids before highlighting the differences in the legality and prescription of consumable hemp, recreational, and medical marijuana between the USA and the UK. Two big distinctions were product diversity and black market prevalence in obtaining marijuana. Thomas highlights his introduction to recreational drug users at university, sparking an interest in the physiological and experiential elements of alternative medicine and drug use. He had a very bad association with drug use, personality, work ethic, and intelligence, common to many proclaimed 'tea-total' individuals. Miyabe describes the Stoner Archetype and how it influences public perspectives on marijuana use as opposed to the use of legal highs like alcohol and tobacco. Miyabe explains the Triad Of Suffering, three issues common to neurodivergent individuals, but also something treatable with medical marijuana. Listing off the immediate and long-term potentials of THC and CBD through a medical lens, it's clear this medicine has a lot of therapeutic potential for neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals. A clear advantage to recreational use through the heightening of social rewards and reduced discomfort with eye contact through an oxytocin mediator seemed to explain the positive regard towards marijuana testified by neurodivergents in a social setting. Marijuana is not without potential risks, being linked to triggering schizophrenia, an array of mental illnesses, and neuronal changes in users under the age of 25; although correlation does not always equal causation, it's a clear concern for medical professionals and the public. Touching on the history of hemp and marijuana use, Miyabe details the many reasons why she is fighting for more widespread legalisation of both medicinal and recreational marijuana use. Ignoring its potential benefits, it proves to be a relatively lower toxicity and crime-facilitating option than the socially accepted recreational use of ethanol and nicotine. Whether you agree with legalisation of such a plant, you'll surely take away a lot of new perspectives and information about marijuana use for neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals.
🎵 Song Of The Day - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5
🗣️My Socials and YouTube Channel - https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK
💻 My Amazon Recommendations (Sensory items, gym gear, YouTube set-up) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thomashenleyuk
Thomas Henley talks to Paul Isaacs, an autistic public speaker who was late diagnosed with autism and OCD at the age of 24 in 2010. Paul was functionally non-verbal till the age of 11, suffering from a brain injury from cerebral hypoxia before birth. Paul details his life with visual and speech disorders, and how others can better understand the experience (read more below). Thomas' Links - https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK
Paul's Blog - https://theisaacs22.wordpress.com/
Thomas produces weekly videos, livestreams and video versions of the podcast episodes you can view for free on YouTube. Join the 100+ members for only £0.99, support Thomas’ work, interact with him and receive all the perks! Kicking off the episode, Paul explains his history with Autism and OCD. Diagnosed at the late age of 24 he was gifted with a very positive experience, something not common to many. Paul found a role model in a woman named Donna Williams, who shared many of his experiences in life, recounting her inspiring yet tragic life in great detail. Starting work at 15 due to his parents increasing concern about Paul's isolation in his room, he had a very ego-centric approach to communication with many processing delays. The two bond over their shared confusion and difficulty identifying bullying, gossiping, and gaslighting within the school system and workplace. Non-verbal until age 7, Paul describes the numerous visual and speech disorders he was afflicted with due to brain damage inflicted during a placental abruption and consequent cerebral hypoxia. Doctors originally believed he was blind, but eventually identified a few causes of his social, kinaesthetic, and sensory-sampling behaviours. Paul is hemiplegic, which impacts his visual perception, language, proprioceptive awareness, and some of his motor functionality. His visual agnosia left him unable to register anything he wasn't directly focused on, like extreme tunnel vision... meaning his ability to create word associations to objects in childhood was difficult. In terms of speech, Paul was 80% meaning deaf. The experience was described as perceiving large amounts of fragmented information, and couldn't interpret language as anything but meaningless phonics. His anomic aphasia made it difficult to find words to say, which resulted in him becoming highly echolalic. Paul and Thomas describe their shared difficulty with Alexithymia in childhood and how their feelings manifested as physical illness. Paul describes the idea of mergence, something common in infants who are in a state of sensing, rather than interpretation... this mergence was remarked by Thomas as being eerily similar to goals of meditation and the experience of ego-death many chase. Paul and Thomas differ in some respects. Thomas describes his default mode network or baseline activity of his brain as being constant and often stressful; Paul doesn't tend to think at all unless baited by OCD.
🎵 Song Of The Day - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5
🗣️My Socials and YouTube Channel - https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK
💻 My Amazon Recommendations (Sensory items, gym gear, YouTube set-up) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/thomashenleyuk
Why do ADHD and Autism get misdiagnosed as Bipolar Disorder? What impact does bipolar medication have on someone? How do Brandon and Thomas process anger differently? Brandon Christ (@autistically_b) was diagnosed with Autism (ASD-2) and ADHD recently after a long life of being misdiagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. Working in physiotherapy with a passion for baseball and fitness, Brandon seeks to open up about his experiences with late-diagnosed life and how fitness has shaped him as a person. My Links - https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK [https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK] // Brandon's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/autistically_b/ Dbud Noise Cancelling Adjustable Ear Buds (20% OFF with code: THOUGHTYAUTI) - https://dbud.io/thoughtyautipodcast [https://dbud.io/thoughtyautipodcast] The conversation commences on the topic of neurodiversity, looking at the differences between inherent and acquired neurodiversity, as well as the fine lines between viewing some neurodivergencies as good, neutral, or inherently bad. On the topic of masking in adolescence, Thomas tended to be quiet and blended in as much as he could... whilst Brandon became hyper-verbal and highly social. Thomas dives deeper into Brandon's difficult childhood, highlighting the behavioral training he received due to stimming, meltdowns, and attention problems. Brandon reflects on life before the People's First movement and how his early adulthood influenced his life outcome. Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is best characterised as a sensitivity to expectations, not defiance, and is fairly common in autistic people. The two talk about their experiences with PDA and aggression at school, at work, and within sports. Highlighting the silly online culture around things such as the Alpha Male, Thomas postulates that the idea of the Sigma Male likely comes from the existence of confident autistic men with PDA. It can be hard being autistic in a neurotypical world; Thomas and Brandon connect on the negative experiences that shaped their prior negative mindset towards neurotypicals... and how they shifted their perspective to forgiveness in later adulthood. Sport and exercise is a big part of both Brandon and Thomas' life... it's regulating, a great social lubricant, helps develop grit, and can temper you against sensory overload in the long term. Autistic people can struggle with instinctual movements and hypermobility, but have a lot of strengths in sports too! Brandon directs a question to the host about the struggles he faces most often as an autistic person. Thomas highlights it was once alexithymia and other people which were the biggest factors, with executive functioning and transition difficulties being a close second. Being autistic often comes with unfavorable life experiences and co-occurring conditions, and for Thomas mental illness is the biggest difficulty in life. Song Of The Day (Listen Here) - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5 [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5]
What challenges do Autistic-Allistic relationships present? How can neurodiverse couples communicate better? What qualities do Autistic relationships need to be successful? Mona Kay (@neurodiverse_love) is an ADHDer, podcaster, and relationship coach. Married for 30 years to an Autistic man, together for 32, but only aware they were a neurodiverse couple after the 29th year... after her divorce she started the Neurodiverse Love Podcast. Mona uses her experiences and knowledge to offer new and neurodiversity-affirming ways to improve relationships. My Links - https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK [https://linktr.ee/thomashenleyUK] // Mona's Links - https://linktr.ee/NeurodiverseLove Dbud Noise Cancelling Adjustable Ear Buds (20% OFF with code: THOUGHTYAUTI) - https://dbud.io/thoughtyautipodcast [https://dbud.io/thoughtyautipodcast] Mona kicks things off by speaking on the story of her marriage and eventual divorce from her Autistic spouse. She describes the ways she was unknowingly overwhelming her husband with her communication, flooding him to the point of shutdown. Thomas and Mona discuss the common miscommunications that can happen between allistic and autistic individuals in relationships: Not being concise or specific, overloading with emotion, lack of preparation, ignoring the need for social transitions, being aware of social batteries, pathological demand avoidance (PDA), ignoring sensory sensitivities, understanding of processing time, flat affect, and lack of direct emotional explanation. They speak on the controversy of Cassandra Syndrome, and how this should be viewed as an issue of Double Empathy... before going on to highlight the general positives and negatives of Autistic relationships. Dating a different neurotype will always come with more issues with communication if not properly addressed. Not understanding platonic vs romantic intent, issues around identifying flirting, different ideas about the boundaries of relationships, or even the relationship goals/milestones. Mona speaks on the unique issues that can come with moving in together and not addressing each other's needs, the challenges of raising children, and the hidden issues that surface once children move out of the home. Thomas chips in with his experience of moving in with a partner and his desire for a partnership in the future. Rounding up the episode, they converse about the qualities in yourself, your partner, and the relationship that lead to the best outcome: Being self-aware of your non-negotiables, core values, and boundaries, having a growth mindset, patience, open-mindedness, low emotional reactivity, independent mindsets, curiosity, direct communication, and solid conflict resolution. Song Of The Day (Listen Here) - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5 [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UDIyN5TSYN4zMcRoQPrG8?si=9255ed3480d840b5]