))
Join the Autistic Licence podcast, where two autistic therapists - Siana & Leo - share their experiences, insights and the colourful world of intersectionality! We’re here to boost visibility for fellow autistic therapists, fuel the global neurodiversity conversation, and create a fun, engaging space together. No matter who you are, we warmly invite you to join us on this journey of discovery, connection, and growth. Subscribe and be part of the conversation today!
…
continue reading
This episode is an exploration of some aspects of empathic communication and connection which may be distinctive for us as autistic people. We notice the significance of this within the contexts of friendship and therapy. This dialogue also demonstrates some elements of a repair process and how - within a safe relational space - interpersonal dynam…
…
continue reading
In this episode we reflect (broadly!) on the concept of having "spiky profiles". This relates to us having aptitudes in some areas and limitations in others, usually where the differences are more pronounced than might be expected in the general population. As usual, we record without a plan / topic in mind and so there are lots of tangents. We thi…
…
continue reading
1
S1 E27: The Joy of Words and Sounds
1:14:21
1:14:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:14:21
"Echolalia" might seem like mere mimicry to some but, for many autistic individuals, it's a profound way to connect and communicate. In this episode we challenge the often-pathologised views of echolalia, highlighting its role in creating warmth and fostering joint attention. Join us as we celebrate the nuances of language, accents, and sensory exp…
…
continue reading
The general theme of this episode is gender and sexuality. As usual we blend personal anecdotes with some theory and reflection. We shine some light on asexuality as an orientation which is often invisible and / or invalidated by both heteronormative and queer communities. We then discuss the concept of neuroqueering and apply this to our own evolv…
…
continue reading
The complexities of food and eating - the latest episode in our occasional mini-series on autistic senses and sensitivities. You'll hear about our experiences of eating in a range of contexts throughout our lives. We notice the degree of shame and misattunement which is often attached to this - so much so that Siana was too uncomfortable to discuss…
…
continue reading
This conversation came out of a few messages we have received around the theme of disclosing our autistic identities. We discuss our experiences and notice there is often a distinction between our professional and personal lives. We reflect and speculate on why this might be, with particular regard to long standing relationships. We reference the i…
…
continue reading
Ok, so this episode may be a bit niche 😉 Leo has been searching for the perfect socks and he believes he has found them ... (time will tell). Somehow, Siana's autistic brain tendrils manage to link his fervour with evangelical Christian zeal and she goes down and round about that rabbit warren for a while. We speak about our own experiences of reli…
…
continue reading
Leo (still) has Covid. Through this conversation we wind up exploring a drive he has to be useful, to serve. We notice how this shows up between us and reflect on how it may have developed. We also consider how it might change in the future so that it becomes less of a default and more of a mindful choice. Along the way you can expect some typical …
…
continue reading
Trigger warning for mention of life threatening scenarios and maternal birthing distress. If you have particular sensitivities around your own experiences of healthcare please consider carefully whether and / or when you might listen to this episode. We speak about a wide range of our experiences related to being unwell and / or navigating our heal…
…
continue reading
Trigger warning This episode deals with the topics of loneliness and suicide. Please take care of yourself and think about the timing and where your support is if you decide to listen. We reflect on our experiences and relationships in the past, which led to loneliness, disconnection and feelings of life not being worth living. We also reflect on t…
…
continue reading
1
S1 E19: Food, noise and the "feel" of things
1:08:46
1:08:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:08:46
In this episode we talk about sensitivities to physical and sensory stimuli. We focus on challenges around noise, food and physical (dis)comfort. We speak about the significance of autonomy. We also discuss interpersonal misunderstandings related to us not doing "what's good" for us. We note the important distinction here between things being seen …
…
continue reading
This episode is a spontaneous Saturday chit chat. There's a fair amount of "here and now" energy and interaction, interspersed with memories and reflections. Siana talks about her experience of ADHD when it fires in multiple directions at once - something which for her does not exclude hyperfocus "flow" states. Leo reflects on a range of experience…
…
continue reading
This episode is in many ways a reflection on elements of the last one. We speak about early narratives and experiences, and the lifelong meaning and impact of these. We apply this to therapeutic contexts and approaches, specifically Transactional Analysis and Internal Family Systems, and we relate this to therapy with autistic people. We also explo…
…
continue reading
In this episode we discuss how we, as autistic people, are seen and experienced by others. We then traverse some thorny territory relating to how we see ourselves and influence each other. These are sensitive ideas and topics, interspersed with distractions, brain glitches and spiralling reasoning which somehow loops together in the end. LINKS Neur…
…
continue reading
In this episode we begin to circumambulate the intersectionality of autism and queerness. We begin with Siana's home interior decorating project and finish up discussing Leo's gender identity development. In between we wax lyrical around some relationship models, notably Siana's current QPR (queer platonic relationship). Comical interlude provided …
…
continue reading
This episode is another “in person” recording. We reflect on our experiences of travelling with and without accommodations. We specifically speak about the profound benefits for us of wearing a Sunflower lanyard when travelling in busy and often overwhelming airports. We also talk about the significance of our sense of smell, in particular Leo’s aw…
…
continue reading
We recorded this episode while we were together in Siana’s house last weekend. We explore co-regulation and bring in various ideas and theories from autistic, therapeutic and scientific communities to flavour our discussion. We end up specifically inviting the non autistic community to join and get to know us and, most importantly, the autistic peo…
…
continue reading
In this episode we explore the finite nature of personal energy and capacity. We refer to our own experiences and to wider "spoon theory". The pace of this conversation is slow and relaxed; it's basically two autistic people hanging out together. If that's your vibe, we'd love you to join us 🧡💛 On that note, our Facebook community is growing fast a…
…
continue reading
1
S1 E11: An indirect exploration of Jungian Sandplay
53:20
53:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
53:20
Leo enquires about Jungian Sandplay, a therapeutic modality Siana offers in her therapy practice. We explore Siana's demand avoidance about the prospect of speaking about this and then eventually get there in a perfectly autistic way. This is a lovely illustration of "Takiwatanga" which we happened to post about on our Facebook feed this week. Taki…
…
continue reading
In this episode we explore the centrality of the core value of justice for many autistic people. We discuss the impacts on us when things aren't "right" or fair, the tenacity needed to address these and the toll this takes on us. We then tentatively begin to explore some particular ways in which our social experiences correlate with theory around m…
…
continue reading
In today's episode we're gearing up for the new year in our therapy practices. We reflect on therapeutic relationships and processes, wondering about and exploring those facets which might just be unique to autistic or AuDHD lives. And we talk about our hopes and dreams for the podcast in 2024 inviting you to connect with us as we build the Autisti…
…
continue reading
You are very welcome to join us here for Christmas Part 2. Recorded on Boxing Day 2023, we reflect on our "festive" experiences this year. We then springboard off a seemingly inconsequential moment we shared recently, into a deeply satisfying autistic dive. We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences, neurospicy and otherwise. Contact us autist…
…
continue reading
Join us as we explore and reflect on our experiences of Christmases past and the lead up to this year's "festivities". We sensitively unpack some specific challenges the season poses for us and our neurokin. We share some of our learning from over the years and recognise this is still a work in progress. In true autistic style this episode jumps ar…
…
continue reading
Here we talk about loss and retrieval - of a car, a voice and even of the land! We reflect on the line between being perceived as "annoying" verses being curious, further expanding the pitfalls and the benefits of being #actuallyautistic in social and therapeutic contexts. Join us for a mix of complexity and so-called "info dumping" within a warm, …
…
continue reading
In this episode we share some autistic joy 🤗 Expect the usual winding tangents, several 'aha!' moments and a healthy smattering of play and frivolity. Contact us autisticlicence@gmail.com Our website https://autisticlicence.com Our socials https://linktr.ee/autisticlicenceBy autisticlicence
…
continue reading
1
S1 E4: Sorting, lining up & managing stress
42:12
42:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:12
In this episode we talk about how we look after ourselves when we are away from home. We explore some ways we manage the stress of "too much". We unpack our need for order and planning alongside the complex concept of autistic consistency. Light relief in the form of coffee, postcards and La la loopsies. Our website https://autisticlicence.com Our …
…
continue reading
In this first episode, we talk about why we're starting our podcast. Leo remembers the comfort of the spoken word on radio in trying to escape the fear of night-time silence as an undiagnosed autistic kid. Whilst Siana thinks about her own childhood discomfort with speaking out, and why sometimes staying quiet can be a survival response for a child…
…
continue reading
Siana goes to a Deacon Blue concert and talks about stimulation and over-stimulation. We compare notes on what that feels like and what we do to recover. This sparks on ongoing conversation about how autistic people spend and recoup energy and why this may be different to the experiences of others, and why processes around managing tasks and time c…
…
continue reading
In this episode we share our experiences of exposure and vulnerability. As therapists we open ourselves up to our clients, as friends and family members we manage how we relate to those close to us, and now as podcasters we reveal unmasked versions of ourselves to YOU - unseen and unknown people - for the first time. We talk about how we're feeling…
…
continue reading
