The Autism Podcast

The Autism Podcast - Episode 5 - Interview with Carly Jones MBE (on the topic of autistic women)

In Episode 5, Chris and Kiran talk with Carly Jones MBE, an autistic mother of two autistic girls, autism advocate and campaigner whom, since 2008, has been campaigning for greater acceptance, equality of diagnosis, education and safeguarding of autism women, girls and their families. We talk about her personal story including homelessness and some of the work she does to support the autism community, camouflaging among autistic girls/women (and boys/men), the impact this has upon diagnosis and the need for qualitative approaches to diagnosis, the language and conceptualisations associated with special interests, mental health, and issues associated around the safeguarding of vulnerable autistic women.
Carly has produced a wide range of impactful resources including her free online course, 'Bodies Boundaries Abuse and Reporting It' (linked below), many successful blogs and articles some of which have been published in the national press. Carly also does many national and international events aimed at creating positive impact both in terms of positive social attitudinal change and also steering government policy. She also mentors and personally supports families, works on research advisory panels and much more. All of this led Carly receiving an MBE for all of her work in May last year. 
If you enjoy the episode please consider supporting us by going to https://www.facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity/ and using the blue donate button or by setting up a Facebook fundraiser. Or you can paypal us a donation at londonautismgroupcharity@gmail.com. You can also find us on Amazon Smiles and Give As You Live. We are a small and new charity with many big ideas about how to make a positive impact but need your support to help achieve this! Thank you.
Episode timeline:
0 - 2:37 - Intro2:38 - 8:32 - Carly's story8:33 - 10:17 - Homelessness and autism10:18 - 15:35 - Camouflaging among autistic women15:36 - 26:31 - Challenges with the diagnosis of autistic women including current screening tools26:32 - 28:43 - Carly's mentoring and support work28:44 - 36:05 - What do parents of autistic girls need to know, and language and conceptions of special interests (vs obsessions vs experts)36:06 - 41:22 - Parental mental health41:23 - 50:40 - Safeguarding50:41 - 1:00:53 - Advice for autistic people struggling with poor mental health
Carly's website: http://britishautismadvocate.simpl.com/
Carly's twitter: https://twitter.com/CarlyJonesMBE
Carly's film, Epidemic of Knowledge: https://www.reelhouse.org/olley/epidemic-of-knowledge
Carly's YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC58oNplP6pFoBS7wuL3bNUg
Carly's free online safeguarding course 'Boundaries , Bodies, Abuse and Reporting it for Autistic Girls' - https://www.openlearning.com/courses/boundaries-bodies-abuse-and-reporting-it-for-autistic-girls- 

The Autism Podcast - Episode 4 - Interview with David Grant (on the topic of the father's experience)

In Episode 4, Chris speaks with David Grant, the husband of Carrie Grant who featured in episode 2! David is a well known singer, television presenter and vocal coach and also happens to be a father of children with different additional needs including two autistic children. In this episode, David opens up about his own personal experiences during his journey of understanding and acceptance, and describes how his experiences, while challenging, have enriched his life. Chris and David also talk about why fathers can be vulnerable to poor mental health, the stigma of mental health especially among fathers, and what fathers who are struggling with poor mental health can do to support themselves.
Episode timeline:
0 - 2.51 - Intro2:52 - 5.55 & 15:31 - 16:14, 16:55 - 19:12, 24:40 - 28:35, 44:50 - 46:27 - David's personal story5.56 - 9:40 - Challenging what we've learned about parenting9.41 - 13.00 - Embracing the journey13:01 - 15:30 - Fathers' need for practical solutions19:13 - 24:39, 46:55 - 51:55 - Fathers' vulnerability to poor mental health29:20 - 33:44, 51:55 - 1:10:12 - Advice to fathers' struggling with mental health33:45 - 40:40 - "Not one drop of our self worth should depend on other people's acceptance of us"40:46 - 44:49 - Labelling, stigma and our 'normal' counts
David's twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidGrantSays
David's website: http://carrieanddavidgrant.co.uk/

The Autism Podcast - Episode 3 - Interview with Emma Dalmayne (on the topic of autism stigma and quack 'treatments')

In Episode 3, Chris and James interview Emma Dalmayne! Emma is a well known autism rights campaigner in the UK (and internationally) who campaigns against so-called autistic 'treatments', 'cures’ and mistreatment, in particular MMS (chlorine dioxide bleach being used to 'cure' autism). She is autistic herself having been diagnosed at the age of 37. Her youngest son was diagnosed before her which led to her opening a Facebook support group for autistics and parents/carers. She is the author of "It's an Autism Thing - I'll help you understand" and the CEO of Autistic Inclusive Meets (AIM), a community organisation which enables families with autistic children and autistic individuals to get out into the community and socialise in an accepting inclusive environment with like-minded peers.
 
Episode timeline:
1:25 - 3:37 - Intro3:38 - 5:30 - Emma's personal story5:31 - 8:42 - The lack of support at diagnosis and professional stigma8:43 - 15:42 - Challenges that autistic people experience today including autism stigma, sensory issues, ABA, schooling, low vs high functioning labels, and some ideas for solutions including homeschooling15:43 - 22:12 - Fake autism 'cures' and 'treatments' including MMS/CD22:13 - 30:19, 36:27 - 40:33 - Emma's community work including Autistic Inclusive Meets 34:39 - 35:32 - Emma's advice to autistic people with poor mental health35:33 - 41:40 - Changes to society that Emma would ideally like to see41:40 - 43:41 - Outro
Emma's twitter: https://twitter.com/edalmayne
Emma's book ("It's an Autism Thing - I'll help you understand"): http://www.stasspublications.co.uk/publications/its-an-autism-thing-ill-help-you-understand
Autistic Inclusive Meets website: https://autisticinclusivemeets.com/
Autistic Inclusive Meets Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/autisticinclusivemeets/
Autism Inclusivity Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autisminclusivity/
 

The Autism Podcast - Episode 2 - Interview with Dr Carrie Grant (on the topic of SEN, mental health, stigma and social change)

In Episode 2, Chris and Emma interview Dr Carrie Grant! Carrie is perhaps best known for television, music and radio work but also happens to be a tremendous autism advocate and campaigner, and a parent of autistic children too. Carrie tells us her story and her views on the social and cultural issues that intersect with autism stigma and discrimination. She also talks about mental health, SEN and schools, employers and more!
Episode timeline:
0 - 12.37 - Carrie's personal story of her children's diagnoses and journey12:38 - 19:27 - Carrie's parenting approach19:28 - 33:29 - Stigma's impact on mental health (including a bit on marital relationships from 29:35 - 31:53)33:30 - 46:29 - Schools and SEN, their impact and responsibility, child mental health, and the changes required46:30 - 50:54: Employment stigma and discrimination, and the changes required50:55 - 1:09:25 - Views on how to create real positive social and cultural change 1:09:26 - 1:20:51 - Carrie's practical advice for autistic people struggling with poor mental health1:20:52 - 1:23:13 - Outro
Carrie's twitter: https://twitter.com/CarrieGrant1
Carrie's website: http://www.carrieanddavidgrant.co.uk/ 

The Autism Podcast - Episode 1 (An introduction and group interview with the podcast team!)

Episode 1 begins with introducing the show and what are we aiming to achieve with it and providing context about the London Autism Group Charity that is producing the show. We will then hear from the podcast team (Chris, Morgan, James, Kiran and Emma) including a bit about our personal stories with autism and some of our views about attitudes and the stigma towards autism, what needs to change and improve, the importance of mental health, the challenges of epilepsy and more.
Episode timeline:
0 - 17:15 - Introduction to the podcast, its aims, housekeeping points about language, criticism and disclosure, and how you can support the charity17:16 - 43:40 - Personal introduction by each of the podcast hosts43:41 - 1:20:39 - Group discussion about autism stigma, its impact on mental health, and thoughts on how to challenge stigma and improve understanding1:20:40 - 1:33:10 - Conversation about epilepsy, what it is, its impact, and some advice on how to manage this1.33.11 - 1:36:17 - Outro