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Incredible life stories of Neurodivergent people sharing what it‘s like to live on different spectrums with many traits. Autistic, ADHD, Dyspraxic, Dyscalculic, Tourettes and OCD guests tell us about their childhoods, education, work and personal life - and how their mental health has been impacted by being wired differently.
Episodes
Thursday Feb 24, 2022
Thursday Feb 24, 2022
In this episode, Madge Woollard celebrates her autism and talks about her long career as a piano teacher, being in a great marriage with her wife Jo, and the cat cafe!
Madge was very much supported by her teachers at school so she could follow her passion of music, which lead to her winning a scholarship to Cambridge University. But it hasn’t all been plain sailing; as a teenager, Madge had an eating disorder, and she has struggled through menopause.
She was a joy to interview, sharing her personal life, challenges and successes, and her positivity is contagious. She also talks about her collaboration on a truly meaningful new book about autism for teachers, and about her passion for writing music, including theme tunes.
Madge's teaching website:
https://mwoollard.webs.com/
Her music on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/375QHFhNlxwoOT0edQLDko?si=Q9NTlj3IR6uWf6y9kwc_jA
Her theatre group
https://www.spectrumtheatresheffield.com/
Audio play “How to Drop a Piano” by Samantha Grierson
https://anchor.fm/samantha-grierson/episodes/How-to-Drop-a-Piano-e17goki
The book for teachers, to be published in April:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Learning-Autistic-Teachers-Neurodiversity-Inclusive-School/dp/1839971266/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KLRJZ3SMP6KZ&keywords=learning+from+autistic+teachers&qid=1643900453&sprefix=Learning+from+aut%2Caps%2C82&sr=8-1
Thursday Feb 17, 2022
Thursday Feb 17, 2022
In this episode, Tigger Pritchard and David Grey-Hammond share the brilliant work they do as Ausomely autistic advocates and talk about equality, their personal lives and much, much more in an authentic and open conversation.
I was delighted to meet Tigger and David. They can be found at the fabulous Aucademy with live events, podcasts (with some exceptional guests), a neurodivergent clothing range and huge support for our community.
It’s been a tough road for both of them, and we talk about psychosis and suicidal ideation, big challenges with mental health and an in-depth look at both of their personal lives and autistic/ADHD journeys. We also talk about the fantastic work they do with young people and adults.
Inspiring and fascinating, this packed episode has an important message for our wonderful culture of wired differently, Ausome human beings.
Thursday Feb 10, 2022
Thursday Feb 10, 2022
Sara-Louise coached me on my journey to autism/ADHD assessment and diagnosis. It was some of the best therapy I've ever had.
A powerhouse of ideas, determination and drive, Sara-Louise shares intimate personal stories about her life. Hang on to your seats as we talk about PureO, a dramatic form of OCD, sex and relationships as neurodivergents and difficult life challenges leading to dark thoughts and mental health challenges.
Honest, inspiring and hilarious. Not to be missed!
LINKS
Georgia Di Mattos who owns iPlaySafe App®: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAC8OmOgBCqF46Qjkt99CI9vDb7Wp3WegLig
Suzan Issa mentioned as my coach: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAACM8oyQBTl5wpldw5ODgvvq8lzLl0WlWDOM
Dawn Huebner PhD who wrote What to Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=dawnhuebnerphd&highlightedUpdateUrns=urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A6896903554142216192
Pure O great article https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/aug/31/pure-ocd-the-naked-truth
Freedom Programme: https://www.freedomprogramme.co.uk/ and Own My Life: https://www.ownmylifecourse.org/
Heather Morrison: https://getbumpn.com/
Emma Sayle: https://www.emmasayle.com/
Thursday Feb 03, 2022
Thursday Feb 03, 2022
What a packed episode this proved to be with my fascinating guest Dr Liliya Wheatcraft. Liliya is a member of the Royal College of Psychiatry and tells us of her struggles with her diagnosis and coming to terms with her autism and ADHD.
She shares her family life (with all members being neurodivergent) and how she fought to get accommodations for her children, especially within educational settings. Liliya also shares her own challenges as a ‘chubby' child, then anorexic adult, and how she was not understood by those in important clinical roles within the NHS.
We talk about medication, including some fascinating insights into genes, and about the quality of life of autistic folk who struggle far more than others.
I found Dr Wheatcraft insightful, thought provoking and inspiring, and her talk was full of important learnings.
Apologies for the clicking sound which can be heard in this episode.
Thursday Dec 09, 2021
Thursday Dec 09, 2021
Mabz Beet brings our first series to an end with an inspiring and fascinating episode. They talk about struggles at school, being different and feeling anxious about their visible autistic traits in the playground and not getting clarity in the classroom.
As a transgender model with a large following on Instagram, Mabz shares their love for fashion shoots, wonderful outfits and body painting.
Another love for Mabz is acting, and we talk about the fabulous audio play How to Drop a Piano, written especially for this aspiring actor by Samantha Grierson. The play stars Jane Asher, President of The National Autistic Society, and it is through this charity that Mabz works as a carer for young autistic adults.
Mabz is a great Advocate for the autistic community and is involved in training programmes and the Oliver McGowan charity, which raises awareness for disability training after a young autistic man was wrongly prescribed psychotic medication, leading to his death.
Mabz's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mabzbeetmodel/
Their audio play: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3d5o5Ws9RblvEtfUMd6anL?si=NOY-4jiZRhiAGWVWwVoCsA&utm_source=native-share-menu
Their blog on the intersection of autism and transgender: https://the-art-of-autism.com/a-child-of-two-spectrums-the-intersection-between-autism-and-transgender/
Blog about the tragic death of Oliver McGowan: https://blog.theautismsite.greatergood.com/oliver-mcgowen-death/