You Don't Sound Autistic (YDSA)

Episode 70: Let's Catch Up

Episode 69: A Conversation with Shandel - An Autistic Woman's Perspective

Episode 68: The Autistic Struggle To Live In The Moment

Episode 67: Autism and Imposter Syndrome

Episode 66: Approval Seeking Behavior and Emotional Bankruptcy

Episode 65: In Defense of Your Personal Space

Episode 64: Emotional Currency and Self-Awareness

Episode 63: The 'Everything at Once' Loop

Episode 62: The Autistic Perspective of Career Transitions

Episode 61: Self Advocacy When Changing Careers

Episode 60: The Compare and Despair Trap for Teens and Adults

Episode 59: Managing Autistic Relationships at Home

Episode 58: How to Manage Meltdowns

Episode 57: To Mask or Un-Mask on Halloween

Episode 56: How to Say "I'm Not Okay"

Episode 55: ADHD, Autism, and Addiction

Episode 54: Overcoming Cultural Masking to Find Your Autistic Self

Episode 53: ADHD and Autism - Forgetfulness and Working Memory

Episode 52: Differential Diagnosis and Medical Gaslighting

Episode 51: Am I Missing Something? - Conversing As An Autistic Adult

Episode 50: Where Did My Personality Go?

Episode 49: Autism and the Art of Communication

Communication is already a complex personal and interpersonal skill to master but even more so for the neurodivergent. How does ADHD and Autism impact the art of communication? In more ways than one, and some of those ways are significantly less obvious than others. Can something as routine as "physical self-care" have a big impact on communication skills? You might be surprised. And speaking of surprises, communicating, self-advocating and emotional processing during unexpected tran...

Episode 48: The Hidden Fees of ADHD and Autism

If you thought the hidden fees phase of life was the "not knowing why I'm suffering" phase, be prepared. One of the bigger obstacles to overcome is the continual discovery of new hidden financial, physical, mental, emotional and vocational expenses of being an adult with ADHD and/or Autism. The only thing more costly than the coping mechanisms and compensatory self-soothing is the painful awareness of the numerous parts of daily life that require extra effort to maintain.

Episode 47: Do You Experience Joy or Hopelessness?

In this episode we explore the various ways we can experience the range of emotions that define depression; from joy to the absence of joy. Value-based systems that only reward productivity give a false sense of joy which can also lead to depression when being productive or successful in work, relationships, goals and every day life can feel fleeting or underwhelming.  Read the Episode Companion Post at https://youdontsoundautistic.com/how-do-you-experience-joy/

Episode 47: How Do You Experience Joy?

In this episode we explore the various ways we can experience the range of emotions that define depression; from joy to the absence of joy. Value-based systems that only reward productivity give a false sense of joy which can also lead to depression when being productive or successful in work, relationships, goals and every day life can feel fleeting or underwhelming.

Episode 46: Autism, Anxiety, and Medication

For adults with Autism, anxiety and medication are managed differently which also applies to co-occurring diagnosis like ADHD, depression, and mood disorders (irritability, aggression and meltdowns). Equally important is the Food is Medicine Movement bolstered by Nutritional Psychiatry. Let’s dive into the various ways we can manage how we feel.   Read the Episode Companion Post at https://youdontsoundautistic.com/autism-anxiety-medication/

Episode 45: Connecting to Childhood Emotional Neglect

Growing numbers of adults lived decades before their Neurodivergent struggles were adequately observed, evaluated and treated. Understanding the impact of generations of childhood emotional neglect illuminates the devastating parenting trends that have resulted in rising numbers of mid-late life diagnoses. Which is a nice way of saying, maybe it’s not all their fault. Let’s explore together.  Read the Episode Companion Post at https://youdontsoundautistic.com/childhood-emotional-ne...

Episode 44: My Manageable Life

Decode manageable life skills. To-Do lists can be difficult for Autistic/ADHD adults and require organization, flexibility and prioritization skills. Read the Episode Companion Post at https://youdontsoundautistic.com/my-manageable-life/

Episode 43: Do I need an Autism Diagnosis?

Whether you’re at the beginning of your self-discovery journey, or are just learning terms, patterns and definitions, one question you may be asking is… Do I need an Autism diagnosis if I suspect I’m autistic? It’s a great question with multiple answers depending on your unique medical history.* Another big factor to consider is ADHD. While it’s common to have both, knowing you have both is most important because typical ADHD medications may not work, or be too strong if you also ha...

Episode 42: Gratitude is the Attitude of Healing

Combating the chaos sensitivity of everyday life can feel hectic and exhausting especially for your brain. Using the power of neuroscience, did you know implementing an intentional Gratitude Practice for just 5 minutes a day can help flip your brain chemistry out of fight or flight sympathetic nervous system (SANS) and into the regenerating state of rest or digest parasympathetic (PANS)? Read the Episode Companion Post at https://youdontsoundautistic.com/gratitude-is-the-attitude-o...

Episode 41: The Art of Reflection

Episode 41: The Art of Self-Reflection

Episode 40: Sensory Issues, Stimming and Self Advocacy

Episode 39: #actuallyautistic - Now What?

In this episode Blake and Rachelle discuss what it means to discover you're actually autistic and what to do with that information. We also cover an article on Depression and how best to manage your depression whether you're a man or woman.

Episode 38: The Autism Dilemma - Hiding in Plain Sight (PART 2)

Episode 37: The Autism Dilemma - Hiding in Plain Sight (PART 1)

Episode 36: What Exactly is RSD? (Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria)

Episode 36: What Exactly Is RSD? (Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria)

Episode 35: Vocational Rehab & Transitions (First Steps)

Episode 34: Depression vs Autistic Burnout

Episode 33: Dating On The Spectrum

Episode 32: How Often Do We Suffer In Silence?

Episode 31: Just Say Yes To Saying No

Episode 30: Energy, Motivation, and Focus

Episode 29: Taking Smaller Bites of Big Goals

Episode 28: Fire, Ready, Aim... ADHD in Women

Multitasking should be called multi-firing especially when describing the neurological crossfires women find themselves dealing with every day. Still boxed in by gender roles, childbearing, child rearing and household management on top of working to afford today's climbing costs of living, women with ADHD are repeatedly missed and misdiagnosed due to improper evaluation of women's cycles, hormones and scripted coping mechanisms. Women with ADHD and Autism, as Blake describes from hi...

Episode 27: High Anxiety and High Functioning Autism

Anxiety is a familiar feeling. How is anxiety different when you're on the spectrum struggle a bit extra with social interactions, attending entertainment or sporting events (even if it's something you want to do). That's the thing about nervous energy. It's in the nerves and the nerves pick up on EVERYTHING. Then you add in sensory sensitives to lights, sounds, crowds, smells and chaos... even a trip to the grocery store on a crowded afternoon can take a Neurodiverse family down a ...

Episode 26: Getting Stuck in Big Feelings

Big feelings need a safe place to be expressed and supported by people who understand our unique life. After Rachelle joined a few "Mom's Autism" support groups on Facebook, we realized the importance of providing a safe place for Dad's too. The world we live in as parents is unique and often misunderstood. Dad jokes welcome at ADHD and Autism Dad's Group. Then we review Blake's first week on his 6 month journey to lose 85 lbs and all the ups, downs and obstacles that come with star...

Episode 25: Goal Setting with ADHD and Autism

Making small daily decisions while navigating ADHD and Autism are difficult enough without adding the need to make a pivotal life change too! Just the thought of that is overwhelming.  Blake found himself in this exact position this week and facing the same fork in his mental/emotional road that either goes left towards another round of procrastination... or right, towards the choice he's been masterfully avoiding. How do you motivate a neurodivergent mind whose brain is fueled by u...

Episode 24: Is There A Cure For Autism?

It's a question we're seeing a lot in various groups lately and feelings are mixed about the concept. Life on the spectrum is still largely misunderstood and conditionally judged. Many aspects of daily life, parenting, and thriving come with a very different owner's manual and one that's still be written for all age groups. Blake discusses his feelings as someone with ASD and we look for potential core reasons prompting discussions about a "cure". We also discuss our experience with...