I got so excited when I saw this episode topic and after listening it was even more wonderful than I expected. I'm 41 and only figured out/got diagnosed last year. I'm not female (I'm genderqueer), but I was socialized that way and there definitely weren't a lot of "girls" in the '80s being identified as autistic, especially not hyperverbal, emotionally-expressive-in-a-BIG-way ones like I was as a kid (though it turns out those are actually pretty common traits among many autistics). Even though I've had a LOT of autistic friends, including one of my dearest, closest friends for over a decade, it still took until 40 to finally realize I was, too. My experience wasn't/isn't identical to Katherine's in every way but soooo much of what she said and the way she said it resonated deeply with me. Such a perfect blend of sharing her own experience while also educating on the state of research and the neurodivergent community. That postscript was also so important and so well articulated, and I'm just elated thinking of all the people out there who are going to hear this episode and have a better understanding of what autism can look and feel like. I will admit to being a listener who has considered many times writing in to Glennon to suggest that it might be something she would want to look into, but wrestled with all the things Katherine mentioned. I think for many autistic people, we've spent so long feeling lost and when we get this understanding of ourselves we want to help others find their way here too. And especially in the early stages after diagnosis or self-realization, we're so deep in examining our own lives through this new framework that it's sometimes hard to turn that off when looking around at the rest of the world. There are SO many people now who I'm like, oh yeah, they're on the spectrum. But just like with so many queer identity words, it's definitely a label that I think each person needs to decide for themself if it resonates. I encouraged anyone considering undertaking that journey (or just peeking into it) to seek out some of the many autistic content creators on here and elsewhere. Because our experiences can differ so much (sometimes in seemingly polarized ways), hearing from a variety of people can be really helpful in unpacking some of these stereotypes of what we're told autism is supposed to look like.
I got so excited when I saw this episode topic and after listening it was even more wonderful than I expected. I'm 41 and only figured out/got diagnosed last year. I'm not female (I'm genderqueer), but I was socialized that way and there definitely weren't a lot of "girls" in the '80s being identified as autistic, especially not hyperverbal, emotionally-expressive-in-a-BIG-way ones like I was as a kid (though it turns out those are actually pretty common traits among many autistics). Even though I've had a LOT of autistic friends, including one of my dearest, closest friends for over a decade, it still took until 40 to finally realize I was, too.
My experience wasn't/isn't identical to Katherine's in every way but soooo much of what she said and the way she said it resonated deeply with me. Such a perfect blend of sharing her own experience while also educating on the state of research and the neurodivergent community. That postscript was also so important and so well articulated, and I'm just elated thinking of all the people out there who are going to hear this episode and have a better understanding of what autism can look and feel like.
I will admit to being a listener who has considered many times writing in to Glennon to suggest that it might be something she would want to look into, but wrestled with all the things Katherine mentioned. I think for many autistic people, we've spent so long feeling lost and when we get this understanding of ourselves we want to help others find their way here too. And especially in the early stages after diagnosis or self-realization, we're so deep in examining our own lives through this new framework that it's sometimes hard to turn that off when looking around at the rest of the world. There are SO many people now who I'm like, oh yeah, they're on the spectrum. But just like with so many queer identity words, it's definitely a label that I think each person needs to decide for themself if it resonates. I encouraged anyone considering undertaking that journey (or just peeking into it) to seek out some of the many autistic content creators on here and elsewhere. Because our experiences can differ so much (sometimes in seemingly polarized ways), hearing from a variety of people can be really helpful in unpacking some of these stereotypes of what we're told autism is supposed to look like.
I can relate with what you said Glennon. Every boy I've kissed has been a bad kisser. 🌈😉
I've always hated parties so I'd bring a book with me, find a quiet spot and disappear.
Is there anyway to watch the full episode ? Not just listen but actually watch