Atypical: The Podcast

Send us a text

Who would have beleived we would make it even this far. But we have, Episode 10 is here! And boy was it a whopper. We decided to try and talk about masking.
Turns out even with tequila and two and a half hours we couldn't even begin to scratch the surface. This is such a massive and deeply emotive subject that I am sure we will return to in relation to so many other topics.
So join Simon, Kim and the Mysterious Voice as we attempt to crack open the mammoth of masking and start to explore what it means, why we do it and whether we can truly let them drop away.
As ever this is a learning curve for me, especially in audio editing. Any advice or tips always welcome and as ever our DM's are open. Check us out on Twitter @AtypicalThePod and make Kim happy by chatting with us. Please!

As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you and our Twitter is open @AtypicalThePod for messages and comments.
Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone.
We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

Send us a text

This week Simon finally gets his papers together and talks at the microphone about ABA. In the exploration of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), it's crucial that we trace its historical roots and the path it has taken in the realm of autism treatment.
Initially hailed for its scientific validation, ABA's techniques and approaches have been a double-edged sword. Over time, many have raised concerns about the therapy's abusive aspects, particularly the methods that prioritise compliance over understanding, potentially suppressing the unique perspectives and behaviours of autistic individuals. These concerns have birthed controversies that have persisted, fuelled by the perception that seeks to 'normalise' autistic people, rather than embracing and understanding their intrinsic differences.

In an attempt to provide a comprehensive view of ABA's evolution, I've delved deeply into authentic autistic voices. Using primary sources, including firsthand accounts from the autistic community, alongside traditional scientific papers, it offered me a rich tapestry of insights. It's paramount that as we critically assess therapies like ABA, we ground our understanding in both empirical science and the lived experiences of those directly impacted. Doing so helps us recognize and challenge the embedded notions in our society that still, unfortunately, view autistic individuals as "less than" or outside the so-called norm.
I used dozens of sources in preparation for this episode and will publish links and article references via our Twitter feed in the coming days.

As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you and our Twitter is open @AtypicalThePod for messages and comments.
Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone.
We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

Send us a text

Have you ever heard of Bicycle Day? It's the day that celebrates the discovery of LSD by Swiss chemist Albert Hoffman. In this episode of our podcast, join Simon and Watt as we delve into the story of Albert Hoffman and the profound impact his discovery had on society and culture.

We start off by talking about Hoffman's initial discovery of LSD in 1943 and the bicycle ride that followed, which is now celebrated as Bicycle Day. It's amazing to think that a single chemical compound could have such a profound impact on the world, but LSD certainly did.

We also touch on the psychedelic movement of the 1960s and its association with LSD, which was being used recreationally by a growing number of people. But despite its popularity, LSD was also becoming increasingly demonized by the government and the media, leading to a widespread backlash against its use.

As we discuss the story of LSD, we also touch on the legal and health risks associated with using illegal substances, and the importance of prioritising our own health and safety above all else. We want to be clear that while we acknowledge the historical significance of LSD, we do not condone, condemn or promote the use of illegal substances.

That being said, we also recognise that there is growing research into the potential therapeutic benefits of substances like LSD, particularly for those who are neurodivergent or living with mental health conditions. We hope to explore this topic more deeply in future episodes and invite our listeners to share their own stories and experiences with us.

Overall, the story of Albert Hoffman and the discovery of LSD is a fascinating and complex one, and we hope that this episode has provided some insight into the impact that this chemical compound has had on our world. Thanks for tuning in to our podcast, and we look forward to continuing the conversation with you in future episodes.
As discussed in the show, we have created an anonymous Google form: https://forms.gle/kNDdGxESVGRyXHdm7
We will absolutely respect anonymity and this form will not record any personal or IP data. Or contact us via Twitter or at our email: [email protected]
My sources:

“LSD: My Problem Child” Albert Hoffman

“How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence” Michael Pollan

“Queering Psychedelics” Ed Alex Belser, Clancy Cavnar, Beatriz Labate

“Acid dreams : the complete social history of LSD : the CIA, the sixties, and beyond” Martin Lee

“

As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you and our Twitter is open @AtypicalThePod for messages and comments.
Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone.
We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

Send us a text

On this week's solo episode, join Simon and he navigates the subject of post-event slump, a phenomenon often experienced in the wake of significant communal moments or big events. It is a psychological valley after the peak, an emotional downturn following the joyous high of the festivities.

Diving into the history of Pride, we revisited the Stonewall Riots of 1969, the pivotal uprising that ultimately sparked the global LGBTQ+ rights movement. We then transitioned to the Sexual Offences Act of 1967, a seminal UK law decriminalising homosexuality in England and Wales. These historical moments are the bedrock upon which modern Pride was built, and their significance cannot be overstated.

However, our discussion didn't stop there. We also explored modern challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community, notably the notorious Section 28, a piece of UK legislation introduced in 1988 that prohibited "promoting homosexuality." This law, thankfully repealed, still echoes today, highlighting the persistent hurdles faced by the LGBTQ+ community.

Finally, we delved into the recent controversies surrounding Pride. As it expands its umbrella to include all identities within the queer spectrum, the event inevitably stirs debates about inclusivity, representation, and commercialization. We must remember, though, that at its core, Pride is about unity and resilience in the face of adversity.
And of course a quick romp through the latest news and interesting articles:
Sia being open about her autism, the Belfast "try before you fly" pilot scheme and the Arizona city working towards becoming the most inclusive city in the US.
Our artwork this month is of course by the very talented Kuro!

As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you and our Twitter is open @AtypicalThePod for messages and comments.
Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone.
We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

Send us a text

Join Simon and special guest Danny for a discussion of autism, ADHD, the International Day of People with Disabilities and a moment for World AIDS day. We touch on work Danny is doing to make his university more accessible for students and whether neurodiversity is a disability or not.
As an aside, friend Georgia has asked that we ask you all if anyone fancies writing to their MP about the hundreds of autistic people stuck in inpatient units because there's virtually no support pre-crisis and the Government aren't meeting its own promises on research https://www.autistica.org.uk/get-involved/break-the-cycle/write-to-your-mp
This is a very important topic and one close to all of us here on the podcast. If you can take five minutes it really might help.

As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you and our Twitter is open @AtypicalThePod for messages and comments.
Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone.
We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.