Sophie James - Growing Up In An Undiagnosed Neurodivergent Family | EP16

05/08/24 • 94 min

"Growing up in an undiagnosed family made me feel different from others and lead to a sense of being strange or weird!"

This episode of the Neurodivergent Experience discusses growing up in an undiagnosed family. Sophie James, Jordan's daughter, joins to share her experience about feeling different from other families, the challenges of navigating the school playground, the lack of support from the school, and the importance of bonding through daddy-daughter days. Sophie, shares her perspective on growing up with an undiagnosed autistic father and the challenges they faced as a family and reflect on the changes that occurred after Jordan's autism diagnosis and the newfound understanding and acceptance it brought them.

Takeaways

Struggles and successes in school can vary for neurodivergent individuals, and it's important to focus on the strengths and abilities rather than just the deficits.
Neurodivergence can impact family dynamics, and understanding and support from parents can make a significant difference in a child's experience.
Neurodivergent experiences can vary, with some individuals being more external and emotional, while others are more internal and repetitive.
It is important to lower unrealistic expectations and standards in friendships to foster healthier relationships at school.
Having a diagnosis can provide validation and support, but it is not always necessary for personal growth and understanding

Chapters

00:00 RTN Sponsor

01:18 Introducing Sophie James

08:50 Independence and Struggles in Primary School

16:23 Challenges in the School Playground

32:02 Impact of Neurodivergence on Family Dynamics

36:15 Growing Up with an Undiagnosed Autistic Father

48:25 The Shift in Understanding and Acceptance

55:30 The Impact of Not Having A Filter

01:00:11 Understanding Each Other's Differences

01:07:41 Self-Awareness and Acceptance

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"Growing up in an undiagnosed family made me feel different from others and lead to a sense of being strange or weird!"

Takeaways

Struggles and successes in school can vary for neurodivergent individuals, and it's important to focus on the strengths and abilities rather than just the deficits.
Neurodivergence can impact family dynamics, and understanding and support from parents can make a significant difference in a child's experience.
Neurodivergent experiences can vary, with some individuals being more external and emotional, while others are more internal and repetitive.
It is important to lower unrealistic expectations and standards in friendships to foster healthier relationships at school.
Having a diagnosis can provide validation and support, but it is not always necessary for personal growth and understanding

Chapters

00:00 RTN Sponsor

01:18 Introducing Sophie James

08:50 Independence and Struggles in Primary School

16:23 Challenges in the School Playground

32:02 Impact of Neurodivergence on Family Dynamics

36:15 Growing Up with an Undiagnosed Autistic Father

48:25 The Shift in Understanding and Acceptance

55:30 The Impact of Not Having A Filter

01:00:11 Understanding Each Other's Differences

01:07:41 Self-Awareness and Acceptance

Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod

Facebook: The Neurodivergent Experience

YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience

Get bonus content on Patreon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

Steve Silberman - The Legacy Of Autism | EP15

Society's perspective on autism has shifted, but there is still work to be done to combat misinformation and stigma.

In this episode, Jordan James and Simon Scott interview Steve Silberman, the author of NeuroTribes. They discuss the impact of Silberman's book on the neurodivergent community and the importance of embracing neurodiversity. They delve into the history of autism and the misconceptions surrounding Hans Asperger, the legacy of autism, the shift in society's perspective on autism and the importance of finding support within the neurodivergent community. Silberman shares his perspective on the medical model of autism and we explore the impact of the book 'NeuroTribes' in creating advocates for neurodiversity, the concept of the autism spectrum, the need for more frequent and dedicated opportunities for autistic children to engage in their special interests, as these interests can lead to meaningful and successful lives.

Takeaways

The history of autism reveals the mistreatment and discrimination faced by neurodivergent people.
The medical model of autism focuses on deficits and dysfunctions, but a more inclusive and positive perspective is needed.
Neurodiversity is a natural variation of human neurology and should be embraced and accommodated.
The autism spectrum is not linear but encompasses a range of neurodivergent experiences.
Special interests are a vital part of the lives of autistic individuals and should be embraced and nurtured.
Finding support within the neurodivergent community can be invaluable for both autistic individuals and their families.

00:00 RTN Sponsor

01:12 Introduction

03:14 The Impact of Steve Silberman's Book, NeuroTribes, on the Neurodivergent Community

09:54 The History of Autism and the Progress of Neurodiversity

36:33 Embracing Neurodiversity

37:31 The Autism Spectrum

42:57 Unpacking the History of Autism Diagnosis

44:22 From Deficits to Strengths

49:32 Challenging Ableism and Cure Culture

53:48 The Power of Special Interests

01:08:10 Support and Accommodation

Steve Silberman: Award-winning science writer, author of NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity (Avery 2015).

Website: https://www.stevesilberman.com/

Book: NeuroTribes

Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod

Facebook: The Neurodivergent Experience

YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience

Get bonus content on Patreon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

Navigating International & Domestic Travel As Neurodivergent People | EP17

Traveling as a neurodivergent person can present unique challenges, such as dealing with sensory issues and knowing your rights for special assistant and accommodations.

In this episode of the Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan and Simon discuss their recent travel experiences as neurodivergent individuals. They share their personal stories of navigating airports, dealing with special assistance, and the challenges they faced during their journeys. They talk about their fears and anxieties while flying, as well as the strategies they use to cope, the importance of special assistance and accommodations for neurodivergent individuals when traveling, the difficulties and stress that can come with navigating public transportation, especially in unfamiliar cities. The conversation also touches on the most interesting countries visited, the impact of travel on photography, and the cultural differences experienced in different parts of the world.

Takeaways

Special assistance and accommodations are available for neurodivergent individuals when traveling, and it's important to take advantage of them.
Understanding one's neurodivergent identity and seeking support can help alleviate the difficulties and stress of traveling. Neurodivergent individuals may have specific needs and preferences when it comes to travel, such as meticulous planning and having alternative plans.
Traveling to events and destinations that align with personal interests can enhance the travel experience for neurodivergent individuals.
Different countries and regions offer unique cultural experiences and landscapes that can be both awe-inspiring and challenging for neurodivergent individuals.

Chapters

00:00 RTN Sponsor

01:18 Traveling as a Neurodivergent Person

24:08 The Restlessness of Long Journeys

31:09 Navigating the Anxieties of Flying

45:18 Challenges of Crowded Trains

50:06 Importance of Special Assistance and Accommodations

57:16 Stressful Experiences in Unfamiliar Cities

01:08:12 Nature vs. Cities: Preferences for Travel

01:14:06 Exploring Interesting Destinations

01:23:09 Cultural Differences in Travel Experiences

Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod