EP32: Zoe Alexandra Glass, Diagnosed As Autistic at 38

Explicit content warning

02/20/24 • 64 min

Today, I'm speaking with Zoe Alexandra Glass, a Jiu Jitsu instructor and artist based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Zoe went from listening to The Other Autism while working in a warehouse to being a guest on the show almost a year after her own diagnosis. She shares the story of receiving her autism diagnosis after nearly losing her home and having considerable mental health challenges during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Zoe also discusses her stance on going undiagnosed for nearly four decades, the types of pragmatic successes she's experiencing in occupational therapy, and the disability assistance and tax credits that are available to autistic folks (with a focus on those in British Columbia and Canada).
Together, we talk about the overlap of autism and eating disorders, the problems with traditional sitting meditation for some autistics, and much more!
Watch this episode on YouTube.
Check out Zoe's TikTok, Substack, and YouTube channel.
And links mentioned in this episode:
Disability Assistance (for British Columbians)
Disability Tax Credit (DTC) (for Canadians)
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) (for Canadians)
Episode outro music: "Unravel (instrumental)" by Zorro, Ooyy

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Theme music: "Everything Feels New" by Evgeny Bardyuzha.
All episodes written and produced by Kristen Hovet.
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The views, opinions, and experiences shared by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. The content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical or professional advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions related to your health, fitness, or wellness.

Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators
A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Previous Episode

EP31: Neural Pruning, Synesthesia, and Autism

What aspects of the brain differ between autistic people and non-autistic people? Do these brain differences lead to things like synesthesia in autistic people? Synesthesia is when your senses or perceptions overlap, like when you think of a number and see waves of red or some other colour. Or when you can feel in your own body the sensations and physical pain of another, just by looking at them!
In this episode, I also talk about ableist perspectives in autism research, secondary autism, neurons, glial cells, early brain development, mirror-touch synesthesia as the basis of deep empathy, and much more!
Watch this episode on YouTube.
If you'd like to know more about topics discussed in this episode, check out:
"What Is Synaptic Pruning?" by Jacquelyn Cafasso
"Astroglia in Autism Spectrum Disorder" by Kinga Gzielo and Agnieszka Nikiforuk
"Regional Differences in Synaptogenesis in Human Cerebral Cortex" by Peter Huttenlocher and Arun Dabholkar
"Microglia in the Pathogenesis of Autism Spectrum Disorders" by Ryuta Koyama and Yuji Ikegaya
"Astrocytes and Microglia and Their Potential Link With Autism Spectrum Disorders" by Francesco Petrelli et al.
"Balancing Excitation and Inhibition in the Autistic Brain" by Charlotte Pretzsch and Dorothea Floris
"Synaptic Growth, Synesthesia and Savant Abilities" by Martin Silvertant
"Neuroinflammation, Mast Cells, and Glia: Dangerous Liaisons" by Stephen D. Skaper et al.
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Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators
A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Next Episode

EP33: The Science Behind Trigger Warnings (and Why I Don't Use Them)

Here's a deep dive into the controversial topic of trigger warnings. I explore the ongoing debate surrounding the effectiveness and potential dangers of trigger warnings, particularly for those who have experienced complex trauma. I highlight the latest research on trigger warnings, their impact on emotional responses, learning outcomes, and more.
Don't miss this episode where I challenge the common usage of trigger warnings and explore trigger warnings' influence on those they're supposed to protect most.
Watch this episode on YouTube.
If you'd like to know more about topics discussed in this episode, check out:
"Trigger Warning Efficacy: The Impact of Warnings on Affect, Attitudes, and Learning" by Guy Boysen et al.
"A Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Trigger Warnings, Content Warnings, and Content Notes" by Victoria Bridgland et al.
"I Was Wrong About Trigger Warnings" by Jill Filipovic
"Helping or Harming? The Effect of Trigger Warnings on Individuals With Trauma Histories" by Payton Jones et al.
"What Does It Mean to Be Triggered?" By Zawn Villines

Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators
A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

The Other Autism - EP32: Zoe Alexandra Glass, Diagnosed As Autistic at 38

Transcript

Speaker 100:01:06.690

Hey everyone , welcome back to the Other Autism podcast . Today I'm speaking with Zoe , a martial arts instructor based in Vancouver , british Columbia , but before I share our conversation , I'd like to thank Carol and an anonymous donor , who both used the buy me a coffee link to send in a one-time donation .

Speaker 100:01:30.489

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