4. What Christmas means to me

12/20/22 • 16 min

This Christmas we're focusing on what the festive season means to autistic people and their families, and how to make the big day more inclusive. So, welcome to a Christmas takeover by pupils and teachers at our Mackenzie Thorpe Centre school in South Bank, Middlesbrough, as they explain what Christmas means to them .. from sinister Santa to stress-free nativity shows.

Music: Aukestra

Music: Aukestra

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3. Sex and relationships

Sex and relationship coach Ness Cooper - herself autistic - talks about sex education for autistic adolescents and how parents can broach the topic with young people. She also dispels the myths around sex and autistic people in her discussion with our Family Development Kerrie Highcock.

Music: Aukestra

Editing: Niall Hegarty

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5. Sexual and gender identity

Anecdotally, we've known for a while that autistic people are more likely to identify as LGBTQIA+ than non-autistic people, and research is now beginning to support this. This episode will explore the intersection between autistic and LGBTQIA+ identities, looking at the issues facing autistic people as they explore their sexuality and gender identity.

Erin Ekins talks to our Family Development Manager Kerrie Highcock about her personal journey as a queer autistic person, and what professionals and parents can do to support autistic people on their journey.

Music: Aukestra