
Minisode: Neurodiversity and the Autism Spectrum: Words You Need to Know
05/24/23 • 23 min
We’re bringing you a mini episode today, and it’s one we had to record to rectify something we just realized: not everyone knows what neurodiversity means, or what autism spectrum disorder actually entails.
In today’s episode, we’re getting back to basics and digging out the DSM-5 to define these terms for anyone who might not be aware. Let’s normalize the experiences our children are having and reflect that with the words we use.
In this episode, you’ll learn...
[01:00] A Graham-ism and Rylan-ism to open the show
[09:24] Why we’re getting back to basics and talking about the terminology used for neurodiversity
[11:31] What autism spectrum disorder is and how that diagnosis can differ greatly among families
[14:21] How the term neurodiversity is used to describe the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in different ways
[16:44] Why the term neurodiversity seems to be used more in our culture even though it’s been around since the ‘90s.
Get full show notes and the episode transcript:
If you can’t get enough of us, and want stay up to date with our other projects and ways you can connect, join our newsletter: https://www.youdontwantahug.com/
We’re bringing you a mini episode today, and it’s one we had to record to rectify something we just realized: not everyone knows what neurodiversity means, or what autism spectrum disorder actually entails.
In today’s episode, we’re getting back to basics and digging out the DSM-5 to define these terms for anyone who might not be aware. Let’s normalize the experiences our children are having and reflect that with the words we use.
In this episode, you’ll learn...
[01:00] A Graham-ism and Rylan-ism to open the show
[09:24] Why we’re getting back to basics and talking about the terminology used for neurodiversity
[11:31] What autism spectrum disorder is and how that diagnosis can differ greatly among families
[14:21] How the term neurodiversity is used to describe the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in different ways
[16:44] Why the term neurodiversity seems to be used more in our culture even though it’s been around since the ‘90s.
Get full show notes and the episode transcript:
If you can’t get enough of us, and want stay up to date with our other projects and ways you can connect, join our newsletter: https://www.youdontwantahug.com/
Previous Episode

Ep 2: An Introduction to Our Cast of Characters
We have a lot of experience parenting some fiercely amazing, neurodiverse kids and we have so many stories about that to share with you on this show. But before we dive deep into those stories, we wanted you to get to know us and our families a bit better.
In today’s episode, we interview each other and talk about where we live, our difficult journeys of having kids (to say the least!), their diagnoses and personalities and more. Come meet us and find out who we are and what makes us tick.
In this episode, you’ll learn...
[01:10] An introduction to Gwen
[05:03] An introduction to Kristen
[14:24] Gwen introduces us to her children, Rylan and Reagan
[25:43] Kristen introduces us to her children, Graham, Jameson, and Hayden
[43:40] The Last Word, where you hear directly from our kids and how they see their roles in our families
Get full show notes and the episode transcript:
https://www.youdontwantahug.com/post/ep-2-an-introduction-to-our-cast-of-characters
If you can’t get enough of us, and want stay up to date with our other projects and ways you can connect, join our newsletter: https://www.youdontwantahug.com/
Next Episode

Ep 3: Neurodiverse Families and the Many Faces of Isolation
Isolation and loneliness are realities for parenting raising humans with neurodiversity. We’ve experienced both and know how difficult it can be through the many ages and stages of our kids’ lives.
In today’s episode, we talk all about isolation and loneliness and their impact on neurodiverse families. We go into the data behind it, share stories related to feelings of isolation in many different areas of our lives, and offer strategies for how we’ve coped over the years.
In this episode, you’ll learn...
[01:31] Some Rylan-isms and Graham-isms to start off the show
[05:02] The data on isolation and its impact on neurodiverse families
[08:52] Kristen’s experience of isolation in raising triplets
[16:10] How Gwen’s isolation began during infertility
[19:30] What isolation looked like for us during our children’s early education years
[26:36] How we spent so many years trying to be “typical” families when we’re anything but
[31:14] The isolation we felt from our religious communities
[35:53] The difference between isolation and loneliness and how we’ve learned to cope and find support
[43:27] The Last Word from one of our kids and their thoughts on isolation
Get full show notes and the episode transcript:
https://www.youdontwantahug.com/post/ep-3-neurodiverse-families-and-the-many-faces-of-isolation
If you can’t get enough of us, and want stay up to date with our other projects and ways you can connect, join our newsletter: https://www.youdontwantahug.com/
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