The Autistic Me

Podcast Episode 0079, Season 5, Episode 10; 14 December 2021 From Jude: Loving Your Place on the Spectrum is a guide for living a happy and successful autistic life. Jude combines his own experiences as an autistic man with the stories of others to provide a handbook to help autistic individuals navigate life’s major changes, from childhood to college, jobs, and relationships. Each chapter identifies common issues faced by autistic people of a particular age or social group and explains how educators, teachers, parents, and professionals can be supportive through all these life stages. Jude Morrow is an autistic entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, consultant, philanthropist, and the founder of Neurodiversity Training International. His journey to becoming a proud autistic adult is chronicled in his first book Why Does Daddy Always Look So Sad?  which also follows Jude’s experience of being an autistic dad to his non-autistic son, Ethan. Jude graduated with an honors degree in social wo...

Podcast Episode 0078, Season 5, Episode 9; 30 November 2021 Scott Frasard discusses Running for Autism, a project of the Ordinary Marathoner Foundation. Dr. Frasard lives in Pflugerville (Austin), TX and is an avid runner/triathlete of almost 10 years. He is a certified Race Director and ran a company that produced virtual running events to raise money for non-profit animal rescue organizations. Professionally, Scott has been an adult educator for 26 years, has two master’s degrees, and a PhD. He teaches a wide variety of topics in the medical field, statistics, leadership, teacher development, evaluation, and nonprofit governance. Scott was diagnosed as autistic in March 2020 and has incorporated neurodiverse advocacy into his work and research to help raise awareness, acceptance, and appreciation of the neurodiverse population. We’re not less, we’re just different. https://www.ordinarymarathonerfoundation.org   The Autistic Me: Blog:  https://www.tameri.com...

Allen Wolf describes The Sound of Violet: The Sound of Violet  is about a man who believes he found his perfect soulmate, but his autism keeps him from realizing she's actually a prostitute. The novel allows readers to experience a love story between two people who are unlikely to fall in love. The main character is autistic, and I mainly wrote the novel from his perspective. He's very trusting, so when he meets Violet, he believes she's an actress when she's actually a prostitute. I wanted the reader to experience the rollercoaster of the relationship mainly through his eyes with glimpses into Violet's world.  From Allen’s website: Allen is an award-winning  filmmaker ,  novelist , and  game creator  based in Los Angeles. He is also the host of the  Navigating Hollywood podcast . His debut novel  The Sound of Violet  was described as “Entertaining, well-paced, and highly visual,” by Kirkus Reviews. Allen wrote, directed, and produced...

Published in September 2021, Navigating Autism: 9 Mindsets for Helping Kids on the Spectrum by Temple Grandin and Debra Moore offers a positive approach to supporting young autistics. I can see my daughters and myself in some of the passages. The research citations appeal to my desire for evidence, too. Like most autistics and parents, I rarely agree with most autism guides and texts. We’re too often reduced to our deficits. And, I don’t always agree with my colleagues. But, Dr. Grandin always makes me think. It was a pleasure to meet Dr. Moore and I’m fascinated by her research in the area of Internet addiction. Temple Grandin is a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. She might be the best-known autistic self-advocate in the United States. I have been privileged to meet her in person at conferences and enjoy listening to her discuss animals, science, and engineering. She has said that many people she meets in construction and manufacturing are likely Neurodiver...

Lois Letchford’s dyslexia came to light at the age of 39, when she faced teaching her seven-year-old non-reading son, Nicholas. Examining her reading failure caused her to adapt and change lessons for her son. The results were dramatic. Lois qualified as a reading specialist to use her non-traditional background, multi-continental experience, and passion to assist other failing students. Her teaching and learning have equipped her with a unique skillset and perspective. As a teacher, she considers herself a “literacy problem-solver.” Reversed: A Memoir is her first book. In this story, she details her dyslexia and the journey of her son’s dramatic failure in first grade. She tells of the twist and turns that promoted her passion and her son’s dramatic academic turnaround. www.loisletchford.com   The Autistic Me: Blog:  https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ Podcast:  https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ Twitter:  ht...

One of the ways bloggers and podcasters build their audiences is through hosting other content creators. We're all in this together, sharing our stories and promoting a sense of community. This episode of The Autistic Me Podcast features Sam Mitchell, host of Autism Rocks and Rolls. Sam's website is autismrocksandrolls.com . Sam's mother, Gina Mitchell, helps with the marketing and networking side of Autism Rocks and Rolls. Gina also teaches eighth grade, with a degree in English and social studies education. She earned a master’s degree in education, specializing in gifted and talented education (GATE). You can learn more about Gina on the Autism Rocks and Rolls website. Podcast Episode 0074, Season 5, Episode 5; 26 October 2021 The Autistic Me on Social Media Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSW...

How do Neurodiverse kiddos feel about homeschooling and virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic? For this episode, my daughters Leigh and Anne discuss what it has been like to study at home. They like it, but they also miss being around other children. They get to play with Leigh's cat companion, Rocky. We take nature walks. It's not all bad, studying with Dad.  The Autistic Me: Blog:  https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ Podcast:  https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/autisticme YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme   Check out this episode!

Susan and I obtained a third-party neuropsychological evaluation for our oldest daughter, Leigh, to ensure she receives the public education supports mandated by federal law. Many parents don’t realize you can obtain and submit an independent evaluation to a school district. What are the benefits of an independent special education evaluation? Should your family consider requesting a “second opinion” if you’re unsatisfied with a school-provided evaluation? Dr. Jerry Turner, the president of IEP, Inc., is a Licensed Educational Psychologist (#2966), Consulting Psychologist (APA), former Special Education Director and lead school psychologist. He’s also an author, private pilot, Marine combat veteran, and adjunct college professor. He has been a middle and high school teacher and guidance counselor. Dr. Jerry Turner Dr. Jerry Turner's website: https://www.drjerryturner.com My Child Learns Differently: The Parent's Guide to Special Education Special Education Guide: for Tea...

A follower wrote: Do your children eat anything other than chicken nuggets? My child won’t eat fruits, vegetables, or most meats. It’s cereal, chips, and nuggets. Susan and I are fortunate. The girls and I eat mostly healthy foods. Fruits, vegetables, roasted chicken, turkey, and most fish aren’t a problem. It might be because we’ve never been a fast-food family. We prepare most meals at home. Fruits are the go-to snack. Salads are common. That doesn’t mean there are no food challenges in our home, though. For this episode, I’ve invited the girls to chat with me about their food preferences. The Autistic Me: Blog:  https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ Podcast:  https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/autisticme YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme   Check out this episode!

Stop with the “Spoon Theory” metaphor. Allow me to choose my own metaphor for my lived experiences as an autistic with other disabilities. In this episode of The Autistic Me, I explain why cycling reminds me of life in general. Sharing the road with other people contributes to every cyclist’s anxiety. You never know what the cars and trucks around you might do. Too often, I feel like a cyclist surrounded by SUVs that are driven by people talking on their cellphones while reaching for cups of coffee. The Autistic Me: Blog:  https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ Podcast:  https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/autisticme YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme Check out this episode!

My name is Christopher Scott Wyatt and since 2007 I have been blogging as The Autistic Me. I launched this podcast during the 2017-18 school year. I assume you’re listening to this trailer because you’re interested in autism. I certainly cannot imagine another reason you stumbled into a podcast named The Autistic Me. Since I’m not known for my bright and cheery self-promotional nature, I’ll stick to what I do best: blunt honesty. Maybe you’ll still subscribe to the podcast. This podcast has rarely managed a weekly or biweekly schedule. This podcast and the blog are things I try to do around my other responsibilities. I do my best to release episodes twice a month or more, but I often fail to hit that goal. What could be more important than dreaming of podcast or YouTube stardom? Don’t I want to monetize my social media presence? Doesn’t everyone with a podcast want to become a social media influencer? I am parent, working from home and doing my best to homeschool two young Neurodi...

Please let this end! Yes, it's yet another year of pandemic podcasting if we don't start enforcing mask mandates, social distancing, and vaccination. The Autistic Me loves the isolation, but I'm tired of the anxiety. Let's take responsibility for ourselves and our communities to end the COVID-19 experience.  I fear that COVID-19 outbreaks will divide this school year. There won’t be anything normal about this school year. Many schools started early, trying to make up for lost class time. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that many of those schools now have dozens of COVID-19 cases, including both students and staff. After schools return nationwide, more clusters will be detected. By three or four weeks into the school year, we should have a clear picture of the trends among younger students, too. Remember, children under 12 are unvaccinated. I understand the risks are low. However, COVID risks are preventable. These aren’t beyond human control. The Autistic Me on Social...

Laura Reber is a school psychologist and founder of Progress Parade. At Progress Parade, they know what makes you different makes you strong. They provide 1:1 online tutoring with hand-picked specialists for students who have been diagnosed with ADHD, learning disabilities, executive functioning challenges, autism and more. Laura works with a team of school psychologists and specialized teachers to create personalized approaches for homework support, academic intervention, homeschooling, unschooling, and more. Laura graduated valedictorian with a Bachelor's in Psychology from Truman State University and continued to earn her Specialist in School Psychology (SSP) from Illinois State University. She has been working as a school psychologist for over a decade. With her teams of tutors, she has successfully supported over 1000 students in turning learning challenges into life-changing achievements. https://www.progressparade.com The Autistic Me: Blog:  https://www.tameri.com/autis...

Gary Martinez is a fitness trainer and father of Monica, a 15-year-old autistic young woman. He describes his choice to leave a “Big Box” fitness center for independent fitness training as becoming “an athlete for life” focused on Monica. Gary integrates sensory activities into Monica’s daily routine, balancing her mind and body to help her succeed. His experiences with exercise and overall fitness have led Gary to help others prevent or reduce autistic meltdowns with natural strategies. Gary: https://www.instagram.com/gary_martinez_jr/?hl=en The Autistic Me on Social Media Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme Check out this episode!

Throughout the experience of pandemic parenting, I held onto the hope for productivity. However, my focus quickly shifted from my creative works to educating my daughters and their needs have remained my primary concern. As the pandemic seems to be waning, Susan and I now wonder if we might finally have some time for our interests. The Autistic Me on Social Media Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme Check out this episode!

Our daughters and I have had a fair number of neuropsych assessments. The girls both have a list of official diagnostic labels. The three of us have ADHD in common. On her ninth birthday, we began yet another neuro-psychological assessment for Leigh, our eldest daughter. There’s always another assessment, it seems. Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme Check out this episode!

John Ordover is a man of many talents. A creative consultant, a writer, an editor, and a stand-up comic. He’s even appeared as an extra in some of my favorite television shows. John also advocates for the autistic community as the father of an autistic young adult and the partner of an autistic wife. I first met John virtually while he was finishing his book Lie There and Lose Weight: How I Lost 100 Pounds by Doing Next to Nothing . I came to know John as a proud parent who celebrates his son’s accomplishments instead of mourning his son’s autism. As an autistic parent, I appreciate the positive attitude John brings to our community. John also happens to be the co-creator of the book series Star Trek: New Frontier . My wife and I enjoy Star Trek, so I hope to slip in a bit of Trek talk during this episode. SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2021, AT 7:45 PM CDT – 9:30 PM CDT FULLY IMMUNIZED LIVE ORDOVER! Broadway Comedy Club https://www.facebook.com/events/449818696436771/?ti=ls Lie There and Lose...

It's my thirteenth annual rant about Autism Awareness Day and Month. If you’re an autistic, let us promote Autistic Pride Month together. Join me. Do you want to be an ally? Tell people that April is Autistic Pride Month and a month for learning about autistics and their history. It’s April 2 as I record this episode and I’m already tired of the ads I’m seeing on television, hearing on the radio, and reading online. I can’t wait for April to end so I don’t feel so frustrated and angry.   The Autistic Me on Social Media Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme Check out this episode!

The Autistic Therapist, Kate McNulty, discusses her book Love and Asperger’s . We also discuss gender identity, sexuality, and the challenges faced by autistics in relationships with neurotypical partners. About Love and Asperger’s Kate McNulty is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and certified relationship therapist through the Gottman Institute of Seattle, Washington. She is a certified sex therapist and member of the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). You can learn more about McNulty on her website, AutisticTherapist.com.  McNulty is the author of Love and Asperger’s: Practical Strategies to Help Couples Understand Each Other and Strengthen their Connection . Love and Asperger’s is published under the Rockridge Press imprint of Callisto Media. Lover and Asperger’s on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Pi19Gy Kate McNulty: https://autistictherapist.com   https://twitter.com/AutisticLCSW   The Autistic Me: Blog:  htt...

Productive. I want to be productive. More precisely, I want to know I am contributing to our family by producing work that earns an income. I'm one of the 85% of autistic adults with a college degree and no full-time employment. That's our reality. Don't tell me we are accepted. Don't tell me everything is better with an education. The degree merely proves I'm capable, not that I have the social skills necessary to navigate most workplaces. Change is needed. It's too late for me, but not the next generation. The Autistic Me on Social Media Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme Check out this episode!

One year. The novel coronavirus pandemic has dragged on long enough. I’m tired of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic. It’s not that I have big plans for the end of the pandemic. We’re not immediately taking or trip or attending a concert. It is the anxiety that accompanies basic tasks that exhausts me. I want that anxiety to go away. Needing a Break from this Break No matter how much you might love your partner and your children, there’s a limit to how much together time most of us can endure. A year of together time is too much. I look forward to night when everyone else is asleep. I miss being able to escape to cafes and diners, where I would sit and write or work on projects while consuming massive amounts of tea or coffee. Susan and I both need “me time” without each other or the girls. We need a break from this never-ending break from social obligations. The Autistic Me: Blog:  https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ Podcast:  https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ Face...

Catherine (“Cat”) Guimard-Payen provides life coaching to autistic women, but that’s not why I asked her to join us on The Autistic Me Podcast. Catherine is also autistic and the parent of four Neurodiverse children, two with autism and two diagnosed as multi-dis, which means they have multiple neuropsychological differences.  Catherine and her family live in France. As our casual chat reveals, French autistics face similar challenges to those encountered in the United States, Canada, Australia, England, and elsewhere. We discuss how the experiences of our children aren’t unique.  As the father to two Neurodiverse daughters, I want them to have role models like Catherine Guimard.  You can learn more about Catherine’s work at: Website: https://spiritualonlinebusinessacademy.com   YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTeI9M9Rqoy88roOBP5rzTw   EMail: info@spiritualonlinebusinessacademy.com The Autistic Me on Social Media Blog:  ht...

Every year on March 1, the disability community gathers across the nation to remember disabled victims of filicide–disabled people murdered by their family members or caregivers. Filicide, the murder by one's parents, is one of the top three causes of death in children under five. It is one of the top five overall causes of death among all children and teens. Autistic children are particularly vulnerable, as parents use the “trauma” of having an autistic child as a legal defense.  Encounters with police can also be dangerous for autistics, especially autistic persons of color. Individuals with a mental illness, including autism, are 16 times more likely to die during an encounter with police, the highest of any group studied. From 2013 through 2015, data show half of the police encounter deaths were people with mental illnesses or cognitive differences. https://autismmemorial.wordpress.com https://disability-memorial.org https://autisticadvocacy....

Daddy tends to be a pushover when the girls ask to learn. This time, they wanted to learn how the podcasting gear works. So, we set up the Zoom R16, three microphones, and off we went. This episode is the product of our 90 minutes of learning together.  The girls discuss sensory processing, ADHD, therapeutic supports, and school. The classroom "wiggle tables" still upset me. Public school wasn't always working for the girls.  The Autistic Me: Blog:  https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/ Podcast:  https://autisticme.libsyn.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/autisticme YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme   Check out this episode!

Peter Joseph Gloviczki is the author of three collections of poetry: the weight of dandelions (Salmon Poetry, 2019), American Paprika (Salmon Poetry, 2016) and Kicking Gravity (Salmon Poetry, 2013). His fourth collection, What's Left to the Imagination is Everything, is forthcoming from Salmon Poetry in 2023. His poems have appeared in Beloit Poetry Journal, Hayden's Ferry Review, New Orleans Review and elsewhere. Additional Links: https://youtu.be/PD2_uKaugPI  - Amanda Gorman, National Youth Poet Laureate. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Mali  - Taylor Mali, Slam Poet https://youtu.be/WKoVNqjNqtY  - The Power of Poetry, with Helena Bonham Carter https://youtu.be/8cKDOGhghMU  - Langston Hughes reads The Negro Speaks of Rivers http://www.djsavarese.com  - David James Savarese, Autistic Poet https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Oliver  - Mary Oliver, National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize recipient https://amzn.to/3cWHSnI  - Autism and Represe...

Roy Richard Grinker is a Professor of Anthropology and International Affairs at George Washington University. His books include Unstrange Minds: Remapping the World of Autism . I met Dr. Grinker in May of 2007 while he was promoting  Unstrange Minds , my favorite book on autism's history. The opportunity to speak to him about his new work,  Nobody's Normal: How Culture Created the Stigma of Mental Illness was an honor. Press Release:  Approximately twenty percent of all American adults—around 60 million people—live with a mental illness. But due to the lingering legacy of shame and secrecy around mental health, sixty percent of them receive no treatment. In NOBODY’S NORMAL: HOW CULTURE CREATED THE STIGMA OF MENTAL ILLNESS, anthropologist and professor Roy Richard Grinker chronicles the progress and setbacks in the struggle against stigma, from the 18th century through America’s major wars and into today’s high-tech economy In this uplifting book, infused with poi...

Misunderstandings about autistic traits have led to challenges most of my life. I blamed myself for the prejudices of others. I embraced and internalized ableism, disliking myself for being me. Enough. Five decades of feeling like I’m inferior? This must stop. I’m far from alone, as other autistics bring their energy to this cause. I hope to feature those voices on The Autistic Me platforms. The Autistic Me: Blog:  https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/   Podcast:  https://autisticme.libsyn.com/   Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/   Twitter:  https://twitter.com/autisticme   YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisticme     Check out this episode!

The  Autistic Me struggles with friendships. Autism exists on a spectrum and so does introversion. I cannot separate my autism from my introversion. I am content sitting and writing alone. The Autistic Me projects connect me with many other people. I do appreciate that. Blog: https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/autisticme   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CSWyatt   Podcast: https://autisticme.libsyn.com/   Check out this episode!