Autism-First Language

It's been awhile since I've issued a podcast. I talk a little about what's going on there, why things have been quiet. I go on to opine a bit about where we're seeing great examples of Neurodiversity at work, and where we should expect to see more.

I didn't expect to record an episode tonight, but after being left in a bit of a shaken state, I thought it might be good to capture a few authentic moments to talk about fireworks and folks with sensory issues... like autistic folks and many military veterans.

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Host: Magnus Hedemark

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Background sound:

• "Atlantic Ocean Waves" by tim.kahn

Show notes:

• Most of my jobs were short-lived because the constraints were insufferable.
• I had one job where I lasted 5 years, mostly because I was entirely neglected.
• Neurotypical notions of how to manage people undermined the benefits of how my autistic brain works.
• Unplanned, urgent, but ultimately unimportant work regularly derails progress on the really important, strategic work.
• These distractions keep my autistic brain from ever getting up to speed.
• There are aspects of working with someone like me that can be like surfing, like catching the perfect wave. You can't summon the wave. And you have to respect the natural cycles of the ocean to benefit from its strengths.
• Slow down. Make room in the conversation for others. Make room in the conversation for digestion.

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

At the time of this recording, this show is entirely unsponsored and without ads. It is listener-supported. Will you support us? For only a dollar a month, you can show your support as a fan of the show. For five dollars a month, you can be an Official Patron. And as a show of gratitude, you'll have access to new episodes several days before everybody else. You can learn more about the show and how to support it on our Patreon page.

Host: Magnus Hedemark

• Twitter
• Instagram

Music:

• "AcidJazz" by Kevin MacLeod

Show notes:

• This episode was meant for sharing with non-autistic people who are dying on the hill of arguing with autistic people about identity language.
• Identity-first language: "autistic person", "I am autistic"
• Person-first language: "person with autism", "I have autism"
• Autistic people are the primary and solitary stakeholders in the conversation about what language we prefer. Non-autistic people, no matter their proximity to autistic people or their clinical credentials, have no say in this.
• Most autistic people are adults, not children.
• Most autistic adults prefer identity-first language. Some prefer person-first language. 
• It's good to adapt to the preferences of the individual you're speaking to or about. But collectively, when talking about autistic people as a group or in general, we want identity-first language.
• I really suck at impersonating Aunt Karen, but I'm going to do it anyway.
• F bombs were dropped. The explicit content flag has been reached.

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

At the time of this recording, this show is entirely unsponsored and without ads. It is listener-supported. Will you support us? For only a dollar a month, you can show your support as a fan of the show. For five dollars a month, you can be an Official Patron. And as a show of gratitude, you'll have access to new episodes several days before everybody else. You can learn more about the show and how to support it on our Patreon page.

Host: Magnus Hedemark

• Twitter
• Instagram

Music:

• "AcidJazz" by Kevin MacLeod

Show notes:

• Neurodiverse - Group of people who collectively show a wide variety of neurotypes (including Neurotypical and Neurodivergent).
• Individuals can't be "diverse", nor can they be "neurodiverse".
• People who diverge from Neurotypical (NT) brain structures are "Neurodivergent" (ND).
• Most "autism-at-work" programs are not neurodiverse, but are rather autistic monocultures under neurotypical management... and it seems oppressive!
• Neurodiversity at work requires a diversity of neurotypes at all levels of the corporate structure.

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

At the time of this recording, this show is entirely unsponsored and without ads. It is listener-supported. Will you support us? For only a dollar a month, you can show your support as a fan of the show. For five dollars a month, you can be an Official Patron. And as a show of gratitude, you'll have access to new episodes several days before everybody else. You can learn more about the show and how to support it on our Patreon page.

Host: Magnus Hedemark

• Twitter
• Instagram

Music:

• "AcidJazz" by Kevin MacLeod

Show notes:

• "Nothing about us without us." - No policy should be decided by any representative without the full and direct participation of members of the group(s) affected by that policy.
• "Autism Community" - Larger, more powerful, better-funded group of people talking about autism. But primarily are not themselves autistic. There are some autistic allies, but they are often amplifying non-autistic voices.
• "Autistic Community" - Autistic people talking about autism, with some non-autistic allies who put Autistic voices first in the conversation about autism.

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★