PODCAST · health
Autistic Licence
by autisticlicence
Join the Autistic Licence podcast, where two autistic therapists - Siana & Leo - share their experiences, insights, and the colourful world of intersectionality! We’re here to boost visibility for fellow autistic therapists, fuel the global neurodiversity conversation, and create a fun, engaging space together. No matter who you are, we warmly invite you to join us on this journey of discovery, connection, and growth. Subscribe and be part of the conversation today!
Episodes
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S3E6: Speaking Up As An Autistic Person, Is It Even A Choice?
Content warning: weight and body related issues, death and mortality, brief mention of suicidal ideation This episode begins with an exploration of the impact on Siana of seeing Ariana Grande's weight loss in the Wicked For Good movie, and on Leo of hearing this in the context of his own past...
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S3E5: Christmas Presence
This short episode was recorded a few days ago at Leo's house in Suffolk when Siana came for a pre-xmas visit. We mostly chat about managing gift-giving and surprises as autistic people. Pics on our pictures page of the wonderful illuminated garden trail we visited. Thank you for listening and…
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S3E4: What Success Means To Us
Leo reflects on watching a Netflix show which brought up a myriad of thoughts and feelings for him around not being understood by loved ones (the double empathy problem). Siana shares some current challenges with work and business planning. We speak about success and what that means to us as...
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S3E3: The Luck Illusion - Nothing Just Happens Revisited
In this episode we speak about "landing on our feet". In particular, we relate this to the double empathy problem whereby the processes "behind the scenes" are often missed entirely in our interactions with non-autistic people. We share examples of our experiences in the workplace and significant...
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S3E2: From The Vault - Nothing Just Happens
Welcome to the first "From The Vault" episode. Today we're going almost back to the beginning. We're going to listen to Season 1 Episode 2, which we called "Nothing Just Happens", from two years ago. Listening back to this not only brought back memories of the beginnings of Autistic Licence, but...
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S3E1: A Matter Of Time
Welcome to Season 3 💛 We recorded this a couple of weeks ago. We thought about cutting the bit at the beginning where we speak about Halloween in the interests of "keeping up" with the actual date of release. However, given that the rest of the episode traverses the general theme of our...
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S2E30: Staying Out For The Summer - a 1995 throwback chat
Trigger warning for Christian evangelical culture, mention of suicidal ideation. If you have particular sensitivities around these subjects, please consider carefully whether and / or when you might listen to this episode. This episode was recorded while Siana was visiting Leo in his new house in...
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S2 E29: AuDHD Economy Of Energy
This episode was recorded just a couple of days after Leo moved house from London to Suffolk, England. Leo highlights the benefits Leo of his ADHD meds in terms of maintaining focus and maximising efficiency during the move. We note wider factors and accommodations which help in managing setbacks...
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S2 E28: Transitions & The Value Of "Things"
This episode, on listening back, sounds a bit like a whistle stop tour of everything both of us has ever thought about our relationships with things and particularly about "moving" with them. We speak about moving house and / or office and the significance of replication and familiarity in our…
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S2 E27: An Autistic Guide to Celebrating Milestones (in detail)
This episode is mostly a light hearted autistic chit chat. Siana's daughter has finished her GCSEs (national exams taken by 16 year olds in the UK). To celebrate, they have planned a trip to Scotland to see Lana del Rey in concert. Meanwhile, Leo's parents' 80th birthdays are coming up over the...
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S2 E26: A Hot Take On A Hornet
Leo is planning a move to Suffolk, England. This conversation took place when we visited the area as part of his decision making process. We speak about a delightful and symbolic experience we had while we were there. We then explore the value of "story" within therapy, the significance of...
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S2 E25: Meaghan Ray, Part Two: Executive Functioning, Autistic Parenting & Chainmaille
Welcome to the second half of our conversation with Meaghan Ray. This one begins with us speaking about the interplay between autism and ADHD, particularly in terms of executive functioning. Meaghan Ray shares some specific areas of executive functioning which pose challenges for them in relation...
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S2 E24: Meaghan Ray, Part One: One Identity At A Time
We're joined for this episode by Meaghan Ray from Edmonton in Canada. Meaghan Ray speaks about their process of coming to know their autistic self. They share the value within this of real time processing with a friend, particularly as it relates to the "doing" of being autistic in daily adult...
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S2E23: Nikita - Autistic Professional Identity
We are delighted to share with you our guest conversation with Nikita. Nikita is a trainee clinical psychologist with a special interest in neuropsychology. Together we have a fascinating discussion about adult diagnosis and how Nikita has woven this into her self-understanding and relationships....
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S2E22: Dawn - Joining The Dots & Making Connections
Join us for another wonderful guest conversation, this time with Dawn. Dawn generously shares with us about her experiences and challenges in relation to work, mental health and being different to others. We talk about the generational grief and loss associated with late diagnosis. We speak about...
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S2 E21: A Time Of Transition
There's a bit of silliness at the beginning of this episode. We debated cutting it out, maybe due to the vestiges of internalised ableism but we decided to keep it in the interests of authenticity. It's fully possible to be "silly" and childlike right alongside having the capacity for…
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S2 E20: How Disappointing...
Trigger warning: This episode includes references to neglect and developmental trauma which some listeners may find upsetting. It's been a while since we recorded together! In this episode we expand on our discussion about grief. Leo reflects on the loss of Woody, three months on. We then move…
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S2 E19: Woody
Trigger warning for mention of death, loss and grief. If you have particular sensitivities around these subjects, please consider carefully whether and / or when you might listen to this episode. Leo's dog, Woody, died just before Christmas. This episode was recorded in December and the…
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S2 E18: Neuroqueering Self Care & Identity Markers
This is a short chat we had following our guest conversation with Elisabeth. In it we further develop our thoughts and reflections about self compassion. We also contemplate our identities within the queer community, recognising that we have much more personal "work" to do in this area. Obviously...
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S2 E17: Elisabeth - A Lived Experience Of Difference
We have a treat for you today - our guest conversation with Elisabeth. 💛🧡 Elisabeth shares her story generously and insightfully. We speak about late diagnosis and the idea of a second adolescence. We contrast medicalised perspectives with the neurodiversity paradigm, for example in navigating...
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S2 E16: Catherine - Autistic Identity
In this episode we meet Catherine, one of our listeners from the USA. Catherine shares with us about her deep dive into autistic identity. We discuss some of our experiences throughout our life spans relating to others in education and group settings. We notice ways in which we adapted that don't...
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S2 E15: Daniel - Me, Myself and AI
In this episode we speak with Daniel, one of our listeners who responded to our invitation to join us for a guest conversation. We speak about Daniel's ongoing process of coming to know himself as autistic. We then branch into discussing therapy with AuDHD people, including an exploration of the...
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S2 E14: Mid Life Musings
In this episode we reflect on the new calendar year and whether this has significance for us. We then open up a long discussion about the process of "middle age". Leo shares some of his identity shifts and pillars which have become clearer and more robust over the past decade. Siana reflects on…
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S2 E13: Festive Friends & Seasonal Traditions
Cadbury has discontinued Festive Friends biscuits 😭 We speak about the effects of product changes for autistic people and return to the topic of sensitivities and allergies. Leo reflects on the complex interplay he's noticing between ADHD meds, eating / appetite, medical history / considerations...
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S2 E12: Furry Friends & Existentialism
TRIGGER WARNING This episode contains discussions about death, which may be triggering for some listeners. Please listen with care and prioritise your well-being. Leo's dogs join us for this episode and we begin by chatting about our pets. Siana then talks a bit about seasonal sensitivities. We...
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S2 E11: Life, Times & Sitting Together
Some broad themes in this episode are family lineage, reading and the accessibility of group settings for neurodivergent people. Leo's great uncle has died at the grand age of 102. Siana has taken another week's deep dive into her ancestry. Leo has been looking into two Buddhist Sanghas and Siana...
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S2 E10: Where On Earth Did I Come From?!
Siana has recently become interested in tracing her ancestry. We reflect on aspects of this from an autistic perspective, such as pattern seeking as a way into a deeper search for belonging and connection. We consider spirituality in a broader sense, touching on personality development and...
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S2 E9: Talking About Talking (STFU)
In this episode we begin with Halloween as a springboard into superstition and then, somehow, onto Leo's ADHD meds update. Then we move into an exploration around RSD (rejection sensitive dysphoria) and ADA (autistic demand avoidance). We focus on these two strands within our own relationship...
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S2 E8: Balancing Life & Building Community
This episode traverses the theme of building autistic community. We recognise the dearth of opportunities for autistic people to connect in real time. We share our ideas around how we might like to play a small part in facilitating aspects of this, for example by having guests on the podcast and...
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S2 E7: Pattern Seeking & The Quest For Balance
This episode was recorded on the day when we had planned a pilot "Odd One In" group meeting. We cancelled the group with 24 hours notice because only two people had signed up at that point. We reflect on our relationships to change, flexibility, choice and managing our own ways of being alongside...
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S2 E6: I Don't Feel Like Coming Up With A Title
In this episode we discuss the concept of Autistic Demand Avoidance. Siana differentiates ADA from PDA and speaks from her own experience of how it shows up across a range of areas in her life. We also check in on Leo's ADHD clinical diagnosis journey. We notice how classic traits of…
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S2 E5: Ebb & Flow
This episode is a fairly run-of-the-mill chit chat from a random Thursday in the middle of September. Themes include doing things for the first time, seasonal rhythms, breathing, special interests and the significance of "perspective". We showcase Leo's new drone and Siana would like to apologise...
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S2 E2: To Medicate Or Not To Medicate (An Auditory Chronicle)
Leo is currently on the NHS pathway towards trying out ADHD medication. We discuss his experience of the assessment process so far. We then explore Siana's experience as a parent navigating the system. We speak about common obstacles and concerns within the process. We also reflect on whether...
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S2 E4: An Existential Experience
This episode is an excerpt from a follow up conversation we had regarding the gap between season 1 and 2. We reflect on a health situation Leo had to navigate over the summer. We discuss aspects of communication within the health care system and also between us. We also notice our tendency as...
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S2 E3: It’s All A Bit Meta
This episode contains our reflections around beginning a new podcast season. We discuss the gap in recording and wonder about some aspects of this. We explore the concepts of autistic burnout and energy cycles. We also speak about inherent neurodivergence as opposed to the signs of neurodivergent...
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S2 E1: Autscape
Welcome to Season 2 💛 🧡 This episode was recorded just after Leo returned from Autscape. We explore his experience and broaden this out to discuss the hallmarks of wider autistic culture. We then reflect on some of the perils and pitfalls inherent in making the transition "back" and between...
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S1 E32: Hamilton, Socialising and the Art of Autistic Communication
This episode opens with a discussion of the "Hamilton" theatre production. Leo delights in the complexity of the rapid lyrical genius, enjoying being caught up in the current and looking forward to revisiting it again and again. Siana's experience, in contrast, is one of overwhelm and withdrawal....
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S1 E31: A Polyvagal Training Experience
In this episode we discuss Leo's recent experience of attending a training course. We track many details of this, from the planning to sensory challenges and considerations, to social interactions and disclosure. We notice distinctive aspects of this which we experience differently as autistic...
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S1 E30: Autistic Travels
This episode chronicles some of Siana’s travel experiences on a recent trip to London with her daughter. We speak about navigating public transport systems, accommodation and orientation. We highlight things which we find helpful and comforting as autistic people, such as familiar places and…
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S1 E29: Autistic Empathy
This episode is an exploration of some aspects of empathic communication and connection which may be distinctive for us as autistic people. We notice the significance of this within the contexts of friendship and therapy. This dialogue also demonstrates some elements of a repair process and how -...
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S1 E28: Spiky Profiles
In this episode we reflect (broadly!) on the concept of having "spiky profiles". This relates to us having aptitudes in some areas and limitations in others, usually where the differences are more pronounced than might be expected in the general population. As usual, we record without a plan /...
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S1 E27: The Joy of Words and Sounds
"Echolalia" might seem like mere mimicry to some but, for many autistic individuals, it's a profound way to connect and communicate. In this episode we challenge the often-pathologised views of echolalia, highlighting its role in creating warmth and fostering joint attention. Join us as we...
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S1 E26: Neuroqueer Dialogue
The general theme of this episode is gender and sexuality. As usual we blend personal anecdotes with some theory and reflection. We shine some light on asexuality as an orientation which is often invisible and / or invalidated by both heteronormative and queer communities. We then discuss the...
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S1 E25: What are you having for dinner?
The complexities of food and eating - the latest episode in our occasional mini-series on autistic senses and sensitivities. You'll hear about our experiences of eating in a range of contexts throughout our lives. We notice the degree of shame and misattunement which is often attached to this…
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S1 E24: Disclosing Autism
This conversation came out of a few messages we have received around the theme of disclosing our autistic identities. We discuss our experiences and notice there is often a distinction between our professional and personal lives. We reflect and speculate on why this might be, with particular…
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S1 E23: Sox & Religion
Ok, so this episode may be a bit niche 😉 Leo has been searching for the perfect socks and he believes he has found them ... (time will tell). Somehow, Siana's autistic brain tendrils manage to link his fervour with evangelical Christian zeal and she goes down and round about that rabbit warren…
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S1 E22: Indispensable?
Leo (still) has Covid. Through this conversation we wind up exploring a drive he has to be useful, to serve. We notice how this shows up between us and reflect on how it may have developed. We also consider how it might change in the future so that it becomes less of a default and more of a…
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S1 E21: Navigating Healthcare
Trigger warning for mention of life threatening scenarios and maternal birthing distress. If you have particular sensitivities around your own experiences of healthcare please consider carefully whether and / or when you might listen to this episode. We speak about a wide range of our experiences...
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S1 E20: The Loneliness of Difference
Trigger warning This episode deals with the topics of loneliness and suicide. Please take care of yourself and think about the timing and where your support is if you decide to listen. We reflect on our experiences and relationships in the past, which led to loneliness, disconnection and feelings...
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S1 E19: Food, noise and the "feel" of things
In this episode we talk about sensitivities to physical and sensory stimuli. We focus on challenges around noise, food and physical (dis)comfort. We speak about the significance of autonomy. We also discuss interpersonal misunderstandings related to us not doing "what's good" for us. We note the...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Join the Autistic Licence podcast, where two autistic therapists - Siana & Leo - share their experiences, insights, and the colourful world of intersectionality! We’re here to boost visibility for fellow autistic therapists, fuel the global neurodiversity conversation, and create a fun, engaging space together. No matter who you are, we warmly invite you to join us on this journey of discovery, connection, and growth. Subscribe and be part of the conversation today!
HOSTED BY
autisticlicence
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Autistic Licence have?
Autistic Licence currently has 68 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Autistic Licence about?
Join the Autistic Licence podcast, where two autistic therapists - Siana & Leo - share their experiences, insights, and the colourful world of intersectionality! We’re here to boost visibility for fellow autistic therapists, fuel the global neurodiversity conversation, and create a fun, engaging...
How often does Autistic Licence release new episodes?
Autistic Licence has 68 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Autistic Licence?
You can listen to Autistic Licence on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Autistic Licence?
Autistic Licence is created and hosted by autisticlicence.
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