👉 Subscribe… free or paid… to Substack, get a free PDF of the entire "every clock is a handgun pointed at my head" collection.👉 Support my work → Available as Amazon ebook or softcover. Exclusive hardcover edition coming soon.
Content Note: Strong language, neurodivergent struggles, communication barriers
Video Summary
A raw piece that captures what it feels like to be autistic and ADHD at 71—trying to communicate through the static and distortion of a damaged system.
Plain, direct language. No hidden meanings to decode. Just the real experience of feeling like "a brilliant creative soul trapped in a damaged body and neurology."
Using the metaphor of a short-circuiting transistor radio, this piece asks the question every neurodivergent person knows: "Do you understand at all what I mean?"
Content Note: Strong language, neurodivergent struggles, communication barriers
Key Themes Explored:
* Communication barriers that autistic and ADHD people face daily
* The transistor radio metaphor for neurodivergent expression through "static and distortion"
* Feeling trapped between brilliant inner life and damaged external systems
* Seeking understanding from other neurodivergent people
* AuDHD experience (autism + ADHD) at 71 years old
* The struggle to "just be heard" through intermittent short-circuits
Who This Speaks To:
* Adults with autism, ADHD, or both (AuDHD)
* Anyone who feels misunderstood or struggles to communicate their inner experience
* People seeking authentic neurodivergent voices without academic filtering
* Those who relate to feeling like their "wiring" interferes with expression
* Readers interested in metaphor-based understanding of neurodivergent experience
Discussion Starters:
* Do you relate to the transistor radio metaphor for neurodivergent communication?
* How does it feel when your internal experience doesn't match what others see?
* What metaphors help you explain your neurodivergent experience to others?
* Have you found your "tribe" of people who understand without explanation?
Full Transcript
Well, I feel closer to the spoken word tradition than poetry. I I just ain't that fancy. This first one, I thought I'd start with uh a metaphor, something that autistics see right away, and I think it will help uh this autist.
So, this is
Dancing Close to the Edge of the Noise
# asking AUDHDists.
Bear with me a minute. I'm autistic plus ADHD.
I feel like a a brilliant creative soul as if trapped in a damaged body and neurology.
um trying to communicate with the world through an intermittently short-circuiting transistor radio playing through static and the distortion and sparking circuits to just be heard.
Do you understand at all what I mean?
# actually autistic# ADHD# really AUDHD.
This free podcast is supported by listeners like you. Please like and share. It's the biggest thing you can do to help all neurodivergent voices beat the algorithm.
Connect:
* Share your own "transistor radio" moments below
* Tag an AuDHDist who gets it
* Hit the bell for new releases in this 5-week spoken word series
#AutisticAF Out Loud Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. Click… free to receive new posts and "every clock" PDF. To support my work, consider choosing a paid subscription.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.