November 28, 2025 • 25 mins
***NEW PODCAST*** (PLEASE LIKE AND SHARE)
Spectrum Voices Conversations presents "Harry's Facebook - 23rd November 2025".
Harry leads the discussion on posts on Autistic Radio page. Posts shared from:
Actually Autistic Coach
GROVE
The Autistic Teacher
Autistic Flair
Pete Wharmby
Recorded on Sunday 23rd November 2025.
Podcast runtime - 24 minutes.
#autisticliberation #gaming #online #safespace
#autisticmentoring #autisticawareness #autisticunderstanding #youngautistic #peersupport #strewing #inclusiveeducation #SEND #employment #adaptation #flexibility #NHSEngland #AnnaFreud #AutismCentral
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Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
AutisticRadio.com (00:00):
We speak our words, we listen, we speak our words, we listen.
(00:07):
We speak our words.
We listen.
We speak our words.
We listen.
Jules-AutisticRadio.com (00:18):
Hello and welcome to Autistic Radio Spectrum Voices.
Conversation is sponsored by Cold Pack.
. co.uk for practitioners who wantto use advertising on their cold
packs and make sure that theircustomers keep coming back.
If you're an end user needing a coldpack, when you use cold pack.co.uk to
(00:39):
get your cold pack here at AutisticRadio and Autistic Association, we
receive everything that you donatefor that cold pack to be sent to you.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org: Hello everyone. (00:48):
undefined
This is Harry's Facebook orSunday the 23rd of November, 2025.
And this is where we discuss the recentposts on autistic radio Facebook page.
And the first post is from the actuallyautistic coach who's a personal coach.
Empowers my fellow autisticpeople by working to uncover and
(01:13):
unmask revealing our best selves.
And I shared the following , autisticliberation isn't about being palatable.
It's about refusing to contort ourselvesinto shapes that makes everyone else's
life easier while destroying our own.
Jules-AutisticRadio.com (01:32):
I have found that saying no is often the
most powerful tool that we have inour toolbox when we're autistic.
Not to be obstructive, not tobe demand avoidance, but to
not accept the poor practice
or things that do not fitto that are intended to give
(01:56):
us opportunities that don't.
If we don't say no to things,then how can we get them changed?
Maybe that's part of whatthe Post is on about.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org: Yes, I agree. (02:06):
undefined
The thing about messages like this, quoteslike this, words like this is feeling
to say it to yourself a lot of the time.
'cause you feel like society, otherpeople and make you feel like a nuisance.
If you sometimes have thecourage to say no, to say that
(02:31):
something, you're not adaptableto what they're asking you to do.
Anything that being sociable, going intowork somewhere, and the way they look
at it is you are just not being normal.
You are just being a nuisance, a pest.
And you should just go over yourselfand just go on my life like everybody
(02:51):
else does, which is an absolutelyinsensible thing to say, because everybody
else, what does that actually mean?
But if you're stuck in a trap whereyou feel you've been undermined or
not being taken seriously, those sortof words do haunt you, and it does
take a lot of courage from yourself,from speaking with others that feel
(03:14):
or share the same experiences as you.
To do that, and it's just very importantfor these kind messages to be shared.
Robbie-AutisticRadio.com (03:21):
All my support was about making me compliant.
It just left me traumatized
. Harry-Autistic-Association.org: Being forced to do something
is a traumatic experience.
You're being made to feel likeyou are the problem, which
I find totally unacceptable.
I know there's a bit of give and takefor a lot of things, but sometimes
it just seems like for many peopleit's bullying, but power and about
(03:46):
that word that Robbie uses a lot becompliant and it's just wrong because
it doesn't help if you're more inclusiveand more flexible and adaptable.
A lot of people would be a bitmore involved in things and it'd
certainly be a better societythan the middle of it just now.
(04:06):
Are always about fulfilling someone else's outcome,
never about giving the life that Iwant or working towards what I need.
It was all about them, but compliant.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org: The next post is from Grove Online (04:19):
undefined
Community for Autistic Young People,which is an education website.
autistic LED support for young people,one-to-one mentoring and peer groups.
Authentic connection andself-understanding and safe spaces.
Being me, exploring and embracing autisticidentity Grove helps young people feel
(04:45):
accepted and celebrated just as they are,
they've shared a picture collection,talking about what they're all about.
One-to-one, autisticto autistic mentoring.
They are lots of mentoring optionsavailable for autistic young people
and families often come acrossgaming based services first, and
(05:06):
this can be a great fit for many.
At Grove, we game as well.
Our foundations and approachoffer something a little different
and we're worth considering.
Alongside the rest being small.
In comparison, our one-to-onementoring is led by autistic
adults with deep knowledge, livedexperience, and specialist training.
(05:27):
We work flexibly and commit fully togrove's, new affirming foundations,
and you can read these on our website.
We adapt to each other's young person'sneeds, interest, communication,
style, and sense of safety.
Our mentors facilitate a hugerange of activities and through
those authentic connections,young people can feel understood.
(05:52):
Seen and heard in a way many onlyexperience with other autistic people.
It's mentoring thatsupports self understanding.
Identity and real worldwellbeing and while being.
Autistic gives meaningful foundation,truly supporting a young person.
Statistic experience requiresmentors who are deeply knowledgeable
(06:14):
and generally affirming.
Without that, misunderstandingsand unintentional harm can occur.
We are a small, carefully selected team.
Every goes through a thorough interviewexploring their knowledge of autism, PTA,
and neuro affirming practice, and allhold and enhance DBS with children's check
(06:39):
sessions are monitored and supported byGrove's, founder Jess Autism distinction
Mentors are not left to work in isolation.
We operate as a connected team,continually learning and sharing insights.
In fact, autism is a shared specialinterest and it shows in how we work.
(06:59):
We take time to match each young personwith the right mentor, considering
interests, energy, and personality.
Because you know yourchild best and fit matters.
We ask you about triggers, abouttrauma, your hopes and aims.
We want to know as much as we can aboutyour child and we'll be honest if we feel
(07:21):
we are not the right people to support.
When choosing mentoring support,take a look at what we offer.
It might be exactly whatyour young person needs.
It's online only worldwide, and wehave space for new young people.
Jules-AutisticRadio.com (07:39):
I can see Robbie in the text immediately says that
something like this is needed for adults.
And I agree, you know, that's kindof the space we are in here at
Autistic Radio with the 4, 4 4,for instance, the drop in group.
What I like about this is it's a groupof people who have professionalized
and they're professionalizedfrom an autistic background.
(08:03):
It says that the majority of thepeople involved are autistic.
The mentors are autistic.
It might even be thewhole group is autistic.
And if you are closer to theautism experience, surely that's
the mentor that is most effective.
(08:24):
That's a mentor.
You would choose somebodywho is actually autistic.
Theresa-Autism-radio.com (08:29):
I was thinking that if you read between
the lines a little bit too.
It's not just that they consult the parentabout the child's goals, but by having
an autistic mentor, I think they would goabout getting at the child's goals too.
(08:50):
I would hope so.
Jules-AutisticRadio.com (08:51):
I think what you're saying there is that mentoring
in this case is also advocacy.
So if it's an autistic personwho is the professional.
They're also advocating for theautistic person with the empathy that
they have with a shared neurotypeback through to the parents and to
(09:13):
the other professionals involved.
So somebody is getting more thanjust mentoring, they're getting
advocacy back and explanation.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org (09:26):
Rob in the text is saying that support
should always be based on livedexperience of autistic people.
In this instance, and I'm thinkingabout it myself, how great it would
it being if I had that in school.
Of course wasn't diagnosed until justafter I left school, but a mentor
someone to talk to and even thoughI sort of did have that in a way.
(09:53):
It'd be great if there was thatunderstanding that was there at the
time and to talk about certain thingsto be assisted, mentored, of course.
And it's great to know thatthis is available for people
and the online thing as well.
'cause the online world hasbeen said before and gaming has
(10:15):
been looked upon as a bad thing.
It's looked upon as you're not beingsocial enough, you're not being
active enough in the community,which we know is nonsense because
they're an online community.
We are one of them.
So it's good to know that thesethings exist and it can help people
and they speak to autistic peoplethat use it rather than that just
(10:38):
referred to by carers or parents.
Even though that is very important too.
There has to be a team effort thatway, depending on the circumstances.
Jules-AutisticRadio.com (10:47):
Harry, just before The 4, 4, 4, the drop in
and obviously this live broadcast.
I made a recording with Dan Evans.
Dan is a young person who hascreated his own mentoring through
a podcast, the Dan Manifesto.
It's just started, but he'salready got two episodes out there.
So if people find the Dan Manifestopoint, any young people in their
(11:11):
direction or people in educationI think that's something to watch.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org (11:15):
The next post is from the autistic teacher.
It's a public figure, autistic and proudsharing and say an understanding to help
the autistic community based in the uk.
And they've shared a presentationon something called strewing.
When my husband mentioned the wordstrewing, I thought he had made
(11:37):
it up, but no, there is actuallya word for what we often do.
strewing is the act of subtlyintroducing new experiences and
materials into the environmentwithout any pressure or expectation.
It's about offering a silentconversation to explore the world
in one's own time and space.
(12:00):
It's a concept that works well withthe natural curiosity of our children.
Particularly those with pathologicaldemand avoidance, PDA tendencies, as
it reduces the stress of demands andexpectations, what strewing looks like.
strewing takes many forumsand often requires a delicate
(12:21):
balance of effort and patience.
We use strewing in school, inautistic community groups and at home.
This will often mean leaving activitiesout that you hope will spark an interest.
The silent setup.
Sometimes we set up a small activityor place an interestrewing object
(12:43):
and site and then simply step back.
The idea is to allow thechild to notice and hopefully
gravitate towards it organically.
It's about create an atmospherewhere curiosity can blossom
without the weight of expectation.
Sharing my own interest.
Occasionally I'll sharesomething I personally enjoy
(13:04):
about an activity or an object.
It's less about selling the idea andmore about sharing a part of myself.
It's amazing how enthusiasm can becontagious without it being enforced.
Active engagement, I sometimesbegin engaging with activity myself,
mooding, enjoyment and presence.
(13:25):
This can sometimes spark interestpurely through observation.
It's about being present and interestwithout placing the spotlight on them.
Collaborative exploration,getting involved often adds
another layer of connection.
There's something inviting about ashared experience, especially if it's
approached with an open heart in mind.
(13:47):
strewing requires a gentle embraceof patience and acceptance.
There are days when theinterest just isn't there.
That's okay.
It's a reminder to myself that thejourney is as vital as they experience.
If something doesn't engage them today,it might tomorrow, or maybe a discovery
(14:08):
wasn't meant to happen with thatparticular object or activity at all.
It's not about pushing.
An agenda is about providingopportunities for self-directed
discovery when they're ready,
Jules-AutisticRadio.com (14:21):
so the word strewing, we can remember because you
strew the floor with different toysand let the kid pick up what they want
rather than directing their attention.
And it's about not directing theinterest, but offering the opportunity
so people can, or in this case,children can find it, that seems like
the right way to go around things.
To me,
Harry-Autistic-Association.org (14:41):
yes.
The more I read the more it made sense.
Because a lot of society, particularly inschools and other places, it's like many
autistic people who are sitting, quiet orjust silently, quietly, kinda trying to
just fit into the environment they're in.
Just sitting down, taking theirtime to, get used to the room that
(15:05):
they're in and things like that.
The thing that happens is thingsfeel forced upon you, like topics,
like subjects, and it's like you'reforced to enjoy them as well.
It's like, come on and don'tsit like that all silent.
Come on, join in, that sort of thing.
But if you put things out and then givepeople time to take part if they want
(15:27):
to, that's how learning can happen andthat sort of learning and that sort of
non enforced sort of approach, peoplecan learn so much and even enjoy it.
I think the whole thing about educationin many ways or learning new things,
even if learning new traits andstuff, it's all forced and it's all
(15:50):
pressured and that doesn't work for manyautistic minds, especially children.
Robbie-AutisticRadio.com (15:56):
It's exactly the opposite of what
Socalled supportive adult.
Think it's been forced and that iswhat's been a problem sign me when I
was at school, everything was forced.
Raymond-AutisticRadio.com (16:08):
I think we have to appreciate that
over time, that has changed.
Maybe not enough, and it's only nowthat we're beginning to see this as
an option, but it's taken a whilefor people to figure out what was
actually going wrong with normativekind of education say, or upbringing.
My initial response wasthis provides affordance and
(16:30):
availability and an open process.
So what that means is what Joelsaid about strewing things around.
I'd heard about this in some otheronline discussion and in some
meetings I was in as well, that.
You don't go in And what's seenas a declarative kinda gesture.
If we understand declarative language,which is like sort of forcing people
(16:53):
and saying, this is the way it's done.
You create a space where things are justavailable and it's at the time and space
The intention of the neurodivergentindividual to make any kinda move or
to be active, not to be forced into it.
(17:15):
So that's what that bit meant.
And I think this connects withthe previous post on mentoring.
'cause all the way through thatpost I was thinking we need
this kinda novel, new space.
Which is what strewing,I think is implying.
And that explains what Imeant by non declarative.
, If you remember the discussions we hadabout declarative language, you know,
(17:36):
and changing that into a more helpfulkinda language where people have choice
Jules-AutisticRadio.com (17:41):
when I've seen autism professionals in videos who
are there to enable autistic children.
It feels very often that they aredirecting rather than strewing, and I
think that's linked to why there's so muchantipathy towards behaviorism because many
(18:08):
of the professionals who use behaviorismas a background to their learning direct,
and this is the opposite of directing, somaybe there's a cultural difference there.
That people in other countries,particularly in North America,
might see that this is different.
(18:29):
What is being said here , towhat they experience.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org: The next post is from autistic (18:32):
undefined
Flare, which is a community page.
autistic Flare is an onlinecommunity and resource hub dedicated
to amplifying autistic voices tochange perceptions of autism, to
create a more inclusive society.
They shared the following.
Autistic people aren't trying tomake excuses and we're not hiding
(18:57):
behind their autism diagnoses.
We are finally learning why life has beenso difficult and the example they provided
in the shared picture autistic me autism.
Finally explained why jobs havealways been so hard for me.
Don't use autism as an excuse.
(19:18):
Everyone struggles just push through.
Just like me.
I am not hiding behind anything.
I want to work.
I've trid over and over, butit gets to a point where my
body and brain just shut down.
It's not normal stress.
It's burnout out thatwakes me out for weeks.
Raymond-AutisticRadio.com (19:42):
Yeah.
Now down to that, the stress of youhave to work in order to survive.
GR-Gary-AutisticRadio.com (19:48):
I think you either with a job you
just either get it or you don't.
And I struggled through, I thinkI've worked out, I've done 30
different jobs for 47 differentcompanies in just over 30 years.
And I just go into a job andif I just didn't feel it.
I just didn't get it.
(20:08):
And there were jobs that I had fora while and I would just wake up
one morning and think, that's it.
I've done this.
I don't wanna do it anymore,and I need to move on.
Theresa-Autism-radio.com (20:20):
One of the things I noticed is even if I was
doing incredibly well in a position,if they swapped out my manager, the
next one might not get me at all.
And it was.
Not possible to continue.
Raymond-AutisticRadio.com (20:38):
Robbie says in the text with adaptation, he was
able to work at a charity shop for 10years and his friend shop for 10 years.
And that's quite a lengthy time.
You know, I've never really beenemployed by anyone group for
longer than two years, so 10 years.
Amazing.
GR-Gary-AutisticRadio.com (20:58):
The Civil service department I worked
for nine years and I had the samejob pretty much for six years.
And then this particular managercame in and I was an encyclopedia.
I knew everything about what Iwas dealing with, the product, the
business side, the technical side.
There was nothing I couldn't cope with,and this manager completely sidelined me.
(21:23):
And it was bullying, it was psychological.
And it took a year to get me out,but in the end, they gave me 6,000
pounds to walk away and keep my mouthshut, but I never recovered from that.
My confidence was shot after that.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org: The next post. (21:37):
undefined
It's from Pete Worby, autisticauthor, autistic, and A DHD award
running writer and speaker on autismand autistic lived experience.
Anes shares the following.
I'm delighted to announce that I'mgoing to be working closely with the
organization, Anna Freud, and the deliveryof the new iteration of Autism Central.
(22:01):
An NHS funded support networkpacked with excellent resources for
autistic people and their families.
It's fully neuro inclusive, of course, andthere are some incredible people involved.
I'll be making videos and blogs,consulting and providing general advice.
Autism Central is a peer supportprogram co-produced with parents,
(22:23):
carers, an autistic people of all ages.
We offer families education, coaching,and connection through resources, one
to one, peer support, and QA events.
From the 1st of October, Anna Fraud isproud to lead the delivery of Autism
Central commissioned by NHS England.
Ana Freud is a world-leading mental healthcharity for children and families that
(22:47):
has developed and delivered pioneeringmental health care for over 70 years.
Theresa-Autism-radio.com (22:54):
I was just thinking that it's not for adults
and would be very useful for adults.
That was mentioned in an earlierpost, also the word pioneering one.
More than just how this iswritten, like in actuality.
Jules-AutisticRadio.com (23:16):
Yeah I can hear a bit of skepticism there.
Let's hope this is what it says it is,and if it is, let's hope that Scotland
looks to it and sees what they can doto use autistic people and autistic.
Autism professionals to producesomething that fits with us up here.
Raymond-AutisticRadio.com (23:39):
Yeah.
They're already sort of farming outsome of their services, you know, like
your link workers and that are kindabeing supplied by, , local charities and
religious groups and stuff like that.
That's been my experiencerecently with NHS in Scotland.
So something like this wouldbe really good to, get some
equity into the situation.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org: Thanks everyone for the (24:01):
undefined
discussion tonight, and thanks.
The people that have shared the posts.
Really enjoyed tonight and really enjoyedsharing and hearing those experiences.
That is Harris Facebook for Sunday, the23rd of November 2 25, which you see
you Spectrum voice conversation everySunday, 5:55 PM to 7:00 PM UK time.
(24:26):
I look forward to speaking next time.
Now I'll hand over to Ju
Jules-AutisticRadio.com (24:29):
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AutisticRadio.com (24:54):
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(25:18):
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(25:42):
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We speak our words, we listen, we speak our words, we listen.
(00:07):
We speak our words.
We listen.
We speak our words.
We listen.
Jules-AutisticRadio.com (00:18):
Hello and welcome to Autistic Radio Spectrum Voices.
Conversation is sponsored by Cold Pack.
. co.uk for practitioners who wantto use advertising on their cold
packs and make sure that theircustomers keep coming back.
If you're an end user needing a coldpack, when you use cold pack.co.uk to
(00:39):
get your cold pack here at AutisticRadio and Autistic Association, we
receive everything that you donatefor that cold pack to be sent to you.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org: Hello everyone. (00:48):
undefined
This is Harry's Facebook orSunday the 23rd of November, 2025.
And this is where we discuss the recentposts on autistic radio Facebook page.
And the first post is from the actuallyautistic coach who's a personal coach.
Empowers my fellow autisticpeople by working to uncover and
(01:13):
unmask revealing our best selves.
And I shared the following , autisticliberation isn't about being palatable.
It's about refusing to contort ourselvesinto shapes that makes everyone else's
life easier while destroying our own.
Jules-AutisticRadio.com (01:32):
I have found that saying no is often the
most powerful tool that we have inour toolbox when we're autistic.
Not to be obstructive, not tobe demand avoidance, but to
not accept the poor practice
or things that do not fitto that are intended to give
(01:56):
us opportunities that don't.
If we don't say no to things,then how can we get them changed?
Maybe that's part of whatthe Post is on about.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org: Yes, I agree. (02:06):
undefined
The thing about messages like this, quoteslike this, words like this is feeling
to say it to yourself a lot of the time.
'cause you feel like society, otherpeople and make you feel like a nuisance.
If you sometimes have thecourage to say no, to say that
(02:31):
something, you're not adaptableto what they're asking you to do.
Anything that being sociable, going intowork somewhere, and the way they look
at it is you are just not being normal.
You are just being a nuisance, a pest.
And you should just go over yourselfand just go on my life like everybody
(02:51):
else does, which is an absolutelyinsensible thing to say, because everybody
else, what does that actually mean?
But if you're stuck in a trap whereyou feel you've been undermined or
not being taken seriously, those sortof words do haunt you, and it does
take a lot of courage from yourself,from speaking with others that feel
(03:14):
or share the same experiences as you.
To do that, and it's just very importantfor these kind messages to be shared.
Robbie-AutisticRadio.com (03:21):
All my support was about making me compliant.
It just left me traumatized
. Harry-Autistic-Association.org: Being forced to do something
is a traumatic experience.
You're being made to feel likeyou are the problem, which
I find totally unacceptable.
I know there's a bit of give and takefor a lot of things, but sometimes
it just seems like for many peopleit's bullying, but power and about
(03:46):
that word that Robbie uses a lot becompliant and it's just wrong because
it doesn't help if you're more inclusiveand more flexible and adaptable.
A lot of people would be a bitmore involved in things and it'd
certainly be a better societythan the middle of it just now.
(04:06):
Are always about fulfilling someone else's outcome,
never about giving the life that Iwant or working towards what I need.
It was all about them, but compliant.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org: The next post is from Grove Online (04:19):
undefined
Community for Autistic Young People,which is an education website.
autistic LED support for young people,one-to-one mentoring and peer groups.
Authentic connection andself-understanding and safe spaces.
Being me, exploring and embracing autisticidentity Grove helps young people feel
(04:45):
accepted and celebrated just as they are,
they've shared a picture collection,talking about what they're all about.
One-to-one, autisticto autistic mentoring.
They are lots of mentoring optionsavailable for autistic young people
and families often come acrossgaming based services first, and
(05:06):
this can be a great fit for many.
At Grove, we game as well.
Our foundations and approachoffer something a little different
and we're worth considering.
Alongside the rest being small.
In comparison, our one-to-onementoring is led by autistic
adults with deep knowledge, livedexperience, and specialist training.
(05:27):
We work flexibly and commit fully togrove's, new affirming foundations,
and you can read these on our website.
We adapt to each other's young person'sneeds, interest, communication,
style, and sense of safety.
Our mentors facilitate a hugerange of activities and through
those authentic connections,young people can feel understood.
(05:52):
Seen and heard in a way many onlyexperience with other autistic people.
It's mentoring thatsupports self understanding.
Identity and real worldwellbeing and while being.
Autistic gives meaningful foundation,truly supporting a young person.
Statistic experience requiresmentors who are deeply knowledgeable
(06:14):
and generally affirming.
Without that, misunderstandingsand unintentional harm can occur.
We are a small, carefully selected team.
Every goes through a thorough interviewexploring their knowledge of autism, PTA,
and neuro affirming practice, and allhold and enhance DBS with children's check
(06:39):
sessions are monitored and supported byGrove's, founder Jess Autism distinction
Mentors are not left to work in isolation.
We operate as a connected team,continually learning and sharing insights.
In fact, autism is a shared specialinterest and it shows in how we work.
(06:59):
We take time to match each young personwith the right mentor, considering
interests, energy, and personality.
Because you know yourchild best and fit matters.
We ask you about triggers, abouttrauma, your hopes and aims.
We want to know as much as we can aboutyour child and we'll be honest if we feel
(07:21):
we are not the right people to support.
When choosing mentoring support,take a look at what we offer.
It might be exactly whatyour young person needs.
It's online only worldwide, and wehave space for new young people.
Jules-AutisticRadio.com (07:39):
I can see Robbie in the text immediately says that
something like this is needed for adults.
And I agree, you know, that's kindof the space we are in here at
Autistic Radio with the 4, 4 4,for instance, the drop in group.
What I like about this is it's a groupof people who have professionalized
and they're professionalizedfrom an autistic background.
(08:03):
It says that the majority of thepeople involved are autistic.
The mentors are autistic.
It might even be thewhole group is autistic.
And if you are closer to theautism experience, surely that's
the mentor that is most effective.
(08:24):
That's a mentor.
You would choose somebodywho is actually autistic.
Theresa-Autism-radio.com (08:29):
I was thinking that if you read between
the lines a little bit too.
It's not just that they consult the parentabout the child's goals, but by having
an autistic mentor, I think they would goabout getting at the child's goals too.
(08:50):
I would hope so.
Jules-AutisticRadio.com (08:51):
I think what you're saying there is that mentoring
in this case is also advocacy.
So if it's an autistic personwho is the professional.
They're also advocating for theautistic person with the empathy that
they have with a shared neurotypeback through to the parents and to
(09:13):
the other professionals involved.
So somebody is getting more thanjust mentoring, they're getting
advocacy back and explanation.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org (09:26):
Rob in the text is saying that support
should always be based on livedexperience of autistic people.
In this instance, and I'm thinkingabout it myself, how great it would
it being if I had that in school.
Of course wasn't diagnosed until justafter I left school, but a mentor
someone to talk to and even thoughI sort of did have that in a way.
(09:53):
It'd be great if there was thatunderstanding that was there at the
time and to talk about certain thingsto be assisted, mentored, of course.
And it's great to know thatthis is available for people
and the online thing as well.
'cause the online world hasbeen said before and gaming has
(10:15):
been looked upon as a bad thing.
It's looked upon as you're not beingsocial enough, you're not being
active enough in the community,which we know is nonsense because
they're an online community.
We are one of them.
So it's good to know that thesethings exist and it can help people
and they speak to autistic peoplethat use it rather than that just
(10:38):
referred to by carers or parents.
Even though that is very important too.
There has to be a team effort thatway, depending on the circumstances.
Jules-AutisticRadio.com (10:47):
Harry, just before The 4, 4, 4, the drop in
and obviously this live broadcast.
I made a recording with Dan Evans.
Dan is a young person who hascreated his own mentoring through
a podcast, the Dan Manifesto.
It's just started, but he'salready got two episodes out there.
So if people find the Dan Manifestopoint, any young people in their
(11:11):
direction or people in educationI think that's something to watch.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org (11:15):
The next post is from the autistic teacher.
It's a public figure, autistic and proudsharing and say an understanding to help
the autistic community based in the uk.
And they've shared a presentationon something called strewing.
When my husband mentioned the wordstrewing, I thought he had made
(11:37):
it up, but no, there is actuallya word for what we often do.
strewing is the act of subtlyintroducing new experiences and
materials into the environmentwithout any pressure or expectation.
It's about offering a silentconversation to explore the world
in one's own time and space.
(12:00):
It's a concept that works well withthe natural curiosity of our children.
Particularly those with pathologicaldemand avoidance, PDA tendencies, as
it reduces the stress of demands andexpectations, what strewing looks like.
strewing takes many forumsand often requires a delicate
(12:21):
balance of effort and patience.
We use strewing in school, inautistic community groups and at home.
This will often mean leaving activitiesout that you hope will spark an interest.
The silent setup.
Sometimes we set up a small activityor place an interestrewing object
(12:43):
and site and then simply step back.
The idea is to allow thechild to notice and hopefully
gravitate towards it organically.
It's about create an atmospherewhere curiosity can blossom
without the weight of expectation.
Sharing my own interest.
Occasionally I'll sharesomething I personally enjoy
(13:04):
about an activity or an object.
It's less about selling the idea andmore about sharing a part of myself.
It's amazing how enthusiasm can becontagious without it being enforced.
Active engagement, I sometimesbegin engaging with activity myself,
mooding, enjoyment and presence.
(13:25):
This can sometimes spark interestpurely through observation.
It's about being present and interestwithout placing the spotlight on them.
Collaborative exploration,getting involved often adds
another layer of connection.
There's something inviting about ashared experience, especially if it's
approached with an open heart in mind.
(13:47):
strewing requires a gentle embraceof patience and acceptance.
There are days when theinterest just isn't there.
That's okay.
It's a reminder to myself that thejourney is as vital as they experience.
If something doesn't engage them today,it might tomorrow, or maybe a discovery
(14:08):
wasn't meant to happen with thatparticular object or activity at all.
It's not about pushing.
An agenda is about providingopportunities for self-directed
discovery when they're ready,
Jules-AutisticRadio.com (14:21):
so the word strewing, we can remember because you
strew the floor with different toysand let the kid pick up what they want
rather than directing their attention.
And it's about not directing theinterest, but offering the opportunity
so people can, or in this case,children can find it, that seems like
the right way to go around things.
To me,
Harry-Autistic-Association.org (14:41):
yes.
The more I read the more it made sense.
Because a lot of society, particularly inschools and other places, it's like many
autistic people who are sitting, quiet orjust silently, quietly, kinda trying to
just fit into the environment they're in.
Just sitting down, taking theirtime to, get used to the room that
(15:05):
they're in and things like that.
The thing that happens is thingsfeel forced upon you, like topics,
like subjects, and it's like you'reforced to enjoy them as well.
It's like, come on and don'tsit like that all silent.
Come on, join in, that sort of thing.
But if you put things out and then givepeople time to take part if they want
(15:27):
to, that's how learning can happen andthat sort of learning and that sort of
non enforced sort of approach, peoplecan learn so much and even enjoy it.
I think the whole thing about educationin many ways or learning new things,
even if learning new traits andstuff, it's all forced and it's all
(15:50):
pressured and that doesn't work for manyautistic minds, especially children.
Robbie-AutisticRadio.com (15:56):
It's exactly the opposite of what
Socalled supportive adult.
Think it's been forced and that iswhat's been a problem sign me when I
was at school, everything was forced.
Raymond-AutisticRadio.com (16:08):
I think we have to appreciate that
over time, that has changed.
Maybe not enough, and it's only nowthat we're beginning to see this as
an option, but it's taken a whilefor people to figure out what was
actually going wrong with normativekind of education say, or upbringing.
My initial response wasthis provides affordance and
(16:30):
availability and an open process.
So what that means is what Joelsaid about strewing things around.
I'd heard about this in some otheronline discussion and in some
meetings I was in as well, that.
You don't go in And what's seenas a declarative kinda gesture.
If we understand declarative language,which is like sort of forcing people
(16:53):
and saying, this is the way it's done.
You create a space where things are justavailable and it's at the time and space
The intention of the neurodivergentindividual to make any kinda move or
to be active, not to be forced into it.
(17:15):
So that's what that bit meant.
And I think this connects withthe previous post on mentoring.
'cause all the way through thatpost I was thinking we need
this kinda novel, new space.
Which is what strewing,I think is implying.
And that explains what Imeant by non declarative.
, If you remember the discussions we hadabout declarative language, you know,
(17:36):
and changing that into a more helpfulkinda language where people have choice
Jules-AutisticRadio.com (17:41):
when I've seen autism professionals in videos who
are there to enable autistic children.
It feels very often that they aredirecting rather than strewing, and I
think that's linked to why there's so muchantipathy towards behaviorism because many
(18:08):
of the professionals who use behaviorismas a background to their learning direct,
and this is the opposite of directing, somaybe there's a cultural difference there.
That people in other countries,particularly in North America,
might see that this is different.
(18:29):
What is being said here , towhat they experience.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org: The next post is from autistic (18:32):
undefined
Flare, which is a community page.
autistic Flare is an onlinecommunity and resource hub dedicated
to amplifying autistic voices tochange perceptions of autism, to
create a more inclusive society.
They shared the following.
Autistic people aren't trying tomake excuses and we're not hiding
(18:57):
behind their autism diagnoses.
We are finally learning why life has beenso difficult and the example they provided
in the shared picture autistic me autism.
Finally explained why jobs havealways been so hard for me.
Don't use autism as an excuse.
(19:18):
Everyone struggles just push through.
Just like me.
I am not hiding behind anything.
I want to work.
I've trid over and over, butit gets to a point where my
body and brain just shut down.
It's not normal stress.
It's burnout out thatwakes me out for weeks.
Raymond-AutisticRadio.com (19:42):
Yeah.
Now down to that, the stress of youhave to work in order to survive.
GR-Gary-AutisticRadio.com (19:48):
I think you either with a job you
just either get it or you don't.
And I struggled through, I thinkI've worked out, I've done 30
different jobs for 47 differentcompanies in just over 30 years.
And I just go into a job andif I just didn't feel it.
I just didn't get it.
(20:08):
And there were jobs that I had fora while and I would just wake up
one morning and think, that's it.
I've done this.
I don't wanna do it anymore,and I need to move on.
Theresa-Autism-radio.com (20:20):
One of the things I noticed is even if I was
doing incredibly well in a position,if they swapped out my manager, the
next one might not get me at all.
And it was.
Not possible to continue.
Raymond-AutisticRadio.com (20:38):
Robbie says in the text with adaptation, he was
able to work at a charity shop for 10years and his friend shop for 10 years.
And that's quite a lengthy time.
You know, I've never really beenemployed by anyone group for
longer than two years, so 10 years.
Amazing.
GR-Gary-AutisticRadio.com (20:58):
The Civil service department I worked
for nine years and I had the samejob pretty much for six years.
And then this particular managercame in and I was an encyclopedia.
I knew everything about what Iwas dealing with, the product, the
business side, the technical side.
There was nothing I couldn't cope with,and this manager completely sidelined me.
(21:23):
And it was bullying, it was psychological.
And it took a year to get me out,but in the end, they gave me 6,000
pounds to walk away and keep my mouthshut, but I never recovered from that.
My confidence was shot after that.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org: The next post. (21:37):
undefined
It's from Pete Worby, autisticauthor, autistic, and A DHD award
running writer and speaker on autismand autistic lived experience.
Anes shares the following.
I'm delighted to announce that I'mgoing to be working closely with the
organization, Anna Freud, and the deliveryof the new iteration of Autism Central.
(22:01):
An NHS funded support networkpacked with excellent resources for
autistic people and their families.
It's fully neuro inclusive, of course, andthere are some incredible people involved.
I'll be making videos and blogs,consulting and providing general advice.
Autism Central is a peer supportprogram co-produced with parents,
(22:23):
carers, an autistic people of all ages.
We offer families education, coaching,and connection through resources, one
to one, peer support, and QA events.
From the 1st of October, Anna Fraud isproud to lead the delivery of Autism
Central commissioned by NHS England.
Ana Freud is a world-leading mental healthcharity for children and families that
(22:47):
has developed and delivered pioneeringmental health care for over 70 years.
Theresa-Autism-radio.com (22:54):
I was just thinking that it's not for adults
and would be very useful for adults.
That was mentioned in an earlierpost, also the word pioneering one.
More than just how this iswritten, like in actuality.
Jules-AutisticRadio.com (23:16):
Yeah I can hear a bit of skepticism there.
Let's hope this is what it says it is,and if it is, let's hope that Scotland
looks to it and sees what they can doto use autistic people and autistic.
Autism professionals to producesomething that fits with us up here.
Raymond-AutisticRadio.com (23:39):
Yeah.
They're already sort of farming outsome of their services, you know, like
your link workers and that are kindabeing supplied by, , local charities and
religious groups and stuff like that.
That's been my experiencerecently with NHS in Scotland.
So something like this wouldbe really good to, get some
equity into the situation.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org: Thanks everyone for the (24:01):
undefined
discussion tonight, and thanks.
The people that have shared the posts.
Really enjoyed tonight and really enjoyedsharing and hearing those experiences.
That is Harris Facebook for Sunday, the23rd of November 2 25, which you see
you Spectrum voice conversation everySunday, 5:55 PM to 7:00 PM UK time.
(24:26):
I look forward to speaking next time.
Now I'll hand over to Ju
Jules-AutisticRadio.com (24:29):
Let's remember our sponsor, cold pack.co uk.
If you're a practitioner who usescryotherapy Cold Pack prints, your
details, your logo on the cold pack foryour patients to remember you buy If you
are the patient, using cold pack.co ukmeans that everything that you spend on
that site is a donation to us here atAutistic Radio and Autistic Association.
AutisticRadio.com (24:54):
Spectrum Voices Conversation is an Autistic association
production for Autistic radio.com.
If you have something to share withus, if you need a voice, you can make
different kinds of programs with us.
You can make a 10 minute short,or you can join us for a podcast
to talk about a subject that isdear to your heart, or something
(25:18):
you think needs a wider audience.
We have an open door policy for.
Divergent views.
We do not necessarily agreewith everything that we share
on our Facebook pages or thewords expressed in our podcast.
There are a lot of different divergentviews which we are trying to allow, get
aired so that people can see things fromdifferent Focals van Vantage points.
(25:42):
We hope that you willjoin that conversation.
Contact us through any of our links,Facebook by email directly to us.
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