December 10, 2025 • 30 mins
***NEW PODCAST*** (PLEASE LIKE AND SHARE)
Spectrum Voices Conversations presents "Harry's Facebook - 7th December 2025".
Harry leads the discussion on posts on Autistic Radio page.
Posts shared from:
Autism Together
Aurora Consulting
Autism Awareness
Autism Goggles
Recorded on Sunday 7th December 2025. Podcast runtime - 29 minutes.
#autisticcharity #Christmas #social #FatherChristmas #SantaClaus
#UKGovernment #neurodivergence #mentalhealth #AuDHD #autismassessmentsreview #WesStreeting #autisticunderstanding #autisticawareness #language #behaviour #autisticcharacteristics
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Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker (00:00):
Harry Spectrum Voices is sponsored by Cold pack.co.
Do uk.
If you use the website, coldpack.co, do UK either as a
practitioner or as an end user.
We receive a donation here atAutistic Radio, so thank you for them.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org: This is Harry Facebook for (00:17):
undefined
Sunday, the 7th of December.
2025 . This is where we share the postsfrom the autistic radio Facebook page.
The first post is from Autism Together,who are a charity organization.
Autism Together is one of theleading providers of autism
services and support in the uk,and they've shared the following.
(00:41):
December's meeting together forumwas a special occasion as the group
looked back and celebrated a fantasticyear as it was a Christmas special.
There were four returningguests from 2025.
Welcome to the meeting, CEO.
Richard Wpe, chair ofTrustees, Ian Cadman.
(01:01):
Graphic designer Anna Roberts andCommunications Officer Paul Baker.
The meeting began with a roundup ofeveryone the group had met and everything
they'd discussed over the past year.
Read aloud by Claire,Michael, and Kenneth.
Next, a surprise, VIP flew in fromthe North Pole as Father Christmas
(01:22):
himself dropped by with giftsgalore for the forum members.
There were selection Barbies fromAutism together and special gifts
from Helm Brobra customers whohad Gly joined in with their gift,
a gift campaign this Christmas.
Everyone was very happy with theirgifts and meeting Santa Claus.
(01:43):
So we all sang Jingle Bells,continuing the Fest of Vibes.
Julie and Alison put a lovely buffetof sandwiches, party food and cakes.
The meeting was concludedwith some ACE Karaoke.
Congratulations to all theforum members for another
fabulous year of co-production.
Huge thanks to all this year's guestsand to everyone for supporting the
(02:06):
work of the forum throughout the year.
Merry Christmas,
Jules (02:11):
It is a bit of fun, people having a good time.
Some stories aboutFather Christmas coming.
It would be interesting in future postsif autism together might have the.
The people who are enjoying it say whatthey're enjoying in their own words.
I think that might be somethingthat we'd all be interested in.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org: The next post is from Aurora (02:33):
undefined
Consulting, a disabilityservice and business consultant.
Aurora is an autistic owned businessoffering organizations bespoke training
and consulting based in Scotland, andthe share the core and also information
that will be interesting for discussion.
(02:53):
Autism and A DHD are not overdiagnosedand continues to say that West
Treatings review to examine whetherautism A DHD and mental health is
overdiagnosed is unquestionablylooking for the wrong thing.
This should not be their startingpoint before they even start.
(03:15):
They should be ensuring theyaren't conflating neurodiverse
and poor mental health.
While there is a large number of NDfolks who experience poor mental health,
they are not one and the same thing.
The starting point should be speakingwith disabled people's organizations,
and by that I mean organizations that arerun both by and for disabled people, not
(03:41):
last charities, which are not run by us.
They need to recognize the reasonswhy there is an increase in demand
for ND assessments and explore howto meet that demand in a way which
will properly support people before,during, and after assessments.
They need to examine the factorscontributing to the mental
(04:03):
health crisis for so manypeople, and in the case of many.
ND people, it's accessible systems.
Going in with the working assumption thatthings are overdiagnosed is not helpful.
We know so much more aboutneurodivergence now, so of
course there is increased demand.
(04:25):
There have been many greatcomparisons running around about
not knowing how many stars orgalaxies before we had telescopes.
This is absolutely the case.
More knowledge about what it meansto be autistic and or A DHD is
inevitably going to lead to morepeople recognizing themselves.
(04:48):
We urgently need more neuroaffirming assessment services
and post-diagnosis support led bydisabled people's organizations.
Nothing about us without us.
Many of the comments people haveleft on news articles about this
are nothing short of disgusting.
Blaming parents minimizingchallenges, I am choosing to not
(05:10):
engage for my own mental health.
Many of them are deliberatelyprerogative, designed to upset people.
It's absolutely okay to step away fromthose kinds of unhelpful conversations.
Thought on this.
This is in relation to thegovernment and benefits.
Jules (05:32):
I think the most important thing that Aurora said there was
that, it is okay to step away fromtrolling and internet comments.
We don't have to subjectourselves to these things.
We can move away from them.
Engaging with them has little value.
However, if I look at everythingelse , in the Post it's trying to
(05:56):
cover quite a lot of ground, andit's true that Aurora Consulting
is a autistically led, autisticallydelivered company with its own training.
It is, however, essentially oneperson, so it's not always easy.
If you are avoiding big charityto choose places to find out
(06:20):
the reality of a wide number ofautistic people's experience, so.
Whilst I applaud them for puttingthemselves up as an advocate, I feel
that they don't advocate for me.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org: Yeah, I can understand that. (06:35):
undefined
You know, there's this viewpoint,especially if it's one person, and
even if it's just not one person,if it's one organization, one group
of people, it's still very limiting.
But the thing that frustrates me aboutthe whole thing is they're making out that
people are trying to find easy solutions.
(06:56):
To get support or just to get money,basically, like that's certainly how the
mainstream media are trying to push it.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not a bigperson that follows mainstream media
in the main on a regular basis, but italways ends up hitting you somewhere
if you are online somewhere, becausethere's a discussion on it and there's
(07:19):
different views on it, and there'svery proactive views, as it said in
the post of talking about the lazy.
Society that we've become andmaking excuses not to do anything
and do things so-called normally.
And this review, and I've got toadmit, it sounds typical and it sounds
obvious, it's something we're going todo consider because of the diagnosis
(07:43):
and recognition of autism and A DHD andall the new diverse stuff and the way
that society looks upon it, and becausemoney's involved that they were always
going to review it in some way and itwas always going to be some way that was.
Going to be damaging at a human level.
Jules (07:59):
I think they looked lead to look ahead though, Harry, if there's a review
that looks into something that we believeis a kind of false idea, there's a good
chance that they're gonna come backafter the review and realize hell no.
There isn't an overdiagnosis of autism.
(08:19):
There's an underdiagnosis of autism.
There's a gatekeeping of diagnoses of ADHD in different parts of our countries.
Here you have either a five yearwaiting list for an assessment or
potentially a six month waiting list.
In some areas you cango to a private area.
, It's a whole mess out there.
(08:40):
So essentially, thisis going to fix itself.
Getting bent outta shape and notlooking like the kind of organizations
that can be have a conversation with.
Doesn't do us any good.
As a population, as an autisticpopulation, we need less protest,
more cooperation, more openconversations on an eye level.
(09:02):
If Aurora Consulting is askingfor that, I'm absolutely behind
them and I'm behind the concepts.
It's the methods that are an issue for me.
Raymond-AutisticRadio.com (09:13):
Yeah, it'd be good if there was a public forum where
the actual number stats and facts arequestioned because they're pedaling a lot
of like, you know, extreme figures andinaccurate figures to a certain extent.
But of course they're playing a galleryand they're trying to push things.
You always put the most outrageousthings out first and then we'll back a
(09:35):
wee bit to get some kinda even thing.
But yeah, there was our.
Times podcast on YouTube that waslistening where the head of the A DHD
group in England was speaking and hejust came out with all the contrary
facts to what's being declared.
And you know, I can't verify muchof what he's saying, but it seemed
(09:59):
fairly reasonable to me and.
He just put over in a brilliant way,and he is a medical professional,
but he's also a person with a DHD.
So it was just interesting to hearthat alternative point of view
being laid out as proficientlyas the government lay out theirs.
Jules (10:18):
I think that if you are in , an autistically led business
that depends on contracts.
To get your message outand get your work done.
You get more with honey than with vinegar.
It would be nice to limit someof these posts in their length
to very specific targeted ideas.
(10:42):
I think that would bemore effective in building
the long term viability ofan autistic consultancy.
What I see at the moment is a lot ofprotest politics that is wrapped up around
people's professionalism that may bedoing damage to their own credibility as
professionals and autistic professionals.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org (11:03):
What this does is starts a conversation
and from the points I've made already.
When something comes out thatit just hits you in the heart it
either disgusts you or inspires you.
If it's somethingnegative, it hits you hard.
The first thing you do is you fightback and you come out with noise.
That's a reaction that you angryand it's like, what's going on here?
(11:27):
What are they trying to do?
The way some things are worded, especiallyif it's shared in the media or it's shared
by someone who has , a certain view on it,and it's like hard hitting because that's
the way it's meant to be constructed.
But what it has done is created aconversation or start a conversation,
and then it's time to reflect, andlook how this can be progress forward.
(11:51):
Hopefully there's an opportunity for that.
Jules (11:53):
Well look just before the 4 4 4 drop in today.
We were in discussion with a Renegademember of one of the big charities, and
they were actually coming to us to saythat they wanted an open conversation
and that they wanted us to remain as anindependent and separate organization
(12:16):
because that is where our value is.
I was surprised to hear that from . Alarge charity because normally the
idea is that they control everythingand they take over the whole thing.
But this person early on in theconversation recognizes that it's
the independence of us and themultiple thoughts that come from a
(12:38):
whole group of us that have value.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org (12:41):
The next post is from Autism Awareness, which
is a health and wellness website page.
Health, beauty community centerand raising autism awareness,
celebrating your diversity andspreading understanding every day.
. They shared , a diagram calledAutism is a combination of
(13:03):
characteristics by Miss Speech AP.
It's been round languagedifferences, which displayed as
delayed language, loss of words.
Ele, which is repeating.
Others can label pictures withstruggles asking for, wants and needs.
Pronoun errors, decrease use ofgestures, the social differences it
(13:25):
moves on, to which this says inconsistentuse of contact may be unclear.
Difficulty interacting with peersmay be better with familiar adults
and people may prefer to play alone.
Difficulty participating in conversations.
Move on to repetitive actions,and they say may prefer doing
(13:47):
things the same way, or strugglewith change may play the same way.
Crashing toys lining upor lack of pretend play.
And there are preferredtopics, toys, or interests.
And since the differences are selective,eater may be sensitive to loud sounds
or large crowds may dislike hairwashing and cutting nail trimming.
(14:11):
May enjoy crashing into things,squeezing and hand flapping and jumping.
Theresa-Autistic-radio.com (14:17):
It sounds a lot like the questions
I was asked at my diagnosis.
It does seem to be focused on children,but even in that interview, they
were talking about me as a child and.
We know, and I presume they know thatthese are like things they look for,
(14:40):
but because each one of us is different,we may not demonstrate these things.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org (14:47):
What Robbie says in the text, it says,
this seems to focus on deficitsand the word stereotypes, and
that's what it does read out to me.
It's a stereotypes.
Then again, then it starts somewhere.
And it also depends on who isactually giving out the information.
Is a parent with an experience ofautistic child or children who's trying
(15:12):
to send this information out to help?
Is it autistic professional,or is it someone who's actually
autistic and has that mindset?
It just depends who shares theinformation, but it does seem
stereotypical, even though youcan see it's trying to be helpful.
Raymond-AutisticRadio.com (15:27):
It's making me think about an earlier
conversation we had in the 4 4 4 abouthealth, which I think was a dominant
conversation during that hour and thisthing about relating to your health.
And of course the previous postis about, you know, the question
and of overdiagnosis and so.
I have to ask like, 'cause I ask myselfthis, how do I relate to my diagnosis?
(15:53):
What was that all about?
And I think for each of us inour individual ways, it comes
to us for different reasons.
It's partly a process or a storywherein where we may have had stress
or a mental health issue or a socialissue or some lifestyle issue.
And it leads us down a pathwhere diagnosis is part of.
(16:15):
Treatment say, or a relationship with thehealth services or mental health services.
So we're part of this process, a story,and these descriptions I think, come
from professionally created guidance,which helps the professionals diagnose
(16:39):
from say, psychology or psychiatric.
Learning.
So it's about thatrelationship with diagnosis.
I think
Harry-Autistic-Association.org (16:47):
when I look at information like this and I
look back or think back about my initialreaction or how I feel about it now,
you know, this is bit negative, wiseit this way, but then thinking back to.
10, 20 years ago and how I felt my ownautism was to me, and at that time it
(17:08):
did feel like a deficit and I wouldactually would've loaded this information.
This is fantastic.
This makes sense because of the way Ifelt at the time, but because I've moved
on to a more al mindset because I'm.
Quite successful in lifeI've got through life.
I feel it's more of identity,more than condition.
(17:32):
It's a different way of beingrather than being ill or disabled.
So.
It's funny how when I read this outand , you get time to think about it
while we are talking about it, and atfirst it seems a bit, it's pushed the
wrong buttons, but then at one timeit would've pushed all the right ones.
It just depends who reads it as wellas who says it up and who writes.
Raymond-AutisticRadio.com: I agree with you Harry. (17:55):
undefined
It's kinda like being heard and seen,but reflecting on what Robbie was saying
about the deficits, if you look atsomething, say like, you know that fourth
one, sensory differences, selectiveeater, so what is going on there?
Have we gotta correct someone's eatingmaybe since May dislike hair washing,
so we've got to make this person likehaving their hair washed in a certain way.
(18:20):
You look at all these thingsand you think, well, what is
being proposed behaviorally?
Is it some kind of conversion or somekind of, or, I don't know what is
opening up really these days in mymind regarding identity or behavior.
Theresa-Autistic-radio.com (18:38):
If it's about diagnosis, then maybe it's
just the first things they look for.
Sort of like what typeof sore throat or cough.
Or the type of mucus you have whenyou are trying to split the difference
between different flus and coldsand, you know, secondary infections.
(19:00):
, I presume then once they get past thislist, they get into the unique positive
characteristics of each one of theautistic people of any age that they know.
I can't stand my hairbeing washed even now.
Raymond-AutisticRadio.com: That's a thing though. (19:15):
undefined
There often isn't any kind of followup, especially for the late diagnosed.
Theresa-Autistic-radio.com: Yes, that's a fact. (19:21):
undefined
I'm on a waiting list forone session in a group.
I've been on that waiting listfor, I don't know, a year in
three quarters or something.
Speaker (19:32):
Yeah, Theresa, and look at what happened to you here.
You joined the group in yourown way, in your own time.
And you've taken more and more timeto interact with us, and it was
immediate, and that's a lot of hours.
And in your home country, you are goingto get a one session with a simple
(19:55):
explanation, and by the time you getthere, you will be able to take 10
of your own sessions , and explainit to the other people in that room.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org: What Rob shares in the text he says. (20:05):
undefined
The problem that it starts withis it treats you as broken.
Raymond-AutisticRadio.com (20:14):
Even just looking at that phrase, difficulty
participating in conversations.
I mean, what kinda conversationsare we talking about here?
Normal, everyday conversations that.
Normal people have, ormaybe the difficulty is that
conversations are just shit.
You know?
I'm like, so, and theyhurt to a certain extent.
(20:36):
That'll be a bitsore, , to participate in.
So that's just a lifestyle choice there.
I'm just thinking about some of thesephrases from the point of view, what
Robbie was putting in there about,you know, if it treats you as broken.
Well then what are we looking for?
We're looking to be just seen as notbroken, but something else if seen at all.
(20:57):
You know, like different, maybedifferent in a positive way.
Yeah.
Theresa-Autistic-radio.com (21:03):
Well I never even wondered whether I had it,
even though I was aware of what itwas and just as we thought, as you
said already, some life event happens.
It's drawn to your attention, andthen you go and you get tested even
in the testing, which takes a while.
(21:24):
It's like a few different sessions.
And when , the psychologist toldme, now I was at a very good large
hospital in a specialized largedepartment, when she said, you
know, she was saying what all these.
Groups were that I had noidea you could only go once.
(21:46):
And she said, and if you wereautistic, you would go to this one.
And I said, so I guessI can't go to that one.
And she looked at me like, gosh, butyou know, she could have been clearer.
But anyway, I was sort of shocked.
But when I got out of the building, Iphoned my daughter and my children are
neurodivergent in different ways, andshe just said, oh, that's what it is.
(22:10):
Do you feel relieved?
Harry-Autistic-Association.org (22:12):
The next post is from autism goggles.
Which is a community and educationcause page, A place to learn about
what it can mean to be autistic.
And it says a following autism and ADHD are different neurotypes, but when
they show up in the same person, theydo not simply sit beside each other.
(22:34):
They blend into something new.
Many people relate to the termA-U-D-H-D because the combined traits
create a lived experience that doesnot match autism or A DHD on their
own Communication is one example.
Autistic communicationis direct and detailed.
(22:55):
A DHD communication isfast and spontaneous.
Together they create a stylethat moves between deep focused
and rapid shifts In ideal.
Executive functioning obstacle changes.
Autism leans on structure.
A DHD struggles to maintain structure.
When you live with both, youcan crave routine and still
(23:18):
find it difficult to follow.
This creates challenges thatdo not fit either profile.
Sensory and emotional regulationsshow the same combined pattern.
Autistic sensory sensitivitiescan change with the environment.
Stress or overwhelm.
A DHD often brings fluctuatingsensory seeking and distractibility.
(23:41):
Autistic emotions can build slowlyand be a challenge to identify.
A DHD.
Emotions can shift quickly and hitsuddenly when both are present.
Regulation becomes more complexand requires different support
than either neuro type alone.
Here is the question to think about.
(24:02):
Is A-U-D-H-D-A distinct neurotype?
Many people would say yes becausethe blended traits create a
different way of thinking, feeling,and moving through the world.
Understanding A-U-D-H-D from thebeginning can help you understand yourself
with greater clarity and compassion.
Raymond-AutisticRadio.com (24:23):
I'd say my thoughts are quite complex about this.
After hearing that.
Theresa-Autistic-radio.com (24:27):
I'd say, I'm picturing it as some sort of diagram with
little dots, almost like a physics chart.
You could say that each oneof us is different anyway.
And then every once in a while it'llcluster up into something that is a you,
whatever, I can't remember, you know,the new thing they're talking about.
(24:49):
And maybe those people haveslightly more in common.
And then I was thinking.
What if someone else was a DHD withCentral Auditory Processing Disorder and
then they're in a little cluster of stars,sort of like constellations or something.
Raymond-AutisticRadio.com (25:08):
Is it okay to say, , I'm just me?
Harry-Autistic-Association.org (25:11):
I've gotta say, when I was reading this one.
It kinda made sense in what it wassaying, but then again, as Jesus has
already says, and we have all saidmany times from different posts and
subjects that everybody's different.
Every artistic person is different, sothere's going to be differences Anyway,
but I can see where this is coming frombecause it says that being autistic and
(25:37):
being A DHD is so contradictory to each.
, It's a mixture.
Sure.
It doesn't go well for want of abetter description, so the feel there
is a need to put it as somethingseparate so that it can be looked
upon and understood more thoroughly.
Theresa-Autistic-radio.com (25:57):
I can see that it would be helpful in terms of a
diagnosis for whatever reason you wouldwant the diagnosis, and also understanding
yourself, but probably importantly,if there are services that you could.
Qualify for, or if people have certainexpectations of your behavior in
(26:18):
situations where you've qualified forsome service and then you don't appear
to be behaving like an autistic person.
You know what I mean?
Like, and then you could set itaside and then imagine yourself
as your own unique individual.
Like, this is the pain I have togo through to get a diagnosis,
or this is the checklist.
(26:39):
I have on a piece of paper that I putin a drawer, forget about it, unless
I'm going somewhere for a service.
Jules (26:45):
What they're doing here is they're providing a pattern that some
people will find helpful because thestructure and the way of describing
it is metaphorically enough.
For them , to have a senseof their own experience.
These things are helpful.
Having some kind of structureto hang your own experience of
(27:06):
complex inters is a good thing.
And also recognizing that A DHDand autism do occur together in
the same person, and it does seemcontradictory from the outside very
much as well as from the inside.
I think what Robbie has putthere is very important.
(27:26):
He says the diagnosis or labelis only as good as the other
person's understanding of it.
So you hand person the label and thenthey understand it in their own way.
They interpret it in their own way.
Ray says it's like hitting thebrakes and the accelerate at
the same time, autism and A DHDworking almost opposite each other.
(27:49):
I just don't want people to go awaywith the idea that they have to fit
themselves within anybody's framework.
You know, neurotypicalframeworks are damaging to us.
, We generally accept that.
But also imposed frameworks from ourown community can be just as damaging.
We need to be independent ourselves,autonomous human beings with our
(28:13):
own sense of self that is unique
Harry-Autistic-Association.org (28:18):
well, that was a great discussion tonight.
So thanks everyone who's taking part inthe discussion especially for the people
that have shared these posts that havegenerated these topics and discussions.
and I look forward todoing the same next week.
This is Harry's Facebook postSunday, the 7th of December, 2025,
which is part of Spectrum Voice'sconversation broadcast every Sunday.
(28:44):
.Speaker 2: Spectrum Voices Conversation is an artistic association
production for artistic 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 podcastto talk about a subject that is
(29:05):
dear to your heart, or somethingyou think needs a wider audience.
We have an open doorpolicy for divergent views.
We do not necessarily agreewith everything that we share
on our Facebook pages or theword expressed in our podcast.
There are a lot of differentdivergent views, which we are
trying to allow, get aired.
(29:27):
So that people can see thingsfrom different fo vantage points.
We hope that you willjoin that conversation.
Contact us through any of our links,Facebook by email directly to us.
Harry Spectrum Voices is sponsored by Cold pack.co.
Do uk.
If you use the website, coldpack.co, do UK either as a
practitioner or as an end user.
We receive a donation here atAutistic Radio, so thank you for them.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org: This is Harry Facebook for (00:17):
undefined
Sunday, the 7th of December.
2025 . This is where we share the postsfrom the autistic radio Facebook page.
The first post is from Autism Together,who are a charity organization.
Autism Together is one of theleading providers of autism
services and support in the uk,and they've shared the following.
(00:41):
December's meeting together forumwas a special occasion as the group
looked back and celebrated a fantasticyear as it was a Christmas special.
There were four returningguests from 2025.
Welcome to the meeting, CEO.
Richard Wpe, chair ofTrustees, Ian Cadman.
(01:01):
Graphic designer Anna Roberts andCommunications Officer Paul Baker.
The meeting began with a roundup ofeveryone the group had met and everything
they'd discussed over the past year.
Read aloud by Claire,Michael, and Kenneth.
Next, a surprise, VIP flew in fromthe North Pole as Father Christmas
(01:22):
himself dropped by with giftsgalore for the forum members.
There were selection Barbies fromAutism together and special gifts
from Helm Brobra customers whohad Gly joined in with their gift,
a gift campaign this Christmas.
Everyone was very happy with theirgifts and meeting Santa Claus.
(01:43):
So we all sang Jingle Bells,continuing the Fest of Vibes.
Julie and Alison put a lovely buffetof sandwiches, party food and cakes.
The meeting was concludedwith some ACE Karaoke.
Congratulations to all theforum members for another
fabulous year of co-production.
Huge thanks to all this year's guestsand to everyone for supporting the
(02:06):
work of the forum throughout the year.
Merry Christmas,
Jules (02:11):
It is a bit of fun, people having a good time.
Some stories aboutFather Christmas coming.
It would be interesting in future postsif autism together might have the.
The people who are enjoying it say whatthey're enjoying in their own words.
I think that might be somethingthat we'd all be interested in.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org: The next post is from Aurora (02:33):
undefined
Consulting, a disabilityservice and business consultant.
Aurora is an autistic owned businessoffering organizations bespoke training
and consulting based in Scotland, andthe share the core and also information
that will be interesting for discussion.
(02:53):
Autism and A DHD are not overdiagnosedand continues to say that West
Treatings review to examine whetherautism A DHD and mental health is
overdiagnosed is unquestionablylooking for the wrong thing.
This should not be their startingpoint before they even start.
(03:15):
They should be ensuring theyaren't conflating neurodiverse
and poor mental health.
While there is a large number of NDfolks who experience poor mental health,
they are not one and the same thing.
The starting point should be speakingwith disabled people's organizations,
and by that I mean organizations that arerun both by and for disabled people, not
(03:41):
last charities, which are not run by us.
They need to recognize the reasonswhy there is an increase in demand
for ND assessments and explore howto meet that demand in a way which
will properly support people before,during, and after assessments.
They need to examine the factorscontributing to the mental
(04:03):
health crisis for so manypeople, and in the case of many.
ND people, it's accessible systems.
Going in with the working assumption thatthings are overdiagnosed is not helpful.
We know so much more aboutneurodivergence now, so of
course there is increased demand.
(04:25):
There have been many greatcomparisons running around about
not knowing how many stars orgalaxies before we had telescopes.
This is absolutely the case.
More knowledge about what it meansto be autistic and or A DHD is
inevitably going to lead to morepeople recognizing themselves.
(04:48):
We urgently need more neuroaffirming assessment services
and post-diagnosis support led bydisabled people's organizations.
Nothing about us without us.
Many of the comments people haveleft on news articles about this
are nothing short of disgusting.
Blaming parents minimizingchallenges, I am choosing to not
(05:10):
engage for my own mental health.
Many of them are deliberatelyprerogative, designed to upset people.
It's absolutely okay to step away fromthose kinds of unhelpful conversations.
Thought on this.
This is in relation to thegovernment and benefits.
Jules (05:32):
I think the most important thing that Aurora said there was
that, it is okay to step away fromtrolling and internet comments.
We don't have to subjectourselves to these things.
We can move away from them.
Engaging with them has little value.
However, if I look at everythingelse , in the Post it's trying to
(05:56):
cover quite a lot of ground, andit's true that Aurora Consulting
is a autistically led, autisticallydelivered company with its own training.
It is, however, essentially oneperson, so it's not always easy.
If you are avoiding big charityto choose places to find out
(06:20):
the reality of a wide number ofautistic people's experience, so.
Whilst I applaud them for puttingthemselves up as an advocate, I feel
that they don't advocate for me.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org: Yeah, I can understand that. (06:35):
undefined
You know, there's this viewpoint,especially if it's one person, and
even if it's just not one person,if it's one organization, one group
of people, it's still very limiting.
But the thing that frustrates me aboutthe whole thing is they're making out that
people are trying to find easy solutions.
(06:56):
To get support or just to get money,basically, like that's certainly how the
mainstream media are trying to push it.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not a bigperson that follows mainstream media
in the main on a regular basis, but italways ends up hitting you somewhere
if you are online somewhere, becausethere's a discussion on it and there's
(07:19):
different views on it, and there'svery proactive views, as it said in
the post of talking about the lazy.
Society that we've become andmaking excuses not to do anything
and do things so-called normally.
And this review, and I've got toadmit, it sounds typical and it sounds
obvious, it's something we're going todo consider because of the diagnosis
(07:43):
and recognition of autism and A DHD andall the new diverse stuff and the way
that society looks upon it, and becausemoney's involved that they were always
going to review it in some way and itwas always going to be some way that was.
Going to be damaging at a human level.
Jules (07:59):
I think they looked lead to look ahead though, Harry, if there's a review
that looks into something that we believeis a kind of false idea, there's a good
chance that they're gonna come backafter the review and realize hell no.
There isn't an overdiagnosis of autism.
(08:19):
There's an underdiagnosis of autism.
There's a gatekeeping of diagnoses of ADHD in different parts of our countries.
Here you have either a five yearwaiting list for an assessment or
potentially a six month waiting list.
In some areas you cango to a private area.
, It's a whole mess out there.
(08:40):
So essentially, thisis going to fix itself.
Getting bent outta shape and notlooking like the kind of organizations
that can be have a conversation with.
Doesn't do us any good.
As a population, as an autisticpopulation, we need less protest,
more cooperation, more openconversations on an eye level.
(09:02):
If Aurora Consulting is askingfor that, I'm absolutely behind
them and I'm behind the concepts.
It's the methods that are an issue for me.
Raymond-AutisticRadio.com (09:13):
Yeah, it'd be good if there was a public forum where
the actual number stats and facts arequestioned because they're pedaling a lot
of like, you know, extreme figures andinaccurate figures to a certain extent.
But of course they're playing a galleryand they're trying to push things.
You always put the most outrageousthings out first and then we'll back a
(09:35):
wee bit to get some kinda even thing.
But yeah, there was our.
Times podcast on YouTube that waslistening where the head of the A DHD
group in England was speaking and hejust came out with all the contrary
facts to what's being declared.
And you know, I can't verify muchof what he's saying, but it seemed
(09:59):
fairly reasonable to me and.
He just put over in a brilliant way,and he is a medical professional,
but he's also a person with a DHD.
So it was just interesting to hearthat alternative point of view
being laid out as proficientlyas the government lay out theirs.
Jules (10:18):
I think that if you are in , an autistically led business
that depends on contracts.
To get your message outand get your work done.
You get more with honey than with vinegar.
It would be nice to limit someof these posts in their length
to very specific targeted ideas.
(10:42):
I think that would bemore effective in building
the long term viability ofan autistic consultancy.
What I see at the moment is a lot ofprotest politics that is wrapped up around
people's professionalism that may bedoing damage to their own credibility as
professionals and autistic professionals.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org (11:03):
What this does is starts a conversation
and from the points I've made already.
When something comes out thatit just hits you in the heart it
either disgusts you or inspires you.
If it's somethingnegative, it hits you hard.
The first thing you do is you fightback and you come out with noise.
That's a reaction that you angryand it's like, what's going on here?
(11:27):
What are they trying to do?
The way some things are worded, especiallyif it's shared in the media or it's shared
by someone who has , a certain view on it,and it's like hard hitting because that's
the way it's meant to be constructed.
But what it has done is created aconversation or start a conversation,
and then it's time to reflect, andlook how this can be progress forward.
(11:51):
Hopefully there's an opportunity for that.
Jules (11:53):
Well look just before the 4 4 4 drop in today.
We were in discussion with a Renegademember of one of the big charities, and
they were actually coming to us to saythat they wanted an open conversation
and that they wanted us to remain as anindependent and separate organization
(12:16):
because that is where our value is.
I was surprised to hear that from . Alarge charity because normally the
idea is that they control everythingand they take over the whole thing.
But this person early on in theconversation recognizes that it's
the independence of us and themultiple thoughts that come from a
(12:38):
whole group of us that have value.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org (12:41):
The next post is from Autism Awareness, which
is a health and wellness website page.
Health, beauty community centerand raising autism awareness,
celebrating your diversity andspreading understanding every day.
. They shared , a diagram calledAutism is a combination of
(13:03):
characteristics by Miss Speech AP.
It's been round languagedifferences, which displayed as
delayed language, loss of words.
Ele, which is repeating.
Others can label pictures withstruggles asking for, wants and needs.
Pronoun errors, decrease use ofgestures, the social differences it
(13:25):
moves on, to which this says inconsistentuse of contact may be unclear.
Difficulty interacting with peersmay be better with familiar adults
and people may prefer to play alone.
Difficulty participating in conversations.
Move on to repetitive actions,and they say may prefer doing
(13:47):
things the same way, or strugglewith change may play the same way.
Crashing toys lining upor lack of pretend play.
And there are preferredtopics, toys, or interests.
And since the differences are selective,eater may be sensitive to loud sounds
or large crowds may dislike hairwashing and cutting nail trimming.
(14:11):
May enjoy crashing into things,squeezing and hand flapping and jumping.
Theresa-Autistic-radio.com (14:17):
It sounds a lot like the questions
I was asked at my diagnosis.
It does seem to be focused on children,but even in that interview, they
were talking about me as a child and.
We know, and I presume they know thatthese are like things they look for,
(14:40):
but because each one of us is different,we may not demonstrate these things.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org (14:47):
What Robbie says in the text, it says,
this seems to focus on deficitsand the word stereotypes, and
that's what it does read out to me.
It's a stereotypes.
Then again, then it starts somewhere.
And it also depends on who isactually giving out the information.
Is a parent with an experience ofautistic child or children who's trying
(15:12):
to send this information out to help?
Is it autistic professional,or is it someone who's actually
autistic and has that mindset?
It just depends who shares theinformation, but it does seem
stereotypical, even though youcan see it's trying to be helpful.
Raymond-AutisticRadio.com (15:27):
It's making me think about an earlier
conversation we had in the 4 4 4 abouthealth, which I think was a dominant
conversation during that hour and thisthing about relating to your health.
And of course the previous postis about, you know, the question
and of overdiagnosis and so.
I have to ask like, 'cause I ask myselfthis, how do I relate to my diagnosis?
(15:53):
What was that all about?
And I think for each of us inour individual ways, it comes
to us for different reasons.
It's partly a process or a storywherein where we may have had stress
or a mental health issue or a socialissue or some lifestyle issue.
And it leads us down a pathwhere diagnosis is part of.
(16:15):
Treatment say, or a relationship with thehealth services or mental health services.
So we're part of this process, a story,and these descriptions I think, come
from professionally created guidance,which helps the professionals diagnose
(16:39):
from say, psychology or psychiatric.
Learning.
So it's about thatrelationship with diagnosis.
I think
Harry-Autistic-Association.org (16:47):
when I look at information like this and I
look back or think back about my initialreaction or how I feel about it now,
you know, this is bit negative, wiseit this way, but then thinking back to.
10, 20 years ago and how I felt my ownautism was to me, and at that time it
(17:08):
did feel like a deficit and I wouldactually would've loaded this information.
This is fantastic.
This makes sense because of the way Ifelt at the time, but because I've moved
on to a more al mindset because I'm.
Quite successful in lifeI've got through life.
I feel it's more of identity,more than condition.
(17:32):
It's a different way of beingrather than being ill or disabled.
So.
It's funny how when I read this outand , you get time to think about it
while we are talking about it, and atfirst it seems a bit, it's pushed the
wrong buttons, but then at one timeit would've pushed all the right ones.
It just depends who reads it as wellas who says it up and who writes.
Raymond-AutisticRadio.com: I agree with you Harry. (17:55):
undefined
It's kinda like being heard and seen,but reflecting on what Robbie was saying
about the deficits, if you look atsomething, say like, you know that fourth
one, sensory differences, selectiveeater, so what is going on there?
Have we gotta correct someone's eatingmaybe since May dislike hair washing,
so we've got to make this person likehaving their hair washed in a certain way.
(18:20):
You look at all these thingsand you think, well, what is
being proposed behaviorally?
Is it some kind of conversion or somekind of, or, I don't know what is
opening up really these days in mymind regarding identity or behavior.
Theresa-Autistic-radio.com (18:38):
If it's about diagnosis, then maybe it's
just the first things they look for.
Sort of like what typeof sore throat or cough.
Or the type of mucus you have whenyou are trying to split the difference
between different flus and coldsand, you know, secondary infections.
(19:00):
, I presume then once they get past thislist, they get into the unique positive
characteristics of each one of theautistic people of any age that they know.
I can't stand my hairbeing washed even now.
Raymond-AutisticRadio.com: That's a thing though. (19:15):
undefined
There often isn't any kind of followup, especially for the late diagnosed.
Theresa-Autistic-radio.com: Yes, that's a fact. (19:21):
undefined
I'm on a waiting list forone session in a group.
I've been on that waiting listfor, I don't know, a year in
three quarters or something.
Speaker (19:32):
Yeah, Theresa, and look at what happened to you here.
You joined the group in yourown way, in your own time.
And you've taken more and more timeto interact with us, and it was
immediate, and that's a lot of hours.
And in your home country, you are goingto get a one session with a simple
(19:55):
explanation, and by the time you getthere, you will be able to take 10
of your own sessions , and explainit to the other people in that room.
Harry-Autistic-Association.org: What Rob shares in the text he says. (20:05):
undefined
The problem that it starts withis it treats you as broken.
Raymond-AutisticRadio.com (20:14):
Even just looking at that phrase, difficulty
participating in conversations.
I mean, what kinda conversationsare we talking about here?
Normal, everyday conversations that.
Normal people have, ormaybe the difficulty is that
conversations are just shit.
You know?
I'm like, so, and theyhurt to a certain extent.
(20:36):
That'll be a bitsore, , to participate in.
So that's just a lifestyle choice there.
I'm just thinking about some of thesephrases from the point of view, what
Robbie was putting in there about,you know, if it treats you as broken.
Well then what are we looking for?
We're looking to be just seen as notbroken, but something else if seen at all.
(20:57):
You know, like different, maybedifferent in a positive way.
Yeah.
Theresa-Autistic-radio.com (21:03):
Well I never even wondered whether I had it,
even though I was aware of what itwas and just as we thought, as you
said already, some life event happens.
It's drawn to your attention, andthen you go and you get tested even
in the testing, which takes a while.
(21:24):
It's like a few different sessions.
And when , the psychologist toldme, now I was at a very good large
hospital in a specialized largedepartment, when she said, you
know, she was saying what all these.
Groups were that I had noidea you could only go once.
(21:46):
And she said, and if you wereautistic, you would go to this one.
And I said, so I guessI can't go to that one.
And she looked at me like, gosh, butyou know, she could have been clearer.
But anyway, I was sort of shocked.
But when I got out of the building, Iphoned my daughter and my children are
neurodivergent in different ways, andshe just said, oh, that's what it is.
(22:10):
Do you feel relieved?
Harry-Autistic-Association.org (22:12):
The next post is from autism goggles.
Which is a community and educationcause page, A place to learn about
what it can mean to be autistic.
And it says a following autism and ADHD are different neurotypes, but when
they show up in the same person, theydo not simply sit beside each other.
(22:34):
They blend into something new.
Many people relate to the termA-U-D-H-D because the combined traits
create a lived experience that doesnot match autism or A DHD on their
own Communication is one example.
Autistic communicationis direct and detailed.
(22:55):
A DHD communication isfast and spontaneous.
Together they create a stylethat moves between deep focused
and rapid shifts In ideal.
Executive functioning obstacle changes.
Autism leans on structure.
A DHD struggles to maintain structure.
When you live with both, youcan crave routine and still
(23:18):
find it difficult to follow.
This creates challenges thatdo not fit either profile.
Sensory and emotional regulationsshow the same combined pattern.
Autistic sensory sensitivitiescan change with the environment.
Stress or overwhelm.
A DHD often brings fluctuatingsensory seeking and distractibility.
(23:41):
Autistic emotions can build slowlyand be a challenge to identify.
A DHD.
Emotions can shift quickly and hitsuddenly when both are present.
Regulation becomes more complexand requires different support
than either neuro type alone.
Here is the question to think about.
(24:02):
Is A-U-D-H-D-A distinct neurotype?
Many people would say yes becausethe blended traits create a
different way of thinking, feeling,and moving through the world.
Understanding A-U-D-H-D from thebeginning can help you understand yourself
with greater clarity and compassion.
Raymond-AutisticRadio.com (24:23):
I'd say my thoughts are quite complex about this.
After hearing that.
Theresa-Autistic-radio.com (24:27):
I'd say, I'm picturing it as some sort of diagram with
little dots, almost like a physics chart.
You could say that each oneof us is different anyway.
And then every once in a while it'llcluster up into something that is a you,
whatever, I can't remember, you know,the new thing they're talking about.
(24:49):
And maybe those people haveslightly more in common.
And then I was thinking.
What if someone else was a DHD withCentral Auditory Processing Disorder and
then they're in a little cluster of stars,sort of like constellations or something.
Raymond-AutisticRadio.com (25:08):
Is it okay to say, , I'm just me?
Harry-Autistic-Association.org (25:11):
I've gotta say, when I was reading this one.
It kinda made sense in what it wassaying, but then again, as Jesus has
already says, and we have all saidmany times from different posts and
subjects that everybody's different.
Every artistic person is different, sothere's going to be differences Anyway,
but I can see where this is coming frombecause it says that being autistic and
(25:37):
being A DHD is so contradictory to each.
, It's a mixture.
Sure.
It doesn't go well for want of abetter description, so the feel there
is a need to put it as somethingseparate so that it can be looked
upon and understood more thoroughly.
Theresa-Autistic-radio.com (25:57):
I can see that it would be helpful in terms of a
diagnosis for whatever reason you wouldwant the diagnosis, and also understanding
yourself, but probably importantly,if there are services that you could.
Qualify for, or if people have certainexpectations of your behavior in
(26:18):
situations where you've qualified forsome service and then you don't appear
to be behaving like an autistic person.
You know what I mean?
Like, and then you could set itaside and then imagine yourself
as your own unique individual.
Like, this is the pain I have togo through to get a diagnosis,
or this is the checklist.
(26:39):
I have on a piece of paper that I putin a drawer, forget about it, unless
I'm going somewhere for a service.
Jules (26:45):
What they're doing here is they're providing a pattern that some
people will find helpful because thestructure and the way of describing
it is metaphorically enough.
For them , to have a senseof their own experience.
These things are helpful.
Having some kind of structureto hang your own experience of
(27:06):
complex inters is a good thing.
And also recognizing that A DHDand autism do occur together in
the same person, and it does seemcontradictory from the outside very
much as well as from the inside.
I think what Robbie has putthere is very important.
(27:26):
He says the diagnosis or labelis only as good as the other
person's understanding of it.
So you hand person the label and thenthey understand it in their own way.
They interpret it in their own way.
Ray says it's like hitting thebrakes and the accelerate at
the same time, autism and A DHDworking almost opposite each other.
(27:49):
I just don't want people to go awaywith the idea that they have to fit
themselves within anybody's framework.
You know, neurotypicalframeworks are damaging to us.
, We generally accept that.
But also imposed frameworks from ourown community can be just as damaging.
We need to be independent ourselves,autonomous human beings with our
(28:13):
own sense of self that is unique
Harry-Autistic-Association.org (28:18):
well, that was a great discussion tonight.
So thanks everyone who's taking part inthe discussion especially for the people
that have shared these posts that havegenerated these topics and discussions.
and I look forward todoing the same next week.
This is Harry's Facebook postSunday, the 7th of December, 2025,
which is part of Spectrum Voice'sconversation broadcast every Sunday.
(28:44):
.Speaker 2: Spectrum Voices Conversation is an artistic association
production for artistic 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 podcastto talk about a subject that is
(29:05):
dear to your heart, or somethingyou think needs a wider audience.
We have an open doorpolicy for divergent views.
We do not necessarily agreewith everything that we share
on our Facebook pages or theword expressed in our podcast.
There are a lot of differentdivergent views, which we are
trying to allow, get aired.
(29:27):
So that people can see thingsfrom different fo vantage points.
We hope that you willjoin that conversation.
Contact us through any of our links,Facebook by email directly to us.
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