Adulting with Autism

A Riveting Journey with Sadie Dingfelder

Immerse yourself in the compelling episode of Adulting with Autism hosted by April Ratchford, an occupational therapist and proud adult on the autism spectrum. This enlightening episode delves into the intriguing world of face blindness or prosopagnosia, a condition affecting approximately 1% of the global population.

Ratchford welcomes special guest Sadie Dingfelder, a former journalist who discovered she had face blindness just before turning 40. Author of the revealing book “Do I Know You? A face-blind reporter's journey into the science of sight, memory, and imagination," Sadie offers valuable insight into the challenges of living with this condition. Her story, enrichened by captivating and humorous anecdotes, is a fascinating deep dive into neuroscience and the challenges of recognizing faces.

Ratchford shares her own experiences with face blindness, offering insights into other aspects of neurodivergence like aphantasia and severely deficient autobiographical memory. Celebrating some famous personalities like Brad Pitt and Jane Goodall, who also have face blindness, this episode highlights the solidarity and understanding in the world of neurodivergence

Listeners will also hear insights into Sadie’s experience with the Cambridge Face Memory Test, a diagnostic tool for face blindness. She relates the long-running mysteries of her life that unveiled with her diagnosis and discusses the unique strategies she employs to recognize people.

Sadie's story is filled with resilience and humor, offering a compelling testament to the rewards of embracing life's quirks. Listen to this captivating episode for a riveting exploration into the realms of face blindness and neurodivergence.

 

https://www.sadied.com/

How to Understand Trauma, Stress, and Healing through the Lens of Ayurveda and Neurodiversity

Welcome to an eye-opening episode of 'Adulting with Autism', your go-to podcast for approaching the adventures of adulthood through a lens of neurodiversity. Dive into the intricacies of trauma and the effects it has on individuals' physical and emotional states, and explore the uniqueness of stress responses and trauma inflicted upon various aspects of life.

We're joined by Michelle Brown, a functional nutrition specialist, traditional herbal medicine practitioner, and Ayurveda expert. Michelle helps her clients globally address complex health issues like fatigue, mood issues, gut health, and hormones. Learn from her multifaceted healing approach combining functional nutrition and trauma-informed lens.

Explore a deep dive into nervous system resilience, the powerful shifts necessitated in overcoming personal health struggles, and moving forward in life. Understand the body's inefficiency and learn strategies to let go of harmful patterns locked in blame or guilt. Discover the steps that neurodiverse individuals can take to release nervous system 'freeze' due to past traumas and biochemical imbalances.

This episode shines a spotlight on the healing role of therapy and somatic experiencing and the importance of understanding our unique neurobiology and physiological balance. We discuss the fundamental role of Ayurveda in stress and trauma management, busting the myth of health being a one-size-fits-all and acknowledging everyone's unique mind-body types.

Discover the crucial role of diet, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory foods in supporting mental health and reducing nervous system overwhelm, which is often overlooked in conditions like autism and mental health. This potpourri of insights serves as a powerful resource for anyone seeking to understand nervous system biology and the mind-body connection.

Finally, wrap up with practical tips to avoid re-traumatization and enhance resilience, covering more than just talk therapy - it's about a holistic approach to well-being! Tune in to leverage Michelle's Ayurvedic guide and kickstart your unique journey into holistic health routines.

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Overcoming Trauma through Meditation

Welcome to another enlightening episode of 'Adulting with Autism'—a podcast celebrating the neurodiverse and fortifying its listeners with resourceful insights. Hosted by April Ratchford, a proud occupant of the spectrum, this episode delves into the transformative power of resilience and meditation.

In conversation with Natalie Bedard, founder of 'Lift OneSelf', we explore how she bravely fought a life-threatening illness and raised her children solo. Natalie's journey of self-healing allowed her to tap into the power of her nervous system and discard emotional blockages, inspiring others to do the same.

Listen as Natalie dissects her passion for helping others maximize their potential through incremental growth and transformation. Witness her lead listeners through a restorative meditation session—a testament to her compassionate, empowering approach towards helping others comprehend their unique experiences.

Natalie narrates her journey into meditation's soothing grasp following a series of unidentified neurological issues. She attributes a significant reduction of her trauma's energetic intensity to Transcendental Meditation and provides guidance for listeners on how to achieve tranquility in chaos by living purely in the moment.

She emphasizes the cruciality of self-care, stressing the importance of tending to individual needs by constantly engaging in mind-enriching practices such as meditation. Parents are especially urged to incorporate self-care into their schedules to build personal wellness and resilience.

Natalie also offers vital insights on accommodating the unique needs of neurodiverse individuals, be it sensory sensitivity, the need for movement, or a secure space to vent emotions. She suggests empathic ways of handling children's intense emotions, fostering a safe environment for expression.

The episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to visit Natalie’s website 'liftoneself.com' for further guidance on meditation practices. The host, April, ends on a hopeful note, encouraging listeners to remain steadfast in their journey, no matter the hurdles they face.

https//linktr.ee/Liftoneself

How Magnesium Can Improve Your Health

Ready to unravel the mysteries of magnesium? On this episode of "Adulting with Autism", host, April Ratchford, occupational therapist and mom on the autism spectrum, sits down with Natalie Jurado, expert on magnesium and founder of the therapeutic magnesium-infused moisturizer line, "Rooted". Learn about common symptoms of magnesium deficiency such as sleep problems, anxiety, muscle cramps, and chronic headaches and discover valuable tips and solutions for addressing these symptoms.

Don't just learn about magnesium, understand how to supplement it effectively through your diet or your skin. April and Natalie's intriguing conversation about the crucial role of magnesium in our bodies is not just educational, but offers solutions for anyone struggling with stress, anxiety, or sleep issues. Especially significant for health professionals, educators, and parents seeking alternative solutions for promoting healthier lifestyles.

In addition, they delve into the medical world's oversight on the importance of magnesium tests and how normal results can misleadingly point to an absence of deficiency. Furthermore, they highlight the critical link between magnesium and the proper utilization of vitamin D and calcium in our bodies, offering a fresh perspective on many prevalent health issues.

The episode wraps up with a look at lifestyle changes and home remedies to help balance your body's magnesium level and discusses the relationship between various forms of magnesium supplements and their absorption rates. Finally, future resources for maintaining your body's magnesium levels for better health are offered. Tune in to this enlightening episode to start this empowering journey towards better health and life.

 

www.berootedin.com

How to Deal with Emotional Avoidance with Dr. Michelle Maidenberg

In this illuminating episode of Adulting with Autism, host April Ratchford engages in a profound conversation with renowned clinical expert, Dr. Michelle Maitenberg. The focus of their discussion is the underexplored concept of emotional avoidance, especially its connection with individuals on the autism spectrum. The duo draws upon real-life scenarios exhibiting emotional avoidance, offering practical advice for handling such situations effectively.

Dr. Maitenberg, known for her comprehensive knowledge in cognitive therapy and other therapeutic methods, helps demystify the complex nature of emotional avoidance. They emphasize the potential for intentional management of this aspect leading to an improved quality of life. This engaging conversation also delves into the distracting role of technology in perpetuating emotional avoidance.

The aim of this dialogue is to empower listeners to recognize emotional triggers and acquire strategies for better emotional management. The episode wraps up with an elaborative conversation on the concept of mindfulness, its wide-ranging definition, and how it serves as a tool to counter emotional avoidance.

Join April and Dr. Maidenberg on this emotionally rich and informative exploration designed to aid individuals and families involved with autism in leading a more fulfilling life. Don't miss this enlightening exchange in the realm of Autism, only on "Adulting with Autism."

Beyond autism, the episode offers a comprehensive understanding of mindfulness, anxiety and mental wellbeing. Listeners get to understand the neurological response to intense emotions and are presented with actionable techniques to manage stress and anxiety.

The podcast also provides guidance on setting realistic mindfulness goals and the necessary patience and commitment required for mental wellness journey. Techniques to overcome self-defeating thoughts and promote self-acceptance, self-compassion, and self-empowerment are also discussed in detail.

This episode urges listeners to approach life mindfully, fostering positive change through positive thinking, and persisting on the journey to mental wellness. Get ready to dive deep into the intricacies of emotional avoidance, mental wellness and mindfulness from experts in the field.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq2ytRXX-J8

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53 Mind-Body Strategies For Lifelong Health

www.michellemaidenberg.com

How To Stop People Pleasing

Welcome to a powerful and transformative episode of the 'Adulting with Autism' podcast hosted by April Ratchford. In this enlightening episode, April, an empathetic therapist, mother, and autism advocate, brings us into the intimate world of adults with autism, sharing their daily life struggles and victories. The episode's central theme is the pervasive issue of "people-pleasing," a common trap for parents, caregivers, and individuals alike.

We welcome special guest Kara Regas, a certified life coach, specializing in breaking the people-pleasing cycle. Delving deep into the complexities of this syndrome, Kara offers practical steps toward setting healthy boundaries and prioritizing self-care. She illuminates how people-pleasing often roots in childhood issues and impacts all aspects of our lives. Recognizing and understanding this tendency is the first step toward healing and positive change.

April and Kara engage in a stimulating conversation about the importance of self-awareness, boundary setting, and assertive communication. They highlight the crucial differences between therapy and coaching and how a coach helps individuals apply learned therapeutic strategies in real-life scenarios with effectiveness.

Further in the discussion, the episode explores the intricate connection between emotions, hormones, and the nervous system and their profound influence on our overall state of mind. Learn about the importance of a flexible nervous system, and how transitioning from sympathetic states to parasympathetic states can aid mental wellness.

The episode concludes with Kara sharing her experiences as a people-pleasing coach, her passion for her craft, and her clients' inspiring success stories. This episode brings to the forefront the prevalent issue of 'people-pleasing,' providing practical insights and strategies to overcome it. Listen now to embark on a journey of self-discovery, self-care, and personal empowerment.

 

www.kararegas.com

How to Embrace Neurodiversity with Storytelling Expert Erin Rodgers

Welcome to ‘Adulting with Autism', the podcast that provides a unique neurodiverse perspective on life's challenges. This episode features a fascinating conversation between host, April Ratchford, and guest, Erin Rodgers, a renowned storyteller, writer, and workshop facilitator committed to helping people capture their stories.

Erin shares her personal experiences with autism and how she uses her insights to assist others in expressing themselves. With extensive experience working with notable organizations like UNIFOR, Ontario Federation of Labor, and Engineers Canada, Erin highlights how mastering self-expression can significantly enhance our ability to connect with others. Her work in the Pathfinders Collective also showcases her talent and passion for storytelling.

Covering the advantages of journaling and embracing individuality and interests, she motivates listeners to become the main characters of their stories. Moreover, she emphasizes the learning potential that lies within our mistakes, giving listeners the courage to step out of their comfort zones and take on new challenges.

This invigorating episode serves as an excellent avenue for those seeking to establish their tribe, preparing for college life, or eager for tips on dealing with the unpredictability of life. Stay tuned for engaging anecdotes and practical wisdom, as Erin provides a unique perspective on coping with obstacles, using daily affirmations, and confronting shame and ridicule—all while living a life that celebrates their uniqueness.

Settle in for an exceptional conversation with Erin Rogers, as she candidly shares her journey of discovery, mental health challenges, and the transformative power of storytelling. Don't miss this enriching blend of humor, valuable insights, and essential wisdom to aid neurodiverse listeners to confidently traverse the landscape of adult life.

If you wish to delve deeper into Erin Rogers' work, tune in to 'Adulting with Autism,' or find her at 'story star coaching' and '@AaronRodgersStoryPro' on Instagram. This episode is sure to inspire all adults with autism and neurodiverse individuals around the world to embrace their narrative and celebrate their unique journey.

Between the Lines: A conversation with Kristof Morrow

In this remarkable episode of 'Adulting with Autism,' meet our inspiring guest, Kristof Morrow, a well-acclaimed author and late-diagnosed Tourette's warrior. Listen to his fascinating journey filled with resilience, determination, and strength that propelled him to an impressive writing career with his books distributed across about 50 countries worldwide.

This episode delves into the mechanics of  Kristof's writing process, his unique relationship with words, and strategies to tackle writers' block. He also discusses his best-selling fantasy-literature series 'The Second Sun' and reveals the interesting genesis of his novel's protagonist.

We explore how being on the autism spectrum and experiencing childhood trauma has enriched Kristof's narratives, helping him frame complex characters and craft profound stories. Despite the hardships and misunderstandings faced, Kristof firmly believes in the power of creativity and encourages listeners to persistently chase their dreams.

This episode is an intimate peep into the mind of a writer who passionately weaves intricate themes into his works and introduces a dialogue of Spanglish in his upcoming science fiction project. Hear how his current series affects him psychologically and get a glimpse of the upcoming third volume.

Feel the author's evident love and passion for writing; it's like hanging out with his favorite people! End this heartfelt episode with an important reminder to cherish reparations and uphold democracy. Tune into step into the intriguing world of a writer brimming with depth, humor and adventure!