The Neurodivergent Experience

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott respond to the controversial article “Uta Frith: why I no longer think autism is a spectrum.”

Reading and reacting to sections of the interview, they unpack the claims that rising autism diagnoses are a problem and that the label of autism should be restricted to those diagnosed in early childhood with more significant support needs.

They discuss how diagnostic frameworks like the DSM are still heavily based on studies of white boys, leaving many autistic women and late-identified people overlooked. The conversation explores the tension between scientific authority and lived experience — and why many autistic people feel that research about them is often conducted without their voices being heard.

They also reflect on how media narratives and policy discussions can influence public perception, particularly when rising diagnoses are framed as a “problem” rather than evidence that more people are finally being recognised and supported.

In this episode, they discuss:
The article “Why I No Longer Think Autism Is a Spectrum”
Scientific bias in autism research
The history of autism research and diagnostic frameworks
Late diagnosis and autistic women
Masking and overlooked presentations of autism
Media narratives about rising diagnoses
Autistic lived experience vs academic authority
Why autistic voices must be included in research

A passionate discussion about autism research, representation, and the ongoing tension between scientific narratives and neurodivergent lived experience.

Our Sponsors:
🧘‍♀️ Ashley Dupuy – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy
→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde

🔗 Stay Connected
Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
Facebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook page
YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience
TikTok: @neurodivergentexperience

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⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simon is away on holiday, so please enjoy this re-run while he gets some much-needed sunshine!

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott are joined by in-house therapist Ashley Bentley to explore the key differences between autistic men and women. We discuss how traits like repetitive behaviours and emotional expression show up differently, and the diagnostic biases and misogynistic societal expectations that affect late or missed diagnoses in women.

🎤 In this episode, you'll learn about:
How autistic masking differs between men and women
How special interests manifest in men and women
Why autistic girls and women are often overlooked or misdiagnosed
The role of social conditioning in shaping autistic expression in men and women
The societal pressures faced by Autistic women in relation to masking behaviours

Whether you're autistic, suspect you might be, or want to support a loved one better, this episode is packed with insights on gendered experiences of autism you won't want to miss.

Our Sponsors:
🧘‍♀️ Ashley Dupuy – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy
→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde

🔗 Stay Connected
Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
Facebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook page
YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience
TikTok: @neurodivergentexperience

❤️ Support the Show
If this episode resonated with you:
✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience
⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ashley is prioritising her health, so please enjoy this re-run of Episode 7 of Mindful Mondays.

In this episode of Mindful Mondays, we explore what it means to truly allow — to let life, emotions, and even other people simply be as they are.

Spiritual teacher, Ram Dass, once observed that when we look at trees, we accept them - crooked, bent, imperfect, yet utterly beautiful. But when we look at people and ourselves, we judge. In this episode, Ashley explores how we can return to that same compassionate seeing toward others and toward ourselves. Blending mindfulness, neuroscience, and psychology, we explore how allowing what is can reduce anxiety, soften resistance, and bring peace to the neurodivergent mind and body.
Ashley also shares a modern Buddhist parable and Jon Kabat-Zinn’s timeless reminder:

“Give yourself permission to allow this moment to be exactly as it is,
and allow yourself to be exactly as you are.”

The episode closes with a deeply hypnotic guided meditation - a forest journey into self-acceptance and inner stillness.

❤️ Support the Show
If this episode resonated with you:
✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience
⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes

Our Sponsors:
🧘‍♀️ Ashley Dupuy – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy
→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde

🔗 Stay Connected
Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
Facebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook page
YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience
TikTok: @neurodivergentexperience

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott react to the sudden cancellation of Smiling Friends — a hugely popular animated show created by Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel.

At the height of its success, the creators announced they were ending the show after season three due to burnout. Jordan and Simon unpack what that decision means, not just for fans, but for neurodivergent creatives who know what it feels like to hit a wall after achieving something huge.

They explore the tension between creative integrity and audience grief, the difficulty of abrupt endings, and why burnout can sometimes mean walking away — even from something you love.

With Malcolm in the Middle and Scrubs both returning, they reflect on how Malcolm's family remains one of the most authentic portrayals of a chaotic, neurodivergent-coded family on television — and what it means when our comfort shows return after years away.

In this episode, we discuss:
Neurodivergent creator burnout
Walking away at the height of success
creative Integrity vs financial opportunity
Audience grief when shows end
The risk of investing in cancelled series
Comfort shows and “cosy watch” rewatches
Malcolm in the Middle as ND representation

A thoughtful, funny conversation about burnout, creative autonomy, comfort shows, and the emotional impact of losing — and regaining — the stories that feel like home.

Our Sponsors:
🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy
→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde

🔗 Stay Connected
Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
Facebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook page
YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience
TikTok: @neurodivergentexperience

❤️ Support the Show
If this episode resonated with you:
✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience
⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott explore why neurodivergent people can be more vulnerable to negative influence.
Growing up feeling different often leads to masking, people-pleasing, and a fragile sense of identity. When belonging has felt conditional, it can become easier to agree, adapt, and absorb the views of others just to avoid rejection.

Jordan shares a recent experience of being let down by someone he trusted, while Simon reflects on a past friendship that crossed into manipulation and exploitation. They unpack how loneliness, burnout, justice sensitivity, and the need for certainty can leave neurodivergent people more susceptible to toxic dynamics.

The conversation also dives into social media, echo chambers, and algorithm-driven radicalisation, and how validation, moral clarity, and belonging can feel regulating even when the influence itself is harmful.

In this episode, we discuss:
Masking and weakened identity
People-pleasing and toxic friendships
Justice sensitivity is being exploited
Loneliness and manipulation
Social media echo chambers
Doom-scrolling and radicalisation
Burnout and impulsive decisions
Knowing your vulnerable seasons

An honest episode about influence, autonomy, and learning to protect yourself without losing your openness.

Our Sponsors:
🧘‍♀️ Ashley Bentley – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy
→ https://bit.ly/ashleynde

🔗 Stay Connected
Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
Facebook: The Neurodivergent Experience & Jordan's Facebook page
YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience
TikTok: @neurodivergentexperience

❤️ Support the Show
If this episode resonated with you:
✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience
⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
🔔 Turn on notifications for new weekly episodes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.