Join hosts Simeon Thompson and Dr Sophia Christophi as they welcome David Devine, a lead Oliver McGowan trainer at DynamicTraining.org.uk . In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, David shares his journey to a late autism diagnosis and dives deep into the core concepts of autistic culture, communication, and the Double Empathy Problem. David opens up about his personal history, from being diagnosed with dyslexia as a child to the pivotal, and somewhat unusual, moment years later when he ...
Aug 09, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 38
Join hosts Simeon Thompson and Dr Sophia Christophi as they welcome Kirsty Lavender-Newns, a dedicated volunteer and lead befriender for the London Autism Group Charity, and a trainee therapist. In this deeply personal and insightful episode, Kirsty shares her journey of late diagnosis, the complexities of self-acceptance, and the power of finding your community. Kirsty opens up about the experiences that led her to seek an autism diagnosis in her early twenties, a process that began after facin...
Jul 02, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 37
Join our host Simeon Thompson as he welcomes Barry Davies, Police Community Support Officer, and Sergeant John Nelson, both from the British Transport Police. Barry brings a personal perspective as a parent of an autistic son and draws on his previous experience working for TFL London Underground in ticket offices, while John shares his journey as an autistic police officer and founder of the National Police Autism Association (NPAA). Barry opens up about his transition from TFL ticket offices t...
Jun 03, 2025•46 min•Ep. 36
Join our hosts Simeon Thompson and Dr Sophia Christophi as they welcome Brendan Tighe, an autistic college language professor and autism advocate currently living in Mexico after spending most of his life in the US. Brendan shares his personal journey, including receiving an autism diagnosis at age four but only truly understanding its impact much later in life. He delves into the incredible and challenging legal battle his family undertook against the school system to secure his educational rig...
May 02, 2025•55 min•Ep. 35
In this episode of The Autism Podcast, Simeon Thompson and Dr Sophia Christophi interview Aditi Gangrade, an autistic advocate from Mumbai, India. Together, they discuss Aditi's journey into the world of autism, how autism is viewed and (mis)understood in India, what needs to change to improve understanding and reduce stigma, and the important advocacy work she is doing with her company, Much Much Media. Aditi's social media information are as follows: Aditi: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com...
Feb 28, 2025•44 min•Ep. 34
In this episode of The Autism Podcast, the new co-hosts of the show, Simeon Thompson and Sophia Christophi introduce themselves and explain their respective journeys into their autistic identity including the particular ways each of them responded to their diagnoses. They also discuss their dedicated, interests, issues around masking and much more! If you're interested in hearing more about Simeon's story, please go to this podcast episode which previously featured Simeon as a guest on the show:...
Dec 12, 2024•40 min•Ep. 33
In this episode of The Autism Podcast, James Gordon and Chris Papadopoulos interview Toni Borneo, a late diagnosed autistic woman who produces the amazing 'Autistic at 40' podcast! Toni shares her personal journey from childhood to adulthood, the stigma she experienced along the way and the impact this had on her mental health. The episode delves into many issues include employment discrimination, ableism and key pillars of strength that Toni benefitted from to get through the challenges she exp...
May 24, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 32
In this episode of The Autism Podcast, James Gordon and Chris Papadopoulos interview autistic advocate and author David Gray-Hammond. David shares his personal journey to getting an autism diagnosis as an adult and how finding the autistic community saved his life. He provides insight into his work on autism and addiction, discussing why self-medication and substance use may be more prevalent among autistic people. David emphasises how trauma and lack of support contribute to negative outcomes, ...
Aug 19, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 31
In this episode of The Autism Podcast, James Gordon and Chris Papadopoulos interview London Autism Group Charity volunteer Simeon Thompson, a British Jamaican autistic man living in London who has been working in the IT industry for many years. Simeon was diagnosed as autistic in 2007 when he was 14 years old, however he denied his diagnosis until 2015 which led to many internal conflicts that impacted upon his uncertainty on how he could fit into society. Today Simeon, who has many interests es...
Mar 27, 2023•51 min•Ep. 30
In this episode of The Autism Podcast, James Gordon and Chris Papadopoulos interview Tess Eagle Swan, an autistic expert in assistance/service animals and also the proud owner of the world famous rescue dog, Kratu, the star of the ' Incredible Kratu' book. Tess opens about her 'autism journey' including her childhood experiences, her connection with animals (particularly Kratu), her struggles with relationships, mental health and substances, and provides her advice on how to think about service ...
Dec 19, 2022•56 min•Ep. 29
In Season 2, episode 20 of The Autism Podcast, James Gordon and Chris Papadopoulos interview Jenny Teuten about her experiences as a sibling and carer to her autistic brother with learning difficulties. Jenny opens up about the challenges she's faced over the years including how social stigma and misconceptions have impacted her and her family's life, how her childhood made her a more resilient and empathic person, the type of relationship she has with her brother now and her hopes for the futur...
Apr 05, 2022•49 min•Ep. 28
In Season 2, episode 19 of The Autism Podcast, James Gordon and Chris Papadopoulos interview Emily from @21andsensory! Emily is an autistic adult who several years ago developed the @21andsensory blog ( https://21andsensory.wordpress.com/ ) with the aim of educating and supporting people (and adults in particular) with sensory processing difficulties. Today, she runs a fantastic and very influential set of social media accounts ( https://www.instagram.com/21andsensory/ , https://twitter.com/21an...
Dec 09, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 27
In Season 2, episode 18 of The Autism Podcast, James Gordon and Chris Papadopoulos interview Ginny Grant, an autistic advocate who is writer, editor and communications manager at Reframing Autism, an Australian based organisation run by and for Autistic people and their families and allies, who celebrate and nurture autistic identity. We discuss Ginny's journey towards her late autism diagnosis, the mission of Reframing Autism, her challenges and experiences with mental health including post-nat...
Jun 22, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 26
In Season 2, episode 17 of The Autism Podcast, James Gordon and Chris Papadopoulos interview Alan Morrison, an autistic man with rich insight and experience of the challenges and problems of the schooling and educational system for neurodivergent people. Alan talks about his childhood, the difficulties of school before he found teachers that inspired him, like the sociologist Michael Haralambos, who were rare and invaluable voices in the promotion of individuality, difference and diversity. Alan...
Apr 15, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 25
In Season 2, Episode 16 of The Autism Podcast, James Gordon and Tigger Pritchard (our special guest podcast interviewer!) interview Kirsty Pellow, who is herself neurodivergent, a carer to two boys with different needs, a SEND support worker and advocate. We hear from Kirsty Pellow, and follow the steps of her own personal experiences learning about autism. She tells us about her journey as a carer, and how she learnt to trust her own instincts as a parent over the dismissal and denial of others...
Dec 15, 2020•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 24
In this episode, Chris and James speak with American TV, film and stage actress and producer Julie Caitlin Brown. Julie, who is also a musician and coach, is very well known for her role as Na'Toth in the first and fifth season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, and for various guest star appearances in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. She has also worked on many other shows including Becker, JAG, Raven, Sliders, and Beverly Hills 90201, among other...
Oct 02, 2020•36 min•Ep. 23
Chris and James interview Cameron Straughan, an autistic Canadian author, photographer, film-maker and teacher. Cameron, who resided in many years in the UK, talks through his autism journey including his youth and diagnosis later in later, experiences and views regarding the challenges of employment, and discuss some of the main challenges and discrimination issues faced by the autistic population and what needs to change for progress to occur. He also talks through his love of surreal and absu...
Sep 02, 2020•56 min•Ep. 22
In Season 2, Episode 13 of The Autism Podcast, Chris and James interview the two founders of Mainspring Arts, Katya Balen and Miranda Prag! Mainspring Arts is an innovative organisation that works across artistic disciplines and have over the years since it was founded in 2015 supported and provided many opportunities to many neurodivergent people (some of whom you will be hearing directly from in upcoming episodes!). They do this by facilitating workshops to develop participants' skills, provid...
Jul 20, 2020•23 min•Ep. 21
In Season 2, Episode 12 of The Autism Podcast, Chris and James interview Abby Brooke, an autistic advocate based in Kenya and lead of the 'Walking Autism' initiative. During the episode, we hear all about Abby's fascinating journey towards diagnosis and self-acceptance, the aims and importance of her Walking Autism initiative, and some of the key issues and challenges facing the autistic and wider autism community in Kenya, including particular stigma issues and challenges accessing support. If ...
Jun 17, 2020•46 min•Ep. 20
In Episode 11 of Season 2, Chris and James interview sensory specialists Jo Grace and Becky Lyddon (founders of the Sensory Projects and Sensory Spectacle respectively), as part of another recent livestream episode that the London Autism Group Charity have been running to support the wellbeing of the autistic and wider autism community during the Coronavirus / Covid-19 pandemic. During the livestream Jo and Becky answered many audience questions which led to an in-depth and fascinating discussio...
Jun 04, 2020•51 min•Ep. 19
In Season 2, episode 10, Chris and James interview Joan Pons Laplana, an autistic nurse in the NHS leading a major new initiative called 'Neurodiverse Nurses' which aims to promote the inclusion and acceptance of neurodiverse nurses in the NHS. In this episode, we speak to Joan, about the initiative and its importance, particularly in relation to leveraging the abilities and strengths of such nurses, his own personal experiences of autism, his struggles with mental health, and his work on the fr...
May 18, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 18
In Season 2, episode 9, Chris and James interview Tigger Pritchard, an expert in Pathological Demand Avoidance, as part of another recent livestream episode that the London Autism Group Charity have been running to support the mental health of the autistic and wider autism community during the Coronavirus / Covid-19 pandemic. In this episode, we talk about the work Tigger has been involved with, what PDA means, the importance of understanding what demands are and how avoidance of demands is freq...
Apr 27, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 17
In Season 2, episode 8, Chris and James interview autistic advocate Kieran Rose about the threat to mental health for the autistic and wider autism community during the Coronavirus / Covid-19 pandemic. To support the community, the London Autism Group Charity have begun doing a series of livestreams with interviews of autistic people and advocates around the topic of mental health and wellbeing. These are happening weekly at our public Facebook page ( facebook.com/londonautismgroupcharity ) with...
Apr 12, 2020•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 16
In Season 2, episode 7, Chris, James and Lola Alvarez-Romano (a mental health expert and NHS psychotherapist) talk about the threat to mental health for the entire autism community during the Coronavirus / Covid-19 pandemic. Clearly, the Coronavirus pandemic represents a public mental health emergency for all of us but in particular for the autism community who are particularly vulnerable. This is mainly due to the situation threatening routines, structures, access to usual external support and ...
Apr 03, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In Season 2, episode 6 of The Autism Podcast, Chris and James speak with Callum Brazzo, a well-known autistic performance poet based in Lincolnshire, UK. We talk about Callum's upbringing and the experiences that led him into poetry and performance, including his struggles with poor mental health and finally get diagnosed in his early 20s. He explains his journey towards coming full circle and becoming a leader in his community through supporting other autistic adults via his Autistic Led suppor...
Mar 23, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 6
In Season 2, episode 5 of The Autism Podcast, Chris and James speak with Christa Holmans, also known as Neurodivergent Rebel, about all things neurodiversity. In particular, we talk about her own journey into late autism diagnosis, how her mental health interplayed with her journey and the stigma of mental health, what neurodiversity means, why it is so important and the stigma associated with it, how to promote neurodiversity in the workplace and the importance of this, and much more. Christa i...
Jan 14, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 15
In Season 2, Episode 4 of The Autism Podcast, Chris and James speak with Lola Alvarez-Romano, an experienced child and adolescent psychotherapist who works to support the mental health of families in a special school based in North London. Lola talks about some of the key mental health issues she has observed during her time supporting families with a child with additional needs, the importance of the therapeutic journey and power of acceptance, the importance of supporting the mental health (pa...
Dec 22, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 14
In Season 2, Episode 3 of The Autism Podcast, Chris speaks with Venessa Bobb about the difficulties that various ethnic minority autistic people and their families face including stigma and when accessing support. Venessa is a well-known UK-based autistic campaigner and advocate of autistic people in particular those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities. She is the founder of A2ndvoice , a small voluntary group run by parents and carers of autistic children and adults, and Branch Of...
Nov 15, 2019•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 13
In Season 2, Episode 2 of The Autism Podcast, Chris and James speak with Rachel Aanstad, an older autistic adult based in the United States who runs the Actually Autistic Podcast . Rachel talks about her personal experiences with diagnosis, the impact autism stigma and the allistic social world has had on her, the complexities in generating reliable research evidence about older autistic adults, social conformity, and the benefits of early diagnosis and self-acceptance. She also talks about what...
Oct 12, 2019•56 min•Ep. 12
In Season 2, Episode 1 of The Autism Podcast, Chris and James speak with Joseph Michael , an autistic adult, campaigner, advocate involved in a range of autistic-led organisations. He talks about his personal experiences and challenges during school and education, finding a sense of belonging and identity with the autism community, and all of the various work he undertakes with the autistic-led organisations he is involved with. He also opens up about his mental health including what has helped ...
Sep 06, 2019•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 11
