Episode description

October 1, 2024

Hello Autistica!

Angela here with some exciting news. A few months back we featured Becca Lory Hector on the show talking about her book, Always Bring Your Sunglasses, and you all loved this episode. One of our listeners wrote and said “I’m listening to Sunglasses are Autistic on repeat to calm me down before my AuDHD assessment.” When I got that message I reached out to Becca and said, our listeners need more than this episode so I licensed 10 copies of her course Self-Defined Living to give as a thank you gift to our Autistica Guardians.

What are Autistica Guardians, you ask?

For Season Three, Matt and I are launching a new paid tier which we are calling Autistica Guardians. Guardians will act as informal board members for the podcast. Your name (if you so choose) will be listed on our website as a Guardian. You can use your new title on your LinkedIn page or resume and revel in the pure Autistic Joy of answering the question. “Wait, so what is an Autistica Guardian?”As a Guardian, you will have the opportunity to write for our newsletter and share your personal journey with the citizens of Autistica. Our team will check in with you about the plans we have for the podcast and our community in general and you will get extra access to ask Matt and I questions on our live calls. And perhaps, best of all, you will get a copy of Becca Lory Hector’s Self-Defined Living course for Autistic people, absolutely free, as long as you are one of the first 10 to sign up as a Guardian of Autistica. Guardian membership is $240 for the year, which we know is a lot, but we think it’s worth it. You will get Becca’s class which retails for $399 — that alone is well worth the price of participation. But, we’ll do you one better…You know that moment in Guardians of the Galaxy where Peter Quill declares the team as the official Guardians after they defeat Ronan? Well, think of us Autistics as the Xandarians, with Matt as Peter and me as Gamora. If you become a Guardian of Autistica, Matt and I will recreate that epic moment where we unite and officially welcome you as Guardians of Autistica, protectors of our joy and celebration in a live ceremony and we will broadcast it in the “Things we love about being Autistic” segment of one of our episodes. Just like in the movie, this is our way of standing together for something bigger—true freedom and acceptance for all Autistic people.Please don’t stop reading if $240 is out of your budget because I’ve cooked up another gift from Becca at absolutely no cost. Becca is going to make her book, Always Bring Your Sunglasses, free to all our listeners.

“I'm Becca Lory Hector, and I wrote Always Bring Your Sunglasses to change the game for parents and Autistic kids. As someone who's lived it, I know the inside story - the challenges, the joys, and the misunderstood nuances of autism. Even as a parent who wants to do their best for their kid, it's hard to navigate when you don't understand what's happening in your kid's head. That's why I wanted to share my experience.”

This isn't just another book—it's your guide to truly understanding and empowering your autistic child, using Becca’s honest insights. And here's the best part: she’s giving away the digital copy for FREE, but only for a limited time!

Since her late-in-life diagnosis of Autism at the age of 36, Becca has discovered the profound impact that understanding and empathy can have on the lives of those touched by autism.

In her programs and workshops, Becca Lory Hector, from Truly Inclusive Leadership, includes everything that she has learned from her challenges as a kid growing up in New York City, to receiving her diagnosis at 36 years old, and teaches other Autistics how to navigate their own diagnosis or self-identification journey.

You'll learn:

* How special interests (SPINs) like animals, cats, space, and true crime can be crucial for an Autistic child's quality of life.

* The impact of hyperlexia on a child's relationship with books and learning, and the challenges of a "spikey profile."

* How “safe foods” and dietary routines provide stability and comfort to our hyper-connected brains.

* Tips on being an effective advocate and champion for your autistic child (or yourself!) during times of overload. 

For a LIMITED TIME, get your free copy of Always Bring Your Sunglasses: And Other Stories from a Life of Sensory and Social Invalidation at www.AlwaysBringYourSunglasses.com

Ode to the McNugget: “The perfection of McDonald's chicken nuggets is something to be marveled at a savory symphony of taste and texture accompanied by instant comfort and joy. Each golden crispy nugget is a bite of bliss. A delightful treasure, perfectly seasoned and cooked to tender, juicy excellence that pairs perfectly with the salty, savory goodness of their fries. The fries with their ideal crunch on the outside and soft, fluffy insides are the perfect companion to the magic of nuggets. Dipping them both into a favorite sauce creates a harmony of flavors to delight your senses. For me, McDonald's chicken nuggets aren't just a meal, but a joyful escape that consistently brings meaningful pleasure and comfort to my life. And no matter how many times I go, eating nuggets and fries remains a cherished ritual that brings me guaranteed satisfaction with every bite. Whether it's a reward after a doctor's appointment or a quick treat to lift my spirits, McDonald's chicken nuggets remind me that simple pleasures can bring the greatest joy.”

* Check out Becca’s course: Self-Defined Living - A path to a quality autistic life

* Becca’s website, Facebook, and Instagram

* Please consider becoming a Guardian of Autistica!

Autistic Culture is a reader-supported publication. Consider becoming a subscriber.

*This episode is a BONUS fan favorite episode, so it doesn’t have a coordinating merch design. If you want to learn how to play the game, check out our Fan Favorite Game Rules

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TACP’s Autism-affirming TeePublic merch shop

Ready for a paradigm shift that empowers Autistics? Help spread the news!