We are so excited to be joined by Elliot Durham for today’s episode! Elliot was diagnosed with autism quite young and is here to share with us all about his experience with it. Elliot loves Christmas, dogs, and traveling, and specifically shares stories of some of his most recent adventures. 

Elliot also shares his experience of coping with anxiety and also helping those around him cope as well. Elliot’s learned experience has helped him grow and handle his emotions better. Elliot also discusses some tougher topics, such as coping with the death of his mom. 

Reach out to us here:

Facebook Groups: 

https://www.facebook.com/autismmatters

https://www.facebook.com/groups/autisticadultssupport/

Email:

info@autism-matters.co.uk

Website: 

www.autism-matters.co.uk

We are so excited to welcome Adam Whyborne on the podcast today! Adam is a member of Autism Matters. He was been diagnosed with autism about two years ago, and he is very extremely adventurous and is very much a go-getter. 

Adam loves to travel and has gone on a few trips with Autism Matters, including our trip to Corfu, Greece. While in Corfu, Adam’s adventurous personality came out when he went exploring and even went skydiving! He also went to Iceland, where he saw the northern lights and went on lots of tours. Adam loves doing new things, seeing new places, and doing as much as he can in each location he visits. 

With the amazing support he receives from Autism Matters, Adam is able to live a spontaneous life and he is always trying new things. He’s especially lit up by impulsive thrills, whether it’s riding horses or spending the day with llamas. Adam loves the support he gets from Autism Matters because it’s allowed him to be very independent and keep pushing his limits. 

Facebook Groups: 

https://www.facebook.com/autismmatters

https://www.facebook.com/groups/autisticadultssupport/

Email:

info@autism-matters.co.uk

Website: 

www.autism-matters.co.uk

Welcome to the second half of our conversation on anxiety and overthinking with Beau Brockbank!  

Today we talk about:

Learning to drive, wondering how you’ll ever be able to assimilate all of this new information!

Taking the driving test, gaining confident and riving places you’re comfortable with using driving apps

Find yourself overthinking negative “what-ifs?” Beau’s strategy is to challenge yourself to also think of positive “what-ifs.”

Avoid thinking too much about the past. 

Knowing how to ask for help.

Leveraging the Love Language Quiz: https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language

Reach out to us here:

Facebook Groups: 

https://www.facebook.com/autismmatters

https://www.facebook.com/groups/autisticadultssupport/

Email:

info@autism-matters.co.uk

Website: 

www.autism-matters.co.uk

Members of Autism Matters see real growth over time. Beau Brockbank has been coming to events, dinners and short trips with Autism Matters and he has learned ways to feel companionship and overcome anxiety and overthinking. What keeps people coming back to Autism Matters? Listen in to find out!

Today we are going to chat about:

Taking change one step at a time.

Over coming anxiety and overthinking.

The good challenges that help us grow when we go on short trips, eat new foods and schedule in alone time.

Traveling and going through security at the airport.

Understanding Love Languages. 

Take the Love Languages Quiz:

https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language

Reach out to us here:

Facebook Groups: 

https://www.facebook.com/autismmatters

https://www.facebook.com/groups/autisticadultssupport/

Email:

info@autism-matters.co.uk

Website: 

www.autism-matters.co.uk

We are so excited to be joined by Sarah! Sarah was diagnosed with autism when she was 11, and is here to share her experience with autism throughout her life. 

Being diagnosed autistic can be a traumatic event at an early age. Likewise, not having a diagnosis, but feeling like you don’t belong or are not good enough is extremely difficult. Listen in to hear how she navigated these years and is thriving now!

There are quite a few things that Sarah enjoys and animation is one of her main fascinations. She’s always enjoyed characters such as Marvin the Martian, and watching animated shows with darker humor. She also talks about double standards that she as an autistic child dealt with that neurotypical children did not.

Sarah also expresses her love for crafts and shares some of the things she’s made. She shows what it’s like to grow up with autism, as well as how she lives her life now.

Reach out to us here:

Facebook Groups: 

https://www.facebook.com/autismmatters

https://www.facebook.com/groups/autisticadultssupport/

Email:

info@autism-matters.co.uk

Website: 

www.autism-matters.co.uk

We are so grateful to continue Matthew Bean’s story in today’s episode! Make sure you go back and listen to episode 6 if you haven’t already.

After sharing how autism has impacted his life and choices, we continue to talk about how living with autism changes with age.

While having autism has given Matthew certain traits, he shared how no two people with autism are the same. 

Matthew and Anna share their own life experiences and stories and how they’ve impacted one another. They have found strategies to build friendships and they’re genuinely grateful for our autism. They’ve learned how to create win-win situations in life with family and friends. 

Matthew also talks about his comedic side and how he uses comedy throughout his life. Ultimately his autism has made him who he is and he wouldn’t trade it for anything!

Reach out to us here:

Facebook Groups: 

https://www.facebook.com/autismmatters

https://www.facebook.com/groups/autisticadultssupport/

Email:

info@autism-matters.co.uk

Website: 

www.autism-matters.co.uk

On today’s episode we are excited to be joined by Matthew Bean! Matthew has been involved with Autism Matters for quite a while now and we are excited for him to share his story.

Matthew shares with us his experience as an autistic individual in the work force and the struggles that come along with that. He also shares what it’s like to buy a home and move away from his parents.

Despite all the anxiety that comes with his autism, Matthew wouldn’t trade it for anything! His autism has made him who he is and he loves being apart of the Autism Matters community! Here we offer 1:1 support partnerships where you lead the outcomes. No-one is "in charge.” Support is planned together and it focusses on what the autistic person wants and is aiming for, not what the neurotypical population sees as an issue needing to be fixed.

Return next time to hear part 2 of Matthew’s story!

Reach out to us here:

Facebook Groups: 

https://www.facebook.com/autismmatters

https://www.facebook.com/groups/autisticadultssupport/

Email:

info@autism-matters.co.uk

Website: 

www.autism-matters.co.uk

In today’s episode we are joined by Jade Rogers, who is sharing her process of getting diagnosed with autism. Jade began this process when she got her job at Autism Matters and immediately felt at home. While her diagnosis is still in process and will be for the next few years, this journey has helped her understand her life and find more clarity. 

When joining the autism community it’s important that you’re learning about autism from autistic people. Autism is not one size fits all, so the perspective of an autistic person is necessary to learn how to be respectful and use the right language. There’s a lot to learn and unlearn, as it’s a constant journey, so be open minded. 

When reflecting on past memories, Jade discusses how she found instances where she was masking and how she still occasionally continues to do so. Society forces us to try to fit into a perfect social mold, which leads many autistic individuals to masking. While masking may be important for safety purposes, it’s also important to have safe spaces were you can be authentically you! 

Reach out to us here:

Facebook Groups: 

https://www.facebook.com/autismmatters

https://www.facebook.com/groups/autisticadultssupport/

Email:

info@autism-matters.co.uk

Website: 

www.autism-matters.co.uk