Have you ever wondered what it feels like to experience the world through a different lens? In this personal episode, I take you beneath the surface of autism, sharing my journey through powerful metaphors that illuminate the lived experience of neurodivergence.

The metaphor of ‘A New World Coming Into Focus’, reveals how my differences in language processing, social interaction, and perception gradually became clearer. It was not just for me, but for everyone connected to me. I recount my early school experiences, from the initial struggles of “wandering around the classroom" to the transformative moment when educators began to recognise my unique strengths rather than focusing solely on challenges.

You'll hear how a supportive primary school environment created the conditions for my growth by embracing flexibility and celebrating my musical talents. This acceptance opened doors to meaningful friendships, social invitations, and a sense of belonging that proved crucial to my development. The episode explores how recognition of my abilities, including piano playing and mental arithmetic, offered a powerful shift in perspective - one that asked "What's this telling us?" rather than "What's wrong?"

This episode, for me, highlights the potential of changing our lens when viewing neurodiversity. By identifying what may seem to be different or unusual can actually become meaningful and valuable, we change our understanding of autism. My journey continues to unfold and evolve, but the message remains clear. It is, to take the time to understand differences. For me, this may reveal a richer, more understanding world. Join me in exploring how shifting our perspective can help us all see strengths where others might only see challenges.

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Thanks for listening. You can find me on my website stephensevolution.com, or on twitter here. You can sign up to receive news of new episodes when they're released here.


Artwork produced by Elena Designe
Music composed by Nela Ruiz