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:

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• → https://bit.ly/ashleynde

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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

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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

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Our Sponsors:

🧘‍♀️ Ashley Dupuy – Integrative Coaching, Breathwork & Hypnotherapy

• → https://bit.ly/ashleynde

🔗 Stay Connected

• Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
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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

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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:

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⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

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Six months ago, Mindful Mondays began as a simple weekly pause - a space to soften into presence and honour the neurodivergent nervous system.

Twenty-six episodes later, something far more coherent has emerged.

In this special half-year reflection, Ashley traces the living map that has been quietly forming beneath the surface - from radical acceptance and time reframing, to forest wisdom and the art of allowing… from nervous system cartography and breath as bridge, to loving-kindness, radical permission, and the true architecture of change.

Together, we revisit the core sequence that has shaped this journey:

Presence.

Allowing.

Regulation.

Story.

Compassion.

Breakthrough.

Resilience.

Sensitivity as strength.

This episode is not simply a recap - it is an integration. A chance to step back and see the pattern. To recognise that your sensitivity was never a flaw to correct, but an instrument to understand.

The episode closes with a deeply immersive guided practice, Reweaving the Map, blending three beloved meditations from the past six months - the Forest of Allowing, the Weaver of Stories, and Loving-Kindness - into one cohesive inner journey.

A celebration.

A consolidation.

And a reminder that the map is still unfolding.

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

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✅ Follow or Subscribe to The Neurodivergent Experience

⭐ Leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

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In this Hot Topic episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James and Simon Scott react to major BAFTA wins for I Swear — including Robert Aramayo taking home Best Actor and the EE Rising Star Award.

After previously calling it a “travesty” that Aramayo wasn’t Oscar-nominated, Jordan reflects on why this win feels so significant — not just for the actor, but for neurodivergent representation in film.

They unpack why I Swear works: it doesn’t reduce Tourette’s to a stereotype, it tells the story of one human being. The film focuses on John Davidson’s life, not just his diagnosis — showing difference without pity, and representation without forcing a message.

The conversation expands into a wider discussion about authentic storytelling vs performative diversity, why some representation feels natural while others feel manufactured, and how shows like Malcolm in the Middle, The Simpsons, Stranger Things, Bob’s Burgers, and Rick and Morty have portrayed neurodivergent-coded characters for decades without making diagnosis the sole narrative.

Note: This episode was recorded before wider discussion emerged regarding a moment during the BAFTA ceremony involving an involuntary vocal tic from John Davidson. We recognise the complexity and sensitivity of the situation. Our discussion here focuses specifically on the significance of authentic neurodivergent representation in film.

This episode discusses:

• Robert Aramayo’s BAFTA win
• Why I Swear resonates so deeply
• Authentic vs forced representation
• Tourette’s, autism, ADHD and coded characters
• The legacy of Rain Man and stereotypes
• Why storytelling should centre the person, not the condition
• How powerful representation builds confidence
• Neurodivergent “goggles” and seeing ND traits everywhere
• Why natural inclusion works better than box-ticking

A passionate, funny, and thoughtful reaction episode about film, advocacy, and why authentic representation matters more than ever.

Our Sponsors:

🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)

🧘‍♀️ 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

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In this episode of The Neurodivergent Experience, Jordan James returns from New Zealand and joins Simon Scott for an honest and surprisingly positive conversation about travelling as a neurodivergent person.

From long-haul flights and jet lag to airport anxiety and invisible disability accommodations, they reflect on how different this trip felt compared to previous travel experiences. Jordan shares how advocating for pre-boarding, using the sunflower lanyard, and clearly communicating needs made a significant difference — and why asking for accommodations can completely change the experience of flying.

They also explore the cognitive and sensory impact of jet lag, navigating time zone shifts, balancing FOMO with regulation, and knowing when to cancel plans instead of pushing through burnout.

This episode explores:

• Travelling with invisible disabilities
• Advocating for airport accommodations
• Sunflower lanyards and pre-boarding
• Long-haul flights and neurodivergent sensory stress
• Jet lag and ADHD brain fog
• FOMO vs nervous system regulation
• Special interests and travel intensity
• Being present vs filming everything
• Post-holiday blues and returning to routine

A relaxed but reflective episode about autonomy, accessibility, travel anxiety, and learning to prioritise regulation over pressure — even when you’re standing at Mount Doom.

Our Sponsors:

🧠 RTN Diagnostics - Right to Choose – Autism & ADHD Assessments (UK)

🧘‍♀️ 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.