Do you struggle with identifying your own strengths? In this week's solo episode I talk about how I used my special interests and career to figure out what I am good at. I also talk about how you can do the same!

Audio note: I realized after recording that the heater turned on partway through some sections. I cleaned up the audio as best I could so hopefully it's not too disruptive!

Follow-up Question:

• What are your strengths?

Links:

• https://www.autistica.org.uk/what-is-autism/autistic-strengths
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/overcoming-failure-to-launch-in-autistic-emerging-adults/202601/strengths-that-autistic-adults
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/atypical-children-extraordinary-parenting/202511/how-solution-focused-therapy-can-help-autism

Questions? Comments? Feedback? Email me at kevin@workingclassautistic.com

In this episode I talk to Dr. David Krauss. David is a psychologist with over 30 years of experience working with children, adolescents and their families, as well as individual adults, in independent practice, school and hospital settings. We had an interesting conversation about how autistic people can find their strengths and why it’s important to have awe for yourself no matter what you do.

You will learn:

• How language and views on autism have changed over the years
• How to identify your strengths
• Why the fundamental attribution error affects how we see autistic people

Follow-up Questions:

• Is your world frozen, getting smaller, or getting larger?
• What’s one thing you do that you can have awe for?
• The next time you get mad at someone, can you think about their context or history first?

Guest Bio: Dr. David Krauss, Ph.D. is a psychologist with over 30 years of experience working with children, adolescents and their families, as well as individual adults, in independent practice, school and hospital settings. He has a PhD in Clinical and Community Psychology from Yale University and a practice located in Hopewell, NJ. He specializes in working with neurologically or developmentally 'atypical' children and adolescents - ADHD, learning disabilities, autism spectrum, etc. He often works with those neurodevelopmentally atypical children, adolescent and young adults who don't easily fit into these kinds of standard diagnostic categories. He looks for and develops strengths, resiliencies and resources.

Links:

• David's Psychology Today Profile
• Atypical Children – Extraordinary Parenting

Questions? Comments? Feedback? Email me at kevin@workingclassautistic.com

Lee Burdette Williams is the executive director of the College Autism Network. We had an interesting conversation that covered a few different topics related to supporting autistic people in college and entering the workforce.

You will learn:

• How autistic people and families can prepare for transitions between high school, college, and the workforce
• How to figure out if a prospective employer supports neurodiversity
• Why CBT may not always be a good approach for autistic people
• Plus, learn about Lee’s special interest!

Follow-up Questions:

• What processes do you have to work more effectively, and does your workplace support them?
• What kind of culture does the company you work for have?
• What is one thing you can do to support neurodiverse people at your workplace?

Guest Bio: Lee Burdette Williams is the executive director of the College Autism Network. She is a seasoned student affairs professional with significant leadership experience at a variety of institutions of higher education. Her particular areas of expertise include student neurodiversity and mental health, partnerships with academic affairs, learning communities, retention strategies, student engagement through community activities, and building relationships with external constituents and alumni.

Links:

• College Autism Network
• Disability:IN

Questions? Comments? Feedback? Email me at kevin@workingclassautistic.com

Rachel Morgan-Trimmer is one of the UK's best known neurodiversity experts. She wrote the book How to be autistic, and had her work published in national and international publications. We ended up having an interesting discussion where we talked about both neurodiversity in the workplace as well as a broader conversation about privilege and class and how that can affect autistic people.

You will learn:

• How class and privilege affect autistic people
• Why it’s important to be open to people
• What job-carving is and how it can help your career
• Plus, learn what Rachel’s special interest is!

Follow-up Questions:

• What is one way you can be more open to people and new perspectives?
• What is one thing you can do at work to tailor your job to yourself?
• What are some tiny steps you can take towards a goal?

Guest Bio:

Rachel is one of the UK's best known neurodiversity experts. Described as passionate, funny and inspirational, she talks authentically about the strengths and challenges faced by people like her. A successful entrepreneur, she set up her first company at the age of 30, which helped over a million people, while suffering from severe mental health issues. After discovering she is autistic and has ADHD, she founded her 5-star rated consultancy Firebird to train organisations on inclusion.

Rachel has authored the ground-breaking book How to be autistic, and produced an award-winning poster. She's had her work published in the national and international press, in various books, and in peer-reviewed academic journals. She's a TEDx speaker, and delivers keynotes at international conferences. She founded AuDHD Day to raise awareness of people like her, with autism and ADHD together, and is currently working on an innovative documentary. Rachel is also learning sign language, raising a family, developing a micro-farm and writes comedy. She is passionate about building a more inclusive world, and supports neurodivergent adults and parents in her free time.

Links:

• askfirebird.com
• howtobeautistic.com