This week Monique chats with Sienna Macalister (they/them), who listeners may know by their Instagram handle @sienna.stims, about being an Autistic person with high support needs. Sienna is a non-binary, ‘unreliably speaking’ Autistic advocate, diagnosed with Autism Level 3. They are multiply neurodivergent and have a number of co-occurring health conditions, including Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), and Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). Sienna is passionate about creating a world where Autistic people are not just accepted but celebrated, with a deep affinity for exploring neurodivergence with nuance.

Monique and Sienna cover:

• What does ‘unreliably speaking’ mean?
• What neurodivergence means to Sienna and the importance of understanding the term to mean more than just Autism and ADHD.
• Sienna’s experience of early diagnosis of Autism and the diagnostic overshadowing this led to, particularly around diagnosis of their health conditions.
• The evolution of Sienna’s neurodivergent identity.
• Sienna’s experience of using mobility, communication, and health and wellbeing supports.
• Support needs, disability, and therapeutic intervention as a valid part of the neurodivergent experience, and the difference between affirming and non-affirming therapies.
• The role of lateral violence and internalised ableism in excluding people with higher support needs from the cultural conversation on Autism.
• Sienna’s suggestions to increase inclusion and representation for Autistic people with higher support needs.
• Sienna’s current special interest – budgie breeding!

Find Sienna on TikTok and Instagram @sienna.stims, on their professional Instagram @sienna.macalister_media, or on YouTube @sienna_stims.

Sienna’s writing is features in the anthologies Someone Like Me, edited by Clem Bastow and Jo Case, and Hyperfocus, edited by Spectrum Writing.

Got questions for us?? Come along to our LIVE Q&A event! Held online on 27th June (with replay available to all ticket holders). Grab a ticket here and submit your question!

Enjoyed the episode and want to support us further? Join our Patreon community! Patreon subscribers receive ad-free episodes, basic episode transcripts from Season 4 onwards, access to a monthly live zoom hang out, 50% off our episode articles, plus bonus monthly content (depending on subscription tier). Check out our Patreon page to support us, as we aim to make quality mental health care information accessible to everyone: www.patreon.com/ndwomanpod.

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On today’s episode we are deeply honoured to have Dr Michelle Garnett speaking with us about neurodivergence in the teen years, as well as her own life experience as a neurodivergent woman. Dr Garnett is a clinical psychologist, author, and late-diagnosed AuDHDer, and she has worked in the autistic community for over 30 years. Listeners would likely know her as the co-founder of Attwood & Garnett Events, with Professor Tony Attwood. Dr Garnett is a leading voice in neuro-affirming care, research, and advocacy.

We cover:

• What neurodivergence means to Michelle.
• Michelle’s experience of her neurodivergence and anxiety throughout her life, and things that she has personally found helpful in managing anxiety.
• [We get here at about the 40 minute mark!] Reasons why the transition to the teen years can be so challenging for neurodivergence teens and their families, including neurological changes and differences, and school and the broader environment.
• Identity formation in the teen years for neurodivergent teens.
• Making room for your own emotions as a parent.
• Signs to look out for that may indicate your young person is struggling.
• Tips for parents and caregivers supporting neurodivergent young people.
• Michelle’s five key messages for neurodivergent teens.

Things we mentioned + helpful resources:

• Attwood & Garnett Events in general
• Webcast: Autism and Carer Burnout - 11th April 2025 – Attwood & Garnett Events
• Webcast: Autism: Developing a Positive Self-Identity - 22nd August 202 – Attwood & Garnett Events
• Succeeding with Autistic Teenagers – Attwood & Garnett Events
• School Can’t Australia
• Books Dr Garnett recommends for parents
  1. Out of the Box by Madonna King and Rebecca Sparrow
  2. Supporting Autistic Girls and Gender Diverse Youth - Yellow Ladybugs
  3. If autistic themselves: The Neurodivergence Skills Workbook for Autism and ADHD by Jennifer Kemp & Monique Mitchelson
• Podcasts Dr Garnett recommends for teens
  1. For identity and self-acceptance (not identified as ND): Feeling Seen, The Happiness Lab, Ologies
  2. For identified and accepted ND: Uniquely Human: The Podcast, The Divergent Mind
  3. Storytelling & relatable for teens: This Teenage Life, Teenager Therapy, Brave Not Perfect

Find Michelle at Attwood and Garnett Events and on socials @ attwoodgarnett

Got questions for us?? Come along to our LIVE Q&A event! Held online on 27th June (with replay available to all ticket holders). Grab a ticket here and submit your question!

Enjoyed the episode and want to support us further? Join our Patreon community! Patreon subscribers receive ad-free episodes, basic episode transcripts from Season 4 onwards, access to a monthly live zoom hang out, 50% off our episode articles, plus bonus monthly content (depending on subscription tier). Check out our Patreon page to support us, as we aim to make quality mental health care information accessible to everyone: www.patreon.com/ndwomanpod.

Want polished copies of our episodes in beautiful and readable pdf article format? Grab them here.

Contact us at ndwomanpod@gmail.com, or visit our website: www.ndwomanpod.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re super excited to bring you this week’s episode with Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist, Simone Mangelsdorf-Collett (she/her). We chat with Simone about Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) – or, as Simone puts it “the most common disorder you’ve never heard of”. Simone specialises in FND, neurodegenerative syndromes, and movement disorders, and practices out of Yarra City Psychology in Richmond, Melbourne. She is experienced in both ends of patient care, including assessment and diagnosis and rehabilitation and intervention.

If you’ve been wondering about FND, this episode is for you! We cover:

• What is Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), and how does FND differ from other neurological disorders (like epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson’s etc.)
• What does the term ‘functional’ mean, in this context?
• The historical context of FND and how our understanding of this condition has evolved over time.
• Some of the currently known mechanisms behind FND, including predictive coding theory.
• Some common vulnerabilities and triggers for FND.
• The overlap between FND, neurodivergence, and gender.
• Simone takes us through treatment options for FND and who would be involved in the treatment team.
• How Simone came to specialise in FND and her work in FND advocacy and education.

Things mentioned:

• FND Australia
• Support Functional Neurological Disorder in Australia
• Functional Neurological Disorder Society (FNDS), for professionals.
• Here are some studies on the link between FND and Autism – Tamilson et al., 2024, Gonzalez-Herrero et al., 2024, Pun et al., 2020,
• Link between gender and FND – McLoughlin et al., 2023.

Got questions for us?? Come along to our LIVE Q&A event! Held online on 27th June (with replay available to all ticket holders). Grab a ticket here and submit your question!

Enjoyed the episode and want to support us further? Join our Patreon community! Patreon subscribers receive ad-free episodes, basic episode transcripts from Season 4 onwards, access to a monthly live zoom hang out, 50% off our episode articles, plus bonus monthly content (depending on subscription tier). Check out our Patreon page to support us, as we aim to make quality mental health care information accessible to everyone: www.patreon.com/ndwomanpod.

Want polished copies of our episodes in beautiful and readable pdf article format? Grab them here.

Contact us at ndwomanpod@gmail.com, or visit our website: www.ndwomanpod.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.