Share

cover art for 05 Autism Without the Disorder with Nat Smith

AuDHD Flourishing

05 Autism Without the Disorder with Nat Smith

•

Nat Smith is a vulnerability coach, playwright, and connection witch. They're also my sibling, so you'll hear stories about our childhood.


Nat has known they're ADHD for years, and only recently has been exploring the label autistic. One reason it's been a slow realization: they don't experience it as a disorder and don't need a lot of external support day-to-day.


Because of that experience, we also touch on the "levels" of autism currently being given in diagnosis. Many Level 1 folks are never diagnosed. And while I would probably be labeled Level 1, I'm actually more Level 2... I've just managed to have family and partners meet my daily needs.


Nat's perspective is incredibly helpful for anyone who wonders what autism looks like when it's NOT an obviously disabling condition. This is where the word "Neurotype" is so useful!


Disclaimer: 

And I would hope it goes without saying... every autistic person is different and has their own experience! Many if not most autistic people (and especially those who receive an official diagnosis) do experience autism as a disability for many reasons.

Nat's experience does not at all detract from that! AND I feel it's important for more autistic people to be "out," even if they have a less common presentation. 

  

Resources:


Full Transcript here

 

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 127 Diagnosed After My Kid with Julie M Green

    55:48|
    Julie M. Green is the author of Motherness: A Memoir of Generational Autism, Parenthood, and Radical Acceptance. She shares about how difficult early parenthood was, how different her autism presents versus her kid's, and navigating school and regulation skills.The book is a vulnerable look at some of the challenging and lighthearted moments of raising an autistic kid.Connect with Julie:Her book Motherness: A Memoir of Generational Autism, Parenthood, and Radical Acceptance Website: juliemgreen.caInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliem.greenSubstack: https://theautisticmom.substack.com/AuDHD Flourishing resources:Transcript Doc (often a few weeks behind, but we do catch up!)Mattia's NewsletterLike Your Brain community space (Patreon/Discord)*affiliate link

  • Surviving Out of Spite - Repost

    13:03|
    You deserve to survive this. Please stay.And if staying out of spite helps you, it has gotten me through some tough times.My Medium article, "Please Stay, We Need You"Repost of ep. 75Crisis Resources:USA-based anonymous crisis chatInternational crisis linesVarious types of crisis resources in about 10 countriesResources:Transcript DocEmail NewsletterLike Your Brain community space

  • 126 Slow Days Make Flow Days

    23:08|
    Flow is pleasant and often productive. It may also require some guardrails to be healthy for AuDHDers, especially those of us on the very monotropic side. It's often easy for us to get into flow and hyperfocus, and to stay in them until they stop feeling pleasant.Adding in more rest and recovery, including preparatory rest as needed, can really help!It's also okay to avoid flow states for a period of time, as I am right now for the most part.Do Less program for 2026 (starts Jan 15, reach out by Jan 7)Email mattia@mattiamauree.com with application answers, and/or any questionsAuDHD Flourishing resources:Transcript Doc (often a few weeks behind, but we do catch up!)Mattia's NewsletterLike Your Brain community space (Patreon/Discord)

  • 125 Autistic Play Saves Lives with Max Alexander

    58:54|
    Max Alexander is an artist and play worker who has mapped some common shapes of autistic play. He's passionate about neuro-affirming play for all ages.Play is both a healing tool, and can help prevent some of the effects of trauma (we touch on this lightly, a concept I learned from Linda Thai) One possible way to apply the play styles is noticing which ones speak to you, and which ones you're already engaging in, then leaning into those.The ebook is free, and it's a quick and excellent read!Apologies for the audio quality. Max was using a headset and didn't have an actual microphone, so I did the best I could to clean it upDo Less program for 2026 (starts Jan 15, reach out by Jan 7)Email mattia@mattiamauree.com with application answers, and/or any questionsConnect with Max:Max's book, The Joys and Shapes of Autistic PlayMax's Substack, Play RadicalAuDHD Flourishing resources:Transcript Doc (often a few weeks behind, but we do catch up!)Mattia's NewsletterLike Your Brain community space (Patreon/Discord)

  • 124 AuDHD Leadership Matters

    16:27|
    AuDHD leadership touches on last week's interview with Dr Megan Anna Neff. And it goes beyond the visible leadership of creating content, or being in the public eye.AuDHD leadership can includebeing your authentic selfvisibly meeting your sensory needssharing what helps you (whether or not it's advice)Mentioned in episode:- Do Less program for 2026 (starts Jan 15, reach out by Jan 7)Email mattia@mattiamauree.com with application answers, and/or any questions- Blog post with business episodesAuDHD Flourishing resources:Transcript Doc (often a few weeks behind, but we do catch up!)Mattia's NewsletterLike Your Brain community space (Patreon/Discord)

  • 123 Creating AuDHD Content with Dr Megan Anna Neff

    55:02|
    Dr Megan Anna Neff is a neurodivergent therapist and thought leader, who became popular in 2022 with their "Misdiagnosis Monday" series. Their thoughtful content has helped many thousands of AuDHDers and other neurodivergent folks feel seen and understood.Today we talk abouthaving a small business as a neurodivergent person (including PDA at the end)the questions and concerns we have about creating helpful content, and not causing harmhow weird it is to be perceivedConnect with Megan Anna & Neurodivergent Insights:Free Help Me Stay Plan (for SI)Website: neurodivergentinsights.comDivergent Conversations Podcast: www.divergentpod.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/neurodivergent_insights/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NeurodivergentInsightsTVDo Less program for 2026 (starts Jan 15)AuDHD Flourishing resources:Transcript Doc (often a few weeks behind, but we do catch up!)Mattia's NewsletterLike Your Brain community space (Patreon/Discord)

  • 122 Do Less (of what you don't want, to make room for what you do)

    19:58|
    Doing less of what's harming you opens up time and energy. You can enjoy that as rest, and if desired, eventually fill it in with what you do want.AuDHDers often need to move at a slower pace, in many ways. Sometimes we then have creative bursts that move fast... but the space comes FIRST!Mentioned in episode:Do Less program for 2026 (starts Jan 15)book, Anti-Diet by Christy Harrison (affiliate link)AuDHD Flourishing resources:Transcript Doc (often a few weeks behind, but we do catch up!)Mattia's NewsletterLike Your Brain community space (Patreon/Discord)

  • 121 AuDHD Belonging with Pasha Marlowe

    01:04:48|
    Pasha joins again to talk about what they've learned in the past two years since last being on the show! We talk about belonging, triggers in relationships, and much more.She also shares the ableism behind the scenes of an autism training from a large (unnamed) org.Mentioned in episode:Pasha's website & LinkedInInstagram @neuroqueercoachTikTok @neuroqueercoachPasha's YouTubeAuDHD Flourishing resources:Transcript Doc (often a few weeks behind, but we do catch up!)Mattia's NewsletterLike Your Brain community space (Patreon/Discord)

  • 120 Decluttering & Perfectionism

    23:14|
    Decluttering, organizing, and cleaning my home in a more routine way is having some interesting effects on my perfectionist tendencies! (Plus, perfectionism comes up in the decision-making process; more on that in my interview on A Slob Comes Clean, which I'll link here when it's out.)Specifically, a cleaner space = less decision fatigue = lower cognitive load = more executive function resources for ME!If you want support with that:Decluttering Days free 5-day event (Nov 17-21 2025)Mentioned in episode (Dana K White resources):Free 5-Step Decluttering Process (note it's /five, not /5 at aslobcomesclean.com)A Slob Comes Clean podcast & YouTube channelOrganizing for the Rest of UsDecluttering at the Speed of LifeHow to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind (book links are affiliate links)AuDHD Flourishing resources:Transcript Doc (often a few weeks behind, but we do catch up!)Mattia's NewsletterLike Your Brain community space (Patreon/Discord)