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AuDHD Flourishing
34 Monotropism Might Explain Everything with Fergus Murray
Monotropism is a powerful description of a narrowed field of attention and interests that, for many, explains much of the autistic experience. Fergus Murray (they/them) shares about this topic both from personal experience, and as the child of Dinah Murray, one of the people who developed the term and theory.
Healing from neurodivergent burnout requires understanding your monotropic brain and avoiding monotropic split as much as possible. And fun fact, as Fergus points out: in the original validation study, AuDHD people were the most monotropic!
The title reflects both monotropism as an excellent theory about potentially multiple neurodivergences, as well as the tendency of monotropic people to end up seeing connections between diverse fields.
- Fergus's website: oolong.co.uk
- Monotropism Questionnaire
- Autism and Mental Health free course (free for first 90 days)
Fergus's LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/0olong
Monotropism: https://monotropism.org
Resources:
- Like Your Brain community space
- Resources Blog
- Transcript Doc
- Email Newsletter
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Intrusive Thoughts & AuDHD
14:28|Mini episode on my experience with intrusive thoughts and how/when they stopped being distressing.Monotropic brains tend toward thought loops and thus can make intrusive thoughts pretty easily.In my case, I think my brain was in part trying to generate interest when my needs were not being met. Dopamine is also a learning chemical that tells the brain to pay attention right now.This is just my experience... Please seek professional help if you're having distressing intrusive thoughts!Crisis Resources:USA-based anonymous crisis chatInternational crisis linesVarious types of crisis resources in about 10 countries85 Rising AuDHD Rates (PBS interview)
12:28|Last week I was interviewed on WHYY, Philly's PBS/NPR radio station, about the rising diagnosis rates of Autism & ADHD. Here are a few additional thoughts and my favorite moments, and you can find the full interview below Mentioned in episode: YouTube PBS interview WHYY.org page with the audio only version Public Patreon post w YouTube link if you'd prefer to comment there (link coming soon) Readwise/Reader tool (affiliate link gives you 60 days free)Resources:Transcript DocEmail NewsletterLike Your Brain community space (Patreon)84 The Neurodivergent Playbook with Dr Matt Zakreski
52:14|Dr Matt Zakreski is 2e (ADHD & gifted) and also a clinical psychologist supporting neurodivergent folks.His recent book, The Neurodivergent Playbook, aims to meet that social gap in which we often feel we missed the "instruction manual" for how to approach people.Connect with Dr Matt: The Neurodiversity Collective for therapy & assessments Dr Matt's website for speaking engagementsFacebook Instagram @drmattzakreskiResources:Like Your Brain community spaceTranscript DocEmail NewsletterBonus: Overview of my approach by Notebook LM
17:46|As I describe at the beginning, this goes along with episode 83 about AI & tech tools.The latter 15m of this episode was an AI "podcast conversation" based on AuDHD Flourishing principles and my overall work and approach.I was impressed by how it was pulled together, as well as pronouncing my name & getting pronouns right!Note: if you have misophonia, you may find the AI vocal artifacts irritating... heads up!If you're curious:The web pages used by Notebook LM: AuDHD Flourishing home pageHow it WorksAbout/bioFAQsProducts & Services (note that I'm going to be updating this soon, so if you're looking at this after Jan 2025 it will be different than what was pulled into the episode)TestimonialsLove Your Brain (course)Resources:Transcript DocEmail NewsletterLike Your Brain community space83 Tech and AI Tools for AuDHD Accommodations
37:49|It's okay to have strong feelings about AI! Yes, we touch on ethics in this episode.It's also okay to use accommodations and tools that work for you, especially in the short term to feel better first.This episode covers a number of AI and tech tools suggested by other AuDHDers.When there's a blog post to go through all of them (plus any others added in the meantime) I'll add that link below as well.AI & Tech mentioned in episode: Notebook LMAutektik AILLMs ChatGPT and ClaudePoised ShortcutList of AI Tools for Designers & MarketersFree course: Using Fandoms + AI to Developing Coping Skills for Neurodivergent KidsReadwise/Reader (affiliate link gives you 60 days free)Goblin Tools & my blog post about itPerplexity Pro (link is to free version)The convo on Patreon, free with loginResources:Transcript DocEmail NewsletterLike Your Brain community space (Patreon)82 Science Journalism & Misinformation: Best Practices Being ND Online with Emily Earlenbaugh
01:03:36|Emily is a science writer, AuDHDer, and ND-affirming coach.They share online about neurodivergence topics and accuracy in science journalism as The Neurodivergent Well.In this episode, we talk about best practices as a consumer of science info online, especially via social media. If you don't have time or capacity to read journal articles, what CAN you do?Emily shares multiple approaches to being a better online citizen when we take in and share information.There's also a lovely bit about the complexity of identity, and whether the labels we use are accurate and useful.p.s. Emily has a doctorate in the Philosophy of Science, and over 10 years professional experience in writing and editingFind Emily online: The Neurodivergent Well websiteMedium writingInstagram @the.neurodivergent.wellTikTok @the.neurodivergent.well (posting this Jan 18th so we'll see...)Mentioned in the episode: The small Case Western study that found a 42% increase in resting info rate in autistic brains (with 19 children)An article about the DSM disorders disappearing in statistical clustering of psych symptomsExperimenting Your Way to an Extraordinary Life (course)Resources:Transcript DocEmail NewsletterLike Your Brain community space81 When the Body Simply Cannot
30:28|This week I pushed my body way too far, even though I was having trouble parsing that in the moment. The story is also a great analogy for how other ND internal needs feel (including PDA).Even with all the info, self-kindness, and support, I still struggle to find that exact line of capacity. It's okay that it's hard to figure out!This is the perfect and slightly ironic follow-up from last week's episode about giving up on NT/ableist expectations ;)Mentioned in episode: wish listExperimenting Your Way to an Extraordinary LifeComparative Grammar of Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French (affiliate link)Mackareth's Neurocomplexity model (& affiliate link if you want to sign up)Resources:Transcript DocEmail NewsletterLike Your Brain community space80 Is This the Year to Give Up?
13:32|Is this the year to give up on neurotypical and ableist nonsense that is causing you harm??I hope so, for all of us. There are so many layers to unraveling internalized ableism. Here's your permission to do that a little more :)p.s. of course you know I never mean to give up on life ;) If you're in crisis, there are crisis links below <3 Links mentioned in episode: Psychology Today article on Relational Trauma: Beyond Adverse Caregiver ExperiencesNeuroLaunch article on Relational Therapy: A Comprehensive Approach to Healing Through Connection7 Signs of Internalized Capitalism by Lindsey Mackereth at Method Creative Referral link to Lindsey Mackareth's Neurocomplexity SubstackCrisis Resources:USA-based anonymous crisis chatInternational crisis linesVarious types of crisis resources in about 10 countriesMy Medium article, "Please Stay, We Need You"Resources:Transcript DocEmail NewsletterLike Your Brain community space79 Seasonal Energy & Sleep
15:52|It's okay if your sleep and energy vary wildly during the seasons! Or at least... it's okay with me ;) Obviously there can be real world effects to having a chronotype outside of the 9-5.But if your body is going to make you rest anyway... may as well enjoy it and get the most out of it, in my opinion!Resources:Transcript DocEmail NewsletterLike Your Brain community space