Chelsea's Vocation
Chelsea's neurodivergent offspring are the reason her heart and mind have grown year after year for two decades. As a neuromajority human caring for and about autistic humans, she has learned to apply a thing or two about brain wiring and wants to share that learning with other people so they can know better and do better, too. These 20-minute long shows will be released every two weeks (two per month max), feature occasional guests, have a neuroaffirming focus, and highlight autistic experiences.
Chelsea's Vocation
Bodily Autonomy & Autism
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Trigger warning: This episode includes the topic of sexual abuse.
For those caring for and educating neurodivergent children, the concept of bodily autonomy often takes a backseat. This is particularly concerning for autistic children, who, according to alarming statistics, are at much higher risk for sexual victimization than their neurotypical peers.
In this episode, Chelsea and her guest, MJ Lamb, explore the critical importance of body autonomy, examining how common practices can inadvertently elevate autistic children's risk of abuse. Learn what caregivers can do instead to foster in children a healthy sense of self and boundaries as protective mechanisms. This is critically important for parents, extended family members, educators, and therapists who support children with autism. It’s important for first responders and healthcare providers, as well.
MJ Lamb is a neurodivergent and chronically mentally and physically ill individual who is also a survivor of sexual violence. When the pandemic took over the world in 2020, MJ was suicidal and received inpatient mental health care. It was through that program that they found their love for creating poetry and abstract art. After a divorce and two address changes, MJ got diagnosed with autism at age 30. Today, they live in Milwaukee with their loving partner and two cats and have begun sharing their story of survival with the world.
The following terms and resources, in order of their mention in the podcast, might evoke some curiosity:
- Ryan, J., et al. (2024). “Being able to be myself: Understanding autonomy and autonomy-support from the perspectives of autistic adults with intellectual disabilities”. Autism : the international journal of research and practice, 28(12), 3092–3104.
- Weiss, Jonathan A, and Michelle A Fardella. (2018). “Victimization and Perpetration Experiences of Adults With Autism.” Frontiers in psychiatry vol. 9 203. 25 May.
- Presume competence (Stimpunks)
- double empathy problem: a bi-directional failure of one neurotype (allistic) to have empathy for another's (autistic) experience
- sensory input: See this article from the National Autistic Society.
- stim toys, fidgets (not an endorsement or paid advertisement)
These previous episodes might provide more information and/or context for this topic:
- Episode 8: Neuroaffirming Practices
- Episode 13: Puberty & Autism
- Episode 25: Trauma & Autism
- Episode 27: Ableism & Autism
Podcast includes an introduction for episodes 6 and following at the beginning. Transition music, "Taking a Vocation", by Noey Budde.
Closing narration for episodes 6 and following.
