Autistic Small Talk

Hypercuriosity and Critical ADHD Studies

Vince and Vanessa zip through 2 papers on hypercuriosity as a framework for ADHD. The first lays out the theory, and the second is a survey-based study on curiosity and ADHD traits. They then discuss a paper making a call for the establishment of Critical ADHD Studies as a field. Show Notes Spoon Theory The original spoon theory essay: https://web-wp.archive.org/web/20251002173043/https://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/ [https://web-wp.archive.org/web/20251002173043/https://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/] Christine Miserandino reading her original piece about spoon theory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn5IBsm49Rk [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn5IBsm49Rk] Spoon Theory For Autism And ADHD: The Neurodivergent Spoon Drawer https://neurodivergentinsights.com/the-neurodivergent-spoon-drawer-spoon-theory-for-adhders-and-autists [https://neurodivergentinsights.com/the-neurodivergent-spoon-drawer-spoon-theory-for-adhders-and-autists] Hypercuriosity Le Cunff, AL. Distractibility and Impulsivity in ADHD as an Evolutionary Mismatch of High Trait Curiosity. Evolutionary Psychological Science 10, 282–297 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40806-024-00400-8 [https://doi.org/10.1007/s40806-024-00400-8] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40806-024-00400-8 [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40806-024-00400-8] The Hypercurious Mind https://aeon.co/essays/how-the-hypercuriosity-of-adhd-may-have-helped-humans-thrive [https://aeon.co/essays/how-the-hypercuriosity-of-adhd-may-have-helped-humans-thrive] Le Cunff, AL., Russell, C. & Dommett, E.J. Hyperactive–impulsive ADHD traits predict higher curiosity in adults: evidence from a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychol (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-026-04504-7 [https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-026-04504-7] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/403686915_Hyperactive-impulsive_ADHD_traits_predict_higher_curiosity_in_adults_evidence_from_a_cross-sectional_study [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/403686915_Hyperactive-impulsive_ADHD_traits_predict_higher_curiosity_in_adults_evidence_from_a_cross-sectional_study] Calls For Critical ADHD Studies Jackson-Perry, D., Bertilsdotter Rosqvist, H., & Brown, A. I. (2025). Moving forward: a call for Critical ADHD Studies. Disability & Society, 40(12), 3519–3524. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2025.2458016 [https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2025.2458016] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09687599.2025.2458016 [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09687599.2025.2458016] Max characters reached. Show notes continued here: https://autisticsmalltalk.com [https://autisticsmalltalk.com]

Autistic Flow

Vince and Vanessa discourse expediently upon 2 papers about Autistic Flow. The first describes a proposed theory of Autistic Flow and the second is a qualitative study of Autistic people transitioning in and out of flow. We also talk about anarchist callisthenics. Anarchist Callisthenics Anarchist Callisthenics video https://www.tiktok.com/@jonjon.jpeg/video/7597533190965808398 [https://www.tiktok.com/@jonjon.jpeg/video/7597533190965808398] The Happy Urbanist https://www.thehappyurbanist.city/ [https://www.thehappyurbanist.city/] Autistic Flow Heasman, B., Williams, G., Charura, D., Hamilton, L. G., Milton, D., & Murray, F. (2024). Towards autistic flow theory: A non-pathologising conceptual approach. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour, 54(4), 469–497. https://doi.org/10.1111/jtsb.12427 [https://doi.org/10.1111/jtsb.12427] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/JDZZFXR6URAUQTXPD34U?target=10.1111/jtsb.12427 [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/JDZZFXR6URAUQTXPD34U?target=10.1111/jtsb.12427] A podcast of the authors discussing the paper: https://youtu.be/lGrLMPXJAuk [https://youtu.be/lGrLMPXJAuk] Wain, D., G.Williams, D.Charura, et al. 2026. “Transitioning in and out of Autistic Flow: A Qualitative Study Presenting a Non-Pathologising Approach to Autistic Well-Being and Conceptualising Autistic Ways of Being in Clinical and Therapeutic Settings.” Counselling and Psychotherapy Research26, no. 1: e70073. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70073 [https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70073]. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/CXWVCJMS7ST8E6MNAXNK?target=10.1002/capr.70073 [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/CXWVCJMS7ST8E6MNAXNK?target=10.1002/capr.70073] Character limit reached. Show notes continued at: https://autisticsmalltalk.com [https://autisticsmalltalk.com]

Models of Disability and Research Supporting Damian Milton's Double Empathy Problem

Vince and Vanessa concisely review 9 different models of disability and a chapter in "Conversations on Empathy",authored by Damian Milton, Krysia Emily Waldock, and Nathan Keates, and titled: Autism and the ‘double empathy problem’. Odd Pride (Astrid) https://oddpride.com/ [https://oddpride.com/] Shanidar 1 https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/06/17/878896381/ancient-bones-offer-clues-to-how-long-ago-humans-cared-for-the-vulnerable [https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/06/17/878896381/ancient-bones-offer-clues-to-how-long-ago-humans-cared-for-the-vulnerable] Disability Models Lawson, A., & Beckett, A. E. (2021). The social and human rights models of disability: towards a complementarity thesis. The International Journal of Human Rights, 25(2), 348–379. https://doi.org/10.1080/13642987.2020.1783533 [https://doi.org/10.1080/13642987.2020.1783533] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13642987.2020.1783533#d1e177 [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13642987.2020.1783533#d1e177] Berghs M, Atkin K, Graham H, et al. Implications for public health research of models and theories of disability: a scoping study and evidence synthesis. Southampton (UK): NIHR Journals Library; 2016 Jul. (Public Health Research, No. 4.8.) doi: 10.3310/phr04080 Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK378941/ [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK378941/] 10 Principles of Disability Justice https://sinsinvalid.org/10-principles-of-disability-justice/ [https://sinsinvalid.org/10-principles-of-disability-justice/] Damian Milton The Participatory Autism Research Collective https://participatoryautismresearch.wordpress.com/2025/12/18/parc-critical-autism-studies-conference-2026-call-for-submissions/ [https://participatoryautismresearch.wordpress.com/2025/12/18/parc-critical-autism-studies-conference-2026-call-for-submissions/] The Double Empathy Problem Milton, Damian & Waldock, Krysia & Keates, Nathan. (2023). Autism and the ‘double empathy problem’. 10.4324/9781003189978-6. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366888965_Autism_and_the_'double_empathy_problem [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366888965_Autism_and_the_'double_empathy_problem]' Milton, Damian. (2012). On the ontological status of autism: The 'double empathy problem'. Disability & Society - DISABIL SOC. 27. 1-5. 10.1080/09687599.2012.710008. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254245139_On_the_ontological_status_of_autism_The_'double_empathy_problem [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254245139_On_the_ontological_status_of_autism_The_'double_empathy_problem]' Character limit reached Show notes continued at: https://autisticsmalltalk.com [https://autisticsmalltalk.com]

Nick Walker's Doctoral Dissertation Part 3

Vince and Vanessa efficiently finish their discussion of Nick Walker’s dissertation (Transformative Somatic Practices and Autistic Potentials: An Autoethnographic Exploration). They talk about ParaTheatrical ReSearch, autistic aptitudes, reconnecting with stimming, and autistic wellbeing. Nick Walker’s doctoral dissertation Walker, Nick (2019) Transformative Somatic Practices and Autistic Potentials: An Autoethnographic Exploration. [Doctoral Dissertaion, California Institute of Integral Studies]. https://neuroqueer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Nick_Walker_Dissertation.pdf [https://neuroqueer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Nick_Walker_Dissertation.pdf] Weird Luck (Nick Walker’s comic with co-creators Andrew M. Reichart, and Mike Bennewitz) https://weirdluck.net/ [https://weirdluck.net/] Connected with Jen and Shannon What the Heck is Embodiment Anyway with Nick Walker https://youtu.be/MgXQG9lP-Bc?si=cgTCn2a1dn8RUPnu [https://youtu.be/MgXQG9lP-Bc?si=cgTCn2a1dn8RUPnu] ParaTheatrical ReSearch Archive https://www.paratheatrical.com/info.html [https://www.paratheatrical.com/info.html] Expressive Movement/Dance Therapies (Transformative somatic practices for reconnecting to stimming) Continuum https://continuummovement.com [https://continuummovement.com] Authentic Movement https://www.authenticmovementinstitute.com/authenticmovement [https://www.authenticmovementinstitute.com/authenticmovement] Songs of the Gorilla Nation Songs of the Gorilla Nation by Dawn Prince-Hughes https://www.indiebookstores.ca/book/9781400050581/ [https://www.indiebookstores.ca/book/9781400050581/]

Nick Walker's Doctoral Dissertation Part 2

Vince and Vanessa dash through part 2 of their discussion of Transformative Somatic Practices and Autistic Potentials: An Autoethnographic Exploration by Nick Walker. This includes stories of Nick Walker's experiences with aikido, how he came to start training, how it changed his embodiment, and how his autistic traits benefitted not only him but his students. Nick Walker’s doctoral dissertation Walker, Nick (2019) Transformative Somatic Practices and Autistic Potentials: An Autoethnographic Exploration. [Doctoral Dissertaion, California Institute of Integral Studies]. https://neuroqueer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Nick_Walker_Dissertation.pdf [https://neuroqueer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Nick_Walker_Dissertation.pdf] Nick Walker’s writings https://neuroqueer.com/ [https://neuroqueer.com/] Murmurations Beautiful footage by Jan van IJken of starling flight: https://youtu.be/V4f_1_r80RY?si=6fl9VCIUnFiuPIYT [https://youtu.be/V4f_1_r80RY?si=6fl9VCIUnFiuPIYT]