Differently Brained

Ranting about the Neurodivergent Tax: the EXTRA costs of living

Buckle up benevolent audience and listen to us get a little hot under the collar in this episode. This time we've talking about the "Neurodivergent Tax" and how it affects us and makes us more than a bit cranky at times. This is one of those times. The Neurodivergent Tax is, to be very brief, the extra cost involved in simply existing as a member of society when you are neurodivergent. Things such as paying for medication and therapy are obvious things, but what about buying obsolete things because you forgot you already had the same thing at home? Or having to pay late fees for things that you rented or borrowed that completely went out of your mind? Jacinta and Lachlan also discuss the ways they personally handle dealing with this tax. Enjoy! Resources mentioned: The National Debt Helpline [https://ndh.org.au/] Ph: 1800 007 007

Masking: Hiding, Performing, Surviving

Hello friends, welcome to the Differently Brained Masquerade! We are delighted to have your attention while we ramble on about something very common amongst neurodivergent folks: Masking! We've mentioned it in episodes before, but haven't ever dedicated a whole episode - UNTIL NOW! Jacinta and Lachlan talk about why they mask, how they mask, what they mask, when they mask, and where the mask - the full gamut, really. Enjoy and watch out potentially for another episode on the topic in the future!

Public Demand Avoidance: Autonomy and Care with Frances McCafferty

In this episode, Jacinta and Lachlan chat with occupational therapist and neurodiversity advocate Frances McCafferty about PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), autonomy, and what it means to create truly neurodiversity-affirming spaces. Frances, who founded Embrace Neurodiversity with her husband, shares her personal perspective as an autistic PDAer, what PDA actually feels like from the inside, how demands can show up in surprising ways, and why safety and choice matter so much. Frances talks about how she balances her roles as a peer researcher, therapist, and advocate — and how we, at large, can all do better to support PDAers at home, school, work, and beyond! You can find more about Embrace Neurodiverity here [https://embracend.com/]. The website for PDA Society can be found here [https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/what-helps-guides/pda-approaches/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]. We couldn't find the exact clip from "Everything's Gonna Be Okay" by Josh Thomas, so here's a trailer [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyt_e50eoeI]for the first season of the show. It is currently no longer streaming on iview or any other service, but may be available elsewhere.

Neuroqueer Histories: Art, Identity & the Power of Representation with Drew Pettifer

This week Jacinta and Lachlan talk to artist and academic Drew Pettifer. As an austistic ADHDer, Drew chats about growing up queer and neurodivergent, finding connection through creativity, and why telling overlooked stories—especially queer ones—matters so much (as well as the intersections between queer identity and neurodivergent identity).  It's a fascinating interview and was a pleasure talking with Drew. You're bound to learn something along the way! You can find Drew's website here [https://drewpettifer.com/], as well as his RMIT profile here [https://www.rmit.edu.au/profiles/p/drew-pettifer].   Resources: * Dr. Alison Bennett: website [https://alisonbennett.net/], RMIT profile [https://www.rmit.edu.au/profiles/b/alison-bennett], "Queering the Paradigm" - Talking Pictures [https://talking-pictures.online/2022/11/12/alison-bennett-queering-the-paradigm/] * Nora Nord: website [https://www.noranord.co.uk/], "Neuroqueer Artists with ADHD Gain Visibility in a Photo Series" - ADDitude [https://www.additudemag.com/slideshows/neuroqueer-artists-with-adhd-photo-series/] * Dr. Nick Walker: website [https://neuroqueer.com/], "Neuroqueer Heresies" [https://neuroqueer.com/neuroqueer-heresies/] * "Defiant" by Athena Lynn Michaels Dillon & Michael Scott Monje Jr. [https://www.abebooks.com/9780986183508/Defiant-Monje-Michael-Scott-Michaels-Dillon-0986183504/plp]

Snuggle up with Cozy Gaming

It's getting colder out there, listeners, so why not curl up with an episode of Differently Brained and a cozy video game? Lachlan and Jacinta chat about what a cozy game is (and what it isn't), how they help us regulate and feel safe and calm, and some recommendations for you to try out. Resources: Gaming statistics in Australia - Australia Plays 2023 Report - Interactive Games and Entertainment Association [https://igea.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IGEA_AP2023_FINAL_REPORT.pdf] Reuters article - Cozy comfort: new research backs up what games have thought for years: video games can be an antidote to stress and anxiety [https://www.reuters.com/graphics/VIDEO-GAMES/MENTAL-HEALTH/akpeewkqgpr/] Önnberg, M. (2024). Cozy games and their impact: An exploration study of coziness in games. - http://his.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:1881616 [http://his.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2:1881616]  Bowdidge, S. (2024). Cosy games: How games such as Animal Crossing help mental health, BBC News -  https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cglk8wl3lylo [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cglk8wl3lylo]  https://wholesomegames.com/ [https://wholesomegames.com/]