Preview Mode Links will not work in preview mode

First impressions can take only 6 seconds to make! But if you’re neurodivergent, those quick judgments about you can be misleading.

That’s where the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast comes in! Join me, Carolyn Kiel, as I talk with neurodivergent entrepreneurs, creators, advocates & more about their lives and identities. Their stories shatter misconceptions, break stigma and showcase the vibrance of neurodiversity.

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTubeSpotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Stitcher, PandoraTuneIn, iHeartRadio or Android, so you never miss an episode! 

Sign up for my free newsletter to become a Beyond 6 Seconds Insider and get early access to new episodes! Plus, as a special thank you, you'll get immediate access to download the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds list of autism resources!

Are you interested in being a guest on Beyond 6 Seconds? Click here to apply!

Learn how you can support this podcast and get a shout-out on a future episode!

Recognition for Beyond 6 Seconds:

  • Ambie Awards 2024: Nominee - Best DIY Podcast
  • Signal Award Gold Winner and Listener's Choice Winner: 2023 Best Individual Episode - Best Conversation Starter 
  • Positive Change Podcast Awards 2022: First Place Winner - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion category
  • Positive Change Podcast Awards 2022: First Place Winner - Personal Journal category
  • Positive Change Podcast Awards 2022: First Place Winner - Mental Health category
  • Positive Change Podcast Awards 2022: Second Place Winner - Inspiration/Motivation category
  • Positive Change Podcast Awards 2022: Second Place Winner - Psychology category
  • Signal Award Silver Winner: 2022 Best Individual Episode - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 
  • W3 Award Gold Winner: 2022 Podcasts General Series - Community 
  • W3 Award Silver Winner (x2): 2022 Podcast Features - Best Individual Episode
  • International Women's Podcast Association: 2022 Shortlist - "Moment of Raw Emotion" Episode Category

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Apr 4, 2022

Why has public discourse about autism been dominated by non-autistic voices? And, what’s been happening recently to change this?

My guest Eric Garcia breaks this down in today’s episode! Eric is a journalist based in Washington DC and the senior Washington correspondent for The Independent. He is also the author of the book, “We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation” which was published in 2021.

During this episode, you will hear Eric talk about:

  • Why non-autistic voices have traditionally dominated the public conversation about autism
  • How government policies have shaped and evolved the public’s perceptions about autism
  • Including a wide variety of autistic people’s experiences in his book – including non-speaking autistic people – as well as his own experiences as an autistic Latino man
  • How writing this book helped him confront some of his own biases – and what he learned about becoming a better ally and learning from criticism
  • Where the public can find accurate information about autism and the autistic community
  • How social media has helped autistic people share their experiences, amplify their voices and effect change (for example, by calling out harmful autistic stereotypes about autism in a recent movie by a certain singer)

Buy Eric’s book, “We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation”

Read Eric’s National Journal article (the precursor to “We’re Not Broken”)

Check out Eric’s recommendations for other helpful autism resources:
The Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism
Sincerely, Your Autistic Child
#ActuallyAutistic on Twitter – hashtag used by autistic content creators (a good place to listen to autistic people, and especially helpful if you’re newly-diagnosed autistic)
#AskingAutistics on Twitter – use this hashtag to post questions you want to ask autistic people

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes!

Click here for the episode transcript.

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*