In this episode we’re talking about Cults and Extremist religious movements in autistic culture. And why, like getting out of the mafia, leaving can be both dangerous and sacred.
Yes! I just recorded an episode on this today! About 40% of us are openly gender non-conforming, transgender, or a gender! It has to do with our bottom up processing and rejection of hierarchies and rules.
I just found your podcast and appreciate all the insights as my daughter has recently been diagnosed at age 22. I hope you will take a deep dive into (what is sometimes compared to a cult) gender ideology. There is more and more research and data involving the connection between neurodivergence and identifying as trans. Are there common autistic traits that make these individuals more susceptible to the idea that the reason they do not fit in socially is because they could be the opposite sex? Do you think there is something odd about suggesting to a very young child that if they don't fit a stereotype that they were born in the wrong body? Do you think some children may take the concept of changing sex a little too literally? IMO I believe gender non-conformity along with many other autistic traits should be accepted and not medicalized.
I literally had all of these experiences with a ‚neurodiversity affirming‘ therapist within 5 minutes of walking into their office 😂 She asked why I was there. I started talking about having gotten my autism diagnosis last year. She asked if I had problems understanding other people’s thoughts and feelings. I said I didn’t really and that human behavior has actually always been a big interest of mine. She said she didn’t think I was autistic because ‚autistic people have no interest in other people and can’t understand their thoughts and feelings‘. I started describing some of my sensory sensitivities. She said ‚Ok, so you THINK you’re autistic‘ and suggested we do some CBT to help me not feel very uncomfortable when I’m feeling very uncomfortable.
I spent almost 200 dollars on that nonsense and didn’t receive an apology or even a reply after sending them a very long email afterwards.
I deconstructed from Mormonism at the same time I started learning about my autism. Learning about how my brain works opened my eyes to the mental gymnastics I was doing on the daily. It was EXHAUSTING and I felt like complete garbage because I could never check all the boxes I was supposed to. It's validating to hear your experiences, and I'm excited to hear more!
Fantastic episode! I have a similar cultish background, Angela, so it’s fantastic to hear fellow autistics speak to the specific intersection between cults and autism. I was primed and ready for (the grueling but liberating) cult de-conditioning and deconstruction at the onset of the pandemic.
Great episode! My late father was a Scientologist from right after he moved out in the late 1970s until his death two years ago. (What you called "the path" is called the Bridge.) Scientology has positive and practical aspects. I occasionally find myself slipping into the jargon (I've never been a member but was exposed to much of the culture). I can understand how he got hooked. Unfortunately, it is hard to leave. He joined the group that requires a billion or trillion-year contract (the Sea Org), so if he's right about things, he'll find them in his next life too. I'm pretty sure my dad was ADHD; he probably wasn't autistic, but I'm sure I met autistic Scientologists.
Oh, and that Time-Life Enchanted World series rocked!
Yes! I just recorded an episode on this today! About 40% of us are openly gender non-conforming, transgender, or a gender! It has to do with our bottom up processing and rejection of hierarchies and rules.
I just found your podcast and appreciate all the insights as my daughter has recently been diagnosed at age 22. I hope you will take a deep dive into (what is sometimes compared to a cult) gender ideology. There is more and more research and data involving the connection between neurodivergence and identifying as trans. Are there common autistic traits that make these individuals more susceptible to the idea that the reason they do not fit in socially is because they could be the opposite sex? Do you think there is something odd about suggesting to a very young child that if they don't fit a stereotype that they were born in the wrong body? Do you think some children may take the concept of changing sex a little too literally? IMO I believe gender non-conformity along with many other autistic traits should be accepted and not medicalized.
I literally had all of these experiences with a ‚neurodiversity affirming‘ therapist within 5 minutes of walking into their office 😂 She asked why I was there. I started talking about having gotten my autism diagnosis last year. She asked if I had problems understanding other people’s thoughts and feelings. I said I didn’t really and that human behavior has actually always been a big interest of mine. She said she didn’t think I was autistic because ‚autistic people have no interest in other people and can’t understand their thoughts and feelings‘. I started describing some of my sensory sensitivities. She said ‚Ok, so you THINK you’re autistic‘ and suggested we do some CBT to help me not feel very uncomfortable when I’m feeling very uncomfortable.
I spent almost 200 dollars on that nonsense and didn’t receive an apology or even a reply after sending them a very long email afterwards.
$200 sucks but at least you got out quickly! Wish I had know what signs to look for!
I guess that’s true ☺️
I deconstructed from Mormonism at the same time I started learning about my autism. Learning about how my brain works opened my eyes to the mental gymnastics I was doing on the daily. It was EXHAUSTING and I felt like complete garbage because I could never check all the boxes I was supposed to. It's validating to hear your experiences, and I'm excited to hear more!
Fantastic episode! I have a similar cultish background, Angela, so it’s fantastic to hear fellow autistics speak to the specific intersection between cults and autism. I was primed and ready for (the grueling but liberating) cult de-conditioning and deconstruction at the onset of the pandemic.
Looking forward your mini-series!
Great episode! My late father was a Scientologist from right after he moved out in the late 1970s until his death two years ago. (What you called "the path" is called the Bridge.) Scientology has positive and practical aspects. I occasionally find myself slipping into the jargon (I've never been a member but was exposed to much of the culture). I can understand how he got hooked. Unfortunately, it is hard to leave. He joined the group that requires a billion or trillion-year contract (the Sea Org), so if he's right about things, he'll find them in his next life too. I'm pretty sure my dad was ADHD; he probably wasn't autistic, but I'm sure I met autistic Scientologists.
Oh, and that Time-Life Enchanted World series rocked!
Right! The Bridge!! I knew that! thanks for the reminder.
This episode was sooooo good! Looking forward to more episodes related to this topic next season.
Glad you liked it! Isn't Jude amazing! I can't wait to have her back for season 4. We are plotting a whole mini-series on cults!
Yes!!! Can't wait!