Show Notes
Could your special interests be doing more for your wellbeing than you realise? For autistic people, these interests can be much more than hobbies, potentially helping with emotional regulation, reducing stress and providing a sense of comfort.
In Part 3 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore the surprising benefits of autistic special interests and what the research tells us about their role in emotional wellbeing.
They also put common claims about ADHD and autism to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated. Does masking look different in autistic girls and women? Is ADHD masking the same as autistic masking? And how does recovery from ADHD burnout compare with autistic burnout?
Plus, why is there still so much we don't know about masking, and what questions are researchers trying to answer?
No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out.
We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.
Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.
Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from Figuring It Out
Autistic burnout is more than just feeling tired. It can involve overwhelming exhaustion, difficulty managing everyday tasks and a reduced tolerance to sensory input. But what causes it, and what can help?
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Can your mind change how much pain you feel? And why does chronic pain sometimes come and go, even when nothing else seems to have changed?
Most of us think pain is simple: you get hurt, a signal travels to your brain, and it hurts. But what happens when there’s no injury to see, and no one believes you?