Show Notes
Yellow Ladybugs Pop Up Podcast Series: Episode 1
Recognising and responding to sexual violence for families and carers of autistic girls, teens, and gender diverse youth
Welcome to the Yellow Ladybugs Pop Up Podcast Series, where we bring you two key topics our community have been asking us for. We are proud to present this first episode in this series—a peer led discussion for families and carers of autistic girls, teens, and gender diverse youth on recognising and responding to sexual violence. This episode has been made possible through funding from the Information Linkages and Capacity Building Grant. In this important discussion, which draws on real lived experiences, you will hear from three expert panelists: First is Stephanie Robertson, an autistic occupational therapist who explains why building body awareness and interoceptive understanding is foundational to safety and empowerment for our autistic young people. Second is Detective Leading Senior Constable Teresa O’Sullivan - a specialist in sexual offences and parent to an autistic child - she shares practical strategies on identifying grooming behaviours, supporting disclosures, and navigating both in person and online risks. And finally, Emma Jacques, a neurodivergent parent of autistic teens. She shares her no nonsense, real life advice on enthusiastic consent, boundary setting, cyber safety, and building a supportive network. The panel is hosted by Katie Koullas, CEO of Yellow Ladybugs, autistic/ADHD woman and parent to neurodivergent teen girls – who has a strong advocacy track record and deep passion around this topic. So what does this episode cover? - We provide clear insights into why autistic young people are statistically at greater risk of sexual abuse and violence, and discussion about how we can change these statistics
- We share practical tools: how to teach body safety, name private body parts precisely, reinforce that “no is valid”, and role play boundaries around consent.
- We give advice on how to support autistic young people in identifying their internal sensations (their interoceptive awareness) so they trust their own cues rather than rely on external validation.
- We look at techniques for handling online risks—from inappropriate requests through to doxing—and for establishing trusted, safe people and networks.
- We explore a gentle yet powerful script for responding to disclosures: “I believe you. You are not at fault. We will get through this together.”
- We also cover support strategies for carers including grounding exercises, self regulation methods, and discussion around how our reactions can shape outcomes more than the event itself. Please note that this episode directly addresses sensitive and potentially triggering topics including sexual abuse and grooming. If you need to pause or step away at any point, that is perfectly okay. You can review the attached resource which includes helplines and more information. https://yellowladybugs.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/YellowLadybugs/EQSmEwHrrSZAjVQQlUPuih8BqB8NaKL0q__mu0pcCInvnA?e=QzlhYk
More from The Yellow Ladybugs Podcast
This episode is a collaboration between School Can't Australia and Yellow Ladybugs made possible through funding from the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Grant. This is the second of two special episodes with Yellow Ladybugs, who are dedicated to the happiness, success, and celebration of autistic girls, women, and gender diverse folk. Leisa is joined again by founder Katie Koullas and Natasha Staheli. In the first episode of this series, they talked about distress that is channelled outwards. This time, the conversation turns to distress that is channelled inwards: self-harm and suicidal ideation in our young people, and what it is like to parent through it. Content warning: This episode contains detailed discussion of parenting young people who are self-harming and experiencing suicidal ideation. Please take care of yourself as you listen. Hit pause whenever you need to, and come back when you're ready. If you or your young person are not safe right now, please call Triple Zero (000) for assistance. If you are feeling overwhelmed or distressed, please reach out to Lifeline: call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14, or chat online at lifeline.org.au. This is a conversation that almost never happens in public. Katie, Natasha, and Leisa talk about why families carry this so privately, why autistic and high-masking young people are especially vulnerable, particularly in the early teen years, and why well-meant reassurance and problem-solving can land as not being heard. They explore what it means to respond rather than react, starting with "I believe you". They cover safety planning, protective factors such as peer connection, a safe place to unmask, and access to joy, and the difference between an acute crisis and the chronic, long-running experience that many families quietly live with. They also talk honestly about how hard it is to judge when hospital is the right call, and about the hypervigilance, guilt, and exhaustion that parents carry along the way. There is no fix-it list in this episode, and no perfect response. What there is: three parents speaking plainly about a reality many families are living, and the reminder that many young people do come through this and look back grateful for the adults who stayed alongside them. Nothing in this conversation replaces professional advice about your own child's safety. If you are worried about immediate risk, please seek help straight away. You are not alone.
Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of physical and verbal aggression directed at parents and caregivers by young people in acute distress, including descriptions of property damage, physical assault, and extreme verbal behaviour. Please take care of yourself as you listen. Hit pause whenever you need. Come back, when you're ready.
Welcome to Part 3 of the Yellow Ladybugs Workplace Resource Podcast series. We have released a five-part peer-led work resource for autistic and AuDHD people. This episode is based on Part 5 of the resource.
Welcome to Part 2 of the Yellow Ladybugs Workplace Resource Podcast series. We have released a five-part peer-led work resource for autistic and AuDHD people. This episode is based on Part 3 and Part 4 of the resource.
Welcome to Part 1 of the Yellow Ladybugs Workplace Resource Podcast series. We have released a five-part peer-led work resource for autistic and AuDHD people. This episode is based on Part 1 and Part 2 of the resource.