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Content warning: There is a discussion of suicide and self-harm during this episode. It is important and contextualised but this is a content warning nonetheless.

If you are struggling, there is help available. In the UK, you can call Samaritans free on 116 123, You can also email jo@samaritans.org. If phone calls aren't accessible for you, text SHOUT to 85258.

In the US, call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. They also have a web chat. And there's the Crisis Text Line - text HELLO to 741741.

Elsewhere, the International Association for Suicide Prevention has a directory of crisis centres worldwide www.iasp.info

Papers used in preparation of this episode include:

• Link to Roper et al. 2025 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13229-025-00693-x
• Link to Chikaura et al. 2025 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aur.70137
• Link to 2023 meta-analysis: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13229-023-00544-7
• Link to DBT RCT: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/effectiveness-and-safety-of-dialectical-behavior-therapy-for-suicidal-ideation-and-behavior-in-autistic-adults-a-pragmatic-randomized-controlled-trial/4464CA3C0D3DDEF5F3A4BD45415B9B50
• Link to AASP download: https://research.ncl.ac.uk/neurodisability/leafletsandmeasures/autismadaptedsafetyplans/
• Link to UK Suicide Prevention Strategy: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/suicide-prevention-strategy-for-england-2023-to-2028
• Link to JAMA paper on autism/TGNC intersection: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2824667
• Autistic identity systematic review: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38334318/
• Interpersonal Theory in autism: https://molecularautism.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13229-022-00495-5
• Camouflaging and suicide: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31820344/
• 988 autism resources: https://988lifeline.org/help-yourself/if-youre-neurodivergent/
• Autistica suicide page: https://www.autistica.org.uk/what-is-autism/suicide-and-autism
• Trevor Project autism brief: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/research-briefs/mental-health-among-autistic-lgbtq-youth-apr-2022/
• Warning signs resource (988): https://988lifeline.org/wp-content/upl

As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you so look for our contact details in your podcast app or via our website.

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Sigh. Ok, paracetamol DOES NOT cause autism. Here is why it's dangerous to say so.

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38592388/
• https://pharmasource.global/content/policy-briefing/trump-administration-draws-autism-acetaminophen-link-despite-scientific-skepticism/
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx20d4lr67lo
• https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/trump-expected-link-autism-with-tylenol-experts-say-more-research-needed-2025-09-22/
• https://www.bmj.com/content/390/bmj.r2004
• https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2025/09/24/the-tylenol-paracetamol-autism-scare-poses-a-grave-challenge-for-science-communicators/
• https://abcnews.go.com/Health/sick-stomach-trump-distorts-facts-autism-tylenol-vaccines/story?id=125852331
• https://www.statnews.com/2025/09/23/researcher-behind-trump-tylenol-autism-expert-testimony-tossed/
• https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-02876-1
• 
  

As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you so look for our contact details in your podcast app or via our website.

Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone.

We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

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Simon got annoyed and took to the mic to talk about IQ testing. Health warning, it's not a great subject. IQ testing has been used to justify racism, classism and genocide. But we need to face up to this stuff to make sure it is left in the dustbin of history.

As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you so look for our contact details in your podcast app or via our website.

Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone.

We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

Send us a text

What happens when a psychologist tries to do philosophy? Usually nothing good. Happily, we have a philosopher on hand to explain why this is not a good idea. Join Simon as Alexander dives in Simon Baron-Cohen's book "Zero Degrees of Empathy" and explains that, actually, autistic people can be empathetic.

As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you so look for our contact details in your podcast app or via our website.

Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone.

We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

Send us a text

Simon has been reading again, this time a paper on autistic and non-autistic rapport: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/13623613251320444

Simon also makes reference to another paper https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13623613241252320 Do check them both out.

More episodes soon and with more than just Simon rambling into a microphone in some sort of avant-garde expressionist *a single shot rings out*

As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you so look for our contact details in your podcast app or via our website.

Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone.

We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

Send us a text

Join Simon, returning champion Georgia and guest Susie as Georgia tells us all about doing FoI requests for every NHS trust in England and the astonishing results she found about autism and support.

Links:

Not A Priority report: https://www.autistica.org.uk/blog/not-a-priority

Guardian coverage: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/oct/27/positive-assessment-rates-for-autism-vary-widely-between-parts-of-england

Most recent NHS England autism statistics: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/autism-statistics/january-2024-to-december-2024

Live ND: https://www.brunel.ac.uk/research/projects/livend-live-music-inclusion-at-venues-and-events-for-neurodivergent-people

My blog on the Live ND launch event: https://www.autistica.org.uk/blog/live-from-livend

LSE report on economic case for prioritising autism: https://www.lse.ac.uk/News/Latest-news-from-LSE/2025/a-January-25/investment-in-services-for-autistic-individuals-will-create-economic-social-opportunities-UK

Follow Georgia @mindtheflap on socials and Susie @puddleuddle as well.
Do not perceive Simon, it's probably for the best.

As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you so look for our contact details in your podcast app or via our website.

Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone.

We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

Send us a text

A mere two weeks late... Look, I got distracted ok?

Anyway, Simon is joined once again by Filip and Sam and we take a *very* ADHD ramble through new years resolutions, how to complete a project, domestic bliss and gamifying your own life (Horse armour DLC extra).

For more Filip find him on BSky at @ftw.bsky.social and Simon can be found at @simon.insanity.tube We have yet to tempt Sam over to the butterflies.

As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you so look for our contact details in your podcast app or via our website.

Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone.

We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

Send us a text

Join Simon, Filip and Georgia as we consider Christmas, a quick discussion of where it came from and the modern experience for neurodivergent people. The answer is lists, quiet spaces, lists, think about the food, lists and of course lists. Oh and the Roman Empire.

Find more Georgia and Filip here:
Filip on BSky https://bsky.app/profile/ftw.bsky.social
"Filip Wieland" artist profile on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5YSDEDMFMVaSTfFHdTzxCB?si=3UjhDN_4SXWm5IEkU922Pw
Cruising through Doom's Day: https://cruisingthroughdoomsday.podbean.com/
Georgia on BSky https://bsky.app/profile/mindtheflap.bsky.social
Galactic Yo-yo: https://soundcloud.com/user-86410751/doctorautistic

Finally, the excellent Autistica report on autism waiting times: https://www.autistica.org.uk/blog/not-a-priority Give it a read, we will probably do an episode on it soon.

As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you so look for our contact details in your podcast app or via our website.

Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone.

We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.