Episode 7 – Autism at the Holidays with Kristy Forbes and Kristen Finch (David’s Wife!)
Listen to the Podcast!Overview
The holidays can be such a fun and spiritual time of year for a lot of us, but there are also challenges, especially if you or a family member is autistic. We hear from two guests with interesting perspectives on how to enjoy family time at the holidays in a neurodiverse family. Kristy Forbes joins us from Australia, and Dave’s wife Kristen spills the tea on their own family’s strategies for enjoying the holidays together. And, hear a special performance from our autistic friend, Conner.
Episode Breakdown
For many years, it was expected autistic individuals learn to conform to neurotypical ways of living, neurotypical social conventions of behavior, and so forth. Kristy Forbes advocates for creating and living in a culture based on the autistic lived experience. What is your experience and opinion about the need to be sensitive to the autistic experience, and the need for autistic individuals to conform to neurotypical ways of living?
Kristy Forbes talks about her sensitivity to other people, and her children’s sensitivity. Her comments challenge myths about autistic people being obliviousness to others. Have you had any experiences with family members, students or clients that align with her observations? If so, how has this changed your way of living with or working with these individuals?
Given all the changes and challenges around holidays, what adjustments and supports do you provide for family members and/or students and clients (if you are a service provider) to insure that holidays will be an enjoyable experience. How does this vary for autistic individuals in your life vs. neurotypical people.
About the Speakers
Kristy Forbes
Kristy Forbes is an Australian based autism and neurodiversity support specialist with experience working with clients from all over the world. Her work is informed by her extensive professional experience as an educator and lived experience. Kristy is autistic, and diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).
She is a Mother to four autistic children, ranging from 5 years to 21 years, all with varying autistic expression including non speaking and PDA, and Kristy is married to an autistic man.
“Being identified autistic at 33 allowed me to come home to myself. It was the catalyst for self love, self compassion and the ability to soften into who I was always supposed to be, and my life purpose.
Music has always been a huge part of my life. I began playing piano at five years and was playing in hotels and restaurants at fourteen. I can physically feel parts of my brain come to life when particular notes are played and being synaesthetic, each note is accompanied by a particular sensation, colour, place and time. Hearing and/or playing piano for me is like jumping into a time machine.”
Kristen Finch
Kristen Finch is a mindset coach who works with women and men who want to feel better, calmer, more present, happier, and healthier. She is the creator and host of the popular mindset podcast, “Show Up and Love!” and hosts yearly retreats centered on helping women find and flex their power. Learn more about Kristen’s work at kristenfinch.com.
Show Notes
Simple ideas to reduce stress this holiday season.
The holidays can be such a fun and spiritual time of year for a lot of us, but there are also challenges, especially if you or a family member is autistic. We hear from two guests with interesting perspectives on how to enjoy family time at the holidays in a neurodiverse family. Kristy Forbes joins us from Australia, and Dave’s wife Kristen spills the tea on their own family’s strategies for enjoying the holidays together. And, hear a special performance from our autistic friend, Conner.
For more of Kristy’s work:
https://www.kristyforbes.com.au/intunefamilies
https://www.kristyforbes.com.au/itas
https://www.kristyforbes.com.au/store
https://www.kristyforbes.com.au/blog
Follow Kristy:
About the Uniquely Human Podcast
Hosted by autism scholar and author of Uniquely Human, Dr. Barry Prizant, and autistic humorist and author Dave Finch (The Journal of Best Practices), Uniquely Human: The Podcast expands the conversation on autism and neurodiversity by amplifying the voices of autistic individuals and thought leaders in providing insightful, cutting-edge and practical information about the autistic experience.
@uniquelyhumanpodcast (Instagram)
@uniquelypodcast (Twitter)
