Listen now | In this episode, Matt and Angela dive into the harmful policies targeting neurodivergent and disabled communities, exploring how these actions reflect broader societal biases and dehumanization.
We recently had an election here in Germany and things are not good.
Combined with what's happening over there in America, it makes me feel very unsafe and scared for my community and the people in my life, that don't fit the narrative of what's acceptable for human beings according to people like AFD or Trump voters.
I am not sleeping well. my head has difficulties to shut up.
on another note, I tried to join your premium section, but I can't because I don't own a credit card. Is there a way to adjust it so there's an option for Paypal?
I'm still in the middle of this episode, and I'll come back with more comments after I'm done - but something I wanted to mention about the Muskrat's obsession with "X" is that the ASCII code for upper-case X is "88". And for a long time now, 88 has been known as a code used by neo-Nazis and White supremacist groups, like the Aryan Brotherhood, to signify "Heil Hitler" - because H is the eighth letter of the alphabet. The Anti-Defamation League has a listing of commonly used hate symbols, and while X isn't listed there as a single letter, 88 is - and it's commonly seen as a tattoo on members of many groups.
The ‘Make America Healthy Again’ initiative is just eugenics with a fresh coat of paint. Segregating autistic and disabled people into so-called ‘wellness farms’ isn’t about health—it’s about control. When you strip people of resources, then offer forced ‘alternatives,’ that’s not help, that’s coercion. This is the same pattern we’ve seen throughout history, from Nazi Germany to every system that treats marginalized people as disposable. We need to call it what it is and fight back before it’s too late. What can we do? I am 61 and have no savings or retirement, and no living family. What can I do but stay home scared in Texas, of all states? I have no car, and only one friend in the entire state. I don’t know where to go or who to call now if I need help. Any suggestions I need some guidance here Matt and Angela.
So, uh, lemme just sidle around that first comment for a topic shift… hi, I’m new here and I’m confused. Started listening because I’m a knitter who follows Hunter Hammersen, then went back and started listening from Episode 1 (as is, I now understand, the way). I watched the video of your MtG episode, and was going to switch over to watching videos while knitting instead of listening to podcasts while cooking.
tl;dr can anyone point me to the season three videos? Are they a paid subscriber perk? I wouldn’t be shocked if video editing means they’re a lot slower to publish than audio, except Angela sometimes narrates visuals for those of us who aren’t watching on video, which implies watching is an option. I would especially like to see your lovely and expressive faces during this episode about our current hellscape. 🙃
"Neurotypical people don’t have an inner monologue.
Neurotypical people are not pattern-followers. Neurotypical people trust the people above them socially to do what is in their best interest." Matt
Three assertions that are just plain wrong. If a neurotypical person made such a wide sweeping and generalised statement about the neurodivergent community I am certain you would be appalled and move quickly to correctly refute such ignorance and prejudice.
As a neurotypical person I wouldn't dare to make wide sweeping generalisations about the neurodivergent community. I fully understand and appreciate that just like the neurotypical community, the neurodivergent community is equally diverse. It does nobody any good to throw around baseless and poorly defined descriptions of "the others".
I am neurotypical and I can assure you I have an inner monologue, I adhere to strict routines and patterns in my daily life and I rarely trust anyone in leadership/power.
Neurodivergent individuals understandably find it challenging to live in a neurotypical world - the social cues, the hidden rules, social norms etc etc BUT at the same time it appears Matt and you are claiming to understand Neurotypical people better than we understand ourselves. I'm struggling to put these two points together.
Please understand that I believe we are all equal and that we all have a an equal right to a happy and productive life that we decide the parameters of. I also believe that space needs to be there to communicate ideas and feelings between communities. I felt that Matts comment didn't allow for that and in fact closes down discussion.
What you want here is like saying " I don't see (skin) colour" as a white person or "not all men" as a man in a privileged position.
Yes it's not all men, yes there are allies and yes there's variation even within one neurotype, but this is not what it is about.
You come into the space of a minority as part of a majority (which doesn't mean you can't be a minority in other aspects) and you make it about you, you're feelings.
You are not the addressee for this.
Of course you are more that welcome to listen to it.
But this isn't a podcast /about/ you.
This isn't about how neurotypicals think or feel on the inside and if they personally fit the overall pattern of neurotypical behaviour.
This is how many autistic people interpret neurotypical must think and feel as a conclusion from seeing them act and interacting with them and what that does to the living conditions of autistic people.
Neurotypicals are the side characters in the stories and topics told in this podcast, because it's meant to highlight and elevate autistic characters and their experiences.
If you look at side characters in movies over books they are also off far less nuanced than the main characters, because the story is not about them. Because it would distract from the story and the message.
You can still enjoy them in story and they can play an important but they are not the main characters.
This is how many autistic people interpret neurotypical must think and feel as a conclusion from seeing them act and interacting with them and what that does to the living conditions of autistic people.
The biased point of view is by design.
Neurotypicals are the side characters in the stories and topics told in this podcast, because it's meant to highlight and elevate autistic characters/people and their experiences.
If you look at side characters in movies or books they are also often far less nuanced than the main characters, because the story is not about them. Because it would distract from the story and the message.
You can still enjoy them in story and they can play an important role but they are not the main characters.
Fair enough and very well explained. I accept your reasoning. I came to this podcast as a neurodiverse relative wanted me to listen to it. I'm trying my best to understand this world better.
I didn't mean to sound rude or like your not very welcome to listen and interact.
Just... It's good to keep in mind that, the way I see it, the podcast talks about things from an autistic perspective, which is not necessarily complete unbiased or objective. 🙂
Doesn't mean it's not a good thing to listen to especially if you're relative said this might help you understand how they might experience things.
it felt odd to hear Matt say that he "had to" use the optional autism severity specifiers when diagnosing, then explain how pointless they are. The DSM has made it clear (at least since autism was unified in DSM-5), that specifiers are optional- that they "provide an opportunity" to cluster folks with similar traits and treatment needs. In contrast to the subtype language ("specify whether...") that indicates one /should/ be given, the specifiers ("specify..." or "specify if..."), it's clear that these are optional additions to add clarity, when desired. If one doesn't feel that they "have to" typically diagnose depression as "moderate major depressive disorder without psychotic features, in partial remission, with anxious distress," then likewise, it is clear that the DSM doesn't require one to use severity levels on the autism diagnosis- the language indicating to use these additional phrases is identical ("specify..."). Like Matt, I also have a conversation with my clients when they receive a diagnosis-- the focus of my conversation is also to explain that the levels change from setting to setting, AND that assigning a label by default is a neurotypical convention that isn't useful in an affirming setting. In the last two years, I think I've had less than 5 clients request the level after we had this discussion.
It also felt odd to hear that in some states, master's level clinicians can give an informal diagnosis- without the critical clarification that in other states, master's level clinicians, like myself- an autistic PMHNP- are able to provide a comprehensive evaluation and full diagnosis. This leaves the uninformed listener to assume that there are no locations in the USA where master's level providers can give a formal diagnosis.
I love the podcast, and even this episode was good, but these glaring things caught me the wrong way- it felt like touching microfiber- and i couldn't let it go.
I’ve been listening to the Make America Neurotypical Again podcast, and I can’t express how grateful I am to Angela and Matt for their honesty and commitment to amplifying the voices of our community. It’s been hard lately, feeling like history is repeating itself and fearing the direction we’re heading in—especially with the rise of harmful ideologies that target people like me and so many others. The anxiety and helplessness I feel about what’s happening in the world today sometimes overwhelms me. But hearing the candid conversations on this podcast reminds me that there are others who understand, who see the patterns and are speaking up. Thank you for not just acknowledging the struggles we face, but for providing a platform to educate and raise awareness. Your work is so important, and I truly appreciate you both for doing this. We need more voices like yours to help protect the dignity and rights of neurodivergent people in these times. I don't make a living wage ( go figure) but I have became a paid subscriber now.
This was hard to listen to.
We recently had an election here in Germany and things are not good.
Combined with what's happening over there in America, it makes me feel very unsafe and scared for my community and the people in my life, that don't fit the narrative of what's acceptable for human beings according to people like AFD or Trump voters.
I am not sleeping well. my head has difficulties to shut up.
on another note, I tried to join your premium section, but I can't because I don't own a credit card. Is there a way to adjust it so there's an option for Paypal?
I'm still in the middle of this episode, and I'll come back with more comments after I'm done - but something I wanted to mention about the Muskrat's obsession with "X" is that the ASCII code for upper-case X is "88". And for a long time now, 88 has been known as a code used by neo-Nazis and White supremacist groups, like the Aryan Brotherhood, to signify "Heil Hitler" - because H is the eighth letter of the alphabet. The Anti-Defamation League has a listing of commonly used hate symbols, and while X isn't listed there as a single letter, 88 is - and it's commonly seen as a tattoo on members of many groups.
The ‘Make America Healthy Again’ initiative is just eugenics with a fresh coat of paint. Segregating autistic and disabled people into so-called ‘wellness farms’ isn’t about health—it’s about control. When you strip people of resources, then offer forced ‘alternatives,’ that’s not help, that’s coercion. This is the same pattern we’ve seen throughout history, from Nazi Germany to every system that treats marginalized people as disposable. We need to call it what it is and fight back before it’s too late. What can we do? I am 61 and have no savings or retirement, and no living family. What can I do but stay home scared in Texas, of all states? I have no car, and only one friend in the entire state. I don’t know where to go or who to call now if I need help. Any suggestions I need some guidance here Matt and Angela.
So, uh, lemme just sidle around that first comment for a topic shift… hi, I’m new here and I’m confused. Started listening because I’m a knitter who follows Hunter Hammersen, then went back and started listening from Episode 1 (as is, I now understand, the way). I watched the video of your MtG episode, and was going to switch over to watching videos while knitting instead of listening to podcasts while cooking.
tl;dr can anyone point me to the season three videos? Are they a paid subscriber perk? I wouldn’t be shocked if video editing means they’re a lot slower to publish than audio, except Angela sometimes narrates visuals for those of us who aren’t watching on video, which implies watching is an option. I would especially like to see your lovely and expressive faces during this episode about our current hellscape. 🙃
"Neurotypical people don’t have an inner monologue.
Neurotypical people are not pattern-followers. Neurotypical people trust the people above them socially to do what is in their best interest." Matt
Three assertions that are just plain wrong. If a neurotypical person made such a wide sweeping and generalised statement about the neurodivergent community I am certain you would be appalled and move quickly to correctly refute such ignorance and prejudice.
But it's true
And you are basing this on what research?
As a neurotypical person I wouldn't dare to make wide sweeping generalisations about the neurodivergent community. I fully understand and appreciate that just like the neurotypical community, the neurodivergent community is equally diverse. It does nobody any good to throw around baseless and poorly defined descriptions of "the others".
I am neurotypical and I can assure you I have an inner monologue, I adhere to strict routines and patterns in my daily life and I rarely trust anyone in leadership/power.
Neurodivergent individuals understandably find it challenging to live in a neurotypical world - the social cues, the hidden rules, social norms etc etc BUT at the same time it appears Matt and you are claiming to understand Neurotypical people better than we understand ourselves. I'm struggling to put these two points together.
Please understand that I believe we are all equal and that we all have a an equal right to a happy and productive life that we decide the parameters of. I also believe that space needs to be there to communicate ideas and feelings between communities. I felt that Matts comment didn't allow for that and in fact closes down discussion.
You've got to think of context here.
This podcast is a space of a minority of people.
What you want here is like saying " I don't see (skin) colour" as a white person or "not all men" as a man in a privileged position.
Yes it's not all men, yes there are allies and yes there's variation even within one neurotype, but this is not what it is about.
You come into the space of a minority as part of a majority (which doesn't mean you can't be a minority in other aspects) and you make it about you, you're feelings.
You are not the addressee for this.
Of course you are more that welcome to listen to it.
But this isn't a podcast /about/ you.
This isn't about how neurotypicals think or feel on the inside and if they personally fit the overall pattern of neurotypical behaviour.
This is how many autistic people interpret neurotypical must think and feel as a conclusion from seeing them act and interacting with them and what that does to the living conditions of autistic people.
Neurotypicals are the side characters in the stories and topics told in this podcast, because it's meant to highlight and elevate autistic characters and their experiences.
If you look at side characters in movies over books they are also off far less nuanced than the main characters, because the story is not about them. Because it would distract from the story and the message.
You can still enjoy them in story and they can play an important but they are not the main characters.
This is how many autistic people interpret neurotypical must think and feel as a conclusion from seeing them act and interacting with them and what that does to the living conditions of autistic people.
The biased point of view is by design.
Neurotypicals are the side characters in the stories and topics told in this podcast, because it's meant to highlight and elevate autistic characters/people and their experiences.
If you look at side characters in movies or books they are also often far less nuanced than the main characters, because the story is not about them. Because it would distract from the story and the message.
You can still enjoy them in story and they can play an important role but they are not the main characters.
Fair enough and very well explained. I accept your reasoning. I came to this podcast as a neurodiverse relative wanted me to listen to it. I'm trying my best to understand this world better.
All the best.
I didn't mean to sound rude or like your not very welcome to listen and interact.
Just... It's good to keep in mind that, the way I see it, the podcast talks about things from an autistic perspective, which is not necessarily complete unbiased or objective. 🙂
Doesn't mean it's not a good thing to listen to especially if you're relative said this might help you understand how they might experience things.
You didn't have to say you are Neurotypical sir/ma'am I already know Have a blessed day 😅♾️
it felt odd to hear Matt say that he "had to" use the optional autism severity specifiers when diagnosing, then explain how pointless they are. The DSM has made it clear (at least since autism was unified in DSM-5), that specifiers are optional- that they "provide an opportunity" to cluster folks with similar traits and treatment needs. In contrast to the subtype language ("specify whether...") that indicates one /should/ be given, the specifiers ("specify..." or "specify if..."), it's clear that these are optional additions to add clarity, when desired. If one doesn't feel that they "have to" typically diagnose depression as "moderate major depressive disorder without psychotic features, in partial remission, with anxious distress," then likewise, it is clear that the DSM doesn't require one to use severity levels on the autism diagnosis- the language indicating to use these additional phrases is identical ("specify..."). Like Matt, I also have a conversation with my clients when they receive a diagnosis-- the focus of my conversation is also to explain that the levels change from setting to setting, AND that assigning a label by default is a neurotypical convention that isn't useful in an affirming setting. In the last two years, I think I've had less than 5 clients request the level after we had this discussion.
It also felt odd to hear that in some states, master's level clinicians can give an informal diagnosis- without the critical clarification that in other states, master's level clinicians, like myself- an autistic PMHNP- are able to provide a comprehensive evaluation and full diagnosis. This leaves the uninformed listener to assume that there are no locations in the USA where master's level providers can give a formal diagnosis.
I love the podcast, and even this episode was good, but these glaring things caught me the wrong way- it felt like touching microfiber- and i couldn't let it go.
I’ve been listening to the Make America Neurotypical Again podcast, and I can’t express how grateful I am to Angela and Matt for their honesty and commitment to amplifying the voices of our community. It’s been hard lately, feeling like history is repeating itself and fearing the direction we’re heading in—especially with the rise of harmful ideologies that target people like me and so many others. The anxiety and helplessness I feel about what’s happening in the world today sometimes overwhelms me. But hearing the candid conversations on this podcast reminds me that there are others who understand, who see the patterns and are speaking up. Thank you for not just acknowledging the struggles we face, but for providing a platform to educate and raise awareness. Your work is so important, and I truly appreciate you both for doing this. We need more voices like yours to help protect the dignity and rights of neurodivergent people in these times. I don't make a living wage ( go figure) but I have became a paid subscriber now.