This week is all about adult autistic meltdowns on the Aces Up Your Sleeve podcast. We discuss our personal experiences with meltdowns, the differences between autistic and Borderline meltdowns, and the importance of understanding your own unique sensory triggers. We talk about the need for community support, coping strategies, and the significance of meeting basic needs to help manage overwhelming situations. We also dispel some misconceptions about meltdowns and highlight the importance of finding the right therapeutic support- it is out there!

This week on Aces Up Your Sleeve, we’re joined by guest Patrick Casale, LMHC, to discuss neurodivergent entrepreneurship! If you’re autistic and struggling at work, AuDHD with a million ideas and interests but aren’t sure how to start, or neurodivergent and needing a change in your career, this episode is for you. We touch on burnout, juggling friendships, the struggle of finishing a project, and more! We’re highlighting lived experience and giving real ideas to help you navigate these tricky topics.

On Hit Me Again, our exclusive paid bonus content with our guest Patrick Casale, LMHC, we answer whether or not autism plays a role in running your own business. We’re talking more about burnout, communication, and the importance of community! Find that in the "Hit Me Again" collection here on Patreon.

If you're feeling helpless or hopeless right now, you're not alone- and there are things we can do (as ADHDers and autistic folks) to help make movement and change! We're answering questions this week about advocacy, activism, and volunteering in our communities. We discuss different roles we can play based on our strengths and weaknesses, ways to find places to volunteer, and the differences between visibility and change-making. Listen in for some fresh insight and check the show notes for resources!

How do autistic and ADHD people make romantic Valentine’s Day plans? We’re covering that on this week’s episode of Aces Up Your Sleeve! Whether you’re throwing a party with friends or trying to take your partner out on a date, we’re giving our ideas on how to make it an unforgettable time. Is it the thought that counts or should you snag inspiration from movies?

Are you worried you might hurt your partner’s feelings if you were to come out as ace, demi, or on the asexuality-spectrum in general? We’re covering that on this week’s episode of the Aces Up Your Sleeve podcast! We explore ways to express yourself to your partner(s) and give a strong reminder that your identity exploration is ultimately not about your partner's worth- it's about understanding your own desires and yourself. If you’re feeling ready to have that conversation, come listen!

Need to brush up on your Neurodivergent Flirting Skills? Flirting can feel like a complex game with no clear rules, especially in the context of modern dating. In the latest episode of the Aces Up Your Sleeve podcast, we explore the nuances of flirting, how to recognize when someone is interested, the challenges of interpreting intentions, and how to approach flirting in a more effective way for autistic folks! You’re right at home if you feel like you’re playing a game that’s outside of your control. Join us to hear what to do about that.

Whether you’re a millennial or not, you may be wondering why so many millennials are suddenly realizing they’re autistic! We attempt to answer that, as well as provide insight about autistic millennials in general and what similarities we have (if any.) Is it a Tiktok Diagnosis, a trend, or deep self-realizations?

We discussed being autistic at work in this episode! How do you move up the corporate ladder? Should you even try? What makes a good supervisor? We share our tips and tricks for supervising people, carving out roles that work with your strengths, and more! If you’ve ever wondered how autistic people supervise or manage, this episode will answer those questions.

We’re letting you in on a little known secret: Where to find autistic therapists and community! It shouldn’t be a secret but it’s tough to know where to look to find others like yourself- and us. We discuss the importance of community, tips to getting closer to other autistic therapists, and how to start a community space if you feel up to it.

For Episode 12, we're joined by B Lourenco, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, to discuss the complexities of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and its impact on parenting and relationships. We explored the nuances of PDA, the challenges faced by parents of PDA children, communication and collaboration strategies, and the importance of repair in relationships. B shares insights from her personal and professional experiences, emphasizing the need for understanding, autonomy, and playful communication in navigating the unique dynamics of PDA!

Just in time for a couple of holidays, we’re talking all about being autistic and giving & receiving gifts! If you’re someone who struggles with giving the “right” reaction to presents or with knowing what gifts to get people, you’ll find some helpful tips and tricks on this episode. We’re also giving you some ideas for how to create new traditions, accommodate yourself, and set boundaries around holidays and gift exchanges. 

We've been asked to talk about how to prepare (emotionally) for an autism assessment and the results, so we're giving you our favorite tips. We also cover how to prepare yourself for potential second opinions and how to secure an affirming evaluator in the first place. If you've ever wondered if it's worth it to get diagnosed, this episode (and our Patreon bonus content) are for you!

Are you ready to talk about demisexuality? We’re helping listeners explore whether or not they may be autistic, demisexual and/or kinky! We debunk the “pillar” of a romantic relationship, talk about the impacts of autistic masking on desire and connection, and explore other ways to connect intimately with people to get your needs met. If you’ve been wondering how to reconcile being on the asexuality spectrum AND being kinky, this is the episode for you!

Join Sabrina, Kade, and our guest Olivia Belknap, AMFT, as we discuss autistic medical challenges, medical self-advocacy, and more! Many of us are more sensitive to meds, need support conveying what we mean to providers, struggle with providers who think we’re malingering or exaggerating our experiences, and could use extra tips in navigating complex medical systems. We’re sharing our tips and tricks, as well as validating that it’s not always an “us problem”! Long COVID, autonomic struggles, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, and other common health challenges for autistic people are discussed.

In the 7th episode of the Aces Up Your Sleeve podcast, we discuss the complexities of Family Meal Time, especially for folks with dietary restrictions and sensory needs. We’re highlighting the importance of self-advocacy, communication, and setting boundaries to navigate family dynamics during the holidays. The conversation also touches on coping strategies for dealing with uncomfortable comments from family members and the significance of prioritizing mental health over traditional expectations. We cover this for both teens and adults. Join us to hear all of our tips, tricks, and ideas to navigate holiday meals with family!

Our fifth episode is all about navigating Competing Sensory Needs! Neurodivergent sensory needs are real and valid - so how do we support each other when ours all differ? We’ll be sharing about the importance of compromise, strategic communication, and understanding sensory needs. We go further than just different sensory needs and talk about varied “love languages” and communication needs too, providing ideas for communication techniques to support each other. Whether it’s family, friends, a partner, or an extracurricular group, we’ve got you covered!

Our fifth episode is all about navigating Competing Sensory Needs! Neurodivergent sensory needs are real and valid - so how do we support each other when ours all differ? We’ll be sharing about the importance of compromise, strategic communication, and understanding sensory needs. We go further than just different sensory needs and talk about varied “love languages” and communication needs too, providing ideas for communication techniques to support each other. Whether it’s family, friends, a partner, or an extracurricular group, we’ve got you covered!

We cover what autistic teens and kids can do to respond to bullying, how we handle insults, what you can do as a therapist or parent/guardian, and more! Autistic folks often get bullied and it’s hard to know how to fight back- but we need to know we’re not alone. We talk about the power of community and how to cope. 

Am I Asexual or Autistic? We’re answering some questions about how to know if you’re “asexual or just autistic” - and the answers might surprise you! We give tips on how to explore your sexuality and we normalize different ways to be sexual and engage with others. (Check out our next post here on Patreon to hear more about our journeys to figuring out we’re on the asexuality spectrum!)

Coping with Seasonal Transitions! We’re answering how we get through Fall, what we’re looking forward to, and how to navigate socializing as the weather changes. (Special attention is given to autistic sensory needs, of course.) You'll hear about disability accommodations, the disgusting reason public pools have fees, and what to do if you're trapped indoors due to weather!