In this episode of Autistic FM, host Haje Kamps welcomes Fergus Murray, a passionate advocate for neurodivergent awareness and understanding. With a rich background as an educator and private tutor for neurodivergent students, Fergus shares powerful insights into the unique experiences faced by those diagnosed with autism and ADHD, particularly through the lens of monotropism.
Together with Fergus, we explore the complex dynamics of neurodivergence, from the challenges of late diagnosis to the profound impacts of sensory sensitivities. The episode delves into how concepts like monotropism, where focus and attention funnel into intense interests, play a pivotal role in shaping daily experiences for autistic individuals. Fergus also sheds light on personal and professional hurdles, providing a clearer picture of what it's like to navigate a world not always attuned to neurodiverse needs.
Throughout the conversation, the emphasis is on understanding and allyship, inviting listeners to consider the broader implications of neurodivergence in society. Fergus speaks candidly about how being open about their autism diagnosis has shaped both their personal journey and their advocacy work, promoting a more nuanced appreciation for diverse cognitive profiles.
Topics covered in Episode 41
Monotropism and Autism: Exploring how focused interests impact cognitive processing and social interactions in autistic individuals.
Sensory Sensitivities and Overwhelm: Discussion on how sensory inputs are experienced differently and the coping mechanisms that can help mitigate stressors.
Navigating Neurodivergent Professional Life: Addressing challenges in the workplace, including the need for accommodations and understanding for neurodivergent employees.
About Fergus Murray
Fergus Murray is an autistic/ADHD writer, science tutor and community organiser. They co-founded AMASE (Autistic Mutual Aid Society Edinburgh) with their partner Sonny Hallett and others in 2017, and started Weird Pride Day (on the 4th of March) in 2021.
Fergus is especially interested in the role of flow states in autistic learning and wellbeing, and also in the flowing movement of water, which often occupies their attention completely. Fergus writes about neurodiversity, science and politics on their Medium page, and runs monotropism.org and weirdpride.day. Their personal site is oolong.co.uk.
Resources for this episode
Monotropism.org - A site dedicated to exploring and explaining monotropism
You can find Fergus’s work in the anthology “Someone Like Me: An Anthology of Non-Fiction by Autistic Writers,” edited by Clem Bastow and Jo Case
We also discussed Something About Us. A film about the rights and voice of autistic people by Dinah Murray and Jes Benstock.
Autism: Explaining the Enigma by Uta Frith presents autism as a cognitive disorder characterized by impairments in theory of mind, weak central coherence, and executive dysfunction.
Jim Sinclair is one of the foundational voices in the autism rights movement, best known for the powerful essay Don’t Mourn For Us, which helped shape the neurodiversity paradigm and popularized identity-first language.
Dr. Damian Milton’s theory of the double empathy problemflips the mainstream narrative that autistic people inherently lack empathy.
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s Flow Theory describes a mental state of deep focus and immersion where a person is fully engaged in a task, often losing track of time and external distractions.
Content warnings
This episode includes discussions on mental health diagnoses, sensory overload, and meltdowns. Additionally, challenges related to self-worth within personal and professional spheres are addressed. Please take care while listening.
