If all behavior is communication for an autistic person, could some of that behavior actually be a response to trauma? Chelsea welcomes guest Becky Aten, who identifies as neurodivergent and neuroqueer, is late-diagnosed ADHD and autistic, and also lives with diagnoses of Complex PTSD, anxiety, and depression. They walk listeners through what trauma is (and isn’t), how we as parents and caregivers might be contributing to trauma, and what we can do to support our autistic loved ones going forward.
Becky wears many hats in their work as a human resources professional, neurodivergent yoga facilitator, community-builder, and neurodiversity advocate. With over two decades of experience working for mental health recovery programs serving the neurodivergent community, Becky is passionate about cultivating welcoming, mindful, trauma-aware, and affirming spaces for community care that honor each individual’s experiences and intersecting identities. In their free time, Becky also enjoys hiking in the forest, petting moss, reading science and sci-fi books, and tabletop gaming.
Check out the chapter markers / video version to appreciate some of Becky and Chelsea’s moss photo swaps!
The following terms and resources, in order of their mention in the podcast, might evoke some curiosity:
Check out these other content creators: Kelly Mahler, NeuroWild
Podcast includes an introduction for episodes 6 and following at the beginning. Transition music, "Taking a Vocation", by Noey Budde.
Closing narration for episodes 6 and following.
