Chris chats with 15-year-old Kincaid, a passionate theater kid and film making enthusiast. Kincaid reflects on his experience with autism—starting with his initial diagnosis, addressing misunderstandings, and discovering his love for performing arts and videography. With humor and insight, he discusses hyperfixations, the getting involved in inclusive communities, and his belief that a diagnosis should not define a person. This podcast is an uplifting reminder that the greatest role you can play is yourself.

Links:

Autism Learning Lab: https://www.autismlearninglab.com/

Email: chris@autismlearninglab.com

Quotes:

[9:43-9:45] Kincaid “If I want something, I will continue to work for that something endlessly.”

[12:01-12:06] Kincaid “I like to say that high functioning autism is both the best and worst type of autism to have.”

[15:20-15:28] Kincaid “Don't let the diagnosis define you, because as I said, I probably wouldn't have known that I had autism unless I was diagnosed.”

Chris welcomes Dr. Kristen Williamson—a “neuro-spicy” licensed professional counselor, behavior health consultant, and unapologetic champion for neurodivergent minds. Dr. Williamson shares her expertise alongside her personal journey of navigating life as a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD professional.

Chris and Kristen dive into how autism presents in women, the challenges of masking, and the unique experiences of motherhood as a neurodivergent parent. Kristen is relatable, insightful, and inspiring, offering practical strategies and heartfelt wisdom for anyone looking to better understand themselves or the neurodivergent people in their lives. Whether you’re a parent, professional, or neurodivergent individual yourself, this conversation is full of validation, humor, and empowering takeaways.

Links:
Autism Learning Lab: https://www.autismlearninglab.com/
Email: chris@autismlearninglab.com

Empowermind Solutions: https://www.empowermindsolutionsllc.com/

Quotes:
[2:22 - 2:27] Dr. Williamson “I fully believe we have the spice of life.”

[13:26-13:43] Dr. Williamson “We have had a lifetime of medical personnel, family personnel, teachers, like everyone's saying, ‘You're either too much, you're not enough, you're fine.' And then it's like we have this death by micro cuts.’”

[19:03-19:22] Dr. Williamson “I often times tell people my brain feels like a giant room filled with filing cabinets. Each of the things is just information that I have gathered and collected. Very little is organically brought up. It's all scripted in my brain.”

[21:41-21:46] Dr. Williamson “ ‘Trust your gut.’ I don’t trust anything in my gut — it doesn’t even tell me when I’m hungry.”

[32:13-32:36] Dr. Williamson “The hunter -gatherer mentality. The hunters were the ADHD brains. They would go out and spend all this time looking, and they don't need to eat. They don't sleep as much. They can just do this. And the gatherers are the autism brains. Look at this wheat. Let me collect. Let me organize this into beautiful little piles. And both are needed to have a fully functioning drive.”

Chris sits down with Dr. Sam Shay—a neurodiverse clinician, functional medicine expert, and stand-up comic—who brings over 25 years of experience to the table. Dr. Sam shares his groundbreaking Neuroharmony Model, designed to help
neurodiverse adults and families create balance in an often overwhelming world.
Together, they discuss the relationship between physiology and psychology, the importance of frameworks in personalized health plans, and practical strategies for burned-out parents, autistic adults, and anyone seeking better sleep, nutrition, and resilience. Dr. Sam offers both hope and a roadmap to real change.

Links:
Autism Learning Lab: https://www.autismlearninglab.com/
Email: chris@autismlearninglab.com

Dr. Sam Shay: https://drsamshay.com/

Quotes:
[4:12 - 4:20] Dr. Shay “If the parents are burnt out or unwell, then they can’t be of support to their child.”
[6:38 - 6:49] Dr. Shay “Functional medicine is the best of Western medicine lab diagnostics with the best of natural medicines, lifestyle, diet, nutrition, and interventions.”

[15:00 -15:10] Dr. Shay “I’m proud to call myself Asperger’s or an Aspie, because it was Asperger’s syndrome that brought the Nazis down. And I can prove it with three names: Oppenheimer, Einstein, and Turing.”

[21:39 - 21:47] Dr. Shay “The goal here is not perfection but to make a client feel that they are on track.”

[28:39 - 28:47]Dr. Shay “There’s no such thing as a panacea, but consistent, super high-quality sleep is a close second.”