The Neurodivergent Experience

Hot Topic: Neurodivergent Halloween Special – Finding Comfort in the Dark

Hosts: Jordan James (The Autistic Photographer) and Caris (filling in for Simon Scott)
Date: October 31, 2025

Episode Overview

In this Halloween special, Jordan and Caris dive into the neurodivergent fascination with horror, fear, and the macabre—exploring why so many autistic and ADHD people are drawn to scary stories, creepy collectibles, and themes of darkness. The conversation traverses personal anecdotes, special interests, and how horror offers both a rush of sensation and a unique sense of comfort or release for those who often feel like outsiders. Jordan also shares his deep connection to Stephen King’s It, breaking down why the Losers Club speaks to his neurodivergent experience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Thrill of Fear: The Neurodivergent Allure of Horror

• Seasonal Context:
  • Jordan and Caris celebrate "spooky season" (00:32–01:22), sharing excitement over horror movies, haunted attractions, and the general October vibe.
• Dopamine and Sensation-Seeking:
  • Both hosts explore how scary media provides a dopamine hit, satisfying a craving for intense emotions, pattern-matching, and curiosity.

    "There's something about that sort of like dopamine rush. Like, I actually feel like so alive, like when I'm watching horror films... even though it's not comfortable always, the rush that I get from it afterwards, I just really enjoy it."
    —Caris [03:49]

• Special Interest in the Macabre:
  • Caris describes being both fascinated and repulsed by horror icons and collectibles, recounting early experiences with scary toys and comics [04:30–05:41].
  • Jordan counters that if society wasn’t fascinated by horror, it wouldn’t be such a popular genre—hence, the enduring appeal of Stephen King [05:36–06:00].

2. Safe Scares Versus Real Fear

• In-Control Fear as Comfort:
  • Jordan points out the difference between real-life terror and the "safe fear" of horror media or haunted attractions [06:00–08:06].

    "I've experienced real fear... and I've experienced death in real life. So when I see it in a safe environment where it's not real... I really enjoy it."
    —Jordan [06:00]

• The Social and Sensory Aspects of Horror:
  • The hosts recount experiences in scare mazes, Halloween haunts, and horror-themed makeup as positive and community-building—even for those being "peeled off the roof" by jump scares [06:48–07:44].

3. The Ethics of True Crime & The Serial Killer Special Interest

• The Guilty Intrigue:
  • Both discuss the complicated neurodivergent relationship with true crime, serial killers, and dark documentaries.

    "I always feel guilty every time I watch something about serial killers or I'm fascinated... the person actually killed people. Real people."
    —Jordan [08:44–10:44]

  • Caris riffs on being able to identify infamous killers from documentaries alone, driven by a need for information and deep research [10:59–12:03].

4. Collectibles, Haunted Decor, and the Everyday Macabre

• Bringing Horror Home:
  • Both hosts (and their friends) collect creepy figures and decor year-round—not just at Halloween (Chucky, Pennywise, nuns from horror films, etc.), finding beauty and comfort in these dark aesthetics [12:22–16:44].

    "I want to cuddle them. I don't know what. I find them so cool. Like, to me, that's the coolest thing."
    —Jordan [14:45]

5. Horror Books, Games, and Unique Fears

• Books as a Gateway and Refuge:
  • Jordan shares that after being introduced to James Herbert, horror novels became as important as films—leading to a lifelong love of Stephen King [16:44–18:03].
• Horror Games Are a Different Beast:
  • The only time Jordan feels genuine fear is playing VR horror games, describing the unique terror of immersive, interactive scares [18:03–19:51].

    "Horror VR games are like that fear that everyone else was feeling at the haunt... and that does not happen. I took the VR helmet off. I was like, what the was that?"
    —Jordan [19:36]

6. It by Stephen King: Neurodivergent Resonance

• A Deep Dive (24:51–43:26):
  • Jordan describes It as his ultimate special interest outside of Lord of the Rings, outlining the intense personal and neurodivergent relevance of the story, especially its focus on friendship among outsiders.
  • He outlines why each member of the Losers Club resonates for those with autistic/ADHD traits:
    • Bill: The leader with a stutter—mirroring Jordan’s own childhood speech difficulties.

      "Not being able to speak... I was a loud kid stuck in a buttery kid's body." —Jordan [34:45]

    • Ben: The lonely, bookish kid who finds acceptance.
    • Richie: The irrepressible loudmouth, portrayed as textbook ADHD, beloved for who he is (even when annoying).
    • Eddie: The anxious, overprotected germaphobe, dealing with trauma and parental abuse.
    • Stanley: The underestimated, quiet, deeply observant child.
    • Mike: Black and marginalized, yet instantly accepted once in the group.
    • Beverly: Outwardly tough, inwardly traumatized, representing the struggles of high-masking ND women.
  • Jordan draws parallels to the neurodivergent experience:

    "So many neurodivergent people are never reaching their full potential because we're so ostracized. And these kids coming together, this losers club, just made me feel like me and you and my other friends, how we come together and we're just better for it."
    —Jordan [42:37]

  • Caris sums up the enduring appeal:

    "It's the hope. It's the hero overcoming terrible odds. Sometimes they don't, and that's what's tragic. But for so many people in our community... it's the humanity in it that draws them in."
    —Caris [43:26]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Horror as a "Safe" Release:

  "It's that adrenaline rush. That understanding that you're safe, it's not real. I think that's why people like to be scared—it's safe scared."
  —Jordan [07:44]

• On Special Interests and Deep Dives:

  "I find up films really interesting... things that have, like, really dark twists or unexpected things. I really love being surprised and scared, I get a buzz off of it."
  —Caris [11:42]

• On Accepting Community:

  "We're all so different. But we all have one thing in common, which is the way that we're treated."
  —Caris [42:54]

• On Halloween Turning to Christmas Too Soon:

  "I literally walked into the range... The entire [Halloween] section had been depleted to one shelf and everything was 50 off. And I'm like, it's Monday. Halloween is Friday."
  —Jordan [44:50]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Introduction & Halloween Context: 00:32–01:22
• Why Neurodivergent Folks Love Horror: 03:49–06:00
• Haunts and Safe Scares: 06:48–08:06
• Serial Killer Fascination & Guilt: 08:44–10:44
• Collectibles and Home Decor: 12:22–16:44
• Horror Books & Games: 16:44–19:51
• Stage Shows and Horror Experience: 20:07–21:33
• It Special Interest & Character Analysis: 24:51–43:26
• Community, Acceptance, and Humanities in Horror: 42:37–43:26
• Halloween vs. Christmas Decor Rant: 44:42–45:19
• Show Wrap & Community Questions: 43:26–47:09

Episode Tone

• Warm, playful, unapologetically nerdy.
• Conversational, supportive, full of personal anecdotes and neurodivergent validation.
• A mixture of humor, dark fascination, and real emotions.

Takeaway

This episode offers comfort and camaraderie for neurodivergent listeners who find solace—or delight—in the dark. Horror, the macabre, and fear serve as “safe scares,” dopamine fixes, and metaphors for the outsider experience. It—and horror as a genre—becomes a powerful narrative of acceptance, survival, and transformation.

Connect with the hosts and the wider community:

• Instagram: @theneurodivergentexperiencepod
• Facebook: The Neurodivergent Experience
• YouTube: @TheNeurodivergentExperience