The Neurodivergent Experience

Episode Summary:

Knowledge Is Power: How Self-Advocacy Transforms The Neurodivergent Experience
Hosts: Jordan James & Simon Scott
Date: September 3, 2025

Overview

In this heartfelt and energizing episode, Jordan James and Simon Scott explore the transformative power of self-advocacy and knowledge in the neurodivergent community. They candidly share their personal journeys, experiences with advocacy—both for themselves and others—and emphasize the importance of seeing neurodivergence as an integral aspect of identity rather than a deficit. The conversation offers practical insights into self-acceptance, agency, and how open dialogue within neurodivergent circles fosters healing, empowerment, and meaningful accommodations in daily life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power of Advocacy & Community

• Celebrating Increased Reach:
  The hosts discuss a recent explosion in listenership after a viral post, reflecting on the impact their advocacy is having:

  “It’s so exciting that these sorts of conversations are reaching more people... The fact that it seems to have had a rocket now strapped to its bum is a bit daunting, but also very exciting.” —Simon Scott (06:07)

• Advocacy Roots:
  Jordan highlights that advocacy stems not from qualifications but lived experience:

  “It’s not a qualification. It’s not a job... Anyone can call themselves an advocate. It’s just whether you feel like you’re an advocate, you know?” —Jordan James (12:19)

2. Healing & Connection Through Shared Lived Experience

• Festival Community:
  Simon details how neurodivergent conversations at a festival were both healing and affirming, fostering belonging and reducing shame:

  “We were having conversations about things we struggled with, and just being in this conversation where there was so much positive energy...I listen to [your podcast] and I’m like, wow, that’s so relatable. I can’t believe people feel or think like I do.” —Simon (09:09)

• Impact of Visible Advocacy:
  Jordan recounts speaking at schools and the importance of children seeing neurodivergence spoken about with pride. A touching moment was when a young girl openly admitted to being autistic for the first time:

  “She’s never said it, ever. She’d never, ever said, ‘I’m autistic’... and [the teacher said] that’s because of you.” —Jordan (18:53)

3. Self-Acceptance & The Journey to Self-Advocacy

• The Knowledge Journey:
  Jordan and Simon reflect on how gaining knowledge about their neurodivergence led to self-acceptance and empowerment:

  “As soon as I started realizing that, I suddenly got really, really interested and that’s when I went deep dive... I am autistic and it is me and it is who I am.” —Jordan (27:00)

• Practical Self-Advocacy:
  Simon shares how self-knowledge led to confidently asking for what he needs in social situations:

  “I turned to him, put my hand on him, and went: ‘I love you. I’m not trying to be rude. I can’t hear a word you’re saying. When the music’s finished, I’ll talk to you all day long, mate.’” —Simon (35:25) This self-advocacy inspired others in their group to voice their own needs.

4. The Importance of Language and Labels

• Owning Identity:
  The discussion underscores the shift from “having” autism to “being” autistic, embracing neurodivergence as a core aspect of identity:

  “I’ve changed it from having to being. That is one of the biggest things that’s helped me.” —Simon (43:18)

• Naming Experiences for Empowerment:
  Jordan explains the value in naming characteristics or struggles (like alexithymia or RSD), both for self-understanding and for communicating with others:

  “It’s good to have a name for something in order to describe to others why you’re doing the exact thing you’re doing.” —Jordan (70:05)

5. Advocacy for Families and Future Generations

• Advocacy as a Parent:
  Jordan details advocating for his neurodivergent children, stressing patience, rejecting one-size-fits-all milestones, and pushing back against negative narratives:

  “I would not let the teacher tell me what was wrong with my kid... I want to hear what you’re going to do to help my kid.” —Jordan (58:40)

• Generational Knowledge:
  The discussion turns to the ripple effect of knowledge in families:

  “There’s nothing better for my kids than I have ever done is understand and help myself. I’ve helped myself and that’s how I’ve become a better dad.” —Jordan (59:58)

6. The Social Model and Reframing of Neurodivergence

• Rejection of Deficit Narrative:
  Both hosts push back against medicalized, deficit-based views:

  “Being neurodivergent is not being a broken human being. It is being a separately and just as importantly, evolved to be different human being.” —Jordan (75:45)

• Advocacy is for Everyone:
  They remind listeners that advocacy can be as simple as owning your experience, speaking truthfully, and supporting each other.

Notable Quotes

• On the value of representation:
  “Our main thing was there will be no one in this book [The Autistic Experience] who will talk about other people being autistic who aren’t autistic... That’s rare, dude.” —Jordan (15:33)

• On gaining power through knowledge:
  “The fact I know this and I can talk about it, that gives me power… It makes me feel that you can’t tell me about me.” —Jordan (30:18)

• On passing it forward:
  “My daughter… is a neurodivergent mentor. She’s helping people all over the world… It’s amazing that I can pass that on to my kids and then they can advocate for themselves.” —Jordan (72:07)

• On acceptance:
  “One of the things I’m so grateful for where I am in my life now is, I like all of who I am… I actually really like being autistic.” —Simon (43:34)

• On accommodations:
  “Reasonable adjustments, reasonable accommodations for yourself are one of the biggest steps.” —Jordan (37:55)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:32 — Show intro and hosts catching up
• 06:07 — Audience growth and the impact of advocacy
• 09:09 — Festival experience; healing through honest neurodivergent community
• 18:53 — Speaking at schools; creating a space for kids to “come out” as autistic
• 27:00 — The journey from diagnosis to self-acceptance and knowledge as agency
• 35:25 — Practical self-advocacy in social situations and ripple effects
• 43:18 — Embracing neurodivergence as identity
• 58:40 — Advocacy experiences as a parent in schools and systems
• 72:07 — Passing advocacy skills to the next generation
• 75:45 — Reframing neurodivergence: “Not broken, just evolved differently.”

Memorable Moments

• Jordan's story about the primary school girl who publicly embraced her autism thanks to his talk (18:53).
• Simon spearheading healthy boundary-setting at a music festival, leading others to do the same (35:25).
• The candid recognition of the power and privilege in being able to advocate and articulate neurodivergent experience (20:01, 72:07).

Conclusion

Jordan and Simon deliver an honest, celebratory, and sometimes emotional discussion about the journey from isolation to community, from self-doubt to self-advocacy, and from shame to empowerment. They urge listeners, especially those just beginning their neurodivergent journey, to seek community, embrace their identities, pursue knowledge from neurodivergent voices, and pass these tools forward—to families, friends, and the next generation.

If you’re looking for validation, a starting point for self-advocacy, or a sense of connection, this episode is a warm, informative guide—reminding us that knowledge truly is power.

For more conversations, resources, or if seeking mentoring:

• Visit the podcast’s social platforms or reach out to Sophie James for mentoring.
• Recommended reading includes Dr. Luke Bearden's books and “The Autistic Experience” by Jordan James.

Next episode teasers and updates available—stay tuned and join the tribe.