Neurodiversity affirming community – with Katie York

Neurodiversity affirming community – with Katie York

Author: Carolyn Kiel March 4, 2024 Duration: 35:49

Katie York (aka The Distracted Autistic) is a late-diagnosed Autistic who also has ADHD. They are currently program coordinator at the Community College of Baltimore County in Baltimore, Maryland. Katie is also an advocate and community organizer. In 2022, they founded Harford County Neurodivergents to build a network for neurodivergent adults & provide neurodiversity-affirming resources and education. Katie is a member of Harford County Public Schools Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee and a proud board member of Upper Chesapeake Bay Pride.

During this episode, you will hear Katie talk about:

  • How they discovered their neurodivergence later in life  
  • Creating the Harford County Neurodivergents group, and the local peer support and community it provides
  • What it means to be "neurodiversity-affirming," and how that can be important for neurodivergent people
  • The impact that Harford County Neurodivergents has had on their members so far
  • What inspired them to get into local politics and advocacy, and their advice for people who want to become more involved in their communities

Learn more about Katie on their website at TheDistractedAutistic.com and on Facebook.

If you want to join the Neurodivergent Podcasters Discord group, email beyond6seconds at gmail.com to receive an invite.

Join the Autistic Corporate Professionals group on LinkedIn.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

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*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*


Hosted by Carolyn Kiel, Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people moves past the snap judgments that so often define how neurodivergent people are perceived. Each conversation here is an invitation to listen deeply, exploring the nuanced realities of entrepreneurs, artists, advocates, and other neurodivergent individuals as they share their own experiences in their own words. You’ll hear personal accounts that challenge stereotypes, not through abstract arguments, but through the vivid details of lived experience-the unique pathways to creativity, the challenges navigated in work and relationships, and the personal definitions of success and well-being. This podcast creates a space where identity is explored with authenticity, highlighting the strengths and perspectives that arise from thinking differently. Tuning in means connecting with stories that are as diverse and dynamic as the neurodivergent community itself, offering genuine insight into mental health, societal norms, and the richness of human cognition. Carolyn guides these discussions with a focus on depth and connection, ensuring every episode goes far beneath the surface to celebrate the vibrance of neurodiversity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
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