Tourette's advocacy on TikTok – with Monica Nguyen

Tourette's advocacy on TikTok – with Monica Nguyen

Author: Carolyn Kiel February 20, 2023 Duration: 20:44

Note: This episode contains occasional swearing (coprolalia).

Monica Nguyen is a 20-year-old disability advocate who lives in Sydney, Australia. Monica began sharing her experiences online after facing a lot of discrimination from people who don't understand her Tourette Syndrome. Her goal is to inspire, educate and empower.

During this episode, you will hear Monica talk about:

  • What her life has been like with Tourette's, as someone living in Australia who is part of a Vietnamese family
  • The discrimination she's faced in public because of her tics and coprolalia, including a confrontation at a train station that compelled her to start sharing her life experiences with Tourette's online
  • The positive community she has built on TikTok by creating videos about her life with Tourette's
  • The goals she has for her advocacy

Follow Monica on TikTok @meowmons and Instagram @ticswithmon.

This episode features a promo from the Psychocinematic podcast, which discusses the representation of disability and mental health conditions in film and TV. Listen to Psychocinematic at PsychocinematicPodcast.com or on your favorite podcast app.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes!

Support this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds and get a shout-out on a future episode!

Read the episode transcript.

*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
Podcast Episodes
Coming of age with Crouzon syndrome – with Ariel Henley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:10
As a child, Ariel Henley's face was compared to a Picasso painting. This horrifying comment didn't come from a schoolyard bully. It was written in a magazine article about Ariel and her experience growing up with Crouzon…
Tourette Syndrome in the public eye – with Seamus Evans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:48
At his first job as a TV host, Seamus Evans disclosed his Tourette Syndrome. That revelation almost ended his dream career. Fortunately Seamus didn't lose his job. In fact, he spent the next 13 years in his dream career,…
Phenomenally Autistic – with Ayanna Davis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:58
Ayanna Davis, also known as phenomenallyautistic on social media, is an autism advocate who was born & raised in Westchester County, New York. Along with being autistic, she has survived over 300 seizures, is living with…
My life so far with dyspraxia – with Rosemary Richings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:00
Rosemary Richings is a writer, author, panel member of Dyspraxia Magazine, and co-founder of Dyspraxic Alliance, a global online support network by and for dyspraxics. When she was four years old, she was diagnosed with…
Autistic coming-of-age stories – with Kelly Coons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:24
Before Kelly Coons was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of thirteen, she had a coming-of-age story that was mostly deemed as neurotypical. However, she always felt isolated and, until her diagnosis, bel…
Natalie Brooks – Dyslexia in Adults [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:31
Feeling frustrated and alone, Natalie Brooks started posting on Instagram about her struggles as a dyslexic adult in the workplace. She soon realized that her experiences resonated deeply with dyslexic adults around the…
Some personal news, and a new focus for this podcast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:29
2021 has been quite a year for me -- and my experiences this year have given me new clarity on what I want to focus on with this podcast. I'm excited to share these new developments with you! Tune into this episode to he…