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In 1994 Asperger’s Syndrome was officially recognized. In 2013, it was no longer an official diagnosis. Today, it all falls under the category of Austism Spectrum Disorder. In my mind I see it as a line, right in the middle is what we label as “Normal”; the far left being severe autism, and the far right being an unlabeled disorder I call highly social with no social skills. I am left of normal. As an introverted, left of normal, entrepreneur and business owner, I have encountered a ton of unique problems in my life that required out-of-the-box solutions. Let’s work together to create a better world, learn how to adapt, and thrive as we live life to the Left of Normal.
Episodes
Friday Jul 21, 2023
Left of Normal Episode 115 - Parenting as a Left of Normal
Friday Jul 21, 2023
Friday Jul 21, 2023
A lot of people love to bemoan how hard parenting is. Yes, it can be difficult at times.
If you're on the Autism Spectrum, and you're a parent, do you feel there are certain challenges to overcome?
As a Left of Normal parent, I found some aspects were quite easy - especially the parts where I just played with a baby all day long. Other aspects are quite difficult - such as where processes and rules are completely ignored.
Today we look at some parenting woes, wins, and what to dos.
Sunday Jul 09, 2023
Left of Normal Episode 114 - You’re So Annoying
Sunday Jul 09, 2023
Sunday Jul 09, 2023
Those on the spectrum can be really annoying sometimes.
And we often know that we're annoying. The problem arises with the fact that we can't really control it - many of those annoying traits and quirks for those on the autism spectrum are largely outside of their control.
So what do you do when a Left of Normal is annoying you? Let's talk about that.
Friday Jun 30, 2023
Left of Normal Episode 113 - Boundaries on the Spectrum
Friday Jun 30, 2023
Friday Jun 30, 2023
A listener chimed in recently and asked about boundaries, especially with children on the spectrum. I pondered it a bit, and realized that for a long time my own boundaries were rubbish.
The problem was that trying to please too many people meant not caring for myself.
Of course, now that I have set those boundaries, I tend to come off as rude, standoffish, and arrogant.
Today we'll look at how Left of Normal folks set boundaries, how we see boundaries in the normies, and some ideas on how to encourage Left of Normal children to understand them, set, and respect them.
Thursday Jun 22, 2023
Left of Normal Episode 112 - Why You are a Great Leader with Dave Nordel
Thursday Jun 22, 2023
Thursday Jun 22, 2023
Today we have a guest on the podcast who really knows his stuff when it comes to leadership.
Dave Nordel spent 30 years in the Air Force. During that time he learned a ton of valuable lessons on leading others, investing in people, and helping everyone grow and do better. He has a passion for mental health and ensuring that people who need a little boost get the boost they're looking for.
Whether you believe you're a leader or not, the truth is that you have it in you to guide and inspire others. Follow Dave to learn more, buy his first book "Giving Back!" and his upcoming second book "When the Cows Lie Down" You can find Dave via the links below:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-nordel-85265246/
https://maxfabconsulting.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Giving-Back-Leadership-Combat-Beyond-ebook/dp/B0C51SSW2B
Friday Jun 16, 2023
Left of Normal Episode 111 - How to Control Your Impulses
Friday Jun 16, 2023
Friday Jun 16, 2023
Lack of impulse control plagues a number of neurodivergent people. ADHD folks are especially prone to following the impulse to get that little dopamine hit.
Left of Normal people are prone to impulses as well. Often our impulses are less manic and crazy outbursts, and more stim activities.
Today, we're looking at impulsivity, impulse control, and how to help our impulsive children on the autism spectrum to rein themselves in as they feel the impulses but can control them.
Thursday Jun 08, 2023
Left of Normal Episode 110 - Genie Love Talks about ADHD/ASD in the Workplace
Thursday Jun 08, 2023
Thursday Jun 08, 2023
Today we have a guest on the show, Genie Love is a Neurodiversity coach. She helps businesses and individuals create a better, safer, and more productive workplace for everyone - those who are left, normies, and right. With a Master's degree in educational leadership, as well as degrees in physical therapy and teaching, she has plenty of experience with those on the spectrum and across a wide swath of ages.
She talks about how she works with people, what to look for, and how to make your workplace more accommodating to everyone regardless of where they fall on the autism spectrum, or if they have other neurodivergencies like ADHD.
To learn more about her, hit up her website: www.genielove.coach
You can also find her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genie-love-beyond-coaching/
Or send an email to genie@genielove.coach
Friday Jun 02, 2023
Left of Normal Episode 109 - Holden Talks about Friendships
Friday Jun 02, 2023
Friday Jun 02, 2023
We have a split podcast today. I host part of it, Holden hosts part of it.
We'll talk about friendships, some of the struggles to make friends, what happens when friends aren't around.
We don't get into too much of the psychology behind having friends, why everyone needs some, and the benefits of it all, that's certainly something worth pursuing in a later episode that talks about autism and friendships. Today, we'll just cover how a Left of Normal child, and a Left of Normal adult make friends, how we feel when friends are lost, and why they're important to us.
Friday May 26, 2023
Left of Normal Episode 108 - Tales of Normies that Don’t Understand Things
Friday May 26, 2023
Friday May 26, 2023
There are some things that normies do... or rather don't do... that don't entirely make a lot of sense. It's not that hard to understand these concepts, and not hard to "do it the right way" but there's an insistence on a different way.
This episode is a bit discombobulated. Please don't downvote it even though it might be the worst episode I've uploaded yet.
Love you, mean it.
Friday May 19, 2023
Left of Normal Episode 107 - The Secret to Money Management
Friday May 19, 2023
Friday May 19, 2023
As a Left of Normal, I find myself being more logical in decision making. This means that money money management has never really been much of an issue. Not all of us are like that, some tend to get a bit more confused with things like money.
Today we'll go through how my brain processes money decisions, and how a recent money event tried to disrupt that.
Fortunately, I overpowered my emotional brain with logic, beating it back into submission in the deep recesses of my mind where it belongs.
Friday May 12, 2023
Left of Normal Episode 106 - Why Autistic People Walk on their Toes
Friday May 12, 2023
Friday May 12, 2023
I recently came across a meme (I posted it in the Facebook group Left of Normal on May 11th) that talked about walking on tiptoes, or toe walking, and how that's an autism trait. This got me thinking about how often I walk on my toes, and started to realize I do it a lot... way more than a normal adult anyway.
So I dug a little deeper to find out why Left of Normal folks walk on tippy toes. And why I do it.
Let's take a look at toe walking as someone on the spectrum, and what it's all about, as well as some other stims.