“So stimming is so vital, even the ones that seem bizarre, they all have a function… And it looks weird. It looks socially bizarre, but it has a biological neuroscientific function. And when I learned that, that set me free. It stopped me from believing I’m broken.” (20:10)
After receiving her autism diagnosis late in her 20s following her son’s diagnosis, Sara Harvey has a lifetime of experience (and now experience raising an Autistic child) that fuels her work as an autism and disability advocate. She joins Danny LoPriore on this week’s Off the Cuff with Danny LoPriore episode to discuss her experiences growing up as a child that moved through the world differently and how she views her childhood now that she has an official diagnosis. She also unpacks some signs of autism in adults and children, such as stimming, and how learning about neuroscience helped her find comfort, freedom, and pride in her identity.
“So stimming is so vital, even the ones that seem bizarre, they all have a function… And it looks weird. It looks socially bizarre, but it has a biological neuroscientific function. And when I learned that, that set me free. It stopped me from believing I’m broken.” (20:10)
While her son’s early childhood development initially prompted the conversation about her diagnosis, learning the details of neuroscience armed her with even more knowledge to foster inclusivity and understanding in her corner of the internet and the world. She credits her son's birth as a defining shift in her life that she'll forever be grateful for, touches on all that she has learned as a parent, and explains how this eager-to-learn attitude helps her be the best person for this job.
“Now I do believe, yeah, I’m the best person for this. Not just because I’m his mum. Not just because I’ve gone through this before. But because I’m still willing to learn. I’m willing to learn new things and throw out old where it’s wrong.” (31:34)
Known to her community over her many social media channels such as YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and more as Agony Autie, Sara Harvey is bringing autism awareness and autism advocacy to the public while helping others, like her son, be heard, seen, respected, and understood.
Listen in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and check out our Off the Cuff Instagram to stay up-to-date on our podcast news! Off The Cuff with Danny Lopriore is presented by 1AND1. Become 1% Better, Together at www.1and1life.com.
