Ally here -- I'm the teammate who lead the Autistic Communication workshop. I just wanted to add that many Autistic people understand non-autistic communication/social norms incredibly well, as evidenced by their success as social workers, actors, comedians, teachers, etc. There's lots of diversity amongst Autistic people in terms of our skill at interpreting non-autistic communication. Moreover, our non-autistic communication skills aren't static -- they can be honed over time. Personally, I feel as though I understand and relate to non-autistic people (as fellow humans) pretty well -- almost all of my closest friends are/have been non-autistic. This isn't because I prefer the company of non-autistic people -- I have no preference either way -- it's just that there aren't as many Autistic people available to befriend. Anyway, all this is to say that many (though not all) of us become adept at navigating non-autistic social worlds, but non-autistic people rarely put as much effort into understanding ways of communicating that are more comfortable for us, and making space for us to be our authentic selves, which is a source of inequity. While some of us have excellent non-autistic communication skills, constantly catering to non-autistic social expectations (with little to no reciprocation from non-autistic people) can be incredibly draining. This isn't a response to Kathryn's video, but I also wanted to add that I don't think we should make value judgements about Autistic people based on how skilled they are at non-Autistic communication, which is something I sometimes see -- both from outside and within the Autistic community. I think those of us who are less skilled at non-autistic communication deserve as much respect, autonomy and opportunity as those who are.

The New Zealand edition, not Australian. 😉 I'm a New Zealander (and an Aussie) living in Europe! I really enjoyed it and recommended it to my best friend who has Autism who was scared to watch it. She's married to a neurotypical. 😊 My best friend told me I was the first one ever who toom an interest in understanding her when we met at university. Been joined metaphorically at the hip ever since even if we're half a world away from each other.

I really loved your take on love on the spectrum. I haven't finished Season 2 of the US version, but I thoroughly enjoyed it so far. I am an autistic person and I really enjoyed the awkward moments. I thought it was really nice that it made the viewers uncomfortable because it really sets you in the feeling of being autistic. All autistic people struggle with social communication, and awkwardness and struggle with communication is specific to being autistic ,Not just in a way that neurotypical or non-autistics do. Some autistic people can learn how to properly socialize through years of strong learning, however for awkwardness and unknowingness is very amplified for autistic people. Autistic people ARE inherently awkward to "normal?" people. Once you know the traits of someone who is autistic, they are very easy to identify in conversation because they are uniquely "off" in someway due to the inherent inability to communicate like how non autistics understand. For me, it's like everybody has a secret book they're given, and I never got it ! Or that I'm some kind of alien that got left on Earth. Everybody seems to be able to read other people's minds, but I can't. Feeling this alienated, isolated, unknowing feel is a core part of being autistic. When I interact with people, I am constantly analyzing things like "Did that come off as rude?" "How is my body language?" "Am I making too much eye contact?" "Am I making too little eye contact?" "Am I noticeably stimming?" "What is this person thinking?" "Am I weird?". It is incredibly uncomfortable and incredibly deliberate and stressful process known as "masking" that autistic people do in order to try to fit in, and I think that's why I like the show letting the viewer be uncomfortable. In some communities I've been in for autistic people and support I've been told autistics can give people "uncanny valley" and they can't even tell why, but we seem off and wrong, so some people will lash out at us. I just found your channel and I found your take on the show very interesting.

How much do you pay your employees?? Dont want to pay them too lottle or too much. Ya know??