Autism Central Podcast

About Autism Central Podcast

Real stories and honest conversations, we bring together autistic people and the people who love, support, and care for autistic people of all ages and backgrounds to explore every aspect of life. Autism Central is the national peer education programme for families and support networks of autistic people in England, the programme is delivered by Anna Freud and commissioned by the NHS. Through education, coaching, and connection, we offer resources, webinars, one-to-one peer support, and community events that centre lived experience and build real understanding www.autismcentral.nhs.uk

Publisher

By Autism Central

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

15 Apr 2024

Latest episode

2 Nov 2026

Latest episodes

50 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Nov 2026

   Autism and gaming

   In the second episode of season 6, Catherine talks to Xero - autistic gamer and games-design graduate, and his mother Melissa. Xero has an incredible passion for gaming, and with the support of his mother Melissa, he has turned his passion into a degree, graduating from Sheffield Hallam University with a 2:1 in BA Hons in Games-Design. Together they discuss how gaming can be a source of joy, decompression, creativity, and connection for autistic people. They reframe gaming as a reasonable adjustment and outline ways in which parents can support their autistic young people to engage with gaming safely - navigating barriers such as screen-time, parental boundaries, online safety and gaming costs together. They explore the benefits that Xero gains from engaging with games, including using gaming as a mechanism for decompression and transportation to another world where he can expand his creativity through worlds and characters and experience a pressure release from the demands of everyday life. And how gaming and monotropic flow intersect, exploring how different parental approaches to boundaries stemming from assumptions around screentime and access to consoles could lead to behaviours of distress. Melissa and Catherine also discuss potential barriers to gaming such as family budget, knowledge around online safely and in-app purchases. Catherine, Xero and Melissa also talk about how gaming has supported connection and friendships between Xero and people who share his passions for games, encouraging parents to prioritize helping young people pursue what makes them happy. A reminder that autistic communication and social connection doesn’t always look the way society expects it to, and that different doesn’t mean less meaningful. What’s on at Autism Central? Explore the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Autism Central website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.autismcentral.nhs.uk/) for FREE NHS-funded 1:1 coaching sessions, events and resources for families of autistic people in England and their support networks. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FREE newsletter⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.autismcentral.nhs.uk/newsletter-sign) Connect with Catherine Email: ⁠hellocatherineasta@gmail.com⁠ (mailto:hellocatherineasta@gmail.com) ⁠Website⁠ (https://www.catherineasta.com) I ⁠Instagram ⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/catherine.asta)I ⁠Art⁠ (https://printumo.com/shop/catherine-asta) Books: ⁠Rediscovered⁠ (https://amzn.eu/d/0dWKTjpl) and ⁠Still Living (https://amzn.eu/d/0i6eTcRz)

2. 

   16 Oct 2026

   Autism and self-harm

   Content note: This episode includes discussions of self-harm, suicide and mental health crises. Some listeners may find these topics distressing. Please take care of yourself while listening and consider whether this is the right time for you to engage with the conversation. In the first episode of season six, Catherine talks to Dr Rachel Moseley-Braund, Principal Academic in Psychology at Bournemouth University, whose research focuses on mental health and wellbeing in autistic people, with a particular interest in self-harm, suicide prevention and understanding the factors that contribute to autistic distress. Together, Catherine and Dr Moseley-Braund discuss why autistic people may be more vulnerable to self-harm and suicidal thoughts, including the impact of anxiety, depression, trauma, social isolation, inequality and difficulties accessing appropriate support. They explore why self-harm is often misunderstood, and how it may serve different functions for different people, including managing overwhelming emotions, meeting sensory needs or finding temporary relief from distress. They explore the different ways self-harm and self-injurious behaviours can present in autistic people, including behaviours that may be visible to others and those that happen privately or remain hidden. Catherine and Dr Moseley-Braund also discuss the language used to describe self-harm, why terminology can sometimes be confusing, and the importance of understanding the individual rather than making assumptions about their behaviour. They discuss how environmental factors, traumatic experiences and a lack of understanding or acceptance can contribute to mental health difficulties, and why improving wellbeing requires looking beyond the individual to the environments and systems around them. Catherine and Dr Moseley-Braund also talk about protective factors that may support autistic mental health and they explore how parents, carers and professionals can recognise potential warning signs of escalating distress. They also discuss what autism-affirming support can look like when someone is struggling with self-harm or experiencing a mental health crisis, and encourage listeners to approach autistic mental health with compassion, curiosity, hope and understanding.

3. 

   25 Sept 2026

   Autism and periods

   In this episode, Catherine talks to Dr Aimee Grant, Associate Professor and Wellcome Trust Career Development Fellow at Swansea University, who leads the "Autism from Menstruation to Menopause" study. Together, Catherine and Dr Grant discuss why periods can be especially challenging for some autistic people, including sensory experiences, pain, emotional changes, interoception, unpredictability, and the practical difficulties of managing periods at school, work or in healthcare settings. They explore why autistic young people may need clear, detailed and timely information before their first period, and why support should not stop once periods begin. Catherine and Dr Grant also discuss how parents and carers can support period tracking and preparation, including helping young people understand what to expect, plan ahead, and feel more in control. The conversation also covers managing periods at school, including bathroom access, changing products, and the importance of reasonable adjustments. They discuss how missing activities, taking breaks or resting more during a period can be a valid form of self-care, rather than something to feel guilty about. Catherine and Dr Grant also talk about regulation strategies during menstruation, including stimming, using screens, comfort objects, quiet time and other approaches that may help reduce distress or overwhelm. They consider the importance of finding period products that work for the individual, including pads, tampons and period pants, while recognising that sensory preferences and practical needs will vary from person to person. They also discuss how period pain, heavy bleeding, fatigue or changes in mood and sensory sensitivity can sometimes be misunderstood, dismissed or treated as something autistic people simply have to ‘put up with’. Instead, Dr Grant encourages listeners to take symptoms seriously, seek medical advice when something does not feel right, and approach periods with self-compassion and autism-affirming support. What’s on at Autism Central? Explore the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Autism Central website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.autismcentral.nhs.uk/) for FREE NHS-funded 1:1coaching sessions, events and resources for families of autistic people in England and their support networks. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FREE newsletter⁠⁠ (https://www.autismcentral.nhs.uk/newsletter-sign) Connect with Dr Aimee Grant Website:  https://www.draimeegrant.com/ (https://www.draimeegrant.com/) Autism and puberty blog for Autism Central: https://www.autismcentral.nhs.uk/news/blog-talking-about-puberty-your-child (https://www.autismcentral.nhs.uk/news/blog-talking-about-puberty-your-child) Autism from Menstruation to Menopause study website: https://www.autismmenstruationtomenopause.com/ (https://www.autismmenstruationtomenopause.com/) Connect with Catherine Email: hellocatherineasta@gmail.com (mailto:hellocatherineasta@gmail.com) Website (https://www.catherineasta.com) I Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/catherine.asta)I Art (https://printumo.com/shop/catherine-asta) Books: Rediscovered (https://amzn.eu/d/0dWKTjpl) and Still Living (https://amzn.eu/d/0i6eTcRz)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

4.8 / 5

24 ratings

Contact Autism Central Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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