#4: So You Want to Interview an Autistic Person for Your Event

Introduction

2021 was a huge year for Neurodiversity. There are multiple campaigns globally to raise awareness about Neurodiversity and to address the negative stigma that has been a problem for years. I myself often get asked to speak at conferences or on podcasts. So you want to interview an Autistic person for your event, but where to start?

Find Them

It is hard to find an Autistic person in-person since many in the Neurodiversity community, such as myself, struggle socially. Also many of us mask to hide our Neurodiverse traits in order to fit in and not stand out from the crowd. Instead look to social media. Through social media, we can get out of our comfort zone. Autistic people can often be found using hashtags such as #openlyautistic, #actuallyautistic, or #neurodiversity. Once found, you can reach out to them with a message detailing your event details, dates, and expectations.

Preparation

Many of us in the Neurodiversity community suffer from anxiety and/or depression, including myself. So that makes live in-person events or podcasts very difficult. The key is asking the guest what they need to be more comfortable.

For example, I would often ask for questions ahead of time to reduce my anxiety. Thinking about answers to questions in real-time is often very stressful for me. I liken it to having a small amount of RAM in my head and not being able to process information at the same speed. Having time to prepare my answers helps big time. But everyone is different.

Some of us need to stim with a toy, because it provides grounding and peace. Some of us cannot tolerate being in a loud environment or with bright lights, because it overwhelms us mentally. Some of us also get confused by small changes and have meltdowns. Everyone is different.

After environmental conditions and questions are addressed, the most important thing of all is to build the human connection by talking with us ahead of time. Events are easier for many of us if we feel comfortable. It is important to ask things like: do we need a break, do we need to slow down, or do we need to adjust due to unexpected conditions.

Conclusion

Overall, I have spoken on many panels, podcasts, and events. It is challenging at times being Autistic. Hosting a podcast myself, I have been on both sides. Live shows and events are always the hardest for me since they bring the most anxiety. But if you want to interview an Autistic person for your event, remember that we are not broken and we are never alone.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organization, employer, or company.