Medical Practice Neurodivergent People Mel Houser

EPISODE 57
Family Medical Practice for Neurodivergent and Neurotypical People:
A Discussion with Autistic Physician Dr. Mel Houser

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Show Notes

For many years, parents of autistic children and family members, and autistic people themselves have expressed concerns about how they have been misunderstood, and even mistreated by medical professionals and the traditional medical systems they work within. Dr. Mel Houser has experienced this personally as a physician trained in the medical establishment, as a late diagnosed autistic woman, and as a mother of an autistic child. She discusses the need for change and the changes she is actually implementing in her medical practice.

All Brains Belong VT Website.

Kids Connection Program Website.

Shifting the Autism Narrative: A Healthcare Provider’s Guide to the Impact of Stigma on Health (free recorded webinar)

Featuring

Mel Houser

MEL HOUSER

Dr. Mel Houser (she/they) is an autistic family physician with a clinical focus on providing primary care for neurodivergent patients across the lifespan. She is the Founder and Executive Director of All Brains Belong VT, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in Montpelier, Vermont that uses universal design principles to provide healthcare, social connection opportunities, and neurodiversity-related education for kids and adults. At age 37, Dr. Houser was diagnosed as autistic, ADHD, dyspraxic, dyslexic, and dyscalculic. She is also the parent of an autistic 5 year old, who is her guru of Keys to the Universe.

…and Continue the Discussion

Do you have a book or podcast club? If so, you may use this discussion guide to facilitate a conversation about this episode.

1.How did Dr. Houser come to understand and embrace her autism, and how did her awareness related to raising an autistic child? Are you aware of or do you know a situation in which an autistic person came to understand being on the spectrum by knowing another person who was autistic?

2.Building community and fostering inclusion is at the center of Dr. Houser’s philosophy and practice. How is this realized through her practice and her non-profit, “All Brains Belong”? What changes does she feel are needed in all medical practices to achieve these goals?

3.Houser states that healthcare should be “co-created” by professionals and patients. What does she mean by this, and have you experienced efforts as a parent, professional or autistic person to achieve this ultimate goal?

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Music

Matt Savage, courtesy of Savage Records

Matt Savage is an autistic jazz musician, composer, and bandleader. Matt has collaborated with jazz greats like Chick Corea, the Ellington All Stars, Chaka Khan, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Jason Moran, Arturo O’Farrill, John Pizzarelli, Joshua Redman, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jon Faddis, Jerry Bergonzi. Donny McCaslin, and more. He has recorded more than a dozen records and graciously contributes the music for Uniquely Human.

Production and Sound Design

ELEVATEDSTUDIO

Uniquely Human: The Podcast is produced, engineered, and edited by Elevated Studio in Denver, Colorado. Owned and operated by co-host Dave Finch, Elevated Studio produces digital media assets and content strategies for the electronics, entertainment, and lifestyle industries.