EPISODE 158
Nature and the Neurodivergent Experience:
A Discussion with Becca Lory Hector
A Discussion with Becca Lory Hector
Play the Episode…
Show Notes
Becca Lory Hector, an autistic self-advocate, has the lived experience of moving through different environments that afford different access to nature, and natural activities. She, Barry, and Dave discuss the benefits of immersion in nature and nature activities and contrast those benefits with the challenges of limited access. They also discuss the importance of awareness and modifying life routines with sensitivity to seasonal changes.
Featuring
Becca Lori Hector
Becca Lory Hector is a passionate and seasoned autism and Neurodiversity advocate, consultant, researcher, and author with a career dedicated to supporting and educating about autism. Based in Maine, she is focused on living an active, positive life, and she brings that same energy to all her work. Her journey has led her to create tools and resources that empower others to embrace their authentic selves and live fulfilling lives. As an openly Autistic adult, she has poured her lived experience into her writing and teaching. Her book, Always Bring Your Sunglasses: And Other Stories from a Life of Sensory and Social Invalidation, offers a candid look at the challenges and triumphs of navigating the world as an Autistic person. Alongside her book, Becca has designed and teaches a course called Self Defined Living: A Path to a Quality Autistic Life, which is all about helping others find their own path to a fulfilling, self-empowered life. When she is not working, you will likely find her enjoying time with her husband, Antonio, and their many animals, especially Sir Walter Underfoot, their Emotional Support Animal (ESA).
CHECK BECCA’S WEBSITE
BOOK: ALWAYS BRING YOUR SUNGLASSES
BECCA’S COURSES
FOLLOW HER ON LINKEDIN
ON YOUTUBE
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…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 does Becca’s personal history and lived experience inform her beliefs about the benefits of nature, and the disabling aspects of growing up in an environment not friendly to the neurology and sensory systems of many neurodivergent people?
2. According to Becca, what specific aspects of natural environments and nature activities are a good match for neurodivergent individuals, especially those with sensory sensitivities?
3. What does Becca believe are the long-term benefits of being more in tune with the seasons, and what specific recommendations does she provide for neurodivergent and neurotypical people regarding the seasonal changes that we all experience? Is this something that you feel you can do for yourself, your students, or your family?
HOSTED BY
Barry Prizant, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Dr. Barry Prizant is a speech-language pathologist with more than 50 years experience as a researcher and international consultant for autistic and neurodivergent individuals and their families. He is an Adjunct Professor of Communicative Disorders at the University of Rhode Island and Director, Childhood Communication Services (a private practice). Previously, he served as Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry in the Brown University School of Medicine, and held a tenured professor appointment at Emerson College. Publications include 5 books, most notably Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism (2015; 2022) and The SCERTS Model manuals, an educational approach implemented in more than a dozen countries. He has published 150 scholarly chapters and articles and serves on numerous professional advisory boards for journals and professional organizations. Barry has presented more than 1000 seminars and keynote addresses internationally, including two invited presentations at the United Nations for World Autism Awareness Day. His career contributions have been recognized with honors from Brown and Princeton Universities, the Autism Society of America and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Visit Barry’s website here
Uniquely Human, the book (Updated and Expanded edition!)
Dave Finch
Dave Finch is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir, The Journal of Best Practices: A Memoir of Marriage, Asperger Syndrome, and One Man’s Quest to Be a Better Husband. As a writer and creative consultant, his work has appeared on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, NPR, SiriusXM, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Howard Stern Show, and the award-winning Netflix series, Atypical. Based in Denver, Dave’s company, Elevated Studio, produces this podcast and other recognized series.
Visit Dave’s website here
“I have read a million and one books on Autism. Uniquely Human is the best book I have ever read, hands down. Thank you Barry for this incredible gift!!!!”
– Navah Paskovitz, Mother of three boys with Autism, Co-Founder, the Ed Asner Family Center
“Compassion, learning and supportive strategies–the three essentials for working with folks with ASD–are an integral part of this must-read book.”
– Michelle Garcia Winner, Speech Language Pathologist and Founder of Social Thinking
“Thanks be to Barry for the first-ever must read written for parents, educators, and clinicians.”
– Michael John Carley, Founder, GRASP; Author of Asperger’s From the Inside-Out
“What makes the book compelling is how funny Mr. Finch is about himself. He’s great company.”
– Susannah Meadows, The New York Times
“In this hilarious memoir (which also gives some of the finest explications of Asperger’s out there), Finch approaches trying to be a better husband and father with the determination of Sherman marching on Atlanta.”
– Judith Newman, People (4/4 stars)
“Talk about being on a roll. This dude wrote a book, he has Asperger’s syndrome. He cured himself by listening to me on the radio!”
– Howard Stern