Interview with Bree Ridgeway; late diagnosed autistic, and down-right brilliant, woman!
Alphabet Soup! Exploring Complex Neurodiversity
Release Date: 03/03/2024
A Resource to support Autistic Burnout
Alphabet Soup! Exploring Complex Neurodiversity
In this episode, Steph shares the heart behind her new resource on autistic burnout, created after noticing how many people are quietly approaching exhaustion. She explores what autistic burnout really is: a state of profound, long-term nervous system depletion caused by chronic environmental mismatch, masking, sensory overload, and the cumulative labour of navigating neuronormative systems. Through an occupational therapy lens, burnout is reframed not as failure, but as a signal that something in the current way of living is unsustainable. Steph discusses common signs of burnout, the burnout...
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Back to Basics- Exploring Dissociation
Alphabet Soup! Exploring Complex Neurodiversity
In this episode of Alphabet Soup, Steph brings together a series of short “Back to Basics” recordings exploring the foundations of dissociation, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), and Other Specified Dissociative Disorder (OSDD). We cover: • What DID is and how it develops as an adaptive response to early trauma • The DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for DID • How OSDD differs from DID • Common signs of dissociation, including depersonalisation, derealisation, memory differences, and identity shifts • The difference between everyday dissociation and clinically significant...
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Rest as Necessity: An Invitation
Alphabet Soup! Exploring Complex Neurodiversity
In this episode, Steph shares an open letter written from a place of deep rest — and reflects on why rest is not a luxury, reward, or indulgence, but a biological necessity and a birthright. Speaking gently about urgency culture, productivity, capitalism, colonised time, and nervous system safety, this episode explores rest as an act of sovereignty, self-trust, and quiet resistance. Steph reflects on why rest can feel unsafe, how fear-based productivity keeps us disconnected from our bodies, and why listening inward can be both challenging and healing. Rather than offering prescriptive...
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Honouring Fluctuating Capacity and Challenging Consistency
Alphabet Soup! Exploring Complex Neurodiversity
In this episode of Alphabet Soup, Steph explores the idea that consistency isn’t natural and that fluctuating capacity is a normal, healthy part of being human. Drawing on lived experience, occupational therapy practice, and a decolonial lens, Steph reflects on how capitalism, colonialism, and neuronormative expectations have shaped our beliefs about productivity, reliability, and worth. When systems demand constant output, people whose bodies move in cycles are often framed as the problem. Through personal reflections on burnout, illness, and recovery, this episode reframes sustainability...
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A Tool for Energy Accounting and Activity Tracking
Alphabet Soup! Exploring Complex Neurodiversity
In this episode, Steph dives deeper into pacing and energy conservation, sharing the lived experience and reflections that led to the creation of a free She explores how different people recover from exertion in different ways, including delayed crashes that can show up days or even weeks later, and why this makes planning, rest, and sustainability so complex for many neurodivergent people. Steph walks listeners through the thinking behind the tracker, including why mood, energy, and motivation are tracked separately, and how noticing patterns over time can support better...
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Welcome Back to Season 2 of Alphabet Soup
Alphabet Soup! Exploring Complex Neurodiversity
After a year away from the microphone, Alphabet Soup returns with a softer, slower, and more intentional rhythm. In this opening episode, Steph reflects on the growth, healing, and unlearning of the past year; from pacing and energy conservation, to breaking boom–bust cycles and honouring capacity. This season will gently explore lived experiences of plurality and dissociation, unpack internalised ableism and perfectionism, and lean into conversations about intersectionality, privilege, and what it means to practice (and live) in more affirming, accountable ways. Steph also reflects on...
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Masking and Unmasking Reflection and Checklist
Alphabet Soup! Exploring Complex Neurodiversity
Check out this new resource- Masking and Unmasking Reflection and Checklist! It's completely Free! Let me know what you think! Get your copy Connect with me, Steph: Email: Come and join us on the socials: Instagram: Facebook: Facebook group- The Neurodiversity Empowerment Movement
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Welcome to 2025!
Alphabet Soup! Exploring Complex Neurodiversity
Welcome back for 2025! Just a little life update in this one :) Connect with me, Steph: Email: Come and join us on the socials: Instagram: Facebook: Facebook group- The Neurodiversity Empowerment Movement
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Autistic Identity with Chelsea Luker, Autistic/ADHDER Psychologist and Author
Alphabet Soup! Exploring Complex Neurodiversity
Let's explore Autistic Identity with Chelsea Luker. Chelsea Luker is an Autistic/ADHDer psychologist, author, and parent of two neurodivergent children. With a passion for neurodiversity-affirming practice, Chelsea draws on both her professional and lived experience to support Neurodivergent individuals and their families. Through her work at Connect Us Psychology, she empowers parents, educators, and therapists to foster understanding, self-worth, and connection in Neurodivergent communities. Chelsea is also the author of Square Me, Round World, a collection of stories that highlight the...
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NDIS Myths and Mistakes with Anna Commons from Commonground Disability
Alphabet Soup! Exploring Complex Neurodiversity
NDIS Myths and Mistakes with Anna Commons from Commonground Disability! Need I say more!? In this episode Anna and I address the following Myths and Mistakes: Myth: NDIS don't fund Core supports for children because it is parental responsibility. Myth: You need a diagonsis to get access to NDIA after the age of 7. Myth: The NDIS don't fund sensory items. Mistake: Asking NDIS to fund supports that it literally cannot fund. Mistake: Expecting NDIS to fund everything because you child has a diagnosis. Mistake: Thinking that homeschooling your child means more support via NDIS. Myth: Kids don't...
info_outlineJoin me in this inspiring interview with Bree Ridgeway.
Bree is a 33-year-old lawyer who loves animals, being outdoors and generally learning in any capacity! Bree was identified autistic at 28 years old and openly shares her journey of discovering how she fits in the world and how her autistic gifts have helped her get to where she is today! Thank you so much Bree for helping to empower others!
Thanks for listening!
Big Love,
Steph xx
Visit www.sgroccupationaltherapy.com and check out the ondemand resources I have available
Email: hello@sgroccupationaltherapy.com
Come and join us on the socials:
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Facebook group- The Neurodiversity Empowerment Movement
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1258437025035170/