
Neurodiversity affirming community – with Katie York
Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
03/04/24
•35m
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Katie York (aka The Distracted Autistic) is a late-diagnosed Autistic who also has ADHD. They are currently program coordinator at the Community College of Baltimore County in Baltimore, Maryland. Katie is also an advocate and community organizer. In 2022, they founded Harford County Neurodivergents to build a network for neurodivergent adults & provide neurodiversity-affirming resources and education. Katie is a member of Harford County Public Schools Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee and a proud board member of Upper Chesapeake Bay Pride.
During this episode, you will hear Katie talk about:
- How they discovered their neurodivergence later in life
- Creating the Harford County Neurodivergents group, and the local peer support and community it provides
- What it means to be "neurodiversity-affirming," and how that can be important for neurodivergent people
- The impact that Harford County Neurodivergents has had on their members so far
- What inspired them to get into local politics and advocacy, and their advice for people who want to become more involved in their communities
Learn more about Katie on their website at TheDistractedAutistic.com and on Facebook.
If you want to join the Neurodivergent Podcasters Discord group, email beyond6seconds at gmail.com to receive an invite.
Join the Autistic Corporate Professionals group on LinkedIn.
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.
Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.
Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes.
Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!
*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*
Previous Episode

Supporting the Hispanic Tourette's community - with Claudia Scott
February 19, 2024
•31m
Born and raised in Costa Rica, Claudia Scott was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome in her early teens. Now she lives in the U.S., where she is the Capital Access Manager for Kiva Northwest Arkansas (NWA) at Startup Junkie and an advocate for Tourette's education and support. Claudia uses her experiences to support people with Tourette's, especially in Spanish-speaking communities.
During this episode, Claudia talks about:
- How she discovered she had Tourette's when she was growing up in Costa Rica
- Her experience of how Tourette's is viewed by the general public in Costa Rica and the United States
- How her Tourette's has changed over the course of her life, and how she managed through those changes
- The support she provides to the Hispanic Tourette's community, including a Tourette's support group for Spanish speakers
Learn more about Claudia at her travel blog The Tourette Traveler and follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.
Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.
Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes.
Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!
*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*
Next Episode

Down syndrome, leadership & advocacy – with David Egan
March 18, 2024
•15m
David Egan is a leader and advocate who promotes the causes of people with disabilities. He is the first person with Down Syndrome to serve as a Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Public Policy fellow on Capitol Hill and with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). As a Special Olympics athlete and International Global Messenger, David has traveled extensively and speaks to diverse audiences, including the U.S. Senate, United Nations, and various universities, nonprofit and for-profit companies.
David has also received many awards throughout his career. He was honored by NDSS for his legacy, presented with the American Association for Intellectual Disabilities Media Award, and received the Global Down Syndrome Foundation's highest honor: the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award. As the author of the book "More Alike Than Different: My Life with Down Syndrome," he inspires his audiences to see our shared humanity and focus on abilities and possibilities rather than limitations.
During this episode, you will hear David talk about:
- Growing up with Down Syndrome, and his biggest dreams as a child
- How he learned to accept his disability
- What he enjoyed about working at Booz Allen Hamilton, CBRE, and SourceAmerica
- His experience as a Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Public Policy fellow
- How he became a disability advocate
- The impact of Special Olympics on his life
To learn more about David and his work, visit his website at DavidEganAdvocacy.com and buy his book, "More Alike Than Different: My Life with Down Syndrome."
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.
Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.
Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes.
Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!
*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*
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