E87: Dr Luke Beardon

In this first of a two part episode, Dr Luke Beardon - senior lecturer in autism, long-time educator, and author of Autism in Adults and Avoiding Anxiety in Autistic Adults - sits down with Ben to unpack why the language we use around autism matters more than we think.

Luke explains why he rejects terms like “the autism spectrum,” and even “autistic behaviour,” and introduces his concept of autistic epistemology - a way of understanding autism grounded in lived experience, not pathology.

Together, they look at the myths that still influence public thinking, the gaps in UK education, and why simple changes can make learning environments more inclusive for everyone.

This episode is a sharp, thoughtful, and refreshingly human look at autism that challenges old ideas - a genuinely empowering listen for autistic people, parents, educators, and anyone trying to understand neurodivergence better.