Shows / The Autistic Mile
The Autistic Mile
A meaningful new platform dedicated to advocacy, understanding, and connection within the autism community. The podcast is designed to spark thoughtful conversations and provide helpful dialogue that sheds light on the real experiences, challenges, and strengths of autistic individuals and the families who love and support them. Through authentic stories, practical insights, and heartfelt discussions, The Autistic Mile aims to further awareness, foster compassion, and build a stronger sense of…
Episodes
- The Autistic Mile
Everyone Struggles Sometimes
Everyone struggles with something—and that’s often part of how we get better. Shane Gaffney takes a more personal look at the parts of bringing the podcast to…
- The Autistic Mile
Autism And Creative Arts
For many autistic individuals, creativity can be more than a hobby—it can be a way of giving shape to everything happening inside their minds. People on the…
- The Autistic Mile
The Ideal-ist: Episode 16 (Compton Boole)
Welcome back to The Ideal-ist, the YouTube Shorts companion series to The Autistic Mile. In this series, Shane Gaffney explores the characters, games, shows…
- The Autistic Mile
Patience In Medication Effects
Starting a new medication can come with a lot of uncertainty. This short discusses how difficult it can be to judge whether a medication is actually helping…
- The Autistic Mile
Liberating Your Creativity
Creativity can be powerful—but without an outlet, even the best ideas can remain trapped inside. Many autistic individuals are deeply creative and imaginative…
- The Autistic Mile
You're Never Too Old To Need Assistance
Growing older doesn’t mean you suddenly have to handle every problem entirely by yourself. There’s a pressure many adults feel to become completely…
- The Autistic Mile
To Broadcast Your Voice
Anyone can technically point a camera at themselves and start talking—but making something people genuinely want to listen to takes more than simply reading…
- The Autistic Mile
It's Okay To Need Help
Independence is valuable—but nobody gets through life entirely on their own. Needing help should never be treated as a sign of weakness. Wanting to be…
- The Autistic Mile
The Ideal-ist: Halloween Special
Happy Halloween from The Ideal-ist. For this special episode, Shane Gaffney steps into very different territory with Resident Evil 7: Biohazard—the acclaimed…
- The Autistic Mile
Why You Should Stay Stocked On Your Medication
Running out of medication can turn a manageable routine into a serious problem very quickly. Jim Gaffney shares his own experience with medication shortages…
- The Autistic Mile
Our Mission Statement
The Autistic Mile is about more than raising awareness—it’s about creating opportunity. This short offers a broader look at the mission behind the podcast…
- The Autistic Mile
Finding Comfort In Fiction
Every episode starts with an idea—but for Shane, the process begins long before the camera turns on. Shane Gaffney walks through how he comes up with topics…
- The Autistic Mile
Communication Gets Easier With Practice
For many autistic individuals, writing can feel safer than speaking. Text-based communication can be so valuable for people on the spectrum. Writing gives…
- The Autistic Mile
Overcoming Mental Health Stigmas
Struggling psychologically does not make someone weak, dangerous, or lesser. The stigma that still surrounds mental and psychological struggles—and the harmful…
- The Autistic Mile
Straitjacket or Safety Net? The Medication Dilemma
Straitjacket or Safety Net? The Medication Dilemma 💊🧠 Can psychiatric medication be a lifeline, or can it sometimes feel like a straitjacket? Is it possible…
- The Autistic Mile
You're Stronger Than You Think
Every long journey starts with a first step. Jim Gaffney shares his experiences with marathon running and the lessons he learned from pushing through moments…
- The Autistic Mile
"Should I Seek Out Medication?"
Deciding whether medication might help isn’t always a simple yes-or-no question. The best first step when something is affecting your quality of life is often…
- The Autistic Mile
Turning Your Passion Into A Force For Good
Sometimes the most fulfilling work begins with something you already love doing. There’s value in identifying the hobbies, interests, and activities that…
- The Autistic Mile
Finding Motivation In The Face Of Difficulty
Sometimes, adversity can become something more than an obstacle—it can become a way of discovering what you’re capable of. Jim Gaffney reflects on his own…
- The Autistic Mile
The Ideal-ist: Episode 15 (Aelita)
Welcome back to The Ideal-ist, the YouTube Shorts companion series to The Autistic Mile. In this series, Shane Gaffney explores the characters, games, shows…
- The Autistic Mile
The Importance Of Seeking Help/Medication
Sometimes, the hardest part of getting help is recognizing that something is worth bringing up in the first place. It’s important to seek professional help…
- The Autistic Mile
The Spectrum Cafe' - We're Always Open
☕ The Spectrum Cafe' – We're Always Open! 🌈 Welcome to The Spectrum Cafe', where the coffee is always brewing, the conversations are real, and the doors are…
- The Autistic Mile
The Ideal-ist: Episode 14 (Lunar/Soleil)
Welcome back to The Ideal-ist, the YouTube Shorts companion series to The Autistic Mile. In this series, Shane Gaffney explores the characters, games, shows…
- The Autistic Mile
The Ideal-ist: Episode 13 (Ralsei)
Welcome back to The Ideal-ist, the YouTube Shorts companion series to The Autistic Mile. In this series, Shane Gaffney explores the characters, games, shows…
- The Autistic Mile
The Ideal-ist: Episode 12 (Hikari)
Welcome back to The Ideal-ist, the YouTube Shorts companion series to The Autistic Mile. In this series, Shane Gaffney explores the characters, games, shows…
- The Autistic Mile
Denied By Design? Inside the Fight for ABA Coverage
Denied By Design? Inside the Fight for ABA Coverage What happens when a child is receiving ABA therapy—and an insurance decision suddenly puts that care at…
- The Autistic Mile
Struggles Being Honest Without Being Rude
Honesty can be a virtue—but sometimes the truth still needs tact. Some autistic individuals can struggle with being honest to a fault. A person may say…
- The Autistic Mile
Coping With Uncertain Outcomes
Not everything in life can be predicted, prevented, or controlled—and for many autistic individuals, that uncertainty can be especially difficult to live with…
- The Autistic Mile
The Ideal-ist: Episode 11 (The Backwards House)
Welcome back to The Ideal-ist, the YouTube Shorts companion series to The Autistic Mile. For the first time, Shane Gaffney steps away from focusing on a single…
- The Autistic Mile
Anxiety from Unfinished Tasks
Sometimes, an unfinished task can feel much bigger than the task itself. Some autistic individuals can experience significant discomfort when work is left…
- The Autistic Mile
How Small Stressors Accumulate
One small problem may be easy to handle. Ten in a row can feel completely different. Minor stressors can become much harder to manage when they arrive…
- The Autistic Mile
Handling outbursts responsibly
Sometimes, even with experience and self-awareness, emotions can still spill over. Occasional outbursts, shutdowns, or moments of emotional overload can be…
- The Autistic Mile
Why Education On Autism Is Important
Autism can seem like a distant subject when it doesn’t directly affect your own life—but chances are, it already touches more people around you than you…
- The Autistic Mile
Difficulty Letting Go Of Emotions
For many autistic individuals, consistency is more than a preference—it can be a source of emotional stability. It can be difficult sometimes for people on the…
- The Autistic Mile
How Autism Can Affect Impulse/Inhibition
Sometimes the hardest part of self-control isn’t knowing what you should do—it’s having enough mental energy left to stop yourself in the moment. Autism can…
- The Autistic Mile
Difficulties In Social Understanding For Autistics
Understanding what another person is thinking can be difficult enough on its own—especially when the social world already feels confusing. Here, Jim and Shane…
- The Autistic Mile
The Ideal-ist: Episode 10 (Kieran)
Welcome back to The Ideal-ist, the YouTube Shorts companion series to The Autistic Mile. In this series, Shane Gaffney explores the characters, games, shows…
- The Autistic Mile
Having A Disability Doesn't Mean You're Broken
Autism can look very different from one person to another. There’s a wide range of support needs across the autism spectrum. Some autistic individuals may live…
- The Autistic Mile
Cognitive Inflexibility: Welcome To The Dumpster Fire
Cognitive Inflexibility: Welcome to the Dumpster Fire 🔥 Ever have one unfinished task, unexpected change, or problem that your brain simply refuses to let go…
- The Autistic Mile
The Ideal-ist: Episode 9 (Miles "Nine" Prower)
Welcome back to The Ideal-ist, the YouTube Shorts companion series to The Autistic Mile. In this series, Shane Gaffney explores the characters, games, shows…
- The Autistic Mile
Online Entertainment: The Great Equalizer
The internet has made it possible for people to build opportunities for themselves in ways that once would have been almost unimaginable. Online platforms have…
- The Autistic Mile
Find A Job That Fits You
A job can provide income—but the best kind of work can provide something more. Personal fulfillment matters just as much as financial stability when it comes…
- The Autistic Mile
Podcasting Giving Voice To The Overlooked
You don’t always need a massive studio, a huge budget, or an army of people to make your voice heard. Podcasts differ from larger, high-investment mediums like…
- The Autistic Mile
Even Niche Occupations Can Improve The World
Not every important contribution looks glamorous—and some of the most essential work in the world is also some of the easiest to overlook. Occupations and…
- The Autistic Mile
To Dread Or Adapt To The Future
The future can feel exciting, overwhelming, or sometimes both at once. Uncertainty can make future possibilities feel intimidating—whether they involve new…
- The Autistic Mile
Learning From Mistakes
When something goes wrong, the mistake itself isn’t the end of the story—what matters is what we learn from it. Technological innovation often involves trial…
- The Autistic Mile
Creative Opportunities Of The Internet
The internet has changed what it means to have an audience—and who gets the opportunity to create for one. Online platforms have given independent creators…
- The Autistic Mile
The Ideal-ist: Episode 8 (Eliot)
Welcome back to The Ideal-ist, the companion series to The Autistic Mile. In this series, Shane Gaffney explores the characters, games, shows, and stories that…
- The Autistic Mile
Seek Out Multiple Sources
Not every source is equally trustworthy—and sometimes the most confident claims are the ones worth examining most carefully. It’s important to seek out…
- The Autistic Mile
Overcoming Prejudice Through Exposure
New and unfamiliar things are often met with fear long before they’re met with understanding. Major technological innovations and autistic people can sometimes…
- The Autistic Mile
Letting Humans Review AI Results
AI can be a powerful tool—but its best results often come when a human being stays involved. AI-generated work, recommendations, and ideas should still be…
- The Autistic Mile
The Ideal-ist: Episode 7 (Sunday)
Welcome back to The Ideal-ist, the YouTube Shorts companion series to The Autistic Mile. In this series, Shane Gaffney explores the characters, games, shows…
- The Autistic Mile
Don't Be Afraid To Make Mistakes
Making mistakes doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it means you’re learning. Mistakes are a natural part of growth, and how learning to view them as feedback rather…
- The Autistic Mile
County Line By The Autistic Mile
County Line — The Autistic Mile What happens when you spend your life learning everyone else’s roads, rules, and signs—but never quite feel like you belong on…
- The Autistic Mile
Knowledge Is Power
Fear is easy to sell—but understanding takes a little more work. Both artificial intelligence and autism can sometimes be framed in alarmist ways by media…
- The Autistic Mile
AI's Potential In Rookie Music Automation
Creativity often comes before technical skill—and AI may be giving more people a way to finally bridge that gap. AI-powered music tools can help people who…
- The Autistic Mile
Embracing The Good Side Of Tech
AI can sound frightening when the loudest headlines focus on worst-case scenarios—but fear and hype don’t always tell the whole story. New technology often…
- The Autistic Mile
Terminator or Teammate? The Truth About AI
Terminator or Teammate? What AI Really Means for Humans Is artificial intelligence leading us toward a Terminator-style future—or could AI become one of the…
- The Autistic Mile
An Autistic Perspective On AI
AI is surrounded by enormous promises—but understanding what it can’t do may be just as important as understanding what it can. Jim Gaffney and Derek Crager…
- The Autistic Mile
AI Assisting Humans Instead Of Replacing Them
AI doesn’t have to be something that replaces human creativity—it can be something that helps people reach more of their own potential. Artificial…