“On the Spectrum with Tom and Laura Hopper”

i haven't even watched this yet, but istg every thumbnail is a Rob thirst trap that we're all too happy to fall in

Good of Laura to talk about functioning labels. 'High functioning is used to deny help, 'low functioning/ severe' is used to deny someones capabilities. All autistic people are different. For example non verbal doesnt mean non thinking or non understanding. Also, 'meltdown' is the term used, its defined by a loss of behavioural control which is usually caused by distress, such as being unable to be understood. I feel for freddie being sensory seeking. Its very hard when people act negatively to stimming, neurotypicals perceive it as weird for some reason. Autism isn't necessarily 'on the rise', its because we know more about it so more people are able to be diagnosed. Thanks to Laura for bringing up girls masking, not many people realise this. Sensory sensitivity does make things difficult, its easy to get overstimulated, such as with food, clothes and noise. I was much pickier as a kid, but theres still stuff i can't eat. I think it would've been cool to talk to some autistic adults, who can tell you first hand experiences. Also, preventing autism shouldnt be a goal. Its a natural part of human neurodiversity.

As an autistic person this means so so much to me. So many people don’t realize that there is nothing wrong with autism, it’s a part of how my brain works, and although it can make things challenging it makes me me and I’m so proud of that. This makes me so happy as a huge fan of Tom and Robert. I am so happy I found this video. The only thing I didn’t like was when Tom was saying that they should find the cause and prevent it, but I’m glad he then said he is trying to see the world the way Freddie sees it and accept him.Autism isn’t a sickness that needs a cure, and I think people need to research more about autism then the cause. Laura seems more educated on it but I’m glad Tom seems to be trying

SOMEONE GET ROBERT HIS GLOCKENSPIEL RIGHT NOW😡😂💓!

Mhm, came from Twitter after someone claimed that Rob is Hella rude to autistic people in this podcast. Obviously not true. So why do people spread missinformation and hate about him?

As one of those people who left a negative comment on the post yesterday, I'd like to sincerely apologize. The clip was taken out of context and I jumped to conclusions. To anyone else who got a bad impression from the clip yesterday and hasn't yet watched this - please watch it. It's not what you think it is. Will definitely think before judging a 90 minute video based on a 1 minute clip from now on. Spreading the word to my friends who also got a bad impression, and sharing this on social media. I'm really glad this was uploaded.

Can Tom and Laura put out a cook book? Would 100% pre order at least 3.

PLEASEEEE MORE EPISODES

I’m an autistic adult and I absolutely loved Laura and how educated she is on the topic, and how both her and Tom light up when talking about their son. There’s a lot of misinformation and prejudice about autism out there so I was a little bit scared before I started watching the video, but Laura’s awareness on the subject made me very happy, not all parents are like that, little Freddie is really lucky. On another note, I am an extremely, extremely picky eater and always have been, I don’t eat most things and have a very restricted diet, which is full of sugar. I’m well aware it’s not good for me but I have no idea how to change that, considering it’s really hard for me to eat other things (some of them completely impossible) and some of the foods I eat have been my “comfort foods” for years now. Honestly, I’m not sure if it’s possible for me to have a healthy diet as an autistic adult, even though I know it would help me a lot

when Laura spoke about finally finding a mum group- my eMoTiOnS mY EMOTIONS

I know that this is off topic, but can someone inform Robert about possibly doing a meditation session livestream on Instagram. It would have so many good benefits. I just thought that it would be so lovely 😌

I should be in class, but...it's my birthday... So I'm here ♥️

Ok, I’ve watched all of The Earth Locker podcasts but for some reason I want to comment on this one. First off, bravo to Tom and Laura for talking about their experiences with Freddy. Much love to you for wanting to help others, and especially Freddy. I admire your intentions and love as parents. Robbie, thank you for your humor, warmth and genuine search for spiritual meaning in all things. Your smile is contagious! Byron, while I don’t know much about you yet, I appreciate your insight and I’m thankful that you are willing to be the one that keeps the conversation on track when it can understandably end up on a tangent. That being said, can I please suggest one thing to you as a group? Remember your audience. 2/3rds of you have the privilege of being famous white men, and at least 2 of you are financially comfortable. Chances are very slim that you are speaking to the same kind of demographic. Of course, this is your podcast and you can say what you want to, and I know you have the disclaimer that all of this is purely your opinions. But what does this say to people you are trying to help when you talk about companies like Viome and Hapbee which charge $$$$ for services/products that MIGHT help someone who is genuinely struggling? I’m not discounting your intention or those of the companies. But regular people like many who watch/listen to your podcast are painfully aware while they are watching that the things you talk about as a possible solution are financially unattainable. Yes there are credit cards, but how many people right now, during a pandemic with lost jobs/wages/health struggles are desperate to do anything to feel better? Please be cognizant of the message that sends out. Perhaps it’s not a big deal to you. But you say you want to help. I get that, truly, and I applaud your efforts. Just please let us know that you recognize the disparity between your worldview and others. Otherwise it seems as though perhaps the repeated mentions of the companies you talk about are nothing more than a brilliant marketing opportunity for them. There has to be a discussion of this at some point, otherwise it’s very hard for me, as someone who makes considerably less than you working in a hospital, to take the digestion of your podcasts as helpful as I know you had genuinely intended them to be.

Autism rates are 1 in 54 kids in the US. That’s 1 in 34 boys, 1 in 144 girls. There is a considerable rate of under-diagnosis, especially in girls like Laura stated. Research is clear that vaccines DO NOT cause autism and nor does diet. However, many studies show that diet changes can help with autism behaviors. Thanks for sharing your journey Tom and Laura. Please keep the voices of autistic individuals front and center in discussions of Autism. Neurodiversity is valuable and Autism isn’t a disease. Your story is valuable too, but please hear the voices of autistic people who want to share their world with you.

I love Byron, he's like the mom bringing the kids back to the actual topic! Tom & Laura are adorable. Rob is my "wildcard" agreement with my husband!

Thank you so much for this episode, my son was recently diagnosed as Autistic, and realised at the ripe old age of 38 that I am too. Been a real rollercoaster of emotions, but ultimately, I'm proud of who I am and who my son is. Thank you to all for raising awareness ❤ much love

I am glad you decided to upload this . I felt very sorry for the comments on Instagram because I guess many followers felt hurt by Tom's words (I guess it was not the best extract you could choose to put on)but they didn't realise that it came from a hole talk about what they are being through with Freddy. Actually, I listen to the podcast earlier and immediately after Tom suggested his opinion about diet and statistics, Laura explains that actually the rises are involved with better diagnosis and information about autism nowadays. It's not an easy topic at all but I think it is nourishing to bring them on as any other concerning neurodiversities, mental ilness or just how families manage any kind of "disrupting"events in their cores. They really brought very interesting tags on this episode and I think they fundamentally set the idea that autism is a divergence of what we call "normal" thinking and emotional behavior and that it's us "normals"who have to understand them and not them to changevtheir wire up to fit our society rules. I send all my love and support to the Hopper Family and I wish them the best with their beautiful kids. Love and wisdom as always and keep on going with this, we need it...❤🔥

More episodes!!!

My cousin was non verbal until he was around 8-10 age range. He is in his early twenties now and isn't a chatterbox but he is able to communicate verbally. He actually became very interested when he was a pre teen at writing down every single word he would hear in a movie over and over again.

Ooh, man. I’m an autistic adult and have had to live through a ridiculous amount of witchhunts involving autism over the past 20-some years. I’m going to keep a super open mind about this podcast......and know that everyone’s doing their best and striving for the right thing 💕