What Are We So Afraid Of? | Angles on Autism, Ep. 6

We talk a lot about what autistic teens are afraid of. What about the rest of us? In this episode of Angles on Autism, Samara Tricarico and triple board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Mayank Gupta turn the question around. What are parents, educators, and clinicians afraid of? Naming something that feels different. Losing the child or the future we pictured. Uncertainty. Being truly seen. They talk about why avoiding the fear can make things harder, and what opens up when families celebrate differences instead of hiding them. In this episode: The fear of naming a hunch, and how waiting can delay support Avoidance and accommodation: how a family can get stuck in a cycle Seeing yourself in your child, and the loss of the version you imagined Celebrating differences instead of starting the shame cycle Fear as protection, and when it becomes a false alarm Why being understood matters so much, and what it costs to keep performing Why play and self-expression matter for neurodivergent kids, and the fear of being judged for them Why self-acceptance comes first "Difference is not a disorder." Dr. Mayank Gupta This episode includes discussion of suicide. If you or your child need support right now, call or text 988. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Angles on Autism 02:57 What families bring into the consulting room 05:21 Avoidance, accommodation, and the relationship problem 07:28 Seeing yourself in your child, and the loss of the version you imagined 11:23 Celebrating differences, not starting the shame cycle 12:43 Finding inclusive spaces where kids can belong 17:08 The fear of uncertainty, and of death 19:30 The narrow box: perfection and performing 21:55 Vulnerability, and the need to be understood 23:34 Is the fear of missing out really a fear of not being accepted? 26:32 The false self 33:17 Is fear all bad? Fear as protection 35:40 How neurodivergent kids come to know themselves 38:01 Expression, play, and the fear of being judged 43:29 Freedom, and the drive to be yourself 46:31 Self-acceptance first 47:56 Hope for a new generation, and "not a problem" Dr. Mayank Gupta is a triple board-certified psychiatrist and a specialist in autism and neurodivergence. Samara Tricarico is co-founder and Executive Director of the Endurant Movement and brings a parent's lived experience to every conversation. Together they ask one question: what would it take to stop being afraid of what makes us different? Learn more about the Endurant Movement: https://www.endurantmovement.org No one should have to disappear to belong. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text) · Text HOME to 741741 ABOUT ANGLES ON AUTISM Angles on Autism is a conversation series from the Endurant Movement, hosted by co-founder and Executive Director Samara Tricarico. Each episode brings clinicians, educators, and families together on the topics that matter most to neurodivergent youth and the people who love them, because all angles matter. The Endurant Movement is a San Diego nonprofit creating safe spaces and real tools for autistic and neurodivergent youth and their families. This conversation is for education and awareness. It is not medical advice. Subscribe for new episodes:    / @endurantmovement