Cats are Autistic (Episode 46) - Video

Purr-fect Parallels: Exploring the Neurodiversity of Cats and its Relevance to the Autistic Experience

Autistic podcast hosts Dr. Angela Lauria and Matt Lowry draw connections between the behaviors and traits exhibited by cats and the common experiences of autistic individuals.

They compare feline quirks, such as sensory preferences, need for routines, communication styles, strong stress response, and special interests, to attributes often associated with autism.

The hosts explain how cats' particular preferences for their surroundings and communication methods align with autistic individuals' desires for predictable environments and understandable forms of expression.

They highlight famous autistic-coded cat characters in media, including Garfield, Hello Kitty, the Cat in the Hat, and Hobbes from Calvin and Hobbes, analyzing how these representations embody aspects of autistic culture.

The discussion uses examples of cat behavior to criticize ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy, arguing that autistic people, like cats, should be accepted and accommodated for who they naturally are, rather than forced to conform to allistic expectations.

Overall, the hosts showcase cats as a powerful symbol of neurodiversity, celebrating feline tendencies as an emblem of the autistic experience and advocating for the same appreciation and accommodation of autistic individuals' innate traits.

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Show notes and resources:

Kathy Hoopmann’s website - https://kathyhoopmann.com/books/

Video: How I Taught My Cat to Talk | Beginner Tutorial - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPW18l2W4xo

Video: Cat Kicks Boyfriend out of the House - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4Battpposp0

Video: Where Dad? Billi Speaks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isYF4UDgxIc


Other episodes to check out if you liked this one:
Episode 08: Peanuts is Autistic - https://autisticculture.substack.com/p/episode-8-peanuts-is-autistic#details

Episode 32: Animation is Autistic - https://autisticculture.substack.com/p/episode-32-animation-is-autistic#details

Book Club #01: Doppelganger - https://autisticculture.substack.com/p/book-club-doppelganger#details