Siena Castellon is my youngest ever guest. She's a 17-year-old activist and mentor. She is autistic, has dyslexia and dyspraxia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. And she's just published her first book.
Her book, The Spectrum Girl's Survival Guide: How to Grow Up Awesome and Autistic, is a brilliant guide for neurodiverse girls navigating a neurotypical world. It is packed full of information and insight into many of the challenges that autistic teen girls face. There are sections on how to date, how to deal with social anxiety and sensory sensitivity and an analysis of the fact that autism is routinely underdiagnosed in girls (in Siena's words: 'we’re really good at hiding our autistic traits. In fact, we become so good at pretending to be “normal” that we convince everyone that we’re neurotypical.')
Siena joins me to talk about being bullied at school, being misunderstood by teachers and failed by a mainstream education system that seemed unable to appreciate her difference. We discuss neurodiversity, sexism, dogs, prejudice, challenging the stereotypical 'Rainman' view of autism and why it's important to stand up for yourself. As Siena puts it: 'I've learnt that you can't assume that people experience the world the way you do and that it's important to express yourself to avoid people making untrue assumptions about you.'
Siena is AMAZING. Listen to her and feel inspired (and also probably quite old).
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The Spectrum Girl's Survival Guide: How to Grow Up Awesome and Autistic by Siena Castellon is out now and available to purchase here.
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I've written a new book! Failosophy: A Handbook For When Things Go Wrong is out in October. It's a practical, inspirational and reassuring guide to the seven principles of failure I've developed since doing this podcast. Packed full of contributions from loads of former guests, as well as listener stories, it is also beautifully illustrated by Paul Blow and I would love it if you wanted to pre-order a signed copy here.
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How To Fail With Elizabeth Day is hosted by Elizabeth Day, produced by Naomi Mantin and Chris Sharp. We love hearing from you! To contact us, email howtofailpod@gmail.com
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Social Media:
Elizabeth Day @elizabday
Siena Castellon @NCWeek
How To Fail @howtofailpod
SPECIAL EPISODE! How to Fail: Mo Gawdat on how to cope with anxiety in a time of Coronavirus
S7, BONUS EPISODE! How to Fail: Deliciously Ella
S7, Ep8 How to Fail: Frankie Bridge
S7, Ep7 How to Fail: Adam Pearson
S7, Ep6 How to Fail: Marian Keyes
S7, Ep5 How to Fail: Eniola Aluko
S7, Ep4 How to Fail: Tom Kerridge
S7, Ep3 How to Fail: Mabel
S7, Ep2 How to Fail: Malcolm Gladwell
S7, Ep1 How to Fail: Andrew Scott
S6, Ep 8 How to Fail: Jane Garvey
S6, BONUS EPISODE! How to Fail: Lemn Sissay
S6, Ep7 How to Fail: Fearne Cotton
S6, Ep6 How to Fail: George Alagiah
S6, Ep5 How to Fail: Shirlie Kemp
S6, Ep4 How to Fail: Lisa Taddeo
S6, Ep3 How to Fail: Cush Jumbo
S6, Ep2 How to Fail: Alain De Botton
S6, Ep1 How to Fail: Camilla Thurlow
S5 BONUS EPISODE! How to Fail: Philippa Perry and Sadie Jones
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