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).
*
The Spectrum Girl's Survival Guide: How to Grow Up Awesome and Autistic by Siena Castellon is out now and available to purchase here.
*
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.
*
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
*
Social Media:
Elizabeth Day @elizabday
Siena Castellon @NCWeek
How To Fail @howtofailpod
S5, Ep8 How to Fail: Jess Phillips
S5, Ep7 How to Fail: Meera Syal
S5, Ep6 How to Fail: Samin Nosrat
S5, Ep5 How to Fail: Dame Kelly Holmes
S5, Ep4 How to Fail: Francesca Segal
S5, Ep3 How to Fail: Emeli Sandé
S5, Ep2 How To Fail: FLEABAG IS BACK
S5, Ep1 How to Fail: Nigel Slater
S4, Ep8 How to Fail: Jamie Laing
S4, Ep7 How to Fail: Nesrine Malik
S4, Ep6 How to Fail: Andy McNab
S4, Ep5 How to Fail: Charly Cox
S4, Ep4 How to Fail: Mo Gawdat
S4, Ep3 How to Fail: Tracey Thorn
S4, Ep2 How to Fail: John Crace
S4, Ep1 How to Fail: Vicky McClure
S3, Ep9 How to Fail: Haemin Sunim
S3 BONUS EPISODE How to Fail: Kristen Roupenian
S3, Ep8 How to Fail: Pandora Sykes
S3, Ep7 How to Fail: Sharmaine Lovegrove
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
50 Tastes Of Gray
Dear Alice | Interior Design
Spider-Man Crawlspace Podcast
Grimms’ Fairy Tales
Just So Stories
The Magnus Archives
Fresh Air