Either I'm autistic, or I'm a cat
6/1/202631 min
"It's only been in recent years that I've had a public platform and people have asked me specifically about being autistic."
In the first episode of this special four-part series, Grace Tame speaks candidly with Yumi Stynes about her experiences as an autistic woman, from feeling on the outer and being labelled "weird" to experiencing the world in "high definition".
In this exclusive interview, Grace opens up about the ways that she fought her own brain, using alcohol and masking to try and fit in. She also reveals how exploring relationships with women has been a "profound shift".
After sharing her own story, Grace takes over hosting duties for the rest of the series, speaking with experts and other autistic women to find out why so many women are misunderstood and diagnosed late.
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSpeaker 00:00
I'm Edith Vale. And I'm Maureen McGillicuddy. And we host Another Cuppa. It's a darling little program where we natter away with some of Australia's biggest names. Like Pauline Yao. Now, would you like a cuppa?
Grace Tame· Guest0:11
I would love a cuppa.
Speaker 00:13
How do you take it, love?
Grace Tame· Guest0:14
Um- As often as possible. [laughs] [laughs] I wish.
Speaker 00:19
Watch Another Cuppa on ABC iview, YouTube, or listen on ABC Listen. Hoo-roo.
Yumi Stynes· Host0:26
[gentle music] ABC Listen: podcasts, radio, news, music, and more. Just to let you know before we start, this episode contains references to sexual violence and disordered eating.
Grace Tame· Guest0:41
[gentle music] Autism is so many things. It is not a stereotype, and it is not a look.
Yumi Stynes· Host0:50
If you're Australian or have spent any time here, you know Grace Tame. She's the 2021 Australian of the Year, a fearless human rights campaigner, athlete, and public speaker who fights for victims of childhood sexual abuse. She loves animals, the outdoors, and op shopping. She's a keen long-distance runner, cyclist, horse rider, and suffers absolutely no fools. But there's a side of Grace the public doesn't know so well. As a kid, Grace often felt different from the people around her. She struggled with sensory overload, understanding social cues, and she hated change.
Grace Tame· Guest1:29
I was