A clear and compassionate introduction to autism as a whole-system developmental difference, setting the foundation for a broader and more humane understanding of autistic experience.
In Episode 1 of The William Gomes Podcast, “What Autism Really Is: A Whole-System Understanding,” William Gomes moves beyond narrow or behaviour-only explanations of autism. The episode explores how autism reflects deeper differences in communication, social understanding, sensory processing, and information processing, all of which interact to shape how a child experiences the world.
Moving Beyond Single-Framework Explanations
Rather than presenting autism through a single theoretical lens, the discussion explains why no one theory can fully capture autistic development. Gomes introduces a whole-system perspective, in which behaviour, biology, and cognition are understood as interconnected aspects of lived experience.
Focusing on only one level, the episode argues, risks missing the complexity and meaning behind autistic differences.
Looking Beneath Behaviour
The episode also addresses why outward behaviour can be misleading when taken in isolation. Gomes explains that behaviour is often the visible outcome of deeper sensory, cognitive, and emotional processes, and that understanding autism requires attention to what is happening beneath the surface as well as what can be observed.
This approach encourages curiosity, empathy, and a move away from judgement-based interpretations.
Setting the Tone for the Series
As the opening episode, this conversation establishes the tone and approach for those that follow. It offers listeners a grounded and accessible way to begin understanding autism with depth, empathy, and respect, rather than through deficit-based assumptions or simplified explanations.
The episode is intended for parents, educators, and professionals who want a clearer framework for understanding autism as a developmental difference involving the whole person, not just isolated traits or behaviours.
Listen to Episode 1
Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-william-gomes-podcast/id1582677051?i=1000741200751
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5285JTLW2eczr46KczFuO5?si=b32b367ee41a4568
YouTube
https://youtu.be/vltzgzZ-xQ0?si=jRnkNMjhfwD2iKuI
The William Gomes Podcast is an independent podcast series focused on autism, child development, and neurodiversity, offering evidence-informed and accessible discussions designed to support understanding across families, education, and professional practice.
