Is AuDHD 'Justice Sensitivity' Going To Save Planet Earth? Autism Researcher Reveals New Study!

In this episode, Ben Branson is joined by Dr. Samantha Friedman, a researcher exploring the intersection of autism, human-nature relationships, and wellbeing. Together they discuss how natural environments can offer calming, non-judgmental spaces that support regulation, curiosity, and connection.

Dr. Samantha shares how autistic people connect with nature in ways that reflect their individual needs - from immersive outdoor experiences to more accessible, sensory-based encounters. With a PhD from Cambridge and a current Lecturer in Applied Psychology at the University of Edinburgh, her work is helping reframe how we understand autism’s unique and powerful relationship with the natural world.

#adhd #autism

00:00 Introduction
1:00 Special Interest: Connection to Nature
2:38 Autism: Nature Never Judges
6:00 New Autism Research Findings: The Link Between Autism & Connection to Nature
11:38 “A Deep Empathetic Wondrous Connection”
17:27 Eco, Climate, Autism & Justice
20:24 What is Nature Deficit Disorder?
22:30 Redefining What Nature Is
26:10 Neurodiverse Forest Schools & Nature
35:09 What Are The Simple Ways We Can Connect With Nature?
39:00 Food, Nature & Autism
42:08 Dr. Sam’s Current Research
43:08 Forest Schools for Autism
44:40 Dr. Sam’s Green Dot Badge

On THE HIDDEN 20% - a Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's, ADHD and Autism Podcast - host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds... think differently.

Host: Ben Branson
Head of Production: Bella Neale
Assistant Producer: Phoebe De Leiburne
Video Editor: James Scrivens
Social Media Manager: Charlie Young
Music: Jackson Greenberg
Brought to you by charity THE HIDDEN 20% 1203348

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