Welcome to episode #75! We’re thrilled to be joined by Rebecca McCash today.
Rebecca McCash is the founder and CEO of FutureTech Australia, a neurodivergent-led social enterprise focused on inspiring the next generation of neurodivergent minds. FutureTech provides STEAM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) social and learning opportunities designed and delivered by neurodivergent individuals.
Rebecca is also an inclusion consultant for ASPEC’s Autism Friendly team, a member of Catalyst 2030, CECNA, and the Australian National Autism Strategy Economic Inclusion Working Group. With nearly a decade of experience in the disability sector, Rebecca is passionate about genuine co-design, neurodivergent well-being, and creating inclusive learning environments.
Welcome to the show, Rebecca!
Questions
JN: When did you realize you weren’t neurotypical?
- Early exposure to neurodiversity through her younger brother’s autism and ADHD diagnosis
- Struggled with chronic depression, anxiety, and eating disorders before being diagnosed at 26
- Diagnosis provided a framework for understanding and supporting herself
JN: How has your diagnosis changed your life?
- Allowed for self-advocacy and better life choices
- Stopped forcing socialization and instead focused on deeper, meaningful relationships
- Embraced special interests, especially learning and neurodivergence research
JN: What are your thoughts on the term "special interests"?
- Doesn’t mind it but acknowledges some prefer "obsessions" or "passions"
- Finds joy in deep-diving into interests like penguins, research, and STEAM topics
JN: How does your work align with your passions?
- FutureTech focuses on neurodivergent-led STEAM education and community capacity building
- Advocates for shifting the focus from making autistic people fit into neurotypical expectations to celebrating neurodivergent strengths
JN: What is the neurodivergent well-being framework you’re working on?
- Traditional well-being metrics (e.g., academic achievement) don’t fully apply to neurodivergent people
- Developed an alternative model emphasizing curiosity, self-advocacy, and interest-driven learning
- Aims to help educators, parents, and workplaces better support neurodivergent individuals
JN: What productivity strategies work for you?
- Uses extensive safety nets like calendar blocking, structured environments, and automation tools (e.g., Calendly)
- Finds body doubling unhelpful but thrives with task chunking and completing work in one sitting
- Offloads cognitive tasks to external systems to avoid overwhelm
JN: What does your morning routine look like?
- Wakes up early and starts the day with herbal tea, tidying up, and checking emails
- Uses structured routines to maximize productivity and mental clarity
- Finds early mornings the best time for deep work
JN: How does narcolepsy impact your sleep, and what helps?
- Struggles with disrupted sleep cycles due to constantly shifting between sleep stages
- Uses sleep music, hypnosis tracks, and a weighted blanket for better rest
- Takes a mid-day nap to compensate for limited nighttime sleep
JN: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
- Loves learning, reading, and researching a variety of topics, from neuroscience to economics
- Enjoys dancing, especially pole dancing, as a way to stay active and express herself
JN: Where can people connect with you?
JN: Final words for the audience?
- Find what works for you instead of forcing conventional productivity and relaxation methods
- Advocate for neurodivergent-friendly well-being frameworks
- Lean into your strengths and embrace what makes you unique
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