“Plastics.” What The Graduate Didn't See Coming

By David Wetherelt | Like Minds Alliance

“Just one word… are you listening?” “Yes, sir.” “Plastics.” That iconic line from the 1967 film The Graduate might have seemed prophetic at the time; a nod to a shiny, modern world full of promise. When Mr. McGuire gave young Benjamin that one-word career tip, the future of manufacturing was, indeed, plastic. What he didn’t say, what he couldn’t have known, is that plastics would also become one of the greatest invisible threats to our bodies, our brains, and especially, our children.

I was born in the 1960s, too. raised in the golden age of Tupperware, Styrofoam, and convenience culture. Back then, plastic meant progress. Now, we’re living in its aftermath. Decades of use, disposal, heating, wearing, washing, and leaching have left us with a global crisis hiding in plain sight: microplastics.

And while it affects everyone, for neurodivergent people, those of us with Autism, ADHD, or other sensory and processing differences, the impact may be far more profound.

Microplastics and the Neurodivergent Brain

Microplastics are tiny particles that shed from plastic products and packaging. We drink them in our water, breathe them in our air, and absorb them through our skin. A recent study found microplastics in every human placenta sampled; a chilling reminder that exposure begins before birth. And in 2024, researchers confirmed what many suspected: microplastics have now been found in the human brain.

That discovery hit home for me and for the people I coach through Like Minds. As someone with Autism and ADHD, I live with a brain that’s already wired differently. Many neurodivergent people struggle with detoxification pathways, particularly those involving glutathione, a master antioxidant that plays a central role in clearing toxins like heavy metals and plastics from the body.

When that system is compromised, the brain becomes vulnerable. For those of us with sensory sensitivity, cognitive challenges, anxiety, or chronic inflammation, this slow build-up of microplastic toxicity may worsen symptoms or amplify vulnerabilities.

And it’s not a dramatic, overnight kind of harm, it’s the quiet, compounding exposure over years. Decades. Lifetimes.

The Everyday Exposure We Overlook

We talk a lot about nutrition and lifestyle in the neurodivergent community. But when I coach parents of Autistic or ADHD children, or adults like me learning to manage their unique brain, I always bring up environmental stressors like microplastics. Because if you’re working so hard to improve your brain health through food, supplements, or therapy, and then unknowingly microwaving lunch in a disposable plastic container… you're pouring fuel back on the fire.

Let’s be real: our culture is plastic-obsessed. But here are just a few places we’re exposed without realizing it:

• Plastic water bottles – Even BPA-free bottles can shed microplastics when reused or left in the heat.

• Microwaving food in plastic – Always opt for glass containers labeled microwave-safe.

• Dryer sheets – Many deposit synthetic polymers directly onto your clothing.

• Non-stick cookware – Scratched surfaces can release harmful compounds.

• Synthetic fabrics – Clothing, especially for children, can shed plastic fibers that enter our air and water.
  

Even the flame retardants once embedded in kids’ pajamas have been tied to developmental issues. And sadly, many of these compounds are still used globally.

What Can We Do? Mindful Practices, Small Changes

At Like Minds, we don’t preach perfection. We teach awareness, compassion, and practical change. Here are a few recommendations I share with clients, families, and friends:

1. Use glass or stainless-steel containers for food storage and reheating.

2. Ditch single-use plastic bottles and switch to reusable filtered systems.

3. Choose natural fabrics (cotton, linen, wool) over synthetics when possible.

4. Avoid dryer sheets or use wool dryer balls with essential oils.

5. Support detoxification with nutrition, especially foods that boost glutathione: cruciferous veggies, garlic, and clean protein sources. Some neurodivergent individuals may benefit from supplements that support Glutathione production such as NAC — but always consult a professional.

   
   

Not Just Environmental; It’s Personal

I used to avoid plastics mainly for environmental reasons. I thought I was doing it for the planet. But I’ve come to realize I was missing the more personal truth:

The environment inside my brain was under attack. And so is yours. So is your child’s.

We can’t avoid all plastics. But we can reduce exposure, support our body’s natural detox systems, and raise awareness, especially in the neurodivergent community, where the stakes are higher, and the resilience can be lower.

This isn’t a doomsday message. It’s a wake-up call. One that started with a line from a movie and ends with a call for compassion, science, and conscious living.

Because the future may have once been “plastics.” But our future now depends on understanding what that really means.

David Wetherelt is a neurodivergent coach, advocate, and co-founder of Like Minds Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to helping neurodivergent individuals and families thrive. Reach out to learn more about personalized coaching, neurotoxic exposure, and detox support at www.likemindsalliance.org.