Podcasts about autistic women

In this episode, I read a personal essay about growing up as an undiagnosed PDA-profile autistic child. It's a story about control, shame, and the misunderstood ways resistance shows up in kids who are fighting for autonomy. I talk about meltdowns, self-harm, emotional neglect, and the long path toward healing and self-trust.This is about what happens when you bury parts of yourself to survive... and what it looks like to slowly bring them home.Content note: This episode includes reflections on childhood trauma, spanking, emotional neglect, self-harm, and depression. Please listen with care.

What if the way you speak—or don't speak—was shaped more by survival than by choice? In this solo episode, Carole Jean Whittington dives into how shadow work can reveal hidden fears, unmet needs, and the unspoken patterns that impact the way autistic women communicate.You'll learn how masking, alexithymia, and trauma may be influencing your communication style—whether that's silence, shutdown, over-explaining, or people-pleasing. Carole Jean shares how uncovering these shadow patterns can help you reclaim your voice, speak your truth, and ask for what you need with clarity and self-trust.

Listen in as Robin, Angela and Abby discuss the recent  wildly inaccurate, incendiary and harmful statements from US Health and Human Services (HHS) Director, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about people with Autism.Click here to review the growing list of disability advocacy organizations that responded to his comments.The Autism Society summary of group statementSignatory Organizations:Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Colin Killick, Executive DirectorAutism Society of America, Christopher Banks, President and CEOAutism Speaks, Keith Wargo, President and CEOThe Arc of the United States, Katy Neas, Chief Executive OfficerAutistic Women & Nonbinary Network, Sharon daVanport, Executive DirectorAutistic People of Color Fund, Ly Xīnzhèn Zhǎngsūn Brown, Founding Executive DirectorAutism Empowerment, Karen Krejcha, Co-Founder, Executive DirectorDan Marino Foundation, Mary Partin, CEOPivot NeurodiversityAssociation for Autism and NeurodiversityOrganization for Autism ResearchEls for AutismAutistic Doctors InternationalHussman Institute for AutismMilestones Autism ResourcesEasterseals, Inc.Autistic Women's AllianceNational Council on Severe Autism interview with NPRFact Checking RFK's statements - PBS articlePlease tell us how you found us by completing this surveyEmail us at ASTALPodcast@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram @astalpodcast

Gina Rippon delves into the emerging science of female autism, asking why it has been systematically ignored and misunderstood for so long. Generations of researchers, convinced autism was a male problem, failed to recognise or study it in women. But new research is shedding light on female autism, revealing how autism is different for women and girls, and that camouflaging – hiding autistic traits to fit in – is far more widespread than we thought. From social belonging to the connection between diagnosis and community, Gina illuminates the importance of better understanding the full spectrum of autistic experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Send us a textWhat happens when a psychologist tries to do philosophy? Usually nothing good. Happily, we have a philosopher on hand to explain why this is not a good idea. Join Simon as Alexander dives in Simon Baron-Cohen's book "Zero Degrees of Empathy" and explains that, actually, autistic people can be empathetic. As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you and our Twitter is open @AtypicalThePod for messages and comments. Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone. We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

For many autistic women, being believed is a battle. From childhood, we're told our experiences aren't real, that we're “too much” or “not enough.” It's time to change that.This week, we explore narrative therapy—how storytelling fosters self-trust, validation, and healing. Whether you're autistic or a helping professional, this episode is for you.✨ Includes: ✅ Guided meditation for self-validation ✅ A powerful journaling exercise ✅ Subscriber-only research on narrative therapy

Send us a textSimon has been reading again, this time a paper on autistic and non-autistic rapport: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/13623613251320444  Simon also makes reference to another paper https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13623613241252320 Do check them both out. More episodes soon and with more than just Simon rambling into a microphone in some sort of avant-garde expressionist *a single shot rings out*As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you and our Twitter is open @AtypicalThePod for messages and comments. Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone. We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

Do you ever feel like you're running on empty, constantly shifting who you are to fit into different situations? In this episode, we're diving deep into the connection between masking and autistic burnout—why it happens, how it impacts autistic women, and the signs to watch for before burnout takes over.I'll share my own experience with burnout, the role of masking styles (especially the Integrator style), and practical ways to check in with yourself before reaching a crisis point. Plus, we'll take a moment to slow down with a grounding meditation and simple self-care strategies to help you recover and recharge.It's time to unmask, recognize your needs, and start building a life that supports you—not one that drains you. Let's get started.

Imagine living a life where you fully embrace who you are, without the need to hide or conform. Episode 190, “The Invisible Struggle: How Autistic Women Lose Themselves” offers a path to rediscovering your authentic self and stepping into your true identity. Learn practical steps to unmasking and living with genuine self-trust and peace. 

Send us a textJoin Simon, returning champion Georgia and guest Susie as Georgia tells us all about doing FoI requests for every NHS trust in England and the astonishing results she found about autism and support. Links:Not A Priority report: https://www.autistica.org.uk/blog/not-a-priority Guardian coverage: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/oct/27/positive-assessment-rates-for-autism-vary-widely-between-parts-of-england Most recent NHS England autism statistics: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/autism-statistics/january-2024-to-december-2024 Live ND: https://www.brunel.ac.uk/research/projects/livend-live-music-inclusion-at-venues-and-events-for-neurodivergent-people My blog on the Live ND launch event: https://www.autistica.org.uk/blog/live-from-livend LSE report on economic case for prioritising autism: https://www.lse.ac.uk/News/Latest-news-from-LSE/2025/a-January-25/investment-in-services-for-autistic-individuals-will-create-economic-social-opportunities-UKFollow Georgia @mindtheflap on socials and Susie @puddleuddle as well. Do not perceive Simon, it's probably for the best.As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you and our Twitter is open @AtypicalThePod for messages and comments. Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone. We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

On this episode of 'My Friend Autism', Orion Kelly explores the topic of PMDD and how it impacts Autistic Women. Orion Kelly is an Autistic YouTuber, podcaster, author, actor and Autistic advocate. Find out more and check out his podcasts & YouTube videos at Orion's website: https://orionkelly.com.au   All rights reserved.

Send us a textA mere two weeks late... Look, I got distracted ok?Anyway, Simon is joined once again by Filip and Sam and we take a *very* ADHD ramble through new years resolutions, how to complete a project, domestic bliss and gamifying your own life (Horse armour DLC extra). For more Filip find him on BSky at @ftw.bsky.social and Simon can be found at  @simon.insanity.tube  We have yet to tempt Sam over to the butterflies. As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you and our Twitter is open @AtypicalThePod for messages and comments. Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone. We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

In this episode, Julie Bjelland explores the life-changing experience of discovering you're autistic as an adult. She shares personal insights and stories from others who have embarked on this journey, highlighting the emotional and physical costs of masking, the unique traits of late-discovered autism, and the power of finally understanding yourself. Julie discusses common challenges faced by autistic individuals, including sensory sensitivities, chronic health issues, and societal misconceptions. She also provides strategies for unmasking, embracing your authentic self, and finding supportive communities. Julie encourages listeners to embrace neurodiversity, honor their needs, and connect with others on the same path. Resources like the Sensitive Empowerment Community and the Autistic Women's Group are available to support listeners on their journey. What You'll Learn: Key traits and experiences of late-discovered autistic adults The emotional and physical toll of masking Why autistic individuals are often misdiagnosed The importance of sensory accommodations and honoring your needs Strategies to embrace authenticity and build genuine connections Resources Mentioned: Autism Assessments and Consultations⁠ with Julie Bjelland Course: Discovering You're Autistic as an Adult helps you process the experience and provides scripts to help you talk about it with people and share it with mental health and medical practitioners. (self-paced) Sensitive Empowerment Community – A safe space for sensitive and neurodivergent people Autistic Women's Group – Connect with others on this journey Connect with Julie:Visit JulieBjelland.com for resources, courses, and support. Julie Bjelland, LMFT, is a consultant and specialist in high-sensitivity and late-discovered autism. A neurodivergent psychotherapist, author, and founder of Sensitive Empowerment, Julie is passionate about guiding sensitive and neurodivergent individuals to reduce challenges, improve their mental and physical health, flourish to their fullest potential, and embrace their authentic selves. Through her global support hub, Julie provides online courses, a supportive community, a podcast, articles, and webinars—all thoughtfully designed to reduce overwhelm, balance the sensitive nervous system, and foster resilience. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Julie is devoted to creating safe, inclusive spaces where differences are celebrated and strengths are fully embraced. Discover more at JulieBjelland.com.

Send us a textJoin Simon, Filip and Georgia as we consider Christmas, a quick discussion of where it came from and the modern experience for neurodivergent people. The answer is lists, quiet spaces, lists, think about the food, lists and of course lists. Oh and the Roman Empire.Find more Georgia and Filip here:Filip on BSky https://bsky.app/profile/ftw.bsky.social "Filip Wieland" artist profile on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5YSDEDMFMVaSTfFHdTzxCB?si=3UjhDN_4SXWm5IEkU922Pw Cruising through Doom's Day: https://cruisingthroughdoomsday.podbean.com/Georgia on BSky https://bsky.app/profile/mindtheflap.bsky.socialGalactic Yo-yo: https://soundcloud.com/user-86410751/doctorautisticFinally, the excellent Autistica report on autism waiting times: https://www.autistica.org.uk/blog/not-a-priority Give it a read, we will probably do an episode on it soon.As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you and our Twitter is open @AtypicalThePod for messages and comments. Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone. We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

Neurodivergence in women often goes unrecognised, especially during midlife, a stage filled with transitions that can bring these differences into sharper focus. In the third episode in our series, I sit down with Dr. Sascha Kowalenko to explore how neurodivergence, including ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), uniquely manifests in women. Dr. Kowalenko shares her professional expertise and deeply personal story, offering listeners a compassionate lens to better understand themselves or the women they support. Tune in to hear about: What is Neurodivergence? A natural difference in brain structure and functioning that affects how individuals process the world around them. Historical Roots: The term neurodivergence originated in Australia, thanks to Judy Singer, who reframed these differences as variations rather than deficits. Gender Bias in Diagnosis: Diagnostic criteria often focus on male presentations, leading to the underdiagnosis of women, who tend to mask symptoms due to societal pressures. Midlife as a Turning Point: Hormonal changes in perimenopause can intensify neurodivergent traits, prompting many women to seek formal diagnoses or reassess their experiences. Personal Journey: Dr. Kowalenko candidly shares her experience of identifying with ASD later in life, highlighting the internalised and hidden nature of these traits in women. Challenges and Vulnerabilities: Neurodivergent women are at higher risk of social isolation and trauma, underscoring the need for awareness and tailored support. The Role of Acceptance: Dr. Kowalenko emphasises the importance of self-understanding and societal empathy in empowering neurodivergent women. Support Strategies: Curiosity, kindness, and validation go a long way in supporting neurodivergent loved ones. This episode is a powerful reminder that understanding neurodivergence isn't just about awareness; it's about celebrating and supporting the incredible diversity of experiences in women, particularly during midlife. To find out more about Sascha visit her Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dr.sascha.k/ or email her at sascha@thesilverliningcollective.com.au. Links to recommended articles below: Autistic Women and Violence: A Threat to Our Safety - More Than Quirky: https://www.morethanquirky.com.au/autistic-women-and-violence/ Why are so many neurodivergent women misdiagnosed?: https://psychology.org.au/insights/why-are-so-many-neurodivergent-women-misdiagnosed ADHD and Menopause: Changing Symptoms and Treatments: https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/adhd-and-menopause Autism, Menstruation and Menopause: https://www.attwoodandgarnettevents.com/blogs/news/autism-menstruation-and-menopause Yellow Ladybugs: https://www.yellowladybugs.com.au/ You can also find me on Instagram -⁠ https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/⁠ and LinkedIn -⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joclarkcoaching/⁠ Here's to redefining midlife and making our next half of life even better than the first.

In this episode of The Sensitive and Neurodivergent Podcast, I explore why so many sensitive individuals, particularly women and those assigned female at birth (AFAB), are discovering their autism later in life. Together, we'll tackle the misconception that autism is a “fad”—an idea that suggests people are falsely claiming to be autistic as part of a trend. I'll explain why this view is not only wrong but harmful and how greater awareness is helping people recognize traits that were overlooked for decades. I'll also answer a listener's question about whether heightened empathy is compatible with being autistic and challenge the myth that autistic people lack empathy. We'll discuss the concept of “masking,” or hiding autistic traits to fit into societal expectations, and how this often leads to anxiety, burnout, and chronic health issues. Plus, I'll share 14 common traits of autistic adults and explore how understanding autism can transform self-compassion, reduce self-criticism, and improve overall well-being. Links and Resources Mentioned: Book a Session with Julie: Explore your autistic traits, uncover strengths, and gain clarity with Julie's personalized global coaching. ⁠Book here⁠ Autism Course: This is a step-by-step course for adults discovering autism later in life. To get notified (and an early discount) when it's ready, sign up for my ⁠newsletter here⁠. Autistic Women's Group Inside the Sensitive Empowerment Community: ⁠Join Julie's community⁠ and access my autistic women group. Autism Articles: Explore Julie's ⁠blog⁠ for in-depth resources about autism, sensitivity, and neurodivergence. Article: Chronic Health Conditions Common in Autistic Individuals. ⁠Read Here⁠ Leave me a Voicemail: Leave a question or comment for Julie to address in a future episode! Leave a voicemail here: ⁠https://speakpipe.com/sensitive⁠ If you've ever felt “different,” overwhelmed by sensory input, or driven by people-pleasing tendencies, this episode is for you. I'm Julie Bjelland, LMFT, Consultant and Specialist in Late-Discovered Autism in Sensitive Women (AFAB), a neurodivergent psychotherapist, author, and founder of Sensitive Empowerment. I empower sensitive and neurodivergent individuals to embrace their authentic selves, improve their well-being, and thrive. Through my global support hub, I offer online courses, a supportive community, a podcast, articles, and webinars to reduce overwhelm and balance the sensitive nervous system. As a proud LGBTQ+ member, I am dedicated to creating safe, inclusive spaces for all. Discover more at⁠ JulieBjelland.com⁠.

Send us a textWell it's the 3rd of December so join Alexander and Simon for a brief* discussion of disability and what it means in society. *Brief means don't check the timestamps. As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you and our Twitter is open @AtypicalThePod for messages and comments. Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone. We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

This series we are spilling the tea on topics that affect our health and well-being from the extra-ordinary women that are raising their voices for positive changeToday we are thrilled to be spilling the tea with our guest Clara Törnvall an inspiring advocate for neurodiversity. Clara has been a journalist and producer since the early 2000's. Her first book, The Autists, women on the spectrum is a memoir that was written after her diagnosis of autism at the age of 42. Clara chats to us about her latest book, The Autists Guide To The Galaxy, which is a playful guide to understanding the world of neurotypical people which flips the usual script about neurodivergence. Join us as we explore the galaxy through Clara's eyes. It's a reading week for our Book Collective this week. We are reading chapters 13-19 of our new book for series 11, All Fours by Miranda July. You can join in with our Book Club, send us a DM or voice note with your thoughts on the book. It's another episode brimming with chat and all the usual sweary shenanigans! There's comments, a WI (weekly invitation) and a thought for the week.So, go and get the kettle on and settle in for our weekly collective chat while we spill the tea! If you've enjoyed our Podcast you may like to consider buying us a Ko-Fi at https://ko-fi.com/womenkindcollectivepodcastYour donation will help us ensure we continue to bring you great quality of content and sound. You can watch the unedited interview on our YouTube channel: Womenkind Collective. Clara Törnvall:Books:• The Autists: Women on The Spectrum. • The Autists Guide to the Galaxy: Navigating the world of ‘normal' people. Published by Scribe UKI: @claratornvallW: www.claratornvall.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Highlights: Feeling Misunderstood: Julie and Willow explore the emotional impact of being misunderstood as sensitive and neurodivergent individuals, and how these experiences shape self-image and relationships. From Misunderstanding to Belonging: Julie shares contrasting experiences of recently feeling misunderstood in one situation and deeply connected in another. The Power of Belonging: Both hosts discuss the healing power of finding spaces where you are understood and valued, with Julie reflecting on her bonding experience in the Autistic Women's Group. Self-Acceptance and Boundaries: They highlight the importance of setting boundaries and embracing self-acceptance, especially with those who may not fully understand or accept you. Grief and Emotional Processing: Julie opens up about her grief journey after her mother's passing, emphasizing the need to create space for emotional healing. Community and Connection: The hosts stress the value of community for fostering a sense of belonging, particularly within the Sensitive Empowerment Community. Self-Care Tips: Practical advice on self-care practices that can help improve emotional well-being, especially during difficult times. Autism and Health Awareness: Julie encourages listeners with chronic health issues to explore the possibility of neurodivergence by taking her free autism quiz. Julie's Resources & Links Explore all of Julie's resources at https://www.SensitiveConnection.com Join the Sensitive Empowerment Community for live events, meet and greets, and niche support groups.: https://www.juliebjelland.com/sensitive-empowerment-community One-on-one with Julie: Therapy, Coaching, Consultations for the sensitive and neurodivergent and Autism Assessments: https://www.juliebjelland.com/consultations-with-julie Free Autism Quiz, Research, and Resources for the Sensitive: https://www.juliebjelland.com/autistichsp Explore Julie's Courses for the Sensitive and Neurodivergent: https://www.juliebjelland.com/hsp-online-courses Explore Julie's Resources for the Sensitive and Neurodivergent at https://www.juliebjelland.com/ Willow's Resources & Links Book a free discovery call with Willow: https://training.inluminance.com/20-minute-session Interested in training to become an HSP Specialist? Visit: https://inluminance.com/the-coaching-program/ Find out more at https://inluminance.com Bios Julie Bjelland, LMFT, is a licensed psychotherapist, author, and founder of Sensitive Empowerment. She specializes in supporting high sensitivity, neurodivergence, and adult-discovered autism. Julie has developed tools to help balance the sensitive nervous system, reduce challenges, and help individuals reach their fullest potential. Through her global support hub, she offers online courses, the Sensitive Empowerment Community, a top-ranked podcast, articles, webinars, and more. As a proud neurodivergent and queer therapist, Julie's mission is to create a world where differences are embraced as strengths and celebrated. Learn more at https://www.juliebjelland.com/ Willow McIntosh is the founder of Inluminance and has been working in purpose alignment and lightworker facilitation for 17 years. He specialises in initiating people with High Sensory Intelligence to experience their reality as a gift that can be implemented into valuable products and services. https://inluminance.com/

Welcome to this episode of the HSP and Neurodivergent Podcast with Julie Bjelland, LMFT, and guest Willow McIntosh. This episode celebrates the 5th anniversary of the Sensitive Empowerment Community. We discuss milestones, including reaching listeners in 183 countries and ranking in the top 1.5% of podcasts globally. Season Two Kickoff: Julie shares exciting news about starting Season Two after completing 200 episodes in Season One. Global Reach: The podcast now reaches 183 countries, highlighting the wide impact on sensitive and neurodivergent individuals worldwide. Grief and Growth: Julie opens up about her personal experience with grief after the loss of her mother and discusses the emotional growth that follows deep emotional pain. Diet and Health: Willow shares his journey of improving his health by cutting out processed foods and how mindful eating has helped balance his energy and digestion. Joy and Mindfulness: Both hosts discuss the importance of finding small moments of joy during difficult times, as part of the healing process. Photography as a New Joy: Julie is excited about a new hobby—photography—capturing nature and bird photos as a way to bring joy into her life. Community Growth: Updates on new groups within the Sensitive Empowerment Community, providing diverse and safe spaces for connection and support. Spiral Up Depression Group Sensitive Sages (60+) Autistic Women's Group Soul Sanctuary for HSPs of Color Rainbow Room (LGBTQIA+) HSPs in Heart-Centered Business Self-Discovery Journey Course Discussions Julie's Resources & Links Join the Sensitive Empowerment Community for live events, meet and greets, and niche support groups.: https://www.juliebjelland.com/sensitive-empowerment-community One-on-one with Julie: Coaching, Consultations for the sensitive and neurodivergent and Autism Assessments: https://www.juliebjelland.com/consultations-with-julie Explore Julie's Courses for the Sensitive and Neurodivergent: https://www.juliebjelland.com/hsp-online-courses Explore Julie's Resources for the Sensitive and Neurodivergent at https://www.juliebjelland.com/ Willow's Resources & Links Book a free discovery call with Willow: https://training.inluminance.com/20-minute-session Interested in training to become an HSP Specialist? Visit: https://inluminance.com/the-coaching-program/ Find out more at https://inluminance.com Julie Bjelland is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), psychotherapist, author, and founder of Sensitive Empowerment. She specializes in supporting high sensitivity, neurodivergence, and adult-discovered autism. Julie has developed tools to help balance the sensitive nervous system, reduce challenges, and help individuals reach their fullest potential. Through her global support hub, she offers online courses, the Sensitive Empowerment Community, a top-ranked podcast, articles, webinars, and more. As a proud neurodivergent and queer therapist, Julie's mission is to create a world where differences are embraced as strengths and celebrated. Learn more at https://www.juliebjelland.com/ Willow McIntosh is the founder of Inluminance and has been working in purpose alignment and lightworker facilitation for 17 years. He specialises in initiating people with High Sensory Intelligence to experience their reality as a gift that can be implemented into valuable products and services. https://inluminance.com/

Send us a textjoin the gang as we discuss the late Steve Silberman, his impact on neurodiversity education and on being a record producer and mega fan for the Grateful Dead. He will be missed and music used under fair use in hour of a man who meant a lot to both the ND community and the Greateful Dead community. As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you and our Twitter is open @AtypicalThePod for messages and comments. Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone. We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

In this episode, hosts Haley Moss and Dr. Lori Butts speak with self-advocate, film / television writer and producer, and professor at Arizona State University Zhara Astra. Zhara Astra is a film and television writer, producer, as well as a professor where she developed the first university course in the world on understanding neurodivergent women at Arizona State University. After discovering in adulthood that she was on the spectrum, Zhara set out on a mission to change the way women are viewed, treated, and diagnosed in the medical world (and how they're depicted in film and tv) while also aiming to help women and girls better understand their own brains. She is an international public speaker and has written articles about this for Scientific American Magazine as well as other publications, that have helped change the game for women worldwide. For more about Zhara's work: https://zharaastra.com/ A TRANSCRIPTION FOR THIS EPISODE CAN BE FOUND HERE: https://differentbrains.org/self-acceptance-for-autistic-women-with-zhara-astra-spectrumly-speaking-ep-160/ ----------------- Spectrumly Speaking is the podcast dedicated to women on the autism spectrum, produced by Different Brains®. Every other week, join our hosts Haley Moss (an autism self-advocate, attorney, artist, and author) and Dr. Lori Butts (a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist, and licensed attorney) as they discuss topics and news stories, share personal stories, and interview some of the most fascinating voices from the autism community. Follow Different Brains on social media: https://twitter.com/diffbrains https://www.facebook.com/different.brains/ http://differentbrains.org/category/spectrumlyspeaking/

Send us a Text Message.Join Simon and Alexander as they slowly loose their minds watching the 2021 film "Music" by Sia. A film apparently about a non-verbal, autistic girl but mostly about Sia and a childrens book author trying to write a clumsy romance story.Strap in.As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you and our Twitter is open @AtypicalThePod for messages and comments. Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone. We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

Following their presentation at the Royal College of Psychiatrists' International Congress 2024, Dr Conor Davidson, Dr Alison Lennox and Ms Rhiannon Hawkins spoke with the CPD eLearning Podcast Editor, Dr Nadia Imran. In this podcast, they discuss the gendered diagnosis gap, unique barriers to accessing mental health care, and reasonable adjustments that can be made for autistic women.

On this episode of the Adult Autism:  A Spectrum of Uniqueness podcast two autistic folks, Liz & Tabatha, discuss their early work experiences, finding their places in the work force and positives and negatives of their work roles.   The Adult Autism:  A Spectrum of Uniqueness podcast series is hosted by Christopher Quarto - a licensed psychologist who conducts Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) evaluations for adults (https://chrisquarto.com).  Issues pertaining to mildly autistic adults (and neurodiverse folks who believe they are on the spectrum) are covered on the podcast including sensory sensitivities, how to make friends, regulating emotions and the role pets play as friends.  Listen and discover why your uniqueness is awesome! * https://chrisquarto.com/ Would you like to watch a video version of this podcast episode?  Check out the Adult Autism:  A Spectrum of Uniqueness YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4IPUmICA-ZlIERsJk3pHyqkSyPKMht9X * Are you thinking that you might be autistic but have never been professionally evaluated?  How about taking a 6-question quiz designed by Dr. Quarto to find out if autism is likely:  “Am I Autistic?” quiz link - https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/64db4bb606278800141be2fd * Are you a Tennessee or Michigan resident who is interested in getting evaluated for autism?  If so, click here to get the ball rolling: https://chrisquarto.com/autism-spectrum-disorder-testing/        

Send us a Text Message.It's that time of the week/month/phase of the moons of Jupiter again when Simon actually gets round to delivering on a podcast. This week we talk about International Non-Binary Peoples Day and the neuroqueer theories with roots in the work of Nick Walker. Their book, Neuroqueer Heresies, is well worth a read or listen.I'd also suggest both Abi Thorn and Alexander Avila videos on both Juith Butler and gender in general. As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you and our Twitter is open @AtypicalThePod for messages and comments. Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone. We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

Send us a Text Message.Simon is joined this week by Georgia (@mind the flap) to discuss Autism Pride Day, masking and some of the work she is doing on autism campaigning and chasing the rather reticent British government to actually deliver on it's promises!Follow Georgia on social media or via her blog at https://mindtheflap.wordpress.com/ As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you and our Twitter is open @AtypicalThePod for messages and comments. Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone. We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

Send us a Text Message.Join Simon as this week we explore the concept of post festival slump, that crash you get after a great event. Fresh from only their second ever paying attendance at a festival, Simon explores some of the highs and lows of the festival and gives some tips of recovering afterwards. This is an expanded and deeper dive into these concepts, building on a subject we have spoken about before. Some of the sources used include:Festivals, Identities, and BelongingDisparate Emotions as Expressions of Well-Being: Impact of Festival Participation from the Participants' Subjective ViewThe Impact of Music Festival Attendance on Young People's Psychological and Social Well-beingPutting the Boom, Boom, Boom into Physical Activity and Health: Music Festivals as a Positive Health Alternative to Couch FandomA Sociologist Explains Why You Get Depressed After FestivalsEmotional processes, collective behavior, and social movements: A meta-analytic review of collective effervescence outcomes during collective gatherings and demonstrationsAs ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you and our Twitter is open @AtypicalThePod for messages and comments. Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone. We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

Send us a Text Message.Simon returns with another paper of interest and only a mild case of crushing guilt at loosing an entire episode and having an existential impostor syndrome driven personal crisis. Yay autism.Which is todays topic, can a fish have autism and if so, what does that tell us about people, dopamine and our own development. Papers as ever:https://ajp.amjpathol.org/action/showPdf?pii=S0002-9440%2824%2900086-5https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/aur.3146https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38767699/https://theconversation.com/why-autistic-people-must-be-at-the-heart-of-autism-research-228543 As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you and our Twitter is open @AtypicalThePod for messages and comments. Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone. We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

Episode Summary: In this episode of the HSP and Neurodivergent podcast, psychotherapist Julie Bjelland delves deep into the hidden world of autistic women, aiming to illuminate the unique challenges and strengths that have not been well understood until now. A significant focus is placed on the reality that many autistic women remain undiagnosed, often due to the subtle and internalized nature of their experiences. Julie shares profound insights from her personal journey and professional assessments, emphasizing how these experiences can profoundly impact personal identity and societal interaction. The discussion explores the concept of the "supercomputer brain" that many autistic women possess, which allows them to rapidly process enormous amounts of information and maintain an intense focus on subjects of interest. This capability, however, is often accompanied by a challenging mismatch between their intellectual ambitions and physical energy levels, a disparity that can lead to significant frustration and burnout. The discussion also addresses the necessity for adaptive environments that cater to the unique needs of autistic women—spaces where they can control sensory inputs and manage their energy more effectively. Julie discusses the societal pressures that lead to masking, where autistic women feel compelled to hide their true selves to fit into societal norms, which can diminish their sense of self-worth and lead to isolation. Throughout the episode, Julie advocates for a greater understanding and acceptance of the differences that autistic women face. She invites listeners to join her Autistic Women's Group, providing a platform for connection and mutual support, and shares resources and courses designed to help manage energy and prevent burnout. This enlightening discussion seeks to educate and empower listeners by validating the experiences of autistic women, encouraging them to embrace their unique attributes without shame. By exploring the hidden world of autistic women, Julie Bjelland helps to foster a community where autistic women can thrive by being their authentic selves. Key Points Discussed: Supercomputer Brain: Autistic women often possess a high intelligence that allows them to process vast amounts of information quickly and have an intense focus on a wide range of topics. Energy and Ambition Misalignment: A recurring theme among autistic women is the mismatch between physical energy levels and mental ambitions, leading to frustration and burnout. Feeling Flawed and Different: Many autistic women feel flawed from childhood due to societal expectations, leading to feelings of isolation and the need to mask their true selves. Emotional and Sensory Regulation Challenges: Autistic women often face significant challenges with emotional expression and sensory overload, which can result in misunderstandings in personal relationships. Communication and Social Preferences: Clear, direct, and honest communication is preferred, and many autistic women value deep connections with a few people over larger social groups. Importance of Alone Time: Alone time is crucial for autistic women to recharge and manage their sensitivities, emphasizing the need for self-care without guilt. Invitation to Join the Autistic Women's Group: Julie invites listeners to join her Autistic Women's Group for support and to share experiences, with links provided in the show notes. Resources Mentioned: Autistic Women's Group (Free group inside the private Sensitive Empowerment Community). Join Here The HSP & Neurodivergent Toolbox Course Sensitive Empowerment Community Website Links: Autistic Resources: Quiz, Research, Assessment, Consultations Julie's Website Podcast Episode Feedback --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/julie-bjelland/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/julie-bjelland/support

In this episode, I discuss the differences that set autism apart from high sensitivity, particularly in women. I highlight the outdated diagnostic criteria for autism and the misdiagnosis or lack of diagnosis in many women. We'll explore the unique characteristics of autistic women, such as the challenges of masking, the need for solitude, and the intense sensitivity across multiple senses. I also emphasize the importance of self-compassion and acceptance for autistic individuals and the need for a neurodiverse society. Resources Mentioned Assessments and Consultations with me: https://www.juliebjelland.com/consultations-with-julie Stay updated! Join my free newsletter https://www.juliebjelland.com/newsletter Product Recommendations: https://www.juliebjelland.com/sensory-friendly Sensitive Empowerment Community SensitiveCommunity.com (Join my Autistic Women's Group within the community too!) Autism Resources (including free Autism Quiz, Assessment and Consultation Info, Research, Surveys, and Education) AutisticHSP.com Recommended Resources: HSPcourses.com Brain Training Course to reduce anxiety, overwhelming emotions, and the fight/flight/freeze over-activation HSP & Neurodiverse Toolbox Course, I share how I balance my nervous system. Blooming Brilliantly Course: Learn self-love and self-compassion. Your Self-Discovery Journey: Spend time with me and others learning who we are and what we need at this stage of life Grow a Heart-Centered Business as an HSP or Autistic Individual. We do things differently! Key Points: Many individuals who identify as highly sensitive may actually be autistic, prompting updates to sensitivity quizzes. Autistic women face hidden challenges. Many of us have feelings of being different and flawed. Autistic women require solitude to reduce overstimulation and restore energy. We tend to experience heightened sensitivity across multiple senses, which can be intense. We prefer communicating honestly and directly, valuing clarity. Accepting an autism diagnosis can lead to reframing experiences and self-compassion. Social gatherings, sudden changes, and small talk can be challenging. Repetitive movements serve as a way to soothe and focus, with fidget tools aiding in this. Written communication may be preferred and eye contact can feel intense and overwhelming. Managing emotions, especially when fatigued, is challenging. We experience high empathy. Building a neurodiverse society that celebrates differences is vital for our well-being. Themes: Unveiling the Hidden Challenges Faced by Autistic Women Navigating Intense Sensory Sensitivity in Autism Understanding Autism in Highly Sensitive Women Unique Special Interests Among Autistic Individuals Overcoming Challenges Stemming From a World Not Setup for Us. Sound Bites Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Change in Podcast Title 01:21 Understanding Autism in Highly Sensitive Women 08:06 The Importance of Solitude and Alone Time 15:00 Navigating the Intense Sensory Sensitivity of Autism 25:27 Reframing Experiences and Finding Self-Compassion 28:23 Challenges in Social Gatherings and Small Talk 33:22 Creating a Neurodiverse Society that Celebrates Differences --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/julie-bjelland/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/julie-bjelland/support

Learn more about the conference at https://autisticwomenemerging.org/ Join the Neurodivering Patreon: http://patreon.com/neurodiverging Show notes and transcript: https://www.neurodiverging.com/autistic-women-emerging-with-nigel-rising/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, join Simon on a deep dive through time into the evolution and possible origins of neurodiversity. From the ancient wisdom of neurodivergent shamans to the brilliant minds of Einstein, Darwin, and van Gogh, we'll uncover the hidden stories of how neurodiversity has been shaping our world in unexpected ways.But it's not all sunshine and rainbows. We'll also explore the dark side of how society has often misunderstood and marginalized those who think differently, and how the fight for neurodiversity acceptance is still an ongoing battle.1. Barack, D. L., Ludwig, V. U., Parodi, F., Ahmed, N., Brannon, E. M., Ramakrishnan, A., & Platt, M. L. (2024). Attention deficits linked with proclivity to explore while foraging. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 291(1984), 20222584. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2022.25842. Basaglia, F. (1987). The Man Who Closed the Asylums: Franco Basaglia and the Revolution in Mental Health Care. John Foot.3. Donald, M. (1991). Origins of the Modern Mind: Three Stages in the Evolution of Culture and Cognition. Harvard University Press.4. Eisenberg, D. T., Campbell, B., Gray, P. B., & Sorenson, M. D. (2008). Dopamine receptor genetic polymorphisms and body composition in undernourished pastoralists: An exploration of nutrition indices among nomadic and recently settled Ariaal men of northern Kenya. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 8(1), 173. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2148-8-1735. EurekAlert. (2021, April 7). ADHD and other disorders share the same cognitive deficits. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/6480996. Feynman, R. P. (1985). "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!": Adventures of a Curious Character. W. W. Norton & Company.7. Foucault, M. (1988). Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason. Vintage.8. Hacking, I. (1975). Why Does Language Matter to Philosophy? Cambridge University Press.9. Laing, R. D. (1967). The Politics of Experience and The Bird of Paradise. Penguin UK.10. Mashour, G. A., & Alkire, M. T. (2013). Evolution of Consciousness: Phylogeny, Ontogeny, and Emergence from General Anesthesia. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(Supplement 2), 10357-10364.11. New Atlas. (2023, March 10). Evolutionary benefits of ADHD illuminate why it's so common. https://newatlas.com/science/adhd-evolutionary-benefits-foraging-explore-exploit/13. Rogers, A., & Pilgrim, D. (2014). A Sociology of Mental Health and Illness. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).14. Silberman, S. (2015). NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity. Avery.15. Spikins, P. (2013). The Stone Age Origins of Autism. Recent Advances in Autism Spectrum Disorders - Volume II. InTech. http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/5388316. Temple Grandin's website: https://www.templegrandin.com/, various YouTube videos and articles.17. Thagard, P. (2013, May 21). When Did Consciousness Evolve?. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hot-thought/201305/when-did-consciousness-evolve18. The Art of Autism. (2020, November 28). Was Napoleon Bonaparte on the Autism Spectrum? https://the-art-of-autism.com/was-napoleon-bonaparAs ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you and our Twitter is open @AtypicalThePod for messages and comments. Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone. We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

Go to todaysautisticmoment.com for the transcripts. Autistic women are emerging with vitality to add their voices to the Neurodiversity Movement.  No where is this more clear than AutisticaPalooza, an upcoming 2 1/2-day conference for and by Autistic women with a speaker line up dominated by Autistic women.  Nigel Rising, Esq., founded Autistic Women Emerging (AWE), the event organizer, for the purpose of engaging activities that will reduce the suicide rate of Autistic women. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/2daysautistic/support

With the return of the erstwhile Kim we discuss travelling as a neurodivergent person, using social media and, in true ADHD style, we distract outselves for a lengthy (and now much edited down) discussion of which social media platform sounds like a K-Pop band. We did also discuss some of the latest news around autism diagnosis and touch on a few issues around this. As promised, some links for you:The age of doom scrolling - Social media's attractive addictionDigital resilience mediates healthy use of technologyhttps://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/mar/04/uk-increase-autism-diagnoses-neurodiversity As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you and our Twitter is open @AtypicalThePod for messages and comments. Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone. We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

Go to todaysautisticmoment.com for the transcripts. To start off Women's History Month, we begin by taking a look at education for Autistic Women.  Due to the misinformation about Autistic women, they are often at a terrible disadvantage when it comes to education.  Karen Timm is an educator who will talk about education for Autistic women, and what is needed to advocate for their learning needs.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/2daysautistic/support

Simon is back with season three of the Atypical podcast. A litle lonley in the recording suite, because neurodivergent people have a lot in common with cats when it comes to herding, Simon has some interesting discussions and a sneak peek at what we are hoping to bring you this year. Some more long form episodes and media reviews alongside the tranditional group chat on concepts which this year will include leadership, love, some more After Dark discussions and general queer and neurodivergent ideas. As ever we thank you, our loyal listeners for sticking with us. We would love to hear from you and our Twitter is open @AtypicalThePod for messages and comments. Have a topic you would like us to cover, or do you fancy joining us for a natter, maybe tell us about your area of interest or expertise and share these things with everyone. We would also recommend our friend The Autistic Women for another great view on living with autism and our friends at the All Bets are Off podcast who cover addiction.

Lydia X. Z. Brown is the Director of Public Policy at the National Disability Institute. They have spoken and consulted internationally and throughout the U.S. on a range of topics at the intersections of disability, race, class, gender and sexuality, and has published in numerous scholarly and community publications. Lydia is also a lecturer in disability studies at Georgetown University and founding executive director of the Autistic People of Color Fund. Previously, they served as Policy Counsel at the Center for Democracy & Technology, focusing on disability rights and algorithmic bias; Director of Policy, Advocacy, & External Affairs at the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network; Justice Catalyst Fellow at the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law; and Chairperson of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council.

Join Kristin and Dr. Mary Jones (from the Dr. Mary Show) as they discuss Autism advocacy with Dr. Dr. Morénike Giwa Onaiwu. Dr. Morénike (she/they) is a global advocate, educator, disabled person of color, non-binary woman, and parent in a neurodiverse, multicultural, twice-exceptional serodifferent biological and adoptive family. A prolific writer and social scientist/activist whose work focuses on intersectional justice, meaningful community involvement, human rights, and inclusion, Morénike is recognized as a leader in various disability justice endeavors, including serving as founder/principal consultant of Advocacy Without Borders, a grassroots intersectional non-profit initiative offering DEIA, education, advocacy, keynotes/lectures, training, research, expert review, and related projects. Morénike co-chairs the Equity, Justice, and Representation Advisory Committee of the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN) and is also a member of several executive boards, a collaborator with various like-minded organizations, and a highly sought after public speaker, trainer, and consultant who has presented at the White House, the United Nations, and numerous peer-reviewed international conferences.Notable publications of Morénike's include various chapter contributions and peer-reviewed articles as well as co-editing AWN's groundbreaking anthologies Sincerely, Your Autistic Child: What People on the Autism Spectrum Wish Their Parents Knew About Growing Up, Acceptance, and Identity and the initial edition of All the Weight of Our Dreams: On Living Racialized Autism. Morénike, who has also been featured in the NY Times, NBC's Today Show, the BBC, NPR, and other media outlets, is the author of the forthcoming Open Access monograph A Neurodiversity and Gentle Parenting Journey...in Color.Web: www.MorenikeGO.com | www.AdvocacyWithoutBorders.org | www.Linktr.ee/MorenikeGOContact: Staff@AdvocacyWithoutBorders.org | @MorenikeGO (Social media)

Dr Megan Anna Neff is a neurodivergent Clinical Psychologist from Portland, Oregon, in the USA. She has a small private practice specialising in neurodivergent-affirming therapy and is the founder of Neurodivergent Insights, where she creates education and wellness resources for neurodivergent adults. She is also co-host of the Divergent Conversations podcast.  Dr Neff is dedicated to educating the mental health field on non-stereotypical presentations of autism and ADHD. Now 39, she was diagnosed autistic over two years ago, and also has ADHD. She is also a parent to two neurodivergent children. She regularly provides trainings on neurodivergent-affirming practices and is the author of the forthcoming book Self-Care for Autistic People. I'm delighted to share my conversation with Dr Neff. We talk about: ➡ What happened after she discovered she was autistic a few weeks before completing her PhD - and realised that a lot of what she'd been taught about autism was incorrect. ➡ OCD, PTSD, learning difficulties, dyslexia, and difficulties at school ➡ Misdiagnosis, what autistic people often get misdiagnosed with, and why ➡ Autistic people and CBT, what neurodivergent-affirming therapy can look like and the importance of the sensory aspect ➡ The challenges of being a content creator in the autism space ➡ Identity and terminology, and integrating our intersecting identities and unexplained experiences   TRIGGER WARNING: brief mentions of mental health and self harming throughout, but not in any detail.   Links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neurodivergent_insights/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NeuodivergentInsights/  Website: www.neurodivergentinsights.com  Podcast: https://www.divergentpod.com/  Book: Self-Care For Autistic People: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Self-Care-for-Autistic-People/Megan-Anna-Neff/9781507221938

This week, we are joined by Katie York, also known as The Distracted Autistic. Katie is also the founder of Harford County Neurodivergents, a community group located in Maryland. Katie is also an educator, student, advocate, and community organizer with nearly fifteen years' experience in community college workforce training programs. Katie's autistic voice will help us explore the diverse interests of the neurodivergent community. Download to learn more!  Resources: "I Will Die On This Hill: Autistic Adults, Autism Parents, and the Children Who Deserve a Better World" By Meghan Ashburn & Jules Edwards https://us.jkp.com/products/i-will-die-on-this-hill "Sincerely, Your Autistic Child: What People on the Autism Spectrum Wish Their Parents Knew About Growing Up, Acceptance, and Identity" Editors: Emily Paige Ballou, Sharon DaVanport, Morénike Giwa Onaiwu   Author: Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network https://www.beacon.org/Sincerely-Your-Autistic-Child-P1685.aspx “The Autism and Neurodiversity Self Advocacy Handbook: Developing the Skills to Determine Your Own Future” By Barb Cook & Yenn Purkis https://us.jkp.com/products/the-autism-and-neurodiversity-self-advocacy-handbook Some US specific advocacy resources: “Civic Engagement Toolbox For Self-Advocates” from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/civic/ “How To Call Your Representatives When You Have Social Anxiety” Instagram comic https://www.instagram.com/p/CA_vVqEBJI-/?img_index=11 Partners in Policymaking Free Online Course: https://partnersonlinecourses.com/ Folks can also see if their local developmental disabilities council offers a state-specific version of this training. For example, I am currently a partner in Maryland's program: http://www.thearcmd.org/partners/ Center for Parent Information and Resources There are nearly 100 Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs) in the US and Territories. https://www.parentcenterhub.org/find-your-center/ SECAC/SEAC The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education ACT (IDEA) requires that each State operate a “state advisory panel.” https://sites.ed.gov/idea/regs/b/b/300.167 More info: https://www.wrightslaw.com/heath/state.advisory.panel.htm Maryland's is called the “Special Education Citizen's Advisory Committee” (SECAC) and each county school system has their own, in addition to the statewide SECAC. https://marylandpublicschools.org/programs/Pages/Special-Education/sesac/index.aspx Refer to your states “Special Education Advisory Council” or SEAC LGBTQ+ &/or BIPOC Autism Related Resources The Trevor Project The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people. They provide information & support to LGBTQ 
young people 24/7, all year round. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ Trans Life Line Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and microgrants 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community. https://translifeline.org/ Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network AWN Welcome Packets for newly diagnosed adults & parents of newly diagnosed children https://awnnetwork.org/resource-library/ Association for Autism and Neurodiversity AANE has a number of free and pay programs for families and adults. Two of note: Free Online Gender Identity Support Group for Adults https://aane.org/events/?_event_type=support-groups&_identity_post=lgbtq-plus&_price=free-2 Free Online Support Group for BIPOC Adults https://aane.org/events/?_event_type=support-groups&_identity_post=bipoc&_price=free-2 Color of Autism Foundation Non-Profit 501(c)3 organization committed to educating and assisting African American families with Autistic children https://thecolorofautism.org/ Brown on the Spectrum About Us: To provide information, support, and resources to families and advocates of brown children on the Autism Spectrum https://www.facebook.com/brwnonthespctrm/ ................................................................ Autism weekly is now found on all of the major listening apps including apple podcasts, google podcasts, stitcher, Spotify, amazon music, and more. Subscribe to be notified when we post a new podcast. Autism weekly is produced by ABS Kids. ABS Kids is proud to provide diagnostic assessments and ABA therapy to children with developmental delays like Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can learn more about ABS Kids and the Autism Weekly podcast by visiting abskids.com.

This week's show is with Wendy Dooner. Wendy Dooner is a Medical Herbalist and Shamanic Practitioner from Scotland who is passionate about reconnecting women with the innate healing wisdom of nature and their bodies. Wendy graduated from university in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science (honours) degree in Herbal Medicine (Phytotherapy) and, more recently, a 3-year advanced Shamanic Practitioner course. Weaving back together the threads of science, magic and spirituality in herbal medicine has been a major focus of her practice recently and is a cornerstone of her teachings; she now practices what she has called Shamanic Herbalism. Through her online courses, workshops, or one-on-one consultations, Wendy ensures that this wonderful blend of ancient wisdom and modern science reaches all her students. At the heart of Wendy's practice is her profound connection with her native medicinal plants. She believes that these plants hold the answers to many of our modern ailments. In her practice, Wendy doesn't just prescribe herbs; she introduces her clients to a world where plants are people; they are teachers, guides, allies and elders. She believes that every plant has a story to tell and a lesson to impart, and it's her mission to facilitate these transformative conversations between nature and the individual. She lives happily in a small community in the foothills of the Cairngorms in Scotland with her husband and 2 young sons, where she forages in the wilds of the moorlands, grows herbs in her messy garden and skateboards at every spare opportunity. In this show, Lian and Wendy explored our experience and understanding of autistic people, and maybe especially women, being designed to be healers, how the very aspects of ourselves that have created struggles, can be used in service of helping others to heal, and what we've seen can be helpful to alchemise those challenges into gold. I'd love to know what YOU think about this week's show. Let's carry on the conversation…  please leave a comment below. What you'll learn from this episode: As both Lian and Wendy's experiences showed, being late diagnosed as a woman can bring its own emotions and challenges - there's a reckoning and grieving needed in order to move forward into claiming the gifts that autism brings Pattern recognition, empathy, adherence to ritual, openness to spirits and other realms, and attention to detail are all aspects of autism that can be used in service of supporting others in their journey to wholeness Diving into the work of reclaiming the unwanted and hidden parts of us is challenging for most people but maybe especially for autistic people for whom there has been an even greater challenge, necessity, and effort needed to fit in and function - it requires the right support and readiness, and we can be helped by understanding and using some of the very same gifts we will ultimately serve to others. Resources and stuff that we spoke about Visit Wendy's Website: wendydooner.com The Center for Shamanism: Shamanic Herbal 1:1 with Wendy Follow The Center of Shamanism in Social Media: Facebook: Wendy Dooner Instagram: @wendy.shamanicherbalist Thank you for listening! There's a fresh episode each week, if you subscribe you'll receive every show as soon as it's released (that way you'll never miss an episode): Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Android Thank you! Lian and Jonathan

On the Secret Witch Show today our guest is Lucy Pearce. Lucy is the author of multiple life-changing non-fiction books, including Nautilus Award silver winners Medicine Woman, Burning Woman, and Creatrix. Her writing focuses on women's healing through archetypal psychology, embodiment, historical awareness and creativity. An award-winning graduate in History of Ideas with English Literature from Kingston University, and a PGCE from Cambridge University, Lucy founded Womancraft Publishing, creating paradigm-shifting books by women for women, in 2014. The mother of three children, she lives in East Cork, Ireland   In this episode we explore how to reclaim the magic in our sensitivity - and in particular, neurodivergence.  We dive into what “neurodivergence” is, and means, and what signs might help sensitive souls illuminate that they are neuro-diverse - as well as why and how women who resonate with this label must meet their sensitive needs, rather than try to mask and fit into a culture that doesn't suit them.  Most importantly, we shared our important worldview on how neurodivergence can actually be a gift - and especially a super-power that allows magical women to be powerful healers, teachers and guides.   What You'll Learn from this Episode:   Highly sensitive women are often also ‘neurodivergent' - a word which is commonly understood by labels such as autism, ADHD or things like dyslexia or dyscalculia - and mean that we have different from ‘typical' brains Neurodivergence (ND) can show up in lots of different ways, but the main way it can present itself is having a sensitive nervous system that is over-primed - as well as feeling burned out, touched out and overwhelmed by our senses (we have a deep sensitivity to noise, scents, clothes on our skin, lights, electricity, and other things) The label of neurodivergence can be really helpful in aiding us to see that there's actually nothing wrong with us as a sensitive soul - and that we are just wired differently, and struggling to fit into a world that wasn't built for us; owning it this way can help us learn to navigate the world in an aligned way As sensitive women, and ND women, we must learn to honour and meet our own needs, so that we aren't constantly overwhelmed and our nervous systems don't reach meltdown.  As we do meet our needs, we can reclaim the gifts in our sensitivity And there are many gifts - creativity, brilliant minds, the capacity to spot patterns, entrepreneurial skills, deep passion for things, high empathy and sensitivity to other worlds (in other words, all the ‘clairs' - e.g. clairvoyance), a capacity for lucid dreaming, a high importance for truthful expression, hyper-focus and a real affinity with nature It is common for these gifts to make sensitive souls excellent ‘healers' - as long as we can reclaim the gifts in our sensitivity.   Resources and Things that We Spoke About:   Social: Tiktok - @archetypalapothecary Instagram - @iamnicolebarton Instagram - @archetypalapothecary You Tube - https://www.youtube.com/@secretwitchsociety Join our Secret Witch Society: www.facebook.com/groups/secretwitch  Next Crucible:  Website: www.nicolebarton.co.uk  Elain Aron - The Highly Sensitive Person - https://hsperson.com/books www.lucyhpearce.com - Lucy's website  www.womancraftpublishing.com  - her newest books are Crow Moon: reclaiming the wisdom of the dark woods and The Kitchen Witch Companion, which she illustrated and co-authored with Sarah Robinson.  I am a Unicorn Blog - https://dreamingaloud.net/2019/02/i-am-a-unicorn/    Thank you for listening, we'd love to know what comes alive for you in this week's episode, so please let us know.   If you loved it, there's a fresh episode every other week - subscribe so you don't miss it!   Thank you,   Nicole and Team Secret Witch xox  

Join us for an insightful episode of Beyond Autistic Burnout where we delve into the world of late-identified autistic women and the creation of a much-needed community of support.  Our guest, Jen Slaton, a California-licensed psychotherapist with a lifelong dedication to neurodiversity, shares her experiences and vision for the Autistic Women's Network, a private membership community designed to empower late-identified autistic women. Discover the significance of fostering a sense of belonging for this community and how self-awareness plays a pivotal role. Jen walks us through the network's inception and what the future holds. Connect with Jen Slaton and explore the Autistic Women's Network, a place for support, validation, and belonging.  You can also grab your copy of "Unleashing Sustainable Energy: A Strategic Approach to Transforming Spicy Burnout for ADHD/Autistic Professionals" by the host, Carole Jean Whittington. Don't miss this engaging episode airing live on Tuesday, November 7th, at 3 pm EST on LinkedIn and YouTube. Join our interactive studio audience, ask questions, and be part of this empowering community!

In today's episode, Danielle Sullivan joins the podcast! Danielle is the founder of Neurodiverging Coaching, which offers sliding scale neurodiversity-affirming coaching options for the community.  Danielle is also a certified Positive Psychology coach, a certified Parent Coach, and a certified trauma-informed specialist!  They had intended to remain in academia to work on gendered disability and religion, but then pivoted after she was diagnosed as autistic around age 30 after her eldest child was also diagnosed.  In looking for resources for herself, she found very little, and began producing the Neurodiverging Podcast to try and develop and offer resources for others like her. In this episode, you'll hear about communication nuances and unpacking the challenges and adaptability for people with both ADHD and autism across different social contexts, managing the home, exploring home dynamics and practices for managing a neurodiverse household, and the importance of non-judgemental regulation. Then, you'll hear discussions about advocacy, ableism, confronting ableism, burnout and understanding burnout with sensory overload, burnout strategies and prevention, and explorations with technology and ADHD.  Learn more about Danielle and find their podcast at Neurodiverging.com Questions/Topics:  [00:01:36] Episode Summary [00:03:21] Introducing Danielle [00:06:29] Sensory differences, being the “difficult child”, stereotypical presentations, and exploring autism as an adult [00:09:53] A discussion on politeness norms and how environment can affect presentation  [00:13:28] Coping with variables and novel situations  [00:15:08] Managing a neurodivergent household, sensory mismatches, overwhelm, and regulation strategies  [00:19:34] “What if I just do one more thing?”  [00:23:53] Raising awareness around autism in adults: What is Neurodiverging all about?  [00:27:53] Industries attempting to accommodate [00:29:13] A discussion on internalized ableism  [00:33:04] Overly formal speech, chronic ear infections, and asynchronous development  [00:37:37] A discussion on burnout: neurotypical vs. neurodivergent burnout  [00:41:33] Recognizing burnout, autistic behaviors, and the effects of a dysregulated nervous system [00:45:19] “If you can name it, you can tame it.”  [00:46:30] Danielle's go-to strategies for managing burnout and burnout prevention  [00:47:03] Learning about your own sensory systems and triggers  [00:48:49] An ADHD moment…   [00:49:42] Addressing physical stress, emotions in the body, and closing the stress-cycle  [00:53:29] Words of wisdom and closing thoughts  Resources & Honorable Mentions: Book: Burnout - The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski, PhD and Amelia Nagoski, DMA  

Livia Sara is an eating disorder survivor, mental health coach, autism advocate and author from the Netherlands. Diagnosed autistic at 20, she now helps other neurodivergent people recover from disordered eating through learning to embrace their unique traits.  She takes a holistic approach to health and healing, supporting each individual on their own journey to recovery and living life to their fullest potential.  She shares autism and eating disorder related content on her popular YouTube and Instagram accounts, hosts her own podcast, the Liv Label Free podcast, and is publishing three books in 2023 - one of which is coming out next month. I was lucky enough to get a sneak preview before we recorded this episode. In our conversation we talk about: ➡ Her experiences of developing an eating disorder as a preteen ➡ How autistic traits can be mistaken for eating disorder ‘behaviours', and how this can make treatment and recovery harder ➡ Labels, stigma and diet culture, and why discovering she was autistic has helped her in her recovery ➡ The work she does now, her book, and  how she has been able to use her experiences to help others    CONTENT WARNING This episode contains discussion of disordered eating and eating disorders from the start.  Squarepeg is a podcast in which neurodivergent women, and trans and nonbinary people, explore navigating a neurotypical world and share their insights, challenges and successes. I hope that these conversations will be inspiring and thought provoking, open you up to new ways of thinking about being neurodivergent, and help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences. I'm Amy Richards, and after being diagnosed autistic at the age of 37 I'm now on a mission to learn more about different perspectives and issues around being a neurodivergent adult in a world that feels like it doesn't quite fit.   EPISODE LINKS: Website: https://www.livlabelfree.com  Podcast: Liv Label Free https://www.livlabelfree.com/podcasts/liv-label-free  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/livlabelfree  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livlabelfree/  Information on eating disorders and autism from the National Autistic Society: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/mental-health/eating-disorders    If you'd like to connect or get in touch with Squarepeg, you can find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  Or on my website: https://squarepeg.community/    THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS! A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast: Abi Hunter, Adam Klager, Amy Adler, Amy-Beth Mellor, Amy Sullivan, Anika Lacerte, Annette, Becky Beasley, Ben Davies, Carly Melling, Caroline, Cat Preston, Catrin Green, Cindy Bailey, Clare Forrest, Clare Holmes, Corinne Cariad, Dana Bradley, Danielle Warby, Dennis McNulty, Elizabeth Williams, Erica Kenworthy, Erin Pineapple, Ewan McNeill, Felicia Libo, Fiona Connor, Galina, Gwyneth, Hannah Breslin, Heather Peake, Hegatronix, Jackie Allen, JF, Jayne Hutchinson, Jeff Goldman, Jen Bartlett, Jo, Julie, Katarzyna Tomaszewska, Kate and Kathryn, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine Lynch, Kenneth Knowles, Laura, Laurencia Saenz Benavides, Lea Li, Leo Ricketts, Lilli Simmons, Linda Brown, Liz, LQ, Lyb, Mandy Allen, Marjory Webber, Martine, Melissa Shaw, Meredith L. Freyre, MN, Paul Harris, Pete Burke, Rebecca, Rebecca Biegel, Rebecca Kemp, Sadie Slater, Sarah Cottrell, Sarah Jeffery, Sarah Ivinson, Sarah Swanton, Shauna Schramke, Suzanna Chen, Suzanne, Talia's Nature, Tammie Fabien, Tamsen Staniford, Tegan Bailey, Tessa Valyou, Tree Hall, Vic Wiener, Vicki Temple, Victoria Chang, Victoria Routledge, Wendy Walker, Zephyrine Craster and Zoe Lee. If you're enjoying the Squarepeg podcast and would like to help me carry on making new episodes, you can become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon from £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast 

Gem Kennedy is a Coach and podcaster from Essex in the UK. They are non-binary and queer, and self identified as autistic and ADHD last year, at 35.  They are a Transformational Coach, facilitator and advocate, supporting neurodivergent and queer folk, present a podcast called Queers & Co., and are also co-parent to two home educated autistic children.  They are passionate about body liberation, queering things, spirituality, children's rights and playing the ukulele! We covered a lot in this conversation! But a few of the things we talk about are: ➡ Gem's early experiences of anxiety and school refusal  ➡ Gender expectations and connecting with gender ➡ Masking and unmasking – when and where to unmask, situations they avoid and thinking about where to spend our energy, and how to be social and actually enjoy it! ➡ Balancing life, work and homeschooling, and meeting needs in a neurodivergent household ➡ Queering things and seeking out counter-cultural wisdom   CONTENT WARNING Before we begin, I need to let you know that there a couple of brief mentions of disordered eating in this conversation, but the topic isn't explored in any detail.   Squarepeg is a podcast in which neurodivergent women, and trans and nonbinary people, explore navigating a neurotypical world and share their insights, challenges and successes. I hope that these conversations will be inspiring and thought provoking, open you up to new ways of thinking about being neurodivergent, and help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences. I'm Amy Richards, and after being diagnosed autistic at the age of 37 I'm now on a mission to learn more about different perspectives and issues around being a neurodivergent adult in a world that feels like it doesn't quite fit.   EPISODE LINKS: Gem's website: www.gemkennedy.com  Their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegemkennedy/  Queers & Co podcast: https://www.gemkennedy.com/podcast   If you'd like to connect or get in touch with Squarepeg, you can find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  Or on my website: https://squarepeg.community/    THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS! A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast: Abi Hunter, Adam Klager, Amy Adler, Amy-Beth Mellor, Amy Sullivan, Anika Lacerte, Annette, Becky Beasley, Ben Davies, Caroline, Cat Preston, Catrin Green, Cindy Bailey, Clare Forrest, Clare Holmes, Corinne Cariad, Dana Bradley, Danielle Warby, Dennis McNulty, Elizabeth Williams, Erica Kenworthy, Erin Pineapple, Ewan McNeill, Felicia Libo, Fiona Connor, Galina, Gwyneth, Hannah Breslin, Heather Peake, Hegatronix, Jackie Allen, JF, Jayne Hutchinson, Jeff Goldman, Jen Bartlett, Julie, Katarzyna Tomaszewska, Kate and Kathryn, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine Lynch, Kenneth Knowles, Laura, Laurencia Saenz Benavides, Lea Li, Leo Ricketts, Lilli Simmons, Linda Brown, Liz, LQ, Lyb, Mandy Allen, Marjory Webber, Martine, Melissa Shaw, Meredith L. Freyre, MN, Paul Harris, Pete Burke, Rebecca, Rebecca Biegel, Rebecca Kemp, Sadie Slater, Sarah Cottrell, Sarah Jeffery, Sarah Ivinson, Sarah Swanton, Shauna Schramke, Suzanna Chen, Suzanne, Talia's Nature, Tammie Fabien, Tamsen Staniford, Tegan Bailey, Tessa Valyou, Tree Hall, Vic Wiener, Vicki Temple, Victoria Chang, Victoria Routledge, Wendy Walker, Zephyrine Craster and Zoe Lee. If you're enjoying the Squarepeg podcast and would like to help me carry on making new episodes, you can become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon from £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast

Kirstie Pickles is an equine vet, academic, mum and mental health advocate from Derbyshire in the UK. Now 49, she was diagnosed autistic at 47, following her daughter's diagnosis. She is passionate about sharing her story and raising the awareness of neurodiversity to allow for better self-advocacy and reduce the stigma associated with autism, and is currently researching autism within her profession, and is involved in an autism awareness training programme for medical professionals as an expert by experience.  In our conversation we talk about: ➡ Her lifelong special interest and determination to become a vet, and her experience of thriving at school and university – but finding the transition from academia to the workplace difficult, and struggling to cope as a newly qualified vet ➡ How her diagnosis has helped her get accommodations at work ➡ The findings of her research into autistic vets, including ‘shocking' statistics around their mental health and wellbeing ➡ How the research – that has relevance to all autistics who work or want to work – can be applied to better support autistic professionals and employees ➡ How she's now advocating for herself and other autistic adults   CONTENT WARNING During this conversation there's a very brief mention of statistics around suicide.   Squarepeg is a podcast in which neurodivergent women, and trans and nonbinary people, explore navigating a neurotypical world and share their insights, challenges and successes. I hope that these conversations will be inspiring and thought provoking, open you up to new ways of thinking about being neurodivergent, and help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences. I'm Amy Richards, and after being diagnosed autistic at the age of 37 I'm now on a mission to learn more about different perspectives and issues around being a neurodivergent adult in a world that feels like it doesn't quite fit.   EPISODE LINKS: Kirstie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstie-pickles-01ab6b150   If you'd like to connect or get in touch with Squarepeg, you can find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  Or on my website: https://squarepeg.community/    THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS! A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast: Abi Hunter, Adam Klager, Amy Adler, Amy-Beth Mellor, Anika Lacerte, Annette, Becky Beasley, Ben Davies, Caroline, Cat Preston, Catrin Green, Cindy Bailey, Clare Forrest, Clare Holmes, Corinne Cariad, Dana Bradley, Danielle Warby, Dennis McNulty, Elizabeth Williams, Erica Kenworthy, Erin Pineapple, Ewan McNeill, Felicia Libo, Fiona Connor, Galina, Gwyneth, Hannah Breslin, Heather Peake, Hegatronix, Jackie Allen, JF, Jayne Hutchinson, Jeff Goldman, Jen Bartlett, Julie, Katarzyna Tomaszewska, Kate and Kathryn, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine Lynch, Kenneth Knowles, Laura, Laurencia Saenz Benavides, Lea Li, Leo Ricketts, Lilli Simmons, Linda Brown, Liz, LQ, Lyb, Mandy Allen, Marjory Webber, Martine, Melissa Shaw, Meredith L. Freyre, MN, Paul Harris, Pete Burke, Rebecca, Rebecca Biegel, Rebecca Kemp, Sadie Slater, Sarah Cottrell, Sarah Jeffery, Sarah Ivinson, Sarah Swanton, Shauna Schramke, Suzanna Chen, Suzanne, Talia's Nature, Tammie Fabien, Tamsen Staniford, Tegan Bailey, Tessa Valyou, Tree Hall, Vic Wiener, Vicki Temple, Victoria Chang, Victoria Routledge, Wendy Walker, Zephyrine Craster and Zoe Lee. If you're enjoying the Squarepeg podcast and would like to help me carry on making new episodes, you can become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon from £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast 

Maisie Soetantyo is the founder of a nonprofit with a mission to improve employment prospects for autistic jobseekers and aspiring business owners. Now an openly autistic advocate and inclusivity trainer, she has been working with neurodivergent people since her undergraduate studies in 1991, but it would be many years before some of her clients started suggesting that she might be autistic, too. A former Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) practitioner, she moved away from ABA after realising that supporting her client's authenticity as autistic individuals should be the goal. She set up Autism Career Pathways in San Francisco, USA in 2019, and now works to foster a meaningful understanding and acceptance of an autism diagnosis as a unique pathway to self advocacy and a fulfilling life.  In our conversation we talk about: ➡ Her experiences growing up with learning difficulties and processing disorders in a neurodivergent family ➡ Her thoughts on autism and employment, and how our special interests and even our stims can hold the key to what we should be doing with our lives. ➡ Her experiences as an ABA practitioner, how her thinking has evolved, and the work she now does to support autistic people. Squarepeg is a podcast in which neurodivergent women, and trans and nonbinary people, explore navigating a neurotypical world and share their insights, challenges and successes. I hope that these conversations will be inspiring and thought provoking, open you up to new ways of thinking about being neurodivergent, and help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences. I'm Amy Richards, and after being diagnosed autistic at the age of 37 I'm now on a mission to learn more about different perspectives and issues around being a neurodivergent adult in a world that feels like it doesn't quite fit.   EPISODE LINKS: Maisie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maisiesoetantyo/  Autism Career Pathways website: https://autismcareerpathways.org/  Her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maisie-soetantyo/   If you'd like to connect or get in touch with Squarepeg, you can find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  Or on my website: https://squarepeg.community/    THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS! A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast: Abi Hunter, Adam Klager, Amy Adler, Amy-Beth Mellor, Anika Lacerte, Annette, Becky Beasley, Ben Davies, Caroline, Cat Preston, Catrin Green, Cindy Bailey, Clare Forrest, Clare Holmes, Corinne Cariad, Dana Bradley, Danielle Warby, Dennis McNulty, Elizabeth Williams, Erica Kenworthy, Erin Pineapple, Ewan McNeill, Fiona Connor, Galina, Gwyneth, Hannah Breslin, Heather Peake, Hegatronix, Jackie Allen, JF, Jayne Hutchinson, Jeff Goldman, Jen Bartlett, Julie, Katarzyna Tomaszewska, Kate and Kathryn, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine Lynch, Kenneth Knowles, Laura, Laurencia Saenz Benavides, Lea Li, Leo Ricketts, Lilli Simmons, Linda Brown, Liz, LQ, Lyb, Mandy Allen, Marjory Webber, Martine, Melissa Shaw, Meredith L. Freyre, MN, Paul Harris, Pete Burke, Rebecca, Rebecca Biegel, Rebecca Kemp, Sadie Slater, Sarah Cottrell, Sarah Jeffery, Sarah Ivinson, Sarah Swanton, Shauna Schramke, Suzanna Chen, Suzanne, Talia's Nature, Tammie Fabien, Tamsen Staniford, Tegan Bailey, Tessa Valyou, Tree Hall, Vic Wiener, Vicki Temple, Victoria Chang, Victoria Routledge, Zephyrine Craster and Zoe Lee. If you're enjoying the Squarepeg podcast and would like to help me carry on making new episodes, you can become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon from £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast 

Laura Richmond is a writer and researcher from Southampton in the UK. Now 35, she was diagnosed autistic last year. She had an extremely difficult road to diagnosis. Social and emotional struggles in childhood led to her being in and out of the psychiatric system for 15 years, misdiagnosed and spending time in various psychiatric hospitals.  The turning point came when her son was born: after a traumatic birth she developed PTSD and spent time in a psychiatric mother and baby unit. Her positive experience there, so unlike her previous time in hospital, led her to begin writing about her experiences and unravelling her own history, eventually leading to her autism diagnosis and a book about her experiences that will be published very soon. Laura and I covered so many different things in this conversation! Although some of the topics we discuss are not easy, I believe it's so important that these stories are told.  Some of the things we talk about are: ➡ Why she was initially cautious about getting an autism diagnosis ➡ Her mental health challenges, self harm, and her time in psychiatric services ➡ Hyperlexia, sensory issues and the double empathy problem ➡ Her journey of self discovery through writing her memoir and tapping into autistic joy   CONTENT WARNING: Please be aware that there is discussion of self harm, mental health difficulties, the psychiatric system and birth trauma from the start and at various points throughout this episode, so if you don't wish to hear about these topics, you may want to skip this one.   Squarepeg is a podcast in which neurodivergent women, and trans and nonbinary people, explore navigating a neurotypical world and share their insights, challenges and successes. I hope that these conversations will be inspiring and thought provoking, open you up to new ways of thinking about being neurodivergent, and help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences. I'm Amy Richards, and after being diagnosed autistic at the age of 37 I'm now on a mission to learn more about different perspectives and issues around being a neurodivergent adult in a world that feels like it doesn't quite fit.   EPISODE LINKS: Laura's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cooksferryqueen/  Her Twitter - https://twitter.com/cooksferryqueen  Her Linktree - https://linktr.ee/cooksferryqueen  Pre-order/buy her book - https://unbound.com/books/all-my-worldly-joy/ Information on autism and self harm from the National Autistic Society: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/mental-health/self-harm    If you'd like to connect or get in touch with Squarepeg, you can find me on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  Or on my website: https://squarepeg.community/    THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS! A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast: Abi Hunter, Adam Klager, Amy Adler, Amy-Beth Mellor, Anika Lacerte, Annette, Becky Beasley, Ben Davies, Caroline, Cat Preston, Catrin Green, Cindy Bailey, Clare Forrest, Clare Holmes, Corinne Cariad, Dana Bradley, Danielle Warby, Dennis McNulty, Elizabeth Williams, Erica Kenworthy, Erin Pineapple, Ewan McNeill, Fiona Connor, Galina, Gwyneth, Hannah Breslin, Heather Peake, Hegatronix, Jackie Allen, JF, Jayne Hutchinson, Jeff Goldman, Jen Bartlett, Julie, Katarzyna Tomaszewska, Kate and Kathryn, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine Lynch, Kenneth Knowles, Laura, Laurencia Saenz Benavides, Lea Li, Leo Ricketts, Lilli Simmons, Linda Brown, Liz, LQ, Lyb, Mandy Allen, Marjory Webber, Martine, Melissa Shaw, Meredith L. Freyre, MN, Paul Harris, Pete Burke, Rebecca, Rebecca Biegel, Rebecca Kemp, Sadie Slater, Sarah Cottrell, Sarah Jeffery, Sarah Ivinson, Sarah Swanton, Shauna Schramke, Suzanna Chen, Suzanne, Talia's Nature, Tammie Fabien, Tamsen Staniford, Tegan Bailey, Tessa Valyou, Tree Hall, Vic Wiener, Vicki Temple, Victoria Chang, Victoria Routledge, Zephyrine Craster and Zoe Lee. If you're enjoying the Squarepeg podcast and would like to help me carry on making new episodes, you can become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon from £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast