Meet My Autistic Brain

Here’s What Happened When a Doctor Set Out to Design Healthcare For Neurodivergent Brains

When she started her medical practice, Dr. Mel Houser quickly realized there was a lack of healthcare that addressed the needs of neurodivergent people. She set out to challenge traditional norms to make care accessible. Along with her success came something she never expected—a new way of growing a community built around more than just medicine. From chronic illness to employment support and beyond, that kind of healthcare exists and in this episode you’ll learn about the resources that will guide you toward getting it. Dr. Houser, author of A Failure of Imagination: How the Healthcare System Fails Neurodivergent People—And What We're Doing Instead, tells how you can be empowered to recognize how your body feels and trust your intuition about your health. She provides the tools for you and for your healthcare provider to understand each other’s language. She explains how involving her community of patients defines how she practices neuroinclusive medicine. In a world of growing isolation, Dr Houser reveals the serious health implications of loneliness and offers a solution. It’s time for a change and this is where you can make a difference in your own life. Find out how in this conversation with Dr. Melissa Houser. Website: All Brains Belong Book: A Failure of Imagination: How the Healthcare System Fails Neurodivergent People—And What We're Doing Instead Resources: All Brains Belong Digital Resource Library Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected Stories How a dog taught Dr. Andy Neillie to lead. You don't have to be famous to be fascinating. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show Ranked #1 in FeedSpot's 40 Best Adult Autism Podcasts RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to help me continue making new episodes, you can support the show on Patreon, PayPal or KoFi. You can also give a gift to someone who can benefit from learning more about autism. If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website

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Autistic Menopause

Menopause touches almost everyone eventually, whether you're the one going through it, supporting someone who is, or know it's coming someday. Most of us walk into it with almost no real information. This episode is here to change that especially if you're autistic or love someone who is. This conversation, with information drawn from a recent study and the book Dr. Rachel Moseley wrote with her co-author Dr. Julie Gamble-Turner, Autistic Menopause: A Guide to the Menopausal Transition for Autistic People and Those Supporting Them gives you the information that’s important to know for this significant time of our lives, including: why menopause can hit autistic people harder; the double impact on memory and executive function; why masking often becomes impossible to sustain; what it does to communication while managing eye contact, tone, and content all at once. Rachel talks about something rarely discussed—the genuine upsides many autistic women report once they're through it. This is an enlightening conversation with researcher and psychologist Dr. Rachel Moseley. Check the link below to learn how you can participate in a study about menopause and its treatment. About the guest: Rachel Moseley, PhD, Principal Academic in Psychology at Bournemouth University (PhD in cognitive neuroscience) co-author of Autistic Menopause: A Guide to the Menopausal Transition for Autistic People and Those Supporting Them. Rachel’s website: Science on the Spectrum Contact Rachel Get the book here: Autistic Menopause: A Guide to the Menopausal Transition for Autistic People and Those Supporting Them *You’re invited to participate in a new study on menopause symptoms, treatment and neurodiversity. Use this link to get started. This is an online survey about menopause and menopause treatment. The researchers are particularly interested in how experiences of menopause treatment might differ between neurotypical and neurodivergent people and need to hear from people of all neurotypes. Thank you for listening! Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected Stories How a dog taught Dr. Andy Neillie to lead. You don't have to be famous to be fascinating. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show Ranked #1 in FeedSpot's 40 Best Adult Autism Podcasts RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to help me continue making new episodes, you can support the show on Patreon, PayPal or KoFi. You can also give a gift to someone who can benefit from learning more about autism. If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website

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Powerful Ways Occupational Therapy Benefits Autistic People

Occupational therapy can empower autistics in our every day lives. Carolyn Gillen, an autistic occupational therapist working with neurodivergent women, breaks down how occupational therapy for autistic adults can help with: recognizing hunger, thirst, and nervous system signals your body may not flag clearly; navigating sensory processing that can swing between overwhelming and numb; advocating for yourself in a doctor's office when your pain doesn't match your expression; making small, practical shifts you can actually use; breaking burnout into function, not willpower; how OT treats these as functional, fixable friction points in daily life, not personality flaws to correct. She tells how to recognize a safe, supportive therapeutic space. She explains why coaching, burnout, and meditation might be worth a second look from an OT perspective. Find Carolyn at her website Contact page Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected Stories How a dog taught Dr. Andy Neillie to lead. You don't have to be famous to be fascinating. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show Ranked #1 in FeedSpot's 40 Best Adult Autism Podcasts RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to help me continue making new episodes, you can support the show on Patreon, PayPal or KoFi. You can also give a gift to someone who can benefit from learning more about autism. If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website

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Why Traditional Counseling Fails Autistic People and What Actually Works

You did everything you were supposed to do — showed up, did the homework, tried the techniques. And it left you feeling worse…or definitely not better. This episode gets into why standard talk therapy often misses autistic people and what a version built for our brains actually looks like. Support the show Ranked #1 in FeedSpot's 40 Best Adult Autism Podcasts RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to help me continue making new episodes, you can support the show on Patreon, PayPal or KoFi. You can also give a gift to someone who can benefit from learning more about autism. If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website

How Neurodivergence Leads To Cultural Wealth

We autistics have a type of wealth, or capital, as a result of adapting, coping and growing as individuals with neurodivergent challenges. Essy Knopf, a therapist and author, has developed the Neurodivergent Cultural Wealth Framework, a valuable way to look at our neurodivergence. In this episode he explains what makes up the framework and how it enriches our lives with: Self-Knowledge Capital Adaptation Capital Pattern Recognition Capital Community Capital Resistance Capital Embodied Capital Passion Capital Identity Capital Meaning-Making Capital This framework goes beyond deficit views of autistics and neurodivergents and explains how we have developed forms of knowledge, adaptation, perspective, and wisdom that are often overlooked when attention is focused solely on those deficits. This framework gives us a whole new way of looking at our lives. Website: https://www.essyknopf.com Check out Essy's YouTube channel Essy on Instagram New book: Unscramble Your Brain: A Neurodivergent Guide to Getting Things Done, Your Way Other books by Essy Knopf available at https://www.essyknopf.com and book retailers: Book: Unmasking: What We Lose by Pretending and How to Get It Back Neurodivergent Game Plan Neurodivergent Game Plan: The Workbook The Neuroaffirming Therapy Handbook Unmasking Nepo Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected Stories How a dog taught Dr. Andy Neillie to lead. You don't have to be famous to be fascinating. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show Ranked #1 in FeedSpot's 40 Best Adult Autism Podcasts RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to help me continue making new episodes, you can support the show on Patreon, PayPal or KoFi. You can also give a gift to someone who can benefit from learning more about autism. If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website

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New Season. New Episodes. Starting September 14th.

Season 12 is here with new episodes! Listen for a preview of what’s to come. Support the show Ranked #1 in FeedSpot's 40 Best Adult Autism Podcasts RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to help me continue making new episodes, you can support the show on Patreon, PayPal or KoFi. You can also give a gift to someone who can benefit from learning more about autism. If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website

Special Replay: Why Self-Help Fails Autistic People

Self-help fails autistics but why? This episode reveals the not-so-obvious reason it can do more harm than good and provides some tips for what you can do instead. Hear it again. Support the show Ranked #1 in FeedSpot's 40 Best Adult Autism Podcasts RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to help me continue making new episodes, you can support the show on Patreon, PayPal or KoFi. You can also give a gift to someone who can benefit from learning more about autism. If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website

What Is Autism?

This is a replay of an episode from 2024 where I talk to Jackie Schuld, author of What is Autism? Jackie shares her insights and knowledge about autism, how it affects her and what it was like learning she’s autistic. Listen and meet the autistic brain of author, artist and therapist, Jackie Schuld. The information is just as relevant as it was before and is a great refresher! Get the book! https://www.jackieschuld.com/books Find Jackie on Medium: https://medium.com/@jackieschuld Website: https://www.jackieschuld.com Resource page: https://www.jackieschuld.com/artactivities Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected Stories How a dog taught Dr. Andy Neillie to lead. You don't have to be famous to be fascinating. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show Ranked #1 in FeedSpot's 40 Best Adult Autism Podcasts RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to help me continue making new episodes, you can support the show on Patreon, PayPal or KoFi. You can also give a gift to someone who can benefit from learning more about autism. If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website

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Hear Again: Resilience

The regions of the brain that play a role in resilience are the areas of the brain most affected by autism. Is it possible for an autistic person to be resilient? The answer may surprise you. Resilience assessment tool: https://www.everydayhealth.com/wellness/resilience/get-your-resilience-score/ Support the show Ranked #1 in FeedSpot's 40 Best Adult Autism Podcasts RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to help me continue making new episodes, you can support the show on Patreon, PayPal or KoFi. You can also give a gift to someone who can benefit from learning more about autism. If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website

Replay: The Key to Connection

There’s a key to connection that unlocks the door of isolation and loneliness. Truly connecting is not possible without it. What is it? The answer is in this episode. Remastered Support the show Ranked #1 in FeedSpot's 40 Best Adult Autism Podcasts RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to help me continue making new episodes, you can support the show on Patreon, PayPal or KoFi. You can also give a gift to someone who can benefit from learning more about autism. If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website

Overcoming The Wall of Awful; Why It's Hard to Get Things Done with ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety (and How to Do Them Anyway)

When you can’t respond to an email or phone call, when you don’t move forward on a project, when you feel stuck in any area of your life you’re facing a “Wall of Awful.” Brendan Mahan, author of Overcoming The Wall of Awful; Why It's Hard to Get Things Done with ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety (and How to Do Them Anyway) has uncovered the reasons we face the wall. He offers solutions and tips that will get you going. He shares helpful insights and stories that you haven’t heard before. You’re not “lazy” and you don’t lack willpower. Find out what the wall is really about so you can finally do the things you want to do. What we talk about in this episode includes: Why everyday tasks can feel overwhelming How to recognize the Wall of Awful Why thinking you’re “lazy” is a dead end Why the ways people respond to the Wall of Awful don’t work How to reduce the barrier to getting started How to meet your brain's basic needs to create lasting change Preorder/buy the book (out September 1, 2026): Overcoming The Wall of Awful; Why It's Hard to Get Things Done with ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety (and How to Do Them Anyway) Brendan Mahan’s website Twitter LinkedIn Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected Stories How a dog taught Dr. Andy Neillie to lead. You don't have to be famous to be fascinating. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show Ranked #1 in FeedSpot's 40 Best Adult Autism Podcasts RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to help me continue making new episodes, you can support the show on Patreon, PayPal or KoFi. You can also give a gift to someone who can benefit from learning more about autism. If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website

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Remarkable Replay: What Did I Do Wrong?

If you missed this one be sure to listen now. Or if you remember how great it was, how about another listen? In this episode you’ll hear author Jaime A. Heidel, The Articulate Autistic, talk about her book What Did I Do Wrong? An Accessible Guide to Preventing Traumatic Misunderstandings Between You and Your Autistic Loved One. Jamie has great insight into what it’s like to be autistic and how/why people misunderstand us. This episode has been remastered. Jaime’s website: thearticulateautistic.com Direct link to book on Amazon Jamie's Instagram Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected Stories How a dog taught Dr. Andy Neillie to lead. You don't have to be famous to be fascinating. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show Ranked #1 in FeedSpot's 40 Best Adult Autism Podcasts RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to help me continue making new episodes, you can support the show on Patreon, PayPal or KoFi. You can also give a gift to someone who can benefit from learning more about autism. If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website

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Professionally Neurospicy: Find Work That Fits Your Brain

This is probably not the first time you’re hearing that many autistic and ADHD adults struggle on the job and not just due to sensory issues, although that’s a factor for sure. The bigger problem may be something else entirely. Something that has a solution. In this episode David Raynor tells his own story about a career path of jobs frequently won then lost and how he tired of hearing he had “so much potential.” After getting lots of failed advice from people who meant well, David turned inward and found answers. And he knows you can, too and that you don’t have to do it alone. David talks about Professionally Neurospicy, a community for neurodivergents to get the support they need in their jobs and careers. You’ll hear David’s advice about the one thing we can do to get the satisfaction we want. In this episode you’ll also learn: Why many neurodivergent careers follow a cycle of success, burnout, and starting over How to make better career decisions Why workplaces benefit when neurodivergent employees are supported to thrive How accommodations are actually workplace upgrades Managing hyperfocus without relying on willpower A different way of thinking about imposter syndrome Building the confidence to advocate for yourself at work What you'll find inside the Professionally NeuroSpicy community, including its Discord events, practical resources, and peer support for neurodivergent professionals David’s website: Professionally Neurospicy Substack Discord LinkedIn Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected Stories How a dog taught Dr. Andy Neillie to lead. You don't have to be famous to be fascinating. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show Ranked #1 in FeedSpot's 40 Best Adult Autism Podcasts RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to help me continue making new episodes, you can support the show on Patreon, PayPal or KoFi. You can also give a gift to someone who can benefit from learning more about autism. If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website

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BREAKTHROUGH: A New Assessment Tool for Autistic Women Created From Their Real-Life Stories

We’ve waited for decades for an autism assessment tool that reflects the experiences of adult women. The older diagnostic tools based on research of autistic boys left many of us misdiagnosed, overlooked, or completely missed. Dr. Rebecca Evanko set out to change that. After her own diagnosis at age 47, she used her background in cognitive linguistics, clinical practice and research to create an autism screening instrument developed specifically for adult women. It’s based on women’s personal experiences. It’s called WRADIANCE© Instrument and Protocol and is going into Phase III Clinical Trial. In this episode Rebecca also explains why the words clinicians choose can dramatically change an assessment outcome, how autistic burnout is often mistaken for personality disorders, and why traits like heightened pattern recognition and focused persistence deserve recognition as autistic strengths rather than symptoms to be explained away. The conversation also turns to identity after diagnosis, the grief many late-diagnosed women experience, and why therapies that include the body—not just the intellect—can play an important role in healing. Rebecca shares how equine-assisted therapy can help autistic women connect thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations in ways that traditional talk therapy often cannot. In this episode: The words a real psych evaluation used to describe an autistic woman and what they actually mean Why cognitive linguistics — the study of how thought and language shape each other — explains so much of why women get missed What existing autism assessments overlook about adult women How autistic pattern recognition can appear as "intuition" The women’s autistic strengths that deserve greater recognition What horses can reveal about emotional regulation that talk-therapy alone cannot And more that would make this list much too long Dr. Rebecca Evanko’s website Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected Stories How a dog taught Dr. Andy Neillie to lead. You don't have to be famous to be fascinating. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show Ranked #1 in FeedSpot's 40 Best Adult Autism Podcasts RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to help me continue making new episodes, you can support the show on Patreon, PayPal or KoFi. You can also give a gift to someone who can benefit from learning more about autism. If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website

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Rerun: Mindfulness That Actually Works for Autistics

In this episode you’ll hear from Tanya Roberts about Mindfulness Done Differently. For those of us who find meditation and mindfulness difficult Tanya has a solution. She teaches a method that works for autistic people by taking sensory needs into account. She also created a supportive community of other autistics who are learning and practicing these skills. Next, Tanya answers four unique questions about being an autistic woman. She shares deeply personal insights about her life now and before knowing she is autistic. Website: Mindfulness Done Differently Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected Stories How a dog taught Dr. Andy Neillie to lead. You don't have to be famous to be fascinating. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show Ranked #1 in FeedSpot's 40 Best Adult Autism Podcasts RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to help me continue making new episodes, you can support the show on Patreon, PayPal or KoFi. You can also give a gift to someone who can benefit from learning more about autism. If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website

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We Deserve More: Why Reproductive Healthcare is Broken--And What You Can Do About It

The medical system wasn't built for women who ask too many questions, need more time, or leave an exam still wanting answers. As a result many women have learned not to trust their bodies and their needs. Nikki Vinckier, a Physician’s Assistant, spent a decade working in medical care before she decided to write the manual it didn’t come with. This conversation is not just about what's broken, but about what you can actually do about it before your next appointment. In this episode you’ll hear: How the history of reproductive healthcare still shows up in exam rooms today What medical gaslighting is and why autistic women are especially vulnerable Why a clinician can’t address your health issues during your annual exam How to communicate symptoms when the one-to-ten scale makes no sense for your brain The approach that gets you care in an autistic-friendly environment What trauma-informed care looks like in practice Why you don't have to disclose that you're autistic, and what to say instead Grounding techniques for exam rooms and waiting rooms Nikki's book: We Deserve More: Why Health Care is Broken and What You Can Do About It The We Deserve More Workbook: A Companion for Navigating Your Reproductive Healthcare Take Back Trust: Nikki's platform for visit prep, reproductive health information, and combating medical misinformation. Find Nikki: All social media platforms at @NikkiVinck Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected Stories How a dog taught Dr. Andy Neillie to lead. You don't have to be famous to be fascinating. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show Ranked #1 in FeedSpot's 40 Best Adult Autism Podcasts RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to help me continue making new episodes, you can support the show on Patreon, PayPal or KoFi. You can also give a gift to someone who can benefit from learning more about autism. If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website

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The Path from Coping to Flourishing

Allie Memery never imagined that a late autism diagnosis at age 57 could be the launching pad for a whole new, satisfying life. In this episode she talks about the thing that became her special interest, the path to self-regulation and the social life that she couldn’t have expected. She did it all while handling menopause, taking care of her aging mother and facing her own personal challenges. Alllie talks candidly about: How menopause amplified her sensory sensitivities long before she had any framework to understand why The physical toll of years of unaccommodated autistic needs — and how the body keeps score What it took to actually slow down when you've masked for decades The unexpected source of regulation and community she discovered after her diagnosis How her life was changed by a nature-inspired special interest The peer support she now offers other late-diagnosed adults, and why she built it the way she did This one is practical, honest, and genuinely warm — exactly what you want from someone who's a few steps ahead on a path you might just be starting. Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected Stories How a dog taught Dr. Andy Neillie to lead. You don't have to be famous to be fascinating. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show Ranked #1 in FeedSpot's 40 Best Adult Autism Podcasts RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to help me continue making new episodes, you can support the show on Patreon, PayPal or KoFi. You can also give a gift to someone who can benefit from learning more about autism. If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website

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A Model for Thriving as an Autistic Adult

What does thriving actually look like for a late-diagnosed autistic adult? Alexis Kruel gives a pretty specific answer from a life of contradictions. Alexis is a commercial model and actor who was diagnosed autistic at 53 and ADHD shortly after. But this isn't really a diagnosis story. It's a story about what happens when your whole life suddenly plays back differently, and every awkward moment, every friendship that went cold, every dinner party you wanted to escape, finally makes sense. She's built a life that genuinely fits her brain. In this conversation she talks about how she did it — and what she'd tell anyone who's still figuring that out. In this episode: The video that stopped her cold and started everything Sensory life in the 70s — polyester, crinolines, a doomed trip to Stride Rite Why she was simultaneously popular yet seen as “different” How the fear of being seen inspired her to become a model How two autistic people built a marriage that works — and why she thinks that's not an accident Her advice for finding your comfort after late diagnosis Find Alexis: Instagram & TikTok: @alexiskruel_official YouTube & Facebook: Alexis Kruel Alexis Kruel website Resources mentioned: @whileyouwonderau theartofautism.com Prosper Health — telehealth autism assessments for adults Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected Stories How a dog taught Dr. Andy Neillie to lead. You don't have to be famous to be fascinating. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show Ranked #1 in FeedSpot's 40 Best Adult Autism Podcasts RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to help me continue making new episodes, you can support the show on Patreon, PayPal or KoFi. You can also give a gift to someone who can benefit from learning more about autism. If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website

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Hear again: Sound Sensitivity

Have you ever felt like the world's volume is turned all the way up — and no one else seems to notice? For autistic people, sound sensitivity isn't just a quirk or an overreaction. It's a daily, exhausting reality. In this episode, you’ll hear what it actually feels like when everyday sounds become unbearable — and learn the science behind why it happens. In this episode: Why between 50–70% of autistic people experience sound sensitivity at some point in their lives The elements of sound that can push an autistic brain into overdrive: frequency, duration, quantity, repetition, and volume What's happening in your brain when a disturbing noise sends your nervous system into fight-or-flight Why the common advice to "just get used to it" can actually make things worse for autistic people Practical tools and strategies that can help — from noise-canceling headphones to acoustic wall panels to earplug alternatives Meet My Autistic Brain is a podcast for late-discovered autistics and anyone who wants to understand what life on the spectrum really looks like — no filters, no sugarcoating. Listen, subscribe, and share with someone who needs to hear this one. Support the show Ranked #1 in FeedSpot's 40 Best Adult Autism Podcasts RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to help me continue making new episodes, you can support the show on Patreon, PayPal or KoFi. You can also give a gift to someone who can benefit from learning more about autism. If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website

Welcome to AuDHD: How to Survive and Thrive as an Adult with Autism and ADHD

Did you know that AuDHD is its own unique experience, not just autism plus ADHD co-existing? In this episode Megan Griffith, author of Welcome to AuDHD: How to Survive and Thrive as an Adult with Autism and ADHD, gives us the inside look at AuDHD from her lived experience. Some of the things Megan talks about: Why AuDHD is its own unique experience, not just autism plus ADHD stacked on top of each other How autism and ADHD can mask each other, leading to late or missed diagnoses Practical advice on employment, salary negotiation, and finding work that fuels rather than drains you Why autism and ADHD are often misunderstood as behavioral issues instead of neurodevelopmental disabilities Misdiagnosis and what to look for in an autism/ADHD assessment Learning to make accommodations instead of trying to “fix” yourself Why many autistic and ADHD people struggle with self-trust There’s so much more! The book: Welcome to AuDHD: How to Survive and Thrive as an Adult with Autism and ADHD The Neurocuriousity Club Megan Griffith website Project Candor: Ordinary People. Unexpected Stories How a dog taught Dr. Andy Neillie to lead. You don't have to be famous to be fascinating. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show Ranked #1 in FeedSpot's 40 Best Adult Autism Podcasts RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.3 million downloads! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to help me continue making new episodes, you can support the show on Patreon, PayPal or KoFi. You can also give a gift to someone who can benefit from learning more about autism. If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com. Instagram Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon Linktree Email: info@theautisticwoman.com Website

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