Episode 63: Ask The Audience (#1): Adult Autism, Identity Shifts, and Podcast Insights

It’s natural to have a flood of questions following neurodivergent discovery, diagnosis, or while embracing a new identity. Additionally, there are individuals who might not identify as neurodivergent but just have curiosity about the very nuanced conversations happening in and around the neurodivergent community. In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, respond to questions they have received from podcast listeners and their communities. Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode: Hear Dr. Neff and Patrick share their “surprising” experiences and personal growth as podcast hosts, including overcoming anxiety, balancing preparation and spontaneity, working on relational aspects of podcasting, establishing and honoring boundaries, finding confidence, and more. Gain insights into the late autism diagnosis journey, including common identity development processes like unmasking, exploring gender and sexuality, and how this affects relationships, as well as advice for communicating your diagnosis to friends and family, managing their reactions, and deciding when and how to educate others. Learn about the legal and medical implications of an autism diagnosis, the genetic factors, and how understanding family history can provide deeper insights into your own neurodivergence. Your inquiries are invaluable, not just to you, but to countless others facing similar challenges. We will continue to have episodes like this in the future, so we appreciate your questions to help guide these future episodes. ———————————————————————————————— 🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Divergent Conversations Podcast 🎙️ Spotify 🎙️ Apple 🎙️ YouTube Music ▶️ YouTube 💬 Join Divergent Conversations Underground ———————————————————————————————— Thanks to Our Sponsors: ✨ Neurodivergent Insights Autistic Burnout Resources If you’d like to supplement your learning on burnout, you can check out Neurodivergent Insights' resources on burnout. We have articles, an Autistic Burnout course, workbooks, and print books! Visit: neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resources ———————————————————————————————— 💬 Join Divergent Conversations Underground Divergent Conversations Underground is a space for messy conversations, real connection, and unfinished thoughts in a neurodivergent-affirming community. If you’d like to go deeper with us into more nuanced, searching conversations, join here: divergentconversations.substack.com ———————————————————————————————— Mentioned in this episode: Neurodivergent Insights' Autistic Burnout Resources If you’d like to supplement your learning on burnout, you can check out Neurodivergent Insights' resources on burnout. We have articles, an Autistic Burnout course, workbooks, and print books! Visit: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resources