56. S5, Ep1: Sara Gibbs: From not fitting in to finding a place in the world as an autistic woman

Jan 8, 2022

Sara Gibbs, a comedy writer and presenter of The Aut-Hour Podcast, shares her transformative journey as an undiagnosed autistic woman. She discusses her tough childhood, including bullying and social exclusion, which fueled her desire to write. Sara reflects on her diagnosis at 30, advocating for better understanding and representation of autism, especially in women. The conversation emphasizes the challenges of navigating toxic workplaces and the importance of embracing authenticity. Her memoir, Drama Queen, offers relatable insights into this journey.

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ANECDOTE

Autism Diagnosis Sparked by Cousin

Sara Gibbs was first suggested to be autistic by her cousin Dominique at a family party.
She found the diagnosis clues very specific and initially thought it was a prank due to uncanny accuracy.

INSIGHT

Validation of Hidden Struggle

Sara felt validated when a psychologist praised her for thriving without a diagnosis despite struggles.
Masking daily social difficulties requires immense effort invisible to others.

ANECDOTE

Childhood Bullying and School Switch

Sara endured bullying and social exclusion throughout school with few genuine friendships.
Transitioning from a sensory-friendly Steiner school to a noisy state school overwhelmed her severely.

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Sara Gibbs has built a successful career, but also – like so many of us – experienced the challenges of being in the world as an autistic person.

After enduring vicious bullying and social exclusion during her school days, and having some pretty horrendous experiences in the workplace, she decided to become a writer. After taking a comedy writing course she has since written for Dead Ringers, The News Quiz, The Daily Mash, The Now Show, The Mash Report and Have I Got News for You.

She is also the co-founder of satirical women’s magazine Succubus, the founder of The First Laugh Comedy Writing Competition for new writers and the presenter of The Aut-Hour Podcast.

Diagnosed autistic at 30, she published her brilliant – and hugely relatable – memoir of life as an undiagnosed autistic woman, Drama Queen, in 2021. I devoured this book as soon as I got my hands on it, and I was so excited to talk to her for Squarepeg.

We talked about all sorts of things, including

➡ Her childhood, bullying and her experience at a Steiner school

➡ Her difficult relationship with her dad, who she suspects may have been autistic too

➡ Dealing with a toxic workplace environment

➡ Finding her place in the world as a writer

➡ and The challenge autistic people in particular can face when trying to change careers

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:

Sara’s website: https://saragibbs.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sara_rose_g

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sara_Rose_G

Her book: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Drama-Queen-by-Sara-Gibbs/9781472274366

The Aut-Hour podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/613Ai66JCoNNnVWrE8x8YD

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, Amy Adler, Amy-Beth Mellor, Abigail J Moore, Ben Davies, Caroline, Cat Preston, Catrin Green, Corinne Cariad, Elise, Jackie Allen, Jeff Goldman, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine Lynch, Lilli Simmons, Pete Burke, Susan Millington, Tree Hall, Una Walkenhorst, Vera Cady and Vicki Temple.

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 just £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast