The Squarepeg Podcast

107 [S9 E2] Autism deep-dive: examining the literature and ourselves, and reflections on burnout

13 snips
Dec 30, 2023
Dr. Alexandra Johnston, a Melbourne-based social anthropologist and recent autism diagnosis, shares her enlightening journey into understanding neurodivergence. She discusses her extensive literature review, uncovering patterns of autism in her family across generations. With insights into the varying reactions of her parents to her diagnosis, she highlights the support from her wife that has strengthened their bond. Additionally, Alexandra reflects on the pervasive issue of burnout within the autistic community, shedding light on personal experiences and the quest for self-acceptance.
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ANECDOTE

Deep Dive Self-Diagnosis Journey

  • Alexandra Johnston self-diagnosed autism by conducting a deep literature review and writing a 45,000-word report.
  • She discovered parallels to her own life after reading Hannah Gadsby's memoir on neurodivergence.
INSIGHT

Family Patterns of Neurodivergence

  • Autism links strongly with various mental health conditions and neurodivergences within families.
  • Alexandra mapped 13 individuals across generations showing overlapping traits like OCD, anxiety, and autistic characteristics.
ANECDOTE

Different Parental Reactions to Diagnosis

  • Alexandra's mother had a challenging reaction to her diagnosis, possibly due to shared autistic traits.
  • Her father responded beautifully, expressing regret about not exploring his own neurobiology earlier.
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