The Other Autism Heath Wilder, 'Autigender', and Autistic Empathy
Mar 25, 2023
Heath Wilder is the Director of Customer Experience at the Sydney Theatre Company and identifies as 'autigender'. In this engaging discussion, they explore the fluidity of gender identity within the autism spectrum. Heath shares personal experiences about the emotional complexities of empathy and the challenges of societal expectations. The conversation also dives into topics like sensory overload, the significance of authenticity, and the nuances of meltdowns and shutdowns, shedding light on navigating the autistic experience with humor and insight.
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Heath Explains Autigender Identity
- Heath Wilder identifies with the term autigender, reflecting how autism affects their experience of gender.
- They use they/them pronouns, partly because their gender identity doesn't fit traditional categories well.
Heath's Autism Self-Diagnosis Journey
- Heath self-identified as autistic in their mid-40s after extensive personal research and life experiences.
- They pursued a formal diagnosis that confirmed their autism and brought a profound sense of relief.
Diagnosis Brings Identity Relief
- Receiving an autism diagnosis can bring a profound relief by clarifying lifelong differences and distress.
- It validates personal identity and removes confusion and blame related to those differences.