For individuals who've wondered if they are autistic (or know they are but haven't been formally diagnosed), it can be a complex journey to first decide whether or not to seek a formal autism diagnosis and then to learn how to restructure the way they see and interact with the world.Getting diagnosed and embracing yourself as autistic can feel like tearing down a wall (or removing your mask). And you can finally see yourself clearly, but so can everyone else.You might feel relief, you might feel grief, you might feel like you don't know what to do next, so if you're trying to decide if you want to get a formal diagnosis, then this episode is for you.Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode: Hear 2 different diagnosis stories from Megan and Patrick, including a before and after look at the way they showed up in the world. Understand the many different ways that autism presents and is perceived across different ages, gender, race, and other backgrounds. Identify what it means to unmask and how to do it for yourself. There are many misconceptions and cultural stereotypes around autism that make a misdiagnosis or complete overlooking of autism very common. Even Patrick and Megan didn't get diagnosed until adulthood.If you are wondering about a diagnosis for yourself, a family member, etc., then hopefully these stories can help you find the answers for you.——————————————————————————————————🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Divergent Conversations Podcast here🎙️Spotify🎙️Apple🎙️YouTube Music▶️ YouTube—————————————————————————————————— Mentioned in this episode:Hurricane Relief for WNC communitiesThis money will go to nonprofits who are boots on the ground. It will go to struggling individuals who do not have enough money for gas to get out, or who do not have enough money to provide their basic needs right now. Donate to Patrick's GoFundMe to help provide urgent aid for WNC communities affected by Hurricane Helene. Visit: atppod.com/wnc

Ever wake up in the middle of the night with the thoughts of “Damn. I’m not going back to sleep tonight” crossing your mind? Sleep and neurodivergent brains have a complex relationship, and many neurodivergent individuals struggle with insomnia, restless sleep, sleep paralysis, being light sleepers, and having the weirdest sleep schedule in general, if you can call it a schedule at all. Fatigue is often common and more intense for neurodivergent individuals, which can be hard on those who are already struggling with executive functioning.If you find that sleep is a challenge or seems harder for you to get than others, then this episode is for you.Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode: Understand the relationship between neurodivergence and sleep disorders and challenges on a personal and clinical level. Learn how to make the most of sleepless nights so that you can reduce the stress of your “time zaps.” Identify ways to improve the quality and consistency of sleep. Sleep challenges are something neurodivergent individuals will often struggle with, so we encourage you to explore what will help take some of the stress out of sleepless nights and help create the best environment for relaxation and rest.Dr. Neff Resources:  Autism, ADHD, and Sleep: An Expert Guide on Neurodivergent Sleep: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/blog/autism-adhd-and-sleep Sleep Workbook: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/neurodivergentstore/p/the-neurodivergent-sleep-workbook ——————————————————————————————————🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Divergent Conversations Podcast here🎙️Spotify🎙️Apple🎙️YouTube Music▶️ YouTube—————————————————————————————————— Mentioned in this episode:Hurricane Relief for WNC communitiesThis money will go to nonprofits who are boots on the ground. It will go to struggling individuals who do not have enough money for gas to get out, or who do not have enough money to provide their basic needs right now. Donate to Patrick's GoFundMe to help provide urgent aid for WNC communities affected by Hurricane Helene. Visit: atppod.com/wnc

Do you ever find yourself in a state of paralyzing burnout that can happen even when you're doing activities that you enjoy?Have you ever taken a vacation to fight the fatigue of life only to find that your post-vacation burnout-recovery state is reversed sooner and more severely than others?Do you wonder how you can reduce your burnout in a way that works and actually lasts?Then this episode is for you.Top 3 reasons to listen to this episode: Understand what autistic burnout looks like and how it differs from the burnout that might be experienced from things like work. Identify ways to provide self-care when you are experiencing autistic burnout, as well as how to incorporate sensory soothers. Learn how autistic burnout and ADHD can affect each other. Autistic burnout can be a very tiring and frustrating experience. It can have a significant impact on your productivity, relationships, and overall quality of life. Therefore, it is important to understand what it is, how it affects you, and how to deal with it effectively. By doing so, you can preserve your energy and improve your quality of life.To cope with autistic burnout, it is crucial to identify the activities or practices that help you recharge and calm your senses. By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can manage your energy levels and reduce the likelihood of burnout.Additional Resources:Check out Dora M. Raymaker's study on autistic burnout: “Having All of Your Internal Resources Exhausted Beyond Measure and Being Left with No Clean-Up Crew: Defining Autistic Burnout." Megan's Resources for Autism and Burnout:  How to Spot Autistic Burnout: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/blog/autistic-burnout-symptoms What Causes Autistic Burnout: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/blog/what-causes-autistic-burnout Autistic Burnout Recovery: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/blog/autistic-burnout-recovery Autistic Burnout Workbook:  https://neurodivergentinsights.com/neurodivergentstore/p/autistic-burnout-guide-and-worksheets ——————————————————————————————————🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Divergent Conversations Podcast here🎙️Spotify🎙️Apple🎙️YouTube Music▶️ YouTube—————————————————————————————————— Mentioned in this episode:Hurricane Relief for WNC communitiesThis money will go to nonprofits who are boots on the ground. It will go to struggling individuals who do not have enough money for gas to get out, or who do not have enough money to provide their basic needs right now. Donate to Patrick's GoFundMe to help provide urgent aid for WNC communities affected by Hurricane Helene. Visit: atppod.com/wnc

Have you ever felt like there was some big mystery that you could never solve as to why you acted and thought the way you did?Maybe you were told that you are neurodivergent but struggle to understand what that means for you.Do you feel tired of masking and don't know where to find a voice that will speak out, be supportive, and educate about neurodivergence?This episode is for you.Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode: Understand what it means to be autistic and how it can be easily misdiagnosed and misunderstood. Identify the many ways in which autism shows up in a person and its diversity. Understand what it means to mask and how this reflects in and shifts the dynamics of relationships. In this episode, you'll hear from Dr. Megan Anna Neff, Psychologist, and Patrick Casale, MA, LCMHC, LCAS, 2 Autistic-ADHDer Therapists, and see what this podcast has in store for you.——————————————————————————————————🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Divergent Conversations Podcast here🎙️Spotify🎙️Apple🎙️YouTube Music▶️ YouTube—————————————————————————————————— Mentioned in this episode:Hurricane Relief for WNC communitiesThis money will go to nonprofits who are boots on the ground. It will go to struggling individuals who do not have enough money for gas to get out, or who do not have enough money to provide their basic needs right now. Donate to Patrick's GoFundMe to help provide urgent aid for WNC communities affected by Hurricane Helene. Visit: atppod.com/wnc