This is the third and final in my miniseries of bonus ‘revisit’ episodes, in which I reconnect with guests from previous seasons. This week, I talk with psychotherapist Cloie Parfitt, who I first talked to a couple of years ago, in the summer of 2022. Cloie is originally from Tennessee in the United States, and now lives in Norwich in the UK, where she has a private practice working with mainly neurodivergent clients. Cloie’s doctoral research in counselling and psychotherapy at the University of Edinburgh focused on autistic women’s experience of psychological trauma and trauma therapy, and that’s the main focus of our conversation in this episode. If you’d like to know more about Cloie’s story, or refresh your memory, I’ve released her original episode again along with this one - that’s episode 123.   In this episode we talk about: ➡ Cloie’s experience of processing her formal autism diagnosis ➡ Her research into autistic women’s experience of trauma and therapy ➡ What trauma informed counselling means ➡ How do we tell if it’s autism or trauma? ➡ What impacts our recovery from trauma, and the power of connection and community   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: Cloie’s website: www.diversemindstherapy.org  Her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_neurodivergent_therapist/  Dr Freya Rumball - article about trauma in autistic people: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32319731/  And related information from the National Autistic Society: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/ptsd-autism  Find a neurodivergent counsellor: http://www.neurodivergentpractitioners.org/    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:   Abby, Abi Hunter, Adam Klager, Alex Williams, Alice Kemp, Amanda Ford, Amy Adler, Amy-Beth Mellor, Anika Lacerte, Annette, Aubrey Brand, B Martinez, Basia, Becca Lee, Becki Bodey, Becky Beasley, Ben Davies, Beth Kelly Herbert, Caprice, Carly Melling, Caroline, Cat Preston, Catherine Paul, Cathy Oliver, Catrin Green, C B, Charlotte Keen, Cindy Bailey, Claire, Corinne Cariad, Corrine L. McDermid, DK, Dana, Dana Bradley, Danielle Warby, Deanna M. Counts Goldy, Deborah Cullinan, Dennis McNulty, Eleni, Elizabeth Williams, Em, Emilie Morris, Emma Franks, Erica Kenworthy, Evgeniia Pupysheva, Ewan McNeill, Fiona Connor, Fiona Ross, Frederike, Galina, Grace, Gwyneth, H Arena, Hannah, Hannah Breslin, Heather Peake, Hegatronix, Helen White, Holly Knight-Smith, Jackie Allen, Jayne Hutchinson, Jeff Goldman, Jen Bartlett, Jess Dwyer, Jo, Julie, Karen, Karin Parker, Katarzyna Tomaszewska, Kate and Kathryn, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine, Katherine Lowney, Katherine Lynch, Kathy Crabbe, Ken K, Lana MacEachern, Laura, Laura, Laurin Aman, Leisa Reichelt,  Leo Ricketts, Lesley McKenzie, Lilli Simmons, Linda Brown, Lisa, Lisa Joy Powley, Lisa Williams, Liz, LQ, Lula Cork, Lyb, Lynn Vieira, Mandy Allen, Marjory Webber, Martine, MelissaS, Melissa Shaw, Meredith L. Freyre, Michelle Penny, Monica Toohey, Monique Francis, NC, Netty, Paul Harris, Pete Burke, Rebecca, Rebecca Biegel, Sadie Slater, Sandra Chapman, Sandy Klarsten, Sandy Ladkin, Sarah Ivinson, Sarah Jeffrey, Sarah Musgrave, Sarah Raine, Sarah Swanton, Seth Williams, Shauna, Shauna Schramke, Shelia Smith, Sophie King, Stefan Mundt, Suzanne, Talia's Nature, Tammie Fabien, Tamsen Staniford, Tara Blue Meyer, Tara Finlay Art, Tessa Valyou, Vic Wiener, Vicki Temple, Wendy Walker, Zephyrine Craster and Zoe Lee.   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 £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast 

I first released this episode in July 2022, as part of Season 6. And this week I’ve released a brand new episode with Cloie, as part of a miniseries of revisits, where I reconnect with some of my guests from previous conversations. So here’s Cloie’s original episode, for those of you new to the podcast, or in case you’d like to refresh your memory before listening to the new episode (that’s episode 124). Cloie Parfitt is a psychotherapist, originally from Tennessee in the United States, now living in Norwich in the UK. A former nurse, she switched to psychotherapy when she realised that she found the hospital environment and long shifts too much of a sensory challenge. She now works with many neurodivergent clients, and is currently undertaking a professional doctorate in counselling and psychotherapy at the University of Edinburgh, where she works collaboratively with autistic women to explore their experience of psychological trauma and trauma therapy. In our conversation we talk about ➡ Her experiences of social isolation, sensory overload, burnout and depression ➡ Psychotherapy and autism ➡ Why some types of therapy don’t always work for autistic women ➡ Barriers to effective treatment, and how mental health practitioners can better mitigate these challenges. 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: Cloie’s website: www.diversemindstherapy.org Her Insta: https://www.instagram.com/the_neurodivergent_therapist/ Samantha Craft’s list of traits: http://www.myspectrumsuite.com/samantha-crafts-autistic-traits-checklist/   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:   Abby, Abi Hunter, Adam Klager, Alex Williams, Alice Kemp, Amanda Ford, Amy Adler, Amy-Beth Mellor, Anika Lacerte, Annette, Aubrey Brand, B Martinez, Basia, Becca Lee, Becki Bodey, Becky Beasley, Ben Davies, Beth Kelly Herbert, Caprice, Carly Melling, Caroline, Cat Preston, Catherine Paul, Cathy Oliver, Catrin Green, C B, Charlotte Keen, Cindy Bailey, Claire, Corinne Cariad, Corrine L. McDermid, DK, Dana, Dana Bradley, Danielle Warby, Deanna M. Counts Goldy, Deborah Cullinan, Dennis McNulty, Eleni, Elizabeth Williams, Em, Emilie Morris, Emma Franks, Erica Kenworthy, Evgeniia Pupysheva, Ewan McNeill, Fiona Connor, Fiona Ross, Frederike, Galina, Grace, Gwyneth, H Arena, Hannah, Hannah Breslin, Heather Peake, Hegatronix, Helen White, Holly Knight-Smith, Jackie Allen, Jayne Hutchinson, Jeff Goldman, Jen Bartlett, Jess Dwyer, Jo, Julie, Karen, Karin Parker, Katarzyna Tomaszewska, Kate and Kathryn, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine, Katherine Lowney, Katherine Lynch, Kathy Crabbe, Ken K, Lana MacEachern, Laura, Laura, Laurin Aman, Leisa Reichelt,  Leo Ricketts, Lesley McKenzie, Lilli Simmons, Linda Brown, Lisa, Lisa Joy Powley, Lisa Williams, Liz, LQ, Lula Cork, Lyb, Lynn Vieira, Mandy Allen, Marjory Webber, Martine, MelissaS, Melissa Shaw, Meredith L. Freyre, Michelle Penny, Monica Toohey, Monique Francis, NC, Netty, Paul Harris, Pete Burke, Rebecca, Rebecca Biegel, Sadie Slater, Sandra Chapman, Sandy Klarsten, Sandy Ladkin, Sarah Ivinson, Sarah Jeffrey, Sarah Musgrave, Sarah Raine, Sarah Swanton, Seth Williams, Shauna, Shauna Schramke, Shelia Smith, Sophie King, Stefan Mundt, Suzanne, Talia's Nature, Tammie Fabien, Tamsen Staniford, Tara Blue Meyer, Tara Finlay Art, Tessa Valyou, Vic Wiener, Vicki Temple, Wendy Walker, Zephyrine Craster and Zoe Lee.   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 £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast 

In this engaging conversation, Aisha Edwards, a somatic trauma therapist and podcaster from Vancouver, dives deep into the complexities of autism and loneliness. She shares her insights on the unique connections autistic individuals crave and how societal norms often hinder genuine relationships. Aisha discusses the significance of self-acceptance, the power of somatic practices, and the importance of nurturing meaningful ties within the community. Her passion for creating safe spaces for BIPOC folk adds a rich layer to the dialogue about connection and healing.

I first released this episode in the summer of 2022, at the end of Season 6. And this week I’ve released a brand new episode with Aisha, as part of a short series of revisits, where I reconnect with some of my guests from previous conversations. So here’s Aisha’s original episode, for those of you new to the podcast, or in case you’d like to refresh your memory before listening to the new episode (that’s episode 122). Aisha Edwards is a somatic trauma therapist, podcaster and writer from Vancouver, Washington, USA, and was diagnosed autistic last year, aged 39. Somatic trauma therapy is a body-centred approach to treating post-traumatic stress disorder that rather than focusing only on thoughts or emotions associated with a traumatic event, expands to include the natural bodily responses. I’m delighted to bring you this special bonus episode of the Squarepeg Podcast. This was recorded as a collaboration with the Emergent Liberation Collective podcast, a podcast about somatics and spirituality as instruments for personal healing and collective transformation. In my conversation with Aisha we talk about: ➡ The grief and validation of a late autism diagnosis ➡ Masking and unmasking ➡ Meltdowns ➡ Attracting our neurokin ➡ The impact of intergenerational autism If you’re interested in somatic healing you might like to explore Aisha’s Within From Without: Trauma Informed Soul Journeying Guide, a nine part guide for integrating those traumatised parts of the self that’s full of trauma-informed education, spiritual practices, skills, tools and interventions. You can find the link to this in the show notes and on my website. And if you are one of my Patrons, you’ll find a special free download waiting for you from Aisha – her Ritual for Self Compassion. 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: Emergent Liberation Collective podcast: https://emergentliberationcollective.libsyn.com/website Aisha’s therapy website: https://www.fullflightwellness.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emergentliberationcollective/ Within From Without: Trauma Informed Soul Journeying: https://fullflight.kartra.com/page/Vbk10   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:   Abby, Abi Hunter, Adam Klager, Alex Williams, Alice Kemp, Amanda Ford, Amy Adler, Amy-Beth Mellor, Anika Lacerte, Annette, Aubrey Brand, B Martinez, Basia, Becca Lee, Becki Bodey, Becky Beasley, Ben Davies, Beth Kelly Herbert, Caprice, Carly Melling, Caroline, Cat Preston, Catherine Paul, Cathy Oliver, Catrin Green, Charlotte Keen, Cindy Bailey, Claire, Corinne Cariad, Corrine L. McDermid, DK, Dana, Dana Bradley, Danielle Warby, Deanna M. Counts Goldy, Deborah Cullinan, Dennis McNulty, Eleni, Elizabeth Williams, Em, Emilie Morris, Emma Franks, Erica Kenworthy, Evgeniia Pupysheva, Ewan McNeill, Fiona Connor, Fiona Ross, Frederike, Galina, Grace, Gwyneth, H Arena, Hannah, Hannah Breslin, Heather Peake, Hegatronix, Helen White, Holly Knight-Smith, Jackie Allen, Jayne Hutchinson, Jeff Goldman, Jen Bartlett, Jess Dwyer, Jo, Julie, Karen, Karin Parker, Katarzyna Tomaszewska, Kate and Kathryn, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine, Katherine Lowney, Katherine Lynch, Kathy Crabbe, Ken K, Lana MacEachern, Laura, Laura, Laurin Aman, Leisa Reichelt,  Leo Ricketts, Lesley McKenzie, Lilli Simmons, Linda Brown, Lisa, Lisa Joy Powley, Lisa Williams, Liz, LQ, Lula Cork, Lyb, Lynn Vieira, Mandy Allen, Marjory Webber, Martine, MelissaS, Melissa Shaw, Meredith L. Freyre, Michelle Penny, Monica Toohey, Monique Francis, NC, Netty, Paul Harris, Pete Burke, Rebecca, Rebecca Biegel, Sadie Slater, Sandra Chapman, Sandy Klarsten, Sandy Ladkin, Sarah Ivinson, Sarah Jeffrey, Sarah Musgrave, Sarah Raine, Sarah Swanton, Seth Williams, Shauna, Shauna Schramke, Shelia Smith, Sophie King, Stefan Mundt, Suzanne, Talia's Nature, Tammie Fabien, Tamsen Staniford, Tara Blue Meyer, Tara Finlay Art, Tessa Valyou, Vic Wiener, Vicki Temple, Wendy Walker, Zephyrine Craster and Zoe Lee.   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 £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast 

In this engaging discussion, Sophie Longley, a former English teacher and graduate in Experimental Psychology, delves into her transformative journey post-autism diagnosis. She reflects on the emotional complexities of late diagnoses and the unique challenges faced by women in this situation. Sophie also shares her experiences in academia, advocating for support systems tailored to neurodivergent individuals. The conversation highlights the importance of authenticity in diverse work settings and the liberating power of self-advocacy within the autistic community.

This episode was recorded in the autumn of 2020 and originally released as part of the second season of Squarepeg. I was delighted to get to speak to Sophie again recently, in 2024, and that new episode is now available for you to listen to. So I’m re-releasing my original conversation with Sophie here, so that anyone who wants to can refresh their memory before listening to my update with Sophie, episode 120. Sophie Longley is an English teacher and reading specialist. She was diagnosed autistic in 2020, aged 28 and is based in Singapore, where she works with children with reading difficulties. She has spent the last four years living and working in Asia, after suffering from severe burnout from a corporate career in London.  Her recent Autism diagnosis and the ongoing struggles she has faced being autistic in the workplace have prompted her to change careers to become a clinical psychologist. She will be pursuing a Master's in Experimental psychology at the University of Sussex in 2021, with a goal to improve how clinicians diagnose autistic women.  She has a special interest in researching autistic women's experiences in the workplace. In our conversation we talk about: ➡ What it was like getting a diagnosis in Singapore ➡ Her experiences of working in corporate job roles, including losing a series of jobs due to her undiagnosed autism, masking in interviews, and the pressure to be social at work ➡ The challenges of being autistic at work ➡ Achieving diversity in the workplace ➡ What it’s like being autistic in the classroom - for teachers and students 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: Sophie’s blog: https://sophielongley.medium.com/ Her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophlongley28/    Books mentioned in this episode: Neurodivergent Mind: Thriving in a World That Wasn't Designed for You, Jenara Nerenburg  Born on a Blue Day, Daniel Tammet Quiet, Susan Cain   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: http://squarepeg.community/  Support Squarepeg on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast    THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS!   A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast:   Abby, Abi Hunter, Adam Klager, Alex Williams, Alice Kemp, Amanda Ford, Amy Adler, Amy-Beth Mellor, Anika Lacerte, Annette, Aubrey Brand, B Martinez, Basia, Becca Lee, Becki Bodey, Becky Beasley, Ben Davies, Beth Kelly Herbert, Caprice, Carly Melling, Caroline, Cat Preston, Catherine Paul, Cathy Oliver, Catrin Green, Charlotte Keen, Cindy Bailey, Claire, Corinne Cariad, Corrine L. McDermid, DK, Dana, Dana Bradley, Danielle Warby, Deanna M. Counts Goldy, Deborah Cullinan, Dennis McNulty, Eleni, Elizabeth Williams, Em, Emilie Morris, Emma Franks, Erica Kenworthy, Evgeniia Pupysheva, Ewan McNeill, Fiona Connor, Fiona Ross, Frederike, Galina, Grace, Gwyneth, H Arena, Hannah, Hannah Breslin, Heather Peake, Hegatronix, Helen White, Holly Knight-Smith, Jackie Allen, Jayne Hutchinson, Jeff Goldman, Jen Bartlett, Jess Dwyer, Jo, Julie, Karen, Karin Parker, Katarzyna Tomaszewska, Kate and Kathryn, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine, Katherine Lowney, Katherine Lynch, Kathy Crabbe, Ken K, Lana MacEachern, Laura, Laura, Laurin Aman, Leisa Reichelt,  Leo Ricketts, Lesley McKenzie, Lilli Simmons, Linda Brown, Lisa, Lisa Joy Powley, Lisa Williams, Liz, LQ, Lula Cork, Lyb, Lynn Vieira, Mandy Allen, Marjory Webber, Martine, MelissaS, Melissa Shaw, Meredith L. Freyre, Michelle Penny, Monica Toohey, Monique Francis, NC, Netty, Paul Harris, Pete Burke, Rebecca, Rebecca Biegel, Sadie Slater, Sandra Chapman, Sandy Klarsten, Sandy Ladkin, Sarah Ivinson, Sarah Jeffrey, Sarah Musgrave, Sarah Raine, Sarah Swanton, Seth Williams, Shauna, Shauna Schramke, Shelia Smith, Sophie King, Stefan Mundt, Suzanne, Talia's Nature, Tammie Fabien, Tamsen Staniford, Tara Blue Meyer, Tara Finlay Art, Tessa Valyou, Vic Wiener, Vicki Temple, Wendy Walker, Zephyrine Craster and Zoe Lee.   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 £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast 

In this bonus episode I share more about my own autism journey, and talk about my career-ending burnout and creating authentically autistic lives we don't want to escape from.   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: If you're interested in joining me for Thrive, you can find out more and sign up here: https://squarepeg.community/thrive-enrol/    If you'd like to connect with me, get in touch or follow Squarepeg, you can find me on: Website: https://squarepeg.community/  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS! A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast: Abby, Abi Hunter, Adam Klager, Alex Williams, Alice Kemp, Amanda Ford, Amy Adler, Amy-Beth Mellor, Anika Lacerte, Annette, Aubrey Brand, B Martinez, Basia, Becki Bodey, Becky Beasley, Ben Davies, Beth Kelly Herbert, Carly Melling, Caroline, Cat Preston, Catherine Paul, Cathy Oliver, Catrin Green, Charlotte Keen, Cindy Bailey, Corinne Cariad, Corrine L. McDermid, DK, Dana Bradley, Danielle Warby, Deanna M. Counts Goldy, Deborah Cullinan, Dennis McNulty, Elizabeth Williams, Emilie Morris, Erica Kenworthy, Evgeniia Pupysheva, Ewan McNeill, Fiona Connor, Fiona Ross, Frederike, Galina, Grace, Gwyneth, H Arena, Hannah, Hannah Breslin, Heather Peake, Hegatronix, Helen White, Holly Knight-Smith, Jackie Allen, Jayne Hutchinson, Jeff Goldman, Jen Bartlett, Jess Dwyer, Jo, Julie, Karen, Karin Parker, Katarzyna Tomaszewska, Kate and Kathryn, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine, Katherine Lowney, Katherine Lynch, Kathy Crabbe, Ken K, Lana MacEachern, Laura, Laurin Aman, Leisa Reichelt,  Leo Ricketts, Lesley McKenzie, Lilli Simmons, Linda Brown, Lisa, Lisa Joy Powley, Lisa Williams, Liz, LQ, Lyb, Lynn Vieira, Mandy Allen, Marjory Webber, Martine, MelissaS, Melissa Shaw, Meredith L. Freyre, Monica Toohey, Monique Francis, NC, Paul Harris, Pete Burke, Rebecca, Rebecca Biegel, Sadie Slater, Sandra Chapman, Sandy Ladkin, Sarah Ivinson, Sarah Jeffrey, Sarah Musgrave, Sarah Raine, Sarah Swanton, Shauna, Shauna Schramke, Shelia Smith, Stefan Mundt, Suzanne, Talia's Nature, Tammie Fabien, Tamsen Staniford, Tara Blue Meyer, Tara Finlay Art, Tessa Valyou, Vic Wiener, Vicki Temple, Wendy Walker, Zephyrine Craster and Zoe Lee.   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 £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast 

Rose Matthews is an Autism Researcher, peer reviewer, consultant, presenter, trainer, and writer from Durham in the UK.  Now 64, they first realised they might be autistic at 58 - and finally ‘found the answer to a lifetime of confusion’. Their long journey to diagnosis included an extremely varied career, leaving their marriage, living apart from their children, and being arrested and detained in a police cell following a ‘catastrophic’ meltdown. In recent years they have gone from a job as a crossing guard to their current role as an autism researcher. They are interested in exploring the autistic experience of motherhood, menopause, retirement, death and dying.  In our conversation we talk about: ➡ How clothing and fabrics are important to Rose’s self expression and their sensory experience ➡ The 'catastrophic’ meltdown that led to a traumatic night in a police cell - and a very useful and important piece of advice about the legal process ➡ Their decision to leave their young children with their father in their thirties, and how their autism diagnosis has helped them to forgive and heal the past ➡ Their research into autistic people's experience of menopause  ➡ Autism and ageing, and their experience of what they describe as the ‘transcendence, reinvention and self discovery’ of post-menopause.   CONTENT WARNING:  Two very brief references to suicide (not explored in any detail) Rose talks about an experience of sexual assault at approx. 37 mins in, for about 2 mins.   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: Rose’s website: www.rosematthewsresearch.com  Their LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rose-matthews/ Their Twitter account: https://twitter.com/NortherlyRose  Bridging the Silos Autistic Menopause study: www.AutisticMenopause.com Bridging the Silos Autistic Menopause Study: First published paper: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/13623613241244548 Science on the Spectrum (the research by Dr Rachel Moseley that Rose mentions): https://www.scienceonthespectrum.net/  Information on autism and menopause from the National Autistic Society: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/physical-health/menopause    If you'd like to connect with me, get in touch or follow Squarepeg, you can find me on: Website: https://squarepeg.community/  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS! A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast: Abby, Abi Hunter, Adam Klager, Alice Kemp, Amanda Ford, Amy Adler, Amy-Beth Mellor, Anika Lacerte, Annette, B Martinez, Basia, Becky Beasley, Ben Davies, Beth Kelly Herbert, Carly Melling, Caroline, Cat Preston, Cathy Oliver,  Catrin Green, Charlotte Keen, Cindy Bailey, Corinne Cariad, Corrine L. McDermid, DK, Dana Bradley, Danielle Warby, Deborah Cullinan, Dennis McNulty, Elizabeth Williams, Erica Kenworthy, Evgeniia Pupysheva, Ewan McNeill, Fiona Connor, Fiona Ross, Frederike, Galina, Grace, Gwyneth, H Arena, Hannah, Hannah Breslin, Heather Peake, Hegatronix, Jackie Allen, Jayne Hutchinson, Jeff Goldman, Jen Bartlett, Jess Dwyer, Jo, Julie, Karen, Karin Parker, Katarzyna Tomaszewska, Kate and Kathryn, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine, Katherine Lowney, Katherine Lynch, Kathy Crabbe, Ken K, Laura, Laurin Aman, Leisa Reichelt,  Leo Ricketts, Lesley McKenzie, Lilli Simmons, Linda Brown, Lisa, Lisa Joy Powley, Liz, LQ, Lyb, Lynn Vieira, Mandy Allen, Marjory Webber, Martine, MelissaS, Melissa Shaw, Meredith L. Freyre, Monica Toohey, Monique Francis, NC, Pete Burke, Rebecca, Rebecca Biegel, Sadie Slater, Sandy Ladkin, Sarah Ivinson, Sarah Jeffrey, Sarah Musgrave, Sarah Raine, Sarah Swanton, Shauna Schramke, Stefan Mundt, Suzanne, Talia's Nature, Tammie Fabien, Tamsen Staniford, Tara Blue Meyer, Tara Finlay Art, Tessa Valyou, Vic Wiener, Vicki Temple, Wendy Walker, Zephyrine Craster and Zoe Lee.   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 £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast   

Dani Rodwell is a licensed Clinical Social Worker, therapist, and Co-founder of NeuroSpark Health. She lives in New Jersey, USA.  She has worked in the field of autism and neurodevelopmental conditions for over 7 years - including working with neurodivergent youth, a brief period in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), then internships at The Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health, in mental health programming for neurodivergent adults and a support group for parents of neurodivergent adult children. Now 29, Dani self-identified as autistic for five years, before being informally diagnosed in 2023.    In our conversation we talk about:   ➡ Advocating for herself and others, and the support within the ND community ➡ How she ended up being referred to a psychiatrist as a preteen, diagnosed with Oppositional Defiance Disorder and how her experiences and treatment ended with her being sent to a so-called 'therapeutic' boarding school for troubled teens ➡ Her short lived experience of using the controversial ABA with children, and later of working with adult ABA survivors with high support needs in residential settings ➡ Why she loves her current work providing autism assessments, therapy and support through Neurospark   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: Website: https://www.neurosparkhealth.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neurosparkhealth/    If you'd like to connect with me, get in touch or follow Squarepeg, you can find me on: Website: https://squarepeg.community/  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS!   A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast:   Abby, Abi Hunter, Adam Klager, Alice Kemp, Amanda Ford, Amy Adler, Amy-Beth Mellor, Anika Lacerte, Annette, B Martinez, Basia, Becky Beasley, Ben Davies, Beth Kelly Herbert, Carly Melling, Caroline, Cat Preston, Cathy Oliver,  Catrin Green, Charlotte Keen, Cindy Bailey, Corinne Cariad, Corrine L. McDermid, DK, Dana Bradley, Danielle Warby, Deborah Cullinan, Dennis McNulty, Elizabeth Williams, Erica Kenworthy, Evgeniia Pupysheva, Ewan McNeill, Fiona Connor, Fiona Ross, Frederike, Galina, Grace, Gwyneth, H Arena, Hannah, Hannah Breslin, Heather Peake, Hegatronix, Jackie Allen, Jayne Hutchinson, Jeff Goldman, Jen Bartlett, Jess Dwyer, Jo, Julie, Karin Parker, Katarzyna Tomaszewska, Kate and Kathryn, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine, Katherine Lynch, Kathy Crabbe, Ken K, Laura, Laurin Aman, Leo Ricketts, Lesley McKenzie, Lilli Simmons, Linda Brown, Lisa, Lisa Joy Powley, Liz, LQ, Lyb, Lynn Vieira, Mandy Allen, Marjory Webber, Martine, Melissa Shaw, Meredith L. Freyre, Monica Toohey, Monique Francis, NC, Pete Burke, Rebecca, Rebecca Biegel, Sadie Slater, Sandy Ladkin, Sarah Ivinson, Sarah Jeffrey, Sarah Musgrave, Sarah Raine, Sarah Swanton, Shauna Schramke, Stefan Mundt, Suzanne, Talia's Nature, Tammie Fabien, Tamsen Staniford, Tara Blue Meyer, Tara Finlay Art, Tessa Valyou, Vic Wiener, Vicki Temple, Wendy Walker, Zephyrine Craster and Zoe Lee.   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 £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast 

Nigel Rising is the Founder and CEO of Autistic Women Emerging, a charity that aims to change the lives of undiagnosed and newly diagnosed autistic women. The charity was born out of her own personal struggle with depression and suicidal ideation, and it is her hope to help prevent autistic women taking their lives because they believe they are bad people, or a burden to others.  Nigel says: “My post-diagnosis journey has become a mission to understand and address why it took so long to discover why I had suffered a lifetime of painful isolation and loneliness. I cannot bear the thought that there are other people in the world right now experiencing the same dark pain I felt. I want other Autistic women to know that they are not alone in the pain, loneliness and isolation they feel when they are experiencing suicidal ideation.” Nigel was born in Germany to a military family, raised in Texas, and now lives in Denver, Colorado, in the United States. Her MENSA-level intelligence led to a corporate career, but her social limitations and heavy masking took their toll. Now 53, she was diagnosed autistic with ADHD in early 2023.    We talk about: ➡ The impact of her indigenous American upbringing, religious schooling, and her dad's military background ➡ Masking, hierarchies, her difficulties forming relationships, and her experience of suicidal ideation ➡ Her experience of asking for accommodations in a new role as an openly autistic person ➡ Her growing sense of autistic pride and community after a lifetime of not fitting in anywhere, and the conference for Autistic women she is running in Denver in October 2024, called Autistica Palooza.  CONTENT WARNING: Suicidal ideation. Nigel talks at some length about this, from around 0:48 minutes in to around 0:58, so if you don’t want to hear about this topic, you might want to skip this section    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: Nigel’s website:https://autisticwomenemerging.org/  Autistica Palooza event page: https://autisticapalooza.com  Her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigel-rising-esq-b874902aa/  Referenced article on suicide and suicidal ideation in autistic people from the National Autistic Society: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/suicide-research  Warning signs of suicide in autistic people: https://988lifeline.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Warning-Signs-Resource-Sept-2021-2.pdf Autism in Heels, by Jennifer Cook: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Autism-Heels-Untold-Female-Spectrum/dp/1510758690    If you'd like to connect with me, get in touch or follow Squarepeg, you can find me on: Website: https://squarepeg.community/  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/  THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS!   A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast:   Abby, Abi Hunter, Adam Klager, Alice Kemp, Amanda Ford, Amy Adler, Amy-Beth Mellor, Anika Lacerte, Annette, B Martinez, Basia, Becky Beasley, Ben Davies, Beth Kelly Herbert, Carly Melling, Caroline, Cat Preston, Cathy Oliver,  Catrin Green, Charlotte Keen, Cindy Bailey, Corinne Cariad, DK, Dana Bradley, Danielle Warby, Deborah Cullinan, Dennis McNulty, Elizabeth Williams, Erica Kenworthy, Evgeniia Pupysheva, Ewan McNeill, Fiona Connor, Fiona Ross, Frederike, Galina, Grace, Gwyneth, H Arena, Hannah, Hannah Breslin, Heather Peake, Hegatronix, Jackie Allen, Jayne Hutchinson, Jeff Goldman, Jen Bartlett, Jess Dwyer, Jo, Julie, Katarzyna Tomaszewska, Kate and Kathryn, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine, Katherine Lynch, Ken K, Laura, Leo Ricketts, Lesley McKenzie, Lilli Simmons, Linda Brown, Lisa, Lisa Joy Powley, Liz, LQ, Lyb, Lynn Vieira, Mandy Allen, Marjory Webber, Martine, Melissa Shaw, Meredith L. Freyre, Monica Toohey, Monique Francis, NC, Pete Burke, Rebecca, Rebecca Biegel, Sadie Slater, Sandy Ladkin, Sarah Ivinson, Sarah Jeffrey, Sarah Musgrave, Sarah Raine, Sarah Swanton, Shauna Schramke, Stefan Mundt, Suzanne, Talia's Nature, Tammie Fabien, Tamsen Staniford, Tara Blue Meyer, Tara Finlay Art, Tessa Valyou, Vic Wiener, Vicki Temple, Wendy Walker, Zephyrine Craster and Zoe Lee. 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 £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast