The Squarepeg Podcast

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. My guest today is 30 and was diagnosed autistic about five years ago. She is Indian-American and lives in the US, where she works full time in tech and also as a freelance writer, after spending years moving quickly between different jobs. She has experienced various forms of counselling and other interventions, including medication, and says “I don’t allow my diagnosis to stop me from doing things that one may not expect of someone on the Spectrum.” In our conversation we talk about: ➡ Social skills training and autism career counselling ➡ Cultural attitudes to autism - and how parents can react to an adult diagnosis ➡ Executive function, masking and burnout at work ➡ Getting counselling and taking medication for anxiety ➡ Functioning labels, and different presentations of autism in a family 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: Her blog: www.aspergrl.wordpress.com  Her article in ADDitude magazine:  https://www.additudemag.com/mental-health-stigma-asian-stereotype-adhd-asd/  Autism Career Coaching: https://www.forwardmotion.info/   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/  Support Squarepeg on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast 

Ella Pitt is 26 and was diagnosed autistic very recently. They’re an English Literature graduate with a first class honours degree and they live and work in Brixton, London, in the UK. They also have a blog and write poetry. They struggled with an eating disorder in their late teens and early twenties, and they were eventually sectioned under the Mental Health Act as their health deteriorated. They spent some time as an inpatient in a specialist hospital, where their then undiagnosed autism impacted on their treatment and recovery. In my conversation with Ella Pitt we talk about  ➡ Growing up without an autism diagnosis ➡ The interplay between autism and anorexia nervosa ➡ How accepted treatments for eating disorders play out with autistic patients ➡ The impact of finally getting an autism diagnosis - and what it means for the future I’m aware that this conversation might be triggering for some listeners. In the first few minutes we chat more generally; the conversation about disordered eating begins at 00:12:10. If the issues we discuss in this episode affect you or someone you know, you’ll find some links below where you can get more information. 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: Ella's blog: https://whatsthetimeconfessional.wordpress.com/ Their poetry Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatsthetimepoetry/ Their twitter: https://twitter.com/smellaarmpitt Information about anorexia’s link to autism: https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/anorexias-link-to-autism-explained/  https://www.spectrumnews.org/features/deep-dive/the-invisible-link-between-autism-and-anorexia/  Useful information from Mind UK: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/eating-problems/useful-contacts/  Beat Eating Disorders Helpline (UK): https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/support-services/helplines  Helpline and support (USA): https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.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: http://squarepeg.community/  Support Squarepeg on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast 

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 

Megan is 27 and was diagnosed autistic three years ago. No one ever suspected she might be autistic as a child, and she first realised she might be when she experienced some mental health breakdowns at university. She now lives in West Sussex, UK, where she is the Workflow Team Lead at a GP (family medicine) practice. In our conversation we talk about: ➡ Her time studying at Oxford, one of the top universities in the UK, including its impact on mental health ➡ Coming out as autistic to friends and colleagues - and similarities to coming out as LGBT+ ➡ The difficulties of talking to our parents about being diagnosed autistic ➡ Being autistic at work, and getting reasonable adjustments (including the best adjustment I’ve ever heard of!) ➡ Advice for getting a diagnosis referral in the UK [34:09] 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: Megan’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/morpholomeg  Her YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/megbirch   Video talking about her diagnosis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcb5HRGceH0 Her Tumblr: https://morpholomeg.tumblr.com/post/183920690463/yesterday-was-world-autism-awareness-day-so-im  Her amateur dramatics online performances: http://copthorneplayers.co.uk/   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 

Alyssa Washington is 31 and was diagnosed autistic in November. Originally from Canada, she now lives in South East Asia, where she runs her own business as a coach, speaker and author.  Growing up, she suffered with numerous health conditions, anxiety and depression - that she believes were all linked to her undiagnosed autism. She has spent years learning about health and nutrition in order to improve her own health and wellbeing - something she now helps others to do.  In our conversation we talk about: ➡ The connection between autism and physical health conditions, including disordered eating and digestive issues ➡ Emotional and physical hypersensitivity  ➡ How to connect with your body’s wisdom and take control of your own health ➡ Building a life and work that fits around our needs as autistic people 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: http://perceptiontrainers.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpJgJR2GCrNjMTPtVZAHGKg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceptiontrainers/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliyah_pt/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AliyahMS   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 

Hannah Cross is a writer and a student at York St John University, studying Creative Writing and Media. She is 29 and was diagnosed autistic very recently, just last month. Her writing includes novels, short stories, memoir, articles, and poetry. She has resumed her education a little later in life, after experiencing struggles at school and in her early adulthood, including substance misuse and being expelled from school. She says that her life has felt “like a muddle of misunderstandings” and that she now wants to “get involved in unveiling autism, particularly among women”. In our conversation we talk about: The difficulties of being autistic at school, university and work, including her experiences of bullying Using substance misuse as a coping mechanism Accessing support during and after being diagnosed - from professionals and family and friends Finding the positives in being diagnosed autistic and looking forward to the future after diagnosis 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: Hannah’s website: https://www.hannahcrossauthor.com  Her blog: https://fiftyshadesofwhiteandblack.blogspot.com/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_the_write_words_/   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/ 

Artist and writer Charlotte Amelia Poe says they were diagnosed autistic ‘by complete fluke’ when they were 21, after suffering for years with anxiety. In 2018, they won the inaugural Spectrum Art Award with their video piece, How To Be Autistic, and they went on to publish their first book under the same title in 2019.  Charlotte is from Suffolk, UK, and says they’ve wanted to be an author their entire life, and believe autistic people have a place in the arts. They are nonbinary and bi/ace. In our conversation we talk about  Whether autism is a disability What is was like to win an art prize and realise a lifelong dream of being a published author Finding community in our shared special interests The writing process, the place of autistic people in the arts, and the importance of autistic people telling our own stories 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: You can find Charlotte’s video and book here: https://myriadeditions.com/creator/charlotte-amelia-poe/ And connect with them on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/smallreprieves/ 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/

Sarah Boon was diagnosed autistic last year, at the age of 24, and was diagnosed with ADHD this year. She initially self diagnosed, after assessments during her childhood failed to diagnose her. She lives in Surrey in the UK, is a former TEFL teacher, and has recently completed an MA in Psychology of Education. She recently started an online survey exploring how autistic psychology students feel about how and what they are taught about autism.  In our conversation we talk about: Being misdiagnosed as a child Adult self diagnosis The crossover of autistic and ADHD traits Being autistic at work Her experiences of studying psychology at university Autistic involvement in research and training 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: You can find Sarah on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Saraheboon And Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Saraheboon/ She also has a blog: https://autisticallysarah.com/     The Ken Robinson quote I refer to at the end of the episode: “Some of the most brilliant, creative people I know did not do well at school. Many of them didn't really discover what they could do—and who they really were—until they'd left school and recovered from their education.” If you’d like to find out more about the late (and brilliant) Ken Robinson, visit his website: http://sirkenrobinson.com/. His TED talks are well worth a watch.   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/ 

Audrey Mitchell discovered she was autistic while in the process of getting a diagnosis for her teenage daughter. She lives in Idaho, USA, where she works in private practice as a counsellor. She’s also a writer.  She’s experienced plenty of adversity in life, and struggled to establish herself in adulthood due to her undiagnosed autism. She says that when she was starting her path to diagnosis, she was hungry for information that was relatable and relevant, and in talking to me today she wants to help provide that for some other woman that is searching for connection. In our conversation we talk about: Raising a daughter when you’re both autistic, but with very different presentations Counsellors not being well educated about how autism presents in girls and women Why autistic people make great counsellors Identifying with the counterculture Dealing with depression at university Alternative education for autistic young people 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: You can find out more and connect with Audrey here: http://www.audreyspeaceofmind.com/ And 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/ 

Rachel Stelmach was diagnosed autistic in her 40s. She works for a disability arts organisation here in Wales, where she works with disabled artists in the fields of Creative Technology and Combined Arts. She’s also a Disability Equality and Mental Health First Aid trainer.  Her career has included launching her own art and design agency, working for a women’s music festival and running holiday play schemes for disabled young people.  In her spare time she’s a keen macro photographer and also runs an AirBnB, and is a voluntary advocate helping people through the UK benefits system. In our conversation we talk about: Autism and mental health The language we use to talk about autism Whether autism is a disability Post-diagnosis and workplace support How to talk to loved ones about being autistic. We also talk about an operation on her hand that left Rachel with a physical disability; if you are squeamish you might want to fast forward this part. The timings of this section are below. At the end of this episode Rachel shares some useful information and advice about navigating the UK benefits system - the timings of this are below. 09:20 - 13:50 Rachel talks about the operation on her hand that left her with a physical disability. 43:34 - Rachel shares information and advice about navigating the UK disability benefits system. 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: You can follow and connect with Rachel on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bluehook  And on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluehook/  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/