Autism Central Podcast

By Autism Central
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

Real stories and honest conversations, we bring together autistic people and the people who love, support, and care for autistic people of all ages and backgrounds to explore every aspect of life. Autism Central is the national peer education programme for families and support networks of autistic people in England, the programme is delivered by Anna Freud and commissioned by the NHS. Through education, coaching, and connection, we offer resources, webinars, one-to-one peer support, and community events that centre lived experience and build real understanding www.autismcentral.org.uk

  1. Behind the mask

    5D AGO

    Behind the mask

    Listener note: We want to let listeners know that this episode includes discussion of trauma, suicidal ideation, and mental health crisis. Please listen in a way that feels supportive for you. In this episode, Catherine Asta is joined by Brian Haines for a deeply reflective conversation about the often-unseen mental health crises faced by late-diagnosed autistic adults, accumulated trauma, and the life-changing power of creativity - offering hope for anyone feeling unheard or misunderstood. Diagnosed as autistic at 61, Brian shares how his NHS diagnosis brought clarity to a lifetime of feeling “peculiar,” marginalised, and out of step with the social world. What followed was not relief, but a period of profound unravelling - burnout, mental health crisis, and standing, as he describes it, at the edge of the abyss. From that darkness, poetry emerged. Brian speaks openly about how writing became his emotional scaffolding when formal therapeutic support fell short - a way to structure overwhelming thoughts, process rage and loneliness, and give voice to what had long been hidden behind the mask. For someone who struggles with the spontaneity of social communication, poetry offers rhythm, certainty, and a space where his words can finally be heard, at his pace. Together they explore masking, marginalisation, suicidal ideation, autistic burnout, and the vulnerability of sharing creative work in a world that has not always felt safe. Brian reflects on isolation and the “crevasse” of autistic loneliness, and how creative expression - through poems such as Behind the Mask - has slowly built belonging, connection, and community. Brian also shares practical, gentle steps on how to begin your own creative journey, or support someone you care for, and why simply creating for yourself is enough to start. It’s a powerful episode about voice, survival, and the courage to step out from behind the mask - a reminder that creativity can become both scaffold and bridge to belonging. Autism Central Subscribe to our FREE newsletter Explore our FREE support - 1:1 sessions, group coaching, online events and resources Connect with Brian  Instagram: @autistically61 YouTube: ⁠https://m.youtube.com/@brianhaines7922⁠ Connect with Catherine  Website Instagram  Book

    47 min
  2. Waves of Compassion

    JAN 30

    Waves of Compassion

    Listener note: We want to let listeners know that this episode includes discussion of grief and the loss of a child. Please listen in a way that feels supportive for you. In this episode, Catherine Asta is joined by Sue Lansbury for a deeply moving and compassionate conversation about late autism discovery, grief, creativity, and aging as an autistic woman in a world that often overlooks older women, especially autistic older women. Diagnosed as autistic at the age of 68, Sue reflects on a lifetime shaped by confusion, overwhelm, masking, and the huge personal cost of pushing through. She shares how receiving her diagnosis brought both relief and the slow, ongoing work of rediscovering herself - reconnecting with her youngest self through art, making, and a lifelong relationship with the natural world. Sue speaks powerfully about burnout, invisibility, and the risks faced by autistic people whose needs remain undiscovered later in life. She also reflects with great tenderness on the death of her son Jay - a gifted, fearless artist - and how art, ritual, and the changing seasons have helped her hold grief, love, and memory together. Throughout the conversation, Sue offers “waves of compassion” -  for herself, for parents and carers navigating guilt around late discovery, and for autistic people and families living within systems that still struggle to understand and support them. She introduces the idea of creating a personal “self-portrait” to capture needs, sensitivities, and ways of being, as a way of protecting dignity and wellbeing as we age. Their conversation explores: - Late autism discovery and the emotional cost of masking - Burnout, aging, and the invisibility of older autistic women - Grief, loss, and autistic experiences of profound change - Art as a process for expression and healing when words aren’t enough - Compassion over guilt for families facing late discovery - Advocacy, legacy, and why a more diverse society benefits everyone It’s a wise and hopeful episode about grief and growth, creativity and care, and the importance of meeting ourselves -  and each other -  with compassion at every stage of life. Autism Central Subscribe to our FREE newsletter Explore our FREE support - 1:1 sessions, blogs, events  Connect with Catherine  Website Instagram  Book

    47 min

  3. JAN 16

    Changing my world

    TRIGGER WARNING: This podcast episode mentions suicidal ideation. In this episode, Catherine is joined by Jo Feaster for an honest and deeply reflective conversation about lived experience, identity, and what it can mean to finally make sense of yourself later in life as an autistic and bipolar woman, along with the small, real life supports and accommodations that help power self-acceptance, build stability and live well, and as Jo says, “help to change my world”. Their conversation explores: - What finally helped Jo feel seen and understood, and the challenges of living with co-occurring conditions alongside being autistic, and the additional stigma associated with them. - The importance of community, belonging, role models and peer support. - The role of writing and advocacy as tools for mental health and challenging societal stigma.  - Insights into the dynamics of family support and the impact of personal relationships on mental health. - The transformative power of self-acceptance and the significance of self-care as a parent carer. It’s a compassionate, hopeful and practical episode for anyone navigating late identification, multiple neurodivergence and mental health, and / or supporting a loved one through crisis and recovery.  Autism Central Subscribe to our ⁠FREE newsletter⁠ Explore our ⁠FREE support⁠ - 1:1 sessions, group coaching, resources and events  Connect with Jo on LinkedIn LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-feaster/  LinkedIn Newsletter - Autistic & Bipolar Musings - https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/autistic-bipolar-musings-7239130678460649473/  Connect with Catherine  Website: https://www.catherineasta.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/catherine.asta Book: https://amzn.eu/d/1MJL4h2  www.catherineasta.com

    50 min
  4. An 8-Year-Old Asks: Autism Conversations with My Mum

    12/15/2025

    An 8-Year-Old Asks: Autism Conversations with My Mum

    Welcome to Season 4 of the Autism Central Podcast, hosted by psychotherapist, podcaster, and author Catherine Asta.  To open the season, we’re doing something special. In this episode, Catherine is joined by both of her daughters - Caty and Kristina - for a gentle, insightful mother-daughter conversation that sets the tone for the journey ahead. You’ll first hear from Caty, who not only joins on mic, but also works behind the scenes editing the podcast. Together, they reflect on what it means to create a mother-daughter show, nurturing strengths as a mature student at university, their ‘family eco-system,’ and why this podcast matters to the parents, carers, and supporters who need it most. Then the microphone is handed to Catherine’s youngest daughter, 8-year-old (and three-quarters!) Kristina, stepping into the guest-host role to ask her mum five thoughtful questions about life as an autistic person and parent. Their conversation explores: What it feels like to navigate the world with an autistic and multiply neurodivergent brain Childhood experiences before knowing she was autistic The strengths autism brings The emotional clarity of a late autism discovery What it’s like balancing autistic needs with parenting It’s warm, honest and deeply human -  a window into a multiply neurodivergent family committed to kindness, compassion, curiosity, and building a life that works for each of them. This episode offers parents and supporters a rare, real-life insight into autistic experience across generations - and why community, understanding, and the right support matter so much. Connect with Catherine www.catherineasta.com Resources Catherine makes reference to in the episode: Catherine’s book ‘Rediscovered’ and ‘The Late Discovered Club Podcast’ Autism Central Subscribe to our FREE newsletter Explore our FREE support - 1:1 sessions, blogs, events

    39 min
  5. Transitions: Growing Older

    09/29/2025

    Transitions: Growing Older

    Holly chats to autistic researcher Dr. Wenn Lawson aboutgetting older and what this means for autistic people. Find out more about our programme for parents and carers ofautistic people at autismcentral.org.uk Some of our podcast episodes contain specialist terms youmay be unfamiliar with. We’ve put together a glossary toexplain some of the terms mentioned. The Autism Central Podcast is produced by Autism Central andis the copyright of NHS England. All rights reserved. More content can be found on our YouTube channel.

    51 min
  6. Transitions: Becoming a Mother

    09/29/2025

    Transitions: Becoming a Mother

    Holly talks to autistic mothers Lynette Morgan and Sophia Abdel about their experiences in pregnancy and motherhood. Links for this episode: Maternity Autism Research Group Find out more about our programme for parents and carers of autistic people at autismcentral.org.uk Some of our podcast episodes contain specialist terms you may be unfamiliar with. We’ve put together a glossary to explain some of the terms mentioned. The Autism Central Podcast is produced by Autism Central and is the copyright of NHS England. All rights reserved. More content can be found on the Autism Central YouTube channel.

    56 min
  7. Transitions: Living Independently

    09/29/2025

    Transitions: Living Independently

    Holly meets Jamie + Lion to talk about their experiences around moving away from home, setting up an autism-friendly space and how to get support with independent living. Find out more about our programme for parents and carers of autistic people at autismcentral.org.uk Some of our podcast episodes contain specialist terms you may be unfamiliar with. We’ve put together a glossary to explain some of the terms mentioned. The Autism Central Podcast is produced by Autism Central and is the copyright of NHS England. All rights reserved. More content can be found on the Autism Central YouTube channel.

    47 min
  8. Transitions: Going to University

    09/29/2025

    Transitions: Going to University

    Holly talks to Senior Lecturer in Autism Dr Luke Beardon and autistic student Leona Laverty about starting university and how to get support. Find out more about our programme for parents and carers of autistic people at autismcentral.org.uk Some of our podcast episodes contain specialist terms you may be unfamiliar with. We’ve put together a glossary to explain some of the terms mentioned. The Autism Central Podcast is produced by Autism Central and is the copyright of NHS England. All rights reserved. More content can be found on the Autism Central YouTube channel.

    50 min
See All (32)

Trailer

About

Real stories and honest conversations, we bring together autistic people and the people who love, support, and care for autistic people of all ages and backgrounds to explore every aspect of life. Autism Central is the national peer education programme for families and support networks of autistic people in England, the programme is delivered by Anna Freud and commissioned by the NHS. Through education, coaching, and connection, we offer resources, webinars, one-to-one peer support, and community events that centre lived experience and build real understanding www.autismcentral.org.uk

Information

  • Creator
    By Autism Central
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © By Autism Central
  • Show Website
    Autism Central Podcast

You Might Also Like