Amplifying Autism Podcast: Sharing Autistic Stories

Wendela
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Host Wendela Whitcomb Marsh interviews autistic authors and professionals to share their wisdom, insights, and words of encouragement for other late-diagnosed, high-masking, or self-identified autistic folk.

  1. Sep 14

    Autism & Conversation | The Seesaw & Double Dutch of Social Communication

    Why can the back-and-forth of conversation feel so difficult when you’re autistic? In this solo episode of Amplifying Autism, we'll explore the unwritten rules and rhythms of social conversation through two familiar playground games, the seesaw and double dutch. Knowing when to speak, how long to wait, when to stop talking, and how to enter a fast-moving group conversation can require a surprising amount of effort. Wendy discusses what the DSM describes as a “failure of normal back-and-forth conversation” and challenges the idea that there is one “normal” way to communicate. Autistic people have their own conversational rhythms, but those rhythms may not always match the expectations of the neuro-majority. If you've ever wondered why you talk too much, struggle to find your turn, wait too long to speak, or feel lost in a group conversation, you may not be bad at communicating. You may simply have a different conversational rhythm. Takeaways: Autistic people may have different rhythms and timing when it comes to conversation.Knowing when to speak or enter a conversation can be especially difficult in groups.There isn't necessarily one “normal” way to communicate.Masking and creating conversational scripts can help autistic people navigate social situations.Social communication can become easier when you're around people who understand and share your communication style.Struggling with conversation doesn't mean you're bad at communicating.Understanding your own communication style can be an important part of understanding yourself.About Your Host: Wendela Whitcomb Marsh, MA, RSD, is an award-winning author, TEDx speaker, and host of Amplifying Autism. Though not autistic herself, Wendy has dedicated her career to supporting the neurodivergent community. She is the founder of Adulting While Autistic and helps late-diagnosed autistic adults find clarity and community.  Books Available on Amazon Website: wendelawhitcombmarsh.com Instagram: @wendela.w.marsh Adulting While Autistic: @adultingwhileautistic  Join the Newsletter: https://forms.aweber.com/form/49/591191449.htm Thank You for Listening: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it. Your support helps us reach more late-diagnosed autistic adults and those who care about them.  YouTube: @AmplifyingAutism Spotify & Apple Podcast: Amplifying Autism Podcast

    Autism & Conversation | The Seesaw & Double Dutch of Social Communication

  2. Aug 31

    Late Diagnosed Autism & Creativity | Finding Yourself & Beating Imposter Syndrome with Guest Sarah Teresa Cook

    In this episode of Amplifying Autism, Wendy speaks with autistic writer and creative mentor Sarah Teresa Cook about discovering autism in her mid-30s, learning to understand her needs, and building a creative life that works with her neurodivergent brain rather than against it. Sarah shares how years of struggling with social, emotional and sensory experiences left her wondering if she was “just crazy” and believing she might have OCD. Discovering autism gave her a framework that finally made sense of her life and helped her better understand her experiences  and show herself more compassion. Sarah also discusses her lifelong passion for creativity and her work mentoring neurodivergent writers and creatives. Through her Substack, For the Birds, and her monthly Resiliency Circle workshops, she creates supportive spaces where neurodivergent people can explore creativity without relying on rigid ideas about discipline, consistency, or productivity. Takeaways A late autism discovery can provide a framework for understanding experiences that never quite made sense before.Understanding your needs can be healing, even when you are still processing your diagnosis.Neurodivergent creativity may require approaches that account for changes rather than rigid routines.Imposter syndrome can be a major part of the late-diagnosis experience.Focusing on your lived experiences and the things that genuinely help you can make self-doubt easier to navigate.You can be a writer or creative even when you aren’t creating as consistently as you think you should. About Sarah Teresa Cook Sarah Teresa Cook is an autistic writer and creative mentor who works with neurodivergent writers and creatives to develop sustainable, affirming creative practices. She publishes For the Birds, a Substack newsletter exploring creativity and neurodivergence. She also hosts monthly workshops and Resiliency Circle gatherings for neurodivergent creatives. Sarah previously worked in frontline social services, including housing advocacy and working with foster children. Her writing has appeared in various publications. She is also currently working on her first nonfiction book about divergent creative practices. For the Birds: sarahcook.substack.com Website: sarahteresacook.com About Your Host: Wendela Whitcomb Marsh, MA, RSD, is an award-winning author, TEDx speaker, and host of Amplifying Autism. Though not autistic herself, Wendy has dedicated her career to supporting the neurodivergent community. She is the founder of Adulting While Autistic and helps late-diagnosed autistic adults find clarity and community.  Books Available on Amazon Website: wendelawhitcombmarsh.com Instagram: @wendela.w.marsh Adulting While Autistic: @adultingwhileautistic  Join the Newsletter: https://forms.aweber.com/form/49/591191449.htm Thank You for Listening: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it. Your support helps us reach more late-diagnosed autistic adults and those who care about them.  YouTube: @AmplifyingAutism Spotify & Apple Podcast: Amplifying Autism Podcast

    Late Diagnosed Autism & Creativity | Finding Yourself & Beating Imposter Syndrome with Guest Sarah Teresa Cook

  3. Aug 17

    Finding Yourself at 55: Late Autism Diagnosis, Career Success & Neurodiversity with Guest Peter Mann

    What does it mean to discover you're autistic after decades of building a successful life and career? In this episode of Amplifying Autism, Wendy speaks with Peter Mann about his journey from a selectively mute child to a successful military officer, business leader, author, and advocate for neurodivergent inclusion. Peter was diagnosed with autism at 55, giving him a new perspective on experiences throughout his life. He shares how his ability to remain calm and hyper-focused during high-pressure situations became a strength in the military, while the social and political demands of the corporate world presented very different challenges. Peter also discusses alexithymia, masking, workplace toxicity, and the emotional process of looking back on your life after a late autism diagnosis. He shares how his experiences eventually inspired him to write about creating more inclusive workplaces and helping other neurodivergent people succeed. Takeaways: A late autism diagnosis can completely change how you understand your life experiences Traits that create challenges in some situations can become strengths in others Give yourself grace while processing a late diagnosis Neurodivergent people can thrive when workplaces are designed to support different ways of thinking and communicating You are not alone. There is a large and supportive neurodivergent community About Peter Mann: Peter Mann is an author, speaker, entrepreneur, and advocate for neurodiversity in the workplace. After careers in the military and Fortune 100 companies, he now focuses on helping organizations create more inclusive environments for neurodivergent people. His book, The Perception Revolution, explores psychological safety, universal design, and creating workplaces where people don't have to rely on individual leaders to do the right thing. Website: shieldperception.com About Your Host: Wendela Whitcomb Marsh, MA, RSD, is an award-winning author, TEDx speaker, and host of Amplifying Autism. Though not autistic herself, Wendy has dedicated her career to supporting the neurodivergent community. She is the founder of Adulting While Autistic and helps late-diagnosed autistic adults find clarity and community.  Books Available on Amazon Website: wendelawhitcombmarsh.com Instagram: @wendela.w.marsh Adulting While Autistic: @adultingwhileautistic  Join the Newsletter: https://forms.aweber.com/form/49/591191449.htm Thank You for Listening: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it. Your support helps us reach more late-diagnosed autistic adults and those who care about them.  YouTube: @AmplifyingAutism Spotify & Apple Podcast: Amplifying Autism Podcast

    Finding Yourself at 55: Late Autism Diagnosis, Career Success & Neurodiversity with Guest Peter Mann

  4. Aug 3

    The Journey to Self-Identification: ADHD, Autism & Neurodivergence with Guest Robin Korejko

    What does it look like to discover your neurodivergence later in life, especially when you don't have a clear path to a formal diagnosis? In this episode of Amplifying Autism, Wendy speaks with Robin Korejko, an author, creator, and advocate who shares her journey from an ADHD diagnosis to self-identifying as autistic, building a neurodivergent family, and finding community through sharing her experiences online.  Robin was formally diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, but began questioning whether autism might also explain many of her lifelong experiences after her son was diagnosed. She spent years researching, taking assessments, reflecting on her childhood, and examining the ways she had learned to mask. While she ultimately received an ADHD diagnosis, she continues to identify as autistic and has found autistic and neurodivergent resources invaluable in understanding herself.  This episode explores why self-identification can be an important and valid part of the neurodivergent discovery process, particularly for adults and women who face barriers to formal autism diagnosis. Robin describes the "imposter syndrome" that can come with trying to understand yourself, and why the process is often much more complicated than simply deciding one day that you are autistic.  Robin also discusses life in her five-person neurodivergent family. She, her husband, and their three children all have ADHD, while some members of the family are also diagnosed or suspected to be autistic. Robin shares how seeing different presentations of neurodivergence within her own family has helped her understand just how differently ADHD and autism can look from person to person.  Takeaways: Discovering that you may be autistic or otherwise neurodivergent can be a long and complicated process, especially in adulthood Self-identification can involve years of research, reflection, and questioning rather than a sudden decisionNeurodivergence can look very different from one person to another, even within the same family Finding other people who share your experiences can make the journey feel much less lonely. Social media can sometimes provide that sense of community and recognition for people who haven't found that support elsewhere You don't have to figure everything out at once. Taking one small step at a time can make self-discovery feel more manageable Your neurodivergent self-discovery can be a journey into understanding and embracing who you are. About Robin Korejko: Robin Korejko is an award-winning children's book author, creator, and neurodivergent advocate. She writes stories featuring neurodivergent characters and experiences, including The Littlest Empath, and shares her family's ADHD and neurodivergent experiences with a large online audience. Robin is formally diagnosed with ADHD and identifies as autistic. Her own self-identification journey began after her son was diagnosed, leading her to spend years researching autism, reflecting on her own experiences, and exploring the ways neurodivergence has shaped her life. She is also the founder and editor-in-chief of Right Now! Magazine, a publication created for neurodivergent people by neurodivergent people, featuring stories, articles, quizzes, artistic inspiration, and other resources for people exploring neurodivergence. Website: lily-walrus-d4yw.squarespace.com SubStack: @elliereedauthor Facebook: @KoreBooks About Your Host: Wendela Whitcomb Marsh, MA, RSD, is an award-winning author, TEDx speaker, and host of Amplifying Autism. Though not autistic herself, Wendy has dedicated her career to supporting the neurodivergent community. She is the founder of Adulting While Autistic and helps late-diagnosed autistic adults find clarity and community.  Books Available on Amazon Website: wendelawhitcombmarsh.com Instagram: @wendela.w.marsh Adulting While Autistic: @adultingwhileautistic  Join the Newsletter: https://forms.aweber.com/form/49/591191449.htm Thank You for Listening: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it. Your support helps us reach more late-diagnosed autistic adults and those who care about them.  YouTube: @AmplifyingAutism Spotify & Apple Podcast: Amplifying Autism Podcast

    The Journey to Self-Identification: ADHD, Autism & Neurodivergence with Guest Robin Korejko

  5. Jul 20

    Mixed Marriages: When One Partner Is Autistic & One Isn’t | Neurodivergent Relationships

    What happens when one partner is autistic or neurodivergent, and the other isn't? Can a "mixed" relationship really work? In this solo episode of Amplifying Autism, Wendy explores neuro-mixed marriages and relationships, where one partner is autistic or otherwise neurodivergent, and the other is neuro-privileged. Wendy shares from her own experience of being married to her late husband, David, who was autistic. Their marriage lasted 27 years, and while no relationship is without challenges, Wendy believes a neuro-mixed relationship can work, and work beautifully.  One of the biggest challenges can be mixed signals: one partner says something, the other hears something completely different, and both may make assumptions about what the other person meant. But these misunderstandings don't have to become permanent problems. Couples can learn to turn mixed signals into fixed signals by understanding each other's communication styles, needs, and boundaries. Most importantly, the responsibility for making a neuro-mixed relationship work cannot fall entirely on either partner. An autistic partner shouldn't be expected to change everything about themselves to fit a neurotypical world, but the neurotypical partner shouldn't be expected to carry the entire burden of adapting either. Both people can learn, grow, communicate, compromise, and work toward a relationship where both partners' needs matter. Wendy also talks about how autistic and neurodivergent people find love in the first place. There isn't one special way to meet a partner. Relationships can begin through friendships, work, clubs, online dating, shared interests, or simply being in the same place at the right time.  Takeaways: Neuro-mixed relationships can absolutely work when both partners are willing to understand and support one another Communication differences can create "mixed signals," but couples can learn to turn those mixed signals into clearer communication Solutions to relationship problems shouldn't fall entirely on one partner Neither partner should have to sacrifice their needs to make the relationship workCouples can work toward a middle ground where both people feel heard, valued, and supported A relationship is worth putting in the work to make it stronger About Your Host: Wendela Whitcomb Marsh, MA, RSD, is an award-winning author, TEDx speaker, and host of Amplifying Autism. Though not autistic herself, Wendy has dedicated her career to supporting the neurodivergent community. She is the founder of Adulting While Autistic and helps late-diagnosed autistic adults find clarity and community.  Books Available on Amazon Relating While Autistic: Fixed Signals for Neurodivergent Couples by Wendela Whitcomb Marsh Website: wendelawhitcombmarsh.com Instagram: @wendela.w.marsh Adulting While Autistic: @adultingwhileautistic  Join the Newsletter: https://forms.aweber.com/form/49/591191449.htm Thank You for Listening: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it. Your support helps us reach more late-diagnosed autistic adults and those who care about them.  YouTube: @AmplifyingAutism Spotify & Apple Podcast: Amplifying Autism Podcast

    Mixed Marriages: When One Partner Is Autistic & One Isn’t | Neurodivergent Relationships

  6. Jul 6

    Finding Your People & Your Passion | Neurodivergence & Social Justice with Guest Stephanie Schwartz

    What does it mean to find your people and build a life around the things you're genuinely passionate about? In this episode of Amplifying Autism, Wendy speaks with Stephanie Schwartz, a Chicago-based social justice photographer and photojournalist, about discovering her neurodivergence, finding community, and turning a passion for photography and social justice into meaningful work.  Stephanie was diagnosed with ADHD as a child but later began recognizing traits of autism and exploring what neurodivergence meant for her. Like many women who have spent years masking, she found that understanding autism helped make sense of experiences she had struggled with throughout her life, including sensory differences, executive functioning, eye contact, and intense passions. Stephanie also shares how her passion for social justice and photography, and moving to Chicago, gave her the opportunity to build relationships with people who shared her values. Through photography, she began documenting protests and community responses, eventually finding herself at the center of moments she never expected to capture. What began as something she simply couldn't stop thinking about grew into a new creative path and community. Together, Wendy and Stephanie discuss the importance of following your interests, finding people who understand and support you, questioning the beliefs that tell you you're "too much," and creating a new normal that works for your own brain and life. Takeaways: Your neurodivergence can be a strength, especially when you find ways to work with your brain instead of against itFinding people who share your interests and values can help reduce loneliness and create a sense of belonging You don't have to build your life around someone else's definition of what is "normal" Don't be ashamed of the things you care deeply about. The world needs people who care You are not alone, and there are people who will understand and appreciate the things that make you different Self-understanding can help explain experiences that may have seemed confusing or contradictory throughout your lifeFollowing a passion doesn't have to lead to fame or financial success to make your life meaningful About Stephanie Schwartz: Stephanie Schwartz is a Chicago-based social justice photographer and photojournalist. Her work documents protests, political events, and the human stories behind major events in her community and beyond. Her work is rooted in showing the human reality behind events and making photography more accessible to everyone. Stephanie encourages people to document their own communities using whatever camera they have available.  Stephanie has ADHD and identifies as neurodivergent. Though she does not have a formal autism diagnosis, she has found autistic and neurodivergent resources helpful in understanding herself and navigating work and life. Threads: @stephaniexschwartz Instagram: @stephanieschwartzphoto About Your Host: Wendela Whitcomb Marsh, MA, RSD, is an award-winning author, TEDx speaker, and host of Amplifying Autism. Though not autistic herself, Wendy has dedicated her career to supporting the neurodivergent community. She is the founder of Adulting While Autistic and helps late-diagnosed autistic adults find clarity and community.  Books Available on Amazon Website: wendelawhitcombmarsh.com Instagram: @wendela.w.marsh Adulting While Autistic: @adultingwhileautistic  Join the Newsletter: https://forms.aweber.com/form/49/591191449.htm Thank You for Listening: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it. Your support helps us reach more late-diagnosed autistic adults and those who care about them.  YouTube: @AmplifyingAutism Spotify & Apple Podcast: Amplifying Autism Podcast

    Finding Your People & Your Passion | Neurodivergence & Social Justice with Guest Stephanie Schwartz

  7. Jun 22

    Autistic Burnout & Employment with Guest Dr. Daniel Wendler

    What does autistic burnout really look like, and why can it be so difficult to recover from? In this episode, Wendy speaks with Dr. Daniel Wendler, a clinical psychologist, internationally recognized keynote speaker, and bestselling author, about autistic burnout, employment, workplace accommodations, and finding a career environment where autistic people can actually thrive. Dr. Wendler explains how autistic burnout can be different from typical burnout. Autistic people may face the additional demands of masking, sensory overload, social expectations, and navigating environments that were not designed for autistic needs. Even everyday activities can require significantly more energy, making it harder to recover and easier to remain stuck in burnout. We'll also discuss what employers can do to support neurodivergent employees, including small accommodations that can make a major difference. This episode also explores topics like working from home, sensory environments, workplace flexibility, and why some autistic people may thrive when they have greater control over their work environment. Daniel encourages people who struggle with burnout to consider whether a remote or hybrid position might allow them to use more of their energy for doing good work rather than simply surviving the workplace.   Another important part of the conversation is employment itself. Daniel encourages autistic job seekers not to assume that a bad workplace experience means they are incapable of working. Some workplaces simply aren't a good fit. Inclusive employers exist, and finding one can make it possible to use your strengths and talents without constantly burning yourself out.  Takeaways: Autistic burnout can be intensified by masking, sensory demands, and environments that don't accommodate autistic needsBurnout isn't laziness or weakness. Shame can prevent people from asking for the support they needSmall workplace accommodations can make a huge difference in productivity and well-beingWorking from home or in a hybrid environment may help some autistic people reduce burnout and thrive at workDon't assume that a bad workplace experience means you can't work. The right environment can make a huge differenceJob requirements aren't always absolute. If you believe you can do the job, don't automatically eliminate yourself because you don't meet every requirementYou don't have to follow someone else's idea of what an autistic life should look like. There is no single right way to be autisticTake time to recognize the things about yourself that you would admire in someone else. You deserve to be proud of yourselfAbout Daniel Wendler: Dr. Daniel Wendler is a clinical psychologist, internationally recognized keynote speaker, and a proudly autistic advocate for neurodiversity in the workplace. He is a bestselling author, most recently of Neurodiversity and the Myth of Normal, and his TEDx talks about his life with autism have been viewed more than 750,000 times.  Dr. Wendler consults on autism and neurodiversity for leading organizations including Google, Harvard, and Blizzard Entertainment. His expertise has also been featured by Bloomberg Magazine, the American Psychological Association, and the Great Place to Work Summit.  His other books include Improve Your Social Skills, How to Make Conversation, and Clicking with Clients: Online Marketing for Private Practice Therapists. Website: danielwendler.com YouTube: @AutisticPsychologist TikTok: @autisticpsychologist Instagram: @drdanpsychologist About Your Host: Wendela Whitcomb Marsh, MA, RSD, is an award-winning author, TEDx speaker, and host of Amplifying Autism. Though not autistic herself, Wendy has dedicated her career to supporting the neurodivergent community. She is the founder of Adulting While Autistic and helps late-diagnosed autistic adults find clarity and community.  Books Available on Amazon Website: wendelawhitcombmarsh.com Instagram: @wendela.w.marsh Adulting While Autistic: @adultingwhileautistic  Join the Newsletter: https://forms.aweber.com/form/49/591191449.htm Thank You for Listening: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it. Your support helps us reach more late-diagnosed autistic adults and those who care about them.  YouTube: @AmplifyingAutism Spotify & Apple Podcast: Amplifying Autism Podcast

    Autistic Burnout & Employment with Guest Dr. Daniel Wendler

  8. Jun 8

    Autism Beyond the Brain: Neurodivergence, Physiology & the Full Spectrum with Guest Dr. Marlo Thurman

    What does it mean to understand autism as more than a difference in how the brain works? In this episode of Amplifying Autism, Wendy speaks with Dr. Marlo Thurman, President and Board Chair of the U.S. Autism Association, about the importance of supporting people across the entire spectrum. Dr. Thurman began working with autistic children early in her career and later developed a personal understanding of neurodivergence after experiencing a traumatic brain injury that dramatically changed how she processed sensory information and experienced her own mind. She shares how that experience deepened her understanding of the autistic people she had worked with for years.  This episode covers topics like sensory processing, thinking in pictures, autism in adults, late diagnosis, and also explores the distinction between neurodiversity and neurodivergence, and why physical health concerns such as digestive problems, joint issues, fatigue, and other physiological differences deserve greater recognition when discussing autism. She explains how stress, accommodations, and the demands of navigating a world that isn't designed for autistic people can affect the mind and body. Takeaways: Understanding autism across the full spectrum means recognizing both cognitive and physiological differences The mind-body connection deserves greater attention when we talk about autism Sensory processing can dramatically affect how someone experiences the world Autistic people and other neurodivergent people deserve to have their physical health concerns taken seriously If you want to understand autism, listen to people who have lived experience Self-understanding and greater awareness can help create a world that better accommodates different ways of thinking, processing, and living About Dr. Marlo Thurman: Dr. Marlo Thurman began her career as a private practice school psychologist and earned a Ph.D. in special education. She is the President and Board Chair of the U.S. Autism Association and has spent more than 30 years working in the fields of psychology, special education, autism, giftedness, and twice-exceptionality. She is also the author of Autism Is the Future, which features first-person accounts from autistic adults and what they want future generations to understand, and Naturopathic Wisdom: A Common Sense Mind-Body Approach for Struggling Children and Teens. U.S. Autism Association Website: usautism.org World Autism Learning Website: worldautismlearning.org U.S. Autism World Alliance Website: usautism.world U.S. Autism YouTube Channel: @USAutism About Your Host: Wendela Whitcomb Marsh, MA, RSD, is an award-winning author, TEDx speaker, and host of Amplifying Autism. Though not autistic herself, Wendy has dedicated her career to supporting the neurodivergent community. She is the founder of Adulting While Autistic and helps late-diagnosed autistic adults find clarity and community.  Books Available on Amazon Website: wendelawhitcombmarsh.com Instagram: @wendela.w.marsh Adulting While Autistic: @adultingwhileautistic  Join the Newsletter: https://forms.aweber.com/form/49/591191449.htm Thank You for Listening: Thank you for joining Wendy and Dr. Marlo Thurman for this conversation about autism, neurodivergence, physiology, and what it means to support people across the entire spectrum. If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it. Your support helps us reach more late-diagnosed autistic adults and those who care about them.  YouTube: @AmplifyingAutism Spotify & Apple Podcast: Amplifying Autism Podcast

    Autism Beyond the Brain: Neurodivergence, Physiology & the Full Spectrum with Guest Dr. Marlo Thurman
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Host Wendela Whitcomb Marsh interviews autistic authors and professionals to share their wisdom, insights, and words of encouragement for other late-diagnosed, high-masking, or self-identified autistic folk.

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