Description

In this episode, Di interviews Wendela Whitcomb Marsh who shares her personal journey and expertise in late-diagnosed autism. She discusses the challenges of coping with tragedy and moving forward, the misconceptions about neurodiversity, and the uphill battle of diagnosis in adults with neurodivergence.

Additional Links

• Buy Di's latest book "Indomitable: A Foster Care Story" at diciruolo.com.
• Learn more about Wendela at https://wendelawhitcombmarsh.com/
• Learn more about autism in adults at adultautismassessment.com
• Contact Wendela at drwendy@adultautismassessment.com and make sure to mention The Indomitable Podcast!

Takeaways

• Late diagnosis of autism is more common than you think, especially in women and girls.

• Misconceptions about neurodiversity, such as the belief that autism is mostly found in boys, can hinder proper identification and support.

• Diagnosis is crucial for self-identification, finding support, and accessing appropriate services.

• Schools and educators are becoming more informed about neurodiversity, but there is still progress to be made in creating inclusive environments with better support and funding.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction and Background

02:23 – Coping with Tragedy and Moving Forward

05:18 – Late Diagnosis of Autism

09:55 – Misconceptions about Neurodiversity

16:06 – The Challenges of Masking

19:48 – The Uphill Battle of Diagnosis

25:58 – The Importance of Labels

28:41 – The Importance of Social Skills in Education

30:49 – The Need for Increased Funding for Special Education

33:20 – The Growing Awareness of Neurodiversity in Schools

36:09 – Personal Experience and Parenting

42:02 – The Increase in Autism and ADHD Diagnoses

46:38 – The Unique Skills and Challenges of Neurodivergent Individuals in the Workplace

49:06 – How to Connect with Wendela and Learn More