Pedro discussing advocating for himself. 

In this episode of our Day In The Life series, Taylor sits down with Thea Walther an autistic woman with ADHD, a digital accessibility specialist — for a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about neurodivergence, identity, communication, and thriving in a world not built for autistic people.

Thea shares her lived experience navigating autism and ADHD, discovering her diagnosis later in life, and finding empowerment through community, self‑understanding, and unmasking. She offers candid insight into sensory needs, communication differences, workplace accommodations, and the ways autistic traits can be both challenging and joyful.

This episode is for anyone who wants to better understand autism through the real voice of someone who lives it every day.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• Thea’s journey discovering she is autistic later in life and how that changed everything for her
• How autism and ADHD shape her communication, sensory experience, and daily routines
• What a typical workday looks like for her as a digital accessibility specialist
• The dynamic relationship between autism, ADHD, identity, and community
• The challenges of masking, navigating neurotypical communication, and sensory overwhelm
• The strengths and “autistic abilities” Thea embraces, from sound recall to intentional movement
• The importance of inclusive workplaces, remote work options, and clear communication norms
• How community and connection transformed her sense of belonging
• Advice for autistic people — and for anyone wanting to create more inclusive spaces

Who This Episode Is For

• Autistic and otherwise neurodivergent individuals
• People exploring late‑in‑life diagnosis or self‑discovery
• Employers, managers, and coworkers who want to better support autistic employees
• Accessibility professionals, disability advocates, and allies
• Anyone interested in authentic stories about neurodivergence, identity, and inclusion

Follow the Accessible Community Podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear more conversations centered on accessibility, lived experience, and inclusion.

Episode Description:
In the first episode of our Day In The Life series, we sit down with Rachel Profitt, a Principal Program Manager at Microsoft, for an open and honest conversation about living and working as an autistic woman. Rachel shares her personal experiences navigating accessibility, inclusion, and professional life in tech, offering insight into what true support and understanding can look like in the workplace and beyond.

This episode is designed for anyone who wants to better understand autism, accessibility, and inclusive practices through real lived experience.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

•  Rachel’s journey as an autistic woman in the tech industry
•  What a typical day looks like for her
•  How accessibility impacts productivity and wellbeing
•  Challenges and strengths of neurodivergence at work
•  The importance of inclusive culture and understanding autism
•  Advice for organizations and individuals who want to be more inclusive

Who This Episode Is For:

•  Autistic and neurodivergent individuals
•  People interested in accessibility and inclusion
•  Employers, managers, and coworkers in tech and beyond

Follow the Accessible Community Podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear more conversations centered on accessibility, lived experience, and inclusion.

Video of Interview