Adulting with Autism

Autistic & Leading: How Aaron Helton Transformed People-Pleasing into Empowered Leadership


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Hey friends! Today’s episode brings in Aaron Helton — an autistic executive coach who’s rewriting what leadership can look like for neurodivergent adults.

Raised by a Tiger Mom and homeschooled with a grading scale where a “B” meant failure, Aaron knows what it means to live under pressure. From years of masking and people-pleasing to running from burnout, Aaron shares how he finally stepped into leadership with boundaries, humor, and radical self-awareness.

We talk about:

  • Why autistic adults often become overthinkers and overachievers

  • What happens when you stop saying “yes” to stay safe

  • And how leadership can look a whole lot more human, honest, and neurodivergent-friendly

    If you’ve ever thought, “Is it okay to want more and not break myself to get it?” — this one is for you.

    ☕ Want to support the show and keep this content flowing? Tap my Linktree to grab merch, join our Discord, or Buy Me a Coffee — everything’s in one spot:

    👉 https://linktr.ee/adultingwithautism

    🎧 Connect with Aaron:

    🔗 https://integratedleader.com



    Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adulting-with-autism/donations
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    Adulting with AutismBy April Ratchford MS OT/L

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