Black Girl Diagnosed

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In this episode of Black Girl Diagnosed, we’re joined by Jaitesha Hanson, MS, LMHC, a licensed mental health counselor, educator, and founder of The Alchemist Lab.

Jaitesha shares her perspective as a late-identified Black neurodivergent woman and mental health professional, exploring why so many Black women are diagnosed with autism and ADHD later in life. We discuss the impact of masking, code-switching, trauma, and cultural expectations, and how these experiences can make neurodivergence harder to recognize.

We also take a closer look at the gaps in clinician education and why traditional assessments don't always capture the full picture of neurodivergence. Jaitesha explains how her lived experience and professional background inspired her to create neuroaffirming education and clinical tools that focus on recognizing patterns rather than simply looking for diagnoses.

This is an important conversation about late diagnosis, representation, mental health care, and creating more affirming pathways for Black neurodivergent women to finally be seen and understood.

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In this episode of Black Girl Diagnosed, we’re joined by Samantha Dixon, a creative entrepreneur and late-diagnosed AuDHD woman who is building a life and business that works with her brain, not against it.

Samantha shares her experience navigating the masking burden of late diagnosis as a Black woman and what it meant to finally understand herself through an AuDHD lens. We explore the complexities of experiencing both autism and ADHD, the importance of breaking the stigma around mental health in Black communities, and why greater recognition of neurodivergence in Black women matters.

We also talk about building a business around your actual needs, creating content about your late-diagnosis journey, and the importance of representation for autistic and ADHD women.

This is a powerful conversation about self-understanding, entrepreneurship, mental health, and creating a life that works with your brain, not against it.

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In this episode of Black Girl Diagnosed, we’re joined by Diane J. Wright, founder of Autastic®, an autistic-led organization dedicated to supporting late-identified autistic adults, particularly Black, Indigenous, and other people of color.

Diane shares her own late diagnosis journey and why she created Autastic to provide the community and support she wished had existed for her. Together, we explore how racism, ableism, misogynoir, ageism, and other intersecting systems shape the lives of autistic people, especially those from marginalized communities.

We also discuss why conversations about autistic adulthood beyond age 40 deserve more attention, the growth of the Autastic community, and the importance of advocates working together to create meaningful change. Diane shares why coalition-building, authentic representation, and community care are essential to ensuring every autistic person feels seen, supported, and empowered.

This episode is a thoughtful conversation about identity, advocacy, aging, and the power of building spaces where autistic people can thrive together.

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In this episode of Black Girl Diagnosed, we’re joined by disability advocate and filmmaker Tameka Citchen Spruce for a powerful conversation about advocacy, storytelling, and authentic representation.

Tameka shares her journey into disability advocacy and how filmmaking became a way to amplify disabled voices and challenge stereotypes. We also discuss her documentary, Autistic Out Loud, the inspiration behind the project, and why it was so important to center the lived experiences of autistic people through their own voices.

Together, we explore the power of media to create change, the importance of authentic disability representation, and what true inclusion looks like in film, storytelling, and society. This episode is a reminder that when disabled people are given the opportunity to tell their own stories, they have the power to educate, inspire, and transform the way the world understands disability.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about advocacy, filmmaking, and the importance of ensuring disabled voices are heard.

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In this episode of Black Girl Diagnosed, we’re joined by Tiara, a Haitian American autistic mom raising two autistic children. Tiara shares her journey of learning to parent while also discovering herself as an autistic adult, and how her late diagnosis transformed the way she understands her needs, her family, and her identity.

Together, we discuss parenting neurodivergent children, navigating autism within the Haitian community, and the importance of creating affirming spaces for Black and Caribbean autistic families. Tiara also opens up about finding joy again through fandoms and content creation, and how those communities became an unexpected source of connection, healing, and support.

This episode is a heartfelt conversation about identity, parenting, culture, and embracing your authentic self. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on what it means to build community, find belonging, and thrive as a Black autistic woman.

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In this episode of Black Girl Diagnosed, we’re joined by Kayla Smith, an autistic disability justice advocate, creator of #BlackAutisticPride, and passionate voice for Black autistic representation.

Kayla shares her journey as a Black autistic queer woman and reflects on how advocacy, community, and self-discovery have shaped her life. We discuss the importance of self-acceptance, embracing every part of your identity, and what it means to take pride in being both Black and autistic in a world that often misunderstands both experiences.

Kayla also opens up about her advocacy work, the inspiration behind #BlackAutisticPride, and why creating space for Black autistic voices remains so important. This conversation is a powerful reminder that authenticity, visibility, and community can be transformative.

Tune in for an inspiring discussion about identity, pride, and the journey of becoming your truest self.

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In this episode of Black Girl Diagnosed, we’re joined by Dr. KáLyn “Kay” Coghill, an AuDHD educator, activist, and advocate whose work focuses on digital misogynoir, online gender-based violence, and protecting Black communities in digital spaces.

Kay shares their experiences navigating academic and professional spaces as a neurodivergent Black person, what it means to practice harm reduction online, and why creating safer internet spaces for Black women, girls, and non-binary people is so important. We also discuss their mid-30s diagnosis journey and how understanding their neurodivergence reshaped the way they see themselves and move through the world.

This conversation is powerful, timely, and deeply necessary  exploring the intersections of race, disability, technology, and safety in a world where Black neurodivergent voices are too often targeted and overlooked.

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In this special Autism Acceptance Month episode of Black Girl Diagnosed, we welcome back returning guest Charlotte Bachelor for an honest and affirming conversation centered on Black autistic women and the importance of true acceptance beyond awareness.

Charlotte shares her perspective on representation, self-acceptance, and why Black autistic voices must be centered in conversations about autism. Together, we discuss the misconceptions Black autistic women still face, the impact of late diagnosis, and what it means to create spaces where neurodivergent people feel seen, valued, and supported.

This episode is a reminder that autism acceptance is about more than visibility  it’s about listening, understanding, community, and making room for Black autistic people to exist fully and authentically. 🩷✨

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This week and for the final episode of season 1 of Black Girl Diagnosed  we’re joined by Lyric Rivera, creator of the NeuroDivergent Rebel blog and author of the best-selling book Workplace Neurodiversity Rising, praised by Forbes as an essential guide grounded in lived experience and professional insight. Since launching NeuroDivergent Rebel in 2016, Lyric has helped reshape how people understand neurodiversity through writing and video, centering autistic voices, creative expression, and autonomy. Their work challenges outdated narratives and pushes for a world where neurological differences are respected and accepted.

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In this episode of Black Girl Diagnosed, we’re joined by children’s author and autism advocate Pastiche Graham, creator of Pia Pistachio Gets a Job! — a book inspired by her lived experience as an autistic woman.

Pastiche shares how her appearance on Undercover Boss helped spark her publishing journey and why she felt called to create a main character autistic girls can see themselves in. We talk about the male-centered narrative around autism, the discrimination autistic people still face in workplaces, and the importance of public inclusion and representation. Pastiche opens up about reclaiming her voice, challenging stigma, and using storytelling as activism.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that autistic girls and women deserve visibility, resources, and spaces where they belong. Tune in for an honest discussion about courage, advocacy, and rewriting the story around autism. 

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