This week's guest is Lucy Dawson, a writer, autism advocate, and ambassador for Wiltshire Council, who shares her inspiring journey navigating life as an autistic person. Lucy opens up about her experiences growing up, the challenges of self-acceptance, and her path to embracing her neurodiversity. From her unique family dynamics to the solace she found in music, Lucy discusses how her life was shaped by her autism diagnosis, finally received in her early forties.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Growing Up Undiagnosed: Lucy talks about her childhood and the difficulties of fitting in, her father's probable autism, and how the lack of understanding in the 1970s and 80s affected her sense of self.
• Self-Discovery and Diagnosis: She shares the journey to her autism diagnosis at age 43, which brought clarity and relief after years of being misdiagnosed with mental health conditions.
• Finding Community: Lucy recalls the sense of belonging she found in the fan community of the band Cardiacs and how this helped her express her identity.
• Challenges with Social Interaction: The episode explores Lucy’s struggles with social situations, the importance of planning, and how autism affects her ability to connect with others.
• Wiltshire Council Advocacy: Lucy discusses her work with Wiltshire Council, where she uses her experiences to improve inclusion for autistic people, providing insight into autistic-friendly practices and digital content initiatives.
• Advice for Parents and Self-Advocates: Lucy offers tips for parents who suspect their children may be on the autism spectrum and encourages self-advocacy for those seeking diagnosis and support.
• Benefits of Neurodiversity: The episode touches on how autistic traits like intense focus and unique problem-solving abilities contribute positively to society, with examples from notable figures and the tech industry.

Quotes:

• "Receiving my diagnosis was a relief... I finally understood why I struggled with things that seemed easy for others."
• "Autism is a spectrum, and every autistic person is different. We’re all on our unique paths."
• "Neurodiversity allows us to approach problems from angles that others may not see, making our contributions invaluable."

Links and Resources:

• Lucy Dawson’s Substack 
• National Autistic Society 
• Wiltshire Council Autism Resources 

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Intro and outro music, 'Time for a Coffee'  Bob Wells © 2020

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