December 03, 2025

Late Diagnosed Autism in Adults: Wendela Whitcomb Marsh on Masking, Workplace Wins & Self-Acceptance | Adulting with Autism

47 minutes

Exhausted from late diagnosed autism masking as an adult? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, host April chats with Wendela Whitcomb Marsh (Dr. Wendy), award-winning author, TEDx speaker, and US Autism Association board member, on neurodivergent self-acceptance, workplace accommodations, and advocacy for high-masking autistic adults—especially women/girls/trans/ND folks. After 40 years in special ed/psychology, Dr. Wendy founded (and sold) Adult Autism Assessment & Services, drawing from her autistic family (late husband + 2/3 adult kids). Her Adulting While Autistic series (Independent Living, Dating, Relating, Parenting, Working While Autistic) and SWAN Church (Scripture & Worship for All Neurotypes) empower underserved voices.

Key insights:

Adult vs. child autism: Masking hides symptoms (e.g., routines for eye contact/socializing); exhaustion from "faking normal."

Late-dx challenges: Women/trans/non-binary often missed (3-6x overlap with autism); bullying/shame leads to self-doubt.

Workplace/family support: Frame needs as productivity wins (e.g., noise-canceling headphones/WFH); believe autistic voices—no "faking."

Clinician tips: Read autistic authors, seek ND-affirming pros; self-ID valid if no paper needed (for disability/accommodations).

Advocacy ahead: Boa constrictor squeeze (hard times)—stay safe, speak out; churches need inclusivity (SWAN as model).

For autistic young adults unmasking or parents advocating, Dr. Wendy's optimism shines: "Nothing wrong with you—world's not built for you." Free library access to her books; inquire for Book Club readings.

Subscribe for ND adulting advocacy! Rate/review on Podbean/Apple/Spotify. Books at Amazon/Barnes & Noble/Powell's/indies; SWAN Church: swanchurch.org. Linktree: adultingwithautism.linktr.ee (Podbean/shop/socials).

Holiday merch sale: 30% off tees/hoodies with code BLACK25 at adultingwithautism.shop—fierce ND gear!

#LateDiagnosedAutism #AutismMaskingAdults #NeurodivergentWorkplace #AutismWomenTrans #AdultingWhileAutistic #SWANChurchND #AutismSelfAcceptance #AuDHD #OT #MentalHealth #BTS #BTSNeurodivergent #Neurodiversity #ADHD #PodMatch #Podcasts

Episode: Late Diagnosed Autism in Adults with Wendela Whitcomb Marsh

[00:00] Intro: Masking Exhaustion in Late-Dx ND Adults

[00:30] Dr. Wendy's Story: 40-Year Career to Adult Autism Advocacy

[02:00] Missed Symptoms: Adult vs. Child Autism (Masking Routines/Sensory)

[05:00] Late-Dx Challenges: Women/Trans/Non-Binary Overlap (3-6x Higher)

[08:00] Masking Effects: "Faking Normal" & Unmasking Safety

[11:00] Family Support: Listen/Believe—Accommodations for All

[14:00] Workplace Wins: Frame Needs as Productivity (Headphones/WFH)

[17:00] Clinician Tips: ND-Affirming Pros, Read Autistic Authors

[20:00] Lived Experience: Autistic Family Shapes Her Books/Advocacy

[23:00] Church Inclusivity: SWAN Church Model for ND/LGBTQIA+

[26:00] Future Advocacy: Boa Constrictor Squeeze—Stay Safe/Speak Out

[29:00] Testing Advice: Self-ID Valid; Sliding Scales for Assessments

[32:00] Outro: Books/Resources & CTAs

Resources:

Books: Adulting While Autistic series/Recognizing Autism in Women and Girls (Amazon/Barnes & Noble/Powell's/indies/libraries)

SWAN Church: swanchurch.org (online ND-affirming worship)

Contact: [email protected] (Book Clubs/speaking)

Linktree(Podbean/shop/socials)

Subscribe on Podbean/YouTube for ND advocacy! Share your masking story in comments. #AutismAdults #LateDxMasking #NDWorkplace #AutismWomen #SWANChurch

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By April Ratchford MS OT/L

4.8

7272 ratings