Hear Leslie's story about stumbling upon autism later in life, and the series of aha moments that ensued.

Leslie previously worked in animation on feature films such as FernGully: The Last Rainforest, The Lion King, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Pocahontas, and Space Jam. She is now a freelance graphic designer crafting bespoke graphics and brand development for rogues, disruptors, and obsessives in California.

Topics discussed also include:

• Reasons why some people don't pursue formal autism diagnosis
• Intense empathy experienced by many on the spectrum
• Responses of loved ones to news of a potential autism diagnosis
• Some challenges with online autism screening tests

If you'd like to know more about this topic, check out:

Leslie's reading list:

Women and Girls With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Understanding Life Experiences From Early Childhood to Old Age by Sarah Hendrickx and Judith Gould

Odd Girl Out: An Autistic Woman in a Neurotypical World by Laura James

Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum by Jennifer Cook O'Toole

Older Autistic Adults: In Their Own Words — The Lost Generation by Wilma Wake, Eric Endlich, and Robert S. Lagos

If you'd like to know more about topics discussed in this episode, check out:

Autism Psychometric Tests —Embrace Autism website

"Reasons Autism Self-Diagnosis is Valid" by Aly Laube

"A Mixed Methods Study of Barriers to Formal Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adults" by Laura Foran Lewis

"Autism Identity and the 'Lost Generation': Structural Validation of the Autism Spectrum Identity Scale and Comparison of Diagnosed and Self-Diagnosed Adults on the Autism Spectrum" by T. A. M. McDonald

"Biocertification and Neurodiversity: The Role and Implications of Self-Diagnosis in Autistic Communities" by Jennifer C. Sarrett

"How is Psychological Wellbeing Experienced by Autistic Women? Challenges and Protective Factors: A Meta-Synthesis" by Natalie Yau et al.

Episode intro and outro music: "Life Progression" by Sh

Theme music: "Everything Feels New" by Evgeny Bardyuzha.

All episodes written and produced by Kristen Hovet.

Send in your questions or thoughts via audio or video recording for a chance to be featured on the show! Email your audio or video clips to [email protected] through WeTransfer.

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The views, opinions, and experiences shared by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. The content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical or professional advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions related to your health, fitness, or wellness.