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One student’s simple question changed the course of my life. In this episode of Quietly Autistic at Last, I share the story of how a moment in my classroom planted the seed that led me toward an autism diagnosis at 48. Part personal memoir, part behind-the-scenes reflection, this is a story of curiosity, courage, and the power of naming what was always there.

Whether you’re late-diagnosed, exploring the possibility, or supporting someone on their journey, I hope my experience reminds you: sometimes the biggest transformations begin with the smallest questions.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• RAADS-R Self-Assessment Tool
  
  
• Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) Test
  
  
• Autism Self-Advocacy Network
  
  
• Autism Speaks Adult Diagnosis Resources
  
  
• Finding a Clinician (Psychology Today Directory)
  
  

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for daily insights, resources, and stories.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, mental health, or diagnostic advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare provider for questions about your health or to pursue a formal diagnosis.

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Welcome to Quietly Autistic at Last, a podcast for women diagnosed with autism later in life—women who spent years, even decades, masked, misunderstood, or misdiagnosed. I'm your host, Dr. Allison Sucamele. 

In this debut episode, I share my own story—how a single question from one of my students led me to the RAADS-R (Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale–Revised) and, eventually, to an official autism diagnosis at 48 years old. We’ll explore what the RAADS-R is, its strengths and limitations, and why so many women are missed in traditional autism research and diagnosis.

If you’ve ever felt like you were “too much” and “not enough” all at once, praised for being put together while falling apart in private, this episode is for you. You were never wrong about yourself—you were simply misnamed, misunderstood, and maybe… finally ready to be found.

RAADS-R Links:

• Learn more about the RAADS-R from Psychology Tools: https://www.psychology-tools.com/test/raads-r
• Take the RAADS-R self-assessment (informational use only): https://embrace-autism.com/raads-r/

🎧 New episodes every Tuesday. Follow on Instagram @quietlyautisticatlast or visit quietlyautisticatlast.buzzsprout.comfor more resources.

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Have you always felt... a little different?
Like you were missing a piece that everyone else seemed to have?

You masked. You overthought. You adapted.
And still, you wondered—why is this so hard for me?

I’m Dr. Allison Sucamele - psychology researcher, educator, and a woman diagnosed with autism later in life.

And I’m here to tell you:
You were never broken.
You were never wrong about yourself.
You were just… quietly autistic all along.

Quietly Autistic at Last is a podcast for women who were missed, misdiagnosed, and misunderstood—until now.

Each week, we’ll explore the gentle, powerful journey of late-in-life diagnosis:
The grief. The relief. The unmasking.
And the beauty of finally feeling seen.

If you’re newly diagnosed, self-identifying, or just beginning to wonder—this space is for you.

✨ Episodes drop every Tuesday, beginning September 2025. ✨
Follow Quietly Autistic at Last on your favorite podcast app.

Because your truth was never too loud.
It was just waiting for the right moment to be heard.