Understanding Autistic Loneliness: When You’re Surrounded But Still Alone

I’m Lovette Jallow, an award-winning author, speaker, and consultant specializing in neurodiversity, intersectionality, and human rights. As a Black Autistic woman with ADHD (AuDHD), I know what it’s like to exist in spaces that don’t offer the same curiosity, care, or reciprocity that I extend to others.

Autistic loneliness isn’t about being physically alone—it’s about being surrounded by people who don’t really see you. If you’ve ever felt drained by one-sided relationships, exhausted by the constant expectation of emotional labor, or struggled with finding spaces that genuinely value you, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🔹 What autistic loneliness really feels like—and why it’s different from solitude.🔹 Why social exhaustion is so common for neurodivergent people.🔹 The impact of one-sided conversations and relationships.🔹 Unspoken societal expectations of emotional labor—and how they affect us.🔹 How to set boundaries and prioritize reciprocity in your relationships.🔹 Rethinking community care and creating spaces where neurodivergent people are valued, not just tolerated.

This conversation isn’t about fixing ourselves to fit into a world that was never built for us—it’s about recognizing what we need and making room for it.

🎙 Listen now to explore why autistic loneliness happens, how it affects neurodivergent people, and what true connection really looks like.

🔗 Links & Resources:

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